Polyphosphates: Essential bioenergetic reservoirs and their role as critical nutrient depleters in biological system
1 Department of Food Biotechnology and Nutritional Sciences, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
2 Department of Global Health and Biomedical Sciences, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
Review
International Journal of Life Science Research Archive, 2025, 08(01), 019-032.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijlsra.2025.8.1.0024
Publication history:
Received on 23 December 2024; revised on 02 February 2025; accepted on 05 February 2025
Abstract:
Polyphosphates are linear polymers of inorganic phosphate that play a pivotal role in cellular bioenergetics and metabolism across a wide range of organisms. This review article explores the multifaceted functions of polyphosphates as essential bioenergetic reservoirs, highlighting their ability to store and release energy, thereby facilitating various biochemical processes. We discuss the synthesis and degradation pathways of polyphosphates, their influence on ATP metabolism, and their regulatory roles in cellular signaling and stress responses. Additionally, we examine how polyphosphates act as critical nutrient depleters in biological systems, impacting phosphate homeostasis. The interplay between polyphosphate metabolism and nutrient availability is scrutinized, with implications for microbial ecology, agricultural practices, and biotechnological applications. By integrating current research findings, this review emphasizes the significance of polyphosphates not only as energy reservoirs but also as key players in nutrient cycling and environmental sustainability, underscoring their importance in both basic and applied biological sciences.
Keywords:
Polyphosphate; Bioenergetics; Adenosine Triphosphate; Nutrient depleters
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Copyright © 2021 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0