sarcosine oxidase activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Catalysis of the reaction: H2O + O2 + sarcosine = formaldehyde + glycine + H2O2. [EC:1.5.3.1, RHEA:13313]

Sarcosine oxidase activity is a crucial enzymatic process involved in the oxidation of sarcosine, an amino acid derivative, into glycine, hydrogen peroxide, and formaldehyde. This reaction occurs via a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent mechanism. The enzyme, sarcosine oxidase, catalyzes the removal of a methyl group from sarcosine, resulting in the formation of glycine. The methyl group is transferred to molecular oxygen, generating formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide as byproducts. Sarcosine oxidase activity plays a significant role in various biological processes, including:

- **Metabolism of one-carbon units:** The oxidation of sarcosine provides a source of one-carbon units, which are essential for biosynthesis of essential molecules like purines, pyrimidines, and methionine.
- **Detoxification:** Sarcosine oxidase activity contributes to the detoxification of sarcosine, which can accumulate in certain metabolic disorders.
- **Neurological function:** Sarcosine oxidase activity has been linked to neurological function, particularly in the regulation of neurotransmitter levels.

The precise molecular mechanism of sarcosine oxidase activity involves the following steps:

1. **Binding of sarcosine to the enzyme active site:** The substrate, sarcosine, binds to the active site of sarcosine oxidase.
2. **Oxidation of sarcosine:** The enzyme utilizes FAD as a cofactor to catalyze the oxidation of sarcosine, leading to the removal of a methyl group.
3. **Transfer of the methyl group to oxygen:** The methyl group is transferred to molecular oxygen, generating formaldehyde.
4. **Reduction of FAD:** The oxidation of sarcosine results in the reduction of FAD to FADH2.
5. **Regeneration of FAD:** FADH2 is re-oxidized to FAD by the transfer of electrons to molecular oxygen, producing hydrogen peroxide.

In summary, sarcosine oxidase activity is a fundamental enzymatic process responsible for the oxidation of sarcosine, with significant implications for one-carbon metabolism, detoxification, and neurological function. Its molecular mechanism involves the binding of sarcosine, oxidation of the substrate, transfer of the methyl group to oxygen, and regeneration of the FAD cofactor.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (1)