Methionine (S-adenosylmethionine) cycle module

A taxon-neutral decomposition of the methionine / S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) cycle, the core methyl-group-cycling pathway that interconverts methionine, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, and homocysteine, with exits to transsulfuration (via cystathionine beta-synthase) and remethylation inputs from folate (via methionine synthase) and choline/betaine (via BHMT). This module is intentionally structured in two layers. The CATALYTIC layer (enzymatic steps) grounds each step to a GO molecular-function term, the same EC <-> GO MF alignment used by the gluconeogenesis module. The REGULATORY layer is captured as connections of type POSITIVELY_REGULATES / NEGATIVELY_REGULATES whose predicate is grounded to a Systems Biology Ontology (SBO) term that distinguishes the MECHANISM (competitive vs allosteric), with the effector represented as a ChEBI-grounded metabolite-pool node. This regulatory wiring (small-molecule effector -> enzyme, with mechanism and sign) is information GO cannot express: GO annotations attach to gene products, the effectors here are metabolites, and GO has no competitive-vs-allosteric distinction. The regulatory structure is transcribed from the biosustain Maud kinetic model `data/methionine/methionine_cycle.toml`. A notable showcase is METAT, where two isozyme forms of methionine adenosyltransferase catalyse the SAME reaction but are OPPOSITELY regulated by SAM: MAT-I is competitively product-inhibited by SAM, whereas MAT-III is allosterically activated by SAM. Isozyme-specific regulation of this kind is the central thing GO flattens away.

MODULE:methionine_cycleDRAFTMetabolic Pathwaymodules/methionine_cycle.yaml
methionine cycleGO:0033353
GO:0033353
L-methionine cycle
The module is grounded in the GO biological-process term for the methionine / S-adenosylmethionine cycle (exact synonym "S-adenosylmethionine cycle").
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
biosustain Methionine_model (Maud kinetic model)
Reaction set, isozymes, and the allosteric/competitive regulation wiring are transcribed from the Maud model data/methionine/methionine_cycle.toml.
17Nodes
11Parts
2Variant Sets
5Variants
9Annotons
20Connections

Derived QC

Recommended-field compliance

100.0% recommended fields populated

All recommended fields populated.

Module deep research

✗ none found

No MODULE:methionine_cycle deep-research report alongside the module YAML.

Template conformance

every declared conforms_to bundle matches its template motif.

Gene-review completeness (0/0 grounded genes reviewed)

No concrete UniProt-grounded genes in this module.

Details

Methionine (SAM) cycleMetabolic Pathwaymethionine_cycle
methionine cycleGO:0033353

Layering: catalytic steps ground to GO molecular-function terms (GO:0004478, GO:0008168, GO:0017174, GO:0004013, GO:0008705, GO:0047150, GO:0004122, GO:0004489); the pathway grounds to GO:0033353. The regulatory layer is deliberately NOT expressed in GO. Each regulatory edge is a connection typed POSITIVELY/NEGATIVELY_REGULATES whose predicate is grounded to SBO so the competitive-vs-allosteric MECHANISM is explicit (SBO:0000206 competitive inhibitor, SBO:0000636 allosteric activator, SBO:0000639 allosteric inhibitor), with the effector grounded to ChEBI. This is the information that falls outside GO scope: a metabolite cannot bear a GO annotation, and GO has no representation of inhibition mechanism. The MAT-I vs MAT-III split (same GO MF GO:0004478, opposite SAM regulation) is the canonical illustration. Quantitative kinetics (K_m, k_cat, K_i, Hill/MWC parameters) from the Maud model are intentionally out of scope for this module and belong with the model / SABIO-RK-style resources.

