and Cys to get P-6m. On the basis of the bleomycin structure and the deduced functions of individual NRPS and PKS domains and modules, a linear model for the bleomycin megasynthetase-templated assembly of the bleomycin peptide/polyketide/peptide aglycon was proposed from nine amino acids and one acetate. Biosynthesis of bleomycin is completed by glycosylation of the aglycones. Bleomycin naturally occurring-analogues have two to three sugar molecules, and DNA cleavage activities of these analogues have been assessed, primarily by the plasmid relaxation and break light assays. History Bleomycin was first discovered in 1962 when the Japanese scientist Hamao Umezawa found anticancer activity while screening culture filtrates of Streptomyces verticillus. Umezawa published his discovery in 1966. The drug was launched in Japan by Nippon Kayaku in 1969. In the US, bleomycin gained FDA approval in July 1973. It was initially marketed in the US by the Bristol-Myers Squibb precursor, Bristol Laboratories, under the brand name Blenoxane. Research Bleomycin is used in research to induce pulmonary fibrosis in mice. See also Flagellate pigmentation from bleomycin Pingyangmycin (Bleomycin A5) References Further reading External links Cancer research DNA intercalaters DNA replication inhibitors Glycopeptide antibiotics IARC Group 2B carcinogens Sulfonium compounds World Health Organization essential medicines Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate Eukaryotic selection compounds Hydroxymethyl compounds Japanese inventions