Cellular effects induced by the antitumor agent azinomycin B

Chem Biol. 2006 May;13(5):485-92. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2006.02.015.

Abstract

Studies on the mechanism of action of the antitumor agent azinomycin B in vitro suggest that the drug elicits its lethal effects by the formation of interstrand crosslinks within the major groove of DNA. Here, we demonstrate the biological effects of the drug in vivo. Fluorescence imaging revealed localization of azinomycin B in the nuclear region of yeast. Moreover, experiments with oligonucleotide microarrays examined the effects of the drug across the yeast transcriptome. The results demonstrated a robust DNA damage response that supports the proposed role of the drug as a covalent DNA modifying agent. RT-PCR analysis validated the gene changes, and flow cytometry of azinomycin-treated yeast cells demonstrated a phenotypic S phase shift consistent with transcriptional effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Fungal / drug effects
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Fungal
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Naphthalenes
  • Peptides
  • azinomycin B