Nucleotide Metabolism II

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Nucleotide Metabolism II Nucleotide Metabolism II • Biosynthesis of deoxynucleotides • Salvage Pathway • Catabolism: Purines • Catabolism: Pyrimidines • Feedback inhibition in purine nucleotide biosynthesis CPS II • Cytosolic CPS II uses glutamine as the nitrogen donor to carbamoyl phosphate Regulation of pyrimidine synthesis •CPSII is allosterically regulated: PRPP and IMP are activators Several pyrimidines are inhibitors • Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) Important regulatory point in prokaryotes Catalyzes the first committed pathway step Allosteric regulators: CTP (-), CTP + UTP (-), ATP (+) • Regulation of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis in E. coli Biosynthesis of deoxynucleotides • Uses diphosphates (ribo) • Ribonucleotide reducatase • 2 sub-units • R1- reduces, active and two allosteric sites (activity and specificity site) • R2- tyrosine radical carries electrons • removes 2' OH to H Ribonucleotide reductase reaction • removes 2' OH to H • Thioredoxin and NADPH used to regenerate sulfhydryl groups Thymidylate synthesis • UDP ------> dUMP • dUMP --------> dTMP • required THF • methylates uracil Regulation THF • Mammals cannot conjugate rings or synthesize PABA. • So must get in diet. • Sulfonamides effective in bacteria due to competitive inhibition of the incorporation of PABA Cancer Drugs • fluorouracil-- suicide inhibitor of Thy synthase • aminopterin • Methotrexate -- inhibits DHF reductase Salvage of Purines and Pyrimidines • During cellular metabolism or digestion, nucleic acids are degraded to heterocyclic bases • These bases can be salvaged by direct conversion to 5’-mononucleotides • PRPP is the donor of the 5-phosphoribosyl group • Recycling of intact bases saves energy (reduced nitrogen sources are scarce) Salvage Pathway • extra-hepatic tissues • free purines • APRT • HGPRT •Uracil • Salvage via Purine Nucleoside phosphorylase Lesch-Nyhan syndrome • Lack of HGPRT • x- linked • elevates PRPP • Increase de novo purine biosynthesis • overproduction of urate Catabolism: Purines • Dietary purines: mostly degraded • Purines produce urate • excreted in urine in mammals Degradation of uric acid Gout results from excess sodium urate • Gout is caused from overproduction or inadequate excretion of uric acid • Sodium urate is relatively insoluble and can crystallize in tissues • Gout can be caused by a deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase or defective regulation of purine biosynthesis Problems • Urate soluble 7 mg/dL at 37C • cooler extremities, crstallizes • synovial fluid • Gout Allopurinol is a treatment for gout • Allopurinol is converted in cells to oxypurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine dehydrogenase • Allopurinol prevents high levels of uric acid • Hypoxanthine, xanthine are more soluble Treatment • Allopurinol • inhibit xanthine oxidase • Chelates Mo 4+ • suicide inhibitor • deplete PRPP • secrete hypoxanthine/Xanthine, more soluble Pyrimidine Metabolism • Pyrimidine nucleotides are hydrolyzed to the nucleosides and Pi • Then thymine, uracil and (deoxy) ribose 1-phosphate are produced • Catabolism of the thymine and uracil bases ends with intermediates of central metabolism Catabolism: Pyrimidines • No problems • produce B-alanine, NH3, and CO2 Nucleotide Catabolism: disorders • SCID • ADA deficiency • Both B/T lymphocytes affected • elevated dATP 50-100x • inhibit ribonucleotide reductase • inhibit synthesis of other deoxynucleotides • pyrimidine starvation • no cell division Nucleotide Catabolism: disorders • PNP deficiency • T lymphocytes • elevated dGTP • inhibit ribonucleotide reductase • inhibit synthesis of other deoxynucleotides • no cell division .
