1-(3-c-ethynylribopentofuranosyl)uracil

Description

1-(3-C-ethynylribopentofuranosyl)uracil is a **synthetic nucleoside analog**, also known as **3'-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)**.

**Here's a breakdown:**

* **Nucleoside analog:** It's a modified version of a natural nucleoside, in this case, uridine.
* **Uridine:** A nucleoside found in RNA, composed of uracil base attached to a ribose sugar.
* **3'-ethynylribopentofuranosyl:** This describes the modified sugar part of the molecule. 3'-ethynyl means a carbon-carbon triple bond (ethynyl) is attached to the third carbon (3') of the ribose sugar. ribopentofuranosyl refers to the ribose sugar in its furanose form (a five-membered ring structure).

**Why is EdU important for research?**

EdU is a powerful tool for **cell proliferation studies**. It is used in **click chemistry**, a technique that allows for the selective and rapid reaction between two molecules.

Here's how it works:

1. **Cell Incorporation:** Cells actively dividing incorporate EdU into their newly synthesized DNA during S phase (DNA replication).
2. **Click Chemistry:** A special reagent containing an azide group is added to the cells. The ethynyl group on EdU reacts specifically with the azide group, forming a stable covalent bond. This reaction is known as the click reaction.
3. **Detection and Quantification:** The reaction product can be visualized and quantified using various techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry. This allows researchers to track and measure DNA replication in cells.

**Research Applications of EdU:**

* **Cancer research:** Studying the proliferation and growth of cancer cells.
* **Developmental biology:** Investigating cell division and differentiation during embryonic development.
* **Neuroscience:** Understanding the generation of new neurons in the brain.
* **Stem cell research:** Analyzing the proliferative potential of stem cells.
* **Drug discovery:** Screening for potential anti-proliferative agents.

**Advantages of EdU over other methods:**

* **High sensitivity:** EdU is very sensitive, allowing for the detection of even low levels of DNA replication.
* **Fast reaction:** The click reaction is rapid and efficient, providing quick results.
* **Compatibility:** EdU is compatible with various imaging techniques and cell fixation methods.

**In summary,** 1-(3-C-ethynylribopentofuranosyl)uracil, or EdU, is a valuable tool for researchers studying cell proliferation and DNA replication. Its unique chemical properties allow for sensitive and efficient detection of actively dividing cells, making it a crucial element in diverse research areas.

1-(3-C-ethynylribopentofuranosyl)uracil: structure given in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]