Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry
DNA
alkylator
:
A
molecule
that
alkylates
DNA
, usually at a
guanine
NH
2
group
.
DNA
alkylators
can have
mutagenic
,
pharmaceutical
, or other effects.
Mechlorethamine
(shown in blue) is an
anticancer
agent that works by
DNA
alkylation
.
DNA
is shown in red. The
DNA
nucleophile
is a
guanine
NH
2
group
. A pair of
S
N
2 reactions
with
anichimeric assistance
produces a bridge across the two strands of the
DNA
double helix
. This bridge interferes with
DNA
function and replication.
Related terms:
DNA cutter
,
amine
,
intermolecular
,
intramolecular
,
substitution reaction
,
ring strain
,
aziridine
,
alkylammonium salt
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