Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Guanine

Biochemistry, Biology & Genetics

Also known as: 2-amino-6-oxopurine

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

This article from the 1928–1936 Great Medical Encyclopedia describes guanine as an amorphous colorless powder, widely distributed in animal and plant cells. It details its chemical solubility, physiological conversion to xanthine, and its association with porcine gout.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

GUANINE, an amorphous colorless powder, insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether. It dissolves easily in dilute alkalis and mineral acids. C5H5N5O, difficultly soluble. Widely distributed in the animal and plant world, where it is a component of all nucleated cells. Absent in urine, found in feces and milk. Physiologically, it converts into xanthine. In pigs, it can form deposits giving the picture of "swine gout." It is obtained from Peruvian guano. It is quantitatively precipitated by metaphosphoric acid (see also Purine bases). S12

Guanine: figure 1 from the 1928–1936 encyclopedia article

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Cite this page

“Guanine.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/guanine/