Dihydrouridine

Dihydrouridine

Chemical structure of dihydrouridine

Dihydrouridine (DHU) is a modified nucleoside found in the RNA molecules of various organisms. It is formed by the reduction of the uridine nucleoside, resulting in the addition of two hydrogen atoms to the uracil ring. This modification plays a crucial role in the structure and function of RNA.

Structure

Dihydrouridine is composed of a uracil base attached to a ribose sugar through a β-N-glycosidic bond. The reduction of uridine leads to the formation of a dihydro derivative, where the C5-C6 double bond of uracil is saturated with two hydrogen atoms. This modification results in the formation of a dihydropyrimidine ring.

Function

Dihydrouridine is commonly found in the tRNA (transfer RNA) molecules of many organisms. It is believed to play a role in stabilizing the tRNA structure and enhancing its functionality. The presence of dihydrouridine in tRNA has been associated with increased thermal stability and resistance to chemical degradation.

Furthermore, dihydrouridine has been implicated in the recognition and binding of specific amino acids during protein synthesis. It is thought to contribute to the accuracy and efficiency of the translation process by facilitating the proper pairing of tRNA with the corresponding codons on the mRNA (messenger RNA) template.

Importance

The presence of dihydrouridine in tRNA is highly conserved across different species, indicating its evolutionary significance. It is believed to have originated early in the evolution of life and has been maintained due to its functional advantages.

Dihydrouridine is also used as a marker for the identification and characterization of tRNA molecules. Its presence can be detected through various biochemical and molecular biology techniques, allowing researchers to study the diversity and abundance of tRNA in different biological systems.

See also

• RNA modification
• Transfer RNA
• Uracil
• Nucleoside

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