How a Single 5 eV Electron Can Induce Double-Strand Breaks in DNA: A Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Study

Low-energy (<20 eV) electrons (LEEs) can resonantly interact with DNA to form transient anions (TAs) of fundamental units, inducing single-strand breaks (SSBs), and cluster damage, such as double-strand breaks (DSBs). Shape resonances, which arise from electron capture in a previously unfilled orbital, can induce only a SSB, whereas a single core-excited resonance (i.e., two electrons in excited orbitals of the field of a hole) has been shown experimentally to cause cluster lesions. Herein, we show from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) that a core-excited resonance can produce a DSB, i.e., a single 5 eV electron can induce two close lesions in DNA. We considered the nucleotide with the G-C base pair (ds[5'-G-3']) as a model for electron localization in the DNA double helix and calculated the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of excited states of the ground-state TA of ds[5'-G-3'], which correspond to shape and core-excited resonances. The calculations show that shape TAs start at ca. 1 eV, while core-excited TAs occur only above 4 eV. The energy profile of each excited state and the corresponding PES are obtained by simultaneously stretching both C5'-O5' bonds of ds[5'-G-3']. From the nature of the PES, we find two dissociative (σ*) states localized on the PO4 groups at the C5' sites of ds[5'-G-3']. The first σ* state at 1 eV is due to a shape resonance, while the second σ* state is induced by a core-excited resonance at 5.4 eV. As the bond of the latter state stretches and arrives close to the dissociation limit, the added electron on C transfers to C5' phosphate, thus demonstrating the possibility of producing a DSB with only one electron of ca. 5 eV.

Photochemical and Single Electron Transfer Generation of 2'-Deoxycytidin-N4-yl Radical from Oxime Esters

A 2'-deoxycytidin-N4-yl radical (dC·), a strong oxidant that also abstracts hydrogen atoms from carbon-hydrogen bonds, is produced in a variety of DNA damaging processes. We describe here the independent generation of dC· from oxime esters under UV-irradiation or single electron transfer conditions. Support for this σ-type iminyl radical generation is provided by product studies carried out under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, as well as electron spin resonance (ESR) characterization of dC· in a homogeneous glassy solution at low temperature. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations also support fragmentation of the corresponding radical anions of oxime esters 2d and 2e to dC· and subsequent hydrogen atom abstraction from organic solvents. The corresponding 2'-deoxynucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) of isopropyl oxime ester 2c (5) is incorporated opposite 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine by a DNA polymerase with approximately equal efficiency. Photolysis experiments of DNA containing 2c support dC· generation and indicate that the radical produces tandem lesions when flanked on the 5'-side by 5'-d(GGT). These experiments suggest that oxime esters are reliable sources of nitrogen radicals in nucleic acids that will be useful mechanistic tools and possibly radiosensitizing agents when incorporated in DNA.

Pathways of the Dissociative Electron Attachment Observed in 5- and 6-Azidomethyluracil Nucleosides: Nitrogen (N2) Elimination vs Azide Anion (N3-) Elimination

5-Azidomethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (5-AmdU, 1) has been successfully employed for the metabolic labeling of DNA and fluorescent imaging of live cells. 5-AmdU also demonstrated significant radiosensitization in breast cancer cells via site-specific nitrogen-centered radical (π-aminyl (U-5-CH2-NH•), 2, and σ-iminyl (U-5-CH═N•), 3) formation. This work shows that these nitrogen-centered radicals are not formed via the reduction of the azido group in 6-azidomethyluridine (6-AmU, 4). Radical assignments were performed using electron spin resonance (ESR) in supercooled solutions, pulse radiolysis in aqueous solutions, and theoretical (DFT) calculations. Radiation-produced electron addition to 4 leads to the facile N3- loss, forming a stable neutral C-centered allylic radical (U-6-CH2•, 5) through dissociative electron attachment (DEA) via the transient negative ion, TNI (U-6-CH2-N3•-), in agreement with DFT calculations. In contrast, TNI (U-5-CH2-N3•-) of 1, via facile N2 loss (DEA) and protonation from the surrounding water, forms radical 2. Subsequently, 2 undergoes rapid H-atom abstraction from 1 and produces the metastable intermediate α-azidoalkyl radical (U-5-CH•-N3). U-5-CH•-N3 converts facilely to radical 3. N3- loss from U-6-CH2-N3•- is thermodynamically controlled, whereas N2 loss from U-5-CH2-N3•- is dictated by protonation from the surrounding waters and resonance conjugation of the azidomethyl side chain at C5 with the pyrimidine ring.

Proton-Transfer Reactions in One-Electron-Oxidized G-Quadruplexes: A Density Functional Theory Study

Recently, G-quadruplexes (Gq) formed in B-DNA as secondary structures are found to be important therapeutic targets and material for developing nanodevices. Gq are guanine-rich and thus susceptible to oxidative damage by producing short-lived intermediate radicals via proton-transfer reactions. Understanding the mechanisms of radical formation in Gq is of fundamental interest to understand the early stages of DNA damage. Herein, we used density functional theory including aqueous phase (ωB97XD-PCM/6-31++G**) and considered single layer of Gq [G-quartets (G4): association of four guanines in a cyclic Hoogsteen hydrogen-bonded arrangement (Scheme 1)] to unravel the mechanisms of formation of intermediates by calculating the relative Gibbs free energies and spin density distributions of one-electron-oxidized G4 and its various proton-transfer states: G^•+, G(N₁-H)^•, G(N₂-H')^•, G(N₂-H″)^•, G(N₁-H)^•-(H⁺O₆)G, and G(N₂-H)^•-(H⁺N₇)G. The present calculation predicts the formation of G(N₂-H)^•-(H⁺N₇)G, which is only ca. 0.8 kcal/mol higher in energy than the initially formed G^•+. The formation of G(N₂-H)^•-(H⁺N₇)G plays a key role in explaining the formation of 8-OG along with G(N₁-H)^• formation via tautomerization from G(N₂-H)^•, as proposed recently.

Modulation of the Directionality of Hole Transfer between the Base and the Sugar-Phosphate Backbone in DNA with the Number of Sulfur Atoms in the Phosphate Group

This work shows that S atom substitution in phosphate controls the directionality of hole transfer processes between the base and sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA systems. The investigation combines synthesis, electron spin resonance (ESR) studies in supercooled homogeneous solution, pulse radiolysis in aqueous solution at ambient temperature, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of in-house synthesized model compound dimethylphosphorothioate (DMTP(O^-)═S) and nucleotide (5'-O-methoxyphosphorothioyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (G-P(O^-)═S)). ESR investigations show that DMTP(O^-)═S reacts with Cl₂^•- to form the σ²σ*¹ adduct radical -P-S[Formula: see text]Cl, which subsequently reacts with DMTP(O^-)═S to produce [-P-S[Formula: see text]S-P-]^-. -P-S[Formula: see text]Cl in G-P(O^-)═S undergoes hole transfer to Gua, forming the cation radical (G^•+) via thermally activated hopping. However, pulse radiolysis measurements show that DMTP(O^-)═S forms the thiyl radical (-P-S^•) by one-electron oxidation, which did not produce [-P-S[Formula: see text]S-P-]^-. Gua in G-P(O^-)═S is oxidized unimolecularly by the -P-S^• intermediate in the sub-picosecond range. DFT thermochemical calculations explain the differences in ESR and pulse radiolysis results obtained at different temperatures.

Ne-22 Ion-Beam Radiation Damage to DNA: From Initial Free Radical Formation to Resulting DNA-Base Damage

We report on the physicochemical processes and the products of DNA damage involved in Ne-22 ion-beam radiation of hydrated (12 ± 3 H2O/nucleotide) salmon testes DNA at 77 K. Free radicals trapped at 77 K were identified using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The measurement of DNA damage using two different techniques of mass spectrometry revealed the formation of numerous DNA products. Results obtained by ESR spectroscopy showed that as the linear energy transfer (LET) of the ion-beam radiation increases along the beam track, the production of DNA radicals correspondingly increases until just before the Bragg peak is reached. Yields of DNA products along the ion-beam track were in excellent agreement with the radical production. This work is the first to use the combination of ESR spectroscopy and mass spectrometric techniques enabling a better understanding of mechanisms of radiation damage to DNA by heavy ion beams detailing the formation of DNA free radicals and their subsequent products.

