ATP

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a unique and the most important high-energy molecule
in the living cells. It consists o f an adenine, a ribose and a triphosphate moiety. ATP is a high-
energy compound due to the presence of two phospho anhydride bonds in the triphosphate unit.
ATP serves as the energy currency of the cell as is evident from the ATP-ADP cycle.

ATP- ADP Cycle

The hydrolysis of ATP is associated with the release of large amount of energy.
ATP + H2O ADP + Pi + 7.3 Cal
The energy liberated is utilized for various processes like muscle contraction, active
transport etc. ATP can also act as a donor of high-energy phosphate to low-energy compounds, to
make them energy rich. On the other hand, ADP can accept high-energy phosphate from the
compounds possessing higher free energy content to form ATP.
ATP serves as an immediately available energy currency of the cell which is constantly
being utilized and regenerated. This is represented by ATP-ADP cycle, the fundamental basis of
energy exchange reactions in living system. The turnover of ATP is very high.
ATP acts as an energy link between the catabolism (degradation of molecules) and
anabolism (synthesis) in the biological system.
Synthesis of ATP
ATP can be synthesized in two ways:
1. Oxidative phosphorylation: This is the major source of ATP in aerobic organisms. lt is linked
with the mitochondrial electron transport chain.

The transport of electrons through ETC is coupled with the translocation of protons (H+)
across the inner mitochondrial membrane (coupling membrane) from the matrix to the
intermembrane space. The pumping of protons results in an electrochemical or proton gradient.
This is due to the accumulation of more H+ ions (low pH) on the outer side of the inner
mitochondrial membrane than the inner side. The proton gradient developed due to the electron
flow in the respiratory chain is sufficient to result in the synthesis of ATP from ADP and Pi. The
enzyme ATPsynthase or ATPase, utilizes the proton gradient for the synthesis of ATP.
2. Substrate level phosphorylation: ATP may be directly synthesized during substrate oxidation
in the metabolism. The high energy compounds such as phosphor enol pyruvate and 1, 3-
bisphosphoglycerate (intermediates of glycolysis) and succinyl CoA (of citric acid cycle) can
transfer high-energy phosphate to ultimately produce ATP.
Biological Significance
1. Energy Source
2. Active Transport
ATP plays a critical role in the transport of macromolecules such as proteins and lipids
into and out of the cell.
3. Cell Signaling
ATP has key functions both in intracellular and extracellular signaling.
4. Structural Maintenance
ATP plays a very important role in preserving the structure of the cell by helping the
assembly of the cytoskeletal elements.
5. Muscle contraction
ATP is critical for the contraction of muscles; it binds to myosin to provide energy and
facilitate its binding to actin to form a cross-bridge. ADP and phosphate are then released
and a new ATP molecule binds to myosin. This breaks the cross-bridge between myosin
and actin filaments, thereby releasing myosin for the next contraction.
6. Synthesis of DNA and RNA
7. Signal Transduction