Oxidatively Induced Damage to DNA: Potential Role of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes at the Molecular Level

摘要

Ultrasonication is a physical process known to generate abundant levels of oxygen-derived species such as hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen atoms, and hydrogen peroxide. When used to process DNA solutions, these highly reactive hydroxyl radicals can react with DNA to generate strand breaks and a multiplicity of oxidatively modified DNA bases. Oxidatively induced damage to DNA bases has been well-studied and the reaction mechanisms have been resolved. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methodologies have been developed to both qualitatively and quantitatively measure the DNA lesions. Here, we investigated DNA base damage in (ATT) 14 and (GT)_(20) oligomers from ultrasonication in the presence and absence of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). We found that the overall level of DNA damage is reduced in the presence of SWCNTs, particularly for DNA lesions formed by one-electron reduction of intermediate radicals.