You are using an unsupported browser. Please upgrade your browser to a newer version to get the best experience on Bovine Metabolome Database.
Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2016-09-30 22:28:04 UTC
Update Date2020-05-21 16:28:38 UTC
BMDB IDBMDB0000301
Secondary Accession Numbers
  • BMDB00301
Metabolite Identification
Common NameUrocanic acid
DescriptionUrocanic acid, also known as urocanic acid or urocanic acid, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as imidazolyl carboxylic acids and derivatives. These are organic compounds containing a carboxylic acid chain (of at least 2 carbon atoms) linked to an imidazole ring. Urocanic acid exists as a solid, possibly soluble (in water), and a very strong basic compound (based on its pKa) molecule. Urocanic acid exists in all living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans. Urocanic acid can be biosynthesized from L-histidine; which is mediated by the enzyme histidine ammonia-lyase. In cattle, urocanic acid is involved in the metabolic pathway called the ammonia recycling pathway.
Structure
Thumb
Synonyms
ValueSource
(2E)-3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)acrylic acidChEBI
(e)-3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)-2-propenoic acidChEBI
(2E)-3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)acrylateGenerator
(e)-3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)-2-propenoateGenerator
UrocanateGenerator
3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)-2-propenoateHMDB
3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)-2-propenoic acidHMDB
3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)acrylateHMDB
3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)acrylic acidHMDB
3-(4-Imidazolyl)acrylateHMDB
3-(4-Imidazolyl)acrylic acidHMDB
5-ImidazoleacrylateHMDB
5-Imidazoleacrylic acidHMDB
Imidazole-4-acrylateHMDB
Imidazole-4-acrylic acidHMDB
Imidazoleacrylic acidHMDB
Acid, glyoxalinylacrylicHMDB
Acid, urocanicHMDB
Glyoxalinylacrylic acidHMDB
(2E)-3-(1H-Imidazol-5-yl)-2-propenoic acidHMDB
(e)-3-(4-Imidazolyl)acrylic acidHMDB
(e)-3-(Imidazol-4-yl)-2-propenoic acidHMDB
(e)-Urocanic acidHMDB
trans-Urocanic acidHMDB
Chemical FormulaC6H6N2O2
Average Molecular Weight138.124
Monoisotopic Molecular Weight138.042927446
IUPAC NameNot Available
Traditional NameNot Available
CAS Registry Number104-98-3
SMILESNot Available
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/C6H6N2O2/c9-6(10)2-1-5-3-7-4-8-5/h1-4H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)/b2-1+
InChI KeyLOIYMIARKYCTBW-OWOJBTEDSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of organic compounds known as imidazolyl carboxylic acids and derivatives. These are organic compounds containing a carboxylic acid chain (of at least 2 carbon atoms) linked to an imidazole ring.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassOrganoheterocyclic compounds
ClassAzoles
Sub ClassImidazoles
Direct ParentImidazolyl carboxylic acids and derivatives
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Imidazolyl carboxylic acid derivative
  • Heteroaromatic compound
  • Azacycle
  • Monocarboxylic acid or derivatives
  • Carboxylic acid
  • Carboxylic acid derivative
  • Organic nitrogen compound
  • Organic oxygen compound
  • Organopnictogen compound
  • Organic oxide
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Organooxygen compound
  • Organonitrogen compound
  • Carbonyl group
  • Aromatic heteromonocyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAromatic heteromonocyclic compounds
External Descriptors
Ontology
StatusExpected but not Quantified
Origin
  • Endogenous
BiofunctionNot Available
ApplicationNot Available
Cellular locations
  • Cytoplasm
Physical Properties
StateSolid
Experimental Properties
PropertyValueReference
Melting Point225 °CNot Available
Boiling PointNot AvailableNot Available
Water Solubility1.5 mg/mL at 17 °CNot Available
LogPNot AvailableNot Available
Predicted PropertiesNot Available
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash Key
Biological Properties
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
Biospecimen Locations
  • Epidermis
  • Liver
  • Placenta
Pathways
Normal Concentrations
BiospecimenStatusValueAgeSexConditionReferenceDetails
EpidermisExpected but not QuantifiedNot QuantifiedNot SpecifiedNot SpecifiedNormal
  • Not Applicable
details
LiverExpected but not QuantifiedNot QuantifiedNot SpecifiedNot SpecifiedNormal
  • Not Applicable
details
PlacentaExpected but not QuantifiedNot QuantifiedNot SpecifiedNot SpecifiedNormal
  • Not Applicable
details
Abnormal Concentrations
Not Available
HMDB IDHMDB0000301
DrugBank IDDB01971
Phenol Explorer Compound IDNot Available
FooDB IDFDB007506
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
Chemspider ID643824
KEGG Compound IDC00785
BioCyc IDNot Available
BiGG ID35990
Wikipedia LinkUrocanic_acid
METLIN ID298
PubChem Compound736715
PDB IDNot Available
ChEBI ID30817
References
Synthesis ReferenceYamamoto, Kozo; Sato, Tadashi; Tosa, Tetsuya; Chibata, Ichiro. Continuous production of urocanic acid by immobilized Achromobacter liquidum cells. Biotechnology and Bioengineering (1974), 16(12), 1601-10.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)Not Available
General ReferencesNot Available

Enzymes

General function:
Amino acid transport and metabolism
Specific function:
Not Available
Gene Name:
HAL
Uniprot ID:
A7YWP4
Molecular weight:
72291.0
Reactions
L-Histidine → Ammonia + Urocanic aciddetails
General function:
Not Available
Specific function:
Not Available
Gene Name:
UROC1
Uniprot ID:
E1BD93
Molecular weight:
82813.0
Reactions
4-Imidazolone-5-propionic acid → Urocanic acid + Waterdetails