deoxycytidylate

Deoxycytidylate, also known as deoxycytidylic acid or dCMP, is a deoxyribonucleotide monophosphate. It consists of a deoxyribose sugar attached to the cytosine base and a single phosphate group at the 5' position. As the deoxyribonucleotide analogue of cytidine monophosphate (CMP), deoxycytidylate supplies cytosine-containing units for DNA synthesis.

Biological role: In cells, dCMP is an intermediate in nucleotide metabolism and a precursor of the deoxynucleotide triphosphate pool. It can be phosphorylated to dCDP and then to dCTP, which are substrates for DNA polymerases during DNA replication and repair. The deamination of dCMP by dCMP deaminase converts it to dUMP, linking pyrimidine metabolism to the synthesis of thymidylate (dTMP) through thymidylate synthase.

Synthesis and regulation: Deoxycytidylate can be produced via salvage pathways from deoxycytidine by deoxycytidine kinase, or through interconversions among deoxynucleotides. Maintenance of balanced dNTP pools, including dCMP-derived dCTP, is critical for genome stability. Abnormalities in dCMP metabolism or pool balance can influence mutagenesis and cellular sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. In addition to its role in normal metabolism, dCMP and related deoxynucleotides form the basis for nucleotide analogs used in pharmacology and research.