Methionine adenosyltransferase 2 subunit alpha (MAT2A)

Methionine adenosyltransferase 2 subunit alpha (MAT2A) is the catalytic component of the MAT II isoform, responsible for synthesizing S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet or SAM) from methionine and ATP, a critical methyl donor in most cellular methylation reactions. MAT2A is ubiquitously expressed and essential for cell proliferation, differentiation, and epigenetic regulation. Its expression is elevated in many proliferative and malignant contexts, especially in cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma, where it supports enhanced methylation demand and growth. In early mammalian embryogenesis, MAT2A activity is crucial for normal development. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of MAT2A disrupts SAM biosynthesis, leading to impaired growth, altered cell survival, and dysregulated methylation, which are therapeutically relevant mechanisms under investigation in oncology and metabolic diseases[1][2][4][5][7].

Other names

S-adenosylmethionine synthase isoform type-2SAM synthetase type IISAMS2MAT II alpha

Enzyme inhibition (reduces S-adenosylmethionine production), Antimetabolite competition at substrate site