Deoxycytidine triphosphate

Deoxycytidine triphosphate
Identifiers
CAS number	2056-98-6 Y
PubChem	65091
	Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES C1C(C(OC1N2C=CC(=NC2=O)N) COP(=O)(O)OP(=O)(O)OP(=O)(O)O)O
Properties
Molecular formula	C9H16N3O13P3
Molar mass	467.156923
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP) is a nucleoside triphosphate that contains the pyrimidine base cytosine. The triphosphate group contains high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds, which liberate energy when hydrolized.

DNA polymerase enzymes use this energy to incorporate deoxycytidine into a newly synthesized strand of DNA. A chemical equation can be written that represents the process:

(DNA)_n + dCTP ↔ (DNA)_n-C + PP_i

That is, dCTP has the PP_i (pyrophosphate) cleaved off and the dCMP is incorporated into the DNA strand at the 3' end. Subsequent hydrolysis of the PP_i drives the equilibrium of the reaction toward the right side, i.e. incorporation of the nucleotide in the growing DNA chain.

Like other nucleoside triphosphates, manufacturers recommend that dCTP be stored in aqueous solution at -20 °C.^[1]

See also

• DNA Replication

References

• http://www.bioline.com/media/pdf/dNTP_GBLV2.pdf