Photochemistry of N-isopropoxy-substituted 2(1H)-pyridone and 4-p-tolylthiazole-2(3H)-thione: alkoxyl-radical release (spin-trapping,EPR, and transient spectroscopy) and its significance in the photooxidative induction of DNA strand breaks

UVA-irradiation of the photo-Fenton reagents N-isopropoxypyridone 2b and N-isopropoxythiazole-2(3H)-thione 3b releases radicals which induce strand breaks. Transient spectroscopy establishes N-O bond scission [Phi(N)(-)(O) = (75 +/- 8)% for 2b and (65 +/- 7)% 3b] as the dominating primary photochemical process to afford the DNA-damaging radicals. Product studies and laser-flash experiments reveal that the thiazolethione 3b leads primarily to the disulfide 5, from which through C-S bond breakage, the bithiazyl 6, the thiazole 7, and the isothiocyanate 8 are derived. Upon irradiation of pyridone 2b (300 nm) in aqueous media, a mixture of isopropoxyl and 2-hydroxyprop-2-yl radicals is formed, as confirmed by trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and EPR spectroscopy. In contrast, the photolysis of the thiazolethione 3b (350 nm) affords exclusively the DMPO adducts of the isopropoxyl radicals. Control experiments disclose that the thiazolethione-derived photoproduct disulfide 5, or the intermediary thiyl radicals B, scavenge the carbon-centered 2-hydroxyprop-2-yl radicals, which are generated from the isopropoxyl radicals by hydrogen shift. With supercoiled pBR 322 DNA in a 60:40 mixture of H(2)O-MeCN, the pyridone 2b and the thiazolethione 3b display moderate strand-break activity (17% open-circular DNA for 2b and 12% for 3b). In pure water, however, the pyridone 2b photoinduces substantially more DNA cleavage (32% open-circular DNA), which is attributed to the peroxyl radicals generated from the 2-hydroxyprop-2-yl radicals by oxygen trapping. The lower strand-break activity of the thiazolethione 3b derives presumably from isopropoxyl radicals, because only these are detected in the photolysis of this photo-Fenton reagent.     

Oxidative DNA Damage in the Photolysis of Af-Hydroxy-2-Pyridone, a Specific Hydroxyl-Radical Source

Abstract The photooxidative DNA damage by iV-hydroxy-2-pyri-done (1) is caused by hydroxyl radicals, as confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance studies with the spin trap 5,5-dimethylpyrroline JV-oxide. Irradiation of the pyridone 1 at 300 nm induced strand breaks in super-coiled pBR322 DNA, while in calf-thymus DNA and 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG), respectively, 8-oxoguanine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine were formed. Time-dependent control experiments disclosed that photoprod-ucts of pyridone 1, e.g. 2-pyridone (3), are not responsible for the modification of DNA. Also the photosensitization by the pyridine-2-one chromophore was excluded, because JV-methylpyridine-2-one (2), which cannot generate hydroxyl radicals, was ineffective in the photooxidation of DNA and dG. Thus, the photolysis of pyridone 1 serves as a specific source of hydroxyl radicals for DNA damage, both strand breaks and base modifications.     

A comparative photomechanistic study (spin trapping, EPR spectroscopy, transient kinetics, photoproducts) of nucleoside oxidation (dG and 8-oxodG) by triplet-excited acetophenones and by the radicals generated from alpha-oxy-substituted derivatives through Norrish-type I cleavage

