DNA is the reserve bank of genetic information, ultimately responsible for the

chemical
basis of life and heredity.
+ DNA is organized into genes, the fundamental units of genetic information. Genes
control protein biosynthesis through the mediation of RNA.
+ Nucleic acids are the polymers of nucleotides. Certain nucleotides serve as B-
complex
vitamin coenzymes (FAD, NAD+, CoA), carriers of high energy intermediates (UDP-
glucose,
S-adenosylmethionine) and second messengers of hormonal action (cAMP, cGMP).
+ Uric acid is a purine, and the end product of purine metabolism, that has been
implicated in the disorder gout.
+ Certain purine bases from plants such as caffeine (of coffee), theophylline (of
tea) and
theobromine (of cocoa) are of pharmacological interest.
+ Synthetic analogs of bases (5-fluorouracil, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-azauridine) are
used to
inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
+ Certain antitumor drugs (e.g. cisplatin) can produce bent DNA structure and
damage it