Radical S-adenosylmethionine methylases

Danielle V. Millera, Hayley L. Knoxa, Bo Wang, Erica L. Schwalm, Anthony J. Blaszczyk, Squire J. Booker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Methylation of Biological Substrates The prevalence and significance of methylation reactions in biology have been well established for decades. Methylations occur on a range of biological molecules including small molecule metabolites, proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids.1 The addition of a methyl group can dramatically affect the biological properties of specific biomolecules through a range of effects including increasing lipophilicity and membrane solubility, altering conformation, modulating binding interactions, and promoting structural folds.2 Dysregulation of cellular methylation has extreme implications in human health and disease. Small molecule methylations are involved in the biosynthesis of essential neurotransmitters, and decreased methylation levels lead to depression and other neurological disorders.3,4 Abnormal regulation of several methylation metabolites in the liver has been linked to liver disease, impaired lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and liver cancer.5 The methylation of histone proteins and DNA nucleobases represents an essential mechanism of epigenetic control, turning on and off the expression of particular genes in highly regulated processes.6 Abnormalities in these processes, either through overmethylation or undermethylation of DNA, are linked to cancer, diabetes, and multiple severe neurodevelopmental syndromes. Protein methylations also aid in the regulation of gene transcription, as well as signal transduction, DNA repair, RNA processing, and cellular proliferation.7,8 Deficiencies in arginine methyltransferases alone are implicated in inflammation, skin pigment loss, cell proliferation defects, and cancer. The large number of biological methylations means that important aspects are still largely not understood, making the study of biological methylation important for further understanding of human health issues. Role of S-Adenosylmethionine in Biological....

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationComprehensive Natural Products III
PublisherElsevier
Pages24-69
Number of pages46
ISBN (Electronic)9780081026908
ISBN (Print)9780081026915
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 22 2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry

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