描述
Constituent of chickling pea (Lathyrus sativus)
beta-Aminopropionitrile is a toxic amino-acid derivative. On an unusual case of the Cantrell-sequence in a premature infant with associated dysmelia, aplasia of the right kidney, cerebellar hypoplasia and circumscribed aplasia of the cutis, maternal history suggested an occupational exposure to aminopropionitriles prior to pregnancy. The characteristic features of the Cantrell-sequence--anterior thoraco-abdominal wall defect with ectopia cordis and diaphragm, sternum, pericardium, and heart defects--have been observed in animals following maternal administration of beta-aminopropionitrile. Some species of lathyrus (chickling pea, Lathyrus sativus- related), notably Lathyrus odoratus, are unable to induce human lathyrism but contain beta-aminopropionitrile, that induces pathological changes in bone ("osteolathyrism") and blood vessels ("angiolathyrism") of experimental animals without damaging the nervous system. The administration of beta-aminopropionitrile has been proposed for pharmacological control of unwanted scar tissue in human beings. beta-Aminopropionitrile is a reagent used as an intermediate in the manufacture of beta-alanine and pantothenic acid. (PMID: 367235 , 6422318, 9394169, Am J Perinatol. 1997 Oct;14(9):567-71.). 3-Aminopropanenitrile is found in pulses.