uracile

Uracil is a pyrimidine nucleobase found in RNA, where it pairs with adenine through two hydrogen bonds. It is one of the five nucleobases found in the genetic code of living organisms, the others being adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. Uracil is structurally similar to thymine, differing only by the absence of a methyl group on the 5-carbon position. This difference is crucial for the stability of RNA, as uracil is more susceptible to hydrolysis than thymine, making RNA less stable than DNA. Uracil is synthesized in the body through the conversion of orotate to orotic acid, followed by decarboxylation to form uracil. It plays a vital role in various biological processes, including protein synthesis, gene expression, and RNA metabolism. Uracil can also be found in some medications and supplements, such as uridine and uracil mustard, which have specific therapeutic applications.