Different biding sites in DNA for actinomycin and daunomycin

Structural and sequence-dependent aspects of drug intercalation into nucleic acids

Information gained from X-ray crystallographic studies on drug-nucleic acid complexes is described, with emphasis on the intercalation process. Relevant data from NMR experiments are examined in order to highlight similarities and differences between solution and solid-state structures. Theoretical analyses of intercalation complexes are also discussed and evaluated, with respect to the structural methods, with special reference being made to nucleic acid conformation and positions of drug molecules in the binding sites.

Effect of a conjugate of daunomycin and antibodies to rat alpha-fetoprotein on the growth of alpha-fetoprotein-producing tumor cells

Daunomycin was covalently attached via a dextran bridge to specific antibodies against rat alpha-fetoprotein produced in a horse. The effect of this conjugate on an alpha-fetoprotein-producing tumor was investigated in terms of cytotoxicity and inhibition or retardation of tumor development. Under the experimental conditions used, the covalent conjugate was by both criteria more efficient than either daunomycin alone or a mixture of daunomycin and specific antibodies or a conjugate of daunomycin with horse immunoglobulin. These results show that the conjugate may be useful as a specific cytotoxic agent against alpha-fetoprotein-producing tumors.

[Studies on the thymidine-triphosphate synthesis in malignant tumors. II. Effect of hyperthermia, Vitamin K and Cytotoxic agents (author's transl)]

Measurements of the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) contents, the [14C] thymidine and deoxyuridine incorporation and the "key enzymes" of the thymidine triphosphate (dTTP) synthesis, thymidine kinase and ribonucleotide reductase, in diploid Ehrlich-ascites carcinoma, under the application of hyperthermia, vitamin K and cytocidal agents show: The effect of hyperthermia and menadion (the basic substance of the K vitamins) on the above parameters of dNTP synthesis can explain the labile effects of hyperthemia and vitamin K therapy on cancer growth. Alterations of the dNTP concentrations and demonstrable or absent inhibition of the ribonucleotide reduction with application of fluoruracil, amethopterine, cytosine arabinoside, hydroxyurea, trisethylen iminobenzochinone and daunomycin confirm and supplement our knowledge of the cytostatic action mechanism of these substances. They show moreover by the example of fluoruracil and amethopterine medication that the dTTP concentration estimation after in-vitro incubation of tumour cells with the addition of FU or methotrexat is a better measurement of the therapeutic in-vivo responsiveness of malignant tumours than the previously performed test methods.