MOLECULE

Uracil

Uracil, also known as U or hybar X, 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. Uracil is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Uracil exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. Within humans, uracil participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, uracil and ribose 1-phosphate can be biosynthesized from uridine; which is catalyzed by the enzyme uridine phosphorylase 2. In addition, uracil can be converted into dihydrouracil through its interaction with the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase [nadp(+)]. In humans, uracil is involved in pyrimidine metabolism. Outside of the human body, Uracil is found, on average, in the highest concentration within beers. Uracil has also been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as radish (var.), green beans, cauliflowers, prickly pears, and citrus. This could make uracil a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Uracil is a potentially toxic compound. Uracil, with regard to humans, has been found to be associated with several diseases such as canavan disease, hypertension, and cerebral infarction; uracil has also been linked to several inborn metabolic disorders including carbamoyl phosphate synthetase deficiency and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency. Uracil is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.