In this paper, we summarize the data on the cytotoxicity mechanisms of aziridinyl-substituted-1,4-benzoquinones, which are potentially important antitumor agents known since 1980s. High antitumor activity of aziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinones arises from the combined effects of their two-electron enzymatic reduction into aziridinyl-substituted hydroquinones which alkylate DNA more readily than the parent quinones, the oxidative stress-type cytotoxicity due to the redox cycling of the corresponding quinone free radicals, and the direct alkylation of DNA by the low-potential aziridinyl-benzoquinones. However, it may also cause the undesirable side-effects, i. e. their cytotoxicity in primary mammalian cells. In this context, including our recent findings, we aim to review: i) the redox properties of aziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinones, ii) their reactivity and structure-activity relationships in single- and two-electron reduction by flavoenzymes and related redox systems, iii) the structure-activity relationships in their cytotoxicity, and iv) the mechanisms of the cell death and the expression of signaling proteins under their action.

Issues:

2017 - Vol.28
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2016 - Vol.27
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2015 - Vol.26
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2014 - Vol.25
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2013 - Vol.24
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2012 - Vol.23
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2011 - Vol.22
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2010 - Vol.21
No. 1, No. 2-4

2009 - Vol.20
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2008 - Vol.19
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3-4

2007 - Vol.18
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2006 - Vol.17
No. 1, No. 2-3, No. 4

2005 - Vol.16
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3-4

2004 - Vol.15
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2003 - Vol.14
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2002 - Vol.13
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4

2001 - Vol.12
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4