Document Details
PURL
(339 K)
Title:
Study of the Radiation Effect on Nucleic Acids and Related Compounds
Author(s):
Document Type:
REPORT
Publication Date:
1978 Jul 01
Document Number(s):
COO-3286-20
Originating Research Org.:
John Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)
OpenNet Entry Date:
2012 Nov 08
OpenNet Modified Date:
2026 Aug 24
Description/Abstract:
Several years ago a study was launched in our laboratory which sought to understand radiobiology at a molecular level by using a novel approach. It is an attempt to establish a correlation between a particular radiation product and its biological effects. This fundamental information is essential if we are to deal knowledgeably with human health hazards. Because a multiplicity of radiation products usually results from the irradiation of a single compound, one must learn whether and how a particular product produces certain biological effects before methods of protection against and repair can be effectively designed. Acquisition of such information involves four stages: 1) Establishment of procedures for the separation, isolation, and characterization of radiation products of nucleic acid bases, nucleosides, etc.; 2) Development of methods for the synthesis of these products once they are identified so that a constant supply in milligram to gram quantities is available for the studies in stages 3 and 4; 3) Examination of the apparent biological effects of each product in vitro and 18 vivo; and 4) Study of the molecular mechanism related to an observed biological phenomenon. In view of the difficulties experienced in this area of research and this deliberate and careful investigative approach, it was generally believed that progress toward our final goal would be rather prolonged. Yet the elucidation of a molecular mechanism by which ionizing radiation induces mutation let vivo is very near at hand. Further progress has been made in the separation and isolation of three hydroperoxy derivatives of thymidine. One communication has appeared and another has been submitted for publication. The former reports the efficient stereospecific synthesis of dis-pyrimidine glycols and the latter describes the study of mutagenicity and toxicity of seven radiation products of thymine and thymidine using Ames Salmonella test. Also, a quantitative study of the reversion of cytosine N(3)-oxide, a hydroperoxidation product induced by 6-TOOH, to cytosine has been carried out.