Transfer of the methyl group of methionine to choline and to tRNA in the honeybee Apis mellifica L.
Contrary to some previous reports on the absence of biological transmethylation reactions in some insect species, the transfer of the methyl group of methionine-methyl 14C leading to choline and to methylated bases in tRNA was shown in the honeybee Apis mellifica. The addition of antibiotics to the food of the insect does not diminish the incorporation of radioactivity, proving that intestinal bacteria are not responsible for the methylation reactions observed.
D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000378:metabolism*; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism*; D003596:Cytosine / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006147:Guanine / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008745:Methylation; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000378:metabolism*; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012359:tRNA Methyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism
D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D006147:Guanine; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D003596:Cytosine; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D012359:tRNA Methyltransferases; D002794:Choline