Automethylation of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8) Regulates Activity by Impeding S-Adenosylmethionine Sensitivity

Protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 8 is unique among the PRMTs, as it has a highly restricted tissue expression pattern and an N terminus that contains two automethylation sites and a myristoylation site. PRMTs catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S -adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) to a peptidylarginine on a protein substrate. Currently, the physiological roles, regulation, and cellular substrates of PRMT8 are poorly understood. However, a thorough understanding of PRMT8 kinetics should provide insights into each of these areas, thereby enhancing our understanding of this unique enzyme. In this study, we determined how automethylation regulates the enzymatic activity of PRMT8. We found that preventing automethylation with lysine mutations (preserving the positive charge of the residue) increased the turnover rate and decreased the K m of AdoMet but did not affect the K m of the protein substrate. In contrast, mimicking automethylation with phenylalanine ( i.e. mimicking the increased hydrophobicity) decreased the turnover rate. The inhibitory effect of the PRMT8 N terminus could be transferred to PRMT1 by creating a chimeric protein containing the N terminus of PRMT8 fused to PRMT1. Thus, automethylation of the N terminus likely regulates PRMT8 activity by decreasing the affinity of the enzyme for AdoMet. Background: Protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 8 is negatively regulated by its N terminus, which contains two automethylation sites. Results: Preventing automethylation increased sensitivity to AdoMet. Mimicking methylation had the opposite effect. Conclusion: Automethylation of PRMT8 negatively regulates activity by decreasing affinity for AdoMet. Significance: Selective reduction of AdoMet affinity for PRMT8 by automethylation is a unique regulatory mechanism among protein arginine methyltransferases.