Deoxyadenosine triphosphate

Deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) is a nucleotide used in the synthesis of DNA. It is one of the four nucleotides used in the synthesis of DNA, the others being deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP), deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP), and deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP).

Structure

dATP consists of the adenine base, the sugar deoxyribose, and three phosphate groups. The adenine base is attached to the 1' carbon of the deoxyribose, and the phosphate groups are attached to the 5' carbon.

Function

dATP is used in the synthesis of DNA by DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase adds dATP to the 3' end of the growing DNA strand, forming a phosphodiester bond with the previous nucleotide and releasing two of the phosphate groups as pyrophosphate.

Regulation

The concentration of dATP in the cell is tightly regulated to maintain the balance of the four DNA nucleotides and prevent errors in DNA synthesis. This is achieved through the regulation of ribonucleotide reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to dATP.

Clinical significance

Abnormal levels of dATP can lead to errors in DNA synthesis and potentially cause diseases such as cancer. In addition, certain drugs, such as cladribine, work by being converted into a dATP analogue that inhibits DNA synthesis and kills cancer cells.

See also

• Nucleotide
• DNA synthesis
• DNA polymerase
• Ribonucleotide reductase