Oxyresveratrol protects against DNA damage induced by photosensitized riboflavin

Riboflavin can be photosensitized to produce reactive oxygen species. In the present study, a DNA damage assay was developed based on the photo reaction of riboflavin. In this test system, oxyresveratrol showed higher DNA protective effect than the well-known antioxidants Trolox and ascorbic acid. The results suggest potential applications for oxyresveratrol as an anti-aging agent and a riboflavin stabilizer.     

Photosensitized DNA damage and its protection via a novel mechanism

UVA, which accounts for approximately 95% of solar UV radiation, can cause mutations and skin cancer. Based mainly on the results of our study, this paper summarizes the mechanisms of UVA-induced DNA damage in the presence of various photosensitizers, and also proposes a new mechanism for its chemoprevention. UVA radiation induces DNA damage at the 5'-G of 5'-GG-3' sequence in double-stranded DNA through Type I mechanism, which involves electron transfer from guanine to activated photosensitizers. Endogenous sensitizers such as riboflavin and pterin derivatives and an exogenous sensitizer nalidixic acid mediate DNA photodamage via this mechanism. The major Type II mechanism involves the generation of singlet oxygen from photoactivated sensitizers, including hematoporphyrin and a fluoroquinolone antibacterial lomefloxacin, resulting in damage to guanines without preference for consecutive guanines. UVA also produces superoxide anion radical by an electron transfer from photoexcited sensitizers to oxygen (minor Type II mechanism), and DNA damage is induced by reactive species generated through the interaction of hydrogen peroxide with metal ions. The involvement of these mechanisms in UVA carcinogenesis is discussed. In addition, we found that xanthone derivatives inhibited DNA damage caused by photoexcited riboflavin via the quenching of its excited triplet state. It is thus considered that naturally occurring quenchers including xanthone derivatives may act as novel chemopreventive agents against photocarcinogenesis.     

DYE-SENSITIZED PHOTOLYSTS OF DISODIUM PHENYL PHOSPHATE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION UNDER OXYGEN: INVOLVEMENT OF SINGLET OXYGEN

Abstract— The release of orthophosphate from oxygen-saturated aqueous solutions of disodium phenyl phosphate by near-UV and visible light was enhanced in the presence of the sensitizing dyes methylene blue, rose bengal and thionine. The reaction was accompanied by the bleaching of these dyes. In the absence of oxygen, under nitrogen, the photodecomposition was very much slower. In deuterium oxide as the solvent, the dye-sensitized photodecomposition was 9 times faster than in normal water. This result suggests that singlet oxygen is probably the reactive species in the dye-sensitized reaction.     

EVIDENCE AGAINST THE PRODUCTION OF SUPEROXIDE BY PHOTOIRRADIATION OF HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE

Abstract Experiments were performed to ascertain whether superoxide anion (O₂⁻) was produced by the photodynamic activation of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD). Three different systems were utilized to detect formation of O₂⁻, oxidation of epinephrine to adrenochrome, reduction of cytochrome c and reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT). The effects on these detectors under identical conditions for HPD + h ν were compared to those obtained with two O₂⁻ generating systems, riboflavin + by and xanthine-xanthine oxidase, and to a singlet oxygen generating system, photoradiation of methylene blue. The results indicated that HPD + hv differed from the two O₂⁻ generating systems in failing to reduce cytochrome c or NET, and that HPD + h ν was similar to the behavior of methylene blue + h ν . In addition, HPD + h ν but not the O₂⁻ generating systems could inhibit mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity. We conclude that the photodynamic activation of HPD does not produce O₂⁻ as a major oxygen radical and that the effects of HPD + h ν on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase are not caused by O₂⁻.     

