Mechanism of action of chounghwamycin A.

Abstract

The mechanism of action of chounghwamycin A to tumor cells resembles that of actinomycin D, preferentially inhibiting the synthesis of RNA. The interaction of chounghwamycin A with DNA was studied, and the results indicated that chounghwamycin A could not cause any scission in tested DNA. However, an induced mobility shift of the DNA in agarose gel electrophoresis was observed. When the concentration of chounghwamycin A gradually increased, the migration rate of closed circular form DNA is gradually slowed. At a critical concentration of chounghwamycin A, 15.6 micrograms/ml, the migration rate of closed circular form DNA reaches its minimum value. As more choungwamycin A is added, the mobility of the closed circular DNA increases gradually again, suggesting that the intercalation of chounghwamycin A in DNA is the primary mechanism of its action against tumor cells.

• Authors: Y T Liu, S J Yeh, C L Liao, C F Chou, L Shou
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Science Council, Republic of China. Part B, Life sciences (Proc Natl Sci Counc Repub China B) Vol. 13 Issue 4 Pg. 262-6 (Oct 1989) ISSN: 0255-6596 [Print] China (Republic : 1949- )
• PMID: 2484045 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
• DNA, Circular
• chounghwamycin A
• Dactinomycin
• RNA
• DNA

Topics

• Animals
• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
• Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor (metabolism)
• DNA (biosynthesis, drug effects)
• DNA, Circular (drug effects)
• Dactinomycin (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
• Kinetics
• Leukemia P388 (metabolism)
• Protein Biosynthesis
• RNA (biosynthesis)