ADK (gene)

Adenosine kinase is an is_associated_with::enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ADK is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene encodes is_associated_with::adenosine kinase, an abundant enzyme in mammalian tissues. The enzyme catalyzes the transfer of the gamma-phosphate from ATP to is_associated_with::adenosine, thereby serving as a regulator of concentrations of both extracellular adenosine and intracellular adenine nucleotides. Adenosine has widespread effects on the cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, and immune systems and inhibitors of the enzyme could play an important pharmacological role in increasing intravascular adenosine concentrations and acting as is_associated_with::anti-inflammatory agents. is_associated_with::Alternative splicing results in two transcript variants encoding different is_associated_with::isoforms. Both isoforms of the enzyme is_associated_with::phosphorylate adenosine with identical kinetics and both require Mg2+ for activity.