Nucleoside triphosphate

A nucleoside triphosphate is a nucleoside containing a nitrogenous base bound to a 5-carbon sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose), with three phosphate groups bound to the sugar.[1] They are the molecular precursors of both DNA and RNA, which are chains of nucleotides made through the processes of DNA replication and transcription.[2] Nucleoside triphosphates also serve as a source of energy for cellular reactions[3] and are involved in signalling pathways.[4]

Nucleoside triphosphates cannot easily cross the cell membrane, so they are typically synthesized within the cell.[5] Synthesis pathways differ depending on the specific nucleoside triphosphate being made, but given the many important roles of nucleoside triphosphates, synthesis is tightly regulated in all cases.[6] Nucleoside analogues may also be used to treat viral infections.[7] For example, azidothymidine (AZT) is a nucleoside analogue used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS.[8]

  1. ^ "Nucleotides and Bases - Genetics Generation". Genetics Generation. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  2. ^ Chargaff E (2012-12-02). The Nucleic Acids. Elsevier. ISBN 9780323144773.
  3. ^ "Overview of ATP Hydrolysis". Khan Academy. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  4. ^ "GPCR". Scitable. 2014.
  5. ^ "Eating DNA: Dietary Nucleotides in Nutrition". The call of the Honeyguide. 2014-04-09. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  6. ^ Wyngaarden JB (1976). "Regulation of purine biosynthesis and turnover". Advances in Enzyme Regulation. 14: 25–42. doi:10.1016/0065-2571(76)90006-6. PMID 184697.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Galmarini_2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Zidovudine Monograph for Professionals - Drugs.com". Drugs.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.