MOLECULE

Dihydrouracil

Dihydrouracil belongs to the class of organic compounds known as pyrimidones. Pyrimidones are compounds that contain a pyrimidine ring, which bears a ketone. Pyrimidine is a 6-membered ring consisting of four carbon atoms and two nitrogen centers at the 1- and 3- ring positions. Dihydrouracil is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Dihydrouracil exists in all living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans. Within humans, dihydrouracil participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, dihydrouracil can be biosynthesized from uracil; which is mediated by the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase [nadp(+)]. In addition, dihydrouracil can be converted into ureidopropionic acid; which is mediated by the enzyme dihydropyrimidinase. In humans, dihydrouracil is involved in the metabolic disorder called the beta-ureidopropionase deficiency pathway. Outside of the human body, Dihydrouracil has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as arctic blackberries, garden tomato (var.), sweet potato, star fruits, and adzuki beans. This could make dihydrouracil a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Dihydrouracil is a potentially toxic compound. Dihydrouracil, with regard to humans, has been found to be associated with several diseases such as cerebral infarction, liver disease, colorectal cancer, and hypertension; dihydrouracil has also been linked to the inborn metabolic disorder dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency. A pyrimidine obtained by formal addition of hydrogen across the 5,6-position of uracil. Dihydrouracil is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.