Phleomycin: Difference between revisions

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'''Phleomycin''' is a type of [[antibiotic]] that belongs to the [[bleomycin]] family. It is a glycopeptide antibiotic that is produced by the bacterium ''[[Streptomyces verticillus]]''. Phleomycin is used in [[molecular biology]] as a tool for [[genetic engineering]] and [[DNA sequencing]].
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Phleomycin}}


==Chemical Structure==
== Overview ==
Phleomycin is a complex molecule that consists of a [[peptide]] (protein fragment) and a [[sugar]] molecule. The peptide part of the molecule is responsible for the antibiotic activity of phleomycin, while the sugar part helps the molecule to enter bacterial cells.
[[File:Phleomycin_D1.svg|thumb|right|Chemical structure of Phleomycin D1]]
'''Phleomycin''' is a glycopeptide antibiotic that belongs to the [[bleomycin]] family of antibiotics. It is produced by the bacterium ''[[Streptomyces verticillus]]''. Phleomycin is known for its ability to bind to DNA and cause strand breaks, making it a potent [[antitumor]] and [[antimicrobial]] agent.


==Mechanism of Action==
== Mechanism of Action ==
Phleomycin works by binding to [[DNA]] and causing breaks in the DNA strands. This disrupts the normal functioning of the DNA and leads to cell death. The ability of phleomycin to cause DNA breaks is used in molecular biology to introduce new genes into cells.
Phleomycin exerts its effects by binding to DNA and inducing [[DNA strand breaks]]. This process involves the formation of a complex with [[metal ions]], such as [[iron]] or [[copper]], which facilitates the generation of reactive oxygen species. These reactive species then attack the DNA, leading to single and double-strand breaks. This mechanism is similar to that of other bleomycin antibiotics.


==Uses in Molecular Biology==
== Clinical Uses ==
In molecular biology, phleomycin is used as a [[selectable marker]] in [[genetic engineering]]. Cells that have been successfully transformed with a new gene are able to survive in the presence of phleomycin, while cells that have not been transformed are killed by the antibiotic. This allows scientists to easily identify and select the transformed cells.
Phleomycin is primarily used in [[research]] settings rather than in clinical practice. It is often employed as a selective agent in [[molecular biology]] experiments, particularly in the selection of genetically modified cells that express a phleomycin resistance gene. This application is similar to the use of [[neomycin]] or [[hygromycin]] in cell culture.


Phleomycin is also used in DNA sequencing. The antibiotic can be used to generate random breaks in DNA, which can then be sequenced to determine the order of the DNA bases.
== Side Effects ==
While phleomycin is not commonly used in clinical settings, its side effects are expected to be similar to those of bleomycin, which include [[pulmonary fibrosis]], [[skin toxicity]], and [[mucositis]]. These side effects are primarily due to the drug's ability to cause DNA damage in normal cells.


==Safety and Side Effects==
== Related Compounds ==
Like all antibiotics, phleomycin can have side effects. These can include skin rashes, fever, and in rare cases, lung damage. However, these side effects are generally rare and phleomycin is considered to be a safe and effective tool for use in molecular biology.
Phleomycin is part of the bleomycin family, which includes other compounds such as [[bleomycin A2]] and [[bleomycin B2]]. These compounds share a similar mechanism of action and are used in various [[chemotherapy]] regimens.


==See Also==
== Related Pages ==
* [[Bleomycin]]
* [[Bleomycin]]
* [[Antibiotic]]
* [[Antibiotic]]
* [[Molecular Biology]]
* [[DNA damage]]
* [[Genetic Engineering]]
* [[Streptomyces]]
* [[DNA Sequencing]]


[[Category:Antibiotics]]
[[Category:Antibiotics]]
[[Category:Molecular Biology]]
[[Category:Chemotherapy]]
[[Category:Genetic Engineering]]
[[Category:DNA-binding substances]]
[[Category:DNA Sequencing]]
 
{{pharmacology-stub}}

Latest revision as of 03:52, 13 February 2025


Overview[edit]

Chemical structure of Phleomycin D1

Phleomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that belongs to the bleomycin family of antibiotics. It is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces verticillus. Phleomycin is known for its ability to bind to DNA and cause strand breaks, making it a potent antitumor and antimicrobial agent.

Mechanism of Action[edit]

Phleomycin exerts its effects by binding to DNA and inducing DNA strand breaks. This process involves the formation of a complex with metal ions, such as iron or copper, which facilitates the generation of reactive oxygen species. These reactive species then attack the DNA, leading to single and double-strand breaks. This mechanism is similar to that of other bleomycin antibiotics.

Clinical Uses[edit]

Phleomycin is primarily used in research settings rather than in clinical practice. It is often employed as a selective agent in molecular biology experiments, particularly in the selection of genetically modified cells that express a phleomycin resistance gene. This application is similar to the use of neomycin or hygromycin in cell culture.

Side Effects[edit]

While phleomycin is not commonly used in clinical settings, its side effects are expected to be similar to those of bleomycin, which include pulmonary fibrosis, skin toxicity, and mucositis. These side effects are primarily due to the drug's ability to cause DNA damage in normal cells.

Related Compounds[edit]

Phleomycin is part of the bleomycin family, which includes other compounds such as bleomycin A2 and bleomycin B2. These compounds share a similar mechanism of action and are used in various chemotherapy regimens.

Related Pages[edit]