Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea is a compound used in anti-cancer research to inhibit DNA synthesis and in sickle cell research for ways to alleviate symptoms. It has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase which reduces ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides.In vivoresearch has shown hydroxyurea converting into a free radical nitric oxide which binds the active site of ribonucleotide reductase, ceasing further DNA synthesis. The mechanism of nitric oxide release from hydroxyurea is not well understood.Hydroxyurea has also been shown to alleviate sickle cell anemia through its conversion to nitric oxidein vivo. Nitric oxide alleviates endogenous nitric oxide loss, caused by hemolysis, and stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activity which will signal fetal hemoglobin production.Product SpecificationsHydroxyureaHydroxycarbamideFormula: CH­4N2O2MW: 76.05 g/mol