Name: in vitro assay to measure phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase activity
Uploaded: 2016-01-05T13:00:01
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity at JoVE.com

This work was supported by NIH grants ARRA RO3 AI078145 and 1SC3GM113743 to RZ.

1. Cell Extract Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Grow the Leishmania cells in a sterile plastic bottle sealed with air tight cap at 26 &#186;C in a medium made of 1x M199 supplemented with 20 mM HEPES pH7.4, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 &#181;g/ml streptomycin, 5 &#181;g/ml heme, 0.35 g/L NaCO2H, 0.1 mM adenine, and 2 &#181;g/ml biopterin without shaking. Harvest the cells by centrifugation at 1,500 g for 5 min at 4 &#186;C when they reach a cell density of 1-2 x 107/ml.</li>
	<li>Discard the supernatan...

<ol>
	<li>Keogh, M. R., Courtney, P. D., Kinney, A. J., Dewey, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+characterization+of+phospholipid+N-.methyltransferases+from+Arabidopsis+and+soybean.">Functional characterization of phospholipid N-.methyltransferases from Arabidopsis and soybean.</a> J Biol Chem. 284 (23), 15439-15447 (2009).</li><li>Geiger, O., Lopez-Lara, I. M., Sohlenkamp, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phosphatidylcholine+biosynthesis+and+function+in+bacteria.">Phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and function in bacteria.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1831 (3), 503-513 (2013).</li><li>Gao, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decreased+lipogenesis+in+white+adipose+tissue+contributes+to+the+resistance+to+high+fat+diet-induced+obesity+in+phosphatidylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase-deficient+mice.">Decreased lipogenesis in white adipose tissue contributes to the resistance to high fat diet-induced obesity in phosphatidylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase-deficient mice.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1851 (2), 152-162 (2015).</li><li>Zhao, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lack+of+phosphatidylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase+alters+plasma+VLDL+phospholipids+and+attenuates+atherosclerosis+in+mice.">Lack of phosphatidylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase alters plasma VLDL phospholipids and attenuates atherosclerosis in mice.</a> Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 29 (9), 1349-1355 (2009).</li><li>Vance, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phospholipid+methylation+in+mammals:+from+biochemistry+to+physiological+function.">Phospholipid methylation in mammals: from biochemistry to physiological function.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1838 (6), 1477-1487 (2014).</li><li>Nishimaki-Mogami, T., Suzuki, K., Takahashi, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+phosphatidylethanolamine+methylation+in+the+secretion+of+very+low+density+lipoproteins+by+cultured+rat+hepatocytes:+rapid+inhibition+of+phosphatidylethanolamine+methylation+by+bezafibrate+increases+the+density+of+apolipoprotein+B48-containing+lipoproteins.">The role of phosphatidylethanolamine methylation in the secretion of very low density lipoproteins by cultured rat hepatocytes: rapid inhibition of phosphatidylethanolamine methylation by bezafibrate increases the density of apolipoprotein B48-containing lipoproteins.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1304 (1), 21-31 (1996).</li><li>Noga, A. A., Zhao, Y., Vance, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+unexpected+requirement+for+phosphatidylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase+in+the+secretion+of+very+low+density+lipoproteins.">An unexpected requirement for phosphatidylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase in the secretion of very low density lipoproteins.</a> J Biol Chem. 277 (44), 42358-42365 (2002).</li><li>Li, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epigenetic+repression+of+phosphatidylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase+(PEMT)+in+BRCA1-mutated+breast+cancer.">Epigenetic repression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase (PEMT) in BRCA1-mutated breast cancer.</a> Oncotarget. 5 (5), 1315-1325 (2014).</li><li>Cui, Z., Houweling, M., Vance, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Suppression+of+rat+hepatoma+cell+growth+by+expression+of+phosphatidylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase-2.">Suppression of rat hepatoma cell growth by expression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase-2.</a> J Biol Chem. 269 (40), 24531-24533 (1994).</li><li>Cui, Z., Shen, Y. J., Vance, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inverse+correlation+between+expression+of+phosphatidylethanolamine.N-.methyltransferase-2+and+growth+rate+of+perinatal+rat+livers.">Inverse correlation between expression of phosphatidylethanolamine.N-.methyltransferase-2 and growth rate of perinatal rat livers.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1346 (1), 10-16 (1997).</li><li>Minder, A. C., de Rudder, K. E., Narberhaus, F., Fischer, H. M., Hennecke, H., Geiger, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phosphatidylcholine+levels+in.Bradyrhizobium+japonicum.+membranes+are+critical+for+an+efficient+symbiosis+with+the+soybean+host+plant.">Phosphatidylcholine levels in.Bradyrhizobium japonicum. membranes are critical for an efficient symbiosis with the soybean host plant.</a> Mol Microbiol. 39 (5), 1186-1198 (2001).</li><li>Kodaki, T., Yamashita, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Yeast+phosphatidylethanolamine+methylation+pathway.+Cloning+and+characterization+of+two+distinct+methyltransferase+genes.">Yeast phosphatidylethanolamine methylation pathway. Cloning and characterization of two distinct methyltransferase genes.</a> J Biol Chem. 262 (32), 15428-15435 (1987).