Biological studies of photoinducible phenol quaternary ammonium derivatives

Three water-soluble DNA cross-linking phenol quaternary ammonium derivatives 3, 4, and 5 could inhibit the transcription in vitro by photoactivation. DNA interstrand cross-linking action might be the key factor to inhibit transcription by these compounds. Further tumor cell apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry it indicated that cross-linking agent 5 could significantly induce the late apoptosis of tumor cells.