title: Synergism between cysteine and alkylating agents.
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.
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D012694:Serine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D014520:Urethane / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D000477:Alkylating Agents; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009603:Nitroso Compounds; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D006710:Homocysteine; D014520:Urethane; D012694:Serine; D003545:Cysteine