ISSN:
1573-4927
Keywords:
GTP cyclohydrolase
;
Drosophila melanogaster
;
pteridines
;
dihydroneopterin triphosphate
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract The first enzyme (named GTP cyclohydrolase) in the pathway for the biosynthesis of pteridines has been partially purified from extracts of late pupae and young adults of Drosophila melanogaster. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolytic removal from GTP of carbon 8 as formate and the synthesis of 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-(d-erythro-1′,2′,3′-trihydroxypropyl)-7,8-dihydropteridine triphosphate (dihydroneopterin triphosphate). Some of the properties of the enzyme are as follows: it functions optimally at pH 7.8 and at 42 C; activity is unaffected by KCl and NaCl, but divalent cations (Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and Ca2+) are inhibitory; the K m for GTP is 22 μm; and the molecular weight is estimated at 345,000 from gel filtration experiments. Of a number of nucleotides tested, only GDP and dGTP were used to any extent as substrate in place of GTP, and these respective compounds were used only 1.8% and 1.5% as well as GTP.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00484765
Permalink