Distribution of Homocysteine between Competing Pathways*

Using an in vitro system which contained enzymes, substrates, and other reactants at concentrations which approximated the in vivo conditions in rat liver, we measured the simultaneous product formation by three enzymes which utilize homocysteine. In the control system, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate homocysteine methyltransferase, betaine homocysteine methyltransferase, and cystathionine &synthase accounted for 27, 27, and 46%, respectively, of the homocysteine consumed. Subsequent studies demonstrated that the adaptation from a high protein diet to a low protein diet is achieved by a significant increase in betaine homocysteine methyltransferase, an 8390 reduction in cystathionine synthase, and a total decrease of 55% in the consumption of homocysteine. SAdenosylmethionine, by activating cystathionine synthase, contributes significantly to the regulation of the pathway.