Mitomycin C

Mitomycin C is an antibiotic which acts as a double-stranded DNA alkylating agent. It covalently crosslinks DNA, inhibiting DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. It acts by way of reductive activation either through low pH or NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase) or NADH cytochrome c reductase (Mao et al.; Cummings et al.).

MAINTENANCE

• Mitotically inactivates mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) for use as feeder cell layers in embryonic stem cell co-culture systems (Bryja et al.).

CANCER RESEARCH

• Selectively inhibits DNA synthesis and mutagenesis, stimulates genetic recombination, chromosome breakage and sister chromatid exchange, and induces DNA repair (Tomasz).