Adenosine 5′-Triphosphate (ATP)

Description

Adenosine 5′-Triphosphate (ATP) is a high-energy nucleotide with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆N₅O₁₃P₃. It consists of adenine (a purine base), ribose (a five-carbon sugar), and three phosphate groups linked by two high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds.

ATP is the primary energy currency of the cell, involved in almost every aspect of cellular metabolism, including biosynthesis, signal transduction, transport, and muscle contraction. It also serves as a substrate in enzymatic reactions and plays roles in RNA synthesis and nucleotide metabolism.

ATP typically appears as a white or slightly off-white crystalline powder and is highly soluble in water. It is often supplied as ATP disodium salt hydrate or ATP magnesium salt for biochemical use.

Common Uses in a Biology Lab

Enzyme Assays and Activity Studies

ATP is an essential substrate for a wide variety of enzymes, including kinases, ligases, ATPases, and motor proteins. It is widely used in in vitro enzyme activity assays and biochemical kinetics studies.

Cellular Energy Metabolism Studies

ATP is the core molecule studied in energy balance, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and cellular respiration. Measurement of ATP levels is commonly used to assess cell viability, metabolic activity, and cytotoxicity.

Signal Transduction Research

ATP serves as a precursor to cyclic AMP (cAMP) and is involved in second messenger systems. It is commonly used in studies of G-protein coupled receptor signaling, adenylate cyclase activity, and calcium signaling pathways.

Nucleic Acid Synthesis and Transcription

ATP is one of the four ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) required for RNA synthesis by RNA polymerases in transcription assays.

Luciferase-Based Assays

ATP is the substrate in luciferase bioluminescence assays, used for cell viability, cytotoxicity, and reporter gene experiments due to its conversion into light in the presence of luciferase.

Protein Folding and Chaperone Function

ATP is crucial for the function of molecular chaperones such as Hsp70 and Hsp90, which are involved in protein folding, stabilization, and degradation pathways.

Safety Hazards

Toxicity

ATP is non-toxic at standard lab concentrations. However, it should be handled with care to avoid contamination of sterile cultures or enzymatic reactions.

Skin and Eye Contact

May cause minor irritation. Use standard personal protective equipment.

Inhalation

Fine powders may cause minor respiratory irritation if inhaled.

Ingestion

Not intended for ingestion. Lab-grade ATP is not food- or supplement-grade.

Environmental Hazard

Not considered hazardous to the environment in typical lab quantities. Dispose of properly.

Handling

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear gloves, lab coat, and safety goggles when handling ATP.

Storage

ATP is sensitive to hydrolysis and should be stored at –20 °C, preferably as an aqueous solution at pH ~7.0. It is also light-sensitive, so protect from light.

Ventilation

Handle powders or concentrated solutions in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood.

Disposal

Dispose of in accordance with institutional and local hazardous waste protocols.

Additional Notes

• Hydrolysis of ATP releases energy (~7.3 kcal/mol), making it fundamental to biological energy transfer.
• ATP:ADP ratio is a key indicator of cellular energy status and is used in metabolic and toxicological research.
• ATP is used in electroporation and transfection buffers for improving gene delivery.
• In neuroscience, extracellular ATP functions as a signaling molecule, particularly through P2 purinergic receptors.

Conclusion

Adenosine 5′-Triphosphate (ATP) is a fundamental molecule in biology, acting as the universal energy carrier for cellular processes and as a co-substrate in many enzymatic reactions. It plays central roles in metabolism, signaling, transcription, and bioluminescence assays. With broad utility across cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology, ATP is an essential reagent in any life sciences laboratory.