INDUCTION OF PHOTOPRODUCTS IN SYNTHETIC POLYNUCLEOTIDES BY FAR AND NEAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Single and double-stranded polynucleotides of thymine and cytosine have been used to analyse the photoproducts produced by irradiation with far or near UV light. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect and quantify cyclobutane dimers and Pyr(6–4)Pyo adducts produced by 254 nm. At 320 nm 10-times less Thy(5–6)Thy dimers and one half the number of Cyt(5–6)Cyt dimers were induced; no Pyr(6–4)Pyo adducts were evident. HPLC has recently been applied to the isolation and characterization of various nucleic acid substituents and their UV-photoproducts. The relative retention times of pyrimidines and their UV photoproducts on HPLC reflect differences in the hydrophobicity of the compounds being separated. Hence, the more hydrophobic (less polar) a compound is, the greater its capacity to bind to the column and the greater its retention time; for T o T, C<>T and C<>C dimers this difference may result from variations in the number of methyl moieties (Cadet et al., 1983). The retention time of the compound also depends on its stereochemistry. Separation of the four stereoisomers of T<>T by HPLC shows that compounds which are molecular equivalents can be more or less accessible to the non-polar stationary phase depending on their conformation (Cadet, 1980). The relatively long retention times of the bipyrimidine photoadducts suggest a structural configuration which allows greater access to the hydrophobic moieties of the molecule. It is intriguing to consider that this difference in conformation may also be reflected in DNA–protein interactions such as binding by UV-endonucleases or antibodies directed against UV photodamage. Proteins can be used as sensitive probes for photoproduct induction and repair but an accurate evaluation of their specificity is required. It was the intent of this paper not only to compare the induction parameters for various dimers in pyrimidine homo-polymers but to provide controlled substrates which can be used to define the relative binding efficiencies of repair enzymes and antibodies for different types of photoproducts.     

Structural factors controlling the action of UV light in nucleic acids

Abstract— UV light induced conformational effects of different deoxyoligonucleotides and deoxypolynucleotides containing thymine and adenine residues are investigated by means of CD measurements and quantum yield calculations. UV-irradiation at the wavelengths 254 , 280 and 313 nm indicate that unsensitized irradiation at low doses leads to thymine photoproduct formation of non-cyclobutane type. In contrast to that irradiation at 313 nm in the presence of acetophenone causes different changes in the CD spectra due to the formation of thymine dimers of the cyclobutane type structure. Quantum yield calculations demonstrate a pronounced dependence of the photoproduct formation on the nucleotide sequence of the oligomers. Thus, clustering of thymine dimer formation can be neglected. Adenine photoproducts in the (A.T) containing oligomers are only formed at higher fluences. > 1.5 × 10⁴ J/m² and are biological less important events.     

The Photochemistry of Thymine in Frozen Aqueous Solution: Trimeric and Minor Dimeric Products

Early work identified three compounds, namely the c,s cyclobutane dimer, the so‐called (6‐4) photoproduct (5‐hydroxy‐6‐4′‐(5‐methylpyrimidin‐2′‐one)‐5,6‐dihydrothymine) and a trimer hydrate, as products formed upon UV irradiation of thymine in frozen aqueous solution. More recent work has shown that an (α‐4) product, namely α‐4′‐(5′‐methylpyrimidine‐2′‐one)‐thymine, is a likely product formed under these reaction conditions. During a thorough reinvestigation of the photochemistry of Thy in ice at ?78.5°C, we found that a variety of other products could be detected. In addition to the c,s dimer, the other three known cyclobutane dimers, namely the c,a, t,s and t,a forms, are produced, although in considerably smaller amounts. The so‐called “spore product” of thymine (5,6‐dihydro‐5‐(α‐thyminyl)thymine) is likewise formed. Two other dimers have been identified as minor products; one of these has been determined to be 5‐(thymin‐3‐yl)‐5,6‐dihydrothymine and the other has been tentatively assigned to be a (5‐4) adduct (6‐hydroxy‐5‐4′‐(5‐methylpyrimidin‐2′‐one)‐5,6‐dihydrothymine). Compounds with the behavior expected of true trimeric compounds have been isolated via HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry and photochemical behavior. One of these materials, putatively containing an oxetane ring, decomposes thermally to a secondary trimeric product that is then converted into the known trimer hydrate.     

WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE (150–290 nm) OF THE FORMATION OF THE CYCLOBUTANE DIMER AND THE (6–4) PHOTOPRODUCT OF THYMINE

The action cross sections for the formation of the cyclobutane dimer and the (6-4) photoproduct of thymine as well as the absorption cross sections of thymine were determined in the wavelength region between 150 and 290 nm. Thymine films sublimed on glass plates were irradiated by monochromatic photons in a vacuum; the induced photoproducts were quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Under our conditions, two major peaks appeared on the HPLC chromatograms of irradiated samples. The two peaks were identified as being the cis-syn cyclobutane dimer and the (6-4) photoproduct, based on their HPLC retention times, absorption spectra in the effluent, and photochemical reactivity. The fractions of the two photoproducts increased linearly with the fluence at low fluences over the entire wavelength range. Their action cross sections were determined by the slopes of the linear fluence response curve at 10 nm intervals between 150 and 290 nm. The two action spectra showed a similar wavelength dependence and had a maximum at 270 nm as well as two minor peaks at 180 and 220 nm, at which wavelengths the peaks of the absorption spectrum of thymine sublimed on a CaF2 crystal plate appeared. The quantum yields had relatively constant values of around 0.008 for the dimer and 0.013 for the (6-4) photoproduct above 200 nm, decreasing to 0.003 and 0.006, respectively, at 150 nm as the wavelength became shorter.     

Repair of a Dimeric Azetidine Related to the Thymine–Cytosine (6‐4) Photoproduct by Electron Transfer Photoreduction

Photolyases are intriguing enzymes that take advantage of sunlight to restore lesions like cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers or (6‐4) photoproducts. This work focused on the photoreductive process responsible for splitting of the azetidine ring proposed to occur during (6‐4) photoproduct repair at a thymine–cytosine sequence. A model compound formed by photocycloaddition between thymine and 6‐azauracil has been designed to mimic the elusive azetidine intermediate. The photoinduced electron transfer process has been investigated by means of steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence using photosensitizers with oxidation potentials in the singlet excited state ranging from ?3.3 to ?2.1 V vs. SCE. Azetidine ring splitting and recovery of “repaired” bases were proven by HPLC analysis.     

CORRELATION OF UVC AND UVB CYTOTOXICITY WITH THE INDUCTION OF SPECIFIC PHOTOPRODUCTS IN T-LYMPHOCYTES AND FIBROBLASTS FROM NORMAL HUMAN DONORS

Abstract— By using specific monoclonal antibodies in situ and a computer-assisted image analysis system we have determined the relative induction of cyclobutane dimers, (6–4) photoproducts and Dewar isomers in human mononuclear cells and fibroblasts following irradiation with UVC, broad-spectrum UVB and narrow-spectrum UVB. The lamps produced these lesions in different proportions, with broad-spectrum UVB inducing a greater combined yield of (6–4) photoproducts and Dewar isomers per cyclobutane dimer than UVC or narrow-spectrum UVB. The relative induction ratios of (6–4) photoproducts compared to cyclobutane dimers were 0.15, 0.21 and 0.10 following irradiation with UVC, broad- or narrow-spectrum UVB, respectively. Although Dewar isomers were induced by UVC, their relative rate of formation compared to cyclobutane dimers was significantly greater after irradiation with either broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum UVB. These values were 0.001, 0.07 and 0.07, respectively. With each lamp source, we have determined the survival of normal human T-lymphocytes and fibroblasts at fiuences, which induce equivalent yields of cyclobutane dimers, (6–4) photoproducts or (6–4) photoproducts plus Dewar isomers. Killing of fibroblasts appears to be associated with (6–4) photoproduct formation, whereas killing of T-lymphocytes seems to be mediated by combined (6–4) plus Dewar yields. These results emphasize the need to study the biological effects of UVB because cellular responses may be different from those following UVC irradiation.     

