Coenzyme M
Coenzyme M is a coenzyme required for methyl-transfer reactions in the metabolism of methanogens.[1][2] The coenzyme is an anion with the formula HSCH
2CH
2SO−
3. It is named 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate and abbreviated HS–CoM. The cation is unimportant, but the sodium salt is most available. Mercaptoethanesulfonate contains both a thiol, which is the main site of reactivity, and a sulfonate group, which confers solubility in aqueous media.
Names | |
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IUPAC name
2-Sulfanylethanesulfonate | |
Systematic IUPAC name
2-Sulfanylethanesulfonate | |
Other names
2-mercaptoethylsulfonate; 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate; coenzyme M anion; H-S-CoM; AC1L1HCY; 2-sulfanylethane-1-sulfonate; CTK8A8912 | |
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Properties | |
C2H5O3S2 | |
Molar mass | 141.18 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Infobox references | |
Biochemical role
The coenzyme is the C1 donor in methanogenesis. It is converted to methyl-coenzyme M thioether, the thioether CH
3SCH
2CH
2SO−
3, in the penultimate step to methane formation.[3] Methyl-coenzyme M reacts with coenzyme B, 7-thioheptanoylthreoninephosphate, to give a heterodisulfide, releasing methane:
- CH
3–S–CoM + HS–CoB → CH
4 + CoB–S–S–CoM
This induction is catalyzed by the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase, which restricts cofactor F430 as the prosthetic group.
See also
- Mesna – a cancer chemotherapy adjuvant with the same structure
References
- Balch WE, Wolfe RS (1979). "Specificity and biological distribution of coenzyme M (2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid)". J. Bacteriol. 137 (1): 256–63. doi:10.1128/JB.137.1.256-263.1979. PMC 218444. PMID 104960.
- Taylor CD, Wolfe RS (10 August 1974). "Structure and methylation of coenzyme M(HSCH
2CH
2SO
3)". J. Biol. Chem. 249 (15): 4879–85. PMID 4367810. - Thauer RK (1998). "Biochemistry of Methanogenesis: a Tribute to Marjory Stephenson". Microbiology. 144 (9): 2377–2406. doi:10.1099/00221287-144-9-2377. PMID 9782487.