(adenosine triphosphate) The triphosphorylated form of adenosine, similar in structure to AMP but with three phosphates, linked by * high-energy phosphate bonds. It is the major energy-transferring molecule in all biological systems. The energy produced by photo-phosphorylation and metabolic oxidation reactions is used to form ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. ATP then provides energy for biosynthesis, active transport of ions and metabolites, and other energy-requiring processes. It is also essential for the synthesis of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. Besides its ubiquitous role as an energy-transferring molecule, ATP is involved in the regulation of sugar oxidation, being an inhibitor of the conversions of pyruvic acid to acetyl CoA and of fructose 6-phosphate to fructose bisphosphate. |
