adenylylates

Adenylytes are a group of chemical compounds that are derivatives of adenosine monophosphate (AMP). AMP itself is a nucleotide, which is a fundamental building block of nucleic acids like RNA. Adenosine is composed of adenine, a nitrogenous base, and ribose, a five-carbon sugar. In AMP, a phosphate group is attached to the ribose sugar.

The term "adenylylate" commonly refers to AMP, its diphosphate form (ADP), and its triphosphate form (ATP). ADP and ATP are particularly important in biological systems. ATP is often called the "energy currency" of the cell because the chemical bonds between its phosphate groups store and release energy that powers many cellular processes, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and chemical synthesis.

ADP is formed when ATP loses one phosphate group, and it can be re-phosphorylated back to ATP. This cycle of ATP hydrolysis and synthesis is crucial for energy metabolism. Adenylylation, the process of attaching an adenylylate group to another molecule, is a type of post-translational modification that can alter the function of proteins. For instance, adenylylation plays a role in regulating enzyme activity and signal transduction pathways.