title: Biological interactions of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes.
abstract: This article describes the chemical nature of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and some of their toxicological effects based on their ability to function as direct-acting alkylating agents. Selected compounds discussed include alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydic environmental pollutants, metabolites of xenobiotics and natural products, and lipid peroxidation--and DNA oxidation products derived from cellular constituents. Briefly reviewed are sources and mechanisms of formation of the aldehydes, their reactivity with respect to glutathione and amino-groups, their toxicity based on interaction with sulfhydryl and amino targets in cells, and modulation of their toxicity by metabolism.
authors.affiliation: UMDNJ--Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Environmental and Community Medicine, Piscataway 08854.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Witz
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D004247:DNA; D005978:Glutathione