The photooxidation of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) and its derivative 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) by a series of acetophenones (AP-X) and benzophenone (BP) has been studied.The favorable absorption characteristics of the benzoyl chromophore enables time-resolved spectroscopy of the triplet ketones to assess their quenching kinetics by dG and 8-oxodG. Whereas the photolysis of acetophenone (AP), 2-acetoxyacetophenone (AP-OAc), and benzophenone (BP) does not produce radicals (group A ketones), the oxymethyl-substituted derivatives 2-hydroxyacetophenone (AP-OH) and 2-tert-butoxyacetophenone (AP-O(t)Bu) lead to carbon-centered radicals by alpha cleavage (group B ketones). For the latter ketones, this was confirmed by EPR studies with the spin trap 5,5-dimethylpyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and by their triplet lifetimes that were shorter than those for the unsubstituted acetophenone. Both groups of ketones photooxidize dG and 8-oxodG; the oxidation products are spiroiminodihydantoin and guanidine-releasing products (GRP) in the case of dG and AP-OH also 8-oxodG. In the presence of O(2), the photooxidation by the group A ketones is efficient at high dG or 8-oxodG concentrations, whereas the group B ketones photooxidize dG and 8-oxodG also at low substrate concentrations. These results imply that peroxyl radicals are responsible for the photooxidation by the group B ketones, which are formed by alpha cleavage of the triplet ketone and subsequent O(2) trapping of the carbon-centered radicals. At higher dG concentrations, direct electron transfer from dG to the triplet ketone, as observed for the group A ketones, competes with the radical activity.     

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS—II. SPIN TRAPPING OF PHOTOLYSIS PRODUCTS FROM SULFANILAMIDE AND 4-AMINOBENZOIC ACID USING 5,5-DIMETHYL-1-PYRROLINE-1-OXIDE

Abstract— The photodecomposition of sulfanilamide, 4-aminobenzoic acid and related analogs in aqueous solution has been studied with the aid of spin traps 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) and CH₃NO₂ as well as by direct electron spin resonance techniques. The NH₂ radical was trapped by DMPO during the photolysis of aqueous solutions of sulfanilamide with a Xe arc lamp. Studies with [¹⁵N¹]-sulfanilamide indicated that the NH₂ radical was generated by homolytic fission of the sulfur-nitrogen bond. Under the same conditions DMPO trapped the H and SO⁻₃ radicals during photolysis of sulfanic acid. Direct photolysis of sulfanilamide, sulfanilic acid and Na₂SO₃ in the absence of any spin trap yielded the SO⁻³ radical. Photolysis of 4-aminobenzoic acid at pH 7 gave the H radical which was trapped by DMPO. At low pH values OH and C₆H₄COOH radicals were generated during the photolysis of 4-aminobenzoic acid. No e⁻_aq were trapped by CH₃NO₂ when acid (pH 4) and neutral aqueous solutions of sulfanilamide or 4-aminobenzoic acid were photoirradiated. The mechanism of formation of known photoproducts from the free radicals generated by sulfanilamide and 4-aminobenzoic acid during irradiation are discussed. The free radicals generated by these agents may play an important role in their phototoxic and photoallergic effects.     

Photooxidative damage of guanine in DG and DNA by the radicals derived from the alpha cleavage of the electronically excited carbonyl products generated in the thermolysis of alkoxymethyl-substituted dioxetanes and the photolysis of alkoxyacetones.

On thermolysis of the methoxy (MeO-TMD), tert-butoxy (tBuO-TMD), and hydroxy (HO-TMD) derivatives of 3,3,4,4-tetramethyl-1,2-dioxetane (TMD) in the presence of dG and calf-thymus DNA, the guanine is oxidized considerably more efficiently than the parent TMD. The same trend in the oxidative reactivity is observed for the photolysis of the corresponding oxy-substituted ketones versus acetone. The oxidative reactivity order in the dioxetane thermolysis, as well as in the ketone photolysis, parallels the ability of the excited ketones to release radicals (determined by spin trapping with DMPO and EPR spectroscopy) upon alpha cleavage (Norrish-type-I reaction). In the presence of molecular oxygen, the carbon-centered radicals are scavenged to produce peroxyl radicals, which are proposed as the reactive species in the oxidation of the guanine in dG and calf-thymus DNA.     

