Gliotoxin thiomethyltransferase GtmA

UniProtKB accession:  Q4X158

Grouped By:  Matching UniProtKB accession

UniProtKB description:  S-methyltransferase that catalyzes the irreversible conversion of the secondary metabolite gliotoxin to bis(methylthio)gliotoxin (BmGT). Gliotoxin, a member of the epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) class of toxins, is characterized by a disulfide bridged cyclic dipeptide. Its thiol groups are essential for bioactivity, as they conjugate to sulfur-containing proteins, disturb the intracellular redox equilibrium, and generate reactive oxygen species by cycling between reduced and oxidized states. The enzyme prevents self-intoxication of the fungus by irreversible conversion of the toxic gliotoxin to a biologically inactive bis-thiomethylated derivative. Appears to negatively regulate gliotoxin biosynthesis.