New methods for preparation and analysis of S-adenosyl-(5′)-3-methylthiopropylamine

Abstract

In order to separate S-adenosyl-(5′)-3-methylthiopropylamine (decarboxylated AdoMet) from its biological precursor, S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), two procedures have been devised. The first method involves two sequential chromatographic steps on Dowex 50, H + form, and Dowex 1, OH − form, respectively. An alternate procedure takes advantage of the unusual heat stability of decarboxylated AdoMet, as compared to its precursor, and permits the purification of the sulfonium compound by single-step chromatography. The method utilizes an acid hydrolysis, at 100°C, of a mixture of the two compounds, resulting in a selective cleavage of AdoMet into homoserine and 5′-methylthioadenosine: A single-step chromatography on Dowex 50, Na + form, permits the separation of the unmodified S-adenosyl-(5′)-3-methylthiopropylamine from the hydrolytic products of AdoMet. The yield is quantitative, and the procedure is simple and highly reproducible.