这个基因编码核苷酸代谢的一种必需酶编码的蛋白质形成一种普遍存在的四聚体酶，能水解dutp使其倾倒并焦磷酸盐。这种反应有两个细胞用途：提供合成DNA复制所需的胸腺嘧啶核苷酸的前体（dUMP），以及限制dUTP的细胞内池dUTP水平升高导致尿嘧啶在DNA中的结合增加，从而诱导尿嘧啶糖基化酶介导的广泛切除修复这种修复过程，导致dutp的去除和再结合，是自相残杀的，导致dna断裂和细胞死亡。这个基因的选择性剪接导致不同的亚型，定位到线粒体或细胞核。一个相关的假基因位于19号染色体上。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
This gene encodes an essential enzyme of nucleotide metabolism. The encoded protein forms a ubiquitous, homotetrameric enzyme that hydrolyzes dUTP to dUMP and pyrophosphate. This reaction serves two cellular purposes: providing a precursor (dUMP) for the synthesis of thymine nucleotides needed for DNA replication, and limiting intracellular pools of dUTP. Elevated levels of dUTP lead to increased incorporation of uracil into DNA, which induces extensive excision repair mediated by uracil glycosylase. This repair process, resulting in the removal and reincorporation of dUTP, is self-defeating and leads to DNA fragmentation and cell death. Alternative splicing of this gene leads to different isoforms that localize to either the mitochondrion or nucleus. A related pseudogene is located on chromosome 19. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]