PHOTOCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF 5-BROMOURACIL BY CYSTEINE DERIVATIVES AND COUPLING OF 5-BROMOURACIL TO CYSTINE DERIVATIVES

Irradiation of pH 7, aqueous solutions of 5-bromouracil (BU) in the presence of cysteine peptide-like derivatives at 308 nm using a XeCl excimer laser yielded initial formation of only uracil (U) and the corresponding cystine derivative. Continued irradiation yielded an S-uracilylcysteinyl adduct as well as additional U and cystine derivative. Similar irradiation of a solution of BU and a cystine derivative yielded initial formation of U and the S-uracilylcysteinyl adduct. Formation of these products as well as secondary products of uracil photochemistry was observed upon irradiation of the respective solutions with 254 nm light. With 308 nm laser excitation, U-Cys adduct formation and reduction of BU to U are proposed to occur via initial electron transfer from the disulfide of the cystine derivative to triplet BU. The quantum yield of BU destruction with 308 nm excitation in the presence of cystine derivative is 1.1 X 10(-3). Reaction of triplet BU with the cysteine derivative does not yield U-Cys adduct but U and cystine derivative. A possible byproduct of reduction of triplet BU to U by a cysteinyl residue in a protein BU-DNA complex is a sulphenyl bromide which might yield a protein-DNA crosslink via nucleophilic substitution on sulfur by a nucleophilic site in DNA.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS OF PYRIMIDINE DERIVATIVES WITH ACRYLONITRILE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Abstract— Ultraviolet excitation of pyrimidine derivatives in aqueous solutions containing acrylonitrile can lead to polymerisation of acrylonitrile and/or photoaddition reactions of acrylonitrile and the pyrimidine. Polymerisation of acrylonitrile induced by excitation of orotic acid occurs even in aerated solutions and is very likely due to radicals derived from excited orotic acid molecuies. Using ¹⁴C-labelied orotic acid, the polymer is shown to contain the pyrimidine. With other pyrimidine derivatives, polymerisation is observed only in deaerated solutions and its low yield did not allow us to determine whether the polymerisation is induced by radicals or by photosensitisation. The role of the lowest excited singlet and triplet states of the pyrimidine derivatives in the photoaddition reaction is discussed. In the case of orotic acid, photoaddition is shown to proceed entirely by way of the triplet state.     

PRIMARY PHOTOCHEMICAL PRODUCTS OF DITHIOGLYCOLIC ACID IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract— The photochemistry of dithioglycolic acid at 254 nm was investigated in deaerated aqueous solutions in the pH range 1.4–7.3. Initial yields of the primary photochemical products H₂S,–SH and aldehyde-(probably glyoxylic acid) were determined. The complex pH dependence of these simultaneously formed first stable products is interpreted in terms of the ground-state ionic equilibria, and in addition pH-dependent processes occurring in the excited state and labile intermediate sequence.
It is suggested that the photochemical mechanism involves two parallel pathways: one a hydrolytic splitting of S - S leading to H₂S formation (unaffected by the presence of O₂ or isopropanol), the other a free radical mechanism via C–S breakage, which is affected by the presence of O₂ or isopropanol.     

SPECIFIC PHOTOCOUPLING OF 5-BROMOURIDINE TO TRYPTOPHAN IN AQUEOUS FROZEN SOLUTION§

Abstract —5-Bromouridine (BrUd) photochemically reacted with l -tryptophan (trp) only in aqueous frozen solution giving rise to 2-[1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-(β-d -ribofuranosyl)-2,4-dioxo-5-pyrimidinyl]-l -tryptophan ( 1a ). Under similar conditions irradiation of 5-bromouracil (BrU) and trp gave the corresponding coupled product 2. Addition of acetone, potassium carbonate or sodium chloride to the frozen system completely inhibited the photocoupling reaction. These photocoupling reactions are suggested to proceed via mixed aggregate formation between trp and BrUd (or BrU) in frozen aqueous solution. Stacking interactions in these aggregates are characterized by an efficient quenching of trp fluorescence by BrUd. Under the same conditions other amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine and lysine did not react with BrUd, indicating that the photocoupling of BrUd (or BrU) is specific for trp.     

