Ethenoadenosine triphosphate, or eATP, is a modified version of the nucleoside triphosphate ATP that incorporates the etheno subunit, which changes the electronic properties of the molecule. It is often used in research to mimic the effects of ATP. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˌɛθənoʊəˌdɛnəˈsin/ triˈfɑsfet/ – where the slashes indicate the individual phonemes within the word.
Ethenoadenosine triphosphate is a chemical compound that is an analog of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that plays a critical role in cellular energy transfer. In the structure of ethenoadenosine triphosphate, the oxygen atoms in the phosphate groups are replaced by sulfur and the double bond is introduced between the carbon atoms of the adenine and the ribose sugar. This modification alters the properties of the molecule, making it useful in various research studies.
Ethenoadenosine triphosphate is commonly used as a fluorescent probe due to its unique fluorescence characteristics. When excited by ultraviolet (UV) light, it emits a strong yellow-green fluorescence. This property enables researchers to study the binding and interactions of ATP with proteins and enzymes, as well as monitor cellular processes that involve ATP utilization and conversion.
Furthermore, ethenoadenosine triphosphate is also utilized in studies related to DNA repair and mutagenesis. Its altered structure allows it to be incorporated into DNA during replication, leading to the formation of ethenoadenosine triphosphate adducts. These adducts can induce DNA damage and are associated with mutagenesis. Therefore, their detection and analysis using techniques like mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy can provide valuable insight into the mechanisms of DNA repair and the effects of environmental mutagens.
In summary, ethenoadenosine triphosphate is a modified form of ATP that serves as a useful tool in fluorescence-based investigations of ATP-binding proteins and cellular processes, as well as in the study of DNA repair and mutagenesis.
The word "ethenoadenosine triphosphate" is a compound term that can be broken down into its constituent parts:
1. Etheno-: The prefix "etheno-" in organic chemistry refers to a two-carbon bridge (a double bond between two consecutive carbon atoms). It comes from the Greek word "ethos", meaning "prop" or "support".
2. Adenosine: Refers to a nucleoside molecule composed of adenine (a nitrogenous base) and ribose (a sugar).
3. Triphosphate: Refers to a molecule composed of three phosphate groups.
Therefore, the term "ethenoadenosine triphosphate" combines the concept of a two-carbon bridge (etheno-) with adenosine (adenine and ribose) and three phosphate groups.