title: DNA cleavage by 7-methylbenzopentathiepin: a simple analog of the antitumor antibiotic varacin.
abstract: The compound 7-methylbenzopentathiepin, a simple analog of the benzopentathiepin antitumor antibiotic varacin, was shown to be a potent thiol-dependent DNA-cleaving agent. Biological experiments previously suggested that DNA cleavage might play a role in the cytotoxicity of varacin; however, this is the first direct evidence that benzopentathiepins can cause DNA strand breaks under physiologically relevant conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia 65211, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chatterji
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Gates
mesh_terms: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D005021:Ethylamines / Q000737:chemistry*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C116448:7-methylbenzopentathiepin; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D005021:Ethylamines; D013440:Sulfides; C093885:varacin A; D004247:DNA