title: 7-Substituted pterins: formation during phenylalanine hydroxylation in the absence of dehydratase.
abstract: Previously we described a new form of human hyperphenylalaninemia characterized by the formation of 7-substituted pterins. We present evidence strongly suggesting that the 7-substituted pterins are formed by rearrangement of 6-substituted pterins. This rearrangement occurs during the phenylalanine hydroxylase reaction cycle which normally involves the enzymes phenylalanine hydroxylase, pterin-4a-OH-dehydratase, and q-dihydropterin reductase, specifically in the absence of dehydratase activity. We conclude that formation of 7-substituted pterins in humans is a consequence of an absence of dehydratase activity, which might result from a genetic defect. A chemical mechanism for this rearrangement is presented. Our results also suggest that tetrahydroneopterin can be a cofactor for the phenylalanine hydroxylase system in vivo.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: H C
authors: HC
authors: Curtius
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Adler
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Rebrin
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Heizmann
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ghisla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006900:Hydroxylation; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D010651:Phenylalanine Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011622:Pterins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D011622:Pterins; D010651:Phenylalanine Hydroxylase