Pyrimidine nucleotidases phosphotransferases from human erythrocyte

Two cytoplasmic pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase have been purified from human erythrocytes to homogeneity and partially characterized. The two enzymes, indicated as PN-I and PN-II, preferentially hydrolyse pyrimidine 5'-monophosphates and 3'-monophosphates, respectively. The kinetic analysis demonstrate that pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidases, in the presence of suitable nucleoside substrates, can operate as phosphotransferases by transferring phosphate to various nucleoside accepters, including nucleoside analogues known as important drugs widely used in chemotherapy.