Thymidine: Difference between revisions

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'''Thymidine''' is a pyrimidine deoxynucleoside. It is a glycosylated pyrimidine analog and can be phosphorylated to triphosphates. Thymidine is a component of DNA and as such is important in the replication of the genome in cell division.  
== Thymidine ==
 
[[File:Desoxythymidin.svg|thumb|right|Chemical structure of thymidine]]
 
'''Thymidine''' is a nucleoside composed of the [[pyrimidine]] base [[thymine]] attached to a [[deoxyribose]] sugar. It is one of the four nucleosides in [[DNA]], the others being [[adenosine]], [[cytidine]], and [[guanosine]]. Thymidine is crucial for the replication and repair of DNA, playing a vital role in the [[cell cycle]] and [[cell division]].


== Structure ==
== Structure ==
Thymidine is composed of a pyrimidine base, known as thymine, and a deoxyribose sugar. The thymine base is a heterocyclic aromatic compound, while the deoxyribose sugar is a pentose sugar. The two components are linked together by a β-N-glycosidic bond.
 
Thymidine consists of the base thymine linked to a deoxyribose sugar via a _-N1-glycosidic bond. The chemical formula of thymidine is C<sub>10</sub>H<sub>14</sub>N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>. The deoxyribose sugar in thymidine lacks a hydroxyl group at the 2' position, distinguishing it from [[ribose]] found in [[RNA]] nucleosides.


== Function ==
== Function ==
Thymidine is a critical component of DNA, where it pairs with adenine via two hydrogen bonds. This pairing is crucial for the stability of the DNA double helix structure. Thymidine is also involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, as it is a necessary component for DNA synthesis during the S phase.
 
Thymidine is incorporated into DNA during the [[S phase]] of the cell cycle. It pairs with [[adenine]] through two hydrogen bonds, maintaining the stability of the DNA double helix. Thymidine is also involved in the [[DNA repair]] process, where it helps to replace damaged or mismatched bases.


== Synthesis ==
== Synthesis ==
Thymidine can be synthesized in the body from deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) via the action of the enzyme thymidylate synthase. This reaction also requires folate as a co-factor. Alternatively, thymidine can be salvaged from the breakdown of DNA and re-incorporated into new DNA.


== Clinical significance ==
Thymidine can be synthesized in cells through the [[salvage pathway]] or the [[de novo synthesis]] pathway. In the salvage pathway, thymidine is formed from thymine and deoxyribose-1-phosphate. In the de novo pathway, thymidine is synthesized from [[deoxyuridine]] monophosphate (dUMP) through the action of the enzyme [[thymidylate synthase]].
Thymidine analogs, such as azidothymidine (AZT), are used in the treatment of viral infections, such as HIV. These analogs act by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme, thereby preventing the replication of the viral genome.
 
== Clinical Significance ==
 
Thymidine analogs, such as [[zidovudine]] (AZT), are used as [[antiretroviral drugs]] in the treatment of [[HIV/AIDS]]. These analogs interfere with viral DNA synthesis, inhibiting the replication of the virus. Thymidine is also used in [[thymidine labeling]] techniques to study cell proliferation.
 
== Related pages ==


== See also ==
* [[DNA]]
* [[Nucleoside]]
* [[Thymine]]
* [[Deoxyribose]]
* [[Deoxyribose]]
* [[Pyrimidine]]
* [[Thymine]]
* [[DNA]]
* [[Cell cycle]]
* [[Cell cycle]]
* [[Thymidylate synthase]]
* [[Folate]]
* [[Azidothymidine]]


[[Category:Nucleosides]]
[[Category:Nucleosides]]
[[Category:Pyrimidines]]
[[Category:DNA]]
{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 03:47, 13 February 2025

Thymidine[edit]

Chemical structure of thymidine

Thymidine is a nucleoside composed of the pyrimidine base thymine attached to a deoxyribose sugar. It is one of the four nucleosides in DNA, the others being adenosine, cytidine, and guanosine. Thymidine is crucial for the replication and repair of DNA, playing a vital role in the cell cycle and cell division.

Structure[edit]

Thymidine consists of the base thymine linked to a deoxyribose sugar via a _-N1-glycosidic bond. The chemical formula of thymidine is C10H14N2O5. The deoxyribose sugar in thymidine lacks a hydroxyl group at the 2' position, distinguishing it from ribose found in RNA nucleosides.

Function[edit]

Thymidine is incorporated into DNA during the S phase of the cell cycle. It pairs with adenine through two hydrogen bonds, maintaining the stability of the DNA double helix. Thymidine is also involved in the DNA repair process, where it helps to replace damaged or mismatched bases.

Synthesis[edit]

Thymidine can be synthesized in cells through the salvage pathway or the de novo synthesis pathway. In the salvage pathway, thymidine is formed from thymine and deoxyribose-1-phosphate. In the de novo pathway, thymidine is synthesized from deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) through the action of the enzyme thymidylate synthase.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Thymidine analogs, such as zidovudine (AZT), are used as antiretroviral drugs in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. These analogs interfere with viral DNA synthesis, inhibiting the replication of the virus. Thymidine is also used in thymidine labeling techniques to study cell proliferation.

Related pages[edit]