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The Sound of Evolution
Bleomycin
Mechanism of action:
Bleomycin is an antitumor antibiotic extracted from Streptomyces verticillus and functions as a DNA strand break-inducing agent. Bleomycin chelates divalent metal ions, particularly Fe²⁺, to form a bleomycin-Fe²⁺ complex. This complex reacts with oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species, leading to DNA strand breaks.
Reference(s):
Claussen CA et al. (1999). Nucleic acid recognition by metal complexes of bleomycin. Chem Rev.
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