Nucleobase Purines

These are purine bases found in nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and play critical roles in genetics and cellular function.

Adenine (A)

Description: A component of DNA and RNA, adenine pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA through hydrogen bonds. It is essential for encoding genetic information and is part of the structure of ATP, NAD, and FAD.

Classification: Nucleobase purine.

Guanine (G)

Description: A component of DNA and RNA, guanine pairs with cytosine through hydrogen bonds. It is vital for encoding genetic information and is involved in the formation of GTP, a molecule crucial for signal transduction and protein synthesis.

Classification: Nucleobase purine.

Nucleoside Purines

These are nucleobases linked to a sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) and form the building blocks of nucleotides.

Adenosine

Description: Adenosine is a nucleoside composed of adenine attached to a ribose sugar. It plays a role in energy transfer (ATP and ADP) and in signal transduction as cAMP.

Classification: Nucleoside purine.

Guanosine

Description: Guanosine is a nucleoside composed of guanine attached to a ribose sugar. It is involved in energy transfer (GTP) and signal transduction processes.

Classification: Nucleoside purine.

Nucleotide Purines

These are nucleosides with one or more phosphate groups attached, forming the building blocks of DNA, RNA, and key cellular molecules.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Description: ATP is a nucleotide composed of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups. It is the primary energy carrier in cells, driving numerous biochemical processes.

Classification: Nucleotide purine.

Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)

Description: ADP is a nucleotide composed of adenine, ribose, and two phosphate groups. It is involved in energy transfer and is converted to ATP through phosphorylation.

Classification: Nucleotide purine.

Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)

Description: AMP is a nucleotide composed of adenine, ribose, and one phosphate group. It plays roles in cellular metabolism and energy transfer.

Classification: Nucleotide purine.

Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP)

Description: GTP is a nucleotide composed of guanine, ribose, and three phosphate groups. It is involved in protein synthesis, signal transduction, and energy transfer.

Classification: Nucleotide purine.

Guanosine Diphosphate (GDP)

Description: GDP is a nucleotide composed of guanine, ribose, and two phosphate groups. It is involved in energy transfer and signal transduction.

Classification: Nucleotide purine.

Guanosine Monophosphate (GMP)

Description: GMP is a nucleotide composed of guanine, ribose, and one phosphate group. It is involved in cellular metabolism and energy transfer.

Classification: Nucleotide purine.

Purine Metabolites

These are breakdown products of purine nucleotides, often involved in metabolic processes.

Hypoxanthine

Description: A naturally occurring purine derivative that is an intermediate in the degradation of adenine to uric acid. It is also involved in the salvage pathway for purine nucleotides.

Classification: Purine metabolite.

Xanthine

Description: A purine base found in most human body tissues and fluids, as well as other organisms. It is a product of purine degradation and is converted to uric acid.

Classification: Purine metabolite.

Uric Acid

Description: The end product of purine metabolism in humans. Excess uric acid can lead to gout and kidney stones.

Classification: Purine metabolite.

Summary

These purines are fundamental to genetic coding, cellular energy transfer, and metabolic processes, highlighting their essential roles in biochemistry and physiology.