AANAT

AANAT belongs to the acetyltransferase superfamily. It is the penultimate enzyme in melatonin synthesis and controls the night/day rhythm in melatonin production in the vertebrate pineal gland. Melatonin is essential for the function of the circadian clock that influences activity and sleep. This enzyme is regulated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation that promotes its interaction with 14-3-3 proteins and thus protects the enzyme against proteasomal degradation. This gene may contribute to numerous genetic diseases such as delayed sleep phase syndrome.

Full Name

Aralkylamine N-Acetyltransferase

Function

Controls the night/day rhythm of melatonin production in the pineal gland. Catalyzes the N-acetylation of serotonin into N-acetylserotonin, the penultimate step in the synthesis of melatonin.

Biological Process

Cellular response to cAMP
Circadian rhythm
Indolalkylamine biosynthetic process
Melatonin biosynthetic process
N-terminal protein amino acid acetylation
Photoperiodism
Response to calcium ion
Response to copper ion
Response to corticosterone
Response to cytokine
Response to insulin
Response to light stimulus
Response to prostaglandin E
Response to zinc ion

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm

PTM

cAMP-dependent phosphorylation on both N-terminal Thr-31 and C-terminal Ser-205 regulates AANAT activity by promoting interaction with 14-3-3 proteins.