Interstrand DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links by a new antitumor antibiotic, FK973, in L1210 cells.

In our previous study FK973, a novel, substituted dihydrobenzoxazine (11-acetyl-8-carbamoyloxymethyl-4-formyl-14-oxa-1,11-diazatetracyclo+ ++ [7.4.1.0(2,7).0(10,12)]tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-6,9-diyl diacetate), had potent cytotoxic and antitumor effects on murine tumors and human tumors in in vitro and in vivo experiments. In the present study the mechanism(s) of the in vitro cytotoxic effects of the drug on tumor cells were studied. After 1-h exposure of L1210 murine leukemia cells to the drug, the concentration of FK973 required to inhibit cell growth by 50% was approximately 1 microM, which was threefold more potent than the concentration of mitomycin C required. DNA synthesis was selectively inhibited in the cells treated with FK973. Alkaline elution analyses showed that FK973 formed concentration- and time-dependent interstrand DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links in the cells. On the other hand, no DNA single-strand breaks were observed in the cells treated with FK973. When isolated nuclei of L1210 were exposed to FK973 for 1 h, FK973 did not form detectable interstrand DNA-DNA cross-links. We propose that FK973 is activated in the cytoplasm of cells, and forms interstrand DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links which may be important for the induction of its cytotoxicity.