INDUCTION OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT SINGLE-STRAND BREAKS IN HUMAN CELL DNA BY FAR- AND NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET RADIATIONS: ACTION SPECTRUM AND MECHANISMS

Abstract— An action spectrum for the immediate induction in DNA of single-strand breaks (SSBs, frank breaks plus alkali-labile sites) in human P3 teratoma cells in culture by monochromatic 254-, 270-, 290-, 313-, 334-, 365-, and 405-nm radiation is described. The cells were held at +0.5C during irradiation and were Iysed immediately for alkaline sedimentation analysis following the irradiation treatments. Linear fluence responses were observed over the fluence ranges studied for all energies. Irradiation of the cells in a D₂O environment (compared with the normal H₂O environment) did not alter the rate of induction of SSBs by 290-nm radiation, whereas the D₂O environment enhanced the induction of SSBs by 365- and 405-nm irradiation. Analysis of the relative efficiencies for the induction of SSBs, corrected for quantum efficiency and cellular shielding, revealed a spectrum that coincided closely with nucleic acid absorption below 313 nm. At longer wavelengths, the plot of relative efficiency vs . wavelength contained a minor shoulder in the same wavelength region as that observed in a previously obtained action spectrum for stationary phase Bacillus subtilis cells. Far-UV radiation induced few breaks relative to pyrimidine dimers, whereas in the near-UV region of radiation, SSBs account for a significant proportion of the lesions relative to dimers, with a maximum number of SSBs per lethal event occurring at 365-nm radiation.     

PHOTOLYSIS OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF POTASSIUM CIS-DIAQUOBIS (OXALATO) CHROMATE (III)

Abstract— The photolysis of aqueous solutions of cis -[Cr(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]- at 254 nm and pH 4 produced CO₂ and H₂ in nearly equal yields. The quantum yield of hydrogen, φ², increased by 9% and the yield of carbon dioxide, φ, by 65% as the pH was lowered from 4 to I. The total gas yield, φ_gas, decreased in the presence of added oxalate or chromium (II) ions and when the light intensity was lowered. The gas yield in D₂O was appreciably higher than in H₂O. The variation of φ_gas with pH (D) and with added oxalate ion was roughly parallel in the two liquid media. The gas yield increased in the series:
A tentative mechanism is suggested to explain the results.     

PHOTOOXIDATION OF EPINEPHRINE SENSITIZED BY METHYLENE BLUE—EVIDENCE FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF SINGLET OXYGEN AND OF SUPEROXIDE

Abstract— The photooxidation of epinephrine, sensitized by methylene blue or by chlorophylls, excited with red light, involves the reduction of two molecules of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide per molecule of epinephrine oxidized to adrenochrome. The initial rates of these reactions are not affected by low concentrations of catalase. In 99 mol % D₂O, rates of methylene blue sensitized photooxidations are accelerated as much as 5.2 times over rates in ordinary water. Azide anion is a more effective inhibitor of this reaction in D₂O than in H₂O. Half maximal inhibitions are obtained by 1.3 mM azide in H₂O and by 0.1 mAf azide in D₂O. Isotope effects and azide sensitivities point to photooxidation of epinephrine in D₂O primarily by a singlet oxygen pathway; in H₂O, non-singlet oxygen pathways become more predominant. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) markedly inhibits rates of the photooxidations in H₂O and in D₂O; about 25% at 10^-9 M SOD, and 50% at 10^-6 M SOD in H₂O. In the photooxidation in H₂O, both by non-singlet and singlet oxygen mechanisms, the amount of superoxide produced is equivalent to the amount of O₂ consumed in the photooxidation of epinephrine; the superoxide thus formed participates in the oxidation of epinephrine.     

ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION OF POTATO VIRUS X, ITS RNA, AND A HYBRID VIRUS PARTICLE: PHOTOREACTIVATION, KINETIC ISOTOPE EFFECTS, AND QUANTUM YIELD OF INACTIVATION*

Abstract— Studies have been made of the inactivation of potato virus X (PVX), free PVX-RNA, and a phenotypically mixed virus particle composed of PVX-RNA and tobacco mosiac virus (U-1 strain) protein (PVX_RNA: TMV_PRO) by ultraviolet radiation of 254, 280 and 302 nm wavelengths. Rate constants and quantum yields of inactivation have been determined under conditions of photoreactivation and non-photoreactivation in H₂O and D₂O. The ratios of the rate constants in H₂O to those in D₂O obtained for PVX-RNA were greater than unity at the above three wavelengths, as was the case for PVX at 254 and 302 nm. The ratios of the rate constants were, within experimental error, equal to unity for PVX_RNA:TMV_PRO at all three wavelengths and for PVX at 280 nm. It is concluded that, in contrast to the situation observed with TMV and PVX_RNA:TMV_PRO, the behavior of the intact PVX viron upon irradiation closely approximates the behavior of free RNA in solution, on the basis of quantum yields of inactivation, photoreactivated sector, and the ratio of kinetic isotope effects in H₂O and D₂O.     

