Final answer:
6-mercaptopurine is metabolized and can be integrated into DNA and RNA as thioguanosine, leading to the disruption of protein synthesis and DNA replication, thereby inhibiting cell division and growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) can be incorporated into DNA, resulting in significant effects on cellular function. Once inside the body, 6-MP is metabolized to its ribonucleotide form which can then be integrated into nucleic acids as thioguanosine. This integration into DNA and RNA leads to malfunctioning nucleic acids that inadequately direct protein synthesis, ultimately inhibiting adenine nucleotide biosynthesis and DNA synthesis. As a result, there is a disruption in cell division and growth, which is why 6-MP is used as a chemotherapy agent to treat certain types of cancer by exploiting its antimetabolite properties.