Arginylation is a post-translational modification in which proteins are modified by the addition of arginine (Arg) at the N-terminal amino group or side chains of reactive amino acids by the enzyme, arginyltransferase (ATE1). Recent studies have also revealed that hundreds of proteins in vivo are arginylated, proteins which are essential for many biological pathways. While still poorly understood in a biological setting, the ATE1 enzyme is highly conserved which suggests that arginylation is an important biological post-translational modification.
Examples of ATE1 targets which have been identified include ornithine decarboxylase., thyroglobulin, insulin, and neurotensin.