IMPA1 Human

Inositol Monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1) is an enzyme encoded by the IMPA1 gene in humans. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway, which is essential for various cellular processes, including cell growth, survival, and differentiation. The recombinant form of this enzyme is produced through genetic engineering techniques, allowing for its use in research and therapeutic applications.

IMPA1 is a homodimeric enzyme, meaning it consists of two identical subunits. Each subunit has a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa. The enzyme is primarily located in the cytoplasm and cytosol of cells . It has broad substrate specificity and can act on various inositol monophosphates, including myo-inositol monophosphates, scyllo-inositol-phosphate, and D-galactose 1-phosphate .

The primary function of IMPA1 is to dephosphorylate inositol monophosphates to produce free inositol, which is required for the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol and polyphosphoinositides . These molecules are critical components of cell membranes and play a vital role in signal transduction pathways.

IMPA1 is involved in several biological processes, including:

• Inositol metabolic process
• Inositol biosynthetic process
• Phosphatidylinositol phosphate biosynthetic process
• Signal transduction
• Inositol phosphate dephosphorylation

The enzyme’s activity is regulated by various ions, including magnesium, manganese, and lithium. Lithium, in particular, is known to inhibit IMPA1 activity, which has implications for its use in the treatment of bipolar disorder .

IMPA1 has been implicated as a pharmacological target for lithium action in the brain. Lithium is a well-known treatment for bipolar disorder, and its therapeutic effects are believed to be mediated, at least in part, by the inhibition of IMPA1 . This inhibition leads to an accumulation of inositol monophosphates, which may affect various signaling pathways involved in mood regulation.

The recombinant form of IMPA1 is produced using genetic engineering techniques. The gene encoding IMPA1 is cloned into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host organism, such as Escherichia coli or yeast. The host organism expresses the IMPA1 protein, which can be purified and used for research or therapeutic purposes.

Recombinant IMPA1 is valuable for studying the enzyme’s structure and function, as well as for screening potential inhibitors that may have therapeutic applications. It also allows for the production of large quantities of the enzyme, which is essential for biochemical and pharmacological studies.