S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) is a metabolically activated form of methionine
involved in donating methyl groups. AdoMet is formed in
the reaction shown here.
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.