Access Dermatology

Breaking News

• Breaking News List »
• 2008 »
• October »

N-acetyltransferases as markers for asthma and allergic/atopic disorders

A literature review of the role of N-acetyltransferases (NATs) as markers for asthma and allergic/atopic disorders and that of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) in asthma pathogenesis was published. NATs are a family of enzymes involved in the biotransformation and detoxification of hydrazine and other xenobiotics. Association studies on the two gene isoforms NAT1 and NAT2 have revealed the genetic significance (a protective effect) of a slow acetylation phenotype in bronchial or occupational asthma and other allergic diseases. Moreover, fast acetylators may have a higher susceptibility to contact allergic diseases. AANAT is involved in one of the conversion steps of melatonin to serotonin. Both serotonin and melatonin have proinflammatory effects in asthma and further genetic ...