A myristoyl group, or 14-carbon saturated fatty acid chain, is what distinguishes myristoyl compounds from other classes of chemical molecules. To control the location and functionality of other molecules, such proteins, this group is frequently bound to them. Myristoylation is an essential component of many biological processes, including as membrane targeting, protein-protein interactions, and signal transduction. An amide bond binds the myristoyl group to the glycine residue at the amino-terminal of a protein. The myristoyl group from myristoyl coenzyme A (myristoyl-CoA) is transferred to the protein by the enzyme N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), which catalyzes this alteration. A crucial step in the metabolism of fatty acids, myristoyl-CoA acts as the donor of the myristoyl group during myristoylation.Many biological proteins require protein myristoylation in order to function properly. It frequently directs proteins toward membranes, where they might interact with other proteins or take part in signaling networks. For instance, many GTPases and kinases are myristoylated, which enables them to bind to membranes and control a range of biological functions. A well-known instance of a myristoylated protein is the tyrosine kinase family Src. Src kinases are essential for the development, multiplication, and differentiation of cells. Src kinases can attach to the plasma membrane thanks to the myristoyl group, and from there they can phosphorylate target proteins that are a part of signaling cascades.Myristoyl compounds are present in tiny molecules with a variety of biological activity in addition to proteins. For example, myristic acid is a saturated fatty acid that is frequently present in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It is the precursor to the myristoyl group. Myristic acid is utilized in soaps and cosmetics because it possesses antibacterial qualities. Research on myristoyl molecules and their functions in biology is ongoing. Gaining knowledge about how myristoylation controls the function and location of proteins can help create new treatment approaches as well as offer important insights into cellular processes. Researchers want to modify the action of particular proteins implicated in illnesses like cancer, inflammation, and infectious diseases by focusing on myristoylation.