Electron-Induced Repair of 2'-Deoxyribose Sugar Radicals in DNA: A Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study

In this work, we used ωB97XD density functional and 6-31++G** basis set to study the structure, electron affinity, populations via Boltzmann distribution, and one-electron reduction potentials (E°) of 2′-deoxyribose sugar radicals in aqueous phase by considering 2′-deoxyguanosine and 2′-deoxythymidine as a model of DNA. The calculation predicted the relative stability of sugar radicals in the order C4′^• > C1′^• > C5′^• > C3′^• > C2′^•. The Boltzmann distribution populations based on the relative stability of the sugar radicals were not those found for ionizing radiation or OH-radical attack and are good evidence the kinetic mechanisms of the processes drive the products formed. The adiabatic electron affinities of these sugar radicals were in the range 2.6–3.3 eV which is higher than the canonical DNA bases. The sugar radicals reduction potentials (E°) without protonation (−1.8 to −1.2 V) were also significantly higher than the bases. Thus the sugar radicals will be far more readily reduced by solvated electrons than the DNA bases. In the aqueous phase, these one-electron reduced sugar radicals (anions) are protonated from solvent and thus are efficiently repaired via the “electron-induced proton transfer mechanism”. The calculation shows that, in comparison to efficient repair of sugar radicals by the electron-induced proton transfer mechanism, the repair of the cyclopurine lesion, 5′,8-cyclo-2′-dG, would involve a substantial barrier.

Site of Azido Substitution in the Sugar Moiety of Azidopyrimidine Nucleosides Influences the Reactivity of Aminyl Radicals Formed by Dissociative Electron Attachment

In this work, electron-induced site-specific formation of neutral π-type aminyl radicals (RNH·) and their reactions with pyrimidine nucleoside analogs azidolabeled at various positions in the sugar moiety, e.g., at 2'-, 3'-, 4'-, and 5'- sites along with a model compound 3-azido-1-propanol (3AZPrOH), were investigated. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies confirmed the site and mechanism of RNH· formation via dissociative electron attachment-mediated loss of N₂ and subsequent facile protonation from the solvent employing the ¹⁵N-labeled azido group, deuterations at specific sites in the sugar and base, and changing the solvent from H₂O to D₂O. Reactions of RNH· were investigated employing EPR by warming these samples from 77 K to ca. 170 K. RNH· at a primary carbon site (5'-azido-2',5'-dideoxyuridine, 3AZPrOH) facilely converted to a σ-type iminyl radical (R═N·) via a bimolecular H-atom abstraction forming an α-azidoalkyl radical. RNH· when at a secondary carbon site (e.g., 2'-azido-2'-deoxyuridine) underwent bimolecular electrophilic addition to the C5═C6 double bond of a proximate pyrimidine base. Finally, RNH· at tertiary alkyl carbon (4'-azidocytidine) underwent little reaction. These results show the influence of the stereochemical and electronic environment on RNH· reactivity and allow the selection of those azidonucleosides that would be most effective in augmenting cellular radiation damage.

One Way Traffic: Base-to-Backbone Hole Transfer in Nucleoside Phosphorodithioate

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Roman Dembinski, Mehran Mostafavi, and Amitava Adhikary at the Polish Academy of Sciences, Université Paris-Saclay, and Oakland University. The image depicts a doughnut as a way of illustrating the hole transfer process. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202000247.

One Way Traffic: Base-to-Backbone Hole Transfer in Nucleoside Phosphorodithioate

The directionality of the hole-transfer processes between DNA backbone and base was investigated by using phosphorodithioate [P(S- )=S] components. ESR spectroscopy in homogeneous frozen aqueous solutions and pulse radiolysis in aqueous solution at ambient temperature confirmed initial formation of G.+ -P(S- )=S. The ionization potential of G-P(S- )=S was calculated to be slightly lower than that of guanine in 5'-dGMP. Subsequent thermally activated hole transfer from G.+ to P(S- )=S led to dithiyl radical (P-2S. ) formation on the μs timescale. In parallel, ESR spectroscopy, pulse radiolysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed P-2S. formation in an abasic phosphorodithioate model compound. ESR investigations at low temperatures and higher G-P(S- )=S concentrations showed a bimolecular conversion of P-2S. to the σ2 -σ*1 -bonded dimer anion radical [-P-2S- . 2S-P-]- [ΔG (150 K, DFT)=-7.2 kcal mol-1 ]. However, [-P-2S- . 2S-P-]- formation was not observed by pulse radiolysis [ΔG° (298 K, DFT)=-1.4 kcal mol-1 ]. Neither P-2S. nor [-P-2S- . 2S-P-]- oxidized guanine base; only base-to-backbone hole transfer occurs in phosphorodithioate.

One-electron oxidation of ds(5'-GGG-3') and ds(5'-G(8OG)G-3') and the nature of hole distribution: a density functional theory (DFT) study

Of particular interest in radiation-induced charge transfer processes in DNA is the extent of hole localization immediately after ionization and subsequent relaxation. To address this, we considered double stranded oligomers containing guanine (G) and 8-oxoguanine (8OG), i.e., ds(5'-GGG-3') and ds(5'-G8OGG-3') in B-DNA conformation. Using DFT, we calculated a variety of properties, viz., vertical and adiabatic ionization potentials, spin density distributions in oxidized stacks, solvent and solute reorganization energies and one-electron oxidation potential (E0) in the aqueous phase. Calculations for the vertical state of the -GGG- cation radical showed that the spin was found mainly (67%) on the middle G. However, upon relaxation to the adiabatic -GGG- cation radical, the spin localized (96%) on the 5'-G, as observed in experiments. Hole localizations on the middle G and 3'-G were higher in energy by 0.5 kcal mol-1 and 0.4 kcal mol-1, respectively, than that of 5'-G. In the -G8OGG- cation radical, the spin localized only on the 8OG in both vertical and adiabatic states. The calculated vertical ionization potentials of -GGG- and -G8OGG- stacks were found to be lower than that of the vertical ionization potential of a single G in DNA. The calculated E0 values of -GGG- and -G8OGG- stacks are 1.15 and 0.90 V, respectively, which owing to stacking effects are substantially lower than the corresponding experimental E0 values of their monomers (1.49 and 1.18 V, respectively). SOMO to HOMO level switching is observed in these oxidized stacks. Consequently, our calculations predict that local double oxidations in DNA will form triplet diradical states, which are especially significant for high LET radiations.

Reaction of Electrons with DNA: Radiation Damage to Radiosensitization

This review article provides a concise overview of electron involvement in DNA radiation damage. The review begins with the various states of radiation-produced electrons: Secondary electrons (SE), low energy electrons (LEE), electrons at near zero kinetic energy in water (quasi-free electrons, (e-qf)) electrons in the process of solvation in water (presolvated electrons, e-pre), and fully solvated electrons (e-aq). A current summary of the structure of e-aq, and its reactions with DNA-model systems is presented. Theoretical works on reduction potentials of DNA-bases were found to be in agreement with experiments. This review points out the proposed role of LEE-induced frank DNA-strand breaks in ion-beam irradiated DNA. The final section presents radiation-produced electron-mediated site-specific formation of oxidative neutral aminyl radicals from azidonucleosides and the evidence of radiosensitization provided by these aminyl radicals in azidonucleoside-incorporated breast cancer cells.

Excited States of One-Electron Oxidized Guanine-Cytosine Base Pair Radicals: A Time Dependent Density Functional Theory Study

One-electron oxidized guanine (G^•+) in DNA generates several short-lived intermediate radicals via proton transfer reactions resulting in the formation of neutral guanine radicals. The identification of these radicals in DNA is of fundamental interest to understand the early stages of DNA damage. Herein, we used time-dependent density functional theory (TD-ωB97XD-PCM/6-31G(3df,p)) to calculate the vertical excitation energies of one-electron oxidized G and G-cytosine (C) base pair in various protonation states: G^•+, G(N1-H)^•, and G(N2-H)^•, as well as G^•+-C, G(N1-H)^•-(H⁺)C, G(N1-H)^•-(N4-H⁺)C), G(N1-H)^•-C, and G(N2-H)^•-C in aqueous phase. The calculated UV-vis spectra of these radicals are in good agreement with the experiment for the G radical species when the calculated values are red-shifted by 40-70 nm. The present calculations show that the lowest energy transitions of proton transfer species (G(N1-H)^•-(H⁺)C, G(N1-H)^•-(N4-H⁺)C, and G(N1-H)^•-C) are substantially red-shifted in comparison to the spectrum of G^•+-C. The calculated spectrum of G(N2-H)^•-C shows intense absorption (high oscillator strength), which matches the strong absorption in the experimental spectra of G(N2-H)^• at 600 nm. The present calculations predict the lowest charge transfer transition of C → G^•+ is π → π* in nature and lies in the UV region (3.4-4.3 eV) with small oscillator strength.

