Inactivation of DNA by β-propiolactone

β-propiolactone (BPL) is an alkylating agent which reacts with many nucleophilic reagents including nucleic acids and proteins. BPL modifies the structure of nucleic acids after reaction mainly with purine residues (notably guanine). It induces nicks in DNA, cross-linking between DNA and proteins as well as between the DNA strands in the double helix. Consequently, BPL is widely used for the inactivation of viruses (DNA and RNA viruses). Moreover, it alters the capability of residual/contaminating cell DNA to be used as template by various polymerases. Thus, BPL reduces the risks associated with residual/contaminating cell DNA in biologicals.