FLUORESCENCE OF TYROSINE AND TRYPTOPHAN IN PROTEINS USING ONE- AND TWO-PHOTON EXCITATION

Abstract— We examined the emission spectra of tyrosine- and tryptophan-containing proteins using one-photon (270–310 nm) and two-photon (565–610 nm) excitation. Emission spectra for two-photon excitation of native and denatured human serum albumin and of three purine nucleoside phosphorylases indicated an absence of the tyrosine emission normally seen for one-photon excitation below 290 nm. We examined the one-photon and two-photon excitation spectra of tyrosine-tryptophan mixtures to determine the origin of selective excitation of the tryptophan residues. These results confirmed a short-wavelength shift of the tyrosine two-photon excitation spectrum relative to that of tryptophan, as recently reported by Rehms and Callis (1993) Chem. Phys. Lett . 208 , 276–282.     

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF AQUEOUS TRYPTOPHAN, ALANYL TRYPTOPHAN AND TRYPTOPHYL ALANINE

Abstract— Tryptophan has been flash photolysed in deoxygenated and air equilibrated solutions. The kinetics of the subsequent reactions of the tryptophyl radical and the hydrated electron have been elucidated. Oxygen has been found to reduce the primary photoionization yield, indicating a triplet state precursor, but no evidence has been found for a biphotonic process. Appreciable differences in the photoionization quantum yields have been found for tryptophan, alanyl tryptophan and tryptophyl alanine.     

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF TRYPTOPHAN PHOTOPRODUCTS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF TRYPTOPHAN EXPOSED TO NEAR-UV LIGHT*

Abstract—One of the previously unidentified photoproducts isolated from the photolysate of aqueous tryptophan solutions was identified as 2-carboxy-3a-hydroxy-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo(2,3b)-indole by direct comparison with the authentic reference compound synthesized using the established procedure. This pyrroloindole alcohol has been shown to be the reduction product of the 3a-hydroperoxy intermediate (structure 4 in Fig. 1) by Nakagawa et al . (1977). The isolation and identification of this derivative and the detection of the peroxy intermediate 3a-hydroperoxypyrrolidinoindole ( 4 ). from irradiated aqueous tryptophan solutions suggests that the direct photooxidation of l -tryptophan to fromylkynurenine may follow a pathway via a tricyclic intermediate instead of the energetically unfavorable dioxotane intermediate. This scheme is similar to the mechanistic model proposed by Nakagawa et al . (1977) for the rose bengal sensitized photooxidation of tryptophan.     

PHOTOINITIATION OF ONE ELECTRON REACTIONS IN DIPEPTIDES AND PROTEINS CONTAINING TRYPTOPHAN AND TYROSINE

A radical transformation of the type Tr?-TyrOH → TrpH-TyrO?, previously observed by pulse radiolysis, has been detected following 265 nm laser excitation of oxygen saturated neutral aqueous solutions of TrpH-TyrOH, TyrOH-TrpH and cyclo-TrpH-TyrOH. A similar process was observed after photoexcitation of the proteins α-lactalbumin and α-chymotrypsin.     

ONE-ELECTRON OXIDATION AND REDUCTION OF AZAPROPAZONE AND PHENYLBUTAZONE DERIVATIVES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION: A PULSE RADIOLYSIS STUDY

Abstract— Using pulse radiolysis techniques, 3 azapropazone and 3 phenylbutazone derivatives all structurally related to the potentially photosensitive anti-inflammatory drug, azapropazone, have been reacted with the free radical oxidants N₃, Br₂^- and (SCN)₂^- as well as with e^-_aq a strong reductant. It is demonstrated that for 5 derivatives, azapropazone (Az), 2-[a-Carboxy-valeryll-3-dimethylamino-7-meth1-1,2-dihydro-1,2,4-benzotriazine (Mi307), phenylbutazone (PB), oxyphenylbutazone (OPB), and ketophenylbutazone (KPB), N₃^- and Br₂^- appear to react via a one-electron removal process. For the other derivative, 8-hydroxy azapropazone (8-OH-Az), Nj and (SCN); oxidise via a one-electron process, while Br₂^- probably fqrms a free radical adduct.
The absolute spectra of the one-electron oxidised and reduced transient species for all six derivatives are thus given in this work and are a basis to the understanding of the action of light on these drugs.     

THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 5-METHYLCYTOSINE AND 5-METHYL-2''-DEOXYCYTIDINE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

The nucleobase 5-methylcytosine (I) is a minor component of eukaryotic DNA thought to be important in regulation of gene expression. The photochemical reactions of this nucleobase and its 2'-deoxyribonucleoside, 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine (II), in water have been studied. These reactions lead, respectively, to 3-amino-2-methylacrylamidine (Ib) and 3-(2-erythro-D-pentopyranos-1-yl)amino-2-methylacrylamidine (IIb) as the main photoproducts. The structure of the photoproducts was established by spectroscopic methods (1H and 13C NMR, UV spectroscopy, electron impact and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry); in the case of Ib, confirmatory evidence was obtained by chemical methods (photolysis of 5-methyl[2-13C]cytosine, hydrolysis of N-carbomethoxy-3-amino-2-methylacrylamidine and reaction of Ib with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole to give I). The quantum yield for formation of Ib was determined to be 1.8 x 10(-3) at pH 7.5 while the quantum yield for formation of IIb has a lower value of 0.2 x 10(-3) at pH 7.5. These quantum yields depend strongly on pH and reach maximum values of 2.0 x 10(-3) at pH 7.0 (Ib) and 0.6 x 10(-3) at pH 5.0 (IIb). The mechanism of formation of Ib (or IIb) is proposed to involve nucleophilic attack of water on the C-2 position of photoexcited I (or II), followed by ring opening and decarboxylation of an intermediate carbamic acid.     

PRIMARY PHOTOCHEMICAL PROCESSES OF CATIONIC ACRIDINE ORANGE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION STUDIED BY FLASH PHOTOLYSIS

Abstract— A transformation system in Escherichia coli was employed to verify the extent of the lesions caused by ultraviolet (UV) and ionizing radiations. DNA inactivated at 280 nm could be reactivated to some extent by exposing the transforming DNA solutions at 240 nm. This reactivation has been tested using more than one strain of E. coli as recipient. Transforming DNA inactivated by ionizing radiations (⁹⁰Sr beta rays and ⁶⁰Co gamma rays) was not reactivable. Low doses of beta rays, however, reactivated the DNA inactivated by 280 nm UV to a slight but significant extent.     

PHOTOREACTIONS OF 5-BROMOURACIL IN THE PRESENCE OF CYSTEINE AND GLUTATHIONE

Abstract —Sulfhydryl compounds such as cysteine and glutathione enhance the photochemical reactivity of 5-bromouracil irradiated in aqueous solution with ultraviolet light (Λ > 240 nm). Production of uracil and addition of the sulfhydryl compound to the 5-bromouracil residue are the major photoreactions.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL AND PHOTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TRITON X-165 IN AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC SOLUTIONS

Abstract Laser flash photolysis of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-165 was carried out at 248 nm in methanolic and aqueous solutions at different pHs. Cation radical, triplet, phenoxy radical and solvated electron were observed as the transient absorbing species. Various characteristics of these transient species and their decay constants are reported. Photoionization was found to be a major process and it was monophotonic. The results obtained are compared with the photolysis of a small molecule p -methoxytoluene (PMT). Fluorescence and phosphorescence properties of the surfactants Triton X-100, Triton X-165 and PMT are also studied. A suitable reaction scheme is proposed to account for the observed results.     

LUMINESCENCE AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 4-THIOURIDINE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract— In bidistilled water, 4-thiouridine (4TU) exhibits a weak unusual luminescence, the quantum yield of which is 3 × 10^-4 at 25°C. The excitation spectrum corresponds well to the 4TU absorption spectrum. The emission lies at longer wavelengths (Λ_max 550 nm) than the 4TU phosphorescence observed at 77 K (Λ_max, 470–480 nm). From the emission signal obtained after an excitation flash of 3 ns half-width, an "apparent" rate constant for the radiative deactivation process, shorter than 5 × 10⁶ s, can be inferred. The 300 K emission is efficiently quenched by halides and by oxygen: quenching involves a long-lived intermediate (⋍ 200 ns).
Clearly the emissive state X is populated through the S₀-S₁ electronic transition π→π* of 4TU. The nature of X cannot be unambiguously determined: it cannot be an excimer but can be either the 4TU triplet state or another chemical state distinct from the 4TU excited singlet or triplet states.
An interesting finding is that the 300 K emission and the ability of 4TU to photoreact are related: they are quenched with the same efficiency by halide anions. This indicates that quenching occurs at the same long-lived intermediate species , which is either a precursor of the emitter or the emitter itself.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS IN RIGID MEDIA-I. THE EFFECT OF GELATIN ON THE AEROBIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF RIBOFLAVIN IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract— The addition of potassium iodide to dilute aqueous solutions of riboflavin reduced both the rate of the aerobic photolysis and the fluorescence quantum yield of riboflavin in the same proportions. This indicated that under these conditions the photolysis proceeded from the singlet excited state. The addition of gelatin to aqueous solutions of riboflavin also reduced the rate of the aerobic photolysis but increased slightly the quantum yield of fluorescence. The rates and the fluorescence of solutions of riboflavin to which gelatin had been added were also reduced by the addition of potassium iodide but in this case the effect on the rate was proportionately greater than the effect on the fluorescence. The data suggests that in the presence of gelatin the mechanism of the reaction is changed and that the triplet state becomes more important.     

