The effect of nitrogen mustards on enzymes and tissue metabolism; the effect on enzymes.

Nitrogen mustards are powerful inhibitors for choline oxidase, acetylcholine esterase, and choline acetylase, half-inhibition of the first enzyme being produced with concentrations around 1 x 10(-6)M; i.e., ten times less than the LD(50) values. Acetylcholine esterase and choline acetylase required higher concentrations. This inhibition seems to be due to the structural similarity of the ethylenimonium derivatives with choline and acetylcholine. A list of enzyme systems inhibited by nitrogen mustards is given.