| Criteria | Deoxyadenosine Monophosphate (dAMP) | Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP) | Remarks |
| Chemical Structure | Contains adenine base, deoxyribose sugar, and one phosphate group | Contains adenine base, ribose sugar, and one phosphate group | The key difference lies in the sugar moiety (deoxyribose vs. ribose) |
| Sugar Component | Deoxyribose (lacks 2′-hydroxyl group) | Ribose (has 2′-hydroxyl group) | This difference affects structural stability and function |
| Nucleic Acid Association | Found in DNA | Found in RNA and also as a metabolite | dAMP is a building block of DNA, AMP is a component of RNA and cellular energy metabolism |
| Stability | More chemically stable due to lack of 2′-OH | Less stable due to presence of 2′-OH | The 2′-OH in AMP makes RNA more prone to hydrolysis |
| Role in Nucleic Acids | Encodes genetic information in DNA | Involved in RNA structure and function | AMP participates in tRNA, mRNA, and rRNA |
| Metabolic Functions | Primarily structural, within DNA | Key metabolic intermediate; precursor for ATP, cAMP | AMP plays broader roles in energy homeostasis and signaling |
| Enzymatic Conversion | Synthesized by DNA polymerases during DNA replication | Can be converted to ADP, ATP or cAMP by various enzymes | AMP is a hub in nucleotide metabolism |
| Presence in Energy Metabolism | Not directly involved | Directly involved in ATP synthesis and energy sensing | AMP acts as a signal in energy balance via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) |
| Phosphorylation Potential | Can be phosphorylated to dADP and dATP | Can be phosphorylated to ADP and ATP | Both can form di- and triphosphate forms used in nucleic acid synthesis |
| Biological Usage | Incorporated into DNA during replication | Used in RNA synthesis and intracellular signaling | Their incorporation depends on whether the process involves RNA or DNA |