PHOTOLYSIS MECHANISM OF AQUEOUS TYROSINE AND TYROSYL PEPTIDES*

Abstract— Laser flash photolysis at 265 nm has been employed for measuring the initial hydrated electron (e^-_aq) and p-alanylphenoxyl radical (Tyr) in aqueous Tyr, small Tyr peptides and R Nase A. The results indicate that monophotonic photolysis not involving the fluorescent or triplet states is the principal initial process. Equivalent yields of e and Tyr were found in all cases except Tyr, where the Tyr yield was 60% higher than e^-_aq attributed to splitting of the phenolic bond. Computer analysis of e^-_aq and Tyr decays for Tyr indicates the importance of electron-radical recombination in competition with electron scavenging and bimolecular radical-radical reactions. Evidence for intramolecular electron migration has been obtained in cystinyl-bis-Tyr.     

FLUORESCENCE AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF OLIGOCYTIDYLIC AND POLYCYTIDYLIC ACIDS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract —In addition to the monomer-like fluorescence, a long-wavelength emission (Λ^max_em= 410 nm) has been detected in the dinucleoside 5'-5' pyrophosphate (CppC) at room temperature. This emission looks very similar to that previously reported for the acidic forms of Poly C (Poly C. Poly C⁺ and Poly I. Poly C. Poly C⁺). Only the monomer-like emission (Λ^max_em= 330 nm) can be detected in neutral Poly C, acidic CppC, and the neutral or protonated forms of the dinucleoside phosphate CpC.A correlation between the room temperature fluorescence of oligo and polycytidylic acids and their photochemical behaviour is found. Irradiation of all the polymeric samples at both neutral and acid pH results in the formation of minor photoproducts. They have been characterized by their absorbance (in the range 300–400 nm) and their fluorescence spectra. The same product is obtained in all cases where the monomer-like fluorescence only is detected. Distinct products are formed in neutral CppC and in the acidic Poly C forms.
The results are discussed with respect to the conformation of the oligo and polycytidylic acids and possible relationships between the 410–420 nm emission and adduct formation. An excimer is proposed as a common, intermediate excited state in both radiative deactivation and adduct formation in neutral CppC and the acidic Poly C forms.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTION BETWEEN PROTEIN AND NUCLEIC ACIDS: PHOTOADDITION OF TRYPTOPHAN TO PYRIMIDINE BASES*1

Abstract— The photochemical interactions between tryptophan and nucleic acid bases were studied. When aqueous solutions of tryptophan were irradiated (Λ > 260 nm) at neutral pH in the presence of each of the nucleic acid bases, pyrimidine bases but not purine bases were altered. Air was found to decrease the rate of reaction. Two classes of photoproducts were isolated by thin layer and ion-exchange chromatography and partially characterized. One was the dihydro-pyrimidine forms of the base (see Reeve and Hopkins, 1979) and the other consisted of tryptophan-pyrimidine photoadducts. Four tryptophan-uracil and two tryptophan-thymine adducts each with a 1:1 molecular stochiometry were found. Spectroscopic measurements and a positive reaction with Ehrlich's reagent indicate that the indole nucleus remained intact, but that the pyrimidine base was reduced at the 5, 6 double bond. The absence of a positive ninhydrin reaction and the effect of pH on the quantum yield of the photoadduct formation indicated that the ionized a-amino acid group of tryptophan was involved in photoadduct formation. Indole derivatives lacking an a-amino group were also found to form photoadducts with pyrimidine bases. The experimental results are consistent with a reaction mechanism involving tryptophan excitation to the first excited singlet state as the initial event. Radical scavenging experiments indicate that tryptophan free radicals, formed by electron dissociation from the excited state, react with the ground state pyrimidine.