Hypoxanthine

Hypoxanthine is a naturally occurring purine derivative (C₅H₄N₄O) and an intermediate in the purine metabolism pathway. It arises from the deamination of adenine and is further metabolized to xanthine and uric acid by xanthine oxidase in humans[1]. Hypoxanthine plays a central role in the purine salvage pathway, being recycled into inosine monophosphate (IMP) by the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT)[1]. Physiologically, hypoxanthine concentrations rise during ATP depletion and hypoxic stress, and its accumulation has been used as a biomarker of hypoxia and tissue injury, notably in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases[3][2]. Elevated hypoxanthine has also been implicated in cancer cell metabolism and as a mediator of cell death pathways such as GSDME-dependent pyroptosis[2][5]. It is not a protein or classic drug target, but its metabolism can be indirectly modulated by drugs such as allopurinol or dipyridamole[2][5], relevant in diseases like gout, xanthinuria, and as an experimental marker in cancer and ischemia[1][3][5]. Hypoxanthine itself is a small molecule intermediate/metabolite—not a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or canonical drug target protein. It is often an analyte or biomarker, not a direct molecular target for most drugs or therapies.

Other names

6-hydroxypurine1H-purin-6(9H)-oneNSC 14665NSC 129419

Metabolite accumulation influences cell death and stress responses (e.g., GSDME-dependent pyroptosis); Modulation of purinergic signaling and redox balance