Structural, Spectroscopic, Electrochemical, and Magnetic Properties for Manganese(II) Triazamacrocyclic Complexes

We report the synthesis of [Mn(tacud)2](OTf)2 (1) (tacud = 1,4,8-triazacycloundecane), [Mn(tacd)2](OTf)2 (2) (tacd = 1,4,7-triazacyclodecane), and [Mn(tacn)2](OTf)2 (3) (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane). Electrochemical measurements on the MnIII/II redox couple show that complex 1 has the largest anodic potential of the set (E 1/2 = 1.16 V vs NHE, ΔE p = 106 mV) compared to 2 (E 1/2 = 0.95 V, ΔE p = 108 mV) and 3 (E 1/2 = 0.93 V, ΔE p = 96 mV). This is due to the fact that 1 has the fewest 5-membered chelate rings and thus is least stabilized. Magnetic studies of 1-3 revealed that all complexes remain high spin throughout the temperature range investigated (2 - 300 K). X-band EPR investigations in methanol glass indicated that the manganese(II) centers for 2 and 3 resided in a more distorted octahedral geometric configuration compared to 1. To ease spectral interpretation and extract ZFS parameters, we performed high-frequency high-field EPR (HFEPR) at frequencies above 200 GHz and a field of 7.5 T. Simulation of the spectral data yielded g = 2.0013 and D = -0.031 cm-1 for 1, g = 2.0008, D = -0.0824 cm-1, |E/D| = 0.12 for 2, and g = 2.00028, D = -0.0884 cm-1 for 3. These results are consistent with 3 possessing the most distorted geometry. Calculations (PBE0/6-31G(d)) were performed on 1-3. Results show that 1 has the largest HOMO-LUMO gap energy (6.37 eV) compared to 2 (6.12 eV) and 3 (6.26 eV). Complex 1 also has the lowest HOMO energies indicating higher stability.

Observation of dissociative quasi-free electron attachment to nucleoside via excited anion radical in solution

Damage to DNA via dissociative electron attachment has been well-studied in both the gas and condensed phases; however, understanding this process in bulk solution at a fundamental level is still a challenge. Here, we use a picosecond pulse of a high energy electron beam to generate electrons in liquid diethylene glycol and observe the electron attachment dynamics to ribothymidine at different stages of electron relaxation. Our transient spectroscopic results reveal that the quasi-free electron with energy near the conduction band effectively attaches to ribothymidine leading to a new absorbing species that is characterized in the UV-visible region. This species exhibits a nearly concentration-independent decay with a time constant of ~350 ps. From time-resolved studies under different conditions, combined with data analysis and theoretical calculations, we assign this intermediate to an excited anion radical that undergoes N1-C1′ glycosidic bond dissociation rather than relaxation to its ground state.

Radiation-induced low-energy electrons in solution are implicated in DNA damage, but their relaxation dynamics are not well understood. Here the authors observe how quasi-free electrons dissociate glycosidic bonds via an excited nucleoside anion radical, whereas solvated electrons reside on the nucleoside as a relatively stable anion radical.

Electron-Mediated Aminyl and Iminyl Radicals from C5 Azido-Modified Pyrimidine Nucleosides Augment Radiation Damage to Cancer Cells

Two classes of azido-modified pyrimidine nucleosides were synthesized as potential radiosensitizers; one class is 5-azidomethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (AmdU) and cytidine (AmdC), while the second class is 5-(1-azidovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (AvdU) and cytidine (AvdC). The addition of radiation-produced electrons to C5-azido nucleosides leads to the formation of π-aminyl radicals followed by facile conversion to σ-iminyl radicals either via a bimolecular reaction involving intermediate α-azidoalkyl radicals in AmdU/AmdC or by tautomerization in AvdU/AvdC. AmdU demonstrates effective radiosensitization in EMT6 tumor cells.

Direct observation of the oxidation of DNA bases by phosphate radicals formed under radiation: a model of the backbone-to-base hole transfer

In irradiated DNA, by the base-to-base and backbone-to-base hole transfer processes, the hole (i.e., the unpaired spin) localizes on the most electropositive base, guanine. Phosphate radicals formed via ionization events in the DNA-backbone must play an important role in the backbone-to-base hole transfer process. However, earlier studies on irradiated hydrated DNA, on irradiated DNA-models in frozen aqueous solution and in neat dimethyl phosphate showed the formation of carbon-centered radicals and not phosphate radicals. Therefore, to model the backbone-to-base hole transfer process, we report picosecond pulse radiolysis studies of the reactions between H2PO4˙ with the DNA bases - G, A, T, and C in 6 M H3PO4 at 22 °C. The time-resolved observations show that in 6 M H3PO4, H2PO4˙ causes the one-electron oxidation of adenine, guanine and thymine, by forming the cation radicals via a single electron transfer (SET) process; however, the rate constant of the reaction of H2PO4˙ with cytosine is too low (<107 L mol-1 s-1) to be measured. The rates of these reactions are influenced by the protonation states and the reorganization energies of the base radicals and of the phosphate radical in 6 M H3PO4.

SOMO-HOMO Level Inversion in Biologically Important Radicals

Conventionally, the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of a radical species is considered to be the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), but this is not the case always. In this study, we considered a number of radicals from smallest diatomic anion radicals such as superoxide anion radical to one-electron oxidized DNA related base radicals that show the SOMO is energetically lower than one or more doubly occupied molecular orbitals (MOs) (SOMO–HOMO level inversion). The electronic configurations are calculated employing the B3LYP/6-31++G** method, with the inclusion of aqueous phase via the integral equation formalism of the polarized continuum model solvation model. From the extensive study of the electronic configurations of radicals produced by one-electron oxidation or reduction of natural-DNA bases, bromine-, sulfur-, selenium-, and aza-substituted DNA bases, as well as 20 diatomic molecules, we highlight the following important findings: (i) SOMO–HOMO level inversion is a common phenomenon in radical species. (ii) The more localized spin density in σ-orbital on a single atom (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or selenium), the greater the gap between HOMO and SOMO. (iii) In species with SOMO–HOMO level inversion, one-electron oxidation takes place from HOMO not from the SOMO, which produces a molecule in its triplet ground state. Oxidation of aqueous superoxide anion producing triplet molecular oxygen is one example of many. (iv) These results are for conventional radicals and in contrast with those reported for distonic radical anions in which SOMO–HOMO gaps are smaller for more localized radicals and the orbital inversions vanish in water. Our findings yield new insights into the properties of free radical systems.

Thermally Induced Oxidation of [FeII(tacn)2](OTf)2 (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane)

We previously reported the spin-crossover (SC) properties of [Fe^II(tacn)₂](OTf)₂ (1) (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane) [Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2013, 2115]. Upon heating under dynamic vacuum, 1 undergoes oxidation to generate a low spin iron(III) complex. The oxidation of the iron center was found to be facilitated by initial oxidation of the ligand via loss of an H atom. The resulting complex was hypothesized to have the formulation [Fe^III(tacn)(tacn-H)](OTf)₂ (2) where tacn-H is N-deprotonated tacn. The formulation was confirmed by ESI-MS. The powder EPR spectrum of the oxidized product at 77 K reveals the formation of a low-spin iron(III) species with rhombic spectrum (g = 1.98, 2.10, 2.19). We have indirectly detected H₂ formation during the heating of 1 by reacting the headspace with HgO. Formation of water (¹HNMR in anhydrous d₆-DMSO) and elemental mercury were observed. To further support this claim, we independently synthesized [Fe^III(tacn)₂](OTf)₃ (3) and treated it with one equiv base yielding 2. The structures of 3 was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Compound 2 also exhibits a low spin iron(III) rhombic signal (g = 1.97, 2.11, 2.23) in DMF at 77 K. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that 3 undergoes gradual spin increase from 2 to 400 K. DFT studies indicate that the deprotonated nitrogen in 2 forms a bond to iron(III) exhibiting double bond character (Fe-N, 1.807 Å).