DNA photo-oxidative damage hazard in transfection complexes

Complexes of DNA with various cationic vectors have been largely used for nonviral transfection, and yet the photochemical stability of DNA in such complexes has never been considered. We studied, for the first time, the influence of DNA complexation by a cationic lipid and polymers on the amount of damage induced by benzophenone photosensitization. The localization of benzophenone inside the hydrophobic domains formed by a cationic lipid, DOTAP (N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride), and close to DNA, locally increases the photoinduced cleavage by the reactive oxygen species generated. The same effect was found in the case of DNA complexation with an amphiphilic polymer (polynorbornenemethyleneammonium chloride). However, a decrease in DNA damage was observed in the case of complexation with a hydrophilic polymer (polyethylenimine). The DNA protection in this case was because of the absence of benzophenone hydrophobic incorporation into the complex, and to DNA compaction which decreased the probability of radical attack. These results underline the importance of the chemical structure of the nonviral transfection vector in limiting the risks of photo-oxidative damage of the complexed DNA.     

Biological consequences associated with DNA oxidation mediated by singlet oxygen.

Singlet oxygen is a major oxidative species that can be generated by numerous biological processes such as photosensitization. This oxidant can react with deoxyguanosine and with guanine in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) leading to the induction of at least four different reaction products such as 4,8-dihydro-4-hydroxy-8-oxodeoxyguanosine and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxodeoxyguanosine. The induction of true single-stranded breaks in the oxidated DNA is still a matter of controversy and is not yet clearly established. This paper focuses mainly on several biological consequences which can be associated with the induction of DNA lesions by singlet oxygen. Oxidated DNA loses its transformation efficiency probably because unrepaired lesions can partially inhibit DNA replication. Mutagenesis is one of the main effects induced by guanine oxidation products. Molecular analysis of mutated genes reveals that G to T transversions are the most frequent mutations; these are probably introduced in DNA by misincorporation of deoxyadenosine monophosphate (dAMP) opposite to the lesion. Efficient repair of these oxidated guanine residues can take place via specific glycosylase, endonuclease or the SOS network. However, the data concerning the toxicity of singlet oxygen for eukaryotic cells are not frequent enough in the literature to draw a clear picture of the effects of this activated species in several biologically revelant phenomena.     

The effect of photofrin on DNA strand breaks and base oxidation in HaCaT keratinocytes: a comet assay study

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) kills cells via the production of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species. PDT causes chromosomal damage and mutation to cultured cells. However, DNA damage does not contribute to the phototoxic effect. To study the effect of Photofrin-PDT-induced DNA damage, we used the comet assay in combination with endonuclease III and formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase and a human keratinocyte cell line to investigate photogenotoxicity and its prevention by tocopherol (TOC). This study shows that PDT induced DNA damage in HaCaT cells at doses allowing cells to survive 7 days after irradiation. alpha-TOC did not prevent the acute cell lysis caused by Photofrin-PDT but did prevent Photofrin-PDT-induced DNA damage. However, the concentration of TOC that conferred protection (100 microM) was higher than is detected in human serum. Base oxidation was also measured using the comet assay. Although TOC could prevent frank DNA strand breaks caused by PDT, it was unable to decrease the level of base oxidation as revealed by enzyme-sensitive sites. It is suggested that the potential genotoxic risk from laser-PDT could be low, and that topical micro-TOC at a high concentration may be useful in preventing some types of DNA damage without preventing acute photolysis after Photofrin-PDT.     

Mechanisms of photosensitized DNA cleavage

Photosensitization may promote DNA damages such as nucleic acid oxidation or single strand breaks via three main pathways: hydroxyl radicals attack, electron transfer process or oxidation by singlet oxygen. While direct production of OH^. by photosensitization is rarely observed, the mechanism of DNA attack by OH^. is now well established on the basis of informations provided by water radiolysis experiments. Some dyes may also induce single strand breaks via an electron transfer occurring from a nucleobase to the sensitizer in the excited state. This process generates base radical cations identical to those arising from DNA photoionisation. These radicals may undergo deprotonation or dehydration to form the same neutral radicals as those produced by OH^. but with a slightly different pattern. In contrast, while many sensitizers produce singlet oxygen, the mechanism of DNA damages induced by this way is still unclear. In this case the guanine moiety in nucleosides or in DNA is selectively altered leading to the formation of 8 oxoG or 8 oxodG and FapyGua. The mechanism of single strand breaks formation by singlet oxygen is discussed in this overview.     

