Pyrimidine metabolism

Pyrimidine biosynthesis occurs both in the body and through organic synthesis.

De novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine

carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II	carbamoyl phosphate	This is the regulated step in the pyrimidine biosynthesis.
aspartic transcarbamolyase (aspartate carbamoyl transferase)	carbamoyl aspartic acid	-
dihhydroorotase	dihydroorotate	Dehydration
dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (the only mitochondrial enzyme)	orotate	Dihydroorotate then enters the mitochondria where it is oxidised through removal of hydrogens. This is the only mitochondrial step in nucleotide rings biosynthesis.
orotate phosphoribosyltransferase	OMP	PRPP is used.
OMP decarboxylase	UMP	Decarboxylation
uridine-cytidine kinase 2	UDP	Phosphorylation. ATP is used.
nucleoside diphosphate kinase	UTP	Phosphorylation. ATP is used.
CTP synthase	CTP	Glutamine and ATP are used.

The first three enzymes are all coded by the same gene in Metazoa (CAD). In Fungi, a similar protein exists but lacks the dihydroorotase function: another protein catalyzes the second step.

In other organisms (Bacteria, Archaea and the other Eukaryota), the first three steps are done by three different enzymes.

Pyrimidine catabolism

Pyrimidines are ultimately catabolized (degraded) to CO₂, H₂O, and urea. Cytosine can be broken down to uracil, which can be further broken down to N-carbamoyl-β-alanine, and then to beta-alanine, CO₂, and ammonia by beta-ureidopropionase. Thymine is broken down into β-aminoisobutyrate which can be further broken down into intermediates eventually leading into the citric acid cycle.

β-aminoisobutyrate acts as a rough indicator for rate of DNA turnover.

Pharmacotherapy

Modulating the pyrimidine metabolism pharmacologically has therapeutical uses.

Pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors are used in active moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Examples include Leflunomide and Teriflunomide.

External links

• Overview at Queen Mary, University of London