Independent Photochemical Generation and Reactivity of Nitrogen-Centered Purine Nucleoside Radicals from Hydrazines

Photochemical precursors that produce dA^• and dG(N₂-H)^• are needed to investigate their reactivity. The synthesis of two 1,1-diphenylhydrazines (1, 2) and their use as photochemical sources of dA^• and dG(N₂-H)^• is presented. Trapping studies indicate production of these radicals with good fidelity, and 1 was incorporated into an oligonucleotide via solid-phase synthesis. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that reduction potentials of 1 and 2 are lower than those of widely used "hole sinks", e.g., 8-oxodGuo and 7-deazadGuo, to investigate DNA-hole transfer processes. These molecules could be useful (a) as sources of dA^• and dG(N₂-H)^• at specific sites in oligonucleotides and (b) as "hole sinks" for the study of DNA-hole transfer processes.

Modulating the Catalytic Activity of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles with the Anion of the Precursor Salt

In this work, we tested our hypothesis that surface chemistry and antioxidant properties of cerium nanoparticles (CNPs) are affected by presence of counterions. We first employed various precursor cerium (III) (Ce(III)) salts with different counterions (acetate, nitrate, chloride, sulfate) to synthesize CNPs following the same wet chemical methodology. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies provided evidence for the formation of radicals from counterions (e.g., NO₃•^2- from reduction of NO₃^- in CNPs synthesized from Ce(III) nitrate). Physicochemical properties of these CNPs, e.g., dispersion stability, hydrodynamic size, signature surface chemistry, SOD-mimetic activity, and oxidation potentials were found to be significantly affected by the anions of the precursor salts. CNPs synthesized from Ce(III) nitrate and Ce(III) chloride exhibited higher extent of SOD-mimetic activities. Therefore, these CNPs were studied extensively employing in-situ UV-Visible spectroelectrochemistry and changing the counterion concentrations affected the oxidation potentials of these CNPs. Thus, the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of CNPs can be modulated by anions of the precursor. Furthermore, our ESR studies present evidence of the formation of guanine cation radical (G•⁺) in 5'-dGMP via UV-photoionization at 77 K in the presence of CNPs synthesized from Ce(III) nitrate and chloride and CNPs act as the scavenger of radiation-produced electrons.

Prehydrated One-Electron Attachment to Azido-Modified Pentofuranoses: Aminyl Radical Formation, Rapid H-Atom Transfer, and Subsequent Ring Opening

Methyl 2-azido-2-deoxy-α-d-lyxofuranoside (1a) and methyl 2-azido-2-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranoside (2) were prepared from d-xylose or d-arabinose, respectively. Employing ESR and DFT/B3LYP/6-31G* calculations, we investigated (i) aminyl radical (RNH·) formation and (ii) reaction pathways of RNH·. Prehydrated electron attachment to 1a and 2 at 77 K produced transient azide anion radical (RN₃·^-) which reacts via rapid N₂ loss at 77 K, forming nitrene anion radical (RN·^-). Rapid protonation of RN·^- at 77 K formed RNH· and ^-OH. ¹⁵N-labeled-1a confirmed this mechanism. Investigations employing in-house synthesized site-specifically deuterated derivatives of 1a (e.g., CH₃ (1b), C4 (1c), and C5 (1d)) established that (a) a facile intramolecular H atom transfer from C5 to RNH· generated C5· and RNH₂. C5· formation had a small deuterium kinetic isotope effect suggesting that this reaction does not occur via direct H atom abstraction. (b) Subsequently, C5· underwent a facile unimolecular conversion to ring-opened C4·. Identification of ring-opened C4· intermediate confirms the mechanism of C5'· mediated unaltered base release associated with DNA-strand break. However, for 2, ESR studies established thermally activated intermolecular H atom abstraction by RNH· from the methyl group at C1. Thus, sugar ring configuration strongly influences the site and pathway of RNH· mediated reactions in pentofuranoses.

UV-Induced Adenine Radicals Induced in DNA A-Tracts: Spectral and Dynamical Characterization

Adenyl radicals generated in DNA single and double strands, (dA)₂₀ and (dA)₂₀·(dT)₂₀, by one- and two-photon ionization by 266 nm laser pulses decay at 600 nm with half-times of 1.0 ± 0.1 and 4 ± 1 ms, respectively. Though ionization initially forms the cation radical, the radicals detected for (dA)₂₀ are quantitatively identified as N6-deprotonated adenyl radicals by their absorption spectrum, which is computed quantum mechanically employing TD-DFT. Theoretical calculations show that deprotonation of the cation radical induces only weak spectral changes, in line with the spectra of the adenyl radical cation and the deprotonated radical trapped in low temperature glasses.

A Simple ab Initio Model for the Hydrated Electron That Matches Experiment

Since its discovery over 50 years ago, the "structure" and properties of the hydrated electron have been a subject for wonderment and also fierce debate. In the present work we seriously explore a minimal model for the aqueous electron, consisting of a small water anion cluster embedded in a polarized continuum, using several levels of ab initio calculation and basis set. The minimum energy "zero Kelvin" structure found for any 4-water (or larger) anion cluster, at any post-Hartree–Fock theory level, is very similar to a recently reported embedded-DFT-in-classical-water-MD simulation (Uhlig, Marsalek, and Jungwirth, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2012, 3, 3071−3075), with four OH bonds oriented toward the maximum charge density in a small central "void". The minimum calculation with just four water molecules does a remarkably good job of reproducing the resonance Raman properties, the radius of gyration derived from the optical spectrum, the vertical detachment energy, and the hydration free energy. For the first time we also successfully calculate the EPR g-factor and (low temperature ice) hyperfine couplings. The simple tetrahedral anion cluster model conforms very well to experiment, suggesting it does in fact represent the dominant structural motif of the hydrated electron.

Gamma and Ion-Beam Irradiation of DNA: Free Radical Mechanisms, Electron Effects, and Radiation Chemical Track Structure

The focus of our laboratory's investigation is to study the direct-type DNA damage mechanisms resulting from γ-ray and ion-beam radiation-induced free radical processes in DNA which lead to molecular damage important to cellular survival. This work compares the results of low LET (γ-) and high LET (ion-beam) radiation to develop a chemical track structure model for ion-beam radiation damage to DNA. Recent studies on protonation states of cytosine cation radicals in the N1-substituted cytosine derivatives in their ground state and 5-methylcytosine cation radicals in ground as well as in excited state are described. Our results exhibit a radical signature of excitations in 5-methylcytosine cation radical. Moreover, our recent theoretical studies elucidate the role of electron-induced reactions (low energy electrons (LEE), presolvated electrons (e_pre^-), and aqueous (or, solvated) electrons (e_aq^-)). Finally DFT calculations of the ionization potentials of various sugar radicals show the relative reactivity of these species.

Do Solvated Electrons (e(aq)⁻) Reduce DNA Bases? A Gaussian 4 and Density Functional Theory-Molecular Dynamics Study

The solvated electron (e(aq)⁻) is a primary intermediate after an ionization event that produces reductive DNA damage. Accurate standard redox potentials (E(o)) of nucleobases and of e(aq)⁻ determine the extent of reaction of e(aq)⁻ with nucleobases. In this work, E(o) values of e(aq)⁻ and of nucleobases have been calculated employing the accurate ab initio Gaussian 4 theory including the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The Gaussian 4-calculated E(o) of e(aq)⁻ (-2.86 V) is in excellent agreement with the experimental one (-2.87 V). The Gaussian 4-calculated E(o) of nucleobases in dimethylformamide (DMF) lie in the range (-2.36 V to -2.86 V); they are in reasonable agreement with the experimental E(o) in DMF and have a mean unsigned error (MUE) = 0.22 V. However, inclusion of specific water molecules reduces this error significantly (MUE = 0.07). With the use of a model of e(aq)⁻ nucleobase complex with six water molecules, the reaction of e(aq)⁻ with the adjacent nucleobase is investigated using approximate ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations including PCM. Our MD simulations show that e(aq)⁻ transfers to uracil, thymine, cytosine, and adenine, within 10 to 120 fs and e(aq)⁻ reacts with guanine only when a water molecule forms a hydrogen bond to O6 of guanine which stabilizes the anion radical.

