The S-n-propyl analogue of S-adenosylmethionine

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1975 Apr 7;385(2):312-23. doi: 10.1016/0304-4165(75)90359-1.

Abstract

A special strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae responded to a supplement of S-n-propyl-L-homocysteine in the culture medium by synthesizing S-adenosyl-(S-n-propyl)L-homocysteine, the S-n-propyl analogue of S-adenosylmethionine. S-n-Butyl-L-homocysteine reacted sparingly with this strain, but S-isopropyl-L-homocysteine failed to form detectable quantities of the corresponding S-adenosylsulfonium compound. The S-n-propyl compound was isolated by extraction of the cells, followed by ion-exchange chromatography, which separated it from endogenous S-adenosylmethionine. The structure was determined by hydrolytic procedures leading to overlapping fragments of known structure, 5'-n-propylthioadenosine and S-n-propyl-L-homocysteine. The new sulfonium compound was examined for its activity as n-propyl donor by substituting it for S-adenosylmethionine in methyltransferase systems. Enzymatic transpropylation was observed with S-adenosylmethionine : L-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.10). Its rate was low in the S-adenosylmethionine : N-acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase system (EC 2.1.1.4), and below recognition with S-adenosylmethionine : guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.2) and S-adenosylmethionine : histamine N-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.8).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetates
  • Adenosine
  • Guanidines
  • Histamine
  • Homocysteine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Homocysteine / biosynthesis
  • Homocysteine / isolation & purification
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Serotonin
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfides / metabolism

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Guanidines
  • Sulfides
  • Homocysteine
  • Serotonin
  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • Histamine
  • Methyltransferases
  • Adenosine