NNMT Human, Active

Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT) is a cytoplasmic enzyme that plays a crucial role in the methylation of nicotinamide (NAM) and other pyridines. This enzyme uses S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor to form methylnicotinamide (MNAM) and S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) . NNMT is significant for the biotransformation and detoxification of many xenobiotic compounds, including drugs .

NNMT is predominantly expressed in the liver, but it is also found in lower levels in the kidney, lung, skeletal muscle, placenta, and heart . The enzyme’s activity is essential for regulating various biological processes related to N-methyl nicotinamide, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, vasoprotective, and gastroprotective properties .

NNMT overexpression has been observed in various solid cancer tissues and body fluids, including serum, urine, and saliva . This overexpression is associated with increased tumorigenesis and chemoresistance capacity. NNMT knockdown has been shown to significantly decrease these capacities, making it a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer diagnosis and treatment .

Human recombinant NNMT is expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and is available in a highly purified form, with a purity of ≥98% as determined by SDS-PAGE . The recombinant protein includes an N-terminal His-tag, which facilitates its purification and detection . This recombinant enzyme is used in various research applications to study its function and potential as a therapeutic target.

NNMT’s role in the biotransformation of xenobiotic compounds makes it a valuable tool in drug metabolism studies. Its activity is also significant in understanding the metabolic regulation in cancer cells and developing new cancer therapies . The enzyme’s ability to catalyze the N-methylation of nicotinamide and other pyridines is crucial for these applications .