Regulation of the Human MAT2B Gene Encoding the Regulatory β Subunit of Methionine Adenosyltransferase, MAT II

Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) catalyzes the biosynthesis of S -adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), a key molecule in transmethylation reactions and polyamine biosynthesis. The MAT II isozyme consists of a catalytic α2 and a regulatory β subunit. Down-regulation of the MAT II β subunit expression causes a 6–10-fold increase in intracellular AdoMet levels. To understand the mechanism by which the β subunit expression is regulated, we cloned the MAT2B gene, determined its organization, characterized its 5′-flanking sequences, and elucidated the in vitro and in vivo regulation of its promoter. Transcription of the MAT2B gene initiates at position −203 relative to the translation start site. Promoter deletion analysis defined a minimal promoter between positions +52 and +93 base pairs, a GC-rich region. Inclusion of the sequences between −4 and +52 enhanced promoter activity; this was primarily because of an Sp1 recognition site at +9/+15. The inclusion of sequences up to position −115 provided full activity; this was attributed to a TATA at −32. The Sp1 site at position +9 was key for the formation of protein·DNA complexes. Mutation of both the Sp1 site at +9 and the TATA at −32 reduced promoter activity to its minimal level. Supershift assays showed no effect of the anti-Sp1 antibody on complex formation, whereas the anti-Sp3 antibody had a strong effect on protein·DNA complex formation, suggesting that Sp3 is one of the main factors binding to this Sp1 site. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays supported the involvement of both Sp1 and Sp3 in complexes formed on the MAT2B promoter. The data show that the 5′-untranslated sequences play an important role in regulating the MAT2B gene and identifies the Sp1 site at +9 as a potential target for modulating MAT2B expression, a process that can have a major effect on intracellular AdoMet levels.