Resonance-Enhanced CARS Spectroscopy of Biliproteins: a Comparison Between Phycoerythrocyanin and Phycocyanin of Mastigocladus laminosus

Abstract— Resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) spectra are reported for trimers of phycoerthrocyanin (PEC) dissolved in H₂O and D₂O. The CARS spectra are significantly different when recorded with pump wavelength either at 585 nm or 630 nm. By comparison of the 630 nm spectra with those of phycocyanin one can conclude that there is a change in the relative location of the lowest excited states of the β84 and β155 chromophores. Upon additional illumination with 514.5 nm laser light, only the spectra recorded with 585 nm pump wavelength change. This is in accordance with earlier observations that the phycoviolobilin chromophore of the a-subunit exhibits photochromic behavior. The changes in the CARS spectra provide evidence that it is the methine bridge between rings C and D that undergoes the geometrical changes. Furthermore, it is suggested that there are different types of photoinduced rearrangements operative and that the isomeric distribution is different in H₂O and D₂O.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHOTOSENSITIZED BREAKAGE OF DNA BY 2-THIOURACIL AND 334-nm ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract— Breaks induced in purified DNA by 334-nm ultraviolet (UV) radiation are enhanced 30 times when 2-thiouracil (s²Ura) is present during aerobic irradiation. This enhancement by s²Ura is maximally effective at a concentration of about 1 m M. Anoxic irradiation reduces the s²Ura-enhanced breakage by 90%, indicating a Type II photosensitization. Benzoate, glycerol, diazabicyclo[2.2.2.]octane (DABCO) and histidine all inhibit formation of s²Ura photosensitized breaks, unlike diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DETAPAC) and catalase, which do not. The relationships between the concentration of DABCO. benzoate and histidine and their protection against induction of single strand breaks (SSBs) were similar, with little inhibition below 10 m M and maximal inhibition near 0.1 M for all compounds. Irradiation of the DNA-s²Ura mixture dissolved in D₂O instead of H₂O enhanced the rate of induction of SSBs in DNA by 334-nm light almost five times. Addition of superoxide dismutase (40, 80 and 200 μg/ml) decreased the rate of induction of breaks in DNA by 334-nm radiation plus s²Ura (in H₂O) by about 40%. Boiled superoxide dismutase had no effect.     

TIME RESOLVED STUDIES OF 1.27 μm LUMINESCENCE FROM SINGLET OXYGEN GENERATED IN HOMOGENEOUS and MICROHETEROGENEOUS FLUIDS

-The luminescence at 1.27 μm from the ³→→¹δ_g transition of the oxygen molecule has been detected from a variety of liquid systems. A Q-switched laser delivering pulses of 532 nm light was the excitation source, a germanium photodiode was the detector and substituted porphyrins were used as photosensitizers. Protio- and deutero- forms of several solvents were studied and the singlet oxygen lifetimes determined directly agreed well with published values. T_δ in D₂O was found to be 55 μs and, by extrapolation from a series of H₂O - D₂O mixtures, a value of 3.3 μs was obtained for T_δ in H₂O. The technique was shown to be useful in measuring T_δ values in several microheterogeneous systems such as surfactant micelles, vesicles and human serum albumin.     

INVOLVEMENT OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN THE PHOTOTOXICITY MECHANISM FOR A METABOLITE OF PIROXICAM

It has been previously shown that a metabolite of piroxicam but not piroxicam itself causes phototoxicity to cells in vitro after exposure to UVA (320–400 nm) radiation. The phototoxicity mechanism for this metabolite, 2-methyl-4-oxo-2H-l,2-benzothiazine-l,l-dioxide (Compound I), was investigated. In vitro phototoxicity to human mononuclear cells was assayed using 0.5 m M Compound I and UVA radiation. The UVA fluence required for phototoxicity of Compound I was lower by a factor of 2-3 in D₂O buffer compared to H₂O buffer. Superoxide dismutase and mannitol, which remove O₂^- and OH", respectively, do not decrease the phototoxicity. The photodecomposition of Compound I was inhibited by sodium azide, enhanced by human serum albumin and unaffected by mannitol. Stable photoproducts of Compound I were not toxic to the cells. The quantum yield of singlet oxygen based on its emission at 1270 nm was 0.19 and 0.35 for Compound I and s2 ± 10^-3 and 10^-2 for piroxicam in D₂O and C₆H₆, respectively. While the extremely low quantum yield for singlet oxygen from piroxicam appears to account for its lack of phototoxicity, the phototoxicity mechanism for its metabolite, Compound I, most likely does involve singlet oxygen.     