In Situ Generated Platinum Catalyst for Methanol Oxidation via Electrochemical Oxidation of Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Anion in Ionic Liquids at Anaerobic Condition

The bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion is widely used as an ionic liquid anion due to its electrochemical stability and wide electrochemical potential window at aerobic conditions. Here we report an innovative strategy by directly oxidizing bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion to form a radical electrocatalyst on platinum electrode at anaerobic condition. The in situ generated radical catalyst was shown to catalytically and selectively promote the electrooxidation of methanol to form methoxyl radical, in which the formation potential was drastically decreased with the existence of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide radical. The electrochemically generated radical catalyst not only facilitates the oxidation of methanol but also provides good selectivity. The unique double layer structure of the 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmpy][NTf₂]) likely excludes the diffusion of larger molar mass molecules onto the electrode surface and enables the highly selective methanol oxidation at this IL-electrode interface. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments were used to systematically characterize the details of the electrochemical processes with and without methanol in several other ILs, and a mechanism of the chemical and redox processes was proposed. This study provides a promising new approach for utilizing the unique properties of ionic liquids not only as solvents and electrolytes but also as the medium for in situ generation of electrocatalysts to promote methanol redox reactions for practical applications.

π-Radical to σ-Radical Tautomerization in One-Electron-Oxidized 1-Methylcytosine and Its Analogs

In this work, iminyl σ-radical formation in several one-electron-oxidized cytosine analogs, including 1-MeC, cidofovir, 2'-deoxycytidine (dCyd), and 2'-deoxycytidine 5'-monophosphate (5'-dCMP), were investigated in homogeneous, aqueous (D2O or H2O) glassy solutions at low temperatures by employing electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Upon employing density functional theory (DFT) (DFT/B3LYP/6-31G* method), the calculated hyperfine coupling constant (HFCC) values of iminyl σ-radical agree quite well with the experimentally observed ones, thus confirming its assignment. ESR and DFT studies show that the cytosine iminyl σ-radical is a tautomer of the deprotonated cytosine π-cation radical [cytosine π-aminyl radical, C(N4-H)(•)]. Employing 1-MeC samples at various pHs ranging from ca. 8 to 11, ESR studies show that the tautomeric equilibrium between C(N4-H)(•) and the iminyl σ-radical at low temperature is too slow to be established without added base. ESR and DFT studies agree that, in the iminyl σ-radical, the unpaired spin is localized on the exocyclic nitrogen (N4) in an in-plane pure p-orbital. This gives rise to an anisotropic nitrogen hyperfine coupling (Azz = 40 G) from N4 and a near isotropic β-nitrogen coupling of 9.7 G from the cytosine ring nitrogen at N3. Iminyl σ-radical should exist in its N3-protonated form, as the N3-protonated iminyl σ-radical is stabilized in solution by over 30 kcal/mol (ΔG = -32 kcal/mol) over its conjugate base, the N3-deprotonated form. This is the first observation of an isotropic β-hyperfine ring nitrogen coupling in an N-centered DNA radical. Our theoretical calculations predict that the cytosine iminyl σ-radical can be formed in double-stranded DNA by a radiation-induced ionization-deprotonation process that is only 10 kcal/mol above the lowest energy path.

5-Thiocyanato-2'-deoxyuridine as a possible radiosensitizer: electron-induced formation of uracil-C5-thiyl radical and its dimerization

In this work, we have synthesized 5-thiocyanato-2'-deoxyuridine (SCNdU) along with the C6-deuterated nucleobase 5-thiocyanatouracil (6-D-SCNU) and studied their reactions with radiation-produced electrons. ESR spectra in γ-irradiated nitrogen-saturated frozen homogeneous solutions (7.5 M LiCl in H2O or D2O) of these compounds show that electron-induced S-CN bond cleavage occurs to form a thiyl radical (dU-5-S˙ or 6-D-U-5-S˙) and CN(-)via the initial π-anion radical (SCNdU˙(-)) intermediate in which the excess electron is on the uracil base. HPLC and LC-MS/MS studies of γ-irradiated N2-saturated aqueous solutions of SCNdU in the presence of sodium formate as a OH-radical scavenger at ambient temperature show the formation of the dU-5S-5S-dU dimer in preference to dU by about 10 to 1 ratio. This shows that both possible routes of electron-induced bond cleavage (dUC5-SCN and S-CN) in SCNdU˙(-) and dU-5-S˙ formation are preferred for the production of the σ-type uracilyl radical (dU˙) by 10 fold. DFT/M06-2x/6-31++G(d,p) calculations employing the polarizable continuum model (PCM) for aqueous solutions show that dU-5-S˙ and CN(-) formation was thermodynamically favored by over 15 kcal mol(-1) (ΔG) compared to dU˙ and SCN(-) production. The activation barriers for C5-S and S-CN bond cleavage in SCNdU˙(-) amount to 8.7 and 4.0 kcal mol(-1), respectively, favoring dU-5-S˙ and CN(-) formation. These results support the experimental observation of S-CN bond cleavage by electron addition to SCNdU that results in the formation of dU-5-S˙ and the subsequent dU-5S-5S-dU dimer. This establishes SCNdU as a potential radiosensitizer that could cause intra- and inter-strand crosslinking as well as DNA-protein crosslinking via S-S dimer formation.

An ESR and DFT study of hydration of the 2'-deoxyuridine-5-yl radical: a possible hydroxyl radical intermediate

The mechanism of radiation-induced frank strand break formation in irradiated 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labelled DNA is still unclear despite the proven radiosensitizing properties of BrdU. Combination of ESR spectroscopy and quantum chemical modelling points to a simple reaction between the uridine-5-yl radical and water molecules that produces the genotoxic hydroxyl radical.

One-electron oxidation of gemcitabine and analogs: mechanism of formation of C3' and C2' sugar radicals

Gemcitabine is a modified cytidine analog having two fluorine atoms at the 2'-position of the ribose ring. It has been proposed that gemcitabine inhibits RNR activity by producing a C3'• intermediate via direct H3'-atom abstraction followed by loss of HF to yield a C2'• with 3'-keto moiety. Direct detection of C3'• and C2'• during RNR inactivation by gemcitabine still remains elusive. To test the influence of 2'- substitution on radical site formation, electron spin resonance (ESR) studies are carried out on one-electron oxidized gemcitabine and other 2'-modified analogs, i.e., 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-C-methylcytidine (MeFdC) and 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (2'-FdC). ESR line components from two anisotropic β-2'-F-atom hyperfine couplings identify the C3'• formation in one-electron oxidized gemcitabine, but no further reaction to C2'• is found. One-electron oxidized 2'-FdC is unreactive toward C3'• or C2'• formation. In one-electron oxidized MeFdC, ESR studies show C2'• production presumably from a very unstable C3'• precursor. The experimentally observed hyperfine couplings for C2'• and C3'• match well with the theoretically predicted ones. C3'• to C2'• conversion in one-electron oxidized gemcitabine and MeFdC has theoretically been modeled by first considering the C3'• and H3O(+) formation via H3'-proton deprotonation and the subsequent C2'• formation via HF loss induced by this proximate H3O(+). Theoretical calculations show that in gemcitabine, C3'• to C2'• conversion in the presence of a proximate H3O(+) has a barrier in agreement with the experimentally observed lack of C3'• to C2'• conversion. In contrast, in MeFdC, the loss of HF from C3'• in the presence of a proximate H3O(+) is barrierless resulting in C2'• formation which agrees with the experimentally observed rapid C2'• formation.

Proton transfer induced SOMO-to-HOMO level switching in one-electron oxidized A-T and G-C base pairs: a density functional theory study

In the present study, we show that for one-electron oxidized A-T or G-C base pairs the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) is located on A or G and is lower in energy than the doubly occupied highest-occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) localized to the pyrimidines, T or C. This directs second ionizations to the pyrimidine bases resulting in triplet state diradical dications, (A^•+-T^•+) and (G^•+-C^•+). On interbase proton transfer, the SOMO and HOMO levels switch and the second oxidation is redirected to G and A. For G-C, the doubly oxidized singlet G(-H)⁺-C(H⁺) is more stable than its triplet (G^•+-C^•+); however, for A-T, the triplet (A^•+-T^•+) lies lowest in energy. The study demonstrates that double ionization of the A-T base pair results in a triplet dication diradical, which is more stable than the proton-transferred triplet or singlet species; whereas, double ionization of the G-C base pair, the proton transferred doubly oxidized singlet, G(-H)⁺-C(H⁺), is more stable and has both oxidations on guanine. In DNA, with both A-T and G-C, multiple oxidations would transfer to the guanine base alone.

