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. 1970 Jun;102(3):672–676. doi: 10.1128/jb.102.3.672-676.1970

Synergism Between Cysteine and Alkylating Agents

Herbert S Rosenkranz 1, Howard S Carr 1, Jack Zyroff 1
PMCID: PMC247611  PMID: 4914073

Abstract

Contrary to expectation, l-cysteine did not protect Escherichia coli from the lethal action of two monofunctional alkylating agents (nitrosomethylurethane and methylmethane sulfonate). The antibacterial action of these compounds was actually greatly enhanced by l-cysteine. This synergistic effect was also exhibited, to some extent, by d-cysteine but not by homocysteine, S-methylcysteine, or serine. The synergistic action between methylating agents and l-cysteine was not due to the formation of S-methylcysteine. l-Cysteine had no effect on the bacteriostatic action of ethylmethane sulfonate.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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