What Is Uracil?
Uracil is a pyrimidine base with the chemical formula C4H4N2O2 and is one of the four nucleobases that constitute ribonucleic acid (RNA). It is represented by the letter U in RNA sequences and is a colorless solid with a molecular weight of 112.09.
While bases such as adenine, guanine, and cytosine are found in both DNA and RNA, uracil is exclusive to RNA, replacing thymine in DNA sequences during transcription to RNA.
Uses of Uracil
Uracil is a crucial component of RNA, playing a vital role in genetic information transmission and protein synthesis. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a synthetic ingredient in anticancer drugs, including fluorouracil (5-FU), a fluorinated derivative effective against various cancers.
Properties of Uracil
Uracil is slightly soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. It undergoes oxidation, nitration, and alkylation, and forms base pairs with adenine in RNA. In the presence of phenol and sodium hypochlorite, uracil is visible under UV light. Thymine in DNA is produced by methylation of uracil.
- Chemical formula: C4H4N2O2
- Molecular weight: 112.09 g/mol
- Appearance: White crystalline powder
- Melting point: 335-338°C
- Boiling point: 440°C
Structure of Uracil
Uracil, like cytosine and thymine, has a pyrimidine ring and easily forms ribonucleosides like uridine. Phosphorylation of uridine leads to the production of UMP, UDP, and UTP, each playing a vital role in biological functions.
Uracil reacts with anhydrous hydrazine to open its ring, forming an anion at a pH above 10.5.
Other Information on Uracil
Mechanism of Action of Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil is a fluoropyrimidine antimetabolite, acting as an inhibitor of thymidylate synthase and disrupting DNA synthesis. Its metabolite, FdUMP, inhibits DNA synthesis, while FUTP, another metabolite, interferes with RNA processing and mRNA translation.