Theoretical study of the effect of radiation on thymine

The possible effects of radiation exposure to DNA are studied by investigations for the thymine residue. Detailed analysis of the various addition and other products is undertaken theoretically, using the semiempirical AM1 procedure. The results agree with the experimental finding that the loss of hydrogen on radiation exposure occurs from the C₅-methyl group and hydroxyl radical addition occurs at C₆, yielding the ‘5-yl’ radical. This radical is nonplanar, the axial conformer being slightly preferred over the equatorial one. In contrast, the other possible radical, the ‘6-yl’ radical, is almost planar. These results are important in understanding the conformational changes in DNA as a consequence of radiation exposure.