Adenosine monophosphate

Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP), also known as 5'-adenylic acid, is a nucleotide that is used as a monomer in RNA. It is an ester of phosphoric acid and the nucleoside adenosine. AMP consists of a phosphate group, the sugar ribose, and the nucleobase adenine.

Structure and Properties

AMP is formed by the hydrolysis of both adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The energy released during the hydrolysis of ATP and the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP is used in cellular metabolism.

AMP can be converted into inosine monophosphate (IMP) by the enzyme myoadenylate deaminase, freeing an ammonia molecule in the process.

Biological Role

In the cell, AMP activates some protein kinases, a type of enzyme that modifies other proteins by chemically adding phosphate groups to them. This process, known as phosphorylation, can activate or deactivate many enzymes and thus plays a crucial role in many cellular processes.

AMP also plays a role in cellular signaling as a component of cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is a crucial second messenger in many biological processes, including the response to hormones like adrenaline.

Clinical Significance

AMP is used clinically to treat specific heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial tachycardia. It can also be used to treat patients with adenosine deaminase deficiency, a rare genetic disorder.

See Also

• Adenosine diphosphate
• Adenosine triphosphate
• Nucleotide
• Protein kinase
• Cyclic AMP