</li><li>Tanaka, Y., Amano, F., Maeda, M., Nishijima, M., Akamatsu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+and+properties+of+phosphatidyl-N-.monomethylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase,+the+enzyme+catalyzing+the+second+and+the+third+steps+in+the+phosphatidylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase+system,+from+mouse+liver+microsomes.">Purification and properties of phosphatidyl-N-.monomethylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase, the enzyme catalyzing the second and the third steps in the phosphatidylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase system, from mouse liver microsomes.</a> Jpn J Med Sci Biol. 43 (3), 59-73 (1990).</li><li>Bibis, S. S., Dahlstrom, K., Zhu, T., Zufferey, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+Leishmania+major+phosphatidylethanolamine+methyltransferases+LmjPEM1+and+LmjPEM2+and+their+inhibition+by+choline+analogs.">Characterization of Leishmania major phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferases LmjPEM1 and LmjPEM2 and their inhibition by choline analogs.</a> Mol Biochem Parasitol. 196 (2), 90-99 (2014).</li><li>deRudder, K. E., Thomas-Oates, J. E., Geiger, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rhizobium+meliloti.+mutants+deficient+in+phospholipid+N-.methyltransferase+still+contain+phosphatidylcholine.">Rhizobium meliloti. mutants deficient in phospholipid N-.methyltransferase still contain phosphatidylcholine.</a> J Bacteriol. 179 (22), 6921-6928 (1997).</li><li>Aktas, M., Narberhaus, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+characterization+of+the+enzyme+properties+of+the+phospholipid+N-.methyltransferase+PmtA+from+Agrobacterium+tumefaciens.">In vitro characterization of the enzyme properties of the phospholipid N-.methyltransferase PmtA from Agrobacterium tumefaciens.</a> J Bacteriol. 191 (7), 2033-2041 (2009).</li><li>Ridgway, N. D., Vance, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phosphatidylethanolamine+N-.methyltransferase+from+rat+liver.">Phosphatidylethanolamine N-.methyltransferase from rat liver.</a> Methods Enzymol. 209, 366-374 (1992).</li><li>Gaynor, P. M., Carman, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phosphatidylethanolamine+methyltransferase+and+phospholipid+methyltransferase+activities+from+Saccharomyces+cerevisiae.+Enzymological+and+kinetic+properties.">Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase and phospholipid methyltransferase activities from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Enzymological and kinetic properties.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1045 (2), 156-163 (1990).</li><li>Arondel, V., Benning, C., Somerville, C. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+functional+expression+in+Escherichia+coli.+of+a+gene+encoding+phosphatidylethanolamine+methyltransferase+(EC+2.1.1.17)+from+Rhodobacter+sphaeroides.">Isolation and functional expression in Escherichia coli. of a gene encoding phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.17) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.</a> J Biol Chem. 268 (21), 16002-16008 (1993).</li><li>Wessel, M., Klusener, S., Godeke, J., Fritz, C., Hacker, S., Narberhaus, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Virulence+of+Agrobacterium+tumefaciens.+requires+phosphatidylcholine+in+the+bacterial+membrane.">Virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. requires phosphatidylcholine in the bacterial membrane.</a> Mol Microbiol. 62 (3), 906-915 (2006).</li><li>Klusener, S., Aktas, M., Thormann, K. M., Wessel, M., Narberhaus, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+and+physiological+relevance+of+Agrobacterium+tumefaciens.+phosphatidylcholine+biosynthesis+genes.">Expression and physiological relevance of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis genes.</a> J Bacteriol. 191 (1), 365-374 (2009).</li><li>Henderson, D. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+of+the+gene+encoding+Leishmania+donovani.S.-adenosylhomocysteine+hydrolase,+a+potential+target+for+antiparasitic+chemotherapy.">Cloning of the gene encoding Leishmania donovani.S.-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, a potential target for antiparasitic chemotherapy.</a> Mol Biochem Parasitol. 53 (1-2), 169-183 (1992).</li><li>Koszalka, G. W., Krenitsky, T. A., Nyhan, W. L., Thompson, L. F., Watts, R. W. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=5&#39;-Methylthioadenosine+(MTA)+phosphorylase+from+promastigote+of+Leishmania+donovani.">5&#39;-Methylthioadenosine (MTA) phosphorylase from promastigote of Leishmania donovani.</a> Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism in Man V, Adv Exp Med Biol. 131, 559-563 (1986).</li><li>Biastoff, S., Teuber, M., Zhou, Z. S., Dr&#228;ger, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Colorimetric+activity+measurement+of+a+recombinant+putrescine+N.-methyltransferase+from+Datura+stramonium.">Colorimetric activity measurement of a recombinant putrescine N.-methyltransferase from Datura stramonium.</a> Planta Med. 72 (12), 1136-1141 (2006).</li><li>Hendricks, C. L., Ross, J. R., Pichersky, E., Noel, J. P., Zhou, Z. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+enzyme-coupled+colorimetric+assay+for+S.-adenosylmethionine-dependent+methyltransferases.">An enzyme-coupled colorimetric assay for S.-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases.</a> Anal Biochem. 326 (1), 100-105 (2004).</li><li>Cannon, L. M., Butler, F. N., Wan, W., Zhou, Z. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+stereospecific+colorimetric+assay+for+(S.,S.)-adenosylmethionine+quantification+based+on+thiopurine+methyltransferase-catalyzed+thiol+methylation.">A stereospecific colorimetric assay for (S.,S.)-adenosylmethionine quantification based on thiopurine methyltransferase-catalyzed thiol methylation.</a> Anal Biochem. 308 (2), 358-363 (2002).</li><li>Hoffman, J. 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This simple, quick PEMT assay allows the quantification of methylated forms of PE that results from the transfer of radioactive methyl groups from SAM onto PE using whole cell extract as a protein source. It is fast, sensitive, reproducible, and also suitable for purified enzymes 17. Monomethyl- or dimethyl-PE can be added to the assay if the methyltransferase of interest is specific to these substrates rather than to PE 12,13,18,19. If purified PEMT enzyme is used, PE can be added to the assay. A l...

Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (PEMT) enzymes catalyze the covalent attachment of one or more methyl groups using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the methyl group donor onto PE, monomethyl-PE or dimethyl-PE to give monomethyl-PE, dimethyl-PE and/or phosphatidylcholine (PC). These enzymes are almost ubiquitous in animal cells and fungi. They can also be found in some plants 1 and approximately 10% of bacteria, particularly those that interact with eukaryotes 2.
PEMTs are relevant to the biology of the cell not only by contributing to the production of PC, which is the main lipid class in animal cells, but also by fulfilling other important cellular functions. In mammals, PEMTs are mainly expressed in the liver where they are required for normal secretion of very low-density lipoprotein and they also contribute to diet-induced obesity 3, atherosclerosis 4, and insulin resistance 5. Additionally, mammalian PEMT are also expressed in adipocytes, although to lower levels, and participate in fat deposition 6,7. PEMT role in cancer development 8, apoptosis 9, and cell growth 10 have also been demonstrated. In bacteria, PEMT enzymes have been shown to be important for normal cell growth 2, virulence 2, and symbiosis with the host plant 11.
The goal and rationale of the present protocol is to measure PEMT activity from whole cell extracts without the need to purify the enzyme. Two distinct protocols have been developed to measure PEMT activity. The first and most common one measures the transfer of tritiated methyl group from radioactive SAM onto PE, which is the topic of this article. This protocol has been originally developed to measure PEMT activity from yeast 12 and mammalian cells (liver) 13 to gain an understanding of PC biosynthesis in these cells as well as to determine the specificity of these enzymes. Later, this technique has been applied to other cell types such as bacteria 2 (using a basic pH value for the assay though 15) and protozoan parasites 14. This technique can be used with whole cell extracts as well as purified enzyme, and can potentially be applied to any cell extract system. A non radioactive assay has also been designed that relies on the enzymatic quantification of S-adenosylhomocysteine, the transmethylation product of SAM 16. The latter assay may be more convenient as it does not involve radioactivity but it is only suitable for purified enzymes.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="630">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:216px;">S-[Methyl-3H]adenosyl-L-methionine (specific activity of 5-15 Ci/mMole)</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Perkin Elmer</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">NET155050UC</td>
			<td style="width:188px;">Aliquot the reagent and freeze at -20 &#176;C; follow radiation safety guidelines while using this reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Protease inhibitor cocktail</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Roche Life Sciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11836170001</td>
			<td>dilute it fresh&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Glass beads, acid washed, 425-600 mm</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>G8772</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Bicinchoninic acid solution</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B9643</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Copper (II) sulfate</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">C2284</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Scintillation counter MicroBeta2 with 1-detector</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Perkin Elmer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">2450-0010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Spectrophotometer Biomate 3</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>840208300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">BSA stock solution (10 mg/ml)</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">New England Biolabs</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B9001S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:216px;">Scintillation liquid&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Research Product International Corp</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">111198</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">S-(5&#39;-Adenosyl)-L-methionine chloride (hydrochloride)&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:107px;">Cayman Chemicals</td>
			<td>13956</td>
			<td style="width:188px;">dilute the reagent in 20 mM HCl and freeze aliquots at -80 &#176;C&#160;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

