Integrated homology modelling and x-ray study of herpes simplex virus i thymidine kinase A Case Study

摘要

Thymidine kinase (TK) catalyzes the transfer of the gamma-phosphate group from ATP to the 5'-OH group of thymidine in the presence of magnesium ions (ATP-thymidine-5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.21)(Fig. AA). TK is a highly conserved enzyme, which occurs in all major organisms, with the notable exception of the funghi. Its physiological role is to salvage thymidine into the DNA metabolism by converting it to thymidine monophosphate. Cells do not depend on TK for the dTMP synthesis as the de-novo synthesis pathway passes through thymidylate synthetase which catalyzes the methylation of deoxyuridine monophosphate yielding thymidine monophosphate.