Pyrimidine nucleotides do not affect the enzymes of glutathione biosynthesis.

Erythrocytes from patients with hereditary pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N, EC 3.1.3.5) deficiency accumulate large quantities of several pyrimidine nucleotides and their derivatives. In addition, the reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration is elevated in erythrocytes from patients with this enzyme deficiency. In the present study, we were unable to demonstrate any effect of various pyrimidine nucleotides and their derivatives on enzymes of glutathione biosynthesis and metabolism. Thus, elevation of GSH levels in erythrocytes from P5N patients is not a result of modulation of these enzymes by pyrimidine nucleotides and their derivatives.