# PTERIDINE METABOLISM AND TRANSPORT IN MALIGNANT CELLS

> **NIH NIH R01** · SCRIPPS CLINIC AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION · 1987 · $97,887

## Abstract

Clinical observations have linked altered pteridine metabolism and enhanced
excretion of pteridines to diseases, which include malignancies, viral
infections, generalized activation of the cellular immune system, and
AIDS.  In order to help understand these observations, this proposal seeks
to investigate certain areas of pteridine biochemistry in human cell
systems.  In particular, it is intended to determine the pteridine content
of cell extracts and culture media; to investigate the properties of the
transport system which controls the influx and efflux of these derivatives;
and to determine the relative roles played by dihydropteridine and
dihydrofolate reductases in controlling pteridine metabolism.  The
investigations will be carried out using human lymphocytes and a variety of
malignant cell lines of human origin including CEM, WIL2, HL60, and K562.
The enzyme studies will employ the isolated proteins from rat liver and
human sources.  Of particular importance will be the identification of
pteridines subject to modulated excretion.  Radioactively labelled
pteridines and folates will be employed to establish the origin of the
secreted compounds since intermediates of both pteridine biosynthesis or
folate degradation could be involved.  The properties of the pteridine
transport system will illustrate whether these provide a clearer picture of
whether the pteridine excretion products of certain cell systems might be
of regulatory significance by uptake or surface binding to other cell
types.  By these means, it is intended to expand the understanding of
pteridine function in human cell systems and, thereby, determine whether
previously documented clinical observations can be exploited either
diagnostically or therapeutically.  (A)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3177218
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038849-03
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS CLINIC AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHANIE WEBBER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $97,887
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-02-01 → 1988-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3177218

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3177218, PTERIDINE METABOLISM AND TRANSPORT IN MALIGNANT CELLS (5R01CA038849-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3177218. Licensed CC0.

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