Description
N-Acetyl-S-(N’-methylthiocarbamoyl)-L-cysteine (AMITC) is a cysteine conjugate of N-acetyl-methylisothiocyanate. AMITC is a pesticide typically used to fumigate wheat and other grain crops, killing pests such as grain beetles and weevils. AMITC also exhibits anti-parasitic activity, inhibiting the hatch of nematodes from species of Heterodera and decreasing the population density of species of Meloidogyne. This compound inhibits mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver, increasing aldehyde levels in blood and brain in vivo. Additionally, AMITC displays genotoxic potential, inducing lipid peroxidation-mediated DNA damage at high doses.
References
Ren Y, Lee B, Mahon D, et al. Fumigation of wheat using liquid ethyl formate plus methyl isothiocyanate in 50-tonne farm bins. J Econ Entomol. 2008 Apr;101(2):623-30. PMID: 18459432.
Kassie F, Laky B, Nobis E, et al. Genotoxic effects of methyl isothiocyanate. Mutat Res. 2001 Jan 25;490(1):1-9. Erratum in: Mutat Res 2001 May 31;492(1-2):111-3. PMID: 11152966.
Staub RE, Sparks SE, Quistad GB, et al. S-methylation as a bioactivation mechanism for mono- and dithiocarbamate pesticides as aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors. Chem Res Toxicol. 1995 Dec;8(8):1063-9. PMID: 8605289.
Greco N, Elia F, Brandonisio A. Control of Heterodera carotae, Ditylenchus dipsaci, and Meloidogyne javanica with Fumigant and Nonfumigant Nematicides. J Nematol. 1986 Jul;18(3):359-63. PMID: 19294191.
