DNA

The DNA section lists fluorouracil and cycloheximide, classic synthesis inhibitors used in DNA damage research. Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a pyrimidine analog whose metabolite fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate inhibits thymidylate synthase. The resulting thymidine nucleotide shortage stalls DNA replication, and fluorouracil metabolites are also incorporated into RNA and DNA. Cycloheximide, a glutarimide antibiotic from Streptomyces griseus, blocks translation elongation on eukaryotic ribosomes. Researchers use it in cycloheximide chase assays to measure the half-lives of proteins, including DNA repair and checkpoint proteins. Both compounds also appear under DNA/RNA Synthesis, and related agents are grouped under Nucleoside Antimetabolite/Analog and DNA Repair.