Connections

mat1_activity -> meth_step Provides Input For
SAM produced by methionine adenosyltransferase is the methyl donor for transmethylation.
mat3_activity -> meth_step Provides Input For
SAM produced by methionine adenosyltransferase is the methyl donor for transmethylation.
mat1_activity -> gnmt_step Provides Input For
SAM is also consumed by glycine N-methyltransferase (overflow disposal).
mat3_activity -> gnmt_step Provides Input For
SAM is also consumed by glycine N-methyltransferase (overflow disposal).
meth_step -> ahc_step Provides Input For
Transmethylation produces SAH, the substrate of adenosylhomocysteinase.
gnmt_step -> ahc_step Provides Input For
GNMT produces SAH, the substrate of adenosylhomocysteinase.
ahc_step -> homocysteine_fate Provides Input For
SAH hydrolysis yields homocysteine, the branch-point metabolite.
ms_route -> metat_step Provides Input For
Folate-dependent remethylation regenerates methionine, closing the cycle.
bhmt_route -> metat_step Provides Input For
Betaine-dependent remethylation regenerates methionine, closing the cycle.
mthfr_step -> ms_route Provides Input For
MTHFR supplies 5-methyltetrahydrofolate consumed by methionine synthase.
amet_pool -> mat3_activity Positively Regulates
allosteric activationSBO:0000636
SAM allosterically activates MAT-III (feed-forward). Contrast with MAT-I, which SAM competitively inhibits - same reaction, opposite isozyme logic.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [allosteric]
MAT3 activated by amet (allosteric).
met_pool -> mat3_activity Positively Regulates
allosteric activationSBO:0000636
Methionine feed-forward activates MAT-III.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [allosteric]
MAT3 activated by met-L (allosteric).
amet_pool -> gnmt_activity Positively Regulates
allosteric activationSBO:0000636
SAM allosterically activates GNMT, opening the SAM overflow valve when methyl donor is in excess.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [allosteric]
GNMT1 activated by amet (allosteric).
mlthf_pool -> gnmt_activity Negatively Regulates
allosteric inhibitionSBO:0000639
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate allosterically inhibits GNMT, linking folate status to SAM disposal.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [allosteric]
GNMT1 inhibited by mlthf (allosteric).
amet_pool -> cbs_activity Positively Regulates
allosteric activationSBO:0000636
SAM allosterically activates CBS, diverting homocysteine to transsulfuration when methyl donor is abundant.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [allosteric]
CBS1 activated by amet (allosteric).
amet_pool -> mthfr_activity Negatively Regulates
allosteric inhibitionSBO:0000639
SAM allosterically inhibits MTHFR, throttling folate-dependent remethylation when SAM is high.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [allosteric]
MTHFR1 inhibited by amet (allosteric).
ahcys_pool -> mthfr_activity Positively Regulates
allosteric activationSBO:0000636
SAH allosterically activates MTHFR, restoring remethylation flux when the methylation index falls.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [allosteric]
MTHFR1 activated by ahcys (allosteric).
amet_pool -> mat1_activity Negatively Regulates
competitive inhibitionSBO:0000206
SAM competitively (product-feedback) inhibits MAT-I - opposite sign to its allosteric activation of MAT-III.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [competitive_inhibition]
MAT1 (reaction METAT) competitively inhibited by amet.
ahcys_pool -> meth_activity Negatively Regulates
competitive inhibitionSBO:0000206
SAH competitively inhibits bulk transmethylation (classic product inhibition / methylation index).
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [competitive_inhibition]
METH-Gen (reaction METH) competitively inhibited by ahcys.
ahcys_pool -> gnmt_activity Negatively Regulates
competitive inhibitionSBO:0000206
SAH competitively inhibits GNMT.
file:models/methionine/methionine_cycle.regulation.toml
Maud methionine_cycle.toml [competitive_inhibition]
GNMT1 (reaction GNMT) competitively inhibited by ahcys.
Part 1: SAM-forming step (methionine activation)
Methionine -> S-adenosyl-L-methionineReactionmetat_step

Methionine adenosyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.6) condenses methionine and ATP to S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), the universal methyl donor. The isozyme forms differ in their feedback logic, so they are modelled as variants to carry isozyme-specific regulation.

methionine adenosyltransferase reaction
Variant set: Methionine adenosyltransferase isozyme/oligomeric forms by isozyme / oligomeric form (One Or More)
MAT-I (high-capacity hepatic form)Reactionmat1_form

Annotons

MAT-I methionine adenosyltransferase activity
mat1_activity
Participant: Gene Product: MAT-I (MAT1A-encoded high-K_m hepatic isozyme)
Gene Product:
MAT-I (MAT1A-encoded high-K_m hepatic isozyme) High-K_m hepatic methionine adenosyltransferase form. Subject to competitive product (SAM) inhibition in the kinetic model.

Function

methionine adenosyltransferase activityGO:0004478
Substrates: L-methionine ATP
Products: S-adenosyl-L-methionine phosphate diphosphate
MAT-III (low-affinity hepatic form)Reactionmat3_form

Annotons

MAT-III methionine adenosyltransferase activity
mat3_activity
Participant: Gene Product: MAT-III (MAT1A-encoded low-affinity hepatic isozyme)
Gene Product:
MAT-III (MAT1A-encoded low-affinity hepatic isozyme) Low-affinity hepatic methionine adenosyltransferase form, allosterically activated by its own product SAM and by methionine (feed-forward), the opposite of MAT-I.

Function

methionine adenosyltransferase activityGO:0004478
Substrates: L-methionine ATP
Products: S-adenosyl-L-methionine phosphate diphosphate
Part 2: bulk transmethylation (SAM-dependent methyltransferases)
SAM-dependent transmethylation (general)Reactionmeth_step

Lumped node for the many SAM-dependent methyltransferases (EC 2.1.1.-) that transfer SAM's methyl group to acceptors (DNA, protein, small molecules), yielding S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH). Competitively product-inhibited by SAH in the kinetic model.

