J. Brosnan, Robin P. da Silva, M. Brosnan
Jan 1, 2007
Citations
1
Influential Citations
34
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
Abstract
Purpose of reviewTo outline recent advances in our understanding of the metabolic basis for the maintenance of cellular S-adenosylmethionine levels and, thus, for facilitating the many crucial methylation reactions in the body. Amino acids are intimately involved in these processes. Recent findingsThe application of stable-isotope methodology has permitted accurate estimation of the total transmethylation flux in humans. Chemical balance studies have identified the quantitatively major transmethylation reactions. New evidence points to a key role for deranged S-adenosylmethionine metabolism in the pathogenesis of liver disease. Mutations in key enzymes point to the importance of methyl metabolism in closure of the neural tube, synthesis of creatine and metabolic clearance of methionine. Dietary interventions designed to affect S-adenosylmethionine availability to pregnant mice have been shown to modulate the epigenetic DNA methylation of specific genes. SummaryThese findings are of relevance to the pathogenesis of neural tube defects as well as the interaction between a genetic polymorphism and nutritional status. They also address the issue of methyl group availability and epigenetic regulation. Finally, they are also relevant to the etiology of cirrhosis and steatohepatitis.