Putrescine N-methyltransferase explained

putrescine N-methyltransferase
Ec Number:	2.1.1.53
Cas Number:	9075-39-2
Go Code:	0030750

In enzymology, a putrescine N-methyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

S-adenosyl-L-methionine + putrescine

\rightleftharpoons S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine + N-methylputrescine

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are S-adenosyl methionine and putrescine, whereas its two products are S-adenosylhomocysteine and N-methylputrescine.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those transferring one-carbon group methyltransferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is S-adenosyl-L-methionine:putrescine N-methyltransferase. This enzyme is also called putrescine methyltransferase. This enzyme participates in alkaloid biosynthesis ii.

This enzyme is important in the synthesis of many plant alkaloids.^[1] It evolved from spermidine synthase.^[2]

References

• Mizusaki S, Tanabe Y, Noguchi M, Tamaki E . 1971 . Phytochemical studies on tobacco alkaloids. XIV. The occurrence and properties of putrescine N-methyltransferase in tobacco roots . Plant Cell Physiol. . 12 . 633 - 640 .

Notes and References

1. Biastoff S, Brandt W, Dräger B . Putrescine N-methyltransferase--the start for alkaloids . Phytochemistry . 70 . 15–16 . 1708–18 . 2009-10-01 . 19651420 . 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.06.012 . Evolution of Metabolic Diversity .
2. Junker A, Fischer J, Sichhart Y, Brandt W, Dräger B . Evolution of the key alkaloid enzyme putrescine N-methyltransferase from spermidine synthase . Frontiers in Plant Science . 4 . 260 . 2013-01-01 . 23908659 . 10.3389/fpls.2013.00260 . 3725402. free .