SAM (S-adenosylmethionine, also known as AdoMet) is well known as the methyl donor for the majority of methyltransferases that modify DNA, RNA, histones and other proteins, dictating replicational, transcriptional and translational fidelity, mismatch repair, chromatin modelling, epigenetic modifications and imprinting, which are all topics of great interest and importance in cancer research and aging. In total, 15 superfamilies of SAM-binding proteins have been identified, with many additional functions varying from methylation of phospholipids and small molecules such as arsenic to synthesis of polyamines or radical formation. SAM is regenerated from demethylated SAM via the methionine cycle, which involves folate. Imbalance of this cycle in humans, e.g. through folate shortage via dietary insufficiency, alcohol abuse, arsenic poisoning or hereditary factors, leads to depletion of SAM and human disease. In addition to its role as a methyl donor to modification enzymes that protect bacterial DNA against cognate restriction, SAM also serves as a co-factor for nucleases such as the type I restriction enzyme EcoKI, which is unable to restrict DNA in the absence of SAM. Finally, on a completely different tack, SAM can bind to certain RNA structures called riboswitches that control transcription or translation. In this way, expression of multiple genes can be regulated in a SAM-dependent manner, an unexpected finding that opens up new avenues into gene control. This minireview discusses some of these diverse and amazing roles of this small metabolite.
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Conference Article|
March 20 2006
S-Adenosylmethionine: jack of all trades and master of everything?
W.A.M. Loenen
W.A.M. Loenen
1
1Department of Toxicogenetics, Division 5, Leiden University Medical Centre, Building 2, T-03-011, Einthovenweg, Leiden, The Netherlands
1email w.a.m.loenen@lumc.nl
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
January 19 2006
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2006 The Biochemical Society
2006
Biochem Soc Trans (2006) 34 (2): 330–333.
Article history
Received:
January 19 2006
Citation
W.A.M. Loenen; S-Adenosylmethionine: jack of all trades and master of everything?. Biochem Soc Trans 1 April 2006; 34 (2): 330–333. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0340330
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