Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
09:40
A Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics Approach for Global and High-Confidence Protein R-Methylation Analysis
Published on: April 28, 2022
Methionine methyl group metabolism in lemna
1Laboratory of General and Comparative Biochemistry, Building 32, Room 101, 9000 Rockville Pike.
Plant Physiology
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Lemna paucicostata primarily uses the methyl group from methionine for synthesizing other compounds, not for direct oxidation. Most methionine methyl is incorporated into various methylated products, with little accumulating as S-methyl-methionine sulfonium.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Metabolomics
- Organic chemistry
Background:
- Methionine is an essential amino acid vital for plant growth.
- Understanding methionine's methyl group utilization is crucial for plant metabolism.
- Previous studies lacked a comprehensive analysis of methionine methyl fate in plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the metabolic fate of the methyl group from methionine in Lemna paucicostata.
- To quantify the distribution of methionine-derived methyl moieties among various plant compounds.
- To investigate the potential oxidation and accumulation of methionine methyl derivatives.
Main Methods:
- Growth of Lemna paucicostata with radioactive methyl-labeled methionine.
- Analysis of plant fractions using tracer techniques.
- Quantification of methyl moieties in proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other compounds.
Main Results:
- Approximately 19% of methyl moieties were found in protein methionine.
- The remaining 81% were distributed among various methylated products, including ethanolamine derivatives (46%), pectin methyl esters (15%), and chlorophyll methyl esters (8%).
- S-methyl-methionine sulfonium was rapidly formed but not accumulated, suggesting reconversion to methionine.
Conclusions:
- Lemna paucicostata extensively utilizes methionine's methyl group for synthesizing diverse methylated compounds.
- Direct oxidation of methionine's methyl group appears minimal in Lemna.
- This study provides a comprehensive metabolic accounting of methionine methyl in plants, with implications for understanding higher plant metabolism.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions
Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
01:40Overview of Metabolism
Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
01:26Microbes and Methanogenesis
Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...