Nitrosoureas are characterized by which property?

Nitrosoureas are characterized by which property?

• A. Inhibiting protein synthesis
• B. Breaking the DNA helix and crossing the blood-brain barrier
• C. Inhibiting topoisomerase
• D. Binding to DNA and RNA

Answer: (B)

Nitrosoureas act as alkylating agents that form cross-links in DNA, which prevents DNA replication and transcription and leads to cell death. What sets them apart is their lipophilicity, allowing them to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach CNS tumors. So they combine DNA damage with the ability to penetrate the CNS, making them especially useful for brain cancers. This is why the description describing both breaking the DNA helix (through cross-linking and alkylation) and crossing the blood-brain barrier best fits nitrosoureas. They don’t primarily inhibit protein synthesis, topoisomerase, nor merely bind DNA/RNA without alkylation.

Nitrosoureas act as alkylating agents that form cross-links in DNA, which prevents DNA replication and transcription and leads to cell death. What sets them apart is their lipophilicity, allowing them to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach CNS tumors. So they combine DNA damage with the ability to penetrate the CNS, making them especially useful for brain cancers. This is why the description describing both breaking the DNA helix (through cross-linking and alkylation) and crossing the blood-brain barrier best fits nitrosoureas. They don’t primarily inhibit protein synthesis, topoisomerase, nor merely bind DNA/RNA without alkylation.