Identification of free radicals induced by UV irradiation in collagen water solutions

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method has shown that hydrogen atoms and acetic acid free radicals appear in surrounding acetic acid-water solution of collagen under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. These free radicals interact with the collagen molecule; consequently, seven superfine components of EPR spectrum with the split of aH = 11.3G and g-factor 2.001 appear. It is assumed that this spectrum is related to the free radical occurred on the proline residue in collagen molecule. In order to discover .OH hydroxyl radicals even in minor concentration, spin trap 5.5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) has been applied. During the irradiation of collagen water solution in the presence of spin trap, EPR spectrum of the DMPO/.OH adduct has not been identified, while the above mentioned spectrum has been observed once the hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and FeSO4 were added to the sample. That means that water photolysis does not take place in collagen water-solution due to UV irradiation. It was suggested that occurrence of hydrogen radical is connected with the electron transmission to the hydrogen ion. The possible source of free electrons can be aromatic residues, photo ionization of which takes place in collagen molecule due to UV irradiation.     

PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 2-MERCAPTOPYRIDINES. PART 3. EPR STUDY OF PHOTOPRODUCTION OF HYDROXYL RADICALS BY N-HYDROXYPYRIDINE-2-THIONE USING 5,5-DIMETHYL-1-PYRROLINE N-OXIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS*

Abstract— N-Hydroxypyridine-2-thione, 2-S-PyrNOH, a potent antimicrobial, antifungal and anticancer agent, is photochemically active and upon UV irradiation generates free radicals. We have employed EPR and the spin-trap 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline TV-oxide (DMPO) to investigate the photochemistry in aqueous solutions of 2-S-PyrNOH (used here in the form of a sodium salt, 2-S-PyrNONa). We found that upon photoactivation 2-S-PyrNONa can follow two different pathways: it can produce hydroxyl radicals and/or it can act as a photoreducing agent. The capacity of 2-S-PyrNONa to produce “OH” radicals has been demonstrated by: (1) EPR detection of the DMPO/OH adduct in UV-irradiated samples; (2) inhibition of the DMPO/OH formation by OH scavengers such as methyl alcohol, formate and DMSO and (3) by detection of EPR signals of DMPO adducts with radicals derived from reaction of OH with these inhibitors. The photoreductive capacity of 2-S-PyrNONa was deduced from the observation that the amplitude of the EPR signal of the spin adduct DMPO/OH decreased on UV irradiation in air-free pH 7.0 buffers and that the signal recovered in the dark and after aeration. The ability to generate free radicals upon UV irradiation suggests that 2-S-PyrNONa can be regarded as a potential photocytotoxic agent. This feature may be relevant to the biological action of this compound. Our findings also emphasize that caution should be used when 2-S-PyrNOH is employed as a source of OH radicals in biological or chemical systems.     

Novel Visible and Ultraviolet Light Photogeneration of Hydroxyl Radicals by 2-Methyl-4-nitro-quinoline-N-oxide (MNO) and 4, 4'-Dinitro-(2, 2') bipyridinyl-N, N'-dioxide (DBD)

Chemicals that upon absorption of light generate hydroxyl radicals (·OH), free of other damaging species under physiological conditions, are useful tools for the study of the biological effects of ·OH radical and for its utilization for analytical purposes. We report the novel property of 2-methyl-4-nitro-quinoline- N -oxide (MNO) and 4, 4'-dinitro-(2, 2') bipyridinyl-N, N'-dioxide (DBD) to act as photogenerators of ·OH with UV and visible light. Upon irradiation with 360–400 nm light MNO and DBD generate free radicals that convert coumarin carboxylic acid (CCA) to fluorescent 7-OH-CCA; the ·OH radical scavengers dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and ethanol eliminate the induction of 7-OH-CCA fluorescence. Upon 400 nm illumination in the presence of MNO, supercoiled plasmid DNA is converted to circular and strand break-age is significantly reduced in the presence of DMSO and completely absent in the absence of MNO. The conversion of CCA to 7-OH-CCA and of supercoiled plasmid to circular DNA are also observed in the absence of oxygen. Taken together, these data indicate that MNO and DBD constitute novel ·OH-generating compounds. Because currently known ·OH-photogenerating compounds require UV illumination (< 360 nm) that also damages DNA and cells directly, the property of MNO to generate ·OH upon 400 nm illumination is advantageous when studies on cells, DNA and other biomolecules are conducted.     

