Uridine Monophosphate

Uridine monophosphate (UMP) is a nucleoside monophosphate composed of:

• The pyrimidine base uracil
• A ribose sugar
• A single phosphate group

In the body, UMP serves as a fundamental building block for:

• RNA
• Phospholipid synthesis
• The production of glycogen and phosphatidylcholine

This makes it a key contributor to:

• Cellular membrane integrity
• Neuronal signaling
• Metabolic regulation

• Uridine monophosphate (UMP) is a nucleoside monophosphate with the molecular formula C₁₁H₁₃N₂O₉P.
• Its IUPAC name is (2‑Ribofuranosyl)uracil 5‑monophosphate.
• The structure consists of:
  • A uracil base (a pyrimidine ring with two carbonyl groups at positions 2 and 4), attached at the N1 position to a ribose sugar (β‑D‑ribofuranose) that carries a phosphate ester at the 5′‑hydroxyl.
• The phosphate group contributes a negative charge at physiological pH, making UMP highly water‑soluble (≈30 mg/mL at 25 °C).
• The molecule is a substrate for kinases (e.g., uridine‑monophosphate kinase) and participates in the pyrimidine salvage pathway.
• Its pKa values (≈1.0 for the phosphate, ~9.5 for the uracil N3) influence its ionization state and transport across membranes.

• Commercial UMP is predominantly produced by fermentation‑based synthesis using engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Escherichia coli strains that over‑express uridine‑phosphate biosynthetic enzymes, yielding a high‑purity (>99 %) product.
• An alternative chemical synthesis route involves condensation of uracil with ribose‑5‑phosphate under controlled pH, but this method is less common due to lower yields.
• Natural dietary sources contain only trace amounts of UMP; the highest concentrations are found in yeast, organ meats (liver, kidney), and some marine fish, where it exists as part of RNA.
• For supplements, manufacturers must verify:
  • The absence of nucleic acid contaminants
  • The absence of heavy metals, endotoxins, and residual solvents.
• GMP‑certified manufacturers typically provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) showing ≥98 % purity and minimal microbial load.