A role for ferrous ion and oxygen in the degradation of DNA by bleomycin

Edward A. Sausville, Jack Peisach, Susan B. Horwitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

280 Scopus citations

Abstract

An interaction between bleomycin and low concentrations of Fe(II) in the degradation of DNA is reported. Complete conversion of simian virus 40 DNA to acid-soluble products occurs at approximately equimolar levels of Fe(II), bleomycin, and DNA; Fe(III) does not substitute for Fe(II) in this reaction. Anaerobiosis inhibits the observed DNA degradation by bleomycin and Fe(II). Optical spectral studies reveal that an oxygen-labile complex is formed between bleomycin and Fe(II).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)814-822
Number of pages9
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume73
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 6 1976

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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