NAT8 gene, isolated using the differential display method to detect tissue-specific genes, is specifically expressed in kidney and liver. The encoded protein shows amino acid sequence similarity to N-acetyltransferases. A similar protein in Xenopus affects cell adhesion and gastrulation movements, and may be localized in the secretory pathway. A highly similar paralog is found in a cluster with this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2008].
NAT8B protein encoded by this gene is highly similar to the N-acetyltransferase 8 (NAT8) gene product, which is a kidney and liver protein with homology to bacterial acetyltransferases involved in drug resistance. This gene is localized on chromosome 2 in the vicinity of the NAT8 gene and may represent a pseudogene of NAT8. This gene contains two polymorphic nonsense mutations that disrupt the active site of the protein. The full-length product of this gene contains a complete acetyltransferase domain and is identical in length to NAT8. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].