You have full access to this open access article. Together with sesquimustard Q , it is the most important SM analogue and tightly regulated as a Schedule 1 chemical under the Chemical Weapons Convention. We report the adducts of T with nucleophilic Cys 34 and other residues in human serum albumin HSA formed in vitro. Corresponding peptide-adducts of SM and Q were detected in a common workflow that in principle allowed the estimation of the mustard or mustard composition encountered during exposure.
Novel adducts of Q at the Glu and Met residues were detected and are reported accordingly. The existence of this and other intramolecular cross-links was experimentally proven for the first time. Research includes the detection, protection, decontamination, and medical countermeasures against these agents, that are also known as vesicants [ 1 , 2 ]. SM not only causes painful blisters and erythema but is also characterized by prolonged wound healing requiring long-lasting medical attention of affected individuals [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].
It is cytotoxic and due to its reactivity with DNA it is mutagenic and classified as carcinogenic in humans [ 10 , 11 ]. SM and structural analogues of higher toxicity like sesquimustard Q, Fig. Efficient implementation of the CWC requires the ability to detect chemical agents, their precursors, degradation, and biotransformation products in environmental and biomedical samples.
Chemical structures of alkylating sulfur mustard analogues: a sulfur mustard SM , b sesquimustard Q , c O-mustard; agent T T. We have recently reported on the formation of adducts of Q Fig. Hemme et al. Another highly important sulfur-containing mustard analogue, also scheduled in 1.
It is 3. Due to its presence in old munitions, accidental exposure to T is not only a theoretical possibility. Due to the relatively low technological barrier of producing SM and other sulfur-containing mustard agents, their use in attacks on military personnel and civilian populations remains a credible risk [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].
