Adenosine3phosphate

Adenosine3phosphate is a hypothetical nucleotide derivative consisting of the nucleoside adenosine bearing a single phosphate group esterified to the 3'-hydroxyl of the ribose. It is distinguished from adenosine monophosphate (AMP), in which the phosphate is attached to the 5'-position and participates in standard nucleotide metabolism.

In terms of naming and structure, adenosine3phosphate can be described as a 3'-phosphoester of adenosine. It is sometimes referred to as 3'-adenosine phosphate or 3'-phosphoadenosine, and represents a monocovalent modification relative to the canonical 5'-phosphate nucleotides.

Occurrence and synthesis of this compound are not part of mainstream biology. It is not known as a common cellular metabolite and does not play a defined role in central metabolism. It may be produced synthetically in laboratory settings by selective phosphorylation of the 3'-hydroxyl group of adenosine. In biological contexts, 3'-phosphate groups are more typically associated with RNA termini or with specialized signaling molecules, rather than free 3'-phospho-nucleosides.

Properties and potential roles are largely exploratory. The presence of a 3'-phosphate can alter charge distribution, hydrogen bonding, and interactions with enzymes compared with 5'-phosphates, which may influence binding to kinases, polymerases, or phosphatases. As such, adenosine3phosphate is mainly of interest as a chemical probe or a synthetic standard for nucleotide chemistry and enzymology, rather than a recognized physiological metabolite.

See also: adenosine, adenosine monophosphate, nucleotides, phosphate esters.