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Reaction of oxygen with radiation-induced free radicals on single-stranded polynucleotides. [40 MeV electrons]

Journal Article · · Radiat. Res.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3574553· OSTI ID:5334233

Pulse radiolysis experiments have been carried out to investigate the reaction of O/sub 2/ with the radicals produced by .OH attack on nucleic acid derivatives and single-stranded polynucleotides. The .OH adducts of the pyrimidine polynucleotides poly C and poly U react with O/sub 2/ giving rise to species whose absorption spectra are similar to the peroxy adducts of the monomers CMP and UMP. There may be two forms of polynucleotide radicals, reacting with O/sub 2/ at different rates. The situation for purine polynucleotides is complex. Radicals on single-stranded DNA react with O/sub 2/ on the same time scale as the reaction of O/sub 2/ with .OH adducts on pyrimidine polynucleotides. Typical values of the rate constant for this reaction are approximately 4 x 10/sup 8/ M/sup -1/ sec/sup -1/, a value which agrees approximately with an estimated collision frequency of O/sub 2/ with the polynucleotide radicals.

Research Organization:
Ontario Cancer Inst., Toronto
OSTI ID:
5334233
Journal Information:
Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 72:1; ISSN RAREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English