A divalent cation is essential for activity. Mn2+ (2--6 mM) is most effective.
The enzyme controls intracellular levels of P1,P5-bis(5'-adenosyl)pentaphosphate and P1,P6-bis(5'-adenosyl)hexaphosphate. Weak activity with P1,P4-bis(5'-adenosyl)tetraphosphate. Marked preference for adenine over guanine nucleotides.
The diadenosine hexaphosphate hydrolases from Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are homologues of the human diphosphoinositol polyphosphate phosphohydrolase. Overlapping substrate specificities in a MutT-type protein.