InterPro domain: IPR010044

This entry represents the methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP). MTAP catalyses the reversible phosphorylation of S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine (MTA) to adenine and 5-methylthioribose-1-phosphate. It is involved in the breakdown of MTA, a major by-product of polyamine biosynthesis. It is responsible for the first step in the methionine salvage pathway after MTA has been generated from S-adenosylmethionine. It has broad substrate specificity with 6-aminopurine nucleosides as preferred substrates [ 1 , 2 ].

1. Physicochemical and immunological studies on mammalian 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase. J. Biol. Chem. 265, 6241-6
2. Purification and characterization of 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase from human placenta. J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12324-9