Footprinting studies of sequence recognition by mithramycin.

The binding of mithramycin to DNA has been investigated using a variety of chemical and enzymic footprinting probes. Mithramycin failed to affect DNA modification by several chemical agents which react in the DNA major groove, suggesting that the drug binds via the minor groove. The pattern of reaction with diethylpyrocarbonate was modified by the antibiotic at the binding site and in surrounding regions, consistent with drug-induced structural changes. Hydroxyl radical and DNase I footprinting confirms that the drug binds best to GpG, especially when this is located within a GC-rich environment. Cleavage by DNase II and micrococcal nuclease is inhibited around drug binding sites and suggests a local stabilization of the DNA helix.