Nucleotide functions
There are different nucleotides that participate in many biochemical processes, and may have these functions:
- Structural function.
- Storage function and provide energy.
- Coenzyme function.
- Function of chemical messengers.
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Biology 2nd Baccalaureate 5.1.4.1. Nucleotide functionsNucleotide functionsThere are different nucleotides that participate in many biochemical processes, and may have these functions:
Non-nucleic nucleotidesOther nucleotides are not part of nucleic acids, such as: - Adenosine phosphates: ribonucleotides of adenine linked by phosphoester bonds one, two or three molecules of phosphoric acid, respectively:
This phosphoester bond that is established between nucleotides is a high-energy, hydrolyzable bond, so they can act as energy transporters. The ATP is considered the universal unit of energy . ADP, adenosine diphosphate, if it has energy at its disposal, uses it to join a third phosphate group to the other two to obtain adenosine triphosphate (ATP). By derivative work: Batterytime (talk)ATP_structure.svg: User:Mysid (ATP_structure.svg) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons To form this bond a lot of energy is needed (8 kcal / mol), and when it breaks, it will release the same amount of energy. Although energy is not stored as such, energy used to form the bond and released later when the bond is broken by hydrolysis in exothermic reactions, makes ADP and ATP molecules considered energy carriers. If there is a lot of energy available, many ATP molecules will be formed from ADP, so the ATP / ADP ratio will be high. If the amount of energy available to the cell is small, it will decrease ATP levels and increase those of ADP, so the ATP / ADP ratio will be lower. The energy released in exergonic reactions is used to form ATP from ADP and phosphoric acid (phosphorylation), while the energy needed in endergonic reactions comes from that released when ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP and phosphoric acid (dephosphorylation). Typically, the high-energy bonds that exist between phosphate groups are represented by the virgulilla symbol (~), rather than the usual notation (-) for bonds. Other ATP- like ribonucleotides such as GTP, UTP, and CTP play a more limited role as energy transferors.
CoenzymesThe coenzymes are cofactors nonprotein organic, thermosetting, which attached to a apoenzyme form the holoenzyme, and generally act as electron carriers. Many of the coenzymes are nucleotides. Unlike enzymes, coenzymes are not specific in terms of the substrate on which they act, but rather each group of coenzymes intervenes in the same type of reaction, regardless of the substrate. Some enzymes catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions in the cell, in which the transfer of electrons occurs. If one enzyme is oxidized, another will simultaneously be reduced, and vice versa. These coenzymes are responsible for the transfer of these electrons, so they have two forms, reduced (represented with more hydrogens) and another oxidized.
The pyridine-nucleotides are coenzymes redox reactions acting as electron carriers, being the reduced forms NADH and NADPH. They are involved in various metabolic processes, such as cellular respiration. By NAD_oxidation_reduction.svg: Fvasconcellos 19:44, 9 December 2007 (UTC). w:Image:NAD oxidation reduction.png by Tim Vickers.derivative work: Gustavocarra (NAD_oxidation_reduction.svg) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
They also act as electron transporters in oxidation and reduction reactions, the reduced forms being FMNH2 and FADH2. To pass from one form to another, they capture or give up hydrogen by oxidizing or reducing the substrate. They differ from pyridine nucleotides (nicotinamide coenzymes), in that flavin nucleotides are strongly bound to enzymes, which is why they are called prosthetic groups.
Chemical messengersFor example, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which originates when phosphate binds to the 3' and 5' carbons of ribose (two ester bonds) forming a cyclic phosphodiester bond. The cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, is formed in cells from ATP, through a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme adenylate cyclase located in the cell membrane. The cAMP acts as a mediator in many hormonal processes, transmitting and amplifying signals that reach the cells of hormones. Fundamental Ideas About Nucleotide FunctionsThe main functions of nucleotides are:
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