5-phosphoribose 1-pyrophosphate

chemical compound

Also known as: PRPP

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

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5-phosphoribose 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) is a crucial molecule in cellular metabolism. It plays a vital role in the biosynthesis of both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, which are the fundamental building blocks for RNA and DNA. PRPP is synthesized from ribose 5-phosphate and ATP. In the synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, PRPP donates a pentose phosphate moiety to orotate. This compound is also involved in the biosynthesis of the amino acid histidine.12

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metabolism
Pyrimidine ribonucleotides
…phosphate moiety (reaction [73]) from 5-phosphoribose 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP); PRPP, which is formed from ribose 5-phosphate and ATP, also initiates the pathways for biosynthesis of purine nucleotides and of histidine. The product loses carbon dioxide to yield the parent pyrimidine nucleotide, uridylic acid (UMP; reaction [73]).
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…phosphate moiety (reaction [73]) from 5-phosphoribose 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP); PRPP, which is formed from ribose 5-phosphate and ATP, also initiates the pathways for biosynthesis of purine nucleotides and of histidine. The product loses carbon dioxide to yield the parent pyrimidine nucleotide, uridylic acid (UMP; reaction [73]).
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