Annotons

SAM-dependent methyltransferase activity (general)
meth_activity
Participant: Any With Function: methyltransferase activity
Required Function:
methyltransferase activityGO:0008168

Function

methyltransferase activityGO:0008168
Substrates: S-adenosyl-L-methionine methyl acceptor
Products: S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine methylated acceptor
Part 3: SAM disposal / glycine sink
Glycine N-methyltransferase (SAM:SAH buffering)Reactiongnmt_step

Glycine N-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.20) methylates glycine to sarcosine, acting as the overflow valve that buffers the SAM:SAH ratio. Allosterically inhibited by 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and competitively inhibited by SAH; activated by SAM.

Annotons

Glycine N-methyltransferase activity
gnmt_activity
Participant: Any With Function: glycine N-methyltransferase activity
Required Function:
glycine N-methyltransferase activityGO:0017174

Function

glycine N-methyltransferase activityGO:0017174
Substrates: S-adenosyl-L-methionine glycine
Products: S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine sarcosine
Part 4: SAH hydrolysis
S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine -> L-homocysteineReactionahc_step

Adenosylhomocysteinase (EC 3.3.1.1) hydrolyses SAH to L-homocysteine and adenosine, relieving SAH product inhibition of methyltransferases.

Annotons

Adenosylhomocysteinase activity
ahc_activity
Participant: Any With Function: adenosylhomocysteinase activity
Required Function:
adenosylhomocysteinase activityGO:0004013

Function

adenosylhomocysteinase activityGO:0004013
Substrates: S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine
Products: L-homocysteine adenosine
Part 5: homocysteine fate (remethylation vs transsulfuration)
Homocysteine fate branchReactionhomocysteine_fate

Homocysteine is either remethylated back to methionine (folate-dependent via methionine synthase, or betaine-dependent via BHMT) or committed to transsulfuration via cystathionine beta-synthase.

Variant set: Homocysteine disposal routes by metabolic fate (One Or More)
Folate-dependent remethylation (methionine synthase)Reactionms_route

Annotons

Methionine synthase activity
ms_activity
Participant: Any With Function: methionine synthase activity
Required Function:
methionine synthase activityGO:0008705

Function

methionine synthase activityGO:0008705
Substrates: L-homocysteine 5-methyltetrahydrofolate
Products: L-methionine tetrahydrofolate
Betaine-dependent remethylation (BHMT)Reactionbhmt_route

Annotons

Betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase activity
bhmt_activity
Participant: Any With Function: betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase activity
Required Function:
betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase activityGO:0047150

Function

betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase activityGO:0047150
Substrates: L-homocysteine glycine betaine
Products: L-methionine N,N-dimethylglycine
Transsulfuration commitment (cystathionine beta-synthase)Reactioncbs_route

Exit from the cycle toward cysteine biosynthesis; allosterically activated by SAM.

Annotons

Cystathionine beta-synthase activity
cbs_activity
Participant: Any With Function: cystathionine beta-synthase activity
Required Function:
cystathionine beta-synthase activityGO:0004122

Function

cystathionine beta-synthase activityGO:0004122
Substrates: L-homocysteine L-serine
Products: L-cystathionine
Part 6: folate methyl input arm
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (5-methyl-THF supply)Reactionmthfr_step

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (EC 1.5.1.20) reduces 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the methyl donor consumed by methionine synthase. Allosterically inhibited by SAM and activated by SAH, coupling folate flux to methyl-group demand.

Annotons

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity
mthfr_activity
Participant: Any With Function: methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [NAD(P)H] activity
Required Function:
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [NAD(P)H] activityGO:0004489

Function

methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [NAD(P)H] activityGO:0004489
Substrates: 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate NAD(P)H
Products: 5-methyltetrahydrofolate NAD(P)+
Part 7: regulatory effector pools (metabolite endpoints for regulation edges) (optional)

These nodes are NOT catalytic steps. They represent the small-molecule effector pools that serve as the source endpoints of the regulatory connections below. They are grounded to ChEBI rather than GO, because the regulators are metabolites and cannot bear GO annotations.

Regulatory effector poolsModuleregulatory_effectors
Part: methyl-donor effector
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) poolamet_pool
S-adenosyl-L-methionineCHEBI:15414
Part: demethylated-donor effector
S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) poolahcys_pool
S-adenosyl-L-homocysteineCHEBI:16680
Part: folate effector
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate poolmlthf_pool
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolateCHEBI:1989
Part: amino-acid effector
L-methionine poolmet_pool
L-methionineCHEBI:16643