Several enzymes are involved in the betain synthesis, as phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEAMT) catalyzes the phosphoethanolamine to choline which is vital for betain synthesis, Choline is then catalyzed by choline monooxygenase (CMO) to betaine aldehyde, and finally catalyzed by betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) to betain, and PEAMT and CMO play key roles in accumulation of betain.

甜菜碱合成涉及多个酶的作用,磷酸乙醇胺N-甲基转移酶(PEAMT)是合成胆碱的关键酶,胆碱单加氧酶(CMO)则催化胆碱氧化为甜菜碱醛,最后由甜菜碱醛脱氢酶(BADH)作用氧化为甜菜碱,其中PEAMT和CMO对甜菜碱积累起着决定性作用。