GUK1

The protein encoded by this gene is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to guanosine monophosphate (GMP) to form guanosine diphosphate (GDP). The encoded protein is thought to be a good target for cancer chemotherapy. Several transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

guanylate kinase 1

Catalyzes the phosphorylation of GMP to GDP. Essential enzyme for recycling GMP and indirectly, cyclic GMP (cGMP) (PubMed:31201273).

Involved in the cGMP metabolism in photoreceptors (By similarity).

It may also have a role in the survival and growth progression of some tumors (PubMed:31201273).

In addition to its physiological role, GUK1 is essential for convert prodrugs used for the treatment of cancers and viral infections into their pharmacologically active metabolites, most notably acyclovir, ganciclovir, and 6-thioguanine and its closely related analog 6-mercaptopurine (PubMed:197968, PubMed:6248551, PubMed:6306664).

dGDP biosynthetic process Source: UniProtKB
Nucleobase-containing small molecule interconversion Source: Reactome
Purine nucleotide metabolic process Source: UniProtKB
Xenobiotic metabolic process Source: UniProtKB

Cytosol; Photoreceptor inner segment. Colocalizes with RD3 in photoreceptor inner segments and to a lesser extent in the outer plexiform layer.