5-Hydroxymethylcytidine (CAS 19235-17-7)

5-Hydroxymethylcytidine (5-HMC) is a modified version of the nucleoside cytidine, which occurs naturally in DNA and RNA. This unique compound holds significant importance as an epigenetic marker, garnering extensive scientific interest due to its involvement in gene expression, DNA methylation, and various cellular mechanisms. The synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylcytidine takes place through the enzyme TET (Ten-eleven translocation), wherein it is generated from cytidine. Moreover, within cells, 5-Hydroxymethylcytidine is produced by the oxidation of 5-methylcytidine (5-mC). A pivotal player in biological processes, 5-Hydroxymethylcytidine partakes in a multitude of functions, including transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodeling, and DNA methylation. As an epigenetic regulator of gene expression, 5-Hydroxymethylcytidine binds to DNA and effectively modulates gene activity. Its involvement extends to chromatin remodeling, an essential process that orchestrates the packaging of DNA into chromatin structures. Furthermore, 5-Hydroxymethylcytidine plays a role in DNA methylation, which entails the addition of methyl groups to DNA. This process of DNA methylation is integral to epigenetic regulation, influencing gene expression and numerous cellular mechanisms.