Phosphorus has a number of functions in the body.
Phosphate is a component of hydroxyapatite in bones and teeth, as described earlier.
Non-bone functions include:
Phosphorylation
Phosphates are used to activate and deactivate a number of proteins. In addition, compounds are also frequently phosphorylated, like the monosaccharides shown below.
Figure 12.311 Uptake of monosaccharides into the hepatocyte1
Phospholipids
Phosphates are a component of phospholipids, as shown below.
Figure 12.312 Structure of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin)2
DNA/RNA
DNA/RNA have a phosphate backbone as shown below.
Figure 12.313 Structure of DNA3
ATP
The major energy currency, ATP, stores energy in its phosphate bonds.
Figure 12.314 Structure of ATP4
Secondary Messengers
The intracellular secondary messengers cyclic AMP (cAMP) and inositol triphosphate (IP3) both contain phosphate. The action of these secondary messengers can be seen in the links below.
| Web Links |
Other functions of phosphate include:
Acid/Base Balance
Intracellular Anion
References & Links
1. Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff JL. (2008) Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.
2. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Popc_details.svg
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DNA_chemical_structure.svg
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ATP_structure.svg
Links
cAMP – http://courses.washington.edu/conj/gprotein/cyclicamp.htm
IP3 – http://courses.washington.edu/conj/gprotein/ip3.htm
