2-Thiouracil (2TU): Properties, Uses & Lab FAQ

2-Thiouracil(2TU) is a sulfur-substituted pyrimidine nucleobase analog widely used in biochemical research as a metabolic RNA-labeling tool and as a reference compound in nucleic acid chemistry studies.

Chemical Name

2-Thiouracil (2TU)

SKU

T106705

Aqueous Solubility

0.5 g/L in water; soluble in alkaline solution

Compound Class

Sulfur-containing pyrimidine nucleobase analog

Primary Research Use

Metabolic RNA labeling, nucleic acid chemistry

Storage Recommendation

Store as directed on product datasheet; protect from moisture

What Is 2-Thiouracil (2TU)?

2-Thiouracil (2TU) is a naturally occurring and synthetically produced analog of uracil in which the carbonyl oxygen at the C2 position is replaced by a sulfur atom. This modification alters the compound's hydrogen-bonding capacity and electronic properties relative to uracil, making it a valuable tool in biochemical and molecular biology research.

In research settings, 2TU is best known for its role in metabolic RNA labeling strategies. When supplied to living cells or organisms, it can be incorporated into newly synthesized RNA in place of uracil, enabling researchers to distinguish nascent transcripts from pre-existing RNA pools. This property is exploited in techniques such as thiol-linked alkylation for the metabolic sequencing of RNA (SLAM-seq) and related pulse-labeling approaches.

Solubility and Solution Preparation

According to the product specification, 2-Thiouracil has an aqueous solubility of approximately 0.5 g/L in water at ambient conditions. This relatively low aqueous solubility is a practical consideration when preparing stock solutions for cell culture or biochemical assays.

Recommended preparation strategies:

• For aqueous stock solutions, dissolve 2TU in a small volume of dilute alkaline solution (e.g., dilute NaOH or sodium bicarbonate buffer), then adjust pH to the desired value before adding to your experimental system.
• Alternatively, prepare a concentrated stock in alkaline solution and dilute into the aqueous experimental buffer immediately before use to minimize precipitation.
• Warm the solution gently if needed to aid dissolution, but avoid prolonged heating to prevent decomposition.
• Filter-sterilize solutions intended for cell culture use with a 0.2 µm membrane filter.

Always prepare fresh solutions when maximum stability is required, and verify dissolution is complete before use.

Handling, Safety and Storage

When working with 2-Thiouracil in the laboratory, standard chemical hygiene practices should be observed. Although 2TU is used in biological research, it should be treated as a potentially hazardous compound until a full safety assessment has been completed for your specific experimental conditions.

General handling guidelines:

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, laboratory coat, and eye protection.
• Handle in a well-ventilated area or fume hood when working with powdered material to avoid inhalation of dust.
• Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
• Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by Aladdin Scientific for complete hazard information before use.

Storage: Store according to the conditions specified on the product label and SDS. Protect from moisture and store away from strong oxidizing agents. Specific temperature and humidity requirements should be confirmed on the product datasheet.

Applications in Research

2-Thiouracil is used across several areas of molecular biology and biochemistry research:

• Metabolic RNA labeling: 2TU is incorporated into nascent RNA by the cellular transcription machinery, allowing pulse-chase experiments to track RNA synthesis, processing, and turnover in living cells.
• Transcriptome dynamics: Coupled with next-generation sequencing, 2TU-based labeling (e.g., in SLAM-seq workflows) enables genome-wide measurement of RNA half-lives and transcriptional activity.
• Nucleic acid chemistry: As a thio-modified nucleobase, 2TU serves as a building block or reference standard for studying the chemistry of modified nucleosides and RNA analogs.
• Mechanistic enzymology: Used to probe RNA–protein interactions and the activity of RNA-modifying enzymes.

Note: Specific experimental protocols should be validated in your system. Consult the primary literature for detailed methodological guidance.

Ordering and Product Specifications

2-Thiouracil (2TU) is available from Aladdin Scientific under SKU T106705. When placing an order or evaluating the product for your application, consider the following:

• Purity and grade: Confirm the purity specification on the current product datasheet before use in quantitative assays. Contact Aladdin Scientific for a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) if required.
• Quantity: Available in multiple pack sizes to suit discovery research through scale-up needs — check the product page for current offerings.
• Documentation: SDS, CoA, and technical specifications are available on request or via the Aladdin Scientific website.
• Lead time and shipping: Standard shipping conditions apply; consult Aladdin Scientific customer service for specific requirements regarding temperature-controlled shipment if needed.

For bulk or custom orders, contact Aladdin Scientific's sales team directly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the aqueous solubility of 2-Thiouracil and how should I prepare a stock solution?

2-Thiouracil has an aqueous solubility of approximately 0.5 g/L in water. For higher effective concentrations, dissolve it first in a dilute alkaline solution (such as dilute NaOH or sodium bicarbonate) and then dilute to the required working concentration, adjusting pH as appropriate for your assay. Always confirm complete dissolution before use.

What are the main research applications of 2-Thiouracil (2TU)?

2TU is primarily used as a metabolic RNA labeling reagent, where it is incorporated into newly synthesized RNA by the cellular transcription machinery. This enables pulse-labeling experiments to study RNA synthesis rates, turnover, and transcriptome dynamics — including in sequencing-based approaches such as SLAM-seq. It is also used in nucleic acid chemistry as a thio-modified nucleobase reference compound.

Can 2-Thiouracil be used directly in cell culture medium?

Yes, 2TU is used in cell-based metabolic labeling experiments by adding it to culture medium. However, due to its limited aqueous solubility (0.5 g/L), it is advisable to prepare a concentrated stock in alkaline solution and dilute into the medium just before use. Filter-sterilize the solution through a 0.2 µm membrane, and validate the working concentration and labeling duration empirically for your specific cell type and experimental system.

How should 2-Thiouracil (T106705) be stored to maintain stability?

Store 2-Thiouracil according to the conditions specified on the product label and Safety Data Sheet provided by Aladdin Scientific. In general, protect the compound from moisture and store away from strong oxidizing agents. Refer to the current product datasheet for exact temperature and humidity requirements.

Where can I obtain a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for 2-Thiouracil T106705?

Certificates of Analysis and Safety Data Sheets for 2-Thiouracil (SKU T106705) are available through the Aladdin Scientific website or upon request from Aladdin Scientific customer service. Please have your lot number ready when requesting a batch-specific CoA.

References

1. Aladdin Scientific product datasheet: 2-Thiouracil (2TU), SKU T106705. Aqueous solubility: 0.5 g/L; soluble in alkaline solution.
2. Kellner S, et al. Profiling of RNA modifications by multiplexed stable isotope labelling. Chemical Communications, 2014. [General reference for thio-modified uracil metabolic labeling — verify specific citation details before publication.]
3. Muhar M, et al. SLAM-seq defines direct gene-regulatory functions of the BRD4-MYC axis. Science, 2018. [Reference for SLAM-seq methodology using thio-uracil labeling — verify DOI and PMID before publication.]

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.