The adenine is one component of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This substance is a nitrogenous base, whose symbol is A in the genetic code.
The formula for adenine, which is derived from purine, is C5H5N5. It is a component of the nucleic acid chains that is in the nucleotides, like the rest of the nitrogenous bases of RNA and RNA (uracil, thymine, cytokine and guanine). See ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG for abbreviations related to Adenine.
A nucleotide is made up of a sugar with five carbons, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. These bases, in DNA, are coupled together to constitute the ladder structure that characterizes the double helix of this nucleic acid. In the case of adenine, it is always coupled to thymine because both nitrogenous bases have chemical affinity.
Adenine and thymine were found by Albrecht Kossel, a chemist of German origin who made the discovery in 1885. From then on, the knowledge on these bases multiplied.
It is important to mention that, in ancient times, adenine was known as B4, since it was included in the vitamin B complex. However, over time the scientists reached a consensus that adenine was not actually a vitamin.
In recent decades, scientists began to analyze adenine in their studies on the origin of life on our planet. There are even studies that argue that RNA and DNA could have reached Earth in meteorites from outer space.
One of the reasons that this component is in the midst of such research is that the two aforementioned acids, RNA and DNA, carry highly important genetic information about living things, in part because they are unique and unrepeatable.
A compound derived from adenine is capable of acting as a coenzyme for other vitamins, and is especially known due to the speed with which it works when it is dedicated to producing energy in our body. For this reason, it is very beneficial to ingest adenine (which in many cases we still find under the name of vitamin B4) as part of our normal diet.
To find out if we are going through a case of deficiency of this component, we can take a look at the most common symptoms: constipation, skin disorders, reduced growth rate, blood problems, insulin sensitivity, hypoglycemia, anemia, appearance of various allergies, vertigo, fatigue above normal levels, greater propensity to contract diseases and infections due to a weakening of the immune system.
Regarding the natural sources of adenine, it is known that it is a component that our body synthesizes through certain foods, so it is not very common to find it as a supplement. Where this vitamin does appear is in medicinal plants such as cohosh, cayenne, thyme, sarsaparilla, rose hip, seaweed, hops, goldenseal, grass, catnip, caraway, burdock, holy thistle and ginger, among many others.
On the other hand, adenine is also present in some foods, such as cassava, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables in general, and yeast.
Among the benefits of adenine for our body highlights the fact that it promotes the generation of white blood cells. In addition, we must not forget that it is a derivative of purine, an indispensable element to synthesize proteins adequately and to carry out several of its chemical processes.
