6-Azauracil

Chemical properties

white to light yellow fine crystalline powder

The Uses of 6-Azauracil

6-Azauracil (6-AU) is used as a growth inhibitor of various microorganisms via depletion of intracellular GTP and UTP nucleotide pools. 6-Azauracil has been widely used in investigations on modulation of transcription, especially in yeast models.

What are the applications of Application

6-Azauracil is a growth inhibitor of various microorganisms

Definition

ChEBI: 6-azauracil is a 1,2,4-triazine compound having oxo-substituents at the 3- and 5-positions. It has a role as an antimetabolite. It is a member of 1,2,4-triazines and a nucleobase analogue.

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 23, p. 1522, 1958 DOI: 10.1021/jo01104a033

Biochem/physiol Actions

6-Azauracil (6-AU) is a pyrimidine analog of uracil and exhibits antitumor activity. It inhibits the growth of various microorganisms by depleting intracellular guanosine triphosphate (GTP)?and uridine?triphosphate (UTP) nucleotide pools.

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal route. Experimental reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.

Mode of action

6-Azauracil is a growth inhibitor effective on a variety of microorganisms. It functions by depleting the intracellular GTP and UTP nucleotide supply. Mutations in transcriptional elongation machinery, as well as mutations in a variety of other pathways, exaggerate the growth defect of cells in the presence of 6 AU.