The phosphotransferase activity of cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase; a purine analog phosphorylating enzyme

Cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase is involved in the phosphorylation of several purine nucleoside analogs,used as antiviral and chemotherapeutic agents. In order to assess its role in the mechanisms of activation and inactivation of purine prodrugs, it is essential to study the regulation of both hydrolase and phosphotransferase activities of the enzyme. Using a zone capillary electrophoresis apparatus, we were able to separate substrates and products of the reactions catalyzed by cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase. The method overcomes the frequent unavailability of radiolabeled substrates, and allows the influence of possible effectors and/or experimental conditions on both enzyme activities to be evaluated simultaneously. Results showed that the enzyme was able to phosphorylate several nucleosides and nucleoside analogs with the following efficiency: inosine and 2'-deoxyinosine > 2',3'-dideoxyinosine > 6-chloropurineriboside > 6-hydroxylaminepurine riboside> 2,6-diaminopurine riboside > adenosine > cytidine > deoxycoformycin > 2'deoxyadenosine. This is the first report of deoxycoformycin phosphorylation catalyzed by a 5'-nucleotidase purified from eukaryotic cells. The optimum pH for nucleoside monophosphate hydrolysis was 6.5, slightly more acidic than the optimum pH for the transfer of the phosphate, which was 7.2. Finally, the presence of a suitable substrate for the phosphotransferase activity of cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase caused a stimulation of the rate of formation of the nucleoside. The results suggest the requirements for phosphorylation of nucleoside analogs are a purine ring and the presence of an electronegative group in the 6 position. The stimulation of the rate of nucleoside monophosphate disappearance exerted by the phosphate acceptor suggests that the hydrolysis of the phosphoenzyme intermediate is the rate-limiting step of the process.