Nitrite converts 2-amino-alpha-carboline, an indirect mutagen, into 2-hydroxy-alpha-carboline, a non-mutagen, and 2-hydroxy-3-nitroso-alpha-carboline, a direct mutagen.
2-Amino-alpha-carboline [26148-68-5] which was isolated from a pyrolysate of soybean globulin and which was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the presence of a rat-liver microsomal fraction (S9 mix), was converted into non-mutagenic 2-hydroxy-alpha-carboline by treatment with nitrite in acidic conditions. However, on prolonged treatment with nitrite and acid, 2-hydroxy-alpha-carboline was further converted into a new mutagen which did not require S9 mix for exhibition of the mutagenicity. This direct-acting mutagen was found to be 2-hydroxy-3-nitroso-alpha-carboline by mass and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopies.
D002243:Carbolines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism*; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors
D002243:Carbolines; D007211:Indoles; D009153:Mutagens; D009573:Nitrites