1-Hydroxyethyl-2′-deoxyadenosine (CAS 142997-59-9)

1-Hydroxyethyl-2′-deoxyadenosine is a modified nucleoside that serves as a valuable molecular tool for studying DNA damage and repair mechanisms. The hydroxyethyl group attached to the adenine base simulates alkylation-induced DNA lesions, providing a model for examining how cells recognize and repair such damage. This modified nucleoside mimics DNA adducts formed through endogenous processes or environmental exposure, allowing researchers to investigate the fidelity and specificity of base excision repair enzymes, glycosylases, and other proteins involved in genomic maintenance. By incorporating this analog into synthetic oligonucleotides, scientists can analyze the efficiency and specificity of various DNA polymerases, revealing how they handle damaged templates during replication. This has led to insights into mutagenesis, as its presence can induce mispairing or replication stalling. In high-throughput assays, it aids in identifying small molecules that can influence the recognition and repair of alkylation lesions, thus offering potential leads for further research. Overall, 1-Hydroxyethyl-2′-deoxyadenosine provides researchers with a potent model for examining the complex mechanisms by which cells maintain genomic stability and offers insights into cellular responses to DNA alkylation.