Nucleotide Metabolism

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to nucleotide metabolism.

Nucleotide

A molecule composed of a nitrogenous base, a pentose monosaccharide, and one or more phosphate groups.

Nitrogenous Base

A component of nucleotides that includes purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil).

Nucleoside

A molecule consisting of a nitrogenous base attached to a pentose sugar without phosphate groups.

De Novo Synthesis

A process of nucleotide synthesis where the purine or pyrimidine ring is constructed from smaller precursors.

Salvage Pathway

A metabolic pathway that recycles free bases and nucleotides from the breakdown of nucleic acids.

PRPP (5-Phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate)

A compound essential for purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis, synthesized from ribose-5-phosphate.

Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome

An X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of HGPRT, leading to the inability to salvage purines.

Gout

A disorder characterized by high levels of uric acid, resulting in inflammation and pain in the joints.

Ribonucleotide Reductase

An enzyme that reduces ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides, essential for DNA synthesis.

Allopurinol

A medication that inhibits xanthine oxidase, used in the treatment of gout to reduce uric acid levels.

Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency (ADA Deficiency)

An autosomal recessive disorder that causes severe combined immunodeficiency due to lack of ADA enzyme.

Mycophenolic Acid

An immunosuppressant that inhibits IMP dehydrogenase, affecting nucleotide synthesis in lymphocytes.

Uric Acid

A breakdown product of purine metabolism; elevated levels can lead to gout and are indicative of purine degradation.

Orotic Aciduria

A metabolic disorder involving excessive excretion of orotic acid; related to defects in nucleotide synthesis.

Hydroxyurea

A drug that inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, used in cancer treatment and for sickle cell disease.