Sequence dependence of DNA radioprotection by the thiols WR-1065 and WR-151326

Sequence-dependent variations of DNA structure modulate radiation-induced strand breakage. Thiols reduce breakage by scavenging damaging radiolytic OH ^. and repairing sugar radicals. As shown by sequencing gel electrophoresis, WR-1065 radioprotection is modulated by sequence, whereas that of WR-151326, a larger thiol, is more evenly distributed. Molecular modelling was performed on complexes of a 53 bp oligonucleotide (belonging to a natural restriction fragment) with one molecule of WR-1065 or WR-151326. Energy minimised structures exhibit a broadening of the minor groove of an AAATT motif upon WR-1065 binding, and a narrowing of the groove upon WR-151326 binding. Consequently, the accessibility to OH^˙ of H4′ (whose abstraction leads to strand breakage) increases near WR-1065, whereas it decreases near WR-151326. This modifies locally the otherwise homogeneous radioprotection. The effect of WR-151326 strengthens the protection at all tested binding sites, whereas that of WR-1065 diminishes it in some regions, in good agreement with the observed radioprotection distribution. Received: 24 April 1998 / Accepted: 4 August 1998 / Published online: 11 November 1998