Depurination

Depurination

Depurination (pronunciation: /dɪˌpjʊərɪˈneɪʃən/) is a chemical reaction in DNA and RNA that involves the removal of a purine base. It is a common form of mutation that can lead to genetic disorders and cancer.

Etymology

The term "depurination" is derived from the words "de-", meaning removal, and "purine", referring to the type of base that is removed. Purines are one of the two types of bases found in DNA and RNA, the other being pyrimidines.

Process

Depurination occurs when the glycosidic bond between a purine base and the deoxyribose sugar in DNA or RNA is hydrolyzed, resulting in the loss of the purine base. This can occur spontaneously due to the instability of the glycosidic bond, or it can be induced by certain chemicals or radiation.

Consequences

The loss of a purine base creates an apurinic site in the DNA or RNA molecule. If not repaired, this can lead to a mutation during DNA replication or RNA transcription, as the missing base can be replaced with an incorrect one. This can alter the genetic code and potentially lead to genetic disorders or cancer.

Related Terms

• Purine
• Mutation
• Genetic Disorders
• Cancer
• DNA
• RNA
• Glycosidic Bond
• Radiation
• Apurinic Site
• DNA Replication
• RNA Transcription
• Genetic Code

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Depurination
• Wikipedia's article - Depurination

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