EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF THE DUOCARMYCIN SA METHOXY SUBSTITUENTS - IDENTIFICATION OF THE MINIMUM, FULLY POTENT DNA-BINDING SUBUNIT

The preparation and examination of 4-7 revealed that (+)-5 and (+)-duo carmycin SA were indistinguishable. In contrast, 6 and 7 exhibited pro perties more analogous to 4 illustrating that the C6 and C7 methoxy su bstituents of duocarmycin SA contribute little or nothing to its prope rties. Thus, the C5 methoxy substituent of the 5,6,7-trimethoxyindole subunit of duocarmycin SA is necessary and sufficient for observation of the full potency of the natural product. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevie r Science Ltd