Excited state proton-coupled electron transfer in 8-oxoG-C and 8-oxoG-A base pairs: a time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) study

In a recent experiment, the repair efficiency of DNA thymine cyclobutane dimers (T<>T) on UV excitation of 8-oxoG base paired either to C or A was reported. An electron transfer mechanism from an excited charge transfer state of 8-oxoG-C (or 8-oxoG-A) to T<>T was proposed and 8-oxoG-A was found to be 2-3 times more efficient than 8-oxoG-C in repair of T<>T. Intra base pair proton transfer (PT) in charge transfer (CT) excited states of the base pairs was proposed to quench the excited state and prevent T<>T repair. In this work, we investigate this process with TD-DFT calculations of the excited states of 8-oxoG-C and 8-oxoG-A base pairs in the Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairs using long-range corrected density functional, ωB97XD/6-31G* method. Our gas phase calculations showed that CT excited state ((1)ππ*(CT)) of 8-oxoG-C appears at lower energy than the 8-oxoG-A. For 8-oxoG-C, TD-DFT calculations show the presence of a conical intersection (CI) between the lowest (1)ππ*(PT-CT) excited state and the ground state which likely deactivates the CT excited state via a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism. The (1)ππ*(PT-CT) excited state of 8-oxoG-A base pair lies at higher energy and its crossing with ground state is inhibited because of a high energy gap between (1)ππ*(PT-CT) excited state and ground state. Thus the gas phase calculations suggest the 8-oxoG-A would have longer excited state lifetimes. When the effect of solvation is included using the PCM model, both 8-oxoG-A and 8-oxoG-C show large energy gaps between the ground state and both the excited CT and PT-CT states and suggest little difference would be found between the two base pairs in repair of the T<>T lesion. However, in the FC region the solvent effect is greatly diminished owing to the slow dielectric response time and smaller gaps would be expected.

Reactions of 5-methylcytosine cation radicals in DNA and model systems: thermal deprotonation from the 5-methyl group vs. excited state deprotonation from sugar

PURPOSE

To study the formation and subsequent reactions of the 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine cation radical (5-Me-2'-dC•(+)) in nucleosides and DNA-oligomers and compare to one-electron oxidized thymidine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Employing electron spin resonance (ESR), cation radical formation and its reactions were investigated in 5-Me-2'-dC, thymidine (Thd) and their derivatives, in fully double-stranded (ds) d[GC*GC*GC*GC*](2) and in the 5-Me-C/A mismatched, d[GGAC*AAGC:CCTAATCG], where C* = 5-Me-C.

RESULTS

We report 5-Me-2'-dC•(+) production by one-electron oxidation of 5-Me-2'-dC by Cl(2)•- via annealing in the dark at 155 K. Progressive annealing of 5-Me-2'-dC•(+) at 155 K produces the allylic radical (C-CH(2)•). However, photoexcitation of 5-Me-2'-dC•(+) by 405 nm laser or by photoflood lamp leads to only C3'• formation. Photoexcitation of N3-deprotonated thyminyl radical in Thd and its 5'-nucleotides leads to C3'• formation but not in 3'-TMP which resulted in the allylic radical (U-CH(2)•) and C5'• production. For excited 5-Me-2',3'-ddC•(+), absence of the 3'-OH group does not prevent C3'• formation. For d[GC*GC*GC*GC*](2) and d[GGAC*AAGC:CCTAATCG], intra-base paired proton transferred form of G cation radical (G(N1-H)•: C(+ H(+))) is found with no observable 5-Me-2'-dC•(+) formation. Photoexcitation of (G(N1-H)•:C(+ H(+))) in d[GC*GC*GC*GC*](2) produced only C1'• and not the expected photoproducts from 5-Me-2'-dC•(+). However, photoexcitation of (G(N1-H)•:C(+ H(+))) in d[GGAC*AAGC:CCTAATCG] led to C5'• and C1'• formation.

CONCLUSIONS

C-CH(2)• formation from 5-Me-2'-dC•(+) occurs via ground state deprotonation from C5-methyl group on the base. In the excited 5-Me-2'-dC•(+) and 5-Me-2',3'-ddC•(+), spin and charge localization at C3' followed by deprotonation leads to C3'• formation. Thus, deprotonation from C3' in the excited cation radical is kinetically controlled and sugar C-H bond energies are not the only controlling factors in these deprotonations.

π- vs σ-radical states of one-electron-oxidized DNA/RNA bases: a density functional theory study

As a result of their inherent planarity, DNA base radicals generated by one-electron oxidation/reduction or bond cleavage form π- or σ-radicals. While most DNA base systems form π-radicals, there are a number of nucleobase analogues such as one-electron-oxidized 6-azauraci1, 6-azacytosine, and 2-thiothymine or one-electron reduced 5-bromouracil that form more reactive σ-radicals. Elucidating the availability of these states within DNA, base radical electronic structure is important to the understanding of the reactivity of DNA base radicals in different environments. In this work, we address this question by the calculation of the relative energies of π- and σ-radical states in DNA/RNA bases and their analogues. We used density functional theory B3LYP/6-31++G** method to optimize the geometries of π- and σ-radicals in Cs symmetry (i.e., planar) in the gas phase and in solution using the polarized continuum model (PCM). The calculations predict that σ- and π-radical states in one-electron-oxidized bases of thymine, T(N3-H)(•), and uracil, U(N3-H)(•), are very close in energy; i.e., the π-radical is only ca. 4 kcal/mol more stable than the σ-radical. For the one-electron-oxidized radicals of cytosine, C(•+), C(N4-H)(•), adenine, A(•+), A(N6-H)(•), and guanine, G(•+), G(N2-H)(•), G(N1-H)(•), the π-radicals are ca. 16-41 kcal/mol more stable than their corresponding σ-radicals. Inclusion of solvent (PCM) is found to stabilize the π- over σ-radical of each of the systems. U(N3-H)(•) with three discrete water molecules in the gas phase is found to form a three-electron σ bond between the N3 atom of uracil and the O atom of a water molecule, but on inclusion of full solvation and discrete hydration, the π-radical remains most stable.

Formation of S-Cl phosphorothioate adduct radicals in dsDNA S-oligomers: hole transfer to guanine vs disulfide anion radical formation

In phosphorothioate-containing dsDNA oligomers (S-oligomers), one of the two nonbridging oxygen atoms in the phosphate moiety of the sugar-phosphate backbone is replaced by sulfur. In this work, electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of one-electron oxidation of several S-oligomers by Cl2(•-) at low temperatures are performed. Electrophilic addition of Cl2(•-) to phosphorothioate with elimination of Cl(-) leads to the formation of a two-center three-electron σ(2)σ*(1)-bonded adduct radical (-P-S-̇Cl). In AT S-oligomers with multiple phosphorothioates, i.e., d[ATATAsTsAsT]2, -P-S-̇Cl reacts with a neighboring phosphorothioate to form the σ(2)σ*(1)-bonded disulfide anion radical ([-P-S-̇S-P-](-)). With AT S-oligomers with a single phosphorothioate, i.e., d[ATTTAsAAT]2, reduced levels of conversion of -P-S-̇Cl to [-P-S-̇S-P-](-) are found. For guanine-containing S-oligomers containing one phosphorothioate, -P-S-̇Cl results in one-electron oxidation of guanine base but not of A, C, or T, thereby leading to selective hole transfer to G. The redox potential of -P-S-̇Cl is thus higher than that of G but is lower than those of A, C, and T. Spectral assignments to -P-S-̇Cl and [-P-S-̇S-P-](-) are based on reaction of Cl2(•-) with the model compound diisopropyl phosphorothioate. The results found for d[TGCGsCsGCGCA]2 suggest that [-P-S-̇S-P-](-) undergoes electron transfer to the one-electron-oxidized G, healing the base but producing a cyclic disulfide-bonded backbone with a substantial bond strength (50 kcal/mol). Formation of -P-S-̇Cl and its conversion to [-P-S-̇S-P-](-) are found to be unaffected by O2, and this is supported by the theoretically calculated electron affinities and reduction potentials of [-P-S-S-P-] and O2.

