Purines are necessary for many cellular processes, including DNA replication, transcription, and energy metabolism. Ten enzymatic steps are required to synthesize inosine monophosphate (IMP) in the de novo pathway of purine biosynthesis. The enzyme encoded by this gene catalyzes the fourth step of IMP biosynthesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008] see less Purines are necessary for many cellular processes, including DNA replication, transcription, and energy metabolism. Ten enzymatic steps are required to synthesize inosine monophosphate (IMP) in the de novo pathway of purine biosynthesis. The enzyme encoded by this gene catalyzes the fourth step of IMP biosynthesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]