The transmethylation and one-carbon cycle hypotheses of schizophrenia

Smythies, J. R.

doi:10.1017/s0033291700051400

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The sulphur group is required for the mechanisms underlying both tissue respiration and detoxification processes of some compounds, while the methyl group is involved in transmethylation and in the one-carbon formate metabolism. It was the latter two mechanisms which have been suggested in Met-produced exacerbation of the schizophrenic symptoms (Osmond and Smythies, 1952;Pollin et al, 1961;Brunne and Himwich, 1962;Smythies, 1983;Tolbert et al, 1988) and in the suppression of demethylation in presence of Met (Antun and Kurkjian, 1982). However, other mechanisms should also be investigated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The postulated abnormal methylation in schizophrenia (Osmond and Smithies, 1952) had led to the advances of additional hypotheses. These included abnormali-ties in the transmethylation of the one-carbon metabolism (Smythies, 1983;Tolbert et al, 1988), abnormal demethylation of a certain phenylethanol amine derivative during Met loading (Antun and Kurkjian, 1982) and activation of the limbic system structure modulating mood and behaviour by Met (Reynolds et al, 1984). Methionine enhances Sadenosylmethionine formation leading to increased biotransmethylation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modulation of mouse brain dopamine, serotonin and metabolites by methionine: Implications for schizophrenia and genetics

Messiha

1991

Human Psychopharmacology

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The effect of methionine, an essential amino acid, on brain regional distribution of dopamine, serotinin and major acidic metabolites was studied in two genetically different strains of mice. These were the inbred albino BALB/C and the black C,,BL/6 mouse strains. The later strain was more sensitive than the former mouse strain to the methionine treatment. This has been demonstrated by methionine-produced change in dopamine metabolites in cerebellum, cortex and medulla regions, which suggests a decrease in dopamine turnover in the C,,BL/6 mice. Conversely, methionine-mediated changes in BALB/C mouse medullary region was suggestive of an increase in dopamine turnover. Little changes occurred in cerebral serotonin or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels, except for an increased serotonin in Cs7BL/6 mouse midbrain region. The results suggest that methionine possesses CNS pharmacological property pertaining to dopamine, other than its well-known action as a methyl donor in transmethylation processes, which is genotypic-dependent. Alternatively, modulation of the monoamines by methionine may explain its antidepressant property and possible contribution to the pharmacological hypotheses relevant to the biology of schizophrenia.

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