inosine 5'-monophosphate

Inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) is a purine nucleotide composed of the base hypoxanthine attached to a ribose sugar and one phosphate group esterified at the 5' position. It is an important intermediate in purine metabolism and serves as a precursor for the synthesis of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and guanosine monophosphate (GMP). IMP acts as a substrate for enzymes such as inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), which catalyzes its conversion to xanthosine monophosphate (XMP), a key step in guanine nucleotide biosynthesis. In research and food industries, IMP is used as an umami flavor enhancer due to its synergistic effect with glutamate[2][3][10]. It has no approved pharmaceutical indications but has been investigated experimentally.

Other names

inosinic acid5'-inosinic acidinosine monophosphate