Substrate Spectra of Nucleoside Phosphorylases and their Potential in the Production of Pharmaceutically Active Compounds

Nucleoside phosphorylases catalyze the reversible phosphorolysis of pyrimidine and purine nucleosides in the presence of phosphate. They are relevant to the appropriate function of the immune system in mammals and interesting drug targets for cancer treatment. Next to their role as drug targets nucleoside phosphorylases are used as catalysts in the synthesis of nucleosides and their analogs that are widely applied as pharmaceuticals.