Definition
Adenosine is an organic compound that plays an important role in the metabolism of all living cells. It is a nucleoside composed of a molecule of adenine attached to a ribose sugar molecule (ribofuranose) moiety via a β-N9-glycosidic bond.
History
Adenosine was first isolated in 1868 by German chemist Albrecht Kossel, who identified it as a component of the nucleic acid found in muscle cells. Initially, adenosine was thought to be an intermediate in the metabolic breakdown of adenine, but later it was found to be an important regulator of many biochemical pathways, such as those related to energy metabolism.
Over the years, the role of adenosine in cellular metabolism has been increasingly studied, leading to the discovery of its multiple functions in regulating a variety of physiological processes. It has been shown to be involved in the control of neurotransmission, cardiac contractility, vasodilation, and the regulation of cellular energy homeostasis.
References
Kossel, A. (1868). Ueber den Nucleinbestandteil des Muskels. Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, 1(3), 394–397.
Suh, J., Biju, P., & Chen, Y. (2020). Structure and Function of Adenosine in Physiology and Pathophysiology. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(13), 4694.
Hafstad, A. D., & Storm-Mathisen, J. (2018). Adenosine: A Key Regulator of Neurotransmission, Neuroprotection and Neuroenergetics. Neuroscience, 373, 42–60.
Hermann, D. M., & Geiger, J. D. (2018). Physiology of Adenosine. Physiological Reviews, 98(4), 1539–1587.