A molecular model for DNA cross-linking by the antitumor agent azinomycin B

A computational model for the covalent interstrand DNA cross-linking of the antitumor agent azinomycin B is reported and is based on Monte Carlo simulations of the four possible monoalkylation species and an examination of the low energy conformations of the cross-linked agent. The model was developed using a suitably modified version of the AMBER* force field with the experimentally determined triplet DNA target sequence 5'-d(GCT)-3' in both the native B-form and containing a preformed intercalation site.