Labeling and other effects of actinomycin D on human chromosomes.

(3)H-actinomycin D, a guanine-binding agent, labels fixed human chromosomes nonrandomly. Actinomycin D added in G2 inhibits secondary constrictions and breaks chromosomes. There is some tendency for label to be concentrated at the ends of chromosomes and near the centromere. Labeling with (3)H-thymidine in the late stage of DNA synthesis shows a different pattern and in general lacks the telomeric concentrations. The sites of actinomycin D-induced breaks do not show good correspondence with the sites of actinomycin D label.