purine nucleotide metabolism purine nucleotide biosynthesis pathway UPa:UPA00488 GO:0006164 The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the formation of a purine nucleotide, a compound consisting of nucleoside (a purine base linked to a deoxyribose or ribose sugar) esterified with a phosphate moiety at either the 3' or 5'-hydroxyl group of its glycose moiety [source: GO]. purine metabolism purine biosynthesis