UMP salvage

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process which produces UMP, uridine monophosphate, from derivatives of it (e.g. cytidine, uridine, cytosine) without de novo synthesis. [GOC:ecd, PMID:15096496]

UMP salvage is a critical metabolic pathway that recovers uridine monophosphate (UMP) from various sources, ensuring a continuous supply of this essential nucleotide for RNA synthesis, DNA repair, and other cellular processes. The pathway involves two major enzymes: uridine phosphorylase (UP) and uridine kinase (UK).

UP catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of uridine, a pyrimidine nucleoside, to uracil and ribose 1-phosphate. This reaction occurs in the cytoplasm and provides a source of uracil, which can be further processed to UMP.

UK, also located in the cytoplasm, then catalyzes the irreversible phosphorylation of uracil to UMP using ATP as the phosphate donor. This step consumes energy but ensures the efficient conversion of uracil to UMP.

The salvage pathway plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular nucleotide pools, particularly during times of limited de novo biosynthesis. It allows cells to conserve energy by recycling pre-existing nucleotides, reducing the need for complex biosynthetic pathways. Additionally, salvage pathways are essential for maintaining adequate levels of UMP in tissues that exhibit high RNA turnover, such as the brain and immune system.

The UMP salvage pathway is highly regulated, ensuring the balance between synthesis and breakdown of nucleotides. This regulation is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to environmental changes.
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Proteins (3)

Compounds (14)