Effect of chartreusin on macromolecular synthesis

Chartreusin (CT), a natural compound derived from Streptomyces chartreusis which exhibits antitumor activity, was demonstrated to be an equally potent inhibitor of DNA and RNA synthesis in cultured human KB cells and in isolated nuclei. Polymerization of nucleic acids in nuclei prepared from adenovirus-infected KB cells responded to CT in a similar manner. In contrast, protein biosynthesis was not inhibited by up to 30 microgram/ml CT in whole KB and rabbit reticulocyte cells as well as in their cell free lysates.