Primarily used in biochemical research, this compound plays a crucial role in studying enzyme mechanisms, particularly those involving nucleoside kinases and phosphorylases. It serves as a substrate or inhibitor in enzymatic assays to understand cellular metabolism and nucleotide processing pathways. Additionally, it is utilized in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents, as it mimics natural nucleotides, interfering with viral replication and cancer cell proliferation. Its application extends to molecular biology for synthesizing modified nucleotides, aiding in the exploration of genetic material and its functions.