RNA CLEAVAGE BY C-1027 CHROMOPHORE, AN ENEDIYNE ANTITUMOR ANTIBIOTIC - HIGH SELECTIVITY TO AN ANTICODON ARM

This study demonstrates unique reactivity of the C-1027 chromophore to ward a tRNA(phe). In the presence of Mg2+ ions where the tRNA(phe) att ains a stable three-dimensional structure, the enediyne chromophore ex hibits high cleavage selectivity to the anticodon arm. The present rea ctivity of the C-1027 chromophore is useful in development of new chem ical probes for mapping of tertiary RNA structure. Considering the pau city of RNA repair mechanisms, RNA may be also an important biological target for certain enediyne antibiotics. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc .