MEANS AND METHODS FOR THE ENZYMATIC PRODUCTION OF L--METHIONINE FROM O-PHOSPHO-L-HOMOSERINE AND METHANETHIOL

Provided is a method for producing L-methionine in which O-phospho- L-homoserine and methanethiol are enzymatically converted into L-methionine and H3PO4. Such a conversion is achieved by an enzyme called O-phospho-L-homoserine (OHPS) dependent methionine synthase. Also described are O-phospho-L-homoserine (OHPS) dependent methionine synthases, i.e. proteins which are able to enzymatically convert O-phospho- L-homoserine and methanethiol into L-methionine and H3PO4 as well as microorganisms which have been genetically modified so as to be able to produce L--methionine from O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol. Furthermore described are methods to screen for enzymes that catalyze the conversion of O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol into L-methionine and H3PO4 (Fig. 7c)