5-Azacytidine, 50 mg

This small molecule from STEMCELL Technologies is an analog of the nucleoside cytidine that can be incorporated into both DNA and RNA. It functions as an epigenetic modifier: once incorporated into DNA, it covalently binds to DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), sequestering these enzymes and inhibiting their activity. At high concentrations, the compound is extremely cytotoxic.

The chemical name is 4-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,3,5-triazin-2(1H)-one, with the molecular formula C₈H₁₂N₄O₅ and a molecular weight of 244.2 g/mol. It has a CAS number of 320-67-2 and is supplied as a crystalline solid with a reported purity of ≥ 95%. Alternative names listed in the product literature include 5-AzaC, Antibiotic U 18496, Ladakamycin, Mylosar, NSC 103-627, NSC 102816, U 18496, WR 183027, and Zcyd. The product is stable for 12 months from the date of receipt when stored at -20°C and protected from prolonged exposure to light. Reported solubility limits are PBS (pH 7.2) ≤ 40 mM, DMSO ≤ 120 mM, and absolute ethanol ≤ 120 mM.

Published research applications include reprogramming (increases reprogramming efficiency of mouse fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells by inducing full reprogramming of partially reprogrammed cells; resets epigenetic memory in mouse iPS cells when combined with Trichostatin A), differentiation (enhances differentiation to cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells), and cancer research (wide range of anti-metabolic activities against cultured cancer cells; effective chemotherapeutic agent for acute myelogenous leukemia). A California Proposition 65 warning applies, as the State of California lists Azacitidine as a cancer-causing agent. The product is for research use only and is not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic uses.