Some cytotoxicological aspects of ethyl and fluoroethyl alkanesulfonates in Escherichia coli: role of fluorine substitution

Several fluoroethyl derivatives of alkanesulfonates and N-nitrosourea were tested for cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in E. coli K12 AB1157. Cytotoxicity was potentiated by fluorine substitution in the alkyl moiety of the ethylating agents. Mutagenicity was strongly suppressed by fluorine substitution in the alkanesulfonates, but not in the N-nitrosourea. The capacity to induce the SOS repair network was suppressed, as was mutagenicity, in alkanesulfonates, but not in N-nitrosourea. The potentiating effect of fluorine on the cytotoxicity of alkanesulfonates seems to be due to an as yet unknown killing mechanism. An appreciable suppressive effect on the mutagenicity and the SOS induction is worth notice for the biological role of fluorine substitution in alkylating agents.