FeIII-ion-catalysed non-enzymatic transformation of ADP in to ATP

Abstract

Non-enzymatic phosphorylation of ADP to ATP has been found to occur readily when Fe^III ion is present in aqueous solutiond of ADP and acetyl phosphate. As long as the reaction temperature is low enough (25 °C or less), the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP proceeds to about 20% conversion with 100% selectivity. At higher temperatures, the yield decreases owing to the hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate. Among several phosphoryl donors studies, acetyl phosphate was found to be the best phosphorylating reagent. Creatine phosphate also produced ATP but the efficiency was very low. The phosphorylation of AMP was unsuccessful, even with acetyl phosphate.