mercaptopurine


mer·cap·to·pu·rine

noun \(ˌ)mər-ˌkap-tə-ˈpyr-ˌēn\

Definition of MERCAPTOPURINE

: an antimetabolite C5H4N4S that interferes especially with the metabolism of purine bases and the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and that is sometimes used in the treatment of acute leukemia

Origin of MERCAPTOPURINE

mercaptan + -o- + purine
First Known Use: circa 1952

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