Recommended publications
  • Nucleotide Degradation
    Nucleotide Degradation Nucleotide Degradation The Digestion Pathway • Ingestion of food always includes nucleic acids. • As you know from BI 421, the low pH of the stomach does not affect the polymer. • In the duodenum, zymogens are converted to nucleases and the nucleotides are converted to nucleosides by non-specific phosphatases or nucleotidases. nucleases • Only the non-ionic nucleosides are taken & phospho- diesterases up in the villi of the small intestine. Duodenum Non-specific phosphatases • In the cell, the first step is the release of nucleosides) the ribose sugar, most effectively done by a non-specific nucleoside phosphorylase to give ribose 1-phosphate (Rib1P) and the free bases. • Most ingested nucleic acids are degraded to Rib1P, purines, and pyrimidines. 1 Nucleotide Degradation: Overview Fate of Nucleic Acids: Once broken down to the nitrogenous bases they are either: Nucleotides 1. Salvaged for recycling into new nucleic acids (most cells; from internal, Pi not ingested, nucleic Nucleosides acids). Purine Nucleoside Pi aD-Rib 1-P (or Rib) 2. Oxidized (primarily in the Phosphorylase & intestine and liver) by first aD-dRib 1-P (or dRib) converting to nucleosides, Bases then to –Uric Acid (purines) –Acetyl-CoA & Purine & Pyrimidine Oxidation succinyl-CoA Salvage Pathway (pyrimidines) The Salvage Pathways are in competition with the de novo biosynthetic pathways, and are both ANABOLISM Nucleotide Degradation Catabolism of Purines Nucleotides: Nucleosides: Bases: 1. Dephosphorylation (via 5’-nucleotidase) 2. Deamination and hydrolysis of ribose lead to production of xanthine. 3. Hypoxanthine and xanthine are then oxidized into uric acid by xanthine oxidase. Spiders and other arachnids lack xanthine oxidase.
    [Show full text]
  • 35 Disorders of Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism
    35 Disorders of Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism Georges van den Berghe, M.- Françoise Vincent, Sandrine Marie 35.1 Inborn Errors of Purine Metabolism – 435 35.1.1 Phosphoribosyl Pyrophosphate Synthetase Superactivity – 435 35.1.2 Adenylosuccinase Deficiency – 436 35.1.3 AICA-Ribosiduria – 437 35.1.4 Muscle AMP Deaminase Deficiency – 437 35.1.5 Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency – 438 35.1.6 Adenosine Deaminase Superactivity – 439 35.1.7 Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase Deficiency – 440 35.1.8 Xanthine Oxidase Deficiency – 440 35.1.9 Hypoxanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase Deficiency – 441 35.1.10 Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase Deficiency – 442 35.1.11 Deoxyguanosine Kinase Deficiency – 442 35.2 Inborn Errors of Pyrimidine Metabolism – 445 35.2.1 UMP Synthase Deficiency (Hereditary Orotic Aciduria) – 445 35.2.2 Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency – 445 35.2.3 Dihydropyrimidinase Deficiency – 446 35.2.4 Ureidopropionase Deficiency – 446 35.2.5 Pyrimidine 5’-Nucleotidase Deficiency – 446 35.2.6 Cytosolic 5’-Nucleotidase Superactivity – 447 35.2.7 Thymidine Phosphorylase Deficiency – 447 35.2.8 Thymidine Kinase Deficiency – 447 References – 447 434 Chapter 35 · Disorders of Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism Purine Metabolism Purine nucleotides are essential cellular constituents 4 The catabolic pathway starts from GMP, IMP and which intervene in energy transfer, metabolic regula- AMP, and produces uric acid, a poorly soluble tion, and synthesis of DNA and RNA. Purine metabo- compound, which tends to crystallize once its lism can be divided into three pathways: plasma concentration surpasses 6.5–7 mg/dl (0.38– 4 The biosynthetic pathway, often termed de novo, 0.47 mmol/l). starts with the formation of phosphoribosyl pyro- 4 The salvage pathway utilizes the purine bases, gua- phosphate (PRPP) and leads to the synthesis of nine, hypoxanthine and adenine, which are pro- inosine monophosphate (IMP).