Anticancer Photodynamic Therapy Properties of Sulfur‐Doped Graphene Quantum Dot and Methylene Blue Preparations in MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cell Culture

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a field with many applications including chemotherapy. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) exhibit a variety of unique properties and can be used in PDT to generate singlet oxygen that destroys pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells. The PDT agent, methylene blue (MB), like GQDs, has been successfully exploited to destroy bacteria and cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species generation. Recently, combinations of GQDs and MB have been shown to destroy pathogenic bacteria via increased singlet oxygen generation. Here, we performed a spectrophotometric assay to detect and measure the uptake of GQDs, MB and several GQD‐MB combinations in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Then, we used a cell counting method to evaluate the cytotoxicity of GQDs, MB and a 1:1 GQD:MB preparation. Singlet oxygen generation in cells was then detected and measured using singlet oxygen sensor green. The dye, H₂DCFDA, was used to measure reactive oxygen species production. We found that GQD and MB uptake into MCF‐7 cells occurred, but that MB, followed by 1:1 GQD:MB, caused superior cytotoxicity and singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species generation. Our results suggest that methylene blue's effect against MCF‐7 cells is not potentiated by GQDs, either in light or dark conditions.     

Membrane Damage Efficiency of Phenothiazinium Photosensitizers

Structure–activity relationships have been widely reported for porphyrin and phthalocyanine photosensitizers, but not for phenothiazinium derivatives. Here, four phenothiazinium salts (methylene blue, toluidine blue O, 1,9‐dimethyl methylene blue and the pentacyclic derivative DO15) were used to investigate how the ability to damage membranes is affected by membrane/solution partition, photophysical properties and tendency to aggregation of the photosensitizer. These two latter aspects were studied both in isotropic solutions and in membranes. Membrane damage was assessed by leakage of a fluorescent probe entrapped in liposomes and by generation of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive species (TBARS), while structural changes at the lipid bilayer were detected by small‐angle X‐ray scattering. We observed that all compounds had similar singlet‐oxygen quantum yields in ethanol, but only the photosensitizers that had higher membrane/solution partition (1,9‐dimethyl methylene blue and DO15, the latter having the higher value) could permeabilize the lipid bilayer. Moreover, of these two photosensitizers, only DO15 altered membrane structure, a result that was attributed to its destabilization of higher order aggregates, generation of higher amounts of singlet oxygen within the membranes and effective electron‐transfer reaction within its dimers. We concluded that membrane‐based protocols can provide a better insight on the photodynamic efficiency of the photosensitizer.     

A STUDY OF THE METHYLENE BLUE-SENSITIZED OXIDATION OF AMINO ACIDS

Abstract— A study has been made of the effects of eight amino acids and a group of compounds related to tryptophan upon the photofading of methylene blue under anaerobic conditions and upon the excited species generated by flash photolysis of the dye. These effects are discussed in relation to the ease of sensitized photooxidation of the amino acids by methylene blue, in order to test the hydrogen-abstraction mechanism proposed for this reaction.
In general, amino acids susceptible to sensitized oxidation also act as reducing agents in the photoreduction of methylene blue, while the insensitive compounds do not reduce the light-excited dye molecule. Methionine, histidine and tyrosine are exceptions, but this is probably due to our choice of pH for the photofading experiments.
The flash-photolysis experiments give no clear-cut evidence for a reaction between amino acid and dye triplet excited state leading to an enhanced yield of the semi-reduced radical, thought to be an intermediate of the photofading reaction. The lifetime of the semi-oxidized radical is reduced by many of the amino acids, and this may be the reactive intermediate in their oxidation.     

