5-Azacytidine, 250 mg

From STEMCELL Technologies, 5-Azacytidine is a small molecule analog of the nucleoside cytidine that can be incorporated into both DNA and RNA. It functions as an epigenetic modifier by incorporating into DNA, where it covalently binds to DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), sequestering these enzymes and inhibiting their activity. At high concentrations, the compound is extremely cytotoxic.

With a molecular formula of C₈H₁₂N₄O₅, a molecular weight of 244.2 g/mol, and a stated purity of ≥95%, the product is supplied as a crystalline solid and bears the CAS number 320-67-2. It is soluble in PBS (pH 7.2) at up to 40 mM, in DMSO at up to 120 mM, and in absolute ethanol at up to 120 mM. As an example of stock preparation, a 10 mM stock solution in PBS (pH 7.2) is prepared by resuspending 50 mg in 20.5 mL of buffer. The product is stable at -20 °C as supplied, should be protected from prolonged exposure to light, and remains stable for 12 months from the date of receipt. As a general guide, stock solutions are stored in DMSO at -20 °C and aliquoted to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles; for cell culture use, the stock should be diluted into medium immediately, with the final DMSO concentration kept below 0.1% due to potential cell toxicity.

Published applications include reprogramming, where 5-Azacytidine increases the reprogramming efficiency of mouse fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by inducing full reprogramming of partially reprogrammed cells, and resets epigenetic memory in mouse iPS cells in combination with Trichostatin A. In differentiation studies, it enhances differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes. In cancer research, the molecule displays a wide range of anti-metabolic activities against cultured cancer cells and serves as an effective chemotherapeutic agent for acute myelogenous leukemia. The product is for research use only and is not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic applications; a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is available, and the manufacturer's quality management system is certified to ISO 13485. A California Proposition 65 warning applies, as the product can expose users to Azacitidine, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.