    [Show full text]
  • The Regulation of Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase-Aspartate Transcarbamoylase-Dihydroorotase (Cad) by Phosphorylation and Protein-Protein Interactions
    THE REGULATION OF CARBAMOYL PHOSPHATE SYNTHETASE-ASPARTATE TRANSCARBAMOYLASE-DIHYDROOROTASE (CAD) BY PHOSPHORYLATION AND PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS Eric M. Wauson A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Pharmacology. Chapel Hill 2007 Approved by: Lee M. Graves, Ph.D. T. Kendall Harden, Ph.D. Gary L. Johnson, Ph.D. Aziz Sancar M.D., Ph.D. Beverly S. Mitchell, M.D. 2007 Eric M. Wauson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii ABSTRACT Eric M. Wauson: The Regulation of Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase-Aspartate Transcarbamoylase-Dihydroorotase (CAD) by Phosphorylation and Protein-Protein Interactions (Under the direction of Lee M. Graves, Ph.D.) Pyrimidines have many important roles in cellular physiology, as they are used in the formation of DNA, RNA, phospholipids, and pyrimidine sugars. The first rate- limiting step in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway is catalyzed by the carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II (CPSase II) part of the multienzymatic complex Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, Aspartate transcarbamoylase, Dihydroorotase (CAD). CAD gene induction is highly correlated to cell proliferation. Additionally, CAD is allosterically inhibited or activated by uridine triphosphate (UTP) or phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP), respectively. The phosphorylation of CAD by PKA and ERK has been reported to modulate the response of CAD to allosteric modulators. While there has been much speculation on the identity of CAD phosphorylation sites, no definitive identification of in vivo CAD phosphorylation sites has been performed. Therefore, we sought to determine the specific CAD residues phosphorylated by ERK and PKA in intact cells.
    [Show full text]
  • Developmental Outcomes with Early Orthotopic Liver Transplantation For
    Developmental Outcomes With Early Orthotopic Liver Transplantation for Infants With Neonatal-Onset Urea Cycle Defects and a Female Patient With Late-Onset Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency Kim L. McBride, MD*; Geoffrey Miller, MD‡; Susan Carter, BSN*࿣; Saul Karpen, MD, PhD‡; John Goss, MD§; and Brendan Lee, MD, PhD*࿣ ABSTRACT. Urea cycle defects (UCDs) typically nherited disorders of the urea cycle are character- present with hyperammonemia, the duration and peak ized by high ammonia levels and altered amino levels of which are directly related to the neurologic acid metabolism. There are 6 well-characterized outcome. Liver transplantation can cure the underlying I urea cycle defects (UCDs), ie, N-acetylyglutamate defect for some conditions, but the preexisting neuro- synthase, carbamoyl phosphate synthase (CPS), X- logic status is a major factor in the final outcome. Mul- linked ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), arginosuc- ticenter data indicate that most of the children who re- cinate synthase, arginosuccinate lyase, and arginase ceive transplants remain significantly neurologically deficiencies. Arginase deficiency is not typical of the impaired. We wanted to determine whether aggressive other UCDs, because it presents not with hyperam- metabolic management of ammonia levels after early monemia but with spastic diplegia. Presentation of referral/transfer to a metabolism center and early liver transplantation would result in better neurologic out- the other UCDs can be quite variable, from cata- comes. We report on 5 children with UCDs, ie, 2 male strophic neonatal illness and acute episodic enceph- patients with X-linked ornithine transcarbamylase defi- alopathy in childhood or adulthood to chronic neu- 1 ciency and 2 male patients with carbamoyl phosphate rologic disorders.
