Anticancer Peptides advanced
Dactinomycin (Actinomycin D)
Polyketide-peptide antitumor antibiotic that intercalates DNA and inhibits transcription, used for childhood cancers.
By Encyclopeptide Editorial | 1 min read
dactinomycin actinomycin DNA-intercalation pediatric-cancer transcription
Chemical Identity
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C62H86N12O16 |
| Molecular Weight | 1255.43 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 50-76-0 |
| Product Name | Cosmegen |
| Source | Streptomyces parvulus |
Structure
Dactinomycin consists of a phenoxazone chromophore (actinocin) linked to two cyclic depsipeptide lactone rings containing unusual amino acids.
Mechanism
Intercalates into DNA at GC-rich regions, inhibiting RNA polymerase and DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. The peptide rings bind in the minor groove.
Clinical Applications
- Wilms tumor (pediatric)
- Ewing sarcoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Gestational trophoblastic disease
- Pediatric germ cell tumors
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