Increased acetylation of histones induced by diallyl disulfide and structurally related molecules

In previous studies, diallyl disulfide induced differentiation in DS19 mous e erythroleukemic cells. A mechanism mediated by increased histone acetylat ion was investigated. Diallyl disulfide caused increased acetylation of H4 and H3 histones in DS19 cells and K562 human leukemic cells. Diallyl disulf ide was more effective than diallyl monosulfide and diailyl sulfone. Acetyl ation was also induced in rat hepatoma and human breast cancer cells by dia llyl disulfide or its metabolite, allyl mercaptan. Allyl mercaptan was a mo re potent inhibitor of histone deacetylase than diallyl disulfide. Differen tiation in erythroleukemic cells by diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan m ay be mediated through induction of histone acetylation.