Page last updated: 2024-10-24

methionine transport

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The directed movement of methionine, 2-amino-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid, into, out of or within a cell, or between cells, by means of some agent such as a transporter or pore. [GOC:ai]

Methionine transport is a crucial cellular process that involves the movement of methionine, an essential amino acid, across cell membranes. It plays a vital role in protein synthesis, cellular metabolism, and various other biological functions.

Methionine transport is facilitated by specialized membrane proteins known as methionine transporters. These transporters exhibit high selectivity for methionine, ensuring its efficient uptake into cells. The process can be categorized into two primary mechanisms:

1. **Active transport:** This mechanism involves the expenditure of cellular energy (ATP) to move methionine against its concentration gradient, meaning from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration. This allows cells to accumulate methionine even when its extracellular concentration is low.

2. **Passive transport:** This mechanism relies on the concentration gradient of methionine. Methionine moves from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration, following the principles of diffusion. This type of transport does not require cellular energy.

The specific transporter proteins and mechanisms involved in methionine transport can vary depending on the cell type and organism. In humans, for example, several different methionine transporter proteins have been identified, including SLC16A10, SLC16A8, and SLC6A14.

Once inside the cell, methionine is utilized for various metabolic pathways. It serves as a precursor for the synthesis of proteins, cysteine, and other essential molecules. Additionally, methionine plays a role in the regulation of gene expression, antioxidant defense, and cell signaling.

The efficient transport of methionine is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and normal biological function. Dysregulation of methionine transport can lead to various metabolic disorders, including homocystinuria and hypermethioninemia. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying methionine transport is essential for developing strategies to prevent and treat these diseases.'
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Proteins (1)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Large neutral amino acids transporter small subunit 1A large neutral amino acids transporter small subunit 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q01650]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (19)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
glycinealpha-amino acid;
amino acid zwitterion;
proteinogenic amino acid;
serine family amino acid
EC 2.1.2.1 (glycine hydroxymethyltransferase) inhibitor;
fundamental metabolite;
hepatoprotective agent;
micronutrient;
neurotransmitter;
NMDA receptor agonist;
nutraceutical
levodopaL-dopa : An optically active form of dopa having L-configuration. Used to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control of Parkinson's disease

Levodopa: The naturally occurring form of DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE and the immediate precursor of DOPAMINE. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to DOPAMINE. It is used for the treatment of PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system.
amino acid zwitterion;
dopa;
L-tyrosine derivative;
non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid
allelochemical;
antidyskinesia agent;
antiparkinson drug;
dopaminergic agent;
hapten;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
neurotoxin;
plant growth retardant;
plant metabolite;
prodrug
tyrosinetyrosine : An alpha-amino acid that is phenylalanine bearing a hydroxy substituent at position 4 on the phenyl ring.

Tyrosine: A non-essential amino acid. In animals it is synthesized from PHENYLALANINE. It is also the precursor of EPINEPHRINE; THYROID HORMONES; and melanin.
amino acid zwitterion;
erythrose 4-phosphate/phosphoenolpyruvate family amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid;
proteinogenic amino acid;
tyrosine
EC 1.3.1.43 (arogenate dehydrogenase) inhibitor;
fundamental metabolite;
micronutrient;
nutraceutical
leucineleucine : A branched-chain amino acid that consists of glycine in which one of the hydrogens attached to the alpha-carbon is substituted by an isobutyl group.

Leucine: An essential branched-chain amino acid important for hemoglobin formation.
amino acid zwitterion;
L-alpha-amino acid;
leucine;
proteinogenic amino acid;
pyruvate family amino acid
algal metabolite;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
plant metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
methioninemethionine : A sulfur-containing amino acid that is butyric acid bearing an amino substituent at position 2 and a methylthio substituent at position 4.

Methionine: A sulfur-containing essential L-amino acid that is important in many body functions.
aspartate family amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid;
methionine;
methionine zwitterion;
proteinogenic amino acid
antidote to paracetamol poisoning;
human metabolite;
micronutrient;
mouse metabolite;
nutraceutical
phenylalanineL-phenylalanine : The L-enantiomer of phenylalanine.

phenylalanine : An aromatic amino acid that is alanine in which one of the methyl hydrogens is substituted by a phenyl group.

