Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Effect of Nitrogen Mustard on Erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase

Abstract

NITROGEN mustard (HN2) is known to inactivate certain enzymes, particularly hexokinases and phosphatases1, in addition to the better-known effects on nucleic acids common to all alkylating agents1–5. In the course of examining the effects of nitrogen mustard on circulating erythrocytes, it became important to assay its effect, if any, on erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme is located on the red cell surface, accessible to trypsin inactivation6.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Phillips, F. S., Pharmacol. Rev., 2, 281 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Brookes, P., and Lawley, P. D., Biochem. J., 77, 478 (1960); 80, 496 (1961).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Rutman, R. J., Jones, J., Steele, W. J., and Price, C. C., Fed. Proc., 20, 354 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Price, C. C., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 68, 663 (1958).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ross, W. C. J., ibid, 68, 669 (1958).

  6. Firkin, B. G., Beal, R. W., and Mitchell, G., Austral. Ann. Med., 12, 26 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Sabine, J. C., Blood, 10, 1132 (1955).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Fleisher, J. H., Pope, E. J., and Spear, S. F., Archiv. Indust. Health, 11, 332 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Firkin, B. G. (personal communication).

  10. Burman, D., Amer. J. Clin. Path., 37, 134 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Michel, H. O., J. Lab. Clin. Med., 34, 1564 (1949).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Reeve, T. S., Vincent, P. C., Brittle, N., and Nicholls, A. M., Austral. N.Z. J. Surg., 33, 47 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hartman, F. W., Mangun, G. H., Feeley, N., and Jackson, E., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 70, 248 (1949).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

VINCENT, P., BRITTLE, N. & REEVE, T. Effect of Nitrogen Mustard on Erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase. Nature 200, 1110–1111 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/2001110a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2001110a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing