Orotate Phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT)

Orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. It catalyzes the transfer of a phosphoribosyl group from 5-phospho-α-D-ribose 1-diphosphate (PRPP) to orotate, resulting in the formation of orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP) and pyrophosphate. It is involved in cancer therapy response and represents a drug target for antimalarial drug development.

Other names

Orotate PRTaseOPRTase

Catalyzes the transfer of a phosphoribosyl group from 5-phospho-α-D-ribose 1-diphosphate (PRPP) to orotate, resulting in the formation of orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP) and pyrophosphate. In some instances, it is responsible for converting prodrugs (e.g., 5-FU) into active (or toxic) metabolites.