Biological Activity
5-Azacytidine is a nucleoside analogue of cytidine that specifically inhibits DNA methylation by trapping DNA methyltransferases.
In Vitro
Unmethylated CpG islands associated with a variety of genes become partially or fully methylated in tumors and can be reactivated by 5-Azacytidine[1]. 5-Azacytidine acts as weak inducers of erythroid differentiation of Friend erythroleukemia cells in the same concentration range where they affect DNA methyltransferase activity[2]. 5-Azacytidine inhibits L1210 cells with ID50 and ID90 values of 0.019 and circa 0.15 μg/mL, respectively[3].
In Vivo
TdR-3H incorporation is significantly inhibited when the animals are exposed to 5-Azacitidine (100 mg/kg, i.p.) for 2 hr or longer[3].
References & source
Published experimental findings depend on the model and assay conditions. They do not guarantee equivalent performance in every application. For laboratory research use only.