Effect of Nitrogen Mustard on Nucleic Acid Metabolism. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1. The effect of nitrogen mustard on the incorporation of C¹⁴-formate and N¹⁵-adenine into the bases of PNA and DNA of small intestine and into the bases of PNA of liver of the rat has been investigated. The drug decreased the incorporation of both precursors into adenine of DNA of intestine to approximately the same extent. This suggests that the drug does not affect specifically the synthesis of the purine skeleton. 3. The drug led to a marked decrease of isotope levels in the bases of DNA of small intestine, but little or no change in the levels in PNA bases of both small intestine and liver.