Role of glutamine on the de novo purine nucleotide synthesis in Caco-2 cells

Background: The body's nucleotide pool derives from three potential sources: de novo synthesis, salvage of preformednucleosides/bases or the diet. The relative contributions of these pathways of assimilation are poorly understood in vivo. Dietary nucleotides have been suggested to have beneficial effects an the development and repair of the gastrointestinal tract. Tissues with a rapid turnover, such as the gut and the immune system cells, may utilise preformed nucleotides (coming from the diet), in situation in which there is a high demand of nucleotides for nucleic acid synthesis. Therefore, nucleotides could be onsidered as conditionally essential nutrients.