SAM: S-adenosylmethionine, SAH: S-adenosylhomocysteine, BSA: Bovine Serum Albumin
Target
Except for parasites that rely on host for living, cells from all organisms have methionine adenyltransferase (MAT, EC2.5.1.6), also known as S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. MAT genes have been found to be exceptionally conserved throughout evolution. It was reported that there is 59% homology between human and E. coli MAT gene sequences. In mammals, three forms or isozymes of MAT have been identified that are encoded by three MAT genes. The MAT1a gene encodes a1 catalytic subunit. MAT-I is a tetramer of a1 subunits and MAT-Ill a dimer of the same subunits. Both MAT-I and MAT-Ill are present in adult liver cells. MAT-II is a heterotetramer formed by MAT2a encoding the catalytic subunit of a2 and MAT2b gene encoding regulatory 13 subunit, present in cells other than liver, embryonic liver and hepatoma cells. MAT catalytic reaction in the body is divided into two steps: (1) Catalyze Lmethionine (L-Met) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to generate S-adenosylmethionine (known as the active methionine, SAM) and tripolyphosphate (PPPi). Both SAM and PPPi remain on the surface of MAT at this stage. (2)The phosphatase activity of MAT further decompose PPPi to dimeric phosphoric acid (PPi) and inorganic monophosphate (Pi). SAM can only be synthesized by MAT. SAM is one of the few sulfur-containing active substances that carry extremely diverse and important biological functions in nature and is the key molecules in the methionine cycle.
Research Area
Methylation of biomolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, hormones, neurotransmitters, etc.) One-carbon and mitochondrial metabolisms
Signal transduction
Epigenetics
Pathways and processes
Cancer and other disorders
Storage
Store at 4 °C if used within 1-2 weeks, store at below -20°C for long term