in vitro assay to measure phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase activity

Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferases are biosynthetic enzymes that catalyze the transfer of one or more methyl group(s) from S-adenosyl-L-methionine onto phosphatidylethanolamine, monomethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, or dimethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine to give either monomethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, dimethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine. These enzymes are ubiquitous in animal cells, fungi, and are also found in approximately 10% of bacteria. They fulfill various important functions in cell physiology beyond their direct role in lipid metabolism such as in insulin resistance, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cell growth, or virulence. The present manuscript reports on a simple cell-free enzymatic assay that measures the transfer of tritiated methyl group(s) from S-[Methyl-3H]adenosyl-L-methionine onto phosphatidylethanolamine using whole cell extracts as an enzyme source. The resulting methylated forms of phosphatidylethanolamine are hydrophobic and thus, can be separated from water soluble S-[Methyl-3H]adenosyl-L-methionine by organic extraction. This assay can potentially be applied to any other cell types and used to test inhibitors/drugs specific to a phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase of interest without the need to purify the enzyme.

Figure 1 shows a time dependant PEMT assay, which was carried out with Leishmania whole cell extract as an enzyme source using endogenous PE as a substrate. The amount of radioactivity in the organic phase was quantified by scintillation counting. The resulting numbers were utilized to calculate the amount of tritiated methyl groups transferred onto PE. The PEMT activity was linear for approximately 20 min. It then reached a plateau at around 30 min, after which ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity at JoVE.com

In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity

The present report describes an in vitro enzymatic assay to measure phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase activity using Leishmania cell extracts. This assay is based on the transfer of a radioactive methyl group from S-[Methyl-3H]adenosyl-L-methionine onto endogenous phosphatidylethanolamine.

In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity

Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferases are biosynthetic enzymes that catalyze the transfer of one or more methyl group(s) from ...

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