dCDP

Deoxycytidine diphosphate (dCDP) is a deoxyribonucleotide, the diphosphate form of deoxycytidine. It consists of a deoxyribose sugar linked to the cytosine base and two phosphate groups. In cells, dCDP is an intermediate in the synthesis of deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP), the pool nucleotide used for DNA replication and repair.

Biosynthesis and metabolism: In nucleotide metabolism, dCMP is phosphorylated to dCDP by a deoxynucleotide kinase (often referred to as dCMP kinase). The dCDP is then converted to dCTP by a kinase such as a nucleoside diphosphate kinase. The dCTP produced is incorporated into DNA by DNA polymerases, and the overall balance of dNTPs is maintained by salvage and de novo pathways. While dCDP itself is a transient intermediate, its proper turnover is essential for maintaining adequate dCTP supply.

Physiological significance: dCDP is part of the tightly regulated intracellular pools of deoxynucleotides. Balanced dNTP pools are required for high-fidelity DNA synthesis; disruptions in the regulation of dCDP, dCTP, or related species can lead to replication stress, increased mutation rates, or cellular dysfunction. Cellular dNTP levels fluctuate with the cell cycle, DNA damage response, and metabolic state.

Clinical and research context: dCDP is often measured in nucleotide pool analyses in biochemical and molecular biology research. Enzymes involved in its formation and conversion, as well as factors that influence dNTP pool balance, are of interest in studies of DNA replication, cancer biology, and antiviral or anticancer therapies that perturb nucleotide metabolism. See also dCMP and dCTP.