Page last updated: 2024-10-24

N-methyltransferase activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Catalysis of the transfer of a methyl group to the nitrogen atom of an acceptor molecule. [GOC:ai]

N-methyltransferase activity refers to the enzymatic ability to transfer a methyl group (CH3) from a donor molecule, typically S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), to a specific substrate. This process involves the formation of a covalent bond between the methyl group and the substrate molecule. N-methyltransferases are highly specific enzymes, each targeting a unique substrate and catalyzing the transfer of a methyl group to a specific nitrogen atom within the substrate. This modification can alter the substrate's structure, function, and properties, influencing a wide range of biological processes.

For example, N-methyltransferases are involved in:

* **Regulation of gene expression:** Methylation of DNA and histone proteins can modify chromatin structure and accessibility, influencing gene transcription.
* **Signal transduction:** Methylation of proteins can alter their activity, impacting cellular signaling pathways.
* **Neurotransmission:** Methylation of neurotransmitters can modulate their synthesis, release, and degradation, influencing neuronal communication.
* **Metabolism:** Methylation of various metabolites can influence their stability, activity, and interaction with other molecules.
* **Drug metabolism:** Methylation can alter the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs, affecting their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

N-methyltransferase activity is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and proper biological function. Dysregulation of these enzymes can lead to various diseases, including cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, and metabolic diseases.'
"

Proteins (2)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Indolethylamine N-methyltransferaseAn indolethylamine N-methyltransferase that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:O95050]Homo sapiens (human)
Protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1A protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q99873]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (21)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
fluorescitefluorescein (acid form) : A xanthene dye that is highly fluorescent and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer.benzoic acids;
cyclic ketone;
hydroxy monocarboxylic acid;
organic heterotricyclic compound;
phenols;
xanthene dye
fluorescent dye;
radioopaque medium
pentamidinepentamidine : A diether consisting of pentane-1,5-diol in which both hydroxyl hydrogens have been replaced by 4-amidinophenyl groups. A trypanocidal drug that is used for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

Pentamidine: Antiprotozoal agent effective in trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and some fungal infections; used in treatment of PNEUMOCYSTIS pneumonia in HIV-infected patients. It may cause diabetes mellitus, central nervous system damage, and other toxic effects.
aromatic ether;
carboxamidine;
diether
anti-inflammatory agent;
antifungal agent;
calmodulin antagonist;
chemokine receptor 5 antagonist;
EC 2.3.1.48 (histone acetyltransferase) inhibitor;
NMDA receptor antagonist;
S100 calcium-binding protein B inhibitor;
trypanocidal drug;
xenobiotic
saccharinsaccharin : A 1,2-benzisothiazole having a keto-group at the 3-position and two oxo substituents at the 1-position. It is used as an artificial sweetening agent.

Saccharin: Flavoring agent and non-nutritive sweetener.
1,2-benzisothiazole;
N-sulfonylcarboxamide
environmental contaminant;
sweetening agent;
xenobiotic
suraminsuramin : A member of the class of phenylureas that is urea in which each of the amino groups has been substituted by a 3-({2-methyl-5-[(4,6,8-trisulfo-1-naphthyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)phenyl group. An activator of both the rabbit skeletal muscle RyR1 and sheep cardiac RyR2 isoform ryanodine receptor channels, it has been used for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis for over 100 years.

Suramin: A polyanionic compound with an unknown mechanism of action. It is used parenterally in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis and it has been used clinically with diethylcarbamazine to kill the adult Onchocerca. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1992, p1643) It has also been shown to have potent antineoplastic properties.
naphthalenesulfonic acid;
phenylureas;
secondary carboxamide
angiogenesis inhibitor;
antinematodal drug;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inhibitor;
EC 2.7.11.13 (protein kinase C) inhibitor;
GABA antagonist;
GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist;
purinergic receptor P2 antagonist;
ryanodine receptor agonist;
trypanocidal drug
alizarindihydroxyanthraquinonechromophore;
dye;
plant metabolite
7-amino-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid7-amino-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid : An aminonaphthalenesulfonic acid that is 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid substituted by an amino group at position 7 and a hydroxy group at position 4 respectively.

7-amino-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid: structure given in first source
aminonaphthalenesulfonic acid;
naphthols
metabolite
1-naphthol-8-amino-3,6-disulfonic acid1-naphthol-8-amino-3,6-disulfonic acid: dye and found in industrial waste
methyl redmethyl red : An azo dye consisting of benzoic acid substituted at position 2 by a 4-[(dimethylamino)phenyl]diazenyl group.

methyl red: RN given refers to parent cpd; structure
s-adenosylmethionineacylcarnitine: structure in first source

S-adenosyl-L-methioninate : A sulfonium betaine that is a conjugate base of S-adenosyl-L-methionine obtained by the deprotonation of the carboxy group.
sulfonium betainehuman metabolite
hexamidinehexamidine : A polyether that is the bis(4-guanidinophenyl) ether of hexane-1,6-diol.aromatic ether;
guanidines;
polyether
antimicrobial agent;
antiseptic drug
sinefunginadenosines;
non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid
antifungal agent;
antimicrobial agent
fluorone blackfluorone Black: structure
1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec-7-ene
c.i. direct red 23C.I. Direct Red 23: azo dye; structure in first source
furamidinefuramidine: RN given refers to parent cpd; WR 199385 refers to di-HCl; pafuramidine is a prodrug of this
s-adenosylhomocysteineS-adenosyl-L-homocysteine : An organic sulfide that is the S-adenosyl derivative of L-homocysteine.

S-Adenosylhomocysteine: 5'-S-(3-Amino-3-carboxypropyl)-5'-thioadenosine. Formed from S-adenosylmethionine after transmethylation reactions.
adenosines;
amino acid zwitterion;
homocysteine derivative;
homocysteines;
organic sulfide
cofactor;
EC 2.1.1.72 [site-specific DNA-methyltransferase (adenine-specific)] inhibitor;
EC 2.1.1.79 (cyclopropane-fatty-acyl-phospholipid synthase) inhibitor;
epitope;
fundamental metabolite
5'-methylthioadenosine5'-methylthioadenosine: structure

5'-S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine : Adenosine with the hydroxy group at C-5' substituted with a methylthio (methylsulfanyl) group.
thioadenosinealgal metabolite;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
stilbamidinestilbamidine: RN given refers to parent cpd
mbx 1090
gsk343GSK343 : A member of the class of indazoles that is 1-isopropyl-1H-indazole-4-carboxamide in which the nitrogen of the carboxamide group is substituted by a (6-methyl-2-oxo-4-propyl-1,2-dihydropyridin-3-yl)methyl group and in which the indazole ring is substituted at position 6 by a 2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridin-4-yl group. A highly potent and selective EZH2 inhibitor (IC50 = 4 nM).

GSK343: an EZH2 methyltransferase inhibitor
aminopyridine;
indazoles;
N-alkylpiperazine;
N-arylpiperazine;
pyridone;
secondary carboxamide
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
EC 2.1.1.43 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) inhibitor
6,7-dimethoxy-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-n-(5-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentyl)quinazolin-4-amine6,7-dimethoxy-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(5-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentyl)quinazolin-4-amine: a SETD8 inhibitor; structure in first source