title: Orotic Acid, More Than Just an Intermediate of Pyrimidine de novo Synthesis.
abstract: It is timely to consider the many facets of the small molecule orotic acid (OA), which is well-known as an essential intermediate of pyrimidine de novo synthesis. In addition, it can be taken up by erythrocytes and hepatocytes for conversion into uridine and for use in the pyrimidine recycling pathway. We discuss the link between dietary orotate and fatty liver in rats, and the potential for the alleviation of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. We address the development of orotate derivatives for application as anti-pyrimidine drugs, and of complexes with metal ions and organic cations to assist therapies of metabolic syndromes. Recent genetic data link human Miller syndrome to defects in the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) gene, hence to depleted orotate production. Another defect in pyrimidine biosynthesis, the orotic aciduria arising in humans and cattle with a deficiency of UMP synthase (UMPS), has different symptoms. More recent work leads us to conclude that OA may have a role in regulating gene transcription.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: loeffler@staff.uni-marburg.de.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Löffler
authors.affiliation: UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Carrey
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zameitat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism; D009963:Orotic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D011743:Pyrimidines; D009963:Orotic Acid; C030986:pyrimidine
keywords: Gene defects; Miller syndrome; Orotic acid; Orotic aciduria; Pyrimidines