Human METTL7B is an alkyl thiol methyltransferase that metabolizes hydrogen sulfide and captopril.

ABSTRACT: Methylation of alkyl thiols is a biotransformation pathway designed to reduce thiol reactivity and potential toxicity, yet the gene and protein responsible for human alkyl thiol methyltransferase (TMT) activity remain unknown. Here we demonstrate with a range of experimental approaches using cell lines, in vitro systems, and recombinantly expressed enzyme, that human methyltransferase-like protein 7B (METTL7B) catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and other exogenous thiol small molecules. METTL7B gene modulation experiments, including knockdown in HepG2 cells and overexpression in HeLa cells, directly alter the methylation of the drug captopril, a historic probe substrate for TMT activity. Furthermore, recombina

SUBMITTER: Maldonato BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7921093 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature