Fig. 3: N-terminal acetylation and its impact on protein fate.

N-terminal acetylation has varying effects depending on the function of the substrate. Here, four main functions of Nt-acetylation are summarised. A Nt-acetylation may facilitate correct protein folding, maintaining protein solubility and function, while the non-Nt-acetylated variant is prone to aggregation^22,68,70,71. B Protein-protein interactions may depend on Nt-acetylation, increasing the ability to bind hydrophobic binding grooves and enhancing the formation of functional protein complexes^28,82,84. C Some substrates depend on Nt-acetylation to achieve correct subcellular localisation, ensuring they reach their functional destinations within the cell^{35,88,89,90,91}. D Nt-acetylation can protect proteins from degradation, contributing to their stability and longevity^39,94,95. However, some Nt-acetylated proteins may be targeted for degradation through conditional mechanisms, such as correct stoichiometry, folding and protein-protein interactions^111,112.