L-Methionase: A Therapeutic Enzyme to Treat Malignancies

Figure 5

A proposed mechanism of MGL/SeMET-induced apoptosis by combinational therapy method. MGL gene (PpMGL) along with selenomethionine as prodrug was inserted inside the tumour cells. MGL gene product L-methionase catalyses the breakdown of methionine from prodrug and synthesizes a toxic molecule “methylselenol” that produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS thereby causes mitochondrial apoptosis by caspase activation.