title: DNA binding and cleavage properties of ponicidin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ponicidin, an effective component isolated from Isodon rubescens, possesses anticancer properties. In the present study, we proved its ability to bind to and cleave DNA. DNA binding and cleavage properties are important for designing the rational construction of new and more efficient drugs targeted to DNA, because DNA is the biological target with which many anti-tumor drugs and potential antineoplastic agents interact. The characterization of interaction of ponicidin not only provides insights into its biology, but also gives the opportunity for developing effective therapeutic agents for control of gene expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The interaction of ponicidin with DNA has been explored by using absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, thermal denaturation and electrophoresis measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Firstly, adding ponicidin to a DNA solution could shift the absorption spectra to red. Secondly, ponicidin also raised the melting temperature and viscosity of DNA. Moreover, fluorescence of DNA binding with ethidium bromide was quenched by ponicidin. Finally, ponicidin showed nuclease activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose that the DNA binding and cleavage properties of ponicidin may underlie the mechanism of its cell toxic effects.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Henan, PR China. xuxia@zzu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Hongmin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D053837:DNA Cleavage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004586:Electrophoresis; D006801:Humans; D037602:Isodon; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004224:Diterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts; C090365:ponicidin; D004247:DNA