Protein and lipid methylation by methionine and S-adenosylmethionine in Myxococcus xanthus

Methylation of lipids and proteins has been examined in Myxococcus xanthus using radioactive methionine and S-adenosylmethionine as methyl donors. S-adenosylmethionine is shown to be taken up by these cells and utilized directly. This permits detection of methylation in the presence of protein synthesis. Patterns of methylation obtained using methionine and S-adenosylmethionine during vegetative growth are compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and inhibitors of protein synthesis and S-adenosylmethionine synthesis are examined for their effects on methylation. The ability to investigate methylation using exogenous S-adenosylmethionine will be advantageous in studying the role of methylation under conditions of growth and development where ongoing protein synthesis is required.