Effect of methionine-loading on methyl group synthesis and activation in rat brain and liver

Biol Psychiatry. 1978 Dec;13(6):661-9.

Abstract

Much greater increases in S-adenosylmethionine concentrations are observed in the liver in response to methionine-loading than in the brain due to differences in the methionine adenosyltransferase activities in these tissues. Liver methione adenosyltransferase exhibits a bimodal saturation curve with a nonlinear Line-weaver-Burk plot, indicating that high methionine concentrations are required for saturation. In the brain the methionine adenosyltransferase is saturated in vitro at a methionine concentration less than the normal physiological concentration. The increased S-adenosylmethionine concentrations in the livers of methionine-treated rats also account for the observed inhibition of N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity in this tissue. No inhibition of this enzyme is observed in the brain of methionine treated animals. Nor are S-adenosylmethionine concentrations increased significantly in brain. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity responds to methionine-loading by decreasing in brain and increasing in liver.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / enzymology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Glycine Hydroxymethyltransferase / metabolism
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Male
  • Methionine / metabolism*
  • Methionine / pharmacology*
  • Methionine Adenosyltransferase / metabolism
  • Methylation
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (NADP) / metabolism
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • Rats
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / metabolism

Substances

  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • Methionine
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (NADP)
  • Methyltransferases
  • Glycine Hydroxymethyltransferase
  • Methionine Adenosyltransferase