Guanine-specific DNA damage photosensitized by the dihydroxo(tetraphenylporphyrinato)antimony(V) complex

The dihydroxo(tetraphenylporphyrinato)antimony(V) complex (SbTPP) demonstrates bactericidal activity under visible-light irradiation. This phototoxic effect could be caused by photodamage to biomolecules, but the mechanism has not been well understood. In this study, to clarify the mechanism of phototoxicity by SbTPP, DNA damage photosensitized by SbTPP was examined using [(32)P]-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments. SbTPP induced markedly severe photodamage to single-stranded rather than to double-stranded DNA. Photo-irradiated SbTPP frequently caused DNA cleavage at the guanine residue of single-stranded DNA after Escherichia coli formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase or piperidine treatment. HPLC measurement confirmed the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), an oxidation product of 2'-deoxyguanosine, and showed that the content of 8-oxodG in single-stranded DNA is larger than that in double-stranded DNA. The effects of scavengers of reactive oxygen species on DNA damage suggested the involvement of singlet oxygen. These results have shown that the mechanism via singlet oxygen formation mainly contributes to the phototoxicity of SbTPP. On the other hand, SbTPP induced DNA damage specifically at the underlined G of 5'-GG, 5'-GGG, and 5'-GGGG in double-stranded DNA. The sequence-specificity of DNA damage is quite similar to that induced by the type I photosensitizers, suggesting that photo-induced electron transfer slightly participates in the phototoxicity of SbTPP. In conclusion, SbTPP induces DNA photodamage via singlet oxygen formation and photo-induced electron transfer. A similar mechanism can damage other biomacromolecules, such as protein and the phospholipid membrane. The damage to biomacromolecules via these mechanisms may participate in the phototoxicity of SbTPP.     

Model Systems for Evidencing the Mediator Role of Riboflavin in the UVA Cross-Linking Treatment of Keratoconus

Riboflavin under UVA radiation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can induce various changes in biological systems. Under controlled conditions, these processes can be used in some treatments for ocular or dermal diseases. For instance, corneal cross-linking (CXL) treatment of keratoconus involves UVA irradiation combined with riboflavin aiming to induce the formation of new collagen fibrils in cornea. To reduce the damaging effect of ROS formed in the presence of riboflavin and UVA, the CXL treatment is performed with the addition of polysaccharides (dextran). Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide that can be found in the aqueous layer of the tear film. In many cases, keratoconus patients also present dry eye syndrome that can be reduced by the application of topical solutions containing hyaluronic acid. This study presents physico-chemical evidence on the effect of riboflavin on collagen fibril formation revealed by the following methods: differential scanning microcalorimetry, rheology, and STEM images. The collagen used was extracted from calf skin that contains type I collagen similar to that found in the eye. Spin trapping experiments on collagen/hyaluronic acid/riboflavin solutions evidenced the formation of ROS species by electron paramagnetic resonance measurements.     

Functionalized derivatives of 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene as precursors for biomedical applications: synthesis, structures, spectroscopy and photochemical activation in the presence of dioxygen

Decomposition of endoperoxide containing molecules is an attractive approach for the delayed release of singlet oxygen under mild reaction conditions. Here we describe a new method for the adaptation of the corresponding decay times by controlling the supramolecular functional structure of the surrounding matrix in the immediate vicinity of embedded singlet oxygen precursors. Thus, a significant prolongation of the lifetime of the endoperoxide species is possible by raising the energy barrier of the thermal (1)O(2)-releasing step via a restriction of the free volume of the applied carrier material. Enabling such a prolonged decomposition period is crucial for potential biomedical applications of endoperoxide containing molecules, since sufficient time for appropriate cell uptake and transport to the desired target region must be available under physiological conditions before the tissue damaging-power of the reactive oxygen species formed is completely exhausted. Two novel polyaromatic systems for the intermediate storage and transport of endoperoxides and the controlled release of singlet oxygen in the context of anticancer and antibiotic activity have been prepared and characterized. These compounds are based on functionalized derivatives of the 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene family which are readily forming metastable endoperoxide species in the presence of dioxygen, a photosensitizer molecule such as methylene blue and visible light. In contrast to previously known systems of similar photoreactivity, the endoperoxide carrying molecules have been designed with optimized molecular properties in terms of potential chemotherapeutic applications. These include modifications of polarity to improve their incorporation into various biocompatible carrier materials, the introduction of hydrogen bonding motifs to additionally influence the endoperoxide decay kinetics, and the synthesis of bifunctional derivatives to enable synergistic effects of multiple singlet oxygen binding sites with an enhanced local concentration of reactive species. With these compounds, a promising degree of endoperoxide stability adjustment within the carrier matrix has been achieved (polymer films or nanoparticles), which now opens the stage for appropriate targeting of the corresponding pro-drugs into live cells. First results on cytocidal and cytostatic properties of these compounds embedded in ethylcellulose nanoparticles are presented. Furthermore, an efficient low-cost method for the photochemical production of reactive endoperoxides based on high-power 660 nm LED excitation at room temperature and ambient conditions in ethanol solution is reported.     

