Human Placental Adenosine Kinase: Purification and Characterization

The regulation of adenosine metabolism is an important factor in the determination of the biological properties of this compoundl. Although the deamination of adenosine has been carefully characterized, only a limited amount of information is available concerning its phosphorylation in mammalian tissue. We have undertaken the purification and characterization of human placental adenosine kinase (E. C.2.7.1.20), which catalyzes the reaction: $$Adenosine + ATP \to AMP + ADP$$