INDUCTION OF DNA–PROTEIN CROSS-LINKING IN CHINESE HAMSTER CELLS BY MONOCHROMATIC 365 AND 405 NM ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Abstract— The survival, the induction of DNA-protein cross-linking, and the number of T4-endonuclease sensitive sites were measured in Chinese hamster cells that had been irradiated with 365 and 405 nm monochromatic light. The survival measurements show that cells are somewhat less sensitive to 405 nm light than to 365 nm light. The difference is expressed predominantly in the shoulder widths of the survival curves, whereas the slopes of the two curves are about the same. Induction of pyrimidine dimers, as indicated by the number of endonuclease-sensitive sites, after exposures that produce about 10% survival is very low at 365 nm (˜ 4 endonuclease sites per 2 × 10⁸ daltons), while no dimers are detected at 405 nm. In contrast, DNA-protein cross-links are induced rather effectively at either wavelength even after exposures that result in a relatively high survival (60-20%). Our measurements support the conclusion that lethality in mammalian cells after irradiations with 365 or 405 nm light is caused by a nondimer damage, possibly DNA-protein cross-links.     

FEMTOSECOND STUDIES OF PRIMARY PHOTOPROCESSES IN OCTOPUS RHODOPSIN

Abstract— Femtosecond spectroscopy of octopus rhodopsin in H₂O and D₂O was performed over a very wide spectral region of 400–1000 nm. Transient gain and absorption from the excited state were observed for the first time around 650 and 700 nm, respectively, just after 300 fs pulse excitation. Bathorhodopsin was formed within 400 fs from the excited state; therefore, the cis-trans isomerization completes within 400 fs. The first intermediate "primerhodopsin" found in our previous paper is most likely "quasi-thermal" bathorhodopsin, in which the local thermalization of the chromophore is achieved. Then cooling down of the chromophore to the surrounding protein temperature takes place with 20 ± 10 ps along with blue-shifting of a spectrum of 10 ± 5 nm. In addition to these observations, a prominent gain in the region of > 850 nm was observed and decayed with 2–3 ps in H₂O. A similar time constant was estimated for a partial decay of an induced absorption around 600 nm. This process may be related with two forms of bathorhodopsin reported previously. In this scheme, two forms of bathorhodopsin are formed with time constants of about 400 fs and 2 ps. In the sample in D₂O, time constant of 3–4 ps was obtained for the slower process.     

KINETIC STUDIES OF SELF-SENSITIZED PHOTOOXYGENATION IN H2O AND D2O OF A WATER-SOLUBLE RUBRENE DERIVATIVE

Abstract A continuous argon laser has been used to study the self-sensitized photooxidation of potassium rubrene-2,3,8,9-tetracarboxylate in oxygen-saturated H₂O and D₂O. An analysis of the data obtained in concentrated solutions leads to an unexpected high value of the ratio of ¹O₂ lifetimes in D₂O and H₂O, ^T d ₂o/^T h ₂o =17 ± 1. Results obtained in diluted aqueous solutions are interpreted in terms of a re-encounter of ¹O₂ and ground state substrate molecules generated in the same triplet—triplet annihilation act.     

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE INDUCED RESISTANCE TO BROAD-SPECTRUM NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT(300–400 nm) INACTIVATION IN Escherichia coli

Abstract— Strains of Escherichia coli carrying the four possible combinations of the alleles nur, nur⁺, uvrAb, and uvrA ⁺ were either untreated or pretreated with a sublethal dose of H₂0₂ prior to inactivation with NUV radiation. Pretreated cells exhibited a greater resistance to NUV than did untreated cells. Pretreatment with H₂O₂ did not induce resistance to FUV radiation. The induction of resistance to NUV inactivation by H₂O₂ pretreatment apparently leads to protection against the damage caused by NUV radiation. Although pretreatment of cells with H₂0₂ leads to resistance of such cells to inactivation by H₂O₂ and NUV, survival of H₂O₂ treated bacteriophage PI cml clr100 is not enhanced when assayed on H₂O₂ pretreated E. coli host cells.     