Phenylalanine: An essential aromatic amino acid that is a precursor of MELANIN; DOPAMINE; noradrenalin (NOREPINEPHRINE), and THYROXINE.
amino acid zwitterion;
erythrose 4-phosphate/phosphoenolpyruvate family amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid;
phenylalanine;
proteinogenic amino acid
algal metabolite;
EC 3.1.3.1 (alkaline phosphatase) inhibitor;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human xenobiotic metabolite;
micronutrient;
mouse metabolite;
nutraceutical;
plant metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
histidinehistidine : An alpha-amino acid that is propanoic acid bearing an amino substituent at position 2 and a 1H-imidazol-4-yl group at position 3.

Histidine: An essential amino acid that is required for the production of HISTAMINE.

L-histidine : The L-enantiomer of the amino acid histidine.
amino acid zwitterion;
histidine;
L-alpha-amino acid;
polar amino acid zwitterion;
proteinogenic amino acid
algal metabolite;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
micronutrient;
mouse metabolite;
nutraceutical;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
valineL-valine : The L-enantiomer of valine.

valine : A branched-chain amino acid that consists of glycine in which one of the hydrogens attached to the alpha-carbon is substituted by an isopropyl group.

Valine: A branched-chain essential amino acid that has stimulant activity. It promotes muscle growth and tissue repair. It is a precursor in the penicillin biosynthetic pathway.
L-alpha-amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
proteinogenic amino acid;
pyruvate family amino acid;
valine
algal metabolite;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
micronutrient;
mouse metabolite;
nutraceutical;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
tryptophantryptophan : An alpha-amino acid that is alanine bearing an indol-3-yl substituent at position 3.

Tryptophan: An essential amino acid that is necessary for normal growth in infants and for NITROGEN balance in adults. It is a precursor of INDOLE ALKALOIDS in plants. It is a precursor of SEROTONIN (hence its use as an antidepressant and sleep aid). It can be a precursor to NIACIN, albeit inefficiently, in mammals.
erythrose 4-phosphate/phosphoenolpyruvate family amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
proteinogenic amino acid;
tryptophan;
tryptophan zwitterion
antidepressant;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
micronutrient;
mouse metabolite;
nutraceutical;
plant metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
isoleucineisoleucine : A 2-amino-3-methylpentanoic acid having either (2R,3R)- or (2S,3S)-configuration.

Isoleucine: An essential branched-chain aliphatic amino acid found in many proteins. It is an isomer of LEUCINE. It is important in hemoglobin synthesis and regulation of blood sugar and energy levels.

L-isoleucine : The L-enantiomer of isoleucine.
aspartate family amino acid;
isoleucine;
L-alpha-amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
proteinogenic amino acid
algal metabolite;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
plant metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
D-tryptophanD-alpha-amino acid;
tryptophan;
tryptophan zwitterion
bacterial metabolite
copper histidineD-alpha-amino acid;
histidine;
polar amino acid zwitterion
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
D-tyrosineD-alpha-amino acid;
D-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
tyrosine
Escherichia coli metabolite
D-valineD-valine : The D-enantiomer of valine.D-alpha-amino acid;
D-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
valine
phenylalanineD-alpha-amino acid;
D-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
phenylalanine
1-methylhistidine1-methylhistidine : A methylhistidine in which the methyl group is located at N-1.

1-methylhistidine: found in muscle proteins; RN given refers to (L)-isomer

N(tele)-methyl-L-histidine : A L-histidine derivative in which the methyl group is at N(tele)-position.
L-histidine derivative;
non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid;
zwitterion
human metabolite
2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)heptane-2-carboxylic acid2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)heptane-2-carboxylic acid: amino acid analog; releases insulin; RN given refers to unlabeled cpd without isomeric designationmonoterpenoid
D-leucineD-alpha-amino acid;
D-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
leucine
bacterial metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
3-tyrosine3-tyrosine: RN given refers to cpd with unspecified isomeric designation

L-m-tyrosine : A hydroxyphenylalanine that is L-phenylalanine with a substituent hydroxy group at position 3.
hydroxyphenylalanine;
L-alpha-amino acid zwitterion;
L-phenylalanine derivative;
non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid;
phenols
plant metabolite