HYDRODYNAMIC EFFECTS IN THE PHOTOSENSITIZED LYSIS OF LIPOSOMES*

Abstract— The photosensitized lysis of phosphatidylcholine liposomes incorporating methylene blue in the membrane or in the presence of external methylene blue is promoted by hydrodynamic agitation concurrent with or subsequent to irradiation with red light. The results implicate the attack of singlet oxygen on an unsaturated lipid component as the key photochemical step, which is followed by additional membrane damage induced by hydrodynamic action.     

Mechanisms and measurements of nanomaterial-induced oxidative damage to DNA

Many of the current investigations on the environmental and human health risks of engineered nanomaterials focus on their short-term acute toxicity. However, the long-term chronic effects of nanomaterials on living systems, and in particular, on the genetic components of living systems, also warrant attention. An increasing number of nanomaterial safety studies include an assessment of genotoxicity as part of the overall risk evaluation. The potential of nanomaterials to directly or indirectly promote the formation of reactive oxygen species is one of the primary steps in their genotoxic repertoire. The subsequent modification of genomic DNA by reactive oxygen species could lead to the development of mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, or other age-related diseases if the DNA damage is not repaired. This review focuses on the interactions of nanomaterials with DNA and specifically on the capacity of some nanomaterials to induce oxidative damage to DNA. A critical assessment of the analytical methodology and the potential biochemical mechanisms involved in nanomaterial induction of oxidative damage to DNA is presented, results obtained for the various studies with each nanomaterial are compared, and recommendations for future research are discussed. Researchers should consider, among other experimental recommendations, (1) the application of more chromatography-based and mass-spectrometry-based analytical techniques to the assessment of oxidative damage to DNA to facilitate an enhanced understanding of DNA damage mechanisms and (2) the verification of cellular viability before conducting genotoxicity assays to reduce the impact of fragmented DNA, formed as a consequence of cell death, on DNA damage measurements.     

A Novel Photo‐Induced Electrochemical Biosensing Method Based on Fluorescent Labeled Molecular Beacon

A novel photo‐induced electrochemical biosensing method has been developed based on fluorescence quenching effect and electrochemical method. In this sensing strategy, the molecular beacon probes labeled with methylene blue were immobilized on the gold nanoparticles modified gold electrode surface firstly; then dopamine was assembled on the electrode surface through electrostatic interaction with gold nanoparticles. Under the continuous illumination, the fluorescence of the methylene blue was quenched by the gold nanoparticles before hybridization; after hybridization with the complementary DNA, methylene blue was far away from the gold nanoparticles and the fluorescence recovered, and then singlet oxygen was generated in the photosensitive reaction of methylene blue in the presence of dissolved oxygen. Singlet oxygen reacted with dopamine, which resulted in the reduction of concentration of the dopamine on the electrode surface. The current of the dopamine on the electrode was used for the sensing of the conformational change of molecular beacon and hence for the detection of target DNA.     

