Effects of Diethyl Pyrocarbonate and Methyl Methanesulfonate on Nucleic Acids and Nucleases.

Abstract

Biological and biochemical effects of diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEP) and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) were compared. Whereas most biological effects of MMS may be referred to damage of the gene material, DEP acts as an antimetabolite not provoking mutation and chromosomal aberrations primarily. On the biochemical level DEP inhibits enzymes, a. o. RNase and DNase, without affecting nucleic acids. Contrarily, MMS leaves the RNase and DNase activities intact but provokes a decomposition of DNA (formation of acid soluble products). The enzyme inhibiting properties of DEP will be used for the preparation of mRNA from tissue.