Family of thiamin pyrophosphokinase (EC:2.7.6.2). Thiamin pyrophosphokinase (TPK) catalyses the transfer of a pyrophosphate group from ATP to vitamin B1 (thiamin) to form the coenzyme thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP). Thus, TPK is important for the formation of a coenzyme required for central metabolic functions. The structure of thiamin pyrophosphokinase suggest that the enzyme may operate by a mechanism of pyrophosphoryl transfer similar to those described for pyrophosphokinases functioning in nucleotide biosynthesis [1].

1: The crystal structure of yeast thiamin pyrophosphokinase. Baker LJ, Dorocke JA, Harris RA, Timm DE; Structure 2001;9:539-546. PMID:11435118