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The Sound of Evolution
Mechlorethamine
Mechanism of action:
Mechlorethamine is an alkylating agent and belongs to the nitrogen mustard class of compounds. In the body, Mechlorethamine spontaneously cyclizes to form a highly electrophilic aziridinium ion, which can bind to the N7 position of guanine in DNA. This causes DNA monoalkylation as well as interstrand and intrastrand crosslinking, preventing proper DNA unwinding and replication, and ultimately impairing normal cell division.
Reference(s):
1. De Alencar TA et al. (2005). Nitrogen mustard- and half-mustard-induced damage in Escherichia coli requires different DNA repair pathways. Mutat Res.
2. Loeber RL et al. (2009). Proteomic analysis of DNA-protein cross-linking by antitumor nitrogen mustards. Chem Res Toxicol.
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