Inosine triphosphate (ITP) is an intermediate in the
purine metabolism
Purine metabolism refers to the metabolic pathways to synthesize and break down purines that are present in many organisms.
Biosynthesis
Purines are biologically synthesized as nucleotides and in particular as ribotides, i.e. bases attached to r ...
pathway, seen in the synthesis of
ATP and
GTP. It comprises an inosine
nucleotide
Nucleotides are organic molecules consisting of a nucleoside and a phosphate. They serve as monomeric units of the nucleic acid polymers – deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), both of which are essential biomolecule ...
containing three phosphate groups esterified to the sugar
moiety
Moiety may refer to:
Chemistry
* Moiety (chemistry), a part or functional group of a molecule
** Moiety conservation, conservation of a subgroup in a chemical species
Anthropology
* Moiety (kinship), either of two groups into which a society is ...
.
ITP results from
deamination
Deamination is the removal of an amino group from a molecule. Enzymes that catalyse this reaction are called deaminases.
In the human body, deamination takes place primarily in the liver, however it can also occur in the kidney. In situations of ...
of
ATP. Incorporation of ITP into the DNA from the
nucleotide
Nucleotides are organic molecules consisting of a nucleoside and a phosphate. They serve as monomeric units of the nucleic acid polymers – deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), both of which are essential biomolecule ...
pool can lead to DNA damage, mutagenesis and other harmful effects.
ITP is processed by the enzyme
inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA), which turns it into
inosine monophosphate
Inosinic acid or inosine monophosphate (IMP) is a nucleotide (that is, a nucleoside monophosphate). Widely used as a flavor enhancer, it is typically obtained from chicken byproducts or other meat industry waste. Inosinic acid is important in met ...
(IMP), to avoid incorporation into DNA.
References
{{Reflist
Nucleotides
Phosphate esters