| Abstract: | Reaction of the toxic and mutagenic alkylating agent mustard gas with DNA of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Within the dose range tested (2 X 10(-5)-2 X 10(-3) M) DNA in vivo is alkylated dose-proportionally. DNA alkylation and relative distribution of purine derivatives are not influenced by the cell's sensitivity towards the mutagen. At LD37 (4.4 X 10(-4) M) the wild type contains 44 300 purine derivatives: 9200 3-alkyladenines (20%), 29600 7-alkylguanines (67%) and 5500 diguaninyl derivates (13%) per genome. In sensitive strains the number of derivates per genome at LD37 is reduced according to the dose reduction factor. Alkylation at the position O6 of guanine by mustard gas cannot be shown, the method's limit of detection being 0.3% amongst purine derivates. |
