IMPDH2
Description
The IMPDH2 (inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
IMPDH2, also known as IMP dehydrogenase 2, is an enzyme encoded by the IMPDH2 gene in humans. It is the rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo guanine nucleotide biosynthesis, essential for maintaining cellular guanine deoxy- and ribonucleotide pools needed for DNA and RNA synthesis. IMPDH2 catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of inosine-5'-monophosphate into xanthine-5'-monophosphate, which is then converted into guanosine-5'-monophosphate. This enzyme is a target of the natural product sanglifehrin A. IMPDH2 is up-regulated in some neoplasms, suggesting its potential role in malignant transformation.
IMPDH2 catalyzes the conversion of inosine 5'-phosphate (IMP) to xanthosine 5'-phosphate (XMP), the initial and rate-limiting step in the de novo synthesis of guanine nucleotides. This crucial role makes it a key regulator of cell growth. IMPDH2 may also bind to single-stranded nucleic acids and participate in RNA and/or DNA metabolism. Additionally, its involvement in the development of malignancy and the progression of certain tumors suggests a potential link to cancer.
IMPDH2 is also known as IMPD2, IMPDH-II.
