Biochemistry and pharmacology of S-adenosyl methionine:
S-denosyl methionine(SAM), a biological compound participating in methyl group transfer, is present in all living cells. It issynthesized endogenously from adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and methionine adenosyltransferase.

Transmethylation, transsulfuration and aminopropylation are the metabolic pathways that use SAM. Although these anabolic reactions occur throughout the body, most SAM is produced and consumed in the liver. The activated methyl group(CH3)in SAM allows donation of this group to an acceptor substrate in transmethylation reactions.

More than 40 metabolic reactions involve the transfer of a methyl group of SAM to various substrates such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids.

Therapeutic Uses of SAM:
SAM can help fight depression, liver disease, and the pain of osteoarthritis. In the United States SAM is sold as nutritional supplement under the marketing name SAM-e.

A body of studies has been published, mostly in Europe and America, evaluating the medical and nutritional roles of SAM. These studies have demonstrated that SAM has multiple medicinal applications.