Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: englishgent on 27/11/2004 01:12:14

Title: What happens to the phosphate from ATP in cells
Post by: englishgent on 27/11/2004 01:12:14

Just wondered if anyone can help me with this hope is not a little to basic for this forum. After ATP releases one of its phosphate atoms and becomes ADP what happens to the phosphate atom that was released ? Obviouslys ADP is turned back into ATP by utilising the phosphate atom from creatine phosphate but this still leaves us a spare phosphate atom floating about ?? what happend to this? Can anyone help me with this?

Title: Re: What happens to the phosphate from ATP in cells
Post by: chris on 28/11/2004 16:28:16

The cleaved phosphate group is known as pyrophosphate or 'inorganic phosphate', and there is a 'pool' of it within all cells which can be used for reactions. It is therefore recruited back into a variety of biosynthetic pathyways fairly promptly. e.g. formation of GTP, TTP,ATP, CTG, the ribonucleotides, protein phosphorylation etc etc.

Does that help ?

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

Title: Re: What happens to the phosphate from ATP in cells
Post by: englishgent on 28/11/2004 16:58:29

Thats great man thanks very much you are the only person who has been able to give me a satisfactory answer :)

Title: Re: What happens to the phosphate from ATP in cells
Post by: Ylide on 12/12/2004 05:09:36

Pyrophosphate is actually a phosphoester linkage 2 inorganic phosphate groups, the hydrolysis of which results in 2 inorganic phosphates or "Pi" as biochemists like to write as shorthand.  But Chris pretty much nailed it, it's recycled into other biochemical pathways in the cell.  



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