Characterization of a S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase Gene in Rice

Abstract

Laboratorium voor Genetica, Universiteit Gent, B-9000 Gent, Belgium SAM-S (EC 2.5.1.6) catalyzes the biosynthesis of SAM (Adomet) from Met and ATE’. Adomet is a universal methyl group donor in severa1 transmethylation reactions and is involved in the regulation of the biosynthesis of Met and other Asp-derived amino acids. In plants, Adomet also func- tions as a precursor in the biosynthesis of the phytohormone ethylene and serves after decarboxylation as a propylamine group donor in the biosynthesis of polyamines (Goodwin and Mercer, 1983). SAM-S genomic and cDNA clones have been isolated and characterized from a variety of species, including