A carboline derivative as a novel mammalian DNA topoisomerase II targeting agent.

ABSTRACT

The DNA intercalating, ellipticine analog drug, 5,11-dimethyl-5H-indol[2,3-b]quinoline, is able to stabilize in vitro the topoisomerase II-DNA cleavable complex and to induce DNA breaks in BPV I episome in rat fibroblasts. Cytotoxicity studies with DC3F cells resistant to ellipticine strongly suggest that topoisomerase II is a cellular target involved in the mechanism of cytotoxic action of this carboline derivative.