Alkylation of haemoglobin, plasma proteins and DNA in the mouse by diethylnitrosamine

Covalent binding to haemoglobin, plasma proteins and DNA was determined after intraperitoneal administration of radiolabelled diethylnitrosamine to mice. The level of alkylation of DNA in liver--the main site of activation--was found to be about two orders of magnitude higher than the level of alkylation of haemoglobin, if compared per unit weight of macromolecule. A high reactivity towards nucleophilic oxygen atoms was characteristic of the reaction pattern. Carboxylic acid ethyl esters, ethylserine and ethylthreonine are important reaction products in the proteins.