''AANAT'' is a gene that encodes an enzyme
aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase
Aralkylamine ''N''-acetyltransferase (AANAT) (), also known as arylalkylamine ''N''-acetyltransferase or serotonin ''N''-acetyltransferase (SNAT), is an enzyme that is involved in the day/night rhythmic production of melatonin, by modification ...
.
It is the key regulator of day-night cycle (circadian rhythm). It is found in all animals. In humans it is present on chromosome 17, in chimpanzees chromosome 17, in mouse and sheep chromosome 11, in rat chromosome 10, and in chicken chromosome 18.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the
acetyltransferase
Acetyltransferase (or transacetylase) is a type of transferase enzyme that transfers an acetyl group.
Examples include:
* Histone acetyltransferases including CBP histone acetyltransferase
* Choline acetyltransferase
* Chloramphenicol acetyltransf ...
superfamily. It is the penultimate enzyme in
melatonin
Melatonin is a natural product found in plants and animals. It is primarily known in animals as a hormone released by the pineal gland in the brain at night, and has long been associated with control of the sleep–wake cycle.
In vertebrates ...
synthesis and controls the night/day rhythm in melatonin production in the vertebrate
pineal gland
The pineal gland, conarium, or epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine gland in the brain of most vertebrates. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a serotonin-derived hormone which modulates sleep, sleep patterns in both circadian rhythm, circ ...
. Melatonin is essential for the function of the
circadian clock
A circadian clock, or circadian oscillator, is a biochemical oscillator that cycles with a stable phase (waves), phase and is synchronized with solar time.
Such a clock's ''in vivo'' period is necessarily almost exactly 24 hours (the earth's curre ...
that influences activity and sleep. This enzyme is regulated by
cAMP
Camp may refer to:
Outdoor accommodation and recreation
* Campsite or campground, a recreational outdoor sleeping and eating site
* a temporary settlement for nomads
* Camp, a term used in New England, Northern Ontario and New Brunswick to descri ...
-dependent
phosphorylation
In chemistry, phosphorylation is the attachment of a phosphate group to a molecule or an ion. This process and its inverse, dephosphorylation, are common in biology and could be driven by natural selection. Text was copied from this source, wh ...
that promotes its interaction with
14-3-3 protein
14-3-3 proteins are a family of conserved regulatory molecules that are expressed in all eukaryotic cells. 14-3-3 proteins have the ability to bind a multitude of functionally diverse signaling proteins, including kinases, phosphatases, and trans ...
s and thus protects the enzyme against
proteasomal degradation.
Clinical significance
This gene may contribute to numerous genetic diseases such as
delayed sleep phase syndrome.
References
Circadian rhythm
External links
* {{UCSC gene info, AANAT