In enzymology, a mRNA (guanine-N7-)-methyltransferase also known as mRNA cap guanine-N7 methyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

S-adenosyl-L-methionine + G(5')pppR-RNA S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine + m7G(5')pppR-RNA (mRNA containing an N7-methylguanosine cap)

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are S-adenosyl methionine and G(5')pppR-RNA, whereas its two products are S-adenosylhomocysteine and m7G(5')pppR-RNA. This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those transferring one-carbon group methyltransferases.

In humans, mRNA cap guanine-N7 methyltransferase is encoded by the RNMT gene.

Nomenclature

The systematic name of this enzyme class is S-adenosyl-L-methionine:mRNA (guanine-N7-)-methyltransferase. Other names in common use include: messenger ribonucleate guanine 7-methyltransferase, guanine-7-methyltransferase, messenger RNA guanine 7-methyltransferase, and S-adenosyl-L-methionine:mRNA (guanine-7-N-)-methyltransferase. cap MTase

See also 7-Methylguanosine

References

Further reading