GUANOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE

'Guanosine triphosphate' ('GTP') is a purine nucleotide. Its main role is as substrate for the synthesis of RNA during transcription. Its structure is similar to that of the guanine nucleotide, the only difference being that there are two extra phosphate groups added on.
It also has the role of a source of energy or an activator of substrates in metabolic reactions, like that of ATP, but more specific. It is used as a source of energy for protein synthesis.
GTP is essential to signal transduction, particularly with G-proteins, where it is converted to GDP (guanosine diphosphate) through the action of GTPases.

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Energy transfer

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Energy transfer

GTP is involved in energy transfer within the cell. For instance, one GTP molecule is generated for every turn of the citric acid cycle. This is tantamount to the generation of one molecule of ATP since GTP is readily converted to ATP.

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