[Carminomycin induction of single-stranded breaks in the DNA of tumor cells].

The effect of carminomycin, an antitumor antibiotic of the anthracycline group on DNA of lymphadenosis cells of mice NK/LI was studied. It was found that carminomycin induced single-stranded breaks in DNA. The effect of the antibiotic was proportional to its concentration and depended on the time of the cell exposure to it. When the antibiotic was used in a concentration of 10 gamma/ml, the maximum effect was observed within a minute of incubation. Reparation of DNA must be possible on prolong exposure of the cells to the above dose of the antibiotic. Double-stranded breaks as well as significant degradation of the DNA complex with other nuclear components were not observed.