Nucleotide

Nucleotides are small organic molecules composed of three components: a nitrogenous base (purine—adenine [A], guanine [G]; pyrimidine—cytosine [C], thymine [T], uracil [U]), a five-carbon sugar (ribose in RNA; deoxyribose in DNA), and one or more phosphate groups. They serve primarily as the monomeric building blocks for nucleic acids—DNA and RNA—which store genetic information essential for life. Beyond this structural role, certain free nucleotides function critically in cellular energy transfer—as exemplified by adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—and participate directly in cell signaling pathways through cyclic forms like cAMP and cGMP. Nucleotides also play key roles during protein synthesis via tRNA/mRNA/rRNA interactions. While vital for all living systems, “nucleotide” is not considered a therapeutic target itself but rather an essential metabolite whose analogues form the basis of several classes of antiviral and anticancer drugs.

Other names

NucleotidesRibonucleotide (when referring to RNA)Deoxyribonucleotide (when referring to DNA)

Drugs that interact with nucleotide pathways typically act by mimicking natural nucleotides to inhibit viral replication or disrupt DNA synthesis.