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N-acetyltransferase (NAT) refers to enzymes that transfer an
acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to nitrogen-containing substrates. In
xenobiotic metabolism, the principal human arylamine N-acetyltransferases are
NAT1 and NAT2. They metabolize drugs,
aromatic amines, and heterocyclic amines through N-acetylation and
O-acetylation, thereby contributing to either detoxification or metabolic
activation of carcinogens. NAT activity and genetic polymorphisms can
therefore influence drug response and cancer susceptibility. The direction
is context-dependent: increased NAT activity may enhance detoxification of
some compounds but activate other procarcinogens. NAT1, NAT2, or total
NAT activity is study specific, and protein N-terminal acetyltransferases such as NAA10 are separate targets.
NAT1 reference;
NAT2 reference;
Cancer review.
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