Physico-chemical and immunological properties of bovine liver 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase.

The search for specific enzymatic reactions which can clearly differentiate normal mammalian cells from both malignant cells and infective microorganisms represents a major strategy for the development of selective therapeutical approaches. In particular, the intensive research carried out in the past on purine and pyrimidine metabolism has yielded a very rich harvest of drugs effective in the treatment of malignancy as well as of parasitic diseases.