Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (EC:2.7.6.1) (PRib-PP synthetase) catalyses the formation of PRib-PP from ATP and ribose 5-phosphate. PRib-PP is then used in various biosynthetic pathways, for example
in the formation of purines, pyrimidines, histidine and tryptophan. PRib-PP synthetase requires inorganic phosphate and magnesium ions for its stability and activity. In mammals, three isozymes of PRib-PP synthetase are found, while in yeast there are at least four isozymes. A very conserved region containing two conserved aspartic acid residues as well as a histidine has been suggested to be
involved in binding divalent cations [1]. These residues are all potential ligands for a cation such as magnesium.
Eriksen TA, Kadziola A, Larsen S.
Binding of cations in Bacillus subtilis phosphoribosyldiphosphate synthetase and their role in catalysis.
Protein Sci. 11 2002 271-9
[PubMed: 11790837] http://dx.doi.org/10.1110/ps.28502
Eriksen TA, Kadziola A, Bentsen AK, Harlow KW, Larsen S.
Structural basis for the function of Bacillus subtilis phosphoribosyl-pyrophosphate synthetase.
Nat. Struct. Biol. 7 2000 303-8
[PubMed: 10742175] http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/74069