ROLES FOR THE METHYLATION OF PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE

The methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine is an auxiliary pathway fo r phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in liver. Two forms of the enzyme, phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, which catalyses this rea ction, are located on the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria-assoc iated membranes. Both forms are encoded by a single murine gene, Pempt , located on chromosome 11. The expression of the gene begins at birth . An inverse relationship exists between the rate of liver growth and the expression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase. Howeve r, disruption of the Pempt gene does not alter liver growth in mice or cause any other obvious phenotype. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.