In enzymology, a purine-nucleoside phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction: purine nucleoside + phosphate ↔ purine + alpha-D-ribose 1-phosphate. Thus, the
two substrates of this enzyme are purine nucleoside and phosphate, whereas its two products are purine and alpha-D-ribose 1-phosphate. This enzyme belongs to the family of glycosyltransferases,
specifically the pentosyltransferases.