Ethyl methanesulfonate

Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is a mutagenic, teratogenic, and possibly carcinogenic organic compound with formula C₃H₈SO₃. It produces random mutations in genetic material by nucleotide substitution; particularly by guanine alkylation. This typically produces only point mutations. It can induce mutations at a rate of 5x10⁻⁴ to 5x10⁻² per gene without substantial killing. The ethyl group of EMS reacts with guanine in DNA, forming the abnormal base O⁶-ethylguanine. During DNA replication, DNA polymerases that catalyze the process frequently place thymine, instead of cytosine, opposite O⁶-ethylguanine. Following subsequent rounds of replication, the original G:C base pair can become an A:T pair (a transition mutation). This changes the genetic information, is often harmful to cells, and can result in disease.

Ethyl methanesulfonate[1]

Names
IUPAC name 1-Methylsulfonyloxyethane
Other names Ethyl mesylate Ethyl methanesulphonate
Identifiers
CAS Number	62-50-0 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Abbreviations	EMS
ChEBI	CHEBI:23994 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL338686 Y
ChemSpider	5887 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.488
KEGG	C19239 N
PubChem CID	6113
UNII	9H154DI0UP Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6025309
InChI InChI=1S/C3H8O3S/c1-3-6-7(2,4)5/h3H2,1-2H3 Y Key: PLUBXMRUUVWRLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C3H8O3S/c1-3-6-7(2,4)5/h3H2,1-2H3 Key: PLUBXMRUUVWRLT-UHFFFAOYAM
SMILES O=S(=O)(OCC)C
Properties
Chemical formula	CH3SO3C2H5
Molar mass	124.16 g/mol
Appearance	Clear colorless liquid
Density	1.1452 g/cm3 (22 °C)
Melting point	< 25 °C
Boiling point	85–86 °C (185–187 °F; 358–359 K) /10 mmHg(lit)
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 1 0
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

EMS is often used in genetics as a mutagen. Mutations induced by EMS can then be studied in genetic screens or other assays.