5-Azacytidine is an epigenetic modifier, a potent growth inhibitor and a cytotoxic agent.
It acts as a demethylating agent by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), forming covalent adducts with cellular DNMT1 depleting enzyme activity. This small molecule enhances differentiation to cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells.
5-Azacytidine also increases reprogramming efficiency of mouse fibroblasts to pluripotent stem cells.