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BIOSYNTHESIS OF S ‐ADENOSYL‐L‐METHIONINE IN THE RAT PINEAL GLAND
Author(s) -
Guchhait Ras B.,
Grau James E.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1978.tb00128.x
Subject(s) - methionine adenosyltransferase , methionine , methyltransferase , enzyme , biochemistry , methylation , pineal gland , biosynthesis , biology , chemistry , endocrinology , melatonin , amino acid , dna
This investigation provides direct evidence that rat pineal gland contains ATP:L‐methionine S ‐adenosyltransferase. The specific activity of the enzyme is about 25 times greater than that of hydroxyindole‐ O ‐methyltransferase, the unique marker enzyme in this tissue. The major product of the reaction catalyzed by ATP:L‐methionine S ‐adenosyltransferase has been identified as S ‐adenosyl‐methionine which can function as a methyl group donor for the formation of melatonin. The specific activity of pineal ATP:L‐methionine S ‐adenosyltransferase is at least eight times greater than that of brain, and one‐half that of the liver enzyme.