Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) (GTP)

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) is a fundamental purine nucleoside triphosphate that functions as a primary energy carrier and a critical signaling molecule in eukaryotic cells (PubChem CID 135398633). It is essential for the activity of G-proteins and small GTPases, which regulate diverse cellular processes such as vesicle trafficking, cytoskeleton remodeling, and signal transduction by cycling between GTP-bound (active) and GDP-bound (inactive) states (StatPearls, "G Protein-Coupled Receptors"). Additionally, GTP provides the energy required for protein synthesis during the initiation and translocation steps of translation and is a necessary precursor for RNA synthesis (Wikipedia, "Guanosine triphosphate"). While GTP itself is not a protein target, its metabolic pathways and the proteins that bind it are major therapeutic focal points; for instance, inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) like mycophenolate mofetil are used to deplete GTP pools in immunosuppressive and antiviral therapies (DrugBank, DB00688). Mutations in GTP-binding proteins, most notably the Ras superfamily, are central drivers in many cancers, making the GTP-binding pocket a high-value site for drug design (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, "Targeting RAS").

Other names

Guanosine-5'-triphosphate9-beta-D-ribofuranosylguanine 5'-triphosphateGTP

Inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) to deplete intracellular GTP pools; competitive binding to GTP-utilizing proteins such as GTPases and polymerases.