Cytidine

Cytidine (symbol C or Cyd) is a nucleoside molecule that is formed when cytosine is attached to a ribose ring (also known as a ribofuranose) via a β-N₁-glycosidic bond. Cytidine is a component of RNA. It is a white water-soluble solid<ref name="hawleys"/> that is only slightly soluble in ethanol.<ref name="crc97"/>

Dietary sources

Dietary sources of cytidine include foods with high RNA (ribonucleic acid) content,<ref name=Jonas>Template:Cite journal</ref> such as organ meats, brewer's yeast, as well as pyrimidine-rich foods such as beer. During digestion, RNA-rich foods are broken-down into ribosyl pyrimidines (cytidine and uridine), which are absorbed intact.<ref name=Jonas/> In humans, dietary cytidine is converted into uridine,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> which is probably the compound behind cytidine's metabolic effects.

Cytidine analogues

A variety of cytidine analogues are known, some with potentially useful pharmacology. For example, KP-1461 is an anti-HIV agent that works as a viral mutagen,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and zebularine exists in E. coli and is being examined for chemotherapy. Low doses of azacitidine and its analog decitabine have shown results against cancer through epigenetic demethylation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Biological actions

In addition to its role as a pyrimidine component of RNA, cytidine has been found to control neuronal-glial glutamate cycling, with supplementation decreasing midfrontal/cerebral glutamate/glutamine levels.<ref name="Machado-VieiraSalvadore2010">Template:Cite journal</ref> As such, cytidine has generated interest as a potential glutamatergic antidepressant drug.<ref name="Machado-VieiraSalvadore2010" />

Related compounds

• Deoxycytidine is cytosine attached to a deoxyribose.

External links

• Cytidine MS Spectrum