SELECTIVE DNA THYMINE DIMERIZATION DURING UVA IRRADIATION IN THE PRESENCE OF A SATURATED PYRIDOPSORALEN

Abstract— It has been recently shown that UVA (320–400 nm) irradiation of DNA in the presence of pyridopsoralens induces the formation of thymine cyclobutane dimers in addition to monoadducts. In this work, we measured the potency of a saturated pyridopsoralen to photosensitize DNA, despite its inability to covalently attach to DNA. First, from spectroscopic fluorescence measurements, we have shown that both analogs, saturated and unsaturated pyridopsoralens, namely 4',5'-dihydro-7-methyl-pyrido[3,4-clpsoralen (DH-MePyPs) and 7-methylpyrido[3,4-c]psoralen, exhibit a similar global affinity for DNA. Secondly, we demonstrated, by footprinting experiments, that exposure of a DNA sequence to 365 nm UV radiation in the presence of DH-MePyPs results in selective cyclobutane thymine dimerization. Thymines located in the immediate proximity of the 5'-TA-3' step are exclusively affected and the frequency of this photoprocess depends on flanking sequences. We thus probe a selective thymine dimer photosensitizer. Results are discussed in terms of drug affinity and physical properties of the helix at the binding site.     

Ultraviolet Irradiation Produces Novel Endonuclease Ill-Sensitive Cytosine Photoproducts at Dipyrimidine Sites

Ultraviolet light irradiation of DNA in vitro and in vivo induces cyclobutane dimers, (6–4) pyrimidine-pyrimi-done photoproducts and a variety of minor products. Using a denned DNA fragment, we have identified two classes of sites that can be cleaved by Escherichia coli endonuclease III: single cytokines whose heat lability corresponds to that of cytosine hydrates and more heat-stable dipyrimidines containing cytosine. The dipyrimidine products are induced at sites suggestive of (6–4) photoproducts but are not recognized as (6–4) photoproducts by radioimmunoassay. Use of oligonucleotides containing a single cyclobutane thymine dimer, a (6–4) photoproduct or the Dewar photoisomer of the (6–4) photoproduct also indicated that these products are not substrates for endonuclease III. We have therefore identified a minor UV photoproduct that has the same sequence specificity as the two major dipyrimidine photoproducts; it may be a minor isomer, a unique derivative or an oxidative lesion confined to dipyrimidine sites. Its biological significance is not yet known but may be masked by the preponderance of major products at the same sites. Its occurrence at the particular site in dipyrimidine sequences involved in the mutagenic action of UV photoproducts suggests that it may play a role in generating C to T transitions that are common UV-induced mutations.     

Far-UV-lnduced Dimeric Photoproducts in Short Oligonucleotides: Sequence Effects

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone adducts represent the two major classes of far-UV-induced DNA photoproducts. Because of the lack of appropriate detection methods for each individual photoproduct, little is known about the effect of the sequence on their formation. In the present work, the photoproduct distribution obtained upon exposure of a series of dinucleoside monophosphates to 254 nm light was determined. In the latter model compounds, the presence of a cytosine, located at either the 5′- or the 3′- side of a thymine moiety, led to the preferential formation of (6-4) adducts, whereas the cis-syn cyclobutane dimer was the main thymine-thymine photoproduct. In contrast, the yield of dimeric photoproducts, and particularly of (6-4) photoadducts, was very low upon irradiation of the cytosine–cytosine dinucleoside monophosphate. However, substitution of cytosine by uracil led to an increase in the yield of (6-4) photoproduct. It was also shown that the presence of a phosphate group at the 5′- end of a thymine-thymine dinucleoside monophosphate does not modify the photoproduct distribution. As an extension of the studies on dinucleoside monophosphates, the trinucleotide TpdCpT was used as a more relevant DNA model. The yields of formation of the thymine-cytosine and cytosine–thymine (6-4) photoproducts were in a 5:1 ratio, very close to the value obtained upon photolysis of the related dinucleoside monophosphates. The characterization of the two TpdCpT (6-4) adducts was based on H NMR, UV and mass spectroscopy analyses. Additional evidence for the structures was inferred from the analysis of the enzymatic digestion products of the (6-4) adducts of TpdCpT with phosphodiesterases. The latter enzymes were shown to induce the quantitative release of the photoproduct as a modified dinucleoside monophosphate in a highly sequence-specific manner.     

Influence of Phage Proteins on Formation of Specific UV DMA Photoproducts in Phage T7

Phage T7 can be used as a biological UV dosimeter. Its reading is proportional to the inactivation rate expressed in HT7 units. To understand the influence of phage proteins on the formation of DNA UV photoproducts, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and (6-4)photoproducts ((6-4)PD) were determined in T7 DNA exposed to UV radiation under different conditions: intraphage T7 DNA, isolated T7 DNA and heated phage. To investigate the effects of various wavelengths, seven different UV sources have been used. The CPD and (6-4)PD were determined by lesion-specific antibodies in an immunodot-blot assay. Both photoproducts were HT7 dose-dependently produced in all three objects by every irradiation source in the biologically relevant UV dose range (1-10 HT7). The CPD to (6-4)PD ratios increased with the increasing effective wavelength of the irradiation source and were similar in intraphage T7 DNA, isolated DNA and heated phage with all irradiation sources. However, a significant decrease in the yield of both photoproducts was detected in isolated T7 DNA and in heated phage compared to intraphage DNA, the decrease was dependent on the irradiation source. Both photoproducts were affected the same way in isolated T7 DNA and heated phage, respectively. The yield of CPD and (6-4)PD was similar in B, C-like and A conformational states of isolated T7 DNA, indicating that the conformational switch in the DNA is not the decisive factor in photoproduct formation. The most likely explanation for modulation of photoproduct frequency in intraphage T7 DNA is that the presence of bound phage proteins induces an alteration in DNA structure that can result in an increased rate of dimerization and (6-4)PD production of adjacent based in intraphage T7 DNA.     

DNA REPAIR IN THE VARIABLE PLATYFISH (Xiphophorus variatus) IRRADIATED in vivo WITH ULTRAVIOLET B LIGHT

Abstract— Dark- and light-dependent DNA repair processes were studied in vivo in the variable platyfish, Xiphophorus vuriatus . Excision (dark) repair of the (6–4) photoproduct was more efficient than that of the cyclobutane dimer with ∼ 70% of the (6–4) photoproducts reniovcd by 24 h post-UVB radiation compared to ∼30% of the cyclobutane dimers. Exposure to photoreactivating light resulted in rapid loss of most (>90%) of the cyclobutane dimers and increased excision repair of the (6–4) photoproduct. Preexposure to photoreactivating light 8 h prior to UVB radiation increased the rate of photoreactivation two-fold.     

Quantification of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers using an oligonucleotide chip assay

A lesion-specific enzyme-induced DNA strand break assay was developed for an oligonucleotide chip for the determination of UVB-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). A 20-mer of fluorophore-labeled and biotinylated oligonucleotide was immobilized on the chip. CPDs in DNA on the chip were formed by UVB irradiation (312 nm). T4 endonuclease V (T4N5) was used to excise the CPD site as T4N5 sensitively and specifically detects CPDs. The fluorophore-labeled DNA fragments were detected by a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system. The number of CPDs induced by UVB was determined based on a mathematical equation obtained from a predetermined calibration curve. The yield of UVB-induced CPDs was 1.73 CPDs per megabase per (kJ/m²). The reliability of this value was proved by its similarity to reference values obtained from gel electrophoresis. The developed assay has strong potential to quantify most kinds of UV-induced DNA lesions.     

Effects of cytosine methylation on pyrimidine dimer formation in DNA

The relative induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine (6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts ([6-4]PD) was quantified in the duplex homopolymers polydeoxyadenosine:polydeoxythymidine, polydeoxyguanosine:polydeoxycytidine and polydeoxyguanosine:polydeoxy-5-methylcytidine irradiated with UVC or UVB radiation. Cytosine methylation significantly increased the yield of cytosine (6-4)PD after irradiation with UVC light and of cytosine CPD and (6-4)PD after irradiation with UVB light. The data suggest that CPD and (6-4)PD are preferentially induced at 5-methylcytosine bases in DNA of cells exposed to sunlight and comprise a major component of the mutation spectrum leading to the initiation of sunlight-induced skin cancer.     

FORMATION OF CYCLOBUTANE THYMINE DIMERS PHOTOSENSITIZED BY PYRIDOPSORALENS: A TRIPLET-TRIPLET ENERGY TRANSFER MECHANISM

The 365 nm irradiation of thymine thin films in the presence of pyridopsoralens is shown to induce the formation of cyclobutane thymine dimers, in contrast to other compounds such as 8- and 5-methoxypsoralen. In order to elucidate the mechanism of such a photosensitized reaction, we have determined the energy of the lowest triplet state (T1) of these compounds, using phosphorescence spectroscopy and CNDO/S quantum chemistry calculations. The T1 energy values were found to be significantly higher for pyridopsoralens--up to 0.3 eV--than for 8- and 5-methoxypsoralen (approximately 2.8 eV), which are not able to photoinduce cyclobutane thymine dimers. The determination of the relative efficiency of cyclobutane thymine dimer formation was performed using chromatographic analysis. A good correlation was found between the energy of the T1 state of the psoralen derivatives and the related cyclobutane thymine dimer formation. Moreover, the photosensitized cyclobutane thymine dimer formation appeared to be temperature-dependent. Our results are consistent with a mechanism involving a triplet energy transfer from the pyridopsoralen to thymine.     

THE PHOTOREACTIONS OF 8-METHOXYPSORALEN WITH TRYPTOPHAN AND LENS PROTEINS*

Abstract— We have previously demonstrated that 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) can be found in the lenses of rats injected (i.p.) with this drug, and that its presence can lead to a photosensitized enhancement of lenticular fluorescence. The cutaneous photosensitizing properties of psoralens are thought to be mediated via their excited triplet states, resulting in photoaddition cyclobutane products between pyri-midine bases and 8-MOP. We have now investigated the possibility that similar types of photoadducts could be generated between 8-MOP and the aromatic amino acid residues in lens proteins. Our experiments involved in vitro irradiation (at 360 nm) of aqueous solutions of 0.1 mM 8-MOP plus purified alpha, beta, or gamma crystallins from calf or normal human (under 20 years of age) lenses. UV absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were measured before and after radiation, and aliquots from all experiments were frozen and kept in the dark for subsequent phosphorescence and EPR spectroscopy. Similar experiments were performed with irradiated aqueous solutions of tryptophan or thymine plus 8-MOP. All controls consisted of solutions kept in the dark. NMR spectra demonstrated that the hydrogen atoms at the 3,4 and 4',5' positions of the 8-MOP molecule were lost following irradiation, suggesting that these two sites were involved in the photoproduct formed between tryptophan and 8-MOP. These studies strongly suggest that 8-MOP is capable of forming photoaddition products with tryptophan and with lens proteins as well as DNA in vivo, resulting in its permanent retention within the ocular lens.     

UV mutagenic photoproducts in Escherichia coli and human cells: a molecular genetics perspective on human skin cancer

Abstract— The relevance of photoproducts produced by 254 nm irradiation to human skin cancer is first critically evaluated. Experiments identifying the mutagenic photoproducts at 254 nm are then described. Mutations are primarily due to the(6–4) photoproduct and the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer, both in E. coli and in human cells. The(6–4) photoproduct may be more important in E. coli and the cyclobutane dimer more important in mammalian cells. In human cells, mutations occur at the C of a TC, CT, or CC cyclobutane dimer, but not at TT cyclobutane dimers, and also appear to occur, less frequently, at the C of TC and CC(6–4) photoproducts. The local structure of DNA is more important in determining the frequency of mutation at a site than is the photoproduct frequency at that site. The effect of DNA structure appears to be due to site-specific lethality.     

Effects of the binding of alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins on the photochemistry of DNA in spores of Bacillus subtilis and in vitro

The main lesion produced in DNA by UV-C irradiation of spores of Bacillus subtilis is 5-thyminyl-5,6-dihydrothymine (spore photoproduct [SP]). In contrast, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PP) are the main photolesions in other cell types. The novel photochemistry of spore DNA is accounted for in part by its reduced hydration, but largely by the saturation of spore DNA with alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP). Using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the photoproducts, we showed that in wild-type B. subtilis spores (1) UV-C irradiation generates almost exclusively SP with little if any CPD and 6-4PP; (2) the SP generated is approximately 99% of the intrastrand derivative, but approximately 1% is in the interstrand form; and (3) there is no detectable formation of the SP analog between adjacent C and T residues. UV-C irradiation of spores lacking the majority of their alpha/beta-type SASP gave less SP than with wild-type spores and significant levels of CPD and 6-4PP. The binding of an alpha/beta-type SASP to isolated DNA either in dry films or in aqueous solution led to a large decrease in the yield of CPD and 6-4PP, and a concomitant increase in the yield of SP, although levels of interstrand photoproducts were extremely low.     

1,2,4-Triazoles—XXXIV: Photodimerization of some 1,2,4-triazo[4,3--]quinoline and 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-a]isoquinoline derivatives

Irradiation of 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]quinoline and several Me derivatives at 300 nm afforded the cisoid-fused, head-to-tail cyclobutane dimers 7bα,7cα,14bα,14cα - tetrahydro - 1,2,3a,8,9,10a - hexaazadibenzo [c,i]dicyclopenta[a,g]biphenylenes. However, 1,2,4 - triazolo[3,4-a]isoquinolines gave analogous cisoid-fused, head-to-head dimers except for the 5-Me derivative where the head-to-tail dimer was obtained.Codimerization occurred when 1 - methyl - 1,2,4 - triazolo[4,3-a]quinoline and 5 - methyl - 1,2,4 -triazolo[3,4-a]isoquinoline were irradiated at 300 nm, affording a cisoid-fused head-to-tail cyclobutane co-dimer as the single photoproduct. However, irradiation of their 5-Me substituted derivatives at 300 nm afforded the cisoid-fused, head-to-head, cyclobutane codimer and also a minor amount of the dimer derived from 5 - methyl -1,2,4- triazolo[4,3-a] quinoline. Irradiation of equimolar quantities of 2(1H)-quinolinone and 5 - methyl - 1,2,4 -triazolo [4,3-a]quinoline at 300 nm gave the known 2(1H)-quinolinone dimer and a minor amount of a cisoid-fused co-dimer of undetermined configuration.     

INFLUENCE OF pH AND OXYGEN ON 315 mμ INACTIVATION AND THYMINE DIMERIZATION IN MUTANTS OF BACTERIOPHAGE T4

Abstract— 1. Irradiation with 315 mμ light inactivates phage T4v-x C, and T4v^-x- , and forms thymine dimers in their DNA.
2. Both the rates of inactivation and of thymine dimerization depend upon pH and gaseous environment during irradiation. The U.V. sensitivities are: 1 (pH 7, N₂, 03, 2.2 (pH 3.5, Oz), 3.3 (pH 3–5, N₂; and the corresponding rates of thymine dimerization 1: 2.5: 5.2. The number of thymine dimers per lethal hit observed withT4v-x + are: 5.7 (pH 7, N₂, O₂, 5.4 (pH 3.5, O₂, 10.9 (pH 3.5, N₂); and forT4v-x-: 4.6, 3.4, and 7.1 with the same sequence of conditions.
3. Also the photoreactivable sectors depend upon the environmental conditions at 315 mp inactivation. In T4v-x f this sector amounts to about 50 per cent at pH 7, 18 per cent at pH 3.5, O., and 29 per cent at pH 3.5, N, respectively.
4. The molecular basis of these findings is discussed. It is concluded that, besides thymine dimer, at least one other lethal photoproduct (probably a photoproduct of cytosine) is involved in photoreactivation.     

2+2] Photocycloaddition reaction dynamics of triplet pyrimidines

Taking the 266 nm excited pyrimidine (uracil or thymine) with cyclopentene as model reaction systems, we have examined the photoproduct formation dynamics from the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reactions of triplet pyrimidines in solution and provided mechanistic insights into this important DNA photodamage reaction. By combining two compliment methods of nanosecond time-resolved transient IR and UV-vis laser flash-photolysis spectroscopy, the photoproduct formation dynamics as well as the triplet quenching kinetics are measured. Characteristic IR absorption bands due to photoproduct formation have been observed and product quantum yields are determined to be ～0.91% for uracil and ～0.41% for thymine. Compared to the measured large quenching rate constants of triplet uracil (1.5 × 10(9) M(-1)s(-1)) or thymine (0.6 × 10(9) M(-1)s(-1)) by cyclopentene, the inefficiency in formation of photoproducts indicates competitive physical quenching processes may exist on the route leading to photoproducts, resulting in very small product yields eventually. Such an energy wasting process is found to be resulted from T(1)/S(0) surface crossings by the hybrid density functional calculations, which compliments the experiments and reveals the reaction mechanism.