Mechanism of Nucleoside Hydrolase Isolated from Alaska Pea Seeds

Abstract

Nucleosidases or nucleoside hydrolases are a class of enzymes that hydrolyze nucleosides into a pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base. These enzymes are widely distributed, and are found in parasitic protozoans, plants, bacteria, and fungi. Since this class of enzymes does not occur in humans, drugs based on the inhibition of the enzymes have been created to target susceptible organisms. Similarly inhibition of these enzymes may provide a route for a new class of herbicides. Among the plant species in which these enzymes have been found include yellow lupin, coffee leaves, and tea leaves. The nucleosidases are often present as isozymes, with multiple versions occurring in the same organism. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize the isozymes found in germinated pea seeds with regard to chromatography behavior, molecular weight, and substrate specificity.