Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Identification and Analysis of Mouse Erythroid Progenitors using the CD71/TER119 Flow-cytometric Assay
15:32

Identification and Analysis of Mouse Erythroid Progenitors using the CD71/TER119 Flow-cytometric Assay

Published on: August 5, 2011

Pyrimidine metabolism in erythrocytes of the newborn

W J Tax, J H Veerkamp, E D Schretlen

    Biology of the Neonate
    |January 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Erythrocyte enzyme activities, including orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase, are higher in newborns than adults. These findings offer insights into red blood cell metabolism and enzyme stabilization.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Hematology
    • Enzymology

    Background:

    • Erythrocyte enzyme activity can vary with age and physiological conditions.
    • Understanding purine and pyrimidine metabolism in red blood cells is crucial for diagnosing certain genetic disorders.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare the activities of specific enzymes involved in nucleotide metabolism in newborn and adult erythrocytes.
    • To investigate the relationship between enzyme activity, red cell age, and reticulocytosis.

    Main Methods:

    • Assay of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and orotidine-5 kinter-phosphate decarboxylase activities.
    • Radiochemical assay of pyrimidine-5 kinter-nucleotidase using thin-layer chromatography.
    • Comparison of enzyme activities between newborns, adults, and patients with hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency.

    Main Results:

    • Orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and orotidine-5 kinter-phosphate decarboxylase activities were significantly higher in newborn erythrocytes compared to adults.
    • Enzyme activities in newborns approximated those seen in patients with hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency.
    • Pyrimidine-5 kinter-nucleotidase activity was similar in both newborns and adults, with higher activity observed using orotidine monophosphate than uridine monophosphate.

    Conclusions:

    • Newborn erythrocytes exhibit distinct differences in key nucleotide metabolic enzyme activities compared to adults.
    • Red blood cell age and stabilization by phosphoribosylpyrophosphate may influence observed enzyme activities.
    • The findings contribute to understanding erythrocyte enzymology and its variations across different age groups and clinical conditions.

    More Related Videos

    Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia13:13

    Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia

    Published on: August 24, 2011

    Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells09:43

    Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells

    Published on: July 9, 2015

    Related Concept Videos

    Erythropoiesis01:14

    Erythropoiesis

    Red blood cells  (RBCs) transport oxygen to all body tissues. These cells survive only for 120 days and then need to be replenished. Erythropoiesis is the process of RBC production. In healthy individuals, erythropoiesis ensures all tissues are amply supplied with oxygen. In addition, blood loss due to injury leads to a drop in the physiological oxygen level that will cause erythropoiesis. Any defect in erythropoiesis leads to several physiological disorders, including thalassemia, anemia, and...
    Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

    Inborn Errors of Metabolism

    Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

    In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
    Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase01:27

    Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

    Phase II biotransformation reactions are essential for detoxifying and eliminating xenobiotics, including many pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically involve conjugation, the covalent attachment of polar endogenous groups such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, methyl, or acetyl moieties to functional groups introduced during Phase I metabolism. The resulting conjugates are more water-soluble, enabling efficient renal or biliary excretion.The major classes of Phase II enzymes include...
    Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways01:29

    Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

    Amino acid biosynthesis is essential for cell growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. Cells generate essential and non-essential amino acids from metabolic intermediates to sustain vital biological functions. These intermediates originate from key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Important precursors include α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and erythrose-4-phosphate, which provide...
    Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids01:28

    Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

    Nucleic acid biosynthesis is a fundamental biochemical process that produces the purine and pyrimidine nucleotides essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. This pathway maintains a balanced nucleotide pool, preventing imbalances that could jeopardize genetic integrity and cellular function. Given the crucial role of nucleotides, their synthesis is tightly regulated to ensure proper cellular homeostasis.Purine BiosynthesisThe biosynthesis of purine nucleotides begins with ribose-5-phosphate, a...