Pyrimidine nucleotidases from human erythrocyte possess phosphotransferase activities specific for pyrimidine nucleotides

Two cytoplasmic forms of pyrimidine nucleotidase (PN-I and PN-II) have been purified from human erythrocytes to apparent homogeneity and partially characterized. They preferentially hydrolyse pyrimidine 5'-monophosphates and 3'-monophosphates respectively. PN-I and PN-II operate as interconverting activities, capable of transferring the phosphate from the pyrimidine nucleoside monophosphate donor(s) to various nucleoside acceptors, including important drugs like 3'-azido-3'-deoxy-thymidine (AZT), cytosine-beta-D-arabinofuranoside (AraC) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxy-uridine (5FdUrd), pyrimidine analogues widely used in chemotherapy. Kinetic analysis showed linear behaviour for both PN-I and PN-II. PN-I phosphotransferase activity revealed higher affinity for oxynucleosides with respect to deoxy-nucleosides, whereas the contrary seems to be true for PN-II. These results show for the first time that soluble pyrimidine nucleotidases are endowed with pyrimidine-specific phosphotransferase activity.