The heterocyclic pyrimidine and purine compounds which are constituents of all
nucleic acids. Adenine (
A), guanine (
G) and cytosine (
C) are found in both
DNA and
RNA, thymine (
T) is found (primarily) in
DNA and uracil (
U) only in
RNA.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143
(Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992))
on page 147