DUT

This gene encodes an essential enzyme of nucleotide metabolism. The encoded protein forms a ubiquitous, homotetrameric enzyme that hydrolyzes dUTP to dUMP and pyrophosphate. This reaction serves two cellular purposes: providing a precursor (dUMP) for the synthesis of thymine nucleotides needed for DNA replication, and limiting intracellular pools of dUTP. Elevated levels of dUTP lead to increased incorporation of uracil into DNA, which induces extensive excision repair mediated by uracil glycosylase. This repair process, resulting in the removal and reincorporation of dUTP, is self-defeating and leads to DNA fragmentation and cell death. Alternative splicing of this gene leads to different isoforms that localize to either the mitochondrion or nucleus. A related pseudogene is located on chromosome 19. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Deoxyuridine Triphosphatase

This enzyme is involved in nucleotide metabolism: it produces dUMP, the immediate precursor of thymidine nucleotides and it decreases the intracellular concentration of dUTP so that uracil cannot be incorporated into DNA.

DNA replication Source: ProtInc
dUMP biosynthetic process Source: GO_Central
dUTP catabolic process Source: GO_Central
Nucleobase-containing compound metabolic process Source: ProtInc

Isoform 2: Nucleus
Isoform 3: Mitochondrion

Nuclear isoform 2 is phosphorylated in vivo on Ser-11, a reaction that can be catalyzed in vitro by CDC2. Phosphorylation in mature T-cells occurs in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Isoform 3 is not phosphorylated.