Used primarily in biochemical research to study nucleic acid metabolism and enzyme inhibition. It serves as a competitive inhibitor of orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase, an enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. This property makes it valuable for investigating pathways related to nucleotide synthesis and potential therapeutic targets for diseases like cancer. Additionally, it is utilized in plant physiology studies to understand the effects of disrupting pyrimidine biosynthesis on growth and development. Its role in inhibiting specific enzymes also aids in exploring the mechanisms of drug resistance in microorganisms.