Photoaffinity labeling of catechol O-methyltransferase with 8-azido-S-adenosylmethionine

An in vitro system using an enzyme extract containing ATP:L-methionine S-adenosyltransferase from Escherichia coli MRE 600 cells was used to synthesize 8-azido-S-adenosyl-L-methionine from methionine and 8-azidoadenosine 5'-triphosphate. In the absence of ultraviolet light and analog can serve as a methyl donor for porcine catechol O-methyltransferase. Photolysis of 8-azido-S-adenosyl[35S]methionine in the presence of catechol O-methyltransferase results in covalent incorporation. Addition of either authentic S-adenosylmethionine or S-adenosylhomocysteine, but not adenosine 5'-monophosphate, to the photolysis reaction mixture eliminates the photoincorporation. These results indicate that the incorporation is occurring at the S-adenosylmethionine binding site in the catechol O-methyltransferase.