n-methyl-n-nitrosourea

N-methyl-n-nitrosourea is a small molecule belonging to the nitrosourea class and acts as a highly potent DNA alkylating agent with mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and cytotoxic properties. It transfers a methyl group to nucleic acid bases, notably at the O6 position of guanine, resulting in miscoding, DNA cross-linking, and cell death. Historically it has been explored as a chemotherapeutic agent in experimental oncology primarily for research purposes, especially in generating animal models of cancer, and as a positive control in preclinical carcinogenicity studies. It is no longer used clinically due to its high toxicity and carcinogenicity[2][3].

Other names

1-methyl-1-nitrosoureaN-nitroso-N-methylureanitrosomethylureaN-nitrosomethylurea