Tetrahydrobiopterin
Year: 2011
Type: editorial
Abstract: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for di-verse cellular processes, is present in almost every cell or tissue of higher organisms. BH4 has well-defined functions in terms of enzymatic activities (BH4 is a crucial cofactor for the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases and all isoforms of nitric oxide synthase [NOS]) but has other less-defined functions in cells. BH4 is a growth or proliferation factor for various mammalian cells, including hematopoietic and endo-thelial cells.1,2 Epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor act to increase proliferation of rat PC12 cells by elevating BH4 levels.3 However, BH4 is also a powerful antioxidant4 and has scavenging capabilities, reacting with superoxide anion radicals peroxynitrite and hydrogen perox-ide.5 BH4 bioavailability is, thus, potently influenced by oxidative stress in cells. GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin
Source: Hypertension
Authors: Cynthia J. Meininger, Guoyao Wu
Institutions: Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Biochemistry
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2131501645