What is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)?

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​Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy storage molecule used to activate the reactions needed for growth and reproduction by all living organisms. It is an organic compound consisting of an adenosine molecule bonded to three phosphate groups, and it is present in all living tissue.

It provides energy to drive many of the processes that occur in living cells. Since it is found in all known forms of life, ATP is often referred to as the "molecular unit of currency" of energy transfer within cells. ATP captures chemical energy obtained from the breakdown of food molecules and releases it to fuel other cellular processes.

Examples of cellular activities that require ATP for energy, include:

• Cell division
• Synthesis of proteins from amino acids
• Active transport
• Muscle cell contraction
• Transmission of nerve impulses
• Sexual reproduction

All of these processes create a high demand for ATP. Additionally, other processes regenerate ATP so that the human body recycles its own body weight equivalent in ATP every day.

Research has shown that there is a correlation between adenosine signaling and penile erections, as well as abnormal or dysfunctional signaling in instances of erectile dysfunction.

​ATP is also a precursor to Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA), and is used as a coenzyme (i.e., a non-protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme).

Nuts & Bolts: Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

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Key terms:

​Cell - the basic building blocks of all living things.

​Coenzyme - a non-protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) - a molecule composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses.

Ion - an atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons. Organic - relating to or derived from living matter.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) - a nucleic acid present in all living cells, its principal role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins, although in some viruses RNA rather than DNA carries the genetic information.

Tissue - any of the distinct types of material of which animals or plants are made, consisting of specialized cells and their products.

For additional terminology related to male contraception and the male reproductive system, please visit our glossary:

Glossary

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Sources/References:

Knowles, J. R. (1980). "Enzyme-catalyzed phosphoryl transfer reactions". Annu. Rev. Biochem. 49: 877–919.

Törnroth-Horsefield, S.; Neutze, R. (December 2008). "Opening and closing the metabolite gate". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 105 (50): 19565–19566. Bibcode:2008PNAS..10519565T. doi:10.1073/pnas.0810654106. PMC 2604989. PMID 19073922.

Beis, I.; Newsholme, E. A. (October 1, 1975). "The contents of adenine nucleotides, phosphagens and some glycolytic intermediates in resting muscles from vertebrates and invertebrates". Biochem. J. 152 (1): 23–32. doi:10.1042/bj1520023. PMC 1172435. PMID 1212224.

Hanoune, J.; Defer, N. (2001). "Regulation and role of adenylyl cyclase isoforms". Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 41: 145–174. doi:10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.41.1.145. PMID 11264454.

Kamenetsky, M.; Middelhaufe, S.; Bank, E.; Levin, L.; Buck, J.; Steegborn, C. (2006). "Molecular details of cAMP generation in mammalian cells: a tale of two systems". J. Mol. Biol. 362 (4): 623–639. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2006.07.045. PMC 3662476. PMID 16934836.

Vaughan, Martha; Hill, Robert L.; Simoni, Robert D. (2002). "The Determination of Phosphorus and the Discovery of Phosphocreatine and ATP: the Work of Fiske and SubbaRow". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 277 (32): e21. PMID 12161449.

Lipmann, F. (1941). "Metabolic generation and utilization of phosphate bond energy". Adv. Enzymol. 1: 99–162. ISSN 0196-7398.

​Phatarpekar PV, Wen J, Xia Y. Role of adenosine signaling in penile erection and erectile disorders. J Sex Med. 2010;7(11):3553-3564. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01555.x

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