Increased acetylation of histones induced by diallyl disulfide and structurally related molecules.

In previous studies, diallyl disulfide induced differentiation in DS19 mouse erythroleukemic cells. A mechanism mediated by increased histone acetylation was investigated. Diallyl disulfide caused increased acetylation of H4 and H3 histones in DS19 cells and K562 human leukemic cells. Diallyl disulfide was more effective than diallyl monosulfide and diallyl sulfone. Acetylation was also induced in rat hepatoma and human breast cancer cells by diallyl disulfide or its metabolite, allyl mercaptan. Allyl mercaptan was a more potent inhibitor of histone deacetylase than diallyl disulfide. Differentiation in erythroleukemic cells by diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan may be mediated through induction of histone acetylation.