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OBJECTIVE: Microtubules are an essential part of the intracellular cytoskeletal structure and possess unique polymerization dynamics that are critical for many cellular functions, including cell division. Anti-microtubule drugs that interfere with microtubule formation are important chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of various cancer. These drugs that block mitosis seem to work by a common mechanism, which suppresses the dynamics of microtubules, slows cells, induces apoptosis and subsequently kills tumor cells. Vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine and vinorelbine) and Taxanes (paclitaxel) are two different classes of anti-microtubule drugs that cause microtubule dysfunction and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. The main activity of vinca alkaloids and taxanes result from their binding interactions with tubulin proteins. However, studies on DNA interactions of these anti-microtubule drugs are not sufficient. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the DNA binding activities of the vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine) and paclitaxel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The interactions of the drugs with DNA were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis assay. Three types of DNA were used in each experiment, including 100bp marker DNA, pUC19 plasmid DNA (2686 bp), and pBR322 plasmid DNA (4361 bp). After the DNAs were incubated with different concentrations of the drugs under certain conditions, agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. DNA band distributions were analyzed with a gel analysis system so that the drugs-DNA interactions could be interpreted. RESULTS: According to our results, it was found that among the vinca alkaloids, especially vinorelbine binds to DNA with higher activity than vincristine and vinblastine. The Vinca alkaloids have structural properties required for DNA binding activity and there is a similarity in their DNA binding models. However, the results showed that paclitaxel, which is from the taxane group, did not have DNA binding activity. This may be because the chemical structure of paclitaxel is not suitable for binding to DNA. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction of drugs with DNA play an important role in determining the pathways of drugs action and their ability to cause DNA damage. Consequently, the findings of our study will contribute to elucidating the effect mechanisms and the genotoxic potentials of these drugs, which are microtubule inhibitors. (2022). DNA BINDING ACTIVITIES OF THE VINCA ALKALOIDS AND PACLITAXEL AS ANTI-MICROTUBULE DRUGS USED IN CANCER THERAPY. Kocatepe Medical Journal, 23(1), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-699146