Volume 52, Issue 24 pp. 6185-6189
Communication

Rational Design of an Apoptosis-Inducing Photoreactive DNA Intercalator

Nico Ueberschaar

Nico Ueberschaar

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena (Germany)

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Dr. Hans-Martin Dahse

Dr. Hans-Martin Dahse

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena (Germany)

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Tom Bretschneider

Tom Bretschneider

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena (Germany)

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Prof. Dr. Christian Hertweck

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Christian Hertweck

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena (Germany)

Friedrich Schiller University, Jena (Germany)

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena (Germany)Search for more papers by this author
First published: 06 May 2013
Citations: 22

We thank A. Perner for MS analysis, H. Heinecke for NMR measurements, T. Palenta for assistance in synthesis and E.-M. Neumann for assistance in biological assays. This work was supported by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (BMBF (Germany)).

Graphical Abstract

Light on DNA intercalators: Molecular modeling and mutasynthesis were employed to rationally tailor the antitumoral agent chartreusin into a vinyl-substituted derivative. Exposure with visible light dramatically improved antiproliferative activities owing to covalent binding with DNA and induction of apoptosis. The results hold promise for a more efficient chemotherapy, in particular for selectively treating tumors with light probes.

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