Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Biochem/physiol Actions

5′-nucleotidase, also known as CD73, is an extracellular enzyme that converts nucleoside-5′−monophosphates to nucleosides with a substrate preference of AMP. Native 5′-nucleotidase is a GPI-anchored protein whose exporession is upregulated by hypoxia. 5′-nucleotidase has many functions in vivo including the generation of extracellular adenosine.

5′-Nucleotidase has various clinical significances. It is a key molecule in the regulation of cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro tumor angiogenesis, and tumor immune escape in vivo. Due to this important role, the enzyme is a potential target for cancer research. It is also involved in salvage of extracellular nucleotides and plays a key role in the control of tissue homeostasis.

General description

5′-Nucleotidase is an extracellular enzyme found in a wide variety of mammalian cells. It helps to accelerate the hydrolysis reaction of phosphate group from 5′ nucleotides, resulting in corresponding nucleosides.

Physical form

Supplied as a solution containing Tris, NaCl, CaCl_2, and 20% glycerol.

Unit Definition

One unit will hydrolyze 1.0 µmole of inorganic phosphorus from adenosine 5′-monophosphate per min at pH 9.0 at 37 °C.