cytidine triphosphate

chemical compound

Also known as: CTP

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Cytidine triphosphate (CTP) is a chemical compound that plays a crucial role in cellular processes. It is an ester of cytidine and triphosphoric acid. CTP is utilized by cells to incorporate cytidylic acid units into ribonucleic acids (RNA).1

CTP also participates in the formation of coenzymes, which are essential for various chemical reactions within the body. These coenzymes are formed when CTP reacts with nitrogen-containing alcohols. Furthermore, CTP is a pyrimidine ribonucleotide, serving as a building block for RNA, alongside other nucleotides like uridine triphosphate (UTP). The synthesis of CTP involves the conversion of UTP, with the nitrogen donor typically being ammonia in bacteria and glutamine in higher animals.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

cytosine
Cytidine triphosphate (CTP), an ester of cytidine and triphosphoric acid, is the substance utilized in the cells to introduce cytidylic acid units into ribonucleic acids. CTP also reacts with nitrogen-containing alcohols to form coenzymes that participate in the formation of phospholipids.
Read More
Cytidine triphosphate (CTP), an ester of cytidine and triphosphoric acid, is the substance utilized in the cells to introduce cytidylic acid units into ribonucleic acids. CTP also reacts with nitrogen-containing alcohols to form coenzymes that participate in the formation of phospholipids.
Read More

metabolism
Pyrimidine ribonucleotides
…pyrimidine building block of RNA, cytidine triphosphate (CTP). In bacteria, the nitrogen for this in reaction [74] is derived from ammonia; in higher animals, glutamine is the nitrogen donor.
Read More
…pyrimidine building block of RNA, cytidine triphosphate (CTP). In bacteria, the nitrogen for this in reaction [74] is derived from ammonia; in higher animals, glutamine is the nitrogen donor.
Read More