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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT)
- Target
- GNMT
- Molecular classification
- Enzyme, Methyltransferase, Metabolic enzyme
01
Overview
Glycine N-methyltransferase is a tetrameric enzyme found primarily in the liver that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to glycine, producing sarcosine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. It helps regulate the SAM/SAH ratio—critical for cellular methylation reactions, including those affecting DNA, proteins, and lipids. GNMT is involved in detoxifying certain carcinogens and is linked to several metabolic and epigenetic pathways. Genetic deficiencies can result in metabolic disorders and increased cancer risk, while differential expression and activity have been associated with liver cancer, prostate cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. GNMT also interacts with endogenous ligands (e.g., folate metabolites), and its product sarcosine is being studied as a biomarker for prostate cancer progression.
- Other names
- Glycine methyltransferaseGlycine sarcosine methyltransferaseGlycine sarcosine N-methyltransferaseGNMT_HUMANHEL-S-182mPEpididymis secretory sperm binding protein Li 182mP
02
Mechanism of action
Induction or inhibition of GNMT activity affects cellular methylation status, detoxification capacity, and metabolism; GNMT modulators can affect oncogenic potential through changes in SAM/SAH ratio
03
Biological functions
Methylation of glycine (sarcosine biosynthesis)Regulation of SAM/SAH ratio (affects global methylation, including DNA methylation)Detoxification of xenobiotics (e.g., polyaromatic hydrocarbons, aflatoxin)Regulation of gene expression via epigenetic effectsInvolvement in one-carbon metabolism, transmethylation, and energy metabolism
04
Disease associations
Liver cancer (hepatocarcinoma)Prostate cancerNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)Hypermethioninemia (inborn error)Metabolic dysfunction/chronic diseases
05
Safety considerations
Altered GNMT activity can lead to abnormal methylation and metabolite accumulation (e.g., excessive methionine, impaired detoxification)Therapeutic targeting may affect global methylation—potential for epigenetic disturbances
06
Interacting drugs
1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (PGG) (GNMT inducer)
1 more in the full profile.
07
Biomarkers
Sarcosine (proposed prostate cancer biomarker)GNMT protein level or activity (biomarker for liver disease/NAFLD)
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