TRIPLET EXCITED STATE OF FUROCOUMARINS: REACTION WITH NUCLEIC ACID BASES AND AMINO ACIDS

Abstract. The triplet-triplet absorption spectra of psoralen, xanthotoxin, angelicin and bergapten have been determined using the technique of pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis in benzene and water. The extinction coefficients of the triplet transitions have been measured and used to determine the singlet → triplet intersystem crossing quantum yields for 353 nm excitation. These yields vary considerably in passing from benzene to water as solvent. The highest yields were obtained for psoralen and angelicin in water, being 0.45 and 0.33, respectively. Reaction rate constants of the psoralen and angelicin triplets with various pyrimidine and purine nucleic acid bases and amino acids have been measured. The high reactivities support the suggestion that the photosensitising properties of furocou-marins are mediated by the corresponding furocoumarin triplet states. The similarly high S → T quantum yields, and triplet reactivities with pyrimidines of psoralen and angelicin, also support the suggestion that the observed differences in photosensitising properties of these two psoralens may be due to their differing geometries, which allow psoralen itself to intercalate DNA more easily than angelicin. The efficient reactions also found for psoralen and angelicin triplets with amino acids suggest that such triplets in vivo may also react with these components. Significant damage may thus be caused to protein as well as nucleic acid components of the cell.     

TRIPLET EXCITED STATE OF THE 4'5' PHOTOADDUCT OF PSORALEN AND THYMINE

Abstract— The triplet-triplet absorption spectrum of the 4'5' psoralen-thymine mono-adduct has been determined in water and methanol using the technique of laser flash photolysis. The extinction coefficient of the triplet was measured by the energy-transfer method with retinol triplet as standard, and used to determine the singlet → triplet intersystem crossing quantum yield for 353 nm excitation. Reaction rate constants for mono-adduct triplet with thymine and tryptophan were measured in water. Long-lived transient absorptions detected after quenching the mono-adduct triplet with thymine and tryptophan are assigned mainly to the corresponding mono-adduct radical anion, whose spectrum was established in separate pulse radiolysis studies of the mono-adduct in aqueous formate.
The significant singlet → triplet quantum yields found for the mono-adduct might be consistent with the involvement of triplet excited mono-adduct in DNA cross-link formation, as also may be the high reactivity obtained for the triplet with thymine. The initial quenching products observed resulted from a charge-transfer reaction.     

TRIPLET, RADICAL ANION AND RADICAL CATION SPECTRA OF FUROCOUMARINS

Abstract— Absorption spectra of triplets, radical anions and radical cations of four furocoumarins, psoralen (Ps), 8-methoxypsoralen (8MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5MOP) and 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3CPs), have been determined by laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis. The triplet spectra of 8MOP, 5MOP and 3CPs are strongly modified when going from an H-bonding solvent such as water to a non H-bonding solvent as benzene or acetonitrile while the triplet spectrum of Ps is solvent independent. Theoretical considerations using a CNDO/S method are able to explain the existence of these two different triplets. For 8MOP, 5MOP and 3CPs in water the triplets might be considered as triplet exciplexes ³(FC^δ-. H₂O^δ+) consistent with these triplet spectra being similar to the spectra of the corresponding radical anions.     

Transient absorption spectra and quenching of coumarin excited states by nucleic acid bases.

Triplet-triplet absorption spectra of coumarin show different profiles and maxima in ethanol from those in water, which are very similar to those reported in benzene. Long-lived transient species other than triplet states were generated as initial photoproducts between coumarins and nucleic acid bases. The excited singlet and triplet states of coumarins were quenched by nucleic acid bases. Adenine base quenched the excited singlet state of coumarins more efficiently than thymine base. However, photocycloadducts of furocoumarins are formed predominantly with thymine, and not with adenine. Moreover, it is reported that the poly[dA-dT].poly[dA-dT] sequence region is the most favourable site for the photocycloaddition reaction of furocoumarins. The results imply that adenine contributes to singlet-state photocycloaddition reaction of furocoumarins with thymine, probably through an adenine-furocoumarin-thymine termolecular interaction.     

Radiolytically generated benzene triplets as sensitizers for energy and combined electron/proton transfer processes

Pulse radiolysis technique has been employed to investigate energy and electron transfer reactions involving triplets of naphthols and hydroxybiphenyls. The transient absorption spectra obtained on pulse radiolysis of N₂-saturated solution of naphthols and hydroxybiphenyls in benzene are assigned to triplet–triplet absorption. It was found that biphenyl triplets undergo energy transfer to naphthols and hydroxybiphenyls forming the acceptor triplets. On the other hand, benzophenone triplets, favor electron transfer followed by H⁺ transfer reaction forming benzophenone ketyl radical and phenoxyl radical of the acceptor. An analogous sequence mimics with 2-naphthol triplets and using benzophenone, acetophenone or chloranil as electron acceptor.     

SINGLET OXYGEN GENERATION BY FUROCOUMARIN TRIPLET STATES—I. LINEAR FUROCOUMARINS (PSORALENS)

Abstract— Triplet extinction coefficients and hence singlet → triplet intersystem crossing quantum yields have been measured in benzene for a number of linear furocoumarins including pseudopsoralen, 5, 8-dimethoxypsoralen, 4, 5', 8-trimethylpsoralen and 3-carbethoxypseudopsoralen. These triplet yields were then used in conjunction with the corresponding quantum yields of singlet oxygen formation, measured in oxygenated solution, to estimate the fractions of furocoumarin triplets which when quenched by ground state oxygen produce singlet excited oxygen, similar data being obtained for psoralen, 5-methoxypsoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen and 3-carbethoxypsoralen. The superoxide anion radical was not detected from these oxygen quenching reactions, nor was a contribution to the singlet oxygen yield found from furocoumarin excited singlet state quenching by oxygen. The fraction of furocoumarin-oxygen quenching interactions leading to singlet oxygen varied between 0.13 (for 5, 8-dimethoxypsoralen) and unity (for 3-carbethoxypsoralen), and thus needs to be taken into account, as well as the triplet quantum yields, in assessing photobiological processes involving singlet oxygen.     

Psoralen and coumarin photochemistry in HSA complexes and DMPC vesicles

The photochemistry and photophysics of several psoralens and coumarins have been examined in human serum albumin (HSA) complexes and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicates that there are multiple binding sites with polarities that are intermediate between those of acetonitrile and water for the substrates complexed to HSA. In the case of the 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin-HSA complex, laser flash photolysis experiments provide evidence for the formation of radical cation in addition to triplet. Radical cations are not detected for other coumarin-HSA complexes, either due to a lower yield of formation or to rapid reaction of an initial radical cation with adjacent amino acids. Fluorescence spectra for coumarins indicate that they are primarily solubilized in the polar headgroup region in DMPC vesicles. Consistent with this, radical cations generated by photoionization are detected in transient experiments. For dimethoxycoumarins the radical cation is long-lived, indicating rapid exit from the vesicle and decay in the aqueous phase. However, 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen and 7-ethoxy-4-hexadecylcoumarin radical cations are much shorter-lived, presumably due to rapid decay by electron recombination in the vesicle. The results for both HSA complexes and vesicles indicate that radical ions may play a role in psoralen and coumarin photochemistry in a cellular environment.     

SOME FUROCOUMARINS AND ANALOGS: COMPARISON OF TRIPLET PROPERTIES IN SOLUTION WITH PHOTOBIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES IN YEAST

Abstract— Some photophysical and photochemical properties of two furocoumarins, three furochro-menes and one difurobenzene have been studied in ethanol by laser flash spectroscopy. Such properties included the triplet absorption spectra. extinction coefficients, quantum yields of formation and reactivities with the nucleic acid bases thymine and uracil, and the amino acid tryptophan. The effects the same compounds have on survival of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , after 365 nm photosensitization were also investigated. These effects on survival differed markedly for the different compounds. Possible correlations between the photophysical, photochemical and photobiological data are discussed.     

PHOTOSENSITIZED SPLITTING OF PYRIMIDINE DIMERS BY INDOLE DERIVATIVES AND BY TRYPTOPHAN-CONTAINING OLIGOPEPTIDES AND PROTEINS

Abstract— Indole derivatives including tryptophan can be used as photosensitizers of the splitting of pyrimidine dimers. The reaction can take place in frozen aqueous solutions as well as in fluid medium. Electron transfer from the indole ring to the dimer appears to be involved in the photosensitized reaction. Solvated electrons produced by flash photolysis in the presence of indoles or by pulse radiolysis are also able to split thymine dimers.
The splitting of pyrimidine dimers in DNA can be photosensitized by indole derivatives such as serotonin and by tryptophan-containing oligopeptides. Several methods including fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance have been used to show that the indole ring of these oligopeptides is able to stack with bases in nucleic acids. These stacked complexes are involved in the photosensitized reaction.
The splitting of pyrimidine dimers in DNA has also been photosensitized by the protein coded by gene 32 of phage T4 which binds strongly and cooperatively to single-stranded DNA. The mechanism of the splitting reaction as well as the possible use of this reaction to investigate the role of tryptophan residues in the binding of proteins to nucleic acids are discussed.     

