The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the acetyltransferase family, and is a rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolic pathway of polyamine metabolism. It catalyzes the acetylation of spermidine and spermine, and is involved in the regulation of the intracellular concentration of polyamines and their transport out of cells. Defects in this gene are associated with keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD). Alternatively spliced transcripts have been found for this gene.
Enzyme which catalyzes the acetylation of polyamines. Substrate specificity: norspermidine = spermidine >> spermine > N(1)-acetylspermine > putrescine. This highly regulated enzyme allows a fine attenuation of the intracellular concentration of polyamines. Also involved in the regulation of polyamine transport out of cells. Acts on 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,5-diaminopentane, putrescine, spermidine (forming N(1)- and N(8)-acetylspermidine), spermine, N(1)-acetylspermidine and N(8)-acetylspermidine