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Homocysteine : overview of biochemistry, molecular biology, and role in disease processes

Fowler, Brian. (2005) Homocysteine : overview of biochemistry, molecular biology, and role in disease processes. Seminars in vascular medicine, Vol. 5, H. 2. pp. 77-86.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5253380

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Abstract

Homocysteine is derived from the essential amino acid methionine and plays a vital role in cellular homeostasis in man. Homocysteine levels depend on its synthesis, involving methionine adenosyltransferase, S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases such as glycine N-methyltransferase, and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase; its remethylation to methionine by methionine synthase, which requires methionine synthase reductase, vitamin B (12), and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate produced by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase or betaine methyltransferase; and its degradation by transsulfuration involving cystathionine beta-synthase. The control of homocysteine metabolism involves changes of tissue content or inherent kinetic properties of the enzymes. In particular, S-adenosylmethionine acts as a switch between remethylation and transsulfuration through its allosteric inhibition of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and activation of cystathionine beta-synthase. Mutant alleles of genes for these enzymes can lead to severe loss of function and varying severity of disease. Several defects lead to severe hyperhomocysteinemia, the most common form being cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency, with more than a hundred reported mutations. Less severe elevations of plasma homocysteine are caused by folate and vitamin B (12) deficiency, and renal disease and moderate hyperhomocysteinemia are associated with several common disease states such as cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine toxicity is likely direct or caused by disturbed levels of associated metabolites; for example, methylation reactions through elevated S-adenosylhomocysteine.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde (Klinik) > Ehemalige Einheiten Pädiatrie (UKBB) > Labor (Fowler)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde (Klinik) > Ehemalige Einheiten Pädiatrie (UKBB) > Labor (Fowler)
UniBasel Contributors:Fowler, Brian
Item Type:Article
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Georg Thieme
ISSN:1528-9648
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:22 Mar 2012 14:24
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 13:39

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