Methionine biosynthesis enzyme

Methionine biosynthesis enzymes catalyze the sequential transformation of metabolic precursors (starting from aspartate in bacteria and plants) to ultimately produce methionine, a crucial amino acid for protein synthesis and as a methyl group donor through the S-adenosylmethionine cycle[1][3][5][7]. Key enzymes in the pathway include aspartokinase, homoserine dehydrogenase, homoserine O-transsuccinylase, cystathionine γ-synthase, cystathionine β-lyase, and methionine synthase. Methionine synthase exists in cobalamin-dependent and cobalamin-independent forms, further differentiating the pathway in different organisms[1][3]. As vertebrates lack the full *de novo* biosynthesis pathway, these enzymes are attractive targets for antimicrobials—disruption impairs pathogen growth and virulence by preventing methionine synthesis[7]. The pathway is highly conserved in microbes, and its critical role in metabolism underpins broad impacts on growth, translation, and epigenetic regulation through methylation[2][4]. *Note*: For structured data, it is recommended to use specific enzyme names (e.g., "Methionine synthase") rather than the generic pathway name[3][7].

Other names

Methionine biosynthetic pathway enzymesMet biosynthesis enzymesMethionine synthaseCystathionine γ-synthaseAspartokinase

Inhibition of enzyme activity leading to depletion of methionine, impaired protein synthesis and methylation Disruption of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)–dependent pathways