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. 1993 Jul 15;293(Pt 2):481–486. doi: 10.1042/bj2930481

Characterization of a full-length cDNA encoding human liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase: tissue-specific gene expression and mRNA levels in hepatopathies.

L Alvarez 1, F Corrales 1, A Martín-Duce 1, J M Mato 1
PMCID: PMC1134386  PMID: 8393662

Abstract

The sequence of a full-length cDNA coding for human liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase has been determined. It spans 3217 nucleotides and encodes a protein of 395 amino acid residues, with a calculated molecular mass of 43,647 Da. The structural features deduced from the amino acid sequence show a close similarity to those of the rat liver enzyme. The liver-specific S-adenosylmethionine synthetase gene appears to be present as a single copy in the genome, as revealed by Southern analysis. The occurrence of a single mRNA species for this enzyme has been determined by primer extension and Northern analysis. Among several human tissues examined, this gene is expressed only in the liver. Similar S-adenosylmethionine synthetase mRNA levels have been detected in biopsies from normal human liver and from patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Based on these results, a possible mechanism of regulation of human liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase is discussed.

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Selected References

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