DHODH

DHODH (pronounced dee-hod-h) is an acronym for Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway.

Etymology

The term Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is derived from the name of the chemical compound it acts upon, dihydroorotate, and the type of reaction it catalyzes, a dehydrogenation.

Function

DHODH is an enzyme that catalyzes the fourth step in the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, converting dihydroorotate to orotate. This is a crucial step in the production of uridine monophosphate (UMP), which is a precursor to all pyrimidine nucleotides.

Clinical Significance

Inhibitors of DHODH have been used in the treatment of various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and malaria. More recently, they have been investigated for potential use in the treatment of cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Related Terms

• Pyrimidine biosynthesis
• Uridine monophosphate
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriasis
• Malaria
• Cancer
• Multiple sclerosis

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