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 biomolecules with ...

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

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