Purification and characterization of aspartate N-acetyltransferase: A critical enzyme in brain metabolism.
Protein Expr Purif
; 119: 11-8, 2016 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26550943
ABSTRACT
Canavan disease (CD) is a neurological disorder caused by an interruption in the metabolism of N-acetylaspartate (NAA). Numerous mutations have been found in the enzyme that hydrolyzes NAA, and the catalytic activity of aspartoacylase is significantly impaired in CD patients. Recent studies have also supported an important role in CD for the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of NAA in the brain. However, previous attempts to study this enzyme had not succeeded in obtaining a soluble, stable and active form of this membrane-associated protein. We have now utilized fusion constructs with solubilizing protein partners to obtain an active and soluble form of aspartate N-acetyltransferase. Characterization of the properties of this enzyme has set the stage for the development of selective inhibitors that can lower the elevated levels of NAA that are observed in CD patients and potentially serve as a new treatment therapy.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Acetyltransferases
/
Recombinant Fusion Proteins
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Protein Expr Purif
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States