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DNA Structure and Nucleotide Components

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research on genes, proteins and cells. It also funds studies on fundamental processes such as how cells communicate, how our bodies use energy and how we respond to medicines. The results of this research increase our understanding of life and lay the foundation for advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The Institute's research training programs produce the next generation of scientists, and NIGMS has programs to increase the diversity of the biomedical and behavioral research workforce. NIGMS supported the research of most of the scientists mentioned in this booklet.

Key Points

  • A nucleotide is composed of three distinctive chemical sub-units: a five-carbon sugar molecule, a nucleobase (the two of which together are called a nucleoside), and one phosphate group.
  • Free bases with an attached sugar molecule (deoxyribose in the case of DNA) are called nucleosides, and nucleosides with one or more attached phosphate groups are called nucleotides; in particular, nucleosides with three attached phosphate groups are called nucleoside triphosphates.
  • Adenine and guanine are purine nucleobases, while cytosine and thymine are pyrimidines.
  • Cytosine, thymine, and uracil are pyrimidines, hence the glycosidic bonds form between their 1 nitrogen and the 1' -OH of the deoxyribose.
  • Guanine is deaminated to xanthine which in turn is oxidized to uric acid.
  • In DNA double helix, the two strands of DNA are held together by hydrogen bonds.

Terms

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