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EFFECT OF DNA‐BINDING DRUGS ON THE ACTIVITY OF DNA METHYLASE FROM EHRLICH'S ASCITES TUMOUR CELLS
Author(s) -
Tanaka M,
Hibasami H,
Nagai J,
Ikeda T
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
australian journal of experimental biology and medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0004-945X
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1982.27
Subject(s) - dna , methyltransferase , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , methylation , biochemistry , enzyme , oligonucleotide , dna methylation , cytosine , dna synthesis , gene , gene expression
Summary DNA methylase from Ehrlich's ascites tumour cells preferentially methylates DNA with high GC content. The methylase activity was not affected by the presence of the oligonucleotides, dCdG or dCdCdGdG, which are known to be part of the methyl‐acceptor sequence for mammalian DNA methylase. DNA from 5‐azacytidine‐treated ascites cells was a good methyl acceptor Actinomycin D, ethydium bromide and quinacrine inhibited the methylase activity. Distamycin A also inhibited the methylation of DNA from 5‐azacytidine‐treated ascites cells, but did not inhibit the methylation of (dG.dC)n. The inhibitory effect of all these drugs was overcome by increasing the DNA concentration. Non‐competitive type inhibition in regard to S‐adenosylmethionine was observed with all the DNA‐binding drugs.