HPO2F2

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase 2 (HPG2), also known as HPO2F2, is a purine salvage enzyme. It plays a crucial role in the interconversion of purine bases. Specifically, HPG2 catalyzes the transfer of a phosphoribosyl group from 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) to hypoxanthine or guanine, producing inosine monophosphate (IMP) or guanosine monophosphate (GMP), respectively. These products are essential precursors for the synthesis of nucleic acids and other vital cellular molecules.

The gene encoding HPG2 is located on chromosome 16 in humans. While the canonical purine salvage pathway involves hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (HPRT1), HPG2 appears to have a distinct but related function. Research suggests that HPG2 may be particularly important in certain cell types or under specific metabolic conditions, contributing to the maintenance of purine nucleotide pools. Mutations in the gene encoding HPG2 have been associated with certain metabolic disorders, although the clinical significance is less well-established compared to HPRT1 deficiencies, such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Further investigation into the precise biological roles and potential therapeutic implications of HPG2 is ongoing.