InstrumentPegasus HT system (Leco Corporation, St Joseph, USA) coupled with an Agilent 6890N gas chromatography
Expression FC0.630
Chemical FormulaC5H4N4O
Average Molecular Weight136.11150
CAS Registry Number68-94-0
Biological Properties
DescriptionHypoxanthine, also known as purine-6-ol or Hyp, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as hypoxanthines. Hypoxanthines are compounds containing the purine derivative 1H-purin-6(9H)-one. Purine is a bicyclic aromatic compound made up of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring. Hypoxanthine is a naturally occurring purine derivative and a reaction intermediate in the metabolism of adenosine and in the formation of nucleic acids by the salvage pathway. Hypoxanthine is a moderately basic compound (based on its pKa). Hypoxanthine exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. Under normal circumstances hypoxanthine is readily converted to uric acid. Within humans, hypoxanthine participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, hypoxanthine and ribose 1-phosphate can be biosynthesized from inosine through its interaction with the enzyme purine nucleoside phosphorylase. In addition, hypoxanthine and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate can be biosynthesized from inosinic acid through the action of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. In humans, hypoxanthine is involved in the metabolic disorder called the purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency pathway. Shortness of breath from fluid buildup in the space between the lungs and the chest wall (pleural effusion) can also be present. Outside of the human body, Hypoxanthine is found, on average, in the highest concentration within milk (cow). Hypoxanthine has also been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as radish (var.), mountain yams, welsh onions, greenthread tea, and common beets. This could make hypoxanthine a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Hypoxanthine is a potentially toxic compound. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Hypoxanthine is also a spontaneous deamination product of adenine.