Using Selective Enzymes to Measure Noncanonical DNA Building Blocks: dUTP, 5-Methyl-dCTP, and 5-Hydroxymethyl-dCTP.

Cells maintain a fine-tuned balance of deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates (dNTPs), a crucial factor in preserving genomic integrity. Any alterations in the nucleotide pool's composition or chemical modifications to nucleotides before their incorporation into DNA can lead to increased mutation frequency and DNA damage. In addition to the chemical modification of canonical dNTPs, the cellular de novo dNTP metabolism pathways also produce noncanonical dNTPs.

dNTPpoolDB: a manually curated database of experimentally determined dNTP pools and pool changes in biological samples.

Stimulated by the growing interest in the role of dNTP pools in physiological and malignant processes, we established dNTPpoolDB, the database that offers access to quantitative data on dNTP pools from a wide range of species, experimental and developmental conditions (https://dntppool.org/). The database includes measured absolute or relative cellular levels of the four canonical building blocks of DNA and of exotic dNTPs, as well.

A user-friendly, high-throughput tool for the precise fluorescent quantification of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates from biological samples.

Cells maintain a fine-tuned, dynamic concentration balance in the pool of deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates (dNTPs). This balance is essential for physiological processes including cell cycle control or antiviral defense. Its perturbation results in increased mutation frequencies, replication arrest and may promote cancer development.