{{chembox | Verifiedfields = changed | verifiedrevid = 470632980 | ImageFile = Xanthopterin.svg | ImageSize = 100px | IUPACName = Xanthopterin | OtherNames = | Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers | CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|changed|??}} | CASNo = 119-44-8 | PubChem = 8397 | ChemSpiderID_Ref = {{chemspidercite|correct|chemspider}} | ChemSpiderID = 8091 | UNII_Ref = {{fdacite|correct|FDA}} | UNII = V66551EU1R | StdInChI_Ref = {{stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}} | StdInChI = 1S/C6H5N5O2/c7-6-10-4-3(5(13)11-6)9-2(12)1-8-4/h1H,(H,9,12)(H3,7,8,10,11,13) | StdInChIKey_Ref = {{stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}} | StdInChIKey = VURKRJGMSKJIQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N | SMILES = O=C1/N=C(\NC=2/N=C\C(=O)NC1=2)N | InChI = InChI=1S/C6H5N5O2/c7-6-10-4-3(5(13)11-6)9-2(12)1-8-4/h1H,(H,9,12)(H3,7,8,10,11,13)}} | Section2 = {{Chembox Properties | Formula = C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>N<sub>5</sub>O<sub>2</sub> | MolarMass = | Appearance = | Density = | MeltingPt = | BoilingPt = | Solubility = }} | Section3 = {{Chembox Hazards | MainHazards = | FlashPt = | AutoignitionPt = }} }} '''Xanthopterin''' is a yellow, crystalline solid<ref name="cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk">http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?xanthopterin {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref> that occurs mainly in the wings of butterflies and in the urine of mammals.<ref name="cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk" /> Small microorganisms convert it into folic acid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/xanthopterin |title=Definition of xanthopterin - Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary |access-date=October 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225204927/http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/xanthopterin |archive-date=December 25, 2007 }}</ref> It is the end product of a non-conjugated pteridine compound<ref name="content.karger.com">{{Cite journal|url=http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=46271|doi = 10.1159/000046271|title = Determination of Xanthopterin in Patients with Renal Insufficiency|year = 2001|last1 = Qujeq|first1 = Durdi|last2 = Ahmadi|first2 = Homayoun|journal = American Journal of Nephrology|volume = 21|issue = 4|pages = 340–342|pmid = 11509808|s2cid = 46502262|url-access = subscription}}</ref> and inhibits the growth of lymphocytes produced by concanavalin.<ref name="content.karger.com" /> High levels of the chemical were found in patients with liver disease and hemolysis, the latter increasing levels by 35%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wikigenes.org/e/ref/e/8490058.html|title=WikiGenes -|work=WikiGenes - Collaborative Publishing}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wikigenes.org/e/ref/e/1481869.html|title=WikiGenes -|work=WikiGenes - Collaborative Publishing}}</ref>
It was suggested, without direct proof, that the Oriental hornet uses xanthopterin as a light-harvesting molecule to transform light into electrical energy, which explains why the insects are more active when light intensity is greater. It remains an active and controversial area of scientific research (Plotkin et al., Naturwissenschaften (2010) 97:1067–1076).<ref>
{{Cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9254000/9254445.stm | title = Oriental hornets powered by 'solar energy' | first = Matt | last = Walker | publisher = BBC | date=6 December 2010 }}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Pteridines Category:Lactams
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