methyl methanesulfonate

Methyl methanesulfonate is an **alkylating agent** and a laboratory reagent primarily used in research and chemical mutagenesis[2]. It is a colorless to amber liquid, highly soluble in water[3][4]. As an alkylator, MMS methylates DNA bases, mainly at N7 of deoxyguanosine and N3 of deoxyadenosine, leading to DNA damage such as stalling of replication forks and production of single-strand breaks[2][5]. MMS is considered a carcinogen and suspected reproductive toxicant, and has established corrosive and irritant properties in humans[2][3]. While it is noted as being used in cancer research and as a model mutagen, its direct application in medicinal cancer treatment is extremely limited and not as an approved pharmaceutical agent for therapy.

Other names

methyl methanesulfonateMMSmethyl mesylate