Biomaterial Database

Hydroxyl radical-induced strand break formation of poly(U) in anoxic solution. Effect of dithiothreitol and tetranitromethane. 1987

D G Lemaire, and E Bothe, and D Schulte-Frohlinde

The role of dithiothreitol (DTT) and tetranitromethane (TNM) on the yields of radiation-induced strand break formation in polyuridylic acid (poly(U] was studied in anoxic aqueous solutions at neutral pH by low-angle laser light-scattering. From G (single-strand breaks) as a function of DTT concentration it follows that two different processes lead to OH radical-induced single-strand break (ssb) formation. Only one of the two processes, which accounts for 80 per cent of the ssb formation, is inhibited by DTT, the other one, 20 per cent, is not inhibited. The 'repair' process is attributed to H-donation to the C-6-yl radical of the uracil moiety. The C-6-yl radical is produced by OH addition to the C-5 position of the uracil moiety. It follows that the sugar radicals, in contrast to earlier suggestions, do not seem to be repaired by DTT at the low concentrations used. The strand break formation not inhibited by DTT is induced by radicals other than the uracil-6-yl radical, e.g. the uracil-5-yl or the OH radicals reacting with the sugar moiety. The strong reduction of G(ssb) from 2.3 to 0.2 on addition of TNM is also discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008970	Molecular Weight	The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule.	Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D011072	Poly U	A group of uridine ribonucleotides in which the phosphate residues of each uridine ribonucleotide act as bridges in forming diester linkages between the ribose moieties.	Polyuridylic Acids,Uracil Polynucleotides,Poly(rU),Acids, Polyuridylic,Polynucleotides, Uracil
D002621	Chemistry	A basic science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of matter; and the reactions that occur between substances and the associated energy exchange.
D004229	Dithiothreitol	A reagent commonly used in biochemical studies as a protective agent to prevent the oxidation of SH (thiol) groups and for reducing disulphides to dithiols.	Cleland Reagent,Cleland's Reagent,Sputolysin,Clelands Reagent,Reagent, Cleland,Reagent, Cleland's
D004307	Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation	The relationship between the dose of administered radiation and the response of the organism or tissue to the radiation.	Dose Response Relationship, Radiation,Dose-Response Relationships, Radiation,Radiation Dose-Response Relationship,Radiation Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Radiation Dose-Response,Relationships, Radiation Dose-Response
D005609	Free Radicals	Highly reactive molecules with an unsatisfied electron valence pair. Free radicals are produced in both normal and pathological processes. Free radicals include reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). They are proven or suspected agents of tissue damage in a wide variety of circumstances including radiation, damage from environment chemicals, and aging. Natural and pharmacological prevention of free radical damage is being actively investigated.	Free Radical
D005720	Gamma Rays	Penetrating, high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from atomic nuclei during NUCLEAR DECAY. The range of wavelengths of emitted radiation is between 0.1 - 100 pm which overlaps the shorter, more energetic hard X-RAYS wavelengths. The distinction between gamma rays and X-rays is based on their radiation source.	Gamma Wave,Gamma Radiation,Nuclear X-Rays,Radiation, Gamma,X-Rays, Nuclear,Gamma Radiations,Gamma Ray,Gamma Waves,Nuclear X Rays,Nuclear X-Ray,Ray, Gamma,Wave, Gamma,Waves, Gamma,X Rays, Nuclear,X-Ray, Nuclear
D006878	Hydroxides	Inorganic compounds that contain the OH- group.
D013774	Tetranitromethane	Corrosive oxidant, explosive; additive to diesel and rocket fuels; causes skin and lung irritation; proposed war gas. A useful reagent for studying the modification of specific amino acids, particularly tyrosine residues in proteins. Has also been used for studying carbanion formation and for detecting the presence of double bonds in organic compounds.