Title: Interrelationship of Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism
Abstract: Purines and pyrimidines are found in equal amounts in nucleic acids, and the number far exceeds that present as free nucleotides and related low-molecular-weight compounds. Such being the case, cellular demands for synthesis of purines and pyrimidines would be almost equal. In fact, whole-body rates of pyrimidine synthesis de novo in man as estimated by Weissman et al. (1962) are within the same order of magnitude with estimates of total purine production (Seegmiller et al., 1961). The question of specific control mechanisms that coordinate the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines is thus raised. Although a definitive answer awaits additional information, there is evidence of a mechanism by which purine and pyrimidine syntheses are coordinated through the intracellular level of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate. Other possible mechanisms include those where key enzymes of the metabolism of purines or pyrimidines are regulated reciprocally by pyrimidine or purine derivatives. This type of regulation has been observed for certain enzyme reactions, although the physiologic significance remains unclear in most cases.
Publication Year: 1978
Publication Date: 1978-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 11
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