guanylatecontaining

Guanylate-containing is an adjective used to describe molecules that include a guanylate group, most commonly a guanosine monophosphate (GMP) moiety, or that contain guanine-containing nucleotides as structural units. The term can apply to small molecules, nucleotides, or larger biological polymers in which guanylate residues are present.

In biochemistry, guanylate refers to GMP and related nucleotides. Guanylate-containing compounds include GMP itself, guanylate esters, and oligonucleotides or RNA sequences that incorporate guanine nucleotides. Guanylate residues are also part of broader nucleotide chemistry, where GTP serves as an energy currency and a substrate for RNA synthesis, and where signaling molecules such as cyclic GMP (cGMP) arise from GTP through the action of guanylate cyclase.

In signaling pathways, guanylate cyclases catalyze the conversion of GTP to cGMP, a second messenger involved in diverse physiological processes including vasodilation, visual signaling, and synaptic function. This connection to guanylate-containing nucleotides underscores the central role of guanine-containing nucleotides in cellular communication and metabolism.

In food science, disodium guanylate is a nucleotide used as a flavor enhancer, often labeled as containing guanylate. It is commonly used in combination with disodium inosinate to enhance umami in processed foods. Some individuals may be sensitive to nucleotide additives, and labeling typically indicates the presence of guanylate-containing ingredients.

See also: GMP, inosinate, guanylate cyclase, nucleotide, flavor enhancer.