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Iron-dependent formation of homocysteine from methionine and other thioethers

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 1359–1363 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

We tested whether homocysteine is formed from methionine and other thioethers in vitro and in vivo, because methionine can be chemically demethylated to homocysteine.

Design:

In in vitro studies, chemical conversions of thioethers (methionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine and cystathionine) into homocysteine were measured under various aerobic conditions. In humans, oral methionine (0.17 mmol/kg body weight) loading tests with and without an oral iron dose (ferrous sulfate, 13 μmol/kg) were performed.

Setting:

A university setting in Birmingham, AL, USA.

Subjects:

A total of five healthy adult subjects volunteered.

Results:

The in vitro incubation of methionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine or cystathionine with chelated iron resulted in the formation of homocysteine. These conversions were iron- and pH-dependent (pH optima between 5.0 and 6.0) and it was also chelator-dependent. In humans, oral methionine loading tests resulted in a 45% increase in the area-under-the-curve for plasma total homocysteine concentrations, when iron was given together with methionine.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that iron-dependent chemical formation of homocysteine can occur in vivo, and contribute to the plasma total homocysteine pool, since this formation can occur ceaselessly. We hypothesize that plasma total homocysteine concentrations reflect, in part, non-protein-bound iron in the body.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    J E Baggott & T Tamura

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  1. J E Baggott
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  2. T Tamura
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Correspondence to J E Baggott.

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Contributors: Both authors (JEB and TT) contributed in designing and performing the experiments and writing the manuscript.

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Baggott, J., Tamura, T. Iron-dependent formation of homocysteine from methionine and other thioethers. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 1359–1363 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602665

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