Actinomycin D is a metabolite isolated from Streptomyces parvulus. Actinomycin D binds to the GpC steps of DNA. Actinomycin D acts as an antibiotic, and is more effective against gram positive bacteria than gram negative bacteria. Actinomycin D can induce apoptosis in several cell lines such as lung and prostate cancer lines, and human blood lymphocytes, among others. In studies, it has been observed that Actinomycin D elevates p53 expression, leading to the increase of PUMAα/β (the p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis protein; PUMA). Actinomycin D can also induce tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis.