S-Adenosylmethionine in protozoan parasites: functions, synthesis and regulation

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2007 Mar;152(1):1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2006.11.013. Epub 2006 Dec 20.

Abstract

S-adenosylmethionine is one of the most frequently used enzymatic substrates in all living organisms. It plays a role in all biological methyl transfer reactions in as much as it is a donor of propylamine groups in the synthesis of the polyamines spermidine and spermine, it participates in the trans-sulphuration pathway to cysteine one of the three amino acids involved in glutathione and trypanothione synthesis in trypanosomatids and finally it is a source of the 5-deoxyadenosyl radicals, which are involved in many reductive metabolic processes, biodegradative pathways, tRNA modification and DNA repair. This mini-review is an update of the progress on the S-adenosylmethionine synthesis in different representative protozoan parasites responsible for many of the most devastating so-called tropical diseases that have an enormous impact on global health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Eukaryota / physiology*
  • Parasites / physiology*
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / biosynthesis*
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / physiology*

Substances

  • S-Adenosylmethionine