IMPROVED QUANTITATION OF DNA-PROTEIN CROSSLINKING CAUSED BY 405-nm MONOCHROMATIC NEAR-UV RADIATION IN HUMAN CELLS

An improved alkaline elution analysis has been used to estimate the yield of DNA-protein crosslinks induced in human P3 cells by monochromatic 405-nm near-ultraviolet radiation. Crosslinks are induced linearly over the fluence range studied, at a rate of 1.22 crosslinks per 10¹⁰ daltons per MJ m^-2± 0.066 (one standard error of the slope, N = 37). This rate is equivalent to 1360 crosslinks per cell genome per lethal event.     

PHOTOSENSITIZED PRODUCTION OF SUPEROXIDE ANION BY MONOCHROMATIC (290–405 nm) ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION OF NADH and NADPH COENZYMES

Abstract— The reduced pyridine coenzymes NADPH and NADH produced superoxide anion("CK") from ground state molecular oxygen when irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation extending from 290 to 405 nm as detected by cytochrome c reduction. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), but not catalase or heat-inactivated SOD, decreased the amount of cytochrome c reduced, indicating that O₂⁻ was responsible for the reduction of cytochrome c. Decreased oxygen tension during irradiation also inhibited production of O₂⁻. Quantum yields for the production of the anion were in the region of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁹ mol per photon. These data indicate that NADH and NADPH can act as type II photosensitizers of both far-and near-UV radiation, and that the deleterious biological effects of exposure to these radiations such as erythema and dermal carcinogenesis may be mediated at least in part through the generation of O₂⁻.     

FURTHER IN VIVO STUDIES ON THE PARTICIPATION OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN THE PHOTODYNAMIC INACTIVATION AND INDUCTION OF GENETIC CHANGES IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Abstract —In vivo participation of singlet excited oxygen (¹O₂, ¹Δ9) in the photodynamic inactivation and induction of genetic changes (gene conversion) in acridine orange-sensitized yeast cells was investigated by using N₃^-, an efficient ¹O₂ quencher, and D²O, a known agent for the enhancement of the lifetime of ¹O₂. The addition of N₃^- protected the cells from both photodynamic actions. From an analysis of the concentration-dependent protection, about 80% of the induction of the genetic change is explainable on the basis of ¹O₂ mechanism. The quantitative estimation of the N₃^- protection in the inactivation was not possible because of the sigmoidal nature of the inactivation curve. The replacement of H₂O with D₂O during illumination was effective in enhancing the photodynamic inactivation but almost completely ineffective for the gene conversion induction. The deuterium effect with the cell system was clearly not as large as would be expected from in vitro experiments. This, however, could be explained from the kinetic consideration that natural quenchers of ^lO₂ in the cell would mask the deuterium effect. By experiments with different cell stages it was demonstrated that these two modifying effects were dependent on the intracellular reaction environment. The conclusion is that ¹O₂ must be the major intermediate responsible for the photodynamic actions in acridine orangesensitized yeast cells.     

Alteration of uracil-DNA glycosylase activity by uracil dimers in DNA

Abstract The formation of colonies in solid medium was used as a criterion of viability to determine the effect of ultraviolet radiation on Trichomonas vaginalis. Both viability (colony) counts and total cell (hemocytometer) counts were used to estimate physiological ages of cell populations to be irradiated. Washed-cell suspensions in 0.6% saline were exposed to far- (254 nm) and near-UV (300–400 nm) radiation and dose-response survival curves were constructed from colony counts. The effect of far-UV was found to be independent of growth phase with the D₀ for exponential, early stationary, and late stationary cells 2.6, 2.7, and 2.7 J/m², respectively. Survival to near-UV increased with the age of cells with the estimated D₅₀ being 216 J/m² for exponential cells, 1360 J/m² for early stationary cells, and 4200 J/m² for late stationary cells. Exponential cells of Trichomonas gallinae irradiated with near-UV had a D₅₀ of 340 J/m². T. vaginalis is highly sensitive to far-UV relative to protozoa. T. vaginalis and T. gallinae are highly sensitive to near-UV relative to other microorganisms.     

