Nucleotiderelated

Nucleotiderelated is a broad term used to describe anything pertaining to nucleotides, their chemistry, biology, and applications. In biological contexts, it encompasses the monomer units that compose nucleic acids as well as related molecules involved in energy transfer, signaling, and metabolism.

Chemical structure and types: Nucleotides consist of a sugar (ribose in RNA, deoxyribose in DNA), a nitrogenous base (purine or pyrimidine), and one to three phosphate groups. They exist as ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides, and serve as high-energy donors such as ATP, GTP, CTP, and UTP, along with their deoxy counterparts (dATP, dCTP, dGTP, dTTP). Nucleosides are the base-sugar components without the phosphate groups. Related dinucleotides and cofactors, including NAD+ and NADP+, are closely connected to nucleotide biochemistry and metabolism.

Biological roles: DNA and RNA are built from deoxyribonucleotide and ribonucleotide triphosphates, respectively. Nucleotides also function as energy carriers and as signaling molecules (for example, cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP). They act as substrates for polymerases and as regulators in metabolic pathways, while nucleotide metabolism comprises de novo synthesis, salvage pathways, and catabolism. Disruptions in these processes can lead to metabolic disorders and contribute to disease; notable examples include disorders of purine and pyrimidine metabolism and HGPRT deficiency in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

Applications and research: Nucleotiderelated compounds include nucleoside and nucleotide analogs used in antiviral and anticancer therapies. Research areas examine nucleotide metabolism, regulation of synthesis pathways, and nucleotide-based signaling networks. Additionally, public databases of nucleotide sequences and structures support studies in genetics, evolution, and molecular biology.