Possible Interaction: Cysteine and Mechlorethamine

“ HN2 cross-links two dimeric subunits through intermolecular binding to cysteine 59 in one subunit of the dimer and selenocysteine 498 in the other subunit, confirming the close proximity of the N- and C-terminal redox centers of adjacent subunits.”

“However, in view of the observations on the specificity of L-cysteine and related compounds in modifying the leukotoxic effects of nitrogen mustard , the avidity of immature leukocytes for L-cystine may have greater significance than the utilization of other metabolites.”

“ Cysteine strongly inhibited the ability of cyclophosphamide and nitrogen mustard to depress the direct plaque-forming cell response of mice to sheep red cells.”

“ Cysteine or sodium thiosulfate, when present in the system prior to addition of the nitrogen mustard , afforded some protection against these inhibitory effects on stimulation of short-circuit current.”

“Substantial protection against the lethality of HN2 was obtained with cysteine , and some protection with cysteamine.”

“Correlations have been obtained between the degree of protection afforded by cysteine and (a) the chemical reactivity of the nitrogen mustard and (b) the amount by which cysteine raises the intracellular protein free —SH level of spleen, liver, thymus.”

“An intravenous injection of L-cysteine immediately prior to the administration of nitrogen mustard decreased the length of time that serum bactericidal activity was depressed following nitrogen mustard treatment.”