The molecule is a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic that is produced by Streptomyces peucetius var. carminatus (a biochemical mutant of Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius), and is active against P-388 murine leukemia. It has a role as an antineoplastic agent and a bacterial metabolite. It is an anthracycline antibiotic, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, a member of p-quinones, a member of tetracenequinones and a tertiary alcohol. It is a conjugate base of a 13-deoxycarminomycin(1+). It derives from a hydride of a tetracene.
(7S,9S)-7-[(2R,4S,5S,6S)-4-amino-5-hydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-9-ethyl-4,6,9,11-tetrahydroxy-8,10-dihydro-7H-tetracene-5,12-dione