Presolvated low energy electron attachment to peptide methyl esters in aqueous solution: C-O bond cleavage at 77 K

In this study, the reactions of presolvated electrons with glycine methyl ester and N-acetylalanylalanine methyl ester (N-aAAMe) are investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Electrons were produced by γ-irradiation in neutral 7.5 M LiCl-D2O aqueous glasses at low temperatures. For glycine methyl ester, electron addition at 77 K results in both N-terminal deamination to form a glycyl radical and C-O ester bond cleavage to form methyl radicals. For samples of N-acetylalanylalanine methyl ester, electrons are found to add to the peptide bonds at 77 K and cleave the carboxyl ester groups to produce methyl radicals. On annealing to 160 K, electron adducts at the peptide links undergo chain scission to produce alanyl radicals and on further annealing to 170 K α-carbon peptide backbone radicals are produced by hydrogen abstraction. DFT calculations for electron addition to the methyl ester portion of N-aAAMe show the cleavage reaction is highly favorable (free energy equals to -30.7 kcal/mol) with the kinetic barrier of only 9.9 kcal/mol. A substantial electron affinity of the ester link (38.0 kcal/mol) provides more than sufficient energy to overcome this small barrier. Protonated peptide bond electron adducts also show favorable N-C chain cleavage reactions of -12.7 to -15.5 kcal/mol with a barrier from 7.4 to 10.0 kcal/mol. The substantial adiabatic electron affinity (AEA) of the peptide bond and ester groups provides sufficient energy for the bond dissociation.

Hydroxyl ion addition to one-electron oxidized thymine: unimolecular interconversion of C5 to C6 OH-adducts

In this work, addition of OH(-) to one-electron oxidized thymidine (dThd) and thymine nucleotides in basic aqueous glasses is investigated. At pHs ca. 9-10 where the thymine base is largely deprotonated at N3, one-electron oxidation of the thymine base by Cl(2)(•-) at ca. 155 K results in formation of a neutral thyminyl radical, T(-H)·. Assignment to T(-H)· is confirmed by employing (15)N substituted 5'-TMP. At pH ≥ ca. 11.5, formation of the 5-hydroxythymin-6-yl radical, T(5OH)·, is identified as a metastable intermediate produced by OH(-) addition to T(-H)· at C5 at ca. 155 K. Upon further annealing to ca. 170 K, T(5OH)· readily converts to the 6-hydroxythymin-5-yl radical, T(6OH)·. One-electron oxidation of N3-methyl-thymidine (N3-Me-dThd) by Cl(2)(•-) at ca. 155 K produces the cation radical (N3-Me-dThd(•+)) for which we find a pH dependent competition between deprotonation from the methyl group at C5 and addition of OH(-) to C5. At pH 7, the 5-methyl deprotonated species is found; however, at pH ca. 9, N3-Me-dThd(•+) produces T(5OH)· that on annealing up to 180 K forms T(6OH)·. Through use of deuterium substitution at C5' and on the thymine base, that is, specifically employing [5',5"-D,D]-5'-dThd, [5',5"-D,D]-5'-TMP, [CD(3)]-dThd and [CD(3),6D]-dThd, we find unequivocal evidence for T(5OH)· formation and its conversion to T(6OH)·. The addition of OH(-) to the C5 position in T(-H)· and N3-Me-dThd(•+) is governed by spin and charge localization. DFT calculations predict that the conversion of the "reducing" T(5OH)· to the "oxidizing" T(6OH)· occurs by a unimolecular OH group transfer from C5 to C6 in the thymine base. The T(5OH)· to T(6OH)· conversion is found to occur more readily for deprotonated dThd and its nucleotides than for N3-Me-dThd. In agreement, calculations predict that the deprotonated thymine base has a lower energy barrier (ca. 6 kcal/mol) for OH transfer than its corresponding N3-protonated thymine base (14 kcal/mol).

Kr-86 ion-beam irradiation of hydrated DNA: free radical and unaltered base yields

This work reports an ESR and product analysis investigation of Kr-86 ion-beam irradiation of hydrated DNA at 77 K. The irradiation results in the formation and trapping of both base radicals and sugar phosphate radicals (DNA backbone radicals). The absolute yields (G, μmol/J) of the base radicals are smaller than the yields found in similarly prepared γ-irradiated DNA samples, and the relative yields of backbone radicals relative to base radicals are much higher than that found in γ-irradiated samples. From these results, we have elaborated our radiation chemical model of the track structure for ion-beam irradiated DNA as it applies to krypton ion-beams. The base radicals, which are trapped as ion radicals or reversibly protonated or deprotonated ion radicals, are formed almost entirely in the track penumbra, a region in which radiation chemical effects are similar to those found in γ-irradiated samples. By comparing the yields of base radicals in ion-beam samples to the yields of the same radicals in γ-irradiated samples, the partition of energy between the low-LET region (penumbra) and the core is experimentally determined. The neutral sugar and other backbone radicals, which are not as susceptible to recombination as are ion radicals, are formed largely in the track core. The backbone radicals show a linear dose response up to very high doses. Unaltered base release yields in Kr-86 irradiated hydrated DNA are equal to sugar radical yields within experimental error limits, consistent with radiation-chemical processes in which all base release originates with sugar radicals. Two phosphorus-centered radicals from fragmentation of the DNA backbone are found in low yields.

One-electron oxidation of neutral sugar radicals of 2'-deoxyguanosine and 2'-deoxythymidine: a density functional theory (DFT) study

One electron oxidation of neutral sugar radicals has recently been suggested to lead to important intermediates in the DNA damage process culminating in DNA strand breaks. In this work, we investigate sugar radicals in a DNA model system to understand the energetics of sugar radical formation and oxidation. The geometries of neutral sugar radicals C(1')(•), C(2')(•), C(3')(•), C(4')(•), and C(5')(•) of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) and 2'-deoxythymidine (dT) were optimized in the gas phase and in solution using the B3LYP and ωB97x functionals and 6-31++G(d) basis set. Their corresponding cations (C(1')(+), C(2')(+), C(3')(+), C(4')(+), and C(5')(+)) were generated by removing an electron (one-electron oxidation) from the neutral sugar radicals, and their geometries were also optimized using the same methods and basis set. The calculation predicts the relative stabilities of the neutral sugar radicals in the order C(1')(•) > C(4')(•) > C(5')(•) > C(3')(•) > C(2')(•), respectively. Of the neutral sugar radicals, C(1')(•) has the lowest vertical ionization potential (IP(vert)), ca. 6.33 eV in the gas phase and 4.71 eV in solution. C(2')(•) has the highest IP(vert), ca. 8.02 eV, in the gas phase, and the resultant C(2') cation is predicted to undergo a barrierless hydride transfer from the C(1') site to produce the C(1') cation. One electron oxidation of C(2')(•) in dG is predicted to result in a low lying triplet state consisting of G(+•) and C(2')(•). The 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosin-7-yl radical formed by intramolecular bonding between C(5')(•) and C(8) of guanine transfers spin density from C(5') site to guanine, and this structure has IP(vert) 6.25 and 5.48 eV in the gas phase and in solution.

Direct formation of the C5'-radical in the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA by high-energy radiation

Neutral sugar radicals formed in DNA sugar-phosphate backbone are well-established as precursors of biologically important damage such as DNA strand scission and cross-linking. In this work, we present electron spin resonance (ESR) evidence showing that the sugar radical at C5' (C5'(•)) is one of the most abundant (ca. 30%) sugar radicals formed by γ- and Ar ion-beam irradiated hydrated DNA samples. Taking dimethyl phosphate as a model of sugar-phosphate backbone, ESR and theoretical (DFT) studies of γ-irradiated dimethyl phosphate were carried out. CH(3)OP(O(2)(-))OCH(2)(•) is formed via deprotonation from the methyl group of directly ionized dimethyl phosphate at 77 K. The formation of CH(3)OP(O(2)(-))OCH(2)(•) is independent of dimethyl phosphate concentration (neat or in aqueous solution) or pH. ESR spectra of C5'(•) found in DNA and of CH(3)OP(O(2)(-))OCH(2)(•) do not show an observable β-phosphorus hyperfine coupling (HFC). Furthermore, C5'(•) found in DNA does not show a significant C4'-H β-proton HFC. Applying the DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d) method, a study of conformational dependence of the phosphorus HFC in CH(3)OP(O(2)(-))OCH(2)(•) shows that in its minimum energy conformation, CH(3)OP(O(2)(-))OCH(2)(•), has a negligible β-phosphorus HFC. On the basis of these results, the formation of radiation-induced C5'(•) is proposed to occur via a very rapid deprotonation from the directly ionized sugar-phosphate backbone, and the rate of this deprotonation must be faster than that of energetically downhill transfer of the unpaired spin (hole) from ionized sugar-phosphate backbone to the DNA bases. Moreover, C5'(•) in irradiated DNA is found to be in a conformation that does not exhibit β-proton or β-phosphorus HFCs.

