porfiromycin

Definition / meaning of porfiromycin

An N-methyl derivative of the antineoplastic antibiotic mitomycin C isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces ardus and other Streptomyces bacterial species. Bioreduced porfiromycin generates oxygen radicals and alkylates DNA, producing interstrand cross-links and single-strand breaks, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis. Porfiromycin is preferentially toxic to hypoxic cells.

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Source(s):

The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/)

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