HYPOXANTHIN Meaning and
Definition
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Hypoxanthine is a naturally occurring purine derivative that functions as a nucleobase in genetic materials such as DNA and RNA. It is an organic compound composed of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms, with a molecular formula of C5H4N4O. Hypoxanthine is primarily produced as a result of the breakdown of adenine, another purine base found in nucleic acids.
In biological systems, hypoxanthine plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including metabolism and signaling. It serves as a precursor for the synthesis of important molecules like adenosine and guanosine, which are involved in energy transfer and cell communication. Hypoxanthine is also responsible for the regulation of purine levels in the body by acting as a substrate for the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), which converts it into inosine monophosphate (IMP).
Within the field of medicine, hypoxanthine is being studied for its potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Elevated levels of hypoxanthine in the blood or urine can indicate certain metabolic disorders, including Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Additionally, hypoxanthine and its derivatives are being investigated for their therapeutic effects in various diseases, such as cancer and viral infections.
In summary, hypoxanthine is a vital nucleobase found in DNA and RNA, playing essential roles in genetic materials, cellular metabolism, and signaling. Its metabolic pathways and potential medical applications continue to be areas of ongoing research.
Common Misspellings for HYPOXANTHIN
- gypoxanthin
- bypoxanthin
- nypoxanthin
- jypoxanthin
- uypoxanthin
- yypoxanthin
- htpoxanthin
- hgpoxanthin
- hhpoxanthin
- hupoxanthin
- h7poxanthin
- h6poxanthin
- hyooxanthin
- hyloxanthin
- hy-oxanthin
- hy0oxanthin
- hypixanthin
- hypkxanthin
- hyplxanthin
Etymology of HYPOXANTHIN
The word hypoxanthine has its roots in Greek and Latin. It is derived from the Greek words hypo meaning under or below and xanthos meaning yellow. The Greek term was then Anglicized and combined with the Latin suffix -ine, often used in organic chemistry to indicate that the substance is an alkaloid or base. Therefore, hypoxanthine roughly translates to below yellow or sub-yellow.
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