Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Methionine at the Heart of Anabolism and Signaling: Perspectives From Budding Yeast.

Publication Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

January 1, 2019

Journal

Frontiers in microbiology

Volume/Issue

10

ISSN

1664-302X

Studies using a fungal model, , have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of sulfur metabolism in eukaryotes. Sulfur metabolites, particularly methionine and its derivatives, induce anabolic programs in yeast, and drive various processes integral to metabolism (one-carbon metabolism, nucleotide synthesis, and redox balance). Thereby, methionine also connects these processes with autophagy and epigenetic regulation. The direct involvement of methionine-derived metabolites in diverse chemistries such as transsulfuration and methylation reactions comes from the elegant positioning and safe handling of sulfur through these molecules. In this mini-review, we highlight studies from yeast that reveal how this amino acid holds a unique position in both metabolism and cell signaling, and illustrate cell fate decisions that methionine governs. We further discuss the interconnections between sulfur and NADPH metabolism, and highlight critical nodes around methionine metabolism that are promising for antifungal drug development.

Alternate Journal

Front Microbiol

PubMed ID

31798560

PubMed Central ID

PMC6874139

Authors

Adhish S Walvekar
Sunil Laxman