Demethylase

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Demethylases are enzymes that remove methyl (CH₃-) groups from proteins and other substances. They are utilized in a variety of processes, such as in chemotaxis signal transduction.

A good example of a demethylase is the activated (i.e. phosphorylated) form of the CheB protein, which demethylates MCPs (methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins). MCPs sense extracellular attractants and repellents in bacteria like E. coli in chemotaxis regulation. Because CheB removes methyl groups from a glutamate and creates, as a result of this demethylation, a methanol and a glutamic acid residue, CheB is more specifically termed a methylesterase.

[edit] See also

• Esterase
• Transferase
• Methylase
• Chemotaxis

[edit] Sources

• Madigan, Michael. Brock's Biology of Microorganisms, 11 ed.
• Park, Borbat, et al. Reconstruction of the chemotaxis receptor-kinase assembly, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 13, 400-407 (2006). 23 April 2006