Cytidine triphosphate (CTP) is a pyrimidine nucleoside triphosphate. CTP, much like ATP, consists of a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups. The major difference between the two molecules is the base used, which in CTP is

cytosine Cytosine () ( symbol C or Cyt) is one of the four nucleobases found in DNA and RNA, along with adenine, guanine, and thymine ( uracil in RNA). It is a pyrimidine derivative, with a heterocyclic aromatic ring and two substituents attached ( ...

. CTP is a substrate in the synthesis of RNA. CTP is a high-energy molecule similar to ATP, but its role as an energy coupler is limited to a much smaller subset of metabolic reactions. CTP is a

coenzyme A cofactor is a non- protein chemical compound or metallic ion that is required for an enzyme's role as a catalyst (a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction). Cofactors can be considered "helper molecules" that as ...

in metabolic reactions like the synthesis of

glycerophospholipids Glycerophospholipids or phosphoglycerides are glycerol-based phospholipids. They are the main component of biological membranes. Two major classes are known: those for bacteria and eukaryotes and a separate family for archaea. Structures The ...

, where it is used for activation and transfer of diacylglycerol and lipid head groups, and glycosylation of proteins. CTP acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme aspartate carbamoyltransferase, which is used in pyrimidine biosynthesis.Blackburn, G. Michael. ''Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology''. The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2006, p. 119-120.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cytidine Triphosphate Nucleotides Phosphate esters Pyrimidones

See also

References