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Kinetic evidence for decreased methionine adenosyltransferase activity in erythrocytes from schizophrenics
Author(s) -
Kelsoe John R.,
Tolbert Lelland C.,
Crews Eugene L.,
Smythies John R.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490080113
Subject(s) - methionine adenosyltransferase , methionine , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , endocrinology , amino acid
We have observed significantly lower kinetic parameters (K M and V max ) for methionine adenosyltransferase activity in erythrocytes obtained from early onset schizophrenics when compared to samples from normal subjects. These differences are apparently not due to differences in S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) utilization. These results offer an explanation for the conflicting reports of previous investigators and support the concept that undermethylation may characterize some forms of schizophrenia. Methylation is involved in multiple aspects of metabolism and although similar differences in the MAT enzyme in the brain have not been reported, such a deficit could have profound effects on the nervous system. Decreased availability of SAM could decrease catecholamine metabolism or rates of phospholipid methylation.