Identification of a pyruvoyl residue in S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been purified to homogeneity. Acid hydrolysis of NaB3H4-reduced enzyme released 2.2 mol of tritiated lactate per mol of dimeric enzyme, indicating that a pyruvate moiety is present. Inhibition of enzymatic activity by NaBH4 reduction and by carbonyl-binding reagents indicates that this pyruvoyl residue is required for the activity of the enzyme. This is the first example reported of a eukaryotic enzyme containing a covalently linked pyruvoyl residue.