Research Area: Cancer
Biological Activity:
Azacitidine(Vidaza)and its deoxy derivative, decitabine (5-aza-2′deoxycytidine), are used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. Both drugs were first synthesized as potential chemotherapeutic agents for cancer. Cells in the presence of azacitidine incorporate it into DNA during replication and into RNA during transcription. The incorporation of azacitidine into DNA or RNA inhibits methyltransferase thereby causing demethylation in that sequence, affecting the way that cell regulation proteins are able to bind to the DNA/RNA substrate. Inhibition of DNA methylation occurs through the formation of stable complexes between the molecule and with DNA methyltransferases, thereby saturating cell methylation machinery. [1]