Protein kinase C phosphorylation of rat liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase: dissociation and production of an active monomer

7 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables.
The regulation of rat liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (AdoMet synthetase), a key enzyme in methionine metabolism, by protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation has been studied. Both enzyme forms, tetramer and dimer, are phosphorylated by this kinase in the same residue, Thr-342, of the sequence. Phosphorylation of the dimer leads to its dissociation, with production of a fully-active monomer. The kinetics of the monomer have been studied, and a KmMet of 931.9 microM, a KmATP of 708 microM and a Vmax of 66.8 nmol/min/mg have been calculated. Alkaline phosphatase treatment of both enzyme forms (tetramer and dimer) produces a reduction in their activity with no change in the oligomeric state. On the other hand, PKC phosphorylation of the alkaline phosphatase-treated AdoMet synthetase forms leads to the dissociation of the dimer to produce a monomer. Rephosphorylation occurs again in the same residue, Thr-342, of the sequence. The significance of AdoMet synthetase regulation by PKC phosphorylation is further discussed.
This work was supported by grants from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Europharma and the Science Program of the European Community.