Methylnitrosourea

• CAT Number: R006722
• CAS Number: 684-93-5
• Molecular Formula: C2H5N3O2
• Molecular Weight: 103.081
• Purity: ≥95%
• Synonyms: 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea; MNU
• Target: Cell Cycle/DNA Damage
• Storage: -20°C
• Related CAS: 598-94-7 57-13-6 37955-36-5 58069-82-2
• IUPAC Name: 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea
• InChI: InChI=1S/C2H5N3O2/c1-5(4-7)2(3)6/h1H3,(H2,3,6)
• InChIKey: ZRKWMRDKSOPRRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: CN(C(=O)N)N=O

Methylnitrosourea (MNU) is a highly potent alkylating agent used in research as a mutagen and carcinogen. It introduces alkyl groups into DNA, leading to mutations and potentially causing cancer, which makes it a valuable tool for studying cancer mechanisms and mutagenesis in laboratory settings. MNU is often used in animal models to induce tumors for cancer research. Due to its strong DNA-modifying capabilities, it is handled with extreme care in research environments, as it poses significant health risks to humans, including carcinogenicity.