Synonyms: Actinomycin D solution from Streptomyces sp.; Actinomycin IV; Dactinomycin
Molecular Formula: C62H86N12O16
Molecular Weight: 1255.42
Linear Structural Formula: C62H86N12O16
Storage: -20C
Biochem Physiol Actions: Actinomycin D is an antineoplastic antibiotic that inhibits cell proliferation. It is a cytotoxic inducer of apoptosis against tumor cells. The compound inhibits the proliferation of cells in a nonspecific way by forming a stable complex with double-stranded DNA (via deoxyguanosine residues), thus inhibiting DNA-primed RNA synthesis. It also causes single strand breaks in DNA.Actinomycin D has been shown to be an inhibitor of the minus-strand transfer step in reverse transcription, and is therefore used in studies and suppression of HIV-replication. It has also been shown to suppress programmed cell death of PC12 cells induced by etoposide, an inhibitor of topoisomerase II. In cell culture, actinomycin D is used as a selection agent. Actinomycin D binding to yeast in ribosomal RNA has been studied. The sensitivity of various strains of E. coli to actinomycin D and the mechanism of binding has been studied. Actinomycin D is also used in molecular biology as a DNA intercalator which blocks the progression of RNA polymerases.