    [Show full text]
  • Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase I Deficiency
    Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency Description Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency is an inherited disorder that causes ammonia to accumulate in the blood (hyperammonemia). Ammonia, which is formed when proteins are broken down in the body, is toxic if the levels become too high. The brain is especially sensitive to the effects of excess ammonia. In the first few days of life, infants with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency typically exhibit the effects of hyperammonemia, which may include unusual sleepiness, poorly regulated breathing rate or body temperature, unwillingness to feed, vomiting after feeding, unusual body movements, seizures, or coma. Affected individuals who survive the newborn period may experience recurrence of these symptoms if diet is not carefully managed or if they experience infections or other stressors. They may also have delayed development and intellectual disability. In some people with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency, signs and symptoms may be less severe and appear later in life. Frequency Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency is a rare disorder; its overall incidence is unknown. Researchers in Japan have estimated that it occurs in 1 in 800,000 newborns in that country. Causes Mutations in the CPS1 gene cause carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency. The CPS1 gene provides instructions for making the enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I. This enzyme participates in the urea cycle, which is a sequence of biochemical reactions that occurs in liver cells. The urea cycle processes excess nitrogen, generated when protein is broken down by the body, to make a compound called urea that is excreted by the kidneys. The specific role of the carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I enzyme is to control the first step of the urea cycle, a reaction in which excess nitrogen compounds are incorporated into the cycle to be processed.
    [Show full text]
  • Allopurinol Sodium) for Injection 500 Mg
    ALOPRIM® (allopurinol sodium) for Injection 500 mg [al'-ō-prĭm] For Intravenous Infusion Only Rx only DESCRIPTION: ALOPRIM (allopurinol sodium) for Injection is the brand name for allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. ALOPRIM (allopurinol sodium) for Injection is a sterile solution for intravenous infusion only. It is available in vials as the sterile lyophilized sodium salt of allopurinol equivalent to 500 mg of allopurinol. ALOPRIM (allopurinol sodium) for Injection contains no preservatives. The chemical name for allopurinol sodium is 1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin­ 4-one monosodium salt. It is a white amorphous mass with a molecular weight of 158.09 and molecular formula C5H3N4NaO. The structural formula is: The pKa of allopurinol sodium is 9.31. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Allopurinol acts on purine catabolism without disrupting the biosynthesis of purines. It reduces the production of uric acid by inhibiting the biochemical reactions immediately preceding its formation. The degree of this decrease is dose dependent. Allopurinol is a structural analogue of the natural purine base, hypoxanthine. It is an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine and of xanthine to uric acid, the end product of purine metabolism in man. Allopurinol is metabolized to the corresponding xanthine analogue, oxypurinol (alloxanthine), which also is an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. Reutilization of both hypoxanthine and xanthine for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis is markedly enhanced when their oxidations are inhibited by allopurinol and oxypurinol. This reutilization does not disrupt normal nucleic acid anabolism, however, because feedback inhibition is an integral part of purine biosynthesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Decreased Concentration of Xanthine Dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.204) in Rat Hepatomas1
    [CANCER RESEARCH 46, 3838-3841, August 1986] Decreased Concentration of Xanthine Dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.204) in Rat Hepatomas1 Tadashi Ikegami, Yutaka Natsumeda, and George Weber2 Laboratory for Experimental Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46223 ABSTRACT Immunodiffusion disc was from Miles Laboratories, Inc., Naperville, IL. All other chemicals were also of analytical grade. Xanthine dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.204), the rate-limiting enzyme of Tissues. Chemically induced transplantable hepatomas were main purine degradation, was purified 642-fold to homogeneity from liver of tained as described previously (9). Hepatoma 20 was transplanted in male Wistar rats. Antibody was generated to the purified enzyme in white male Buffalo strain rats, and hepatoma 3924A was carried in male rabbits and was partially purified. For the immunotitration a radioassay ACI/N rats. Livers from Buffalo and ACI/N rats were used as controls. of high sensitivity was developed to determine low enzyme activities. Hepatoma 3924A was homogenized with 3.3 volumes and hepatoma Titration curves with the antibody showed that the xanthine dehydrogen 20 and the livers were homogenized with 5 volumes of SOHIMpotassium ase enzyme protein amounts in slowly growing hepatoma 20 and rapidly phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 0.25 M sucrose and 0.3 mM growing hepatoma 3924A were 34 and 4% of those of normal liver, which EDTA, respectively. The homogenates were centrifuged at 100,000 x was in good agreement with the decrease in the activity of the enzyme to g for 30 min, and the clear supernatants were used for the enzyme 33 and 2%, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Mechanisms of Synthesis of Purine Nucleotides in Heart Muscle Extracts
