N4-Acetylcytidine is a catabolite of cytidine.1 It activates BV-2 microglia when used at a concentration of 0.3 mM, an effect that can be blocked by the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist SCH 58261 .2 It also increases protein levels of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, an effect that can be blocked by high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) siRNA in BV-2 microglia. Urine levels of N4-acetylcytidine are increased in mice with tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene.1 N4-Acetylcytidine is also found as a post-transcriptional modification in RNA.3
1.Thomale, J., and Nass, G.Elevated urinary excretion of RNA catabolites as an early signal of tumor development in miceCancer Lett.15(2)149-159(1982) 2.Duan, J.J., Zhang, Q., Hu, X., et al.N4-acetylcytidine is required for sustained NLRP3 inflammasome activation via HMGB1 pathway in microgliaCell. Signal.5844-52(2019) 3.Bartee, D., Nance, K.D., and Meier, J.L.Site-specific synthesis of N4-acetylcytidine in RNA reveals physiological duplex stabilizationJ. Am. Chem. Soc.144(8)3487-3496(2022)