中国神经再生研究(英文版) ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (9): 4259-4260.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00931

• 观点:神经损伤修复保护与再生 • 上一篇    下一篇

从神经元标志物到代谢介质:扩展n -乙酰天冬氨酸在中枢神经系统和外周的功能版图

  

  • 出版日期:2026-09-15 发布日期:2026-05-14

From neuronal marker to metabolic mediator: Expanding the functional landscape of N-acetylaspartate in the central nervous system and the periphery

Maria Rosa Ciriolo, Fabio Ciccarone*   

  1. Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy (Ciriolo MR, Ciccarone F)
    IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy (Ciriolo MR, Ciccarone F)
  • Online:2026-09-15 Published:2026-05-14
  • Contact: Fabio Ciccarone, PhD, fabio.ciccarone@uniroma2.it.
  • Supported by:
    This work was partially supported by Ricerca Scientifica d’Ateneo 2021 (E83C22000160005 to FC) University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Italian Ministry of Health - Ricerca Corrente; #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006 to MRC) – (DN. 1553 11.10.2022).

摘要: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2425-2240 (Fabio Ciccarone)

Abstract: N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is a non-proteinogenic derivative of L-aspartic acid and represents one of the most abundant metabolites in the human brain, reaching concentrations of approximately 10 mM. It is predominantly synthesized in neurons via the mitochondrial enzyme N-acetyltransferase 8-like (NAT8L), which catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to L-aspartate. Consequently, NAA biosynthesis is tightly linked to neuronal mitochondrial activity. First identified in the mid-20th century through analyses of brain tissue extracts, NAA gained scientific interest due to its unusually high concentration in the central nervous system (CNS). Its relevance increased substantially with the advent of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the 1980s, which enabled NAA non-invasive in vivo detection. Owing to its neuronal specificity, NAA has since become a well-established biomarker for assessing neuronal viability and function, with reduced levels reported in various neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injury.