The Importance Of Methyltransferases

The Importance Of Methyltransferases

Share This Post

The Importance Of Methyltransferases

Without them, life would not be possible. Put simply, methyltransferases are enzymes responsible for adding and/or removing methyl groups from molecules within the body.

A methyltransferase is similar to a light switch. If you want to turn the lights on or off in a room, you flip the light switch. You flip the switch up, you get light. You flip the switch down, the light turns off.

Methyltransferases function the same way in the body as a light switch. They add a methyl group to a molecule, to activate or deactivate its function. The addition of a methyl group turns on or off the lights so to speak. But what carries the signal from the switch to the light bulb? The answer is S-adenosyl methionine (SAM).

S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM)

If methyltransferase is the switch to turn on and off processes in the body, what carries the signal from the switch to the light bulb? SAM. SAM is responsible for physically passing off or donating the methyl group to another molecule. SAM does this by working alongside methyltransferases as a cosubstrate (SAM forms a complex with the methyltransferase enzyme). SAM donates the methyl group to the molecule, protein or DNA/RNA targeted by the methyltransferase, undergoing the following reaction:

S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) → S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH)

SAH then feeds back into the SAM-e cycle and is made into homocysteine. From here homocysteine is converted back to SAM by the MTHFR enzyme. 5-MTHF donates its methyl group to homocysteine making it become methionine and 5-MTHF becomes tetrahydrofolate (THF).

Primary Functions Of Methyltransferases

Genomic Regulation

Genome methylation (regulation) is the main source of gene expression control. Methylation plays a role in determining which genes are put to use and which genes remain inactive. DNA methylation is crucial for survival. Methylation on the level of the genome, allows the body to respond quickly to its environment.

Of course, the body can deal with stresses in a variety of ways. Ensuring your body handles stress efficiently is the job of methylation. The body always wants to use the least amount of energy to get the job done. Regulating the genome through methylation helps processes within the body stay efficient. You do not always want your body making something from your DNA that is not useful to have all the time. Every methylation process in the body involves adding or removing a methyl group. Problems arise when the body is unable to utilize methyl groups by adding/removing them from molecules and enzymes, playing a large role in some human diseases.

Methylation activates and deactivates DNA when needed by altering the structure of the genome through adding or removing methyl groups. Over time sections of DNA become methylated and gene expression changes. The study of changes in gene expression over time due to methylation is a field of genetics called epigenetics.
Protein Regulation

Methyltransferases play a role in activating and deactivating proteins within the body. If some proteins were active all the time, the body would pay a high cost. The human body is quite resilient but things can get thrown off balance quickly and become problematic. Protein regulation through methyltransferases makes sure the complex biochemistry within cells remains stable.

Methyltransferases regulate proteins beyond activation/deactivation. When a protein becomes methylated it can gain a new function and/or start working with another protein. Allowing proteins to have multiple functions. Methylating proteins increases their range of possibilities making them more flexible, dynamic and ready to respond to changing conditions.

Take Aways

Methyltransferases are miracle workers within the body, they keep it functioning and not functioning at the right times. Keeping your methyltransferases healthy by making sure they have the right vitamin cofactors to work with will go a long way towards the journey of better health and successful pregnancy.

Have more questions on methyltransferases? Post below and let’s have a discussion!

Related Posts

Depression and MTHFR
MTHFR

Depression and MTHFR

The Link Between Depression and MTHFR Media attention has increased lately with the acknowledgement that high profile celebrities like Ian Thorpe and Charlotte Dawson have ...
Read More →
B12 Insufficiency and Folate – a Crucial Factor in Pregnancy
Genes

B12 Insufficiency and Folate – a Crucial Factor in Pregnancy

We already know that vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is an essential nutrient for pregnancy, because it is important for cell growth and baby development. Specifically, ...
Read More →
MTHFR

Unravelling Histamine’s Impact on Fertility: A Closer Look at its Positive and Negative Roles in Implantation and Miscarriage

When it comes to the journey of conception and pregnancy, there’s a complex interplay of various factors that influence the process. One such factor that ...
Read More →
Folate

What’s All The Fuss About Homocysteine?

What can you do to make sure you homocysteine does not become a problem? If homocysteine is a problem, what do you do? First, we ...
Read More →
Oxalates and its effects on our health
MTHFR

Oxalates and its effects on our health

What are oxalates? Oxalates aren’t exactly well known compounds, but they can affect our health if our body doesn’t process it optimally. Oxalates are found ...
Read More →
MTHFR and Fertility Complications
Conditions

MTHFR and Fertility Complications

You’re ready to become a parent. You replaced birth control pills with prenatal vitamins, expecting to be expecting any day now. After a few months, ...
Read More →
Scroll to Top
Carolyn Ledowsky

Stay Connected!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter with current MTHFR research, health tips, recipes, special offers and news about upcoming events including Carolyn’s live Q&A.

Subscribe