Abstract
THE pyrimidine cytosine1 and its deoxynucleotide2 have been reported as constituents of the deoxyribonucleic acids of coliphages T2 and T6 respectively, but in another analysis of T23 no cytosine could be found. We have now resolved this discrepancy by isolation from T-even bacteriophages of a new pyrimidine base, identified as 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine, which was previously mistaken for cytosine or missed. A nucleotide has now also been isolated which gives rise to this base on hydrolysis4.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Smith, J. D., and Wyatt, G. R., Biochem. J., 49, 144 (1951).
Weed, L. L., and Cohen, S. S., J. Biol. Chem., 192, 693 (1951).
Marshak, A., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 37, 299 (1951).
Weed, L. L. (personal communication).
Wyatt, G. R., Biochem. J., 48, 484 (1951).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WYATT, G., COHEN, S. A New Pyrimidine Base from Bacteriophage Nucleic Acids. Nature 170, 1072–1073 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1038/1701072a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1701072a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
Alternative Z-genome biosynthesis pathway shows evolutionary progression from Archaea to phage
Nature Microbiology (2023)
-
Tet Enzymes-Mediated DNA 5hmC Modification in Cerebral Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Injury
Neurotoxicity Research (2022)
-
A host dTMP-bound structure of T4 phage dCMP hydroxymethylase mutant using an X-ray free electron laser
Scientific Reports (2019)
-
Expression of TET and 5-HmC in Trophoblast Villi of Women with Normal Pregnancy and with Early Pregnancy Loss
Current Medical Science (2018)
-
TET proteins and the control of cytosine demethylation in cancer
Genome Medicine (2015)