Mutagenicity and DNA-modifying activity of 2-nitropropane.

The results presented herein confirm the mutagenicity in Salmonella of 2-nitropropane and the relative inactivity of 1-nitropropane. The lack of mutagenicity of 1- and 2-aminopropane is also reported. In addition, we have demonstrated the in vitro DNA-modifying activity of 2-nitropropane, and present evidence to suggest that genetic activity of this nitroalkane may not be dependent on the enzymic reduction of the nitro function to the corresponding hydroxylamine.