2′,3′-Dideoxyuridine (CAS 5983-09-5)

2′,3′-Dideoxyuridine is a nucleoside analog where the hydroxyl groups at the 2′ and 3′ positions of the sugar moiety are absent, replaced with hydrogen atoms. This structural modification renders it a chain terminator for DNA synthesis, making it a valuable tool in the field of molecular biology and biochemistry. The key mechanism of action of 2′,3′-Dideoxyuridine involves its incorporation into DNA strands during the replication process. Because it lacks the necessary 3′ hydroxyl group, which is essential for forming the phosphodiester bond with the next incoming nucleotide, its incorporation results in the termination of DNA chain elongation. This property is particularly useful for studying viral replication mechanisms where DNA synthesis is a crucial step. In scientific research, 2′,3′-Dideoxyuridine has been utilized extensively to explore the fidelity and mechanisms of DNA polymerases. By studying how different DNA polymerases incorporate or bypass this nucleoside analog, researchers can gain insights into the enzyme′s substrate specificity and mechanism of action. This has implications for understanding replication fidelity and the molecular basis of mutations. Furthermore, 2′,3′-Dideoxyuridine is employed in studies aimed at investigating the cellular and viral DNA replication pathways. It helps in delineating how cells and viruses cope with the presence of unnatural nucleosides in their DNA, which can shed light on the cellular mechanisms for detecting and repairing damaged DNA.