Nucleotide Biosynthesis, Salvage Pathways, and Regulation
Structure and Properties of Nucleotides
Nucleotides (phosphoric esters of nucleosides: nucleoside + phosphate = pentose phosphate linked at C-5) yield nucleosides upon dephosphorylation (nitrogenous base [NB] + pentose via glycosidic linkage).
Nitrogenous Bases and Pentoses
- Pyrimidines (joined via N-1): Cytosine (C), Uracil (U), Thymine (T)
- Purines (joined via N-9, double ring): Adenine (A), Guanine (G)
- Properties of Nitrogenous Bases (NB): Absorption in the UV spectrum (260 nm), weak basic character, planar structures, ability to form hydrogen bonds, and tautomerism (keto-enol and amine-imine).
- Pentose: May be either D-ribose (RNA) or 2-deoxy-D-ribose (DNA).
De Novo Nucleotide Biosynthesis
Origin of Atoms:
- Purines: CO2, Glycine (Gly), Aspartate (Asp)