Deoxyadenosine monophosphate

Deoxyadenosine monophosphate, also known as deoxyadenylic acid or deoxyadenylate in its conjugate acid and conjugate base forms, respectively, is a derivative of the common nucleotide adenosine monophosphate, in which the -OH group on the 2' carbon on the nucleotide's pentose has been reduced to just a hydrogen atom. Deoxyadenosine monophosphate is abbreviated dAMP. It is a monomer used in DNA.

Chemical Properties

The overall structure of dAMP is shaped largely by how its parts interact with each other. In particular, the adenine base and the phosphate group can form hydrogen bond interactions. The distance between the atoms involved in these bonds helps shape the overall conformation of dAMP. The character of these interactions shifts with the molecule’s charge state. When the molecule gains or loses charge, it causes the spacing between the atoms to fluctuate. Increasing the negative charge, tends to draw the atoms closer together, causing the strength of the hydrogen bond to increase as well. Protonation of the adenine increases the strength of the hydrogen bonds. The presence of water molecules can also stabilize the structure by forming additional hydrogen bonds with the phosphate group and the adenine base.