Alkylation, Protein leads to Peptide Oxidation

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).