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Gamma radiolysis of RNA: An ESR and spin-trapping study

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5646946

It is well known that the radiolytic cleavage of water produces hydroxyl radicals (OH), hydrogen atoms (H) and hydrated electrons (e-aq). Although these species react rapidly with the individual nucleic acid bases, it is generally accepted that when nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) solutions are exposed to ionizing radiation, the principal reaction leading to nucleic acid damage is caused by OH. Besides direct formation, OH is formed from H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, also a product of the radiolysis of water, in the presence of trace amounts of divalent metal ions. The study reported here deals with the reaction of RNA with OH, produced in aqueous solutions by gamma radiolysis. For the present study, poly A, poly C, poly G and poly U were used as standards for RNA, and RNA was used as a model system for similar reactions that may occur in DNA. The nucleic acid free-radical intermediates were detected and identified by ESR and spin trapping following hydrolysis of the spin trapped nucleic acid molecules.

Research Organization:
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Inst., Bethesda, MD (USA)
OSTI ID:
5646946
Report Number(s):
AD-A-208293/1/XAB; AFRRI-SR--89-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English