Short Communication: Enhancement of Topoisomerase I-Mediated Unwinding ofSupercoiled DNA by the Radioprotector WR-33278

摘要

Cellular DNA is one of the critical targets for ionizing radiation. To mitigatethe effects of ionizing radiation, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command has synthesized several radioprotective drugs, primarily aminothiol compounds. Many mechanisms responsible for their radioprotective action have been proposed, including radical scavenging, hydrogen atom donation to DNA carbon center radicals, enhancement of DNA repair process, and reduction in the target volume. All of these processes require that the radioprotector or its metabolite be located within molecular distances, less than 50A, from DNA.