Mathematical analysis of the regulation of competing methyltransferases.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Methyltransferase (MT) reactions, in which methyl groups are attached to substrates, are fundamental to many aspects of cell biology and human physiology. The universal methyl donor for these reactions is S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and this presents the cell with an important regulatory problem. If the flux along one pathway is changed then the SAM concentration will change affecting all the other MT pathways, so it is difficult for the cell to regulate the pathways independently.

Methods

We created a mathematical model, based on the known biochemistry of the folate and methionine cycles, to study the regulatory mechanisms that enable the cell to overcome this difficulty. Some of the primary mechanisms are long-range allosteric interactions by which substrates in

SUBMITTER: Reed MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4606511 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature