Thymidine phosphorylase is an enzyme encoded by the TYMP gene in humans. The protein stimulates angiogenesis th at may occur by an indirect mechanism through its enzymatic activity. It plays an important role in angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. It is expressed in primary tumours and may be a risk factor for lymph node (LN) and hepatic metastasis in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. The gene strongly influences gastric cancer progression by the dual activities of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. TYMP is more likely expressed by malignant B cells in higher-grade lymphomas. It is an enzyme involved in nucleotide synthesis and has been implicated in critical biological processes such as DNA replication, protection against mutations and tissue repair. Deletions in this gene have been associated with mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE).
