Mechanism of EMS Action?

[martin LEACH]

Namjin Chung (nc1 at acpub.duke.edu) wrote:
: Hi, all!

: EMS (MMS) is an alkylating agent, and widely used in mutagenesis.  I
: wonder how this mutagen work on DNA: probably by modifying bases so that
: mismatches would happen? Is there any other molecules, proteins or lipids,
: being alkylated by EMS?  If there is, how does EMS affect their biological
: activities/functions?

MMS (methyl-methane sulfonate)

is mutagenic by the following way:

causes alkaylation of guanosine at the 7 position with resulting tautomeric
shift.


nasty stuff!

M


: Any comments would be greatly appreciated.  TIA.


: Namjin Chung, who knows little and asks a lot!
: Program in Molecular Cancer Biology
: Duke University Medical Center
: Durham, North Carolina

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