Overexpression, purification and characterization of two pyrimidine kinases involved in the biosynthesis of thiamin: 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine kinase and 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine phosphate kinase

The overexpression, purification and characterization of 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine kinase (HMP kinase) and 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine monophosphate kinase (HMP-P kinase) are described. Surprisingly HMP-P kinase also shows HMP kinase activity. These enzymes are useful reagents for the preparation of intermediates on the thiamin biosynthetic pathway.