|
Pyrimidine and purine nucleotides are building blocks of the genetic material.
A balanced supply of nucleotides in the cell is provided by a range of different
nucleotide metabolising enzymes. Apart from being important in the cell,
these enzymes are interesting from the medical and biotechnological point of view.
The deoxynucleoside salvage pathway, which is one of the two pathways providing
deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), consists of three subsequent phosphorylation steps.
The first salvage reaction is phosphorylation of deoxynucleosides, originating from
the breakdown of the genetic material or provided by food, providing deoxynucleoside
monophosphates (dNMPs). The second step, phosphorylation of dNMPs to deoxyribonucleoside
diphosphates (dNDPs) is catalysed by monophosphatekinases. The final step, generation of dNTPs,
is catalysed by the (deoxy)ribonucleoside diphosphate kinase.
Why are deoxynucleotides important?
In humans several nucleoside pro-drugs are converted into active drugs by the action
of the salvage enzymes. These enzymes can be used as suicide genes in gene-therapy
based treatment of various cancers and anti-viral diseases. These enzymes can be potential
targets in the pest control. Deoxyribonucleoside kinases can also be used in enzymatic synthesis
of various dNTPs and their analogues. Jubile Kinase ApS has experience on molecular biology,
genetic and biochemical aspects of nucleosides and nucleoside kinases,
and provides “know-how” in the following areas.
<< prev
|
next >>
|
