deoxyadenylate

Deoxyadenylate, also known as deoxyadenosine monophosphate (dAMP), is a deoxyribonucleotide that serves as a building block of DNA. It consists of the deoxyribose sugar attached to the adenine base and bearing a single phosphate group at the 5' position.

In cells, dAMP is produced primarily by phosphorylation of deoxyadenosine through the action of deoxynucleoside kinases, with subsequent phosphorylation by nucleoside monophosphate and nucleotide kinases yielding dADP and dATP. The deoxyribonucleotide pools are tightly regulated to support DNA replication and repair, and dAMP interconverts with its di- and triphosphate forms via kinases and phosphatases as part of normal nucleotide metabolism.

Biological role: dAMP is one of the four deoxyribonucleotide monophosphates required for DNA synthesis. It is eventually converted to the triphosphate form, dATP, which serves as a substrate for DNA polymerases during chain elongation. The relative abundances of dAMP and the other dNTPs influence replication fidelity and cellular responses to DNA damage.

Degradation and salvage: deoxynucleotidases remove phosphate groups from dAMP, producing deoxyadenosine and inorganic phosphate. Deoxynucleoside kinases and salvage pathways recycle the base and sugar to rebuild dNTPs, helping maintain the nucleotide pool necessary for DNA synthesis and repair. Disruptions in dAMP metabolism can affect cellular proliferation and sensitivity to certain chemotherapeutic agents.