Spectroscopic Properties of Quercetin Derivatives, Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, in Hydro-organic Mixed Solvents

The characteristic fluorescence properties of quercetin-3- O -rhamnoside (QCRM) and quercetin-3- O -rutinoside (QCRT) were studied in CH₃OH–H₂O and CH₃CN–H₂O mixed solvents. Although QCRM and QCRT are known as nonfluorescent molecules, significant fluorescence emissions were discovered at 360 nm in CH₃OH and CH₃CN when they were promoted to the second excited state. The emission band is broad and structureless and the intensity decreases quickly as the H₂O composition in the solvent increases. When the amount of H₂O exceeds 60% in both mixed solvents, this emission disappears due to the formation of the distorted excited state. This state will be formed due to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the polar groups of solute and H₂O. As the composition of CH₃OH or CH₃CN in solvent becomes large, the number of molecules having several intramolecular hydrogen bonding increases. Some of these molecules will be changed to a fluorescent species during the decay process, after excitation. The theoretical calculation further supports these results. The change of the lifetimes, quantum yields, and radiative and nonradiative rate constants of molecules was also examined as a function of solvatochromic parameters for CH₃OH–H₂O and CH₃CN–H₂O.     

PROTECTION OF CHLOROPHYLL a BY CAROTENOID FROM PHOTODYNAMIC DECOMPOSITION

Abstract— The order of inhibition of the photooxidation of chlorophyll a in ethanol and ethanol-benzene is as follows: β-carotene, α-tocopherol, benzoquinone, DABCO, menadione, cholesterol and KI. The quenching of singlet oxygen by β-carotene occurs by a collisional quenching mechanism with a diffusion-controlled rate of 1.7 × 10¹⁰ M ^-1 s^-1. Photodecomposition of Chi a is faster in ethanol-D₂O than in ethanol-H₂O. Photoirradiation (660 nm) of the peridinin-Chl a -protein complex, a photosynthetic light-harvesting pigment isolated from marine dinoflagellates, did not show any photo-decomposition of its Chi a in H₂O or D₂O, even after an extended period (12 h) of irradiation. However, the carotenoid, peridinin, in the photosynthetic antenna pigment was photobleached (ca. 10%) during the irradiation. We conclude that the singlet oxygen formed as a result of the Chi photosensitization is immediately quenched by the low-lying triplet state of four peridinin molecules (per Chl a ) bound within the same protein crevice. The carotenoid thus effectively protects Chl a from photodynamic damage, providing a direct proof for the protective role of carotenoids in the photosynthetic pigment complex.     

INDUCTION OF DNA-PROTEIN CROSSLINKS IN HUMAN CELLS BY ULTRAVIOLET and VISIBLE RADIATIONS: ACTION SPECTRUM

Abstract— DNA-protein crosslinking was induced in cultured human P3 teratocarcinoma cells by irradiation with monochromatic radiation with wavelengths in the range254–434 nm (far-UV, near-UV, and blue light). Wavelength 545 nm green light did not induce these crosslinks, using the method of alkaline elution of the DNA from membrane filters. The action spectrum for the formation of DNA-protein crosslinks revealed two maxima, one in the far-UV spectrum that closely coincided with the relative spectrum of DNA at 254 and 290 nm, and one in the visible light spectrum at 405 nm, which has no counterpart in the DNA spectrum. The primary events for the formation of DNA-protein crosslinks by such long-wavelength radiation probably involve photosensitizers. This dual mechanism for DNA-protein crosslink formation is in strong contrast to the single mechanism for pyrimidine dimer formation in DNA, which apparently has no component in the visible light spectrum.     

DIFFERENT PHOTOINACTIVATION MECHANISMS IN Propionibacterium acnes FOR NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET and VISIBLE LIGHT

The light sensitivity of Propionibacterium acnes was investigated when the cells were exposed to anoxia, sodium azide, D₂O or superoxide dismutase in combination with visible light (broad band red light and 415 nm) and near-ultraviolet irradiation (360 and 320 nm). During anoxia the cells became less sensitive when the irradiation wavelength increased. Oxygen increased the photodamage to a greater extent in the case of visible light than of near-UV light. The photosensitization effects were, however, more or less oxygen dependent at all wavelengths used. An effect of azide and D₂O on the light sensitivity was observed for visible light, while superoxide dismutase was effective only at 320 nm.
The results support the hypothesis that inactivation of P. acnes with near-UV and visible light is based on different mechanisms. Porphyrin photosensitization, accomplished by singlet oxygen, is the most important mechanism when visible light is used. At shorter wavelengths (320 and 360 nm) singlet oxygen is not involved and for 320 nm the destruction might occur via superoxide anion formation.