InterPro domain: IPR008220

Homoserine acetyltransferase (homoserine transacetylase) catalyses the first step unique to methionine biosynthesis, converting L-homoserine to O-acetyl-L-homoserine using acetyl-CoA as an acetyl group donor [ 1 ]. This enzyme regulates homoserine in a number of biosynthetic pathways, making it vital to cell growth and viability. The biosynthesis of methionine in particular has been shown to be susceptible to small-molecule inhibition in fungi and is consequently a good candidate for antifungal agents [ 2 ].

This family also includes serine O-acetyltransferases, involved in cysteine biosynthesis [ 3 ], and deacetylcephalosporin C acetyltransferase CefG, closely related to homoserine O-acetyltransferase and involved in cephalosporin biosynthesis [ 4 ].

1. Enzyme-catalyzed acylation of homoserine: mechanistic characterization of the Haemophilus influenzae met2-encoded homoserine transacetylase. Biochemistry 39, 8556-64
2. Role of homoserine transacetylase as a new target for antifungal agents. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 51, 1731-6
3. The Aspergillus nidulans cysA gene encodes a novel type of serine O-acetyltransferase which is homologous to homoserine O-acetyltransferases. Microbiology (Reading, Engl.) 146 ( Pt 10), 2695-703
4. The cefG gene of Cephalosporium acremonium is linked to the cefEF gene and encodes a deacetylcephalosporin C acetyltransferase closely related to homoserine O-acetyltransferase. J. Bacteriol. 174, 3056-64