URACIL ARABINOSIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Uracil arabinoside, also known as ara-U, is a chemical compound and antiviral medication that belongs to the class of nucleoside analogues. It is derived from the nucleoside uridine and is structurally similar to the naturally occurring pyrimidine nucleotide uracil. Uracil arabinoside possesses antiviral activity primarily against certain members of the herpesvirus family, including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), as well as varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
As a nucleoside analogue, uracil arabinoside functions by interfering with the replication of viral DNA. It is taken up by infected cells, where it is phosphorylated by cellular enzymes to its active triphosphate form. This active form inhibits viral DNA polymerase, an essential enzyme for the replication of viral DNA, thus preventing the virus from multiplying and infecting new cells.
Uracil arabinoside is commonly administered topically as an ophthalmic solution for the treatment of various ocular infections caused by HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV. It may be used to manage conditions such as herpetic keratitis (inflammation of the cornea due to herpes infection) and herpes zoster ophthalmicus (eye involvement in shingles). The exact dosage and duration of treatment depend on the specific infection being treated and should be determined by a healthcare professional.
It is important to note that uracil arabinoside may cause certain side effects, such as mild burning or stinging upon application, blurred vision, and irritation of the eye. If any serious side effects occur, such as severe eye pain or vision changes, medical
Common Misspellings for URACIL ARABINOSIDE
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Etymology of URACIL ARABINOSIDE
The word "Uracil" comes from the name of the RNA nucleotide base "uracil". "Uracil" itself originated from the combination of "ur-" (a combining form representing uridine, a nucleoside) and "ac-" (indicating acetic acid) as it was first isolated from yeast nucleic acids in the early 1900s.
The term "Arabinoside" refers to a sugar molecule called arabinose. The suffix "-oside" is used to indicate that the molecule is a glycoside, meaning it contains a sugar moiety. "Arabinoside" specifically signifies that the sugar molecule attached to uracil is arabinose.
Therefore, when combined, "Uracil Arabinoside" simply describes a compound consisting of the nucleotide base uracil with arabinose attached to it.
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