Vitamin Bi2-dependent

Figure 9.5. Methionine load test for vitamin Be status. Methionine synthetase, EC 2.1.1.13 (vitamin Bi2-dependent) 2.1.1.5 (betaine as methyl donor) cystathionine synthetase, EC 4.2.1.22 and cystathionase, EC 4.4.1.1. Relative molecular masses (Mr) methionine, 149.2 homocysteine, 135.2 cystathionine, 222.3 and cysteine, 121.2.

Propionyl CoA Carboxylase Propionyl CoA carboxylase catalyzes the carboxylation of propionyl CoA to methyhnalonyl CoA, which undergoes a vitamin Bi2-dependent isomerization to succinyl CoA (see Figure 10.13). This reaction provides a pathway for the oxidation, through the tricarboxylic acid cycle, of propionyl CoA arising from the catabolism of isoleucine, valine, odd-carbon fatty acids, and the side chain of cholesterol. 

Methylation is the addition of a carbon atom to a molecule, usually causing a change in the function of the methylated molecule. For example, methylation of the neurotransmitter dopamine by catechol-O-methyltransferase renders it inactive. With only two exceptions, 5-adenosylmethionine (SAM), an activated form of the essential amino acid methionine, is the methyl donor for each of the more than 150 methylation reactions, which regulate a large number of cellular functions. One exception is methylation of homocysteine (HCY) to methionine by the cobalamin (vitamin Bi2)-dependent enzyme methionine synthase, which utilizes 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (methylfolate) as the methyl donor, serving to complete the methionine cycle of methylation, as illustrated in Fig. 1 (lower right). Notably, HCY formation from S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is reversible and, as a result, any decrease in methionine synthase activity will be reflected as an increase in both HCY and SAH. This is significant because SAH interferes with SAM-dependent methylation reactions, and a decrease in methionine synthase activity will decrease all of these reactions. Clearly methionine synthase exerts a powerful influence over cell function via its control over methylation. 

Major vitamin Bi2-dependent metabolic processes include the formation of methionine from homocysteine, and the formation of succinyl coenzyme A from methylmalonyl coenzyme A. Thus, apart from directly determining vitamin B12 concentration in serum, elevated levels of both methylmalonic acid and homocysteine may indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency. Serum cobalamine concentration is often determined by automated immunoassays using an intrinsic factor as binding agent. These assays have mainly replaced the microbiological methods. Literature data about vitamin B12 concentration in serum varies. Values <110-150pmoll are considered to reflect deficiency, whereas values >150-200pmoll represents an adequate status. 

The metabolic role of many minerals and vitamins is as prosthetic groups or coenzymes in different enzyme systems. Consequently, mineral and vitamin deficiencies can cause a breakdown of the processing system and precipitate metabolic disease. For example, methylmalonyl-CoA isomerase (see p. 203) is an important vitamin Bi2-dependent enzyme in the gluconeogenic pathway. A deficiency of vitamin B12 (or cobalt) may reduce enzyme activity, decrease the efficiency of glucose synthesis and predispose the animal to ketosis. Similarly, ceruloplasmin is a copper-dependent enzyme responsible for releasing iron from cells into blood plasma. A copper deficiency may reduce ceruloplasmin activity, decrease the efficiency of iron utilisation for haemoglobin synthesis and predispose the animal to anaemia. 

Figure 5J. Isomerization reactions catalyzed by vitamin Bi2 dependent enzymes.

FIGURE 16 (Top) A family of rearrangement reactions that depend upon free radical formation involving an enzyme-bound form of the vitamin B12 coenzyme S -deoxyadenosylcobalamin (Fig. 7). The rearrangement of (R) methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA (the opposite of the reaction shown here) is one of the two essential vitamin Bi2-dependent reactions in the human body, and plays an important role in fatty acid oxidation, as is indicated in Fig. 12. 

Alternatively, since some bibenzyl is formed, a stepwise mechanism involving formation of a benzyl radical could occur. In view of these findings it is possible that certain vitamin-Bi2-dependent reactions could involve such oxidative dealkylation reactions. 

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