331 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (NPP)-type ectophosphodiesterases are found at the cell surface as type-I or type-II transmembrane proteins, but are also found extracellularly as secreted or shedded enzymes. They hydrolyze pyrophosphate or phosphodiester bonds in a variety of extracellular compounds including nucleotides, (lyso)phospholipids and choline phosphate esters. Despite their structurally related catalytic domain, each enzyme has well-defined substrate specificity. Catalysis by NPPs affects processes as diverse as cell proliferation and motility, angiogenesis, bone mineralization and digestion. In addition, there is emerging evidence for non-catalytic functions of NPPs in cell signaling. NPP-type ectophosphodiesterases are also implicated in the pathophysiology of cancer, insulin resistance and calcification diseases, and they hold great promise as easily accessible therapeutic targets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)542-550
Number of pages9
JournalTrends in biochemical sciences
Volume30
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005

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