Carbamoyl phosphate synthase II (CPS II) is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, which are essential building blocks for DNA and RNA synthesis. Its main role is to catalyze the conversion of glutamine and bicarbonate into carbamoyl phosphate, the first committed step in the de novo synthesis of pyrimidines.
CPS II plays a critical role in nucleotide metabolism and is mainly found in the cytoplasm. It is composed of three subunits: a large catalytic subunit, a small subunit, and a regulatory subunit.
The catalytic subunit of CPS II contains multiple functional domains responsible for different enzymatic activities. These activities include ATP binding and hydrolysis, glutamine binding and hydrolysis, bicarbonate activation, and the synthesis of carbamoyl phosphate. The small subunit provides stability and helps regulate the activity of the enzyme, while the regulatory subunit plays a role in the regulation of CPS II activity.
Overall, CPS II is essential for the supply of carbamoyl phosphate, which serves as a precursor for the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. These nucleotides are subsequently utilized in DNA and RNA synthesis, making CPS II a vital enzyme in cellular growth, proliferation, and DNA replication.
what is the role of carbamoyl phosphate synthase II
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