The mechanism of adenosine production in rat polymorphonuclear leucocytes

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Abstract
Adenosine production in intact rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes was studied during 2-deoxyglucose-induced ATP catabolism. A cell-free system containing the cytosolic 5''-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) as the only phosphohydrolase was also studied. The rate of adenosine formation in both intact cells and the cell-free system showed a similar dependence on energy charge {([ATP] + 1/2 [ADP])/([ATP] + [ADP] + [AMP])}, being maximal only at values close to 0.8. Sufficient cytosolic 5''-nucleotidase was present in intact cells to explain the observed rate of adenosine formation. The cytosolic 5''-nucleotidase apparently is responsible for adenosine production in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes. This mechanism provides a direct biochemical link between the energy status of a cell and the rate of adenosine formation.