The degradation of 5-iododeoxyuridine and 5-bromodeoxyuridine by serum from different sources and its consequences for the use of the compounds for incorporation into DNA.

Abstract

Enzymes are present in sera that convert 5-iododeoxyuridine (IdU) to deoxyuridine (dU) and 5-iodouracil (IU). Although in the presence of serum 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is not subject to extensive debromination it is converted to 5-bromouracil (BrU) at approx. 50% of the rate for IdU. These conversions are likely brought about by the enzymes thymidylate synthetase and thymidine phosphorylase. In vivo and in culture the dU enters DNA as thymidine 5'-monophosphate (dTMP) via the de novo pathway. Deoxyuridine is often found as a contaminant of [3H]IdU and [3H]BrdU. For these reasons, complications can arise in the interpretation of experimental work using these radioactive compounds. The problems may be overcome by purifying the compounds by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) before use together with identification of the DNA components with which the 3H is associated by chromatographic analysis.