Azathioprine

Azathioprine is a synthetic thiopurine prodrug that is chemically described as 6-[(1-methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)thio]-1H-purine[1][4]. It is inactive itself but is rapidly converted in the body to 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and other metabolites. These inhibit the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, particularly in rapidly dividing immune cells, by interfering with purine biosynthesis[1][6]. Azathioprine is used primarily for immunosuppression in organ transplantation and to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis[1][6]. The drug is associated with significant safety warnings, including a risk of bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, increased infection risk, and carcinogenicity[5]. It is not itself a receptor or enzyme but acts via metabolites on targets such as amidophosphoribosyltransferase and Rac1 GTPase, though these are the molecular targets of the drug rather than properties of azathioprine itself[1][6]. Azathioprine is a drug, not a molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme. If you intended information about the targets of azathioprine, examples include amidophosphoribosyltransferase (commonly called glutamine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase or GPAT)[6], but "Azathioprine" itself is not a molecular target.

Other names

AzasanImuranJayempiAzamunAzaninImurekImurelZytrimAzasanumBW 57-322