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[[Image:GTP chemical structure.png|border|right|347x168px|Displayed formula of guanosine triphosphate showing the three regions of the molecule: the guanine base, ribose sugar and the triphosphate arm.]]Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)&nbsp;is one of the [[Nucleotides|nucleotides]] that make up an [[Ribonucleic acid|RNA ]]molecule. It consists of a [[Ribose|ribose sugar]], which is attached to a [[Guanine|guanine]]&nbsp;heterocyclic base on C1' of the sugar and a [[triphosphate group|triphosphate group]] on C4' of the sugar. <br>It is similar to [[ATP|ATP]] which is widely utilised in many cellular processes as a source of energy. Dephosphorylation of GTP also yields energy, but the use of GTP in this manner is more specific to certain [[Metabolism|metabolic]] pathways.  
[[Image:GTP chemical structure.png|border|right|347x168px|Displayed formula of guanosine triphosphate showing the three regions of the molecule: the guanine base, ribose sugar and the triphosphate arm.]]Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)&nbsp;is one of the [[Nucleotides|nucleotides]] that make up an [[Ribonucleic acid|RNA molecule]]. It consists of a [[Ribose|ribose sugar]], which is attached to a [[Guanine|guanine]]&nbsp;heterocyclic base on C1' of the sugar and a [[Triphosphate group|triphosphate group]] on C4' of the sugar. <br>It is similar to [[ATP|ATP]] which is widely utilised in many cellular processes as a source of energy. Dephosphorylation of GTP also yields energy, but the use of GTP in this manner is more specific to certain [[Metabolism|metabolic]] pathways.&nbsp; A molecule of GTP is produced during the citric acid cycle, which can then be readily converted to ATP for a source of energy.<ref>Jeremy M Berg, John L Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer. Biochemistry, 5th edition. New York: WH Freeman; 2002.page 476</ref>


GTP is used in&nbsp;protein synthesis.&nbsp;During initiation of translation,&nbsp;the GTP is associated with an&nbsp;[[Initiation factor 2|initiation factor 2]]&nbsp;(IF<sub>2</sub>) and is hydrolysed upon the&nbsp;assembly of the initiation [[Ribosome|ribosomal]]&nbsp;complex. During elongation, GTP facilitates the binding of a new aminoacyl [[TRNA|tRNA]] to the A site at a [[Ribosome|ribosome]].  
GTP is used in&nbsp;protein synthesis.&nbsp;During initiation of translation,&nbsp;the GTP is associated with an&nbsp;[[Initiation factor 2|initiation factor 2]]&nbsp;(IF<sub>2</sub>) and is hydrolysed upon the&nbsp;assembly of the initiation [[Ribosome|ribosomal]]&nbsp;complex. During elongation, GTP facilitates the binding of a new aminoacyl [[TRNA|tRNA]] to the A site at a [[Ribosome|ribosome]].  


GTP is also an important factor in signal transduction pathways. Here, GTP&nbsp;can be&nbsp;associated with [[G-proteins|G-protein complexes]] and&nbsp;is used to&nbsp;regulate the activity of the&nbsp;[[Proteins|protein]].&nbsp;
GTP is also an important factor in signal transduction pathways. Here, GTP&nbsp;can be&nbsp;associated with [[G-proteins|G-protein complexes]] and&nbsp;is used to&nbsp;regulate the activity of the&nbsp;[[Proteins|protein]]. In cell signalling, GTP is often hydrolysed to GDP which is then uptaken by the alpha subunit of a trimeric G protein complex.&nbsp;
 
GTP is also involved in the dynamic instability of microtubules in the cell. GTP can bind loosley to the beta-tubulin monomer of the tubilin dimer and GTP hydrolysis can occur. In the alpha-tubulin subunit it binds strongly, so GTP hydrolysis cannot occur. This causes the beta-tubulin monomer to be bound to GDP as hydrolysis can occur, and causes depolymerisation. GTP-bound alpha-tubulin polymerises due to the lack of GTP hydrolysis.<ref>Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition. Garland Science, Taylor &amp; Francis Group, LLC. New York, 2008
page 926-927</ref>
 
GTP hydrolysis is important in nuclear transport, [[Ran GTPase|Ran GTPase]] is involved in this process.&nbsp;<ref>Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition. Garland Science, Taylor &amp; Francis Group, LLC. New York, 2008
page 653</ref>
 
 
 
<span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 17.5296px; font-weight: bold;">References:&nbsp;</span>
 
 
 
<references />

Revision as of 18:52, 3 December 2017

Displayed formula of guanosine triphosphate showing the three regions of the molecule: the guanine base, ribose sugar and the triphosphate arm.
Displayed formula of guanosine triphosphate showing the three regions of the molecule: the guanine base, ribose sugar and the triphosphate arm.

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) is one of the nucleotides that make up an RNA molecule. It consists of a ribose sugar, which is attached to a guanine heterocyclic base on C1' of the sugar and a triphosphate group on C4' of the sugar.
It is similar to ATP which is widely utilised in many cellular processes as a source of energy. Dephosphorylation of GTP also yields energy, but the use of GTP in this manner is more specific to certain metabolic pathways.  A molecule of GTP is produced during the citric acid cycle, which can then be readily converted to ATP for a source of energy.[1]

GTP is used in protein synthesis. During initiation of translation, the GTP is associated with an initiation factor 2 (IF2) and is hydrolysed upon the assembly of the initiation ribosomal complex. During elongation, GTP facilitates the binding of a new aminoacyl tRNA to the A site at a ribosome.

GTP is also an important factor in signal transduction pathways. Here, GTP can be associated with G-protein complexes and is used to regulate the activity of the protein. In cell signalling, GTP is often hydrolysed to GDP which is then uptaken by the alpha subunit of a trimeric G protein complex. 

GTP is also involved in the dynamic instability of microtubules in the cell. GTP can bind loosley to the beta-tubulin monomer of the tubilin dimer and GTP hydrolysis can occur. In the alpha-tubulin subunit it binds strongly, so GTP hydrolysis cannot occur. This causes the beta-tubulin monomer to be bound to GDP as hydrolysis can occur, and causes depolymerisation. GTP-bound alpha-tubulin polymerises due to the lack of GTP hydrolysis.[2]

GTP hydrolysis is important in nuclear transport, Ran GTPase is involved in this process. [3]


References: 


  1. Jeremy M Berg, John L Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer. Biochemistry, 5th edition. New York: WH Freeman; 2002.page 476
  2. Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition. Garland Science, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. New York, 2008 page 926-927
  3. Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition. Garland Science, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. New York, 2008 page 653