Switch-function of amino sugar on elsamicin A, a DNA binding antitumor antibiotic

There are a considerable number of DNA binding natural products equipped with amino sugar residues. The amino sugar of elsamicin A significantly takes part in DNA binding and antitumor activity. In addition, we found that an acetylation of the amino group on elsamicin A sugar portion plays an important switch-function for the activity of elsamicin A. The biological implication of this switch has been discussed.