Purine nucleoside phosphorylase therapy

Such a catabolic reaction is indeed excluded in 6 alkyl purine derivatives. The parent compound of this group, 6-methylpurine, is known for its cytotoxicity its libera tion from the 2 -deoxyribonucleoside by purine nucleo side phosphorylases is used for detection of mycoplasma in cell cultures.19 It is highly potent and toxic to nonproliferating and proliferating tumor cells. Recently, the use of cytotoxic bases liberated by purine nucleoside phosphorylases such as 6-methylpurine was proposed as a novel principle in the gene therapy of cancer.20... 

Morris, P.E., Jr. and Omura, G.A. (2000) Inhibitors of the enzyme purine nucleoside phosphorylase as potential therapy for psoriasis. Curr. Pharm. Des. 6 943-959. 

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