Bleomycin oxygen chemistry

Although the coordination and orientation of the metal complex are still not understood, extensive studies have been conducted concerning the remarkable chemistry of this species. The overall mechanism of action is described in Figure 8.19. In the presence of oxygen, the Fe(II) O2 species is formed and is likely rapidly converted to a ferric superoxide species. The one-electron reduction of this species, using either an organic reductant or another equivalent of Fe(II)-bleomycin, leads formally to an Fe(III)-peroxide, which then undergoes... 

In bioinorganic terms, the chemistry of bleomycin can be divided into that of its metal complexes, their reaction with and activation of oxygen, and the interaction and inactivation of DNA. 

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