Abstract
In our previous studies it has been shown that lymphocytes of B lineage but not T lymphocytes are able to degrade extracellular ATP, normally present in human blood plasma (20–30 μM). Adenosine produced by B lymphocytes from extracellular ATP can easily enter the different cells and therefore extracellular nucleotide degradation may significantly affect intracellular metabolism. Adenosine produced extracellularly by cells is mainly deaminated intracellularly to inosine whereas a minor part is incorporated to intracellular nucleotides - mainly ATP. The cells which are unable to degrade extracellular ATP such as B lymphocytes or red blood cells also incorporate adenosine extracellularly produced by B cells to their nucleotides and this incorporation is especially efficient in red blood cells. Although extracellular ATP has no effect on intracellular nucleotide metabolism, its degradation product adenosine significantly inhibits purine biosynthesis de novo as well as the salvage of adenine, hypoxanthine, guanosine or thymidine in both B and T lymphocytes. On the other hand, adenosine formed extracellularly may act as a physiological modulator through specific membrane adenosine receptors, and regulate cyclic AMP levels.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Barankiewicz, J., Dosch, HM., Cheung, R. et al. 8 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXTRACELLULAR AND INTRACELLULAR NUCLEOTIDE METABOLISM IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES. Pediatr Res 24, 112 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198807000-00032
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198807000-00032