Chapter 26, Problem 18P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

5-Azacytidine is a reagent that suppresses DNA methylation through its conversion to 5-azadeoxycytidine triphosphate. A metabolic pathway leading from Aza-C to Aza-CTP is to be outlined.

Concept Introduction:

5-Azacytidine is a chemical cytidine analog that can metabolize to 5-aza analog of dCTP and can incorporate itself into DNA. At Position 5 of 5-azacytidine, N is present instead of C, so 5-aza analog of dCTP cannot undergo methylation. Cancer cells treated with 5-azacytidine convert 5-mCpG dinucleotide to CpG in three rounds of replication. This treatment results in activation of genes repressed by DNA methylation.

    

Pictorial Representation:

Metabolic pathway leading from Aza-C to Aza-CTP is described as:

(1) ATP dependent kinases (2) Ribonucleotide reductase (3) Nucleoside diphosphate kinase