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What is the secret of acetyl? Why does this small molecule play a key role in biology and medicine?
Acetyl group is a very important functional group in organic chemistry. Its chemical formula is −COCH3 and its structure is −C(=O)−CH3. Acetyl is often represented by the symbol Ac, which is not to be confused with the symbol for the element actinium. In IUPAC nomenclature, an acetyl group is called an ethanoyl group. It consists of a methyl group (−CH3) single-bonded to a carbonyl group (C=O), making it an acyl group. Acetyl is a component of many organic compounds, including acetic acid, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, acetyl-CoA, acetylcysteine, Acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
"The process of acetylation adds an acetyl group to a molecule and is an important chemical reaction."
Acetylation is the process of adding an acetyl group to a molecule. For example, the reaction of glycine to N-acetylglycine can be represented by the following chemical formula:
H2NCH2CO2H + (CH3CO)2O → CH3C(O)NHCH2CO2H + CH3CO2H
Role in biology
In organisms, the enzymes that perform acetylation are called acetyltransferases. In living organisms, acetyl groups are usually transferred from acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to other organic molecules. Acetyl-CoA is an intermediate in the synthesis and breakdown of many organic molecules and is produced by pyruvate dehydrogenase during the second stage of cellular respiration (pyruvate decarboxylation). Proteins are frequently modified by acetylation for a variety of uses. For example, acetylation of histones by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) leads to expansion of the local chromatin structure, allowing transcription to proceed and enabling RNA polymerase to access the DNA. However, removal of acetyl groups by histone deacetylases (HDACs) compacts the local chromatin structure, preventing transcription from occurring.
"Acetylation of histones is critical for gene expression and can affect cellular function."
Applications in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry
Chemists can achieve acetylation in a variety of ways, the most common using acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride, usually in the presence of a tertiary or aromatic amine base. In pharmacology, acetylated organic molecules exhibit an enhanced ability to cross the selective blood-brain barrier. This change helps the drug reach the brain faster, making the drug's effects more intense and increasing the effectiveness of a given dose. In the case of aspirin, the presence of an acetyl group enhances its effectiveness relative to the natural anti-inflammatory agent salicylic acid. Likewise, acetylation converts the natural painkiller morphine into the more potent heroin (diacetylmorphine). There is some evidence that acetyl-L-carnitine may be more effective than L-carnitine in certain applications. Acetylation of resveratrol is considered one of the leading candidates for human anti-radiation drugs.
Origin of the term
The word "acetyl" was coined by German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1839 to describe a radical he mistakenly believed to be acetic acid (the main component of vinegar). molecule, and this group is now called the vinyl group. The name "acetyl" comes from the Latin word "acētum", which means "vinegar". When Liebig's theory was proven incorrect and the group of acetic acid was determined to have a different structure, his name was passed on to the correct group, but the name "acetylene" was retained.
"The presence of acetyl groups not only changes the chemical structure, but also plays an important role in biology and medicine."
Today, acetyl groups are key players in many important chemical reactions and biological processes. They not only affect the effects of drugs, but also play a unique role in biological mechanisms. We can't help but ask, will there be more undiscovered acetyl-related applications in the future that can completely change our understanding of health and disease?