KYNURENIC ACID — II. PHOTOSENSITIZING PROPERTIES

Abstract— The photosensitizing properties of kynurenic acid have been studied by 353 nm laser flash spectroscopy and steady state irradiations. Laser flash spectroscopy indicates that the kynurenic acid triplet is reduced by amino acids and nucleic acid bases. Photoreactions implying singlet oxygen formation are shown to occur. The photosensitized destruction of tryptophan which does not involve singlet oxygen is very efficient and shows specific features. Chemical and biological implications of this photo-reactivity are discussed.     

Triplet excited states and radical intermediates formed in electron pulse radiolysis of amino-substituted fluorenones

Electron pulse radiolysis of four differently substituted amino derivatives of fluorenone, namely, 1-amino-, 2-amino- 3-amino-, and 4-aminofluorenone, has been carried out to study the effect of structure on the spectroscopic and kinetic characteristics of the triplet excited states as well as the transient free radical intermediates formed under reducing and oxidizing conditions. The triplet states of these compounds have been generated in benzene by pulse radiolysis and in other solvents by flash photolysis technique and their spectral and kinetic properties have been investigated. Hydrated electron (e_aq⁻) has been found to react with these fluorenone derivatives to form the anion radical species with a diffusion-controlled rate constant. The spectral and kinetic properties of the transient ketyl and anion radicals have been studied by generating them in aqueous solutions of suitable pH. The pK_a values of ketylanion radical equilibria are in the range of 6.8–7.7 for these derivatives. The oxidized species have been generated by reaction with the azide radical. Hydrogen atom adducts as well as the cation radicals of these derivatives have also been generated by pulse radiolysis and characterized.     

MONOFUNCTIONAL 4',5'-PHOTOCYCLOADDUCT BETWEEN 4,5'-DIMETHYLANGELICIN AND THYMINE

Abstract A new fluorescent compound has been isolated from the products of hydrolysis of DNA irradiated in the presence of 4,5'-dimethylangelicin, a monofunctional photosensitizing furocoumarin. The marked similarity of the UV absorption and fluorescence spectra of this photoproduct to those of 4',5'-dihydro-4,5'-dimethylangelicin, as well as its behaviour on photodissociation (254 nm) yielding thymine and 4,5'-dimethylangelicin in equimolecular amounts, are consistent with a cycloadduct between one molecule of 4,5'-dimethylangelicin and one of thymine, and the C₄-cycloaddition occurs through 4',5'–double bond of the furocoumarin and the 5,6-double bond of the pyrimidine.     

THE PHOTOREACTIONS OF 8-METHOXYPSORALEN WITH TRYPTOPHAN AND LENS PROTEINS*

Abstract— We have previously demonstrated that 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) can be found in the lenses of rats injected (i.p.) with this drug, and that its presence can lead to a photosensitized enhancement of lenticular fluorescence. The cutaneous photosensitizing properties of psoralens are thought to be mediated via their excited triplet states, resulting in photoaddition cyclobutane products between pyri-midine bases and 8-MOP. We have now investigated the possibility that similar types of photoadducts could be generated between 8-MOP and the aromatic amino acid residues in lens proteins. Our experiments involved in vitro irradiation (at 360 nm) of aqueous solutions of 0.1 mM 8-MOP plus purified alpha, beta, or gamma crystallins from calf or normal human (under 20 years of age) lenses. UV absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were measured before and after radiation, and aliquots from all experiments were frozen and kept in the dark for subsequent phosphorescence and EPR spectroscopy. Similar experiments were performed with irradiated aqueous solutions of tryptophan or thymine plus 8-MOP. All controls consisted of solutions kept in the dark. NMR spectra demonstrated that the hydrogen atoms at the 3,4 and 4',5' positions of the 8-MOP molecule were lost following irradiation, suggesting that these two sites were involved in the photoproduct formed between tryptophan and 8-MOP. These studies strongly suggest that 8-MOP is capable of forming photoaddition products with tryptophan and with lens proteins as well as DNA in vivo, resulting in its permanent retention within the ocular lens.     