PHOTOINITIATED DNA DAMAGE BY MELANOGENIC INTERMEDIATES IN VITRO

Cysteinyldopas, metabolic by-products of activated melanocytes, are photochemically unstable in the presence of biologically relevant ultraviolet radiation (i.e. wavelengths > 300 nm). Initial photochemical processes involve free radical production; continued photolysis yields polymeric photoproducts. Radicals produced during 5SCD photolysis were trapped by 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrrolidine-l-oxide (DMPO) and identified by their ESR spectra. Further characterization by use of nitroso spin trap (2-methvl-2-nitrosopropane-MNP) demonstrated that homolytic cleavage of the -S-CH₂ bond of the 5SCD cysteinyl side chain is a significant photochemical pathway. The potential photobiological significance of these reactive intermediates was investigated in vitro using isolated nucleic acids. Radiolabeled 5-[³⁵S]-cysteinyldopa was found to photobind to calf thymus DNA with 300 nm light activation. Under similar conditions, 5-S-cysteinyldopa also induced single strand breakage of ³H-radiolabeled superhelical, circular pBR322 plasmid DNA. The implications of the 5SCD photoinitiated DNA damage and the production of highly reactive free radicals in this process are discussed with respect to the etiology of various skin cancers, particularly malignant melanoma.     

正十六烷光催化降解的羟自由基测定及其反应速率常数

以5,5-二甲基-1-吡咯啉-N-氧化物(DMPO)为自旋捕集剂,采用电子顺磁共振(EPR)方法,在光照的TiO₂磷酸缓冲水溶液(pH=7.4)中检测到羟自由基的自旋加合物(DMPO-OH),其强度随光照时间增加而加大.在1min时达到稳态,此时DMPO-OH的产生和猝灭达到平衡.根据已知的羟自由基(HO·)与DMPO结合的速率常数k0,推导出纳米级TiO₂光催化生成羟自由基氧化正十六烷(n-C_{16H34)的速率常数k=5.0×10¹¹mol^-1·L·s^-1.}     

NEAR-UV-INDUCED BREAKS IN PHAGE DNA: SENSITIZATION BY HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (A TRYPTOPHAN PHOTOPRODUCT)

Abstract— Near-UV irradiation of l -tryptophan yields a large number of photoproducts. When this mixture is added to recombinationless ( rec ) mutants of bacteria, the cells are killed. The most toxic component of tryptophan photoproducts has been identified as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). We now report that both tryptophan photoproducts and H₂O₂ sensitize phage DNA to near-UV radiation resulting in enhanced killing as well as enhanced DNA breakages. We conclude that the in situ production of H₂O₂ via tryptophan photolysis may be an important biological event.     

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS—X. A SPIN-TRAPPING AND DIRECT ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE STUDY OF THE PHOTOCHEMICAL PATHWAYS OF DAUNOMYCIN AND ADRIAMYCIN

