Halomethane Biosynthesis: Structure of a SAM‐Dependent Halide Methyltransferase from <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>

Abstract

It's a gas! The structure of the halomethane-producing halo/thiocyanate methyltransferase enzyme from plants has been determined. The halide ion and the methyl group of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) were modeled into the active site (see picture; chloride: green sphere; SAM: C green, O red, S yellow, N blue), which indicated their predisposition for reaction.