    Mechanisms of Synthesis of Purine Nucleotides in Heart Muscle Extracts David A. Goldthwait J Clin Invest. 1957;36(11):1572-1578. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI103555. Research Article Find the latest version: https://jci.me/103555/pdf MECHANISMS OF SYNTHESIS OF PURINE NUCLEOTIDES IN HEART MUSCLE EXTRACTS1 BY DAVID A. GOLDTHWAIT2 (From the Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio) (Submitted for publication February 18, 1957; accepted July 18, 1957) The key role of ATP, a purine nucleotide, in 4. Adenine or Hypoxanthine + PRPP -> AMP the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical or Inosinic Acid (IMP) + P-P. work by myocardial tissue is well established (1, The third mechanism of synthesis is through the 2). The requirement for purine nucleotides has phosphorylation of a purine nucleoside (8, 9): also been demonstrated in the multiple synthetic 5. Adenosine + ATP -, AMP + ADP. reactions which maintain all animal cells in the Several enzymatic mechanisms are known which steady state. Since the question immediately arises result in the degradation of purine nucleotides and whether the purine nucleotides are themselves in nucleosides. The deamination of adenylic acid is a steady state, in which their rates of synthesis well known (10): equal their rates of degradation, it seems reason- 6. AMP -* IMP + NH8. able to investigate first what mechanisms of syn- Non-specific phosphatases (11) as well as spe- thesis and degradation may be operative. cific 5'-nucleotidases (12) have been described At present, there are three known pathways for which result in dephosphorylation: the synthesis of purine nucleotides. The first is 7.
    [Show full text]
  • Cell and Gene Therapy for Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase 1 Deficiency
    Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatal Care Cell and Gene Therapy for Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase 1 Deficiency Abstract Review Article Volume 7 Issue 1 - 2017 Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the urea cycle. CPS1 deficiency is a devastating condition, which is clinically characterized by periodic episodes of life-threatening hyperammonemia. Currently, 1Associate at Department of Genetic Medicine, Children’s there is no cure for CPS1 deficiency except for liver transplantation, which is limited Research Institute, Children’s National Health System, USA on the progress to date, cell-based therapies—including hepatocyte or stem cell 2 by a severe shortage of donors and significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Based Washington Institute for Health Sciences, Department of transplantation—and new approaches for gene therapy have become the promising Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA curative treatments for CPS1 deficiency. This review outlines the current progress and *Corresponding author: Bin Li, MD, Washington Institute Keywords:challenges of cell and gene therapies for CPS1 deficiency. for Health Sciences, 4601 N Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA therapy; Gene therapy 22203; Georgetown University Medical Center, 4000 Urea cycle defects; Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency; Cell Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington D.C. 20057, United States. Tel: 202-687-6484, Fax: (202) 687-1800, Email: Abbreviations: AAVs: Adeno-Associated Viruses;
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Allopurinol and Oxipurinol on Purine Synthesis in Cultured Human Cells
    Effects of allopurinol and oxipurinol on purine synthesis in cultured human cells William N. Kelley, James B. Wyngaarden J Clin Invest. 1970;49(3):602-609. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI106271. Research Article In the present study we have examined the effects of allopurinol and oxipurinol on thed e novo synthesis of purines in cultured human fibroblasts. Allopurinol inhibits de novo purine synthesis in the absence of xanthine oxidase. Inhibition at lower concentrations of the drug requires the presence of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase as it does in vivo. Although this suggests that the inhibitory effect of allopurinol at least at the lower concentrations tested is a consequence of its conversion to the ribonucleotide form in human cells, the nucleotide derivative could not be demonstrated. Several possible indirect consequences of such a conversion were also sought. There was no evidence that allopurinol was further utilized in the synthesis of nucleic acids in these cultured human cells and no effect of either allopurinol or oxipurinol on the long-term survival of human cells in vitro could be demonstrated. At higher concentrations, both allopurinol and oxipurinol inhibit the early steps ofd e novo purine synthesis in the absence of either xanthine oxidase or hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. This indicates that at higher drug concentrations, inhibition is occurring by some mechanism other than those previously postulated. Find the latest version: https://jci.me/106271/pdf Effects of Allopurinol and Oxipurinol on Purine Synthesis in Cultured Human Cells WILLIAM N. KELLEY and JAMES B. WYNGAARDEN From the Division of Metabolic and Genetic Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27706 A B S TR A C T In the present study we have examined the de novo synthesis of purines in many patients.
