Action of & Methyl - 3 , 4 _ dihydroxytetrone on Deoxyribonucleic Acid *

In connection with antitumoric potentiality of 5-methyl-3,4_dihydroxytetrone (MDT), its stability in the presence of Cu2+ and action on DNA were investigated. It was observed that MDT is relatively stable in acid medium even in the presence of Cuz’, while it is rapidly decomposed in alkali. Viscosity of DNA solution was lowered a little by MDT. However, CuZ+ accelerated exceedingly the lowering, whereas few promotion was brought about by Fez+ or Fez+. By the sucrose density gradient centrifugation, disintegration of DNA with MDT was disclosed. Double and single strand cissions were caused depending on the concentration of MDT. In this case too, breakage of DNA was enhanced with Cu2+. Apyrimidinic and apurinic acids were also similarly degraded by the action of MDT.