Direct strand scission in double stranded RNA via a C5-pyrimidine radical

Nucleobase radicals are the major family of reactive intermediates produced when nucleic acids are exposed to γ-radiolysis. The 5,6-dihydrouridin-5-yl radical (1), the formal product of hydrogen atom addition and a model for hydroxyl radical addition, was independently generated from a ketone precursor via Norrish Type I photocleavage in single and double stranded RNA. Radical 1 produces direct strand breaks at the 5'-adjacent nucleotide and only minor amounts of strand scission are observed at the initial site of radical generation. Strand scission occurs preferentially in double stranded RNA and in the absence of O(2). The dependence of strand scission efficiency from the 5,6-dihydrouridin-5-yl radical (1) on secondary structure under anaerobic conditions suggests that this reactivity may be useful for extracting additional RNA structural information from hydroxyl radical reactions. Varying the identity of the 5'-adjacent nucleotide has little effect on strand scission. Internucleotidyl strand scission occurs via β-elimination of the 3'-phosphate following C2'-hydrogen atom abstraction by 1. The subsequently formed olefin cation radical yields RNA fragments containing 3'-phosphate or 3'-deoxy-2'-ketonucleotide termini from competing deprotonation pathways. The ketonucleotide end group is favored in the presence of low concentrations of thiol, presumably by reducing the cation radical to the enol. Competition studies with thiol show that strand scission from the 5,6-dihydrouridin-5-yl radical (1) is significantly faster than from the 5,6-dihydrouridin-6-yl radical (2) and is consistent with computational studies using the G3B3 approach that predict the latter to be more stable than 1 by 2.8 kcal/mol.

Formation of N-N cross-links in DNA by reaction of radiation-produced DNA base pair diradicals: a DFT study

This study employs DFT (density functional theory) to investigate the formation of hydrazine-like (N-N) cross-linked structures between DNA base pair diradicals that are likely to result from the interaction of high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as ion-beam radiation, with DNA. In our calculations, we generated the guanine (G), cytosine (C), adenine (A), and thymine (T) radicals by removing one hydrogen atom from an N-H bond involved in the normal base pairing. The radical species formed are those that naturally result from one-electron oxidation of the bases followed by deprotonation. N-N cross-links between G and C or A and T diradicals were studied using the BHandHLYP, B3LYP, M06, and M06-2X density functionals and 6-31G* basis set. From a comparison to several test cases performed with the G3B3 method, which gives thermodynamically reliable values, we found that calculations employing the BHandHLYP/6-31G* method predict the best estimates of bonding energies for hydrazine-like structures. Our study shows that the N-N cross-link formed between guanine radical and a neutral cytosine is endothermic in nature but can form metastable structures. However, the reactions between two DNA base radicals (diradical) to form several N-N cross-linked structures are found to be highly exothermic in nature. The N-N cross-links formed between various G-C, G-G, and C-C diradicals have binding energies in the range of ca. -54 to -68, -41 to -47, and -67 to -75 kcal/mol, respectively, whereas A-T, A-A, and T-T have binding energies of -80, -60, and -98 kcal/mol, respectively. In all purine-pyrimidine N-N cross-linked structures, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is found to be localized on the purine moiety and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is on the pyrimidine moiety.

Hydroxyl radical (OH•) reaction with guanine in an aqueous environment: a DFT study

The reaction of hydroxyl radical (OH(•)) with DNA accounts for about half of radiation-induced DNA damage in living systems. Previous literature reports point out that the reaction of OH(•) with DNA proceeds mainly through the addition of OH(•) to the C═C bonds of the DNA bases. However, recently it has been reported that the principal reaction of OH(•) with dGuo (deoxyguanosine) is the direct hydrogen atom abstraction from its exocyclic amine group rather than addition of OH(•) to the C═C bonds. In the present work, these two reaction pathways of OH(•) attack on guanine (G) in the presence of water molecules (aqueous environment) are investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP method with 6-31G* and 6-31++G** basis sets. The calculations show that the initial addition of the OH(•) at C(4)═C(5) double bond of guanine is barrier free and the adduct radical (G-OH(•)) has only a small activation barrier of ca. 1-6 kcal/mol leading to the formation of a metastable ion-pair intermediate (G(•+)---OH(-)). The formation of ion-pair is a result of the highly oxidizing nature of the OH(•) in aqueous media. The resulting ion-pair (G(•+)---OH(-)) deprotonates to form H(2)O and neutral G radicals favoring G(N(1)-H)(•) with an activation barrier of ca. 5 kcal/mol. The overall process from the G(C(4))-OH(•) (adduct) to G(N(1)-H)(•) and water is found to be exothermic in nature by more than 13 kcal/mol. (G-OH(•)), (G(•+)---OH(-)), and G(N(1)-H)(•) were further characterized by the CAM-B3LYP calculations of their UV-vis spectra and good agreement between theory and experiment is achieved. Our calculations for the direct hydrogen abstraction pathway from N(1) and N(2) sites of guanine by the OH(•) show that this is also a competitive route to produce G(N(2)-H)(•), G(N(1)-H)(•) and H(2)O.

Radicals formed in N-acetylproline by electron attachment: electron spin resonance spectroscopy and computational studies

In this study, the reactions of electrons with N-acetylproline are investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and density functional theory. Electrons are produced by γ irradiation or by photoionization of K(4)Fe(CN)(6) in neutral 7.5 M LiCl-D(2)O aqueous glasses at low temperatures with identical results. Electrons are found to add to both the peptide bond and the carboxyl group of the acetyl-proline moiety at 77 K. On annealing, both the electron adducts undergo fragmentation of the peptide bond between the nitrogen and the α carbon of the peptide structure. However, the peptide bond electron adduct radical reacts much more rapidly than the carboxyl group electron adduct radical. The DFT calculations predict that the carboxyl adduct is substantially more stable than the peptide bond adduct, with the activation barrier to N-Cα cleavage 3.7 kcal/mol for the amide electron adducts and 23 kcal/mol for the carboxyl electron adducts in inagreement with the relative reactivity found by experiment.

Density functional theory studies of the extent of hole delocalization in one-electron oxidized adenine and guanine base stacks

This study investigates the extent of hole delocalization in one-electron oxidized adenine (A) and guanine (G) stacks and shows that new IR vibrational bands are predicted that are characteristic of hole delocalization within A-stacks. The geometries of A-stacks (A(i); i = 2-8) and G-stacks (GG and GGG) in their neutral and one-electron oxidized states were optimized with the bases in a B-DNA conformation using the M06-2X/6-31G* method. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is localized on a single adenine in A-stacks and on a single guanine in GG and GGG stacks located at the 5'-site of the stack. On one-electron oxidation (removal of an electron from the HOMO of the neutral A- and G-stacks) a "hole" is created. Mulliken charge analysis shows that these "holes" are delocalized over two to three adenine bases in the A-stack. The calculated spin density distribution of A(i)(•+) (i = 2-8) also showed delocalization of the hole predominantly on two adenine bases, with some delocalization on a neighboring base. For GG and GGG radical cations, the hole was found to be localized on a single G in the stack. The calculated HFCCs of GG and GGG are in good agreement with the experiment. Further, from the vibrational frequency analysis, it was found that IR spectra of neutral and the corresponding one-electron oxidized adenine stacks are quite different. The IR spectra of A(2)(•+) has intense IR peaks between 900 and 1500 cm(-1) that are not present in the neutral A(2) stack. The presence of A(2)(•+) in the adenine stack has a characteristic intense peak at ~1100 cm(-1). Thus, IR and Raman spectroscopy has potential for monitoring the extent of hole delocalization in A stacks.

Highly oxidizing excited states of one-electron-oxidized guanine in DNA: wavelength and pH dependence

Excited states of one-electron-oxidized guanine in DNA are known to induce