MAT2B Human

Methionine Adenosyltransferase II Beta (MAT2B) is a crucial enzyme in the methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) family. This enzyme plays a significant role in the biosynthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) from methionine and ATP. AdoMet is a vital methyl donor involved in numerous biochemical processes, including DNA methylation, polyamine synthesis, and the methylation of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids .

MAT2B is the regulatory beta subunit of the MAT II enzyme complex. The MAT II complex consists of catalytic alpha subunits (encoded by the MAT2A gene) and non-catalytic beta subunits (encoded by the MAT2B gene). The beta subunit does not possess catalytic activity on its own but plays a regulatory role by associating with the alpha subunit to modulate the enzyme’s activity .

The human recombinant MAT2B protein is typically expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and purified using conventional chromatography techniques. The recombinant protein has a molecular weight of approximately 36.4 kDa and consists of 323 amino acids .

MAT2B is broadly expressed in various tissues and is particularly important in extrahepatic tissues. The enzyme’s activity is crucial for maintaining adequate levels of AdoMet, which is essential for cellular methylation reactions. In cancer cells, increased MAT2A and MAT2B expression can lead to elevated AdoMet levels, promoting cell proliferation and survival .

The expression of MAT2B in hepatoma cell lines has been linked to increased DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, suggesting a potential role in cancer progression. Understanding the regulation and function of MAT2B could provide insights into therapeutic targets for cancer treatment .

Recombinant human MAT2B protein is typically stored in a liquid form in a buffer containing Tris-HCl, DTT, EDTA, and glycerol. For short-term storage, it can be kept at +4°C, while long-term storage requires aliquoting and freezing at -20°C or -70°C to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles .