Purine Nucleoside Metabolism

Purine nucleoside metabolism encompasses the interconnected biochemical pathways responsible for the synthesis, salvage, and degradation of purine nucleotides (AMP and GMP). These pathways are critical for maintaining cellular nucleotide pools essential for DNA/RNA synthesis, energy transfer, signal transduction, and other vital cellular functions. Key enzymes and regulatory mechanisms tightly control these processes, and dysregulation can lead to various diseases, including gout, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, and cancer. Drugs targeting these pathways are used as immunosuppressants, anti-cancer agents and to treat hyperuricemia.

Varies depending on the specific enzyme or step targeted. Examples include xanthine oxidase inhibition (allopurinol), IMPDH inhibition (mycophenolate mofetil), inhibition of de novo purine synthesis.