''N''-Methyl--glutamic acid (methylglutamate) is a chemical derivative of

glutamic acid Glutamic acid (symbol Glu or E; the ionic form is known as glutamate) is an α-amino acid that is used by almost all living beings in the biosynthesis of proteins. It is a non-essential nutrient for humans, meaning that the human body can synt ...

in which a methyl group has been added to the amino group. It is an intermediate in methane metabolism. Biosynthetically, it is produced from

methylamine Methylamine is an organic compound with a formula of . This colorless gas is a derivative of ammonia, but with one hydrogen atom being replaced by a methyl group. It is the simplest primary amine. Methylamine is sold as a solution in methanol, ...

and

by the enzyme methylamine—glutamate ''N''-methyltransferase. It can also be demethylated by

methylglutamate dehydrogenase In enzymology, a methylglutamate dehydrogenase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction :N-methyl-L-glutamate + acceptor + H2O \rightleftharpoons L-glutamate + formaldehyde + reduced acceptor The 3 substrates of this enzyme are N- ...

to regenerate glutamic acid.

References

Amino acid derivatives Dicarboxylic acids Secondary amino acids {{organic-compound-stub