Discrimination Between 8‐Oxo‐2′‐Deoxyguanosine and 2′‐Deoxyguanosine in DNA by the Single Nucleotide Primer Extension Reaction with Adap Triphosphate

The adenosine derivative of 2‐oxo‐1,3‐diazaphenoxazine (Adap) exhibits a superb ability to recognize and form base pairs with 8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxo‐dG) in duplex DNA. In this study, the triphosphate of Adap (dAdapTP) was synthesized and tested for single nucleotide incorporation into primer strands using the Klenow Fragment. The efficiency of dAdapTP incorporation into 8‐oxo‐dG‐containing templates was more than 36‐fold higher than with dG‐containing templates, and provides better discrimination than does the incorporation of natural 2′‐deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP). The selective incorporation of dAdapTP into 8‐oxo‐dG templates was therefore applied to the detection of 8‐oxo‐dG in human telomeric DNA sequences extracted from H₂O₂‐treated HeLa cells. The enzymatic incorporation of dAdapTP into 8‐oxo‐dG‐containing templates may provide a novel basis for sequencing oxidative DNA damage in the genome.     

Laser Spectroscopy and Lifetime Measurements of the S1 State of Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) in a Cold Gas-Phase Free-Jet

The S₁ electronic state of 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) has been investigated by laser induced fluorescence (LIF), dispersed fluorescence (DF) spectroscopy, and lifetime measurements under jet-cooled conditions in the gas-phase. The LIF spectrum showed a weak origin band at 412.13 nm (24262 cm⁻¹) with prominent progression and combination bands involving vibrations of 327, 1098, and 2430 cm⁻¹. In addition, very strong bands appeared at ∼363.6 nm (3300 cm⁻¹ above the origin). Both the LIF and DF spectra indicate considerable geometric change in the S₁ state. The fluorescence lifetime of S₁ at zero-point level was obtained to be 220 ns. This lifetime is 40 times longer than the radiative lifetime estimated from the S₁−S₀ oscillator strength. Furthermore, the lifetimes of the vibronic bands exhibited drastic energy dependence, indicating a strong mixing with the triplet (T₁) or intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) state. This study is thought to disclose intrinsic nature of TCNQ, which has been well known as a component of organic semiconductors and a versatile p-type dopant.     

Specifications of a neutron exposure accelerator system for biological effects experiments (NASBEE) in NIRS

We developed a neutron irradiation facility, neutron exposure accelerator system for biological effect experiments (NASBEE) for biological studies in National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Japan. Irradiation field of 2 MeV average neutrons generated by a Be(d–n)B reaction is established. Dose uniformity of 240 mm in diameter irradiation field is producible within ±2.5% with a dose rate of 0.87 Gy/h at sample target distance of 1170 mm. Two irradiation rooms, a specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditioned one and a conventional, are now available. Irradiation protocols for in vitro experiments are now established and demonstrated by obtaining a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of cell inactivation measured to be 3.54 with 10% survival dose (D₁₀).     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLY(ASPARTIC ACID) AND ITS DERIVATIVES AS BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS

ABSTRACT

Three types of modified poly(aspartic acid)s, such as poly(aspartic acid-co-aminocarboxylic acid) (4), alkylamine modified poly(aspartic acid) (5) and crosslinked poly(aspartic acid) (6), were synthesized and calcium-ion chelating ability, hygroscopicity and water absorption were evaluated. The calcium-ion chelating ability of 4 depended on the kind of aminocarboxylic acids and the content of aminocarboxylic acid in the copolymer. The highest value was 3 times higher than that of poly(acrylic acid) with a M_w of 14000. The highly modified PASP, e.g., 50 mol% lauryl amine modified poly(aspartic acid), showed the highest by grogroscopicity among homopoly(aspartic acid)s and modified poly(aspartic acid)s. The maximum swelling of poly(aspartic acid) hydrogel prepared by the γ-irradiation of homopoly(as-partic acid) was 3400 g-deionized water/g-dry hydrogel.     

A comparative study on acute toxicity of methylarsonic acid,dimethylarsinic acid and trimethylarsine oxide in mice

The acute toxicity of methylarsonic acid, CH₃AsO(OH)₂ (MAA), dimethylarsininc acid, (CH₃)₂AsO(OH) (DMAA), and trimethylarsine oxide, (CH₃)₃AsO (TMAO), were examined in mice with oral administration. The LD₅₀ values of MAA, DMAA and TMAO were 1.8, 1.2 and 10.6 g kg^?1 respectively. The toxicity of MAA and DMAA was very much lower than that for inorganic arsenic compounds. It was shown that TMAO has a similar acute toxicity to arsenobetaine. On the other hand, when the mice were administered 14.4 g kg^?1 of TMAO once only orally, a garlic-like odor (trimethylarsine, (CH₃)₃As) was definitely detectable in the exhalation of the animals by the human olfactory sense within about a few minutes.     

Stark effects on the phosphorescence spectra of p-benzoquinone

Stark effects on the phosphorescence spectra of p-benzoquinone have been studied in naphthalene crystals at temperatures between 1.7 and 30 K. The experimental data establish that the band splitting of 24 cm^?1 arises from a double minimum potential in the T₁ state.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylative cycloaddition of alpha-keto lactones with alkenes or alkynes: the participation of an ester-carbonyl group in cycloaddition reactions as the two-atom assembling unit

The reaction of benzofuran-2,3-dione derivatives 1 with CO and alkenes (or alkynes) results in a carbonylative [2+2+1] cycloaddition in which the ester-carbonyl group is incorporated into a two-atom assembling unit to give spirolactone derivatives 2. This reaction provides the first example of an ester-carbonyl group participating in a carbonylative cycloaddition reaction.     

Switch in stereoselectivity caused by the isocyanide structure in the rhodium-catalyzed silylimination of alkynes

The reaction of terminal alkynes with hydrosilanes and tert-alkyl isocyanides in the presence of Rh(4)(CO)(12) gives (Z)-β-silyl-α,β-unsaturated imines in good yields. On the other hand, the use of aryl isocyanides in place of tert-alkyl isocyanides leads to the formation of E isomers.     

LETHAL AND MUTAGENIC ACTION OF VACUUM-AND FAR-ULTRAVIOLET RADIATIONS ON DRY X174 PHAGE

Killing and mutation of dry X174 phages (amber mutant) were investigated with vacuum-UV (130, 150 and 190 nm) and far-UV (254 nm) radiations. The sensitivity to killing was greatest at 130 nm; the sensitivity (in terms of energy fluence) at 130 nm was about 17 times higher than that at 150 nm. The reversion frequency of amber mutants to pseudo-wild type at 190 nm was lower than at 254 nm. Comparison of the induction rate of revertants per survivor showed that mutagenicity after 130 nm radiation, which may raise the ionization process, and after X-rays was similar.