    [Show full text]
  • Xanthine Oxidase Assay (XO) Cat
    Xanthine Oxidase Assay (XO) Cat. No. 8458 100 Tests in 96-well plate Introduction Xanthine Oxidase (XO) located predominantly in the liver and intestine in mammalian tissues and catalyzes the hydroxylation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid and hydrogen peroxide. XO activity is normally very low in blood and liver injury can result in the release of XO into blood. XO activity or expression can be up-regulated in gout and cardiovascular disease. This colorimetric assay is based on XO-catalyzed oxidation of xanthine, in which the formed hydrogen peroxide is catalyzed by peroxidase and reacts with 4-aminoantipyrine to form the product dye. The color intensity of the reaction product at 550nm is directly proportional to XO activity in the sample. Kit Components Cat. No. # of vials Reagent Quantity Storage 8458a 1 Assay buffer 10 mL 4°C 8458b 1 Xanthine Oxidase standard 0.2 mL -20°C 8458c 1 Xanthine 2.0 mL -20°C 8458d 1 Substrate mix 1.6 mL -20°C 8458e 1 Enzyme mix 0.1 mL -20°C Product Use The Xanthine Oxidase Assay kit measures the xanthine oxidase level of different types of samples, such as serum, plasma, tissues. This product is for research purposes only and not for use in animals, humans, or diagnostic procedures. Quality Control Serially diluted xanthine oxidase solutions with concentrations ranging from 7.81 to 125 mU/mL are measured with the ScienCell™ Xanthine Oxidase Assay kit. The increase in OD550nm is monitored as a function of time (Figure 1) and the resulting standard curve of ∆OD550nm/min vs xanthine oxidase activity are plotted (Figure 2).
    [Show full text]
  • Xanthine Oxidoreductase in Cancer
    Cancer Medicine Open Access REVIEW Xanthine oxidoreductase in cancer: more than a differentiation marker Maria Giulia Battelli, Letizia Polito, Massimo Bortolotti & Andrea Bolognesi Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine – DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, General Pathology Unit, Via S. Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy Keywords Abstract Differentiation, oncogenesis, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, uric acid, xanthine Human xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) catalyzes the last two steps of purine oxidoreductase catabolism and is present in two interconvertible forms, which may utilize O2 or NAD+ as electron acceptors. In addition to uric acid, XOR products may Correspondence comprise reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that have many biologic effects, Letizia Polito, Department of Experimental, including inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and cytotoxicity, as well as Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine – DIMES, mutagenesis and induction of proliferation. XOR is strictly modulated at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, General Pathology Unit, Via S. transcriptional and post-­translational levels, and its expression and activity are Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy. highly variable in cancer. Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) expression has been Tel: +39 051 2094700; Fax: +39 051 2094746; negatively associated with a high malignity grade and a worse prognosis in E-mail: [email protected] neoplasms of the breast, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney, which normally express a high level of XOR protein. However, the level of XOR expression Funding Information may be associated with a worse outcome in cancer of low XOR-expressing­ cells, This work was supported by the Pallotti in relation to the inflammatory response elicited through the tissue damage Legacies for Cancer Research.
    [Show full text]