Orotic acid

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.

History

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.

Structure and Properties

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.

Biological Role

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.

Health Effects

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.

See Also

• Pyrimidine
• Carboxylic acid
• Vitamin
• Albert Januszewski
• Whey
• Heterocyclic compound
• Melting point
• Boiling point
• Pyrimidine biosynthesis
• Uridine monophosphate
• RNA
• DNA
• Orotic aciduria
• Heart disease
• Cancer

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