S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)
is a metabolically activated form of methionine involved in donating
methyl groups. Transfer of a methyl group from AdoMet to a target
molecule converts AdoMet to S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy)
(see here). Table
21.1 lists some important AdoMet-dependent transmethylations.
Substrates range from small metabolites, such as norepinephrine
(see reaction here) to polymers,
such as DNA (see here),
RNA, or proteins.
See also: Methionine, S-Adenosylmethionine and
Biological Methylations, Amino
Acids Not In Proteins