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Relationship: 271
Title
Alkylation, Protein leads to Peptide Oxidation
Upstream event
Downstream event
Key Event Relationship Overview
AOPs Referencing Relationship
Taxonomic Applicability
Sex Applicability
Life Stage Applicability
Key Event Relationship Description
Alkylating agents are highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules and thereby prevent their proper functioning. Many are used as antineoplastic agents, but most are very toxic, with carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressant actions. Covalent protein alkylation by reactive electrophiles was identified as a key triggering event in chemical toxicity. Protein alkylation disturbs the cellular redox balance through interaction with gluthathione, which leads to disruption of multiple biochemical pathways in exposed cells and is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction which in turn can trigger the death of exposed cells via either apoptosis and/or necrosis. Alkylating agents may substitute alkyl groups for hydrogen atoms on DNA, resulting in the formation of cross links within the DNA chain and thereby resulting in cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. The end result of the alkylation process results in the misreading of the DNA code and the inhibition of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis and the triggering of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Evidence Supporting this KER
Biological Plausibility
Empirical Evidence
Uncertainties and Inconsistencies
Quantitative Understanding of the Linkage
Response-response Relationship
Time-scale
Known modulating factors
Known Feedforward/Feedback loops influencing this KER
Domain of Applicability
References
Kehrer and Biswal (2000) Toxicological Sciences 57, (6-15)
Liebler DC, Chem Res Toxicol. 2008 January ; 21(1): 117–128