该基因编码通过S-腺苷-L-蛋氨酸作为S-甲基供体和S-腺苷-L-同型半胱氨酸作为副产物代谢硫嘌呤药物的酶。硫嘌呤类药物如6-巯基嘌呤被用作化疗药物。影响这种酶活性的遗传多态性与个体内对此类药物的敏感性和毒性的变化相关，从而导致硫嘌呤s-甲基转移酶缺乏。相关假基因已在第3、18和X染色体上鉴定。[由RefSeq提供，2014年8月]
This gene encodes the enzyme that metabolizes thiopurine drugs via S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the S-methyl donor and S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine as a byproduct. Thiopurine drugs such as 6-mercaptopurine are used as chemotherapeutic agents. Genetic polymorphisms that affect this enzymatic activity are correlated with variations in sensitivity and toxicity to such drugs within individuals, causing thiopurine S-methyltransferase deficiency. Related pseudogenes have been identified on chromosomes 3, 18 and X. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2014]