265 NM LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF SOME ORTHO-SUBSTITUTED ANILIDES AND RELATED N-FORMYLKYNURENINE DERIVATIVES

Abstract— The physical and chemical properties of the triplet state of eight ortho-substituted anilides including N -formylkynurenine (FK), the major trp UV-photooxidation product and a remarkable photodynamic agent, have been investigated using both pulse radiolysis and 265 nm laser flash photolysis techniques. The molar extinction coefficient, the intersystem-crossing quantum yield and the oscillator strength of the T ₁→ T _n absorption band (Λ_max˜ 450 nm) have been determined. It is shown that anilides having n,π* triplets readily react with most solvents whereas those having π ,π* triplets slowly react with alcohols. In both cases, the semi-reduced species are formed. In water, the formation of the semi-reduced. species most probably involves the first excited singlet state. The triplet state properties of the FK derivatives (i.e. ortho-substituted anilides having a side chain bearing charged groups such as carboxylic or amino groups) are strongly modified by the ionization state of the charged side chain. In the case of the FK derivatives possessing an uncharged amino group, quenching of the triplet state occurs via a fast reversible electron transfer reaction from the NH₂ to the triplet anilide.     

INTERFACIAL ELECTRON TRANSFER INVOLVING RADICAL IONS OF CAROTENE AND DIPHENYLHEXATRIENE IN MICELLES AND VESICLES

Abstract— The radical cations and anions of diphenylhexatriene have been produced and characterized in homogenous and micellar solutions by pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis techniques. Both types of radical ions were formed in cyclohexane on pulse radiolysis. The radical cation was formed in dichloroethane on pulse radiolysis, and by two photon photoionization in ethanol, dichloroethane, and various micelles. Both radical ions have intense ( 10⁵ M ^-1 cm^-1) absorption peaks at600–650nm. The cation peak occurs at slightly shorter wavelengths than that of the anion.
In micelles and vesicles the radical anion of carotene was formed by electron transfer from e_a– on pulse radiolysis. The radical cation was formed on pulse radiolysis of micellar solutions containing Br^-₂ as counterion, presumably by electron transfer to Br₂^-. The spectra agree with those of the radical cation and anion of carotene that have previously been obtained in homogenous solutions (Dawe and Land, 1975).
Electron transfer in micelles and vesicles from the radical anion of biphenyl to carotene and diphenylhexatriene, and from the radical anions of these to inorganic acceptors has been studied.     

ACTION SPECTRA AND CHROMOPHORES FOR LETHAL PHOTOSENSITIZATION OF Candida albicans BY DNA MONOADDUCTS FORMED BY 8-METHOXYPSORALEN AND MONOFUNCTIONAL FUROCOUMARINS

The red-shift of furocoumarin action spectra, compared with their absorption spectra, has been investigated. An action spectrum for 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) monoadduct formation in the yeast Candida albicans has been determined. The yeast cells were initially exposed to sublethal doses of monochromatic UVA at different wavelengths. Monoadduct formation was monitored by growth inhibition induced, after washing out any unbound 8-MOP, by re-irradiation with a constant second (non-lethal) dose of 330 nm radiation. A comparison between this action spectrum and the absorption spectrum of the dark complex of 8-MOP and DNA was made. In addition, the action spectra of monoadduct formation of five monofunctional compounds including a coumarin derivative have been determined. These action spectra were compared with their respective DNA dark complex absorption spectra. In general, the peaks of the furocoumarin DNA dark complexes show a red-shift when compared with the free furocoumarin molecule and the action spectra show peaks which correspond with the peaks of the dark complexes. Such data indicate that the DNA dark complex is the chromophore for growth inhibition in yeast rather than the free furocoumarin. The similarity of the 8-MOP monoadduct formation action spectrum and 8-MOP action spectra suggests that spectral dependence for the photobiological effects (including the red-shift) is dependent on monoadduct formation rather than, as previously suggested by several authors, crosslink formation. The action spectrum for the coumarin derivative 4-methyl N-ethylpyrrolo (3,2-g) coumarin (PCNEt) correlated well with the free molecule absorption spectrum rather than DNA dark complex indicating that the free molecule is the chromophore.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS AND PULSE RADIOLYSIS STUDY OF AMILORIDE IN AQUEOUS AND ALCOHOLIC SOLUTION

