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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) · Molecule

# Ribose 5-phosphate

Ribose 5-phosphate is the five-carbon sugar the cell uses to build DNA, RNA, ATP, NAD and coenzyme A.

Updated 2026-11-01

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## Key facts

- It is made in the pentose pathway: by the oxidative phase (from ribulose 5-phosphate) or by the non-oxidative phase run backwards (from fructose 6-phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate).
- PRPP synthetase activates it to PRPP (5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate), the starting point for nucleotides.
- Rapidly dividing cells (bone marrow, tumours) need a lot of it.

**Formula**
C₅H₁₁O₈P

**PubChem**
[CID 77982](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/77982)

## Structure

- An aldopentose with a phosphate on carbon 5; in nucleotides it is a β-furanose ring.

## Clinical notes

- Excess PRPP (overactive PRPP synthetase) makes too many purines: gout and uric acid stones.
- In GSD I trapped glucose 6-phosphate yields more ribose 5-phosphate and more uric acid.

## Pathways

- [Pentose phosphate pathway](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/pentose-phosphate-pathway/)
- [De novo purine synthesis](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/de-novo-purine-synthesis/)

## Related conditions

- [Gout](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gout/)
- [Von Gierke disease (glycogen storage disease type I)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/von-gierke-disease/)

## Related

- [Glucose 6-phosphate](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glucose-6-phosphate/)
- [Transketolase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/transketolase/)
- [NADPH](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/nadph/)
- [ATP (adenosine triphosphate)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/atp/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is ribose 5-phosphate used for?

To make nucleotides (DNA, RNA, ATP) and coenzymes such as NAD, FAD and coenzyme A.

## How does a cell that needs little NADPH obtain ribose?

It runs the non-oxidative phase backwards with transketolase and transaldolase, from glycolytic intermediates.

## Which activated molecule is made from ribose 5-phosphate to build nucleotides?

PRPP, by PRPP synthetase.

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Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [Ribose 5-phosphate (CID 77982)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/77982) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; [Pentose phosphate pathway](https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-71336) (Reactome, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/ribose-5-phosphate/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/ribose-5-phosphate/