THE ROLE OF DNA DAMAGE IN PM2 VIRAL INACTIVATION BY METHYLENE BLUE PHOTOSENSITIZATION

Abstract— This study investigates the importance of DNA damage in viral inactivation by phenothiazines and light. Phenothiazines, including methylene blue (MB), toluidine blue and azure B are of particular interest because of their ability to bind to nucleic acids in vitro. Initial studies employing phages T7, MS2 and PM2 indicated that both DNA and RNA phages as well as enveloped and nonenveloped phages can be inactivated by phenothiazine photosensiti-zation. PM2, which contains a lipid-protein bilayer and supercoiled DNA, was used for the mechanistic studies to model blood-borne viruses. Viral DNA damage was assessed following treatment of phage to known levels of viral inactivation by extracting the DNA and analyzing for both direct and piperidine-catalyzed strand cleavage by gel electrophoresis. DNA strand cleavage was found to be both sensitizer concentration and light dose dependent. Both viral inactivation and DNA damage were found to be oxygen-dependent events. In parallel experiments, strand cleavage of isolated PM2 DNA treated with MB and light was also found to be oxygen dependent, in contrast to some previous reports. Transfection studies, which measure the infectivity of the extracted viral DNA, indicated that DNA from MB-treated phage was just as capable of generating progeny virus as the untreated controls. It was therefore concluded that the observed DNA damage is not correlated with loss of phage infectivity.     

电催化过氧化氢还原的纳米材料作为潜在的辐射防护剂

纳米材料由于独特的物理化学性质,在生物医学领域显示出许多潜在的应用前景,诸如医学成像、药物输运和生物传感等. 这篇综述总结了对过氧化氢和氧还原表现出好的电催化活性的一些纳米材料显示了辐射防护性能. 作者讨论了这些纳米材料的辐射防护性能来源于它们的类酶活性,因为它们的催化性质表现为和活性氧的快速反应,为清除体内的自由基提供了一条有效通道. 作者也提出了纳米材料的电催化活性和作为临床转化关键的辐射防护性能之间关系的见解. 最后,作者指出了这些纳米材料作为新的辐射防护剂用于辐射防护治疗辅助成份所面临的挑战和将来的研究方向.     

FORMATION OF 7,8-DIHYDRO-8-OXOGUANINE IN THE 1,2-DIOXETANE-INDUCED OXIDATION OF CALF THYMUS DNA: EVIDENCE FOR PHOTOSENSITIZED DNA DAMAGE BY THERMALLY GENERATED TRIPLET KETONES IN THE DARK

Abstract— Isolated calf thymus DNA was treated with the 1,2-dioxetanes 3-acetoxymethyl-3,4,4-tri-methyl-1,2-dioxetane, 2,3-dimethylbenzofuran dioxetane, 3-hydroxymethyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-1,2-dioxeta-ne (HTMD), 3,3,4,4-tetramethyl-1,2-dioxetane and 3,4,4-trimethyl-1,2-dioxetane (TrMD), which on thermal decomposition generate triplet-excited carbonyl products. To monitor quantitatively the formation of the mutagenic oxidation product 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoGua), a sensitive and selective HPLC electrochemical assay was used after acidic hydrolysis (HF/pyridine) of the dioxetane-treated DNA. High yields of 8-oxoGua (up to ca 4% of the available guanine) were obtained for HTMD and TrMD. Both were investigated in detail with respect to effects of concentration, time and temperature. The oxidative reactivity of 1,2-dioxetanes was compared with several type I (benzophenone and riboflavin) and type II (methylene blue and rose bengal) photooxidants and disodium 1,4-etheno-2,3-ben-zodioxin-1,4-dipropionate as a chemical source of singlet oxygen. The persistence of 8-oxoGua towards oxidation by HTMD was examined in the reaction with 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) and with oxidized DNA. It was shown that, indeed, 8-oxoGua is consumed in the oxidized DNA on prolonged exposure to an excess of HTMD. The reaction of 8-oxodGuo with HTMD afforded the two 4R* and 4S* diastereomers of 9-(2-deoxy-ß-D-erythropentofuranosyl)-4,8-dihydro-4-hydroxy-8-oxoguanine as main oxidation products. Trapping experiments with teft-butanol confirmed that hydroxyl radicals are not involved, whereas the use of the triplet quenchers sodium 9,10-dibromo-anthra-cene-2-sulfonate and 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene established that triplet-excited states are mainly responsible for the observed DNA oxidation through type I action (electron transfer chemistry). The role of singlet oxygen was tested by means of deuterium isotope effects in D₂O versus H₂O, but no definitive conclusion could be reached in regard to the involvement of ¹0₂ in these oxidations. The present results reveal that 1,2-dioxetanes are efficient DNA oxidants and excellent tools to study photooxidation reactions of DNA in the dark.