Deoxyinosine Unit Converter

Deoxyinosine (2'-deoxyinosine) is a purine nucleoside formed when the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) removes an amino group from deoxyadenosine. It is an intermediate in the purine salvage pathway, which recycles the building blocks of DNA.

After deoxyinosine is produced, another enzyme called purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) breaks it down into hypoxanthine, which is either recycled or converted to uric acid. In healthy individuals, this pathway runs efficiently, so plasma deoxyinosine levels remain very low.

Deoxyinosine is measured as part of a purines and pyrimidines panel. Abnormal levels can signal inherited enzyme deficiencies that disrupt purine metabolism and immune function.

Deoxyinosine is produced in all cells when adenosine deaminase converts deoxyadenosine released during normal DNA turnover. Production is highest in lymphoid tissues such as the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes, where rapid cell division and turnover generate substantial deoxyadenosine.