from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
actinomycin D \actinomycin D\ n. [From actinomyces, the genus of
the organism in which they were first found.]
The most well-known of the actinomycins ({C62H86N12O16}), a
class of antibiotics which act by binding to DNA and
inhibiting synthesis of RNA; they act agains gram-positive
bacteria and many eukaryotic organisma. Actinomycin D has
been used in human medicine to treat certain tumors.
Syn: dactinomycin, actinomycin IV, Cosmegen[trade name],
actinomycin C1, actinomycin I1
[PJC]