PTERINS

The review summarizes the recent knowledge on the group of biologicall y active compounds called pterins. Biosynthesis of all known pterins s tarts from quanosine triphosphate and it is in vivo stimulated by cyto kines, mainly by interferon gamma. Pterins can exist in three oxidatio n states, the reduced forms of which are relatively unstable. More det ails on the biological function are known only for some pterins. Tetra hydrobiopterin is an essential cofactor of aromatic amino acid monooxy genases and its role in the synthesis of nitric oxide has been recentl y studied. Neopterin is a sensitive marker of activated cell-mediated immunity and may be involved in processes mediated by oxygen radical. Molybdopterin is a component of molybdenum cofactors that participate in redox reactions. Oncopterin was found in urine of patients with mal ignant lymphoma and is expected to be a promising biochemical marker o f some cancers. The HPLC with fluorescence or electrochemical detectio n are the predominating analytical methods for the determination of pt erins.