Protein N-terminal amino group (null)

The **protein N-terminal amino group** is the free amine group (-NH₂) located at the start (N-terminus) of a protein or polypeptide chain[1][3][5]. It is a universal feature of all translated proteins, typically derived from the first amino acid incorporated during translation, which in eukaryotes is usually methionine[1][3]. This group plays crucial roles in determining protein identity, function, stability, and fate within the cell. The N-terminal amino group can be modified post-translationally through acetylation, methylation, myristoylation, ubiquitination, and other processes, some of which have regulatory roles in protein function and degradation[2][3]. The specific identity or modification state of the N-terminal amino group can affect a protein's half-life (N-end rule), localization, and interactions, but the group itself is not a conventional drug target, enzyme, or receptor[1][2].

Other names

N-terminusamino-terminusNH₂-terminusN-terminal endamine-terminus

null