Biomaterial Database

[The molecular mechanism of the photochemical reaction of furocoumarins with nucleic acids]. 1976

L Kittler

1. The photoreaction of furocoumarins with cell substrates of high molecular weight are limited on nucleic acids. Both molecules are jointed together via a cyclobutane ring system. The 5.6 double bonds of thydine or uracil and the 3.4 and/or 4',5' positions of furocoumarins act as binding sites. Proteins, polysaccharides, and lipides behave quite inert. 2. The photoreactions of cancerogenic hydrocarbons with nucleic acids are similar to those of furocoumarins. 3. Photochemically induced cross-links of DNA strands by furocoumarins are to a high degree dependent on the secondary structure of nucleic acids. Double stranded DNA is much more favoured to bind furocoumarins than single stranded DNA or RNA. 4. Lethal and mutagenic effects in cells caused by photoreactions between furocoumarins and DNA are well explainable on molecular level. It consists a satisfactory correlation between skin sensitization and binding tendency of furocoumarins to DNA. Possibilities of repair of furocoumarine induced DNA damages are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009153	Mutagens	Chemical agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation by interfering with the function of nucleic acids. A clastogen is a specific mutagen that causes breaks in chromosomes.	Clastogen,Clastogens,Genotoxin,Genotoxins,Mutagen
D009690	Nucleic Acid Conformation	The spatial arrangement of the atoms of a nucleic acid or polynucleotide that results in its characteristic 3-dimensional shape.	DNA Conformation,RNA Conformation,Conformation, DNA,Conformation, Nucleic Acid,Conformation, RNA,Conformations, DNA,Conformations, Nucleic Acid,Conformations, RNA,DNA Conformations,Nucleic Acid Conformations,RNA Conformations
D010777	Photochemistry	A branch of physical chemistry which studies chemical reactions, isomerization and physical behavior that may occur under the influence of visible and/or ultraviolet light.	Photochemistries
D003374	Coumarins	Synthetic or naturally occurring substances related to coumarin, the delta-lactone of coumarinic acid.	1,2-Benzopyrone Derivatives,1,2-Benzopyrones,Coumarin Derivative,Coumarine,1,2-Benzo-Pyrones,Benzopyran-2-ones,Coumarin Derivatives,Coumarines,1,2 Benzo Pyrones,1,2 Benzopyrone Derivatives,1,2 Benzopyrones,Benzopyran 2 ones,Derivative, Coumarin,Derivatives, 1,2-Benzopyrone,Derivatives, Coumarin
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D004260	DNA Repair	The removal of DNA LESIONS and/or restoration of intact DNA strands without BASE PAIR MISMATCHES, intrastrand or interstrand crosslinks, or discontinuities in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbones.	DNA Damage Response
D004277	DNA, Single-Stranded	A single chain of deoxyribonucleotides that occurs in some bacteria and viruses. It usually exists as a covalently closed circle.	Single-Stranded DNA,DNA, Single Stranded,Single Stranded DNA
D004890	Erythema	Redness of the skin produced by congestion of the capillaries. This condition may result from a variety of disease processes.	Erythemas
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia