[A class of oligopeptide antineoplastic antibiotics isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces distallicus. Distamycin antibiotics bind to the minor groove of DNA, preferentially to adenine-thymine (A-T) rich sequences, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and RNA transcription. In addition to their antitumor effects, these agents possess antiviral and antiprotozoal activities. (NCI04) ( NCI )]
UMLS (NCI) C0012750 - Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein
- Antibiotic