Adenosine Deaminase - Isoforms

Isoforms

There are 2 isoforms of ADA: ADA1 and ADA2.

• ADA1 is found in most body cells, particularly lymphocytes and macrophages, where it is present not only in the cytosol and nucleus but also as the ecto- form on the cell membrane attached to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (aka, CD26). ADA1 is involved mostly in intracellular activity, and exists both in small form (monomer) and large form (dimer). The interconversion of small to large forms is regulated by a 'conversion factor' in the lung.

• ADA2 was first identified in human spleen. It was subsequently found in other tissues including the macrophage where it co-exists with ADA1. The two isoforms regulate the ratio of adenosine to deoxyadenosine potentiating the killing of parasites. ADA2 is found predominantly in the human plasma and serum, and exists solely as a monomer.

• ADAR is an RNA-specific ADA.

• ADAT (ADAT1, ADAT2, ADAT3) is a tRNA-specific ADA, changing the tRNA to allow for a wobble base pairing.