DNA-Interactive Agents

Chapter 6 addresses the mechanism of action of agents that target nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) to achieve their biological effects. First, the key structural properties of nucleic acids that account for their interactions with small molecules are discussed. Then the mechanisms of action of antitumor antibiotic agents are discussed according to whether they act as reversible binders (including groove binders and DNA intercalators), as alkylators (including metabolically-activated alkylating agents), or as DNA strand breakers, including a discussion of the mode of action of a number of naturally-occurring antitumor antibiotics (anthracyclines, bleomycin, tirapazamine, and enediynes).