Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)

Adenosine monophosphate is a nucleotide that is found in RNA. It is an ester of phosphoric acid and the nucleoside. AMP consists of a phosphate group, the sugar ribose, and the nucleobase adenine. As a substituent it takes the form of the prefix adenylyl-.

AMP can be converted into IMP by the enzyme myoadenylate deaminase, freeing an ammonia group.In a catabolic pathway, adenosine monophosphate can be converted to uric acid, which is excreted from the body.

AMP can also exist as a cyclic structure known as cyclic AMP (or cAMP). Within certain cells the enzyme adenylate cyclase makes cAMP from ATP, and typically this reaction is regulated by hormones such as adrenaline or glucagon. cAMP plays an important role in intracellular signaling.