1-(2-deoxy-beta-ribofuranosyl)-5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone

Description

You are describing **5-Iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdU)**, a synthetic nucleoside analog.

**Here's a breakdown of its structure and significance in research:**

**Structure:**

* **1-(2-deoxy-beta-ribofuranosyl)-5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone** is a rather complex chemical name.
* Let's break it down:
* **1-(2-deoxy-beta-ribofuranosyl):** This part refers to the sugar component, a modified deoxyribose molecule.
* **5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone:** This describes the nitrogenous base. It's a pyrimidine base (like cytosine or thymine) with an iodine atom attached at the 5th position.

**Importance in Research:**

IdU is a crucial tool in various research areas, primarily due to its unique properties:

* **Thymidine Analog:** IdU is an analog of thymidine, a base found in DNA. This means it can be incorporated into DNA during replication.
* **Radioactive Labeling:** The iodine atom in IdU can be made radioactive (e.g., ¹²⁵I). This allows researchers to track the incorporation of IdU into DNA, providing insights into:
* **DNA Replication:** Monitoring the rate and timing of DNA synthesis.
* **Cell Proliferation:** Quantifying how rapidly cells are dividing.
* **DNA Damage Repair:** Studying the repair mechanisms involved in DNA damage.
* **Immunofluorescence Staining:** IdU can be used in immunofluorescence microscopy to visualize DNA replication.
* **Other Applications:**
* **Cancer Research:** Studying the growth and spread of cancer cells.
* **Neurobiology:** Understanding neuronal development and plasticity.

**Key Points:**

* **High Affinity for DNA Polymerases:** IdU is readily incorporated into DNA by DNA polymerases.
* **Toxicity:** IdU can be toxic in high doses, as its incorporation into DNA can disrupt normal DNA function.
* **Antiviral Activity:** IdU has antiviral activity against herpesviruses.

**In summary:**

IdU is a valuable tool in research due to its ability to mimic thymidine and its potential for radioactive labeling and immunofluorescence applications. It allows scientists to investigate various cellular processes related to DNA replication, cell division, and DNA damage repair.

ropidoxuridine: a prodrug of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and a radiosensitizing agent; RN given refers to erythro-(D)-isomer; structure given in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]