ACETYLATION INVOLVES ADDING A SMALL CHEMICAL TAG CALLED AN ACETYL GROUP TO A MOLECULE

Acetylation is a fundamental and widespread post-translational modification in biology, involving the addition of an acetyl group (-COCH3) to a molecule, frequently occurring on the lysine residues of proteins. This process is catalyzed by acetyltransferase enzymes and can have significant impacts on the structure, function, and localization of the modified proteins. Beyond proteins, acetylation can also occur on small molecules, playing crucial roles in cellular signaling and metabolism. In the context of proteins, acetylation occurs on the epsilon-amino group of lysine residues. The addition of the acetyl group neutralizes the positive charge of the lysine, influencing its interactions with nearby amino acids and altering the protein’s overall charge. This modification can lead to changes in protein conformation, stability, and interactions with other molecules, thereby affecting protein activity and function. One of the most extensively studied aspects of acetylation is its role in regulating gen