Abstract— Irradiation of daunomycin (or adriamycin) and the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) at 490 nm in the presence or in the absence of air generated the hydroxyl radical adduct (DMPO-OH). The observed DMPO-OH signal was not affected by the addition of hydroxyl radical scavengers (ethanol, formate), suggesting that direct trapping of the hydroxyl radical was not involved. The DMPO-OH signal was insensitive to superoxide dismutase and catalase, which ruled out the possibility of superoxide or H₂O₂ involvement. These findings demonstrate that daunomycin (or adriamycin) does not generate hydroxyl radicals or superoxide radical anions when subjected to 490-nm excitation. However, when daunomycin (or adriamycin) was irradiated at 310 nm DMPO adducts derived from two carbon-centered radicals, superoxide and the hydroxyl radical were detected. The superoxide adduct of DMPO was abolished by the addition of SOD, providing unequivocal evidence for the generation of the superoxide anion radical. The daunomycin semiquinone radical, observed upon 310-nm irradiation of daunomycin in the absence of DMPO, appears to be the precursor of the superoxide radical anion. One of the carbon-centered radicals trapped by DMPO exhibited a unique set of hyperfine parameters and was identified as an acyl radical. This suggests that the known photochemical deacylation of daunomycin occurs via a homolytic cleavage mechanism. The free radicals generated photolytically from adriamycin and daunomycin may be involved in the etiology of the skin ulceration and inflammation caused by these drugs. A knowledge of the dependence of these photogenerated radicals on the wavelength of excitation may be important in the development of adriamycin and daunomycin for photodynamic therapy.     

Photostability and photoprotection factor of boldine and glaucine

Boldine hydrochloride was more photounstable than boldine after irradiation with UVB (lambda = 300 nm). However, photoconsumption quantum yields, for glaucine hydrochloride (6.5 x 10(-2)) and boldine hydrochloride (6.7 x 10(-2)) in air, were quite similar. The photolysis was oxygen dependent in both cases, and the effect over the kinetics after the addition of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy suggested free radicals participation. The fact that the antioxidative capacity of boldine and boldine hydrochloride did not change during the photolysis, suggests that the phenolic structure remains unchanged in the photoproducts, corroborated with the photoproducts analysis. The photoprotection capacity was evaluated before and after irradiation. Results indicate that the values before irradiation are similar for all three compounds, only glaucine increasing its capacity with length of irradiation time.     

Fe(III)-pyruvate and Fe(III)-citrate induced photodegradation of glyphosate in aqueous solutions

The photolysis of Fe(III)-pyruvate and Fe(III)-citrate complexes in water produces hydroxyl radicals in the presence of dissolved oxygen, and can promote the oxidation of organic compounds. The photodegradation of glyphosate with Fe(III)-pyruvate and Fe(III)-citrate complexes was investigated under irradiation at λ?≥?365?nm. The effect of initial concentration of glyphosate, the initial pH value, and the Fe(III)/carboxylate ratio were examined. Upon irradiation of glyphosate aqueous solution with the complexes in the acidic range of natural waters, the bioavailable orthophosphate could be released from degradation of glyphosate. The amount of orthophosphate increased with increasing Fe(III)/carboxylate ratio.     

Photochemical and Photobiotogical Studies with Acridine and Phenanthridine Hydroperoxides in Cell-free DNA

Abstract— The acridine and phenanthridine hydroperoxides 3 and 7 were synthesized as photochemical hydroxyl radical sources for oxidative DNA damage studies. The generation of hydroxyl radicals upon UVA irradiation (Λ. = 350 nm) was verified by trapping experiments with 5,5-di-methyl-1-pyrroline N -oxide and benzene. The enzymatic assays of the damage in cell-free DNA from bacteriophage PM2 caused by the acridine and phenanthridine hydroperoxides 3 and 7 under near-UVA irradiation revealed a wide range of DNA modifications. Particularly, extensive single-strand break formation and DNA base modifications sensitive to formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg protein) were observed. In the photooxida-tion of calf thymus DNA, up to 0.69±0.03% 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine was formed by the hydroperoxides 3 and 7 on irradiation, whose yield was reduced up to 40% in the presence of the hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol and fert-butanol. The acridine and phenanthridine hydroperoxides 3 and 7 also induce DNA damage through the type I photooxidation process, for which photoinduced electron transfer from 2'-deoxyguanosine to the singlet states of 3 and 7 was estimated by the Rehm-Weller equation to possess a negative Gibb's free energy of cα -5 kcal/ mol. Control experiments with the sensitizers acridine 1 and the acridine alcohol 4 in calf thymus and PM2 DNA confirmed the photosensitizing propensity of the UVA-ab-sorbing chromophores. The present study emphasizes that for the development of selective and efficient photochemical hydroxyl radical sources, chromophores with low photosensitizing ability must be chosen to avoid type I and type II photooxidation processes.     

