Reaction: S-adenosyl-L-methionine + a catechol = S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine + a guaiacol
Other name(s): COMT I ; COMT II; S-COMT (soluble form of catechol-O-methyltransferase); MB-COMT (membrane-bound form of catechol-O-methyltransferase); catechol methyltransferase; catecholamine O-methyltransferase
Systematic name: S-adenosyl-L-methionine:catechol O-methyltransferase
Comments: The mammalian enzyme acts more rapidly on catecholamines such as adrenaline or noradrenaline than on catechols.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 9012-25-3
References:
1. Axelrod, J. and Tomchick, R. Enzymatic O-methylation of epinephrine and other catechols. J. Biol. Chem. 233 (1958) 702-705.
2. Gulliver, P.A. and Tipton, K.F. The purification and properties of pig brain catechol-O-methyltransferase. J. Neurochem. 32 (1979) 1525-1529. [PMID: 438821]
3. Huh, M.M.O. and Friedhof, A.J. Multiple molecular forms of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Evidence for two distinct forms, and their purification and physical characterization. J. Biol. Chem. 254 (1979) 299-308. [PMID: 762061]