FURTHER-STUDIES OF THE MIXED ACETALS OF NUCLEOSIDES

We reported in 1988 on a new nucleoside modification reaction: the exo cyclic amino groups of (d)adenosine and (d)cytidine react rapidly at a mbient temperature with acetaldehyde and alcohols to give stable mixed acetals (N-ethylethoxy-acetal). [GRAPHICS] Here we report in detail o n the occurrence of this reaction in very dilute aqueous solution (ie under biological conditions), on its mechanism and kinetics, on the mi xed acetal formation with other aldehydes and other nucleic acid compo nents, and on the question of whether these adducts are mutagenic.