Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 7

Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 7 (also known as ENTPD7) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ENTPD7 gene. This enzyme belongs to the family of ectonucleotidases, which are responsible for the hydrolysis of extracellular nucleotides.

Function[edit | edit source]

ENTPD7 is a member of the E-NTPDase family (Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases). These enzymes are implicated in the regulation of extracellular nucleotide levels and hence can influence physiological processes such as immune response, thrombosis, and neural signaling. ENTPD7 is known to hydrolyze both adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP).

Structure[edit | edit source]

The ENTPD7 gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 10 at position 24.2 and spans 20,993 base pairs. The ENTPD7 protein weighs 48.3 kDa and is composed of 420 amino acids. The structure of the protein includes a transmembrane domain, which allows it to be anchored in the cell membrane, and two apyrase conserved regions (ACRs) which are characteristic of the E-NTPDase family and are essential for its enzymatic activity.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Alterations in the ENTPD7 gene have been associated with various diseases. For instance, a higher expression of ENTPD7 has been observed in hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting a potential role in the progression of this disease. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of ENTPD7 in human health and disease.