Chromomycin A3 belong to the class of antitumor compounds called aureolic acids, it inhibits growth and multiplication of several tumor cell lines and also act on gram-positive bacteria. It binds via minor groove of DNA with GC-base specificity in presence of bivalent metal ions like Mg2+ and thereby inhibits replication and transcription.

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[2] Menendez N, Nur-e-Alam M, Brana A F, et al. Biosynthesis of the antitumor chromomycin A3 in Streptomyces griseus: analysis of the gene cluster and rational design of novel chromomycin analogs[J]. Chemistry & biology, 2004, 11(1): 21-32.