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AAT Bioquest

Is ATP hydrolysis reversible?

Posted May 9, 2023


Answer

Yes, ATP hydrolysis is reversible.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is composed of a ribose sugar, a nitrogenous base (adenine), and three phosphate groups linked together by high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds. 

During ATP hydrolysis, water breaks down one of the three phosphoanhydride bonds, releasing one phosphate group as well as the energy stored within the bond. The AMP (adenosine diphosphate) molecule left behind contains only two phosphate groups. 

In the reverse reaction, energy is used to add a phosphate group to AMP and convert it back to ATP.

Additional resources

ATP-binding and hydrolysis of human NLRP3

PhosphoWorks™ Luminometric ATP Assay Kit *DTT-Free*

PhosphoWorks™ Fluorimetric ADP Assay Kit *Red Fluorescence*