actinocin

Description

Actinocin is a naturally occurring antibiotic produced by the bacterium Streptomyces chrysomallus. It is a potent inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which is an enzyme essential for gene transcription. This inhibition leads to the suppression of protein synthesis, resulting in the cytotoxic effects of actinocin. Actinocin exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor properties. It has been studied extensively for its potential as an anticancer drug, particularly for treating leukemia and other hematological malignancies. Actinocin's mechanism of action is complex and involves multiple pathways, including DNA intercalation, DNA alkylation, and interaction with DNA-binding proteins. However, its clinical use has been limited due to its significant toxicity. Research on actinocin continues, with efforts focusing on improving its therapeutic index and developing new analogs with enhanced activity and reduced side effects.'

actinocin: despeptide analog of actinomycin D devoid of antibiotic activity which increases rate of ACTH stimulated lipolysis & cAMP production in isolated rat adipocytes & fat cell ghosts; structure [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]