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U.S. Department of Energy
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Mechanisms for radiation damage in DNA. Progress report, August 1, 1976--October 31, 1977

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7094358· OSTI ID:7094358

In this project we have proposed mechanisms for radiation damage to DNA constituents and DNA, and have detailed a series of experiments utilizing electron spin resonance spectrometry to test the proposed mechanisms. In this past year investigations were completed on reactions of the ..pi..-cations of thymidine TMP and 1-methylthymine, charge transfer in aromatic peptide ..pi..-cation radicals, and electron reactions with amino acid anhydrides. A study in which we have made significant progress in this past year is ..pi..-cation radicals in DNA and dinucleoside phosphates. In the first study the cations of thymine derivatives were found to decay by two paths, hydroxyl ion addition and methyl group deprotonation. In the second it was found that ..pi..-cations of aromatic amino acid residues transferred the charge to the carboxyl group in dipeptides. This resulted in decarboxylation. In the last study it was found that the positive charge in DNA localizes mainly on the purine base guanine.

Research Organization:
Oakland Univ., Rochester, MI (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-S-02-2364
OSTI ID:
7094358
Report Number(s):
COO-2364-10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English