I hadn't realised that the A in ATP, adenosine triphosphate, the universal fuel of cellular processes, was the same chemical as the A in the ACGT genetic alphabet. Had you?
Adenine is a purine base. Adenosine is a purine base linked to a ribose molecule. Adenosine triphosphate is adenosine linked to three phosphate groups.
In DNA, the backbone is composed of ribose and phosphate, and the bases stick into the centre of the molecule to bond with each other. IIRC, ATP/GTP/CTP/TTP are the base molecules used in DNA replication. And GTP is sometimes used as an energy source.: )
Oh, and haven't yet got round to reading the links from your last post, which look fascinating, but I commend to your attention a review article in Trends in Genetics Vol. 20 No. 2 [ Feb 2004 ] entitled "Driving Change: the evolution of alternative genetic codes", by Santos, Moura et al, which draws together a number of ways in which the idea of a single genetic code has had to be expanded on, which I think fits in the same sort of conceptual space.
It's quite cool. You get GTP and UTP, too, and (to a lesser extent) CTP, and TTP. GTP and UTP, at least, are used as energy currency in some places. GTP is praticularly interesting because it's involved in G-proteins. Well, it's particularly interesting if you're particularly interested in G-proteins, anyway.
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In DNA, the backbone is composed of ribose and phosphate, and the bases stick into the centre of the molecule to bond with each other. IIRC, ATP/GTP/CTP/TTP are the base molecules used in DNA replication. And GTP is sometimes used as an energy source.: )
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ACGT... if only there was a 'T' in the musical scale. Then you could create life through music! (Maybe.)
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Oh, and haven't yet got round to reading the links from your last post, which look fascinating, but I commend to your attention a review article in Trends in Genetics Vol. 20 No. 2 [ Feb 2004 ] entitled "Driving Change: the evolution of alternative genetic codes", by Santos, Moura et al, which draws together a number of ways in which the idea of a single genetic code has had to be expanded on, which I think fits in the same sort of conceptual space.
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Slight Mistake!
(Anonymous) 2005-03-24 07:24 pm (UTC)(link)A in the genetic alphabet is Adenine not Adenosine.
What is the difference I hear you mumble?
2 letters.
But what is the chemical and biological difference I hear you query?
Adenine is a nucleotide, and Adenosine is not.
Many thanks,
A PhD student (studying Molecular Genetics)
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