The ndx1 gene, which encodes a Nudix protein, was cloned from the extremely thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8. This gene encodes a 126-amino acid protein that includes the characteristic Nudix motif conserved among Nudix proteins. Ndx1 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Ndx1 was stable up to 95 degrees C and at extreme pH. Size exclusion chromatography indicated that Ndx1 was monomeric in solution. Ndx1 specifically hydrolyzed (di)adenosine polyphosphates but not ATP or diadenosine triphosphate, and it always generated ATP as the product. Diadenosine hexaphosphate (Ap(6)A), the most preferred substrate, was hydrolyzed to produce two ATP molecules, which is a novel hydrolysis mode for Ap(6)A, with a K(m) of 1.4 microm and a k(cat) of 4.1 s(-1). These results indicate that Ndx1 is a (di)adenosine polyphosphate hydrolase. Ndx1 activity required the presence of the divalent cations Mn(2+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+), and Co(2+), whereas Ca(2+), Ni(2+), and Cu(2+) were not able to activate Ndx1. Fluoride ion inhibited Ndx1 activity via a non-competitive mechanism. Optimal activity for Ap(6)A was observed at around pH 8.0 and about 70 degrees C. We found two important residues with pK(a) values of 6.1 and 9.6 in the free enzyme and pK(a) values of 7.9 and 10.0 in the substrate-enzyme complex. Kinetic studies of proteins with amino acid substitutions suggested that Glu-46 and Glu-50 were conserved residues in the Nudix motif and were involved in catalysis. Trp-26 was likely involved in enzyme-substrate interactions based on fluorescence measurements. Based on these results, the mechanism of substrate recognition and catalysis are discussed.