Overview:

Leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (LCMT1) exclusively methylates the carboxyl group of leucine-309 in the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (1). LCMT1 is essential for normal progression through mitosis and cell survival. Knocking-down LCMT1 leads to reduced formation of PP2A heterodimers and increased apoptosis (2). LCMT1 also regulates the association of PP2A and its substrate, Tau protein, with plasma membrane in neuroblastoma cells. Decreased level of PP2A methylation is found in Alzheimer disease (3).

Gene Aliases:

CGI-68; LCMT; PPMT1

Genbank Number:

NM_016309

References:

1. De Baere, I., et al. Purification of porcine brain protein phosphatase 2A leucine carboxyl methyltransferase and cloning of the human homologue. Biochemistry. 38(50):16539-47, 1999.

2. Lee, J.A., et al. Leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 is necessary for normal progression through mitosis in mammalian cells. J Biol Chem. 282(42):30974-84, 2007.

3. Sontag, J.M., et al. Leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (LCMT1)-dependent methylation regulates the association of protein phosphatase 2A and Tau protein with plasma membrane microdomains in neuroblastoma cells. J Biol Chem. 288(38):27396-405, 2013.