Radical identification by liquid chromatography/thermospray mass spectrometry

Radical adducts of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) with hydroxyl, methanol-derived, and ethanol-derived radicals were detected by a combination of liquid chromatography with either electron paramagnetic resonance or thermospray mass spectrometry (LC/EPR or LC/TSP-MS) in the Fenton system (with methanol or ethanol). One radical adduct was observed in the reaction of DMPO with the hydroxyl radical or the methanol-derived radical, while two adducts were detected in the reaction of DMPO with ethanol-derived radicals. The LC/TSP-MS spectra showed quasi-molecular ions [M + H]+ at m/z 146 and m/z 160 for the methanol-derived and ethanol-derived radical adducts, respectively, and an apparent molecular ion M+ at m/z 130 for the hydroxyl radical adduct. Use of methyl-D3 alcohol (CD3OH) and ethyl-D5 alcohol (CD3CD2OH) indicated that carbon-centered radicals are formed. Experiments with partially deuterated ethanol (CD3CH2OH and CH3CD2OH) indicated that the two adducts observed in the reaction of DMPO with ethanol-derived radicals correspond to the two diastereomeric adducts of DMPO with the alpha-hydroxyethyl free radical.     

Photochemistry of naphthalene diimides: EPR study of free radical formation via photoredox process

Earlier studies have shown that on exposure to UVA, hydroperoxynaphthalene diimide (IA) generates hydroxyl radicals, induces DNA strand scission, and kills cells.Here we employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin trapping to investigate the free radical photochemistry of IA and that of related naphthalene diimides, which are devoid of the hydroperoxyl moiety (N,N'-bis[2-methyl]-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide [IB], N,N'-bis[2-thiomethyl-2-methoxyethyl]-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide [IC]) and therefore are unable to generate hydroxyl radicals. It is shown that on UV irradiation (>300 nm) in air-free methanol or ethanol solutions all these naphthalene diimides undergo one-electron reduction to corresponding anion radicals, positively identified by EPR. With EPR and a spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), we found that the photogeneration of the naphthalene diimide radicals is concomitant with the formation of radicals from the solvents, presumably through electron/hydrogen atom abstraction by photoactivated diimides. Irradiation of IA, IB or IC in the presence of oxygen generates superoxide, which was detected as a DMPO adduct. The high photoreactivity of IB and IC supports the notion that hydroperoxide IA can induce oxidative damage via photoprocesses that are independent of *OH generation. These observations could be pertinent to the application of naphthalene diimides as selective photonucleases, PDT anticancer agents or both.     

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS-XIII. pH DEPENDENCE OF THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF PHOTO ALLERGENS BITHIONOL AND FENTICHLOR: AN ELECTRON spIN RESONANCE STUDY OF THE FREE RADICAL PHOTOPRODUCTS

