In enzymology, a methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.9) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

10-formyltetrahydrofolate + L-methionyl-tRNAfMet + H2O tetrahydrofolate + N-formylmethionyl-tRNAfMet

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases that transfer one-carbon groups, specifically the hydroxymethyl-, formyl- and related transferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 10-formyltetrahydrofolate:L-methionyl-tRNA N-formyltransferase. This enzyme participates in three metabolic pathways: methionine metabolism, one carbon pool by folate, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis.

Structural studies

As of late 2007, two structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes 1FMT and 2FMT.

References

  • Dickerman HW, Steers E Jr, Redfield BG, Weissbach H (1967). "Methionyl soluble ribonucleic acid transformylase. I. Purification and partial characterization". J. Biol. Chem. 242 (7): 1522–5. PMID 5337045.