Abstract Laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis have been carried out on the diuretic drug amiloride. The primary photochemical processes in aqueous solution were found to be photoionisation and triplet formation. Photoionisation was found to occur by a biphotonic process for 265 nm excitation but by a monophotonic process for excitation at 353 nm. The spectral properties of the resulting cation radical of amiloride were determined by pulse radiolysis using one electron oxidation by the radical anion Br₂·^¯ Photoexcitation of amiloride in isopropanol did not result in photoionisation but instead a semireduced radical of amiloride was observed. The spectral properties of the semireduced radical of amiloride were determined using one electron reduction by the CO₂·^¯ radical.     

ON THE PHOTOSENSITIZING PROPERTIES OF N-FORMYLKYNURENINE AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

Abstract— The photochemical and photosensitizing properties of N -formylkynurenine (FK) and related compounds have been investigated using the laser flash photolysis technique by exciting water solutions with 265 nm or 353 nm radiation. The FK molecules in their first excited singlet state readily react with water leading probably to OH formation. FK triplet state reacts with many biological compounds including vitamins, amino acids and nucleic acid bases. The semi-reduced FK thus formed can, in turn, reduce substrates such as cytochrome c or O₂.     

MONOFUNCTIONAL3,4-and4',5'-PHOTOCYCLOADDUCTS BETWEEN 4,5'-DIMETHYLANGELICIN and THYMINE

By irradiating (365 nm) an aqueous liquid solution of 4,5'-dimethylangelicin. a monofunctional photosensitizing furocoumarin, in the presence of an excess of thymine, two new compounds, I and II, have been obtained; they do not show fluorescence when observed with Wood's light. The nuclear magnetic resonance data, the marked similarity of UV absorption and fluorescence spectra of these compounds with those of synthetic 3.4-dihydro-4,5'-dimethylangelicin and their capacity to undergo photodissociation (254 nm) yielding the starting thymine and 4,5'-dimethylangelicin in equimolecular amounts, are consistent with C₄-cycloadducts between the 3,4-double bond of the furocoumarin and 5,6-double bond of thymine. Nuclear magnetic resonance data indicate for I and II a head-to-head and a head-to-tail structure, respectively. When irradiation is carried out in the frozen state, two adducts. III and IV, fluorescent at Wood's light, have been obtained other than the two above-mentioned compounds I and II. Compounds III and IV have been identified as 4'.5'-fluorescent adducts between the 4',5'-double bond of the furocoumarin and the 5.6-double bond of thymine; one of them (III) is identical to that formed in the photoreaction between DNA and 4,5'-dimethylangelicin; for this last compound a cis head-to-head structure has been suggested.     

SOME PROPERTIES OF THE TRIPLET EXCITED STATE OF THE PHOTOSENSITIZING FUROCOUMARIN: 3-CARBETHOXYPSORALEN

Abstract— 3-Carbethoxypsoralen (3-CPs) has been tested in the photochemotherapy of psoriasis. It only forms monoadducts with DNA and is being considered as a non-carcinogenic alternative to 8-MOP which itself forms DNA crosslinks that arc difficult to repair. Using laser flash photolysis or pulse radiolysis, the triplet state of 3-CPs, a possible intermediate in photosensitization, has been generated in several solvents: ethanol, water and benzene. The triplet lifetime, extinction coefficient and quantum efficiency of formation have been measured. Triplet reactivities towards (i) the solvents used, (ii) 3-CPs, (iii) oxygen, (iv) tryptophan and (v) tyrosine, leading, respectively, to photoadditions with water, ethanol and 3-CPs, to ¹O₂, semioxidized tryptophan and semioxidized tyrosine, (vi) thymine and (vii) uracil have been investigated. The dark binding of 3-CPs to DNA has been studied by comparing the reactivity of e_aq^- with free 3-CPs, free DNA and the 3-CPs DNA complex. Some photophysical and photochemical properties of 4',5'di-hydro-3-carbethoxypsoralen(DH–3-CPs), model of the main fluorescent photo-product of 3-CPs, have also been investigated. Biological consequences of the photochemical properties of 3-CPs andDH–3-CPs have been studied in a cellular system (haploid yeast).