Orotic acid: Difference between revisions

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'''Orotic acid''' is a [[pyrimidine]] [[carboxylic acid]], and a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of [[pyrimidine nucleotides]]. It was once believed to be a [[vitamin]] and was referred to as "vitamin B13", but this classification is no longer recognized in the scientific community.
{{short description|Overview of orotic acid}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Orotic Acid}}


== History ==
==Overview==
[[File:Orotic_acid.svg|thumb|right|Chemical structure of orotic acid]]
'''Orotic acid''' is a heterocyclic compound and an acid that is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines. It is also known as pyrimidinecarboxylic acid. Orotic acid is found in milk and is sometimes referred to as vitamin B13, although it is not a true vitamin.


Orotic acid was first discovered in 1905 by the Polish scientist [[Albert Januszewski]]. It was initially isolated from [[whey]], a by-product of cheese production. The compound was named after the Greek word "oros", which means mountain, due to the crystalline nature of the compound.
==Chemical Properties==
Orotic acid has the chemical formula C_H_N_O_. It is a white, crystalline compound that is soluble in water. The structure of orotic acid consists of a pyrimidine ring with a carboxylic acid group attached.


== Structure and Properties ==
==Biological Role==
Orotic acid plays a crucial role in the [[de novo synthesis]] of pyrimidine nucleotides. It is an intermediate in the pathway that leads to the formation of [[uridine monophosphate]] (UMP), which is a precursor to other pyrimidine nucleotides such as [[cytidine triphosphate]] (CTP) and [[thymidine triphosphate]] (TTP).


Orotic acid is a [[heterocyclic compound]] with the formula C5H4N2O4. It is a white, crystalline powder that is slightly soluble in water and alcohol. The compound has a [[melting point]] of 345 °C and a [[boiling point]] of 360 °C.
==Metabolic Pathway==
In the [[pyrimidine synthesis]] pathway, orotic acid is synthesized from [[dihydroorotate]] by the enzyme [[dihydroorotate dehydrogenase]]. Orotic acid is then converted to [[orotidine-5'-monophosphate]] (OMP) by the enzyme [[orotate phosphoribosyltransferase]]. OMP is subsequently decarboxylated to form UMP by the enzyme [[orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase]].


== Biological Role ==
==Clinical Significance==
Elevated levels of orotic acid in the urine can be indicative of certain metabolic disorders, such as [[orotic aciduria]] and [[urea cycle disorders]]. Orotic aciduria is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzymes involved in the conversion of orotic acid to UMP.


In living organisms, orotic acid is an intermediate in the pathway of [[pyrimidine biosynthesis]]. It is converted to [[uridine monophosphate]] (UMP) by the enzyme [[orotate phosphoribosyltransferase]]. This is a key step in the synthesis of [[RNA]] and [[DNA]].
==Dietary Sources==
Orotic acid is naturally present in milk and dairy products. It is also found in small amounts in other foods such as root vegetables and beer.


== Health Effects ==
==Related Compounds==
Orotic acid is related to other pyrimidine derivatives such as [[uracil]], [[cytosine]], and [[thymine]]. These compounds are essential components of [[nucleic acids]] and play a vital role in [[genetic information]] storage and transfer.


Excessive levels of orotic acid in the body can lead to a condition known as [[orotic aciduria]], which can cause growth retardation and anemia. On the other hand, orotic acid has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects in conditions such as [[heart disease]] and [[cancer]].
==Related Pages==
 
* [[Pyrimidine metabolism]]
== See Also ==
* [[Nucleotide synthesis]]
 
* [[Metabolic disorders]]
* [[Pyrimidine]]
* [[Carboxylic acid]]
* [[Vitamin]]
* [[Albert Januszewski]]
* [[Whey]]
* [[Heterocyclic compound]]
* [[Melting point]]
* [[Boiling point]]
* [[Pyrimidine biosynthesis]]
* [[Uridine monophosphate]]
* [[RNA]]
* [[DNA]]
* [[Orotic aciduria]]
* [[Heart disease]]
* [[Cancer]]


[[Category:Organic acids]]
[[Category:Pyrimidines]]
[[Category:Pyrimidines]]
[[Category:Carboxylic acids]]
[[Category:Biochemistry]]
[[Category:Biochemistry]]
{{biochem-stub}}

Latest revision as of 04:02, 13 February 2025

Overview of orotic acid



Overview[edit]

File:Orotic acid.svg
Chemical structure of orotic acid

Orotic acid is a heterocyclic compound and an acid that is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines. It is also known as pyrimidinecarboxylic acid. Orotic acid is found in milk and is sometimes referred to as vitamin B13, although it is not a true vitamin.

Chemical Properties[edit]

Orotic acid has the chemical formula C_H_N_O_. It is a white, crystalline compound that is soluble in water. The structure of orotic acid consists of a pyrimidine ring with a carboxylic acid group attached.

Biological Role[edit]

Orotic acid plays a crucial role in the de novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. It is an intermediate in the pathway that leads to the formation of uridine monophosphate (UMP), which is a precursor to other pyrimidine nucleotides such as cytidine triphosphate (CTP) and thymidine triphosphate (TTP).

Metabolic Pathway[edit]

In the pyrimidine synthesis pathway, orotic acid is synthesized from dihydroorotate by the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Orotic acid is then converted to orotidine-5'-monophosphate (OMP) by the enzyme orotate phosphoribosyltransferase. OMP is subsequently decarboxylated to form UMP by the enzyme orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Elevated levels of orotic acid in the urine can be indicative of certain metabolic disorders, such as orotic aciduria and urea cycle disorders. Orotic aciduria is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzymes involved in the conversion of orotic acid to UMP.

Dietary Sources[edit]

Orotic acid is naturally present in milk and dairy products. It is also found in small amounts in other foods such as root vegetables and beer.

Related Compounds[edit]

Orotic acid is related to other pyrimidine derivatives such as uracil, cytosine, and thymine. These compounds are essential components of nucleic acids and play a vital role in genetic information storage and transfer.

Related Pages[edit]