Enzymes of choline synthesis in diverse plants: variation in phosphobase N-methyltransferase activities

S-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent phospho-base N-methyltransferases are involved in the sequential methylations of phosphoethanolamine [Formula: see text] phosphomethylethanolamine [Formula: see text] phosphodimethylethanolamine [Formula: see text] phosphocholine. Phosphocholine is a precursor for the ubiquitous phospholipid phosphatidylcholine and for free choline, which can be oxidized to produce the osmoprotectant glycine betaine. Despite …