Abstract The photoallergens bithionol (BT) and fentichlor (FT) generated free radical photoproducts upon UV photolysis which were observable by direct electron spin resonance (ESR). Both the yield and the type of free radical photoproducts were affected by pH, and to some extent, concentration of oxygen and concentrations of the photosensitizers. At pH 8.5, bithionol (0.9 mM) generated a semiquinone type free radical (BI) via a mechanism which probably involves substitution of the 4-chlorine by hydroxyl to form the corresponding hydroquinone followed by oxidation. The photolysis of 4-chlorophenol, 4-chlorocatechol and 2,2'-methylene-bis(4-chlorophenol) also generated the corresponding semiquinone radicals, suggesting that this mechanism is shared by other 4-chlorophenols. At pH 8.5, only photoproduct BI was observed during the irradiation of BT; FT related photoproducts were not observed at this pH. However, at higher pH values (pH 10.7 or pH 12), FT photoproducts were also observed in addition to BI upon prolonged irradiation. Moreover, the yield of BI increased drastically at higher pH. Oxygen did not play any role at pH 10.7, although it enhanced the yield of BI at pH 8.5. At pH 8.5, irradiated fentichlor generated, in roughly equal amounts, a semiquinone radical (Fla) and an unidentified species which contained two inequivalent protons (FII). At higher pH values (pH 10.7 and pH 12), at least four species were observed. All of the species are believed to be semiquinone radicals and two have been unambiguously identified. The yield of FI increased by a factor of 50 as the pH was increased from 8.5 to 12. Oxygen played only a minor role at pH 10.7 and above. However, at pH 8.5, it also enhanced the yield of FI.     

Further insight in the photochemistry of DNA: structure of a 2-imidazolone (5-4) pyrimidone adduct derived from the mutagenic pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photolesion by UV irradiation

Pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts represent one of the major mutagenic and carcinogenic class of DNA damage produced by UV exposure. At present, besides their conversion to their Dewar valence isomer, (6-4) photoproducts are generally believed to be photostable, and the observed biological properties of Paterno-Büchi-derived photoproducts are, thus far, exclusively attributed to these two types of compounds. Using a model system (2) relevant to DNA photochemistry, we have observed that the 5'-base moiety of the (6-4) thymine dimer 3, under far-UV radiation, is able to undergo a ring contraction leading to a 2-oxoimidazoline, 1. This unprecedented secondary photochemical reaction constitutes the first report of a major photomodification affecting (6-4) photoproducts and strongly questions the biological stability of the (6-4) adducts under UV light with 2-imidazolone (5-4) pyrimidone adducts being possibly another source of endogenous DNA damage.     

Photophysical and photochemical studies of 2-phenylbenzimidazole and UVB sunscreen 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid

The sunscreen agent 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA) and its parent 2-phenylbenzimidazole (PBI) cause DNA photodamage via both Type-I and Type-II mechanisms when UVB irradiated. We have studied the photophysical and photochemical properties of these compounds and their ability to photogenerate reactive oxygen species including free radicals. PBI and PBSA exhibit both oxidizing and reducing properties in their excited state. The absorption and fluorescence properties of PBSA depend strongly upon pH, and hence the photochemistry of PBSA was studied in both neutral and alkaline solutions. PBSA showed strong oxidizing properties when UV irradiated in neutral aqueous solution (pH 7.4) in the presence of cysteine, glutathione and azide, as evidenced by the detection of the corresponding S-cysteinyl, glutathiyl and azidyl radicals with the aid of the spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). However, when an aqueous anaerobic solution (pH 10) of PBSA and either nitromethane (NM) or 4-nitrobenzoic acid (4-NBA) were irradiated, the corresponding nitro anion radicals were observed. This finding suggests that both NM and 4-NBA are reduced by direct electron transfer from the excited state PBSA. During UV irradiation of an aerobic solution of PBSA, O2*- and *OH radical were generated and trapped by DMPO. Further, PBI (in ethanol) and PBSA (in ethylene glycol : water 2: 1 mixture) showed low temperature (77 K) phosphorescence (lambdamax = 443, 476 and 509 nm) and also an electron paramagnetic resonance half-field transition (deltaMs = +/-2), which is evidence for a triplet state. This triplet produced singlet oxygen (1O2) with quantum yields 0.07 and 0.04 in MeCN for PBI and PBSA, respectively. These studies demonstrate that UV irradiation of PBSA and PBI generates a variety of free radicals and active oxygen species that may be involved in the photodamage of DNA.