N-Formylmethionine

N-Formylmethionine

Names
IUPAC name N-Formylmethionine
Systematic IUPAC name (S)-2-Formylamino-4-methylsulfanylbutanoic acid
Other names 2-Formylamino-4-methylsulfanyl-butyric acid; Formylmethionine; N-Formyl(methyl)homocysteine
Identifiers
CAS Number	4289-98-9 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Abbreviations	fMet
ChEBI	CHEBI:182822
ChemSpider	887
EC Number	224-322-8
PubChem CID	911
UNII	PS9357B4XH Y
InChI InChI=1S/C6H11NO3S/c1-11-3-2-5(6(9)10)7-4-8/h4-5H,2-3H2,1H3,(H,7,8)(H,9,10) Key: PYUSHNKNPOHWEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES CSCC[C@H](NC=O)C(O)=O
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H11NO3S
Molar mass	177.22 g/mol
Hazards
GHS labelling:[1]
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H319
Precautionary statements	P264+P265, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P317
Supplementary data page
N-Formylmethionine (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

N-Formylmethionine (fMet,^[2] HCO-Met,^[3] For-Met^[3]) is a derivative of the amino acid methionine in which a formyl group has been added to the amino group. It is specifically used for initiation of protein synthesis from bacterial and organellar genes, and may be removed post-translationally.

fMet plays a crucial part in the protein synthesis of bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts. It is not used in cytosolic protein synthesis of eukaryotes, where eukaryotic nuclear genes are translated. It is also not used by Archaea. In the human body, fMet is recognized by the immune system as foreign material, or as an alarm signal released by damaged cells, and stimulates the body to fight against potential infection.