Zhenhui Han

Triplet state mechanism for electron transfer oxidation of DNA

The interaction of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate with nucleotides and DNA in acetonitrile and acetonitrile water solvent mixture have been studied using KrF laser photolysis aimed at elucidation of the reaction mechanism. Laser spectroscopy directly demonstrates that the initial species from interaction of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate with nucleotides are radical cations of nucleotides and radical anion of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate. In addition, formation of ion pair from interaction of any of nucleotides with anthraquinone-2-sulfonate is synchronous with decay of triplet anthraquinone-2-sulfonate, which has provided dynamic evidence for initiation of electron transfer from DNA bases to triplet anthraquinone-2-sulfonate. Moreover, direct observation of stabilized DNA guanyl radical cation from interaction of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate with DNA has provided initial evidence for selective cleavage of DNA at guanine moiety. The solvent-separated ion pairs in acetonitrile have evidently dissociated into free ions, thereby enabling independent study of the behavior of guanyl radical cations and radical anion of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate.

Photophysical and photochemical processes of riboflavin (vitamin B2) by means of the transient absorption spectra in aqueous solution

Using time-resolved techniques of 337 and 248 nm laser flash photolysis, the photo physical and photochemical processes of riboflavin (RF, vitamin B2) were studied in detail in aqueous solution. The excited triplet state of riboflavin (3RF*) was produced with 337 nm laser, while under 248 nm irradiation, both3RF* and hydrated electron (eaq) formed from photoionization could be detected. Photobiological implications have been inferred on the basis of reactivity of3RF* including energy transfer, electron transfer and hydrogen abstraction. The RF·+ was generated by oxidation of SO4·-radical with the aim of confirming the results of photolysis.

Kinetic observation of rapid electron transfer between pyrimidine electron adducts and sensitizers of riboflavin, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and chloranil: a pulse radiolysis study

Abstract Rapid electron transfer from electron adducts of pyrimidine nucleotides dCMP, TMP and UMP to sensitizers of riboflavin (RF), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and chloranil (CHL) were studied using the techniques of pulse radiolysis. Both spectroscopic and kinetic analyses showed that the transient absorption spectra of pyrimidine electron adducts formed at first, and then were replaced by those of radical anions of RF, FAD and CHL after several microseconds of electron beam pulse, which indicated that electron transfer from electron adducts of pyrimidines to RF, FAD and CHL occurred. From buildup kinetics of sensitizer radical anions, a series of rate constants for electron transfer are determined respectively. RF and FAD can capture electron from pyrimidine electron adducts induced in irradiated cell, which would reduce possible repair of damaged targets due to the inhibition of charge recombination of radical ion pair. Thereby RF and FAD might play the role of radio-sensitizer in DNA damage process.

Fast repair of dAMP hydroxyl radical adduct by verbascoside via electron transfer

DNA damaged by oxygen radicals has been implicated as a causative event in a number of degenerative diseases, including cancer and aging. So it is very impotant to look for ways in which either oxygen radicals are scavenged prior to DNA damage or damaged DNA is repaired to supplement the cells’ inadequate repair capacity. The repair activity and its mechanism of verbascoside, isolated fromPedicularis species, towards dAMP-OH · was studied with pulse radiolytic technique. On pulse irradiation of nitrous oxide saturated 2 mmol/L dAMP aqueous solution containing verbascoside, the transient absorption spectrum of the hydroxyl adduct of dAMP decayed with the formation of that of the phenoxyl radical of verbascoside well under 100 microseconds after electron pulse irradiation. The result indicated that dAMP hydroxyl adducts can be repaired by verbascoside. The rate constants of the repair reaction was deduced to be 5.9 × 108 dm3 · mol-1 · s-1. A deeper understanding of this new repair mechanism will undoubtedly help researchers explore new prevent and/or intervening medicine.

Reaction of reducing hydroxyl radical adducts of pyrimidine nucleotides with riboflavin and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) via electron transfer: a pulse radiolysis study.

Using the techniques of pulse radiolysis with time-resolved spectrophotometric detection, it has been demonstrated that the interaction of reducing OH radical adducts of dCMP, TMP and UMP with riboflavin (RF) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) does proceed via an electron transfer reaction. From buildup kinetics of radical species, the rate constants of electron transfer from reducing OH adducts of pyrimidines to RF and FAD have been determined, respectively. It could be deduced that RF and FAD would reduce the probability of repair of the damaged DNA in the presence of enzymes and antioxidants, accordingly RF and FAD might have a radiosensitization effect on DNA damage.