Pulse-radiolytic studies of DNA and polynucleotides in aqueous solution in the presence of oxygen

The kinetic parameters of the formation of single-strand breaks (ssb) induced by OH radicals in presence of oxygen and that of the decay of peroxyl radicals of the polynucleotide have been found to be very similar. The conclusion that the decay of the peroxyl radicals is involved in the rate-determining step of ssb formation is confirmed for poly(U) by a study of the effect of ethanol on ssb formation under conditions of laser pulse excitation. The kinetics of the formation of ssb for poly(U) is complex but is consistent with a first order followed by more complex reactions. This kinetics is compatible with a pathway to ssb formation assuming H abstraction from the sugar moiety by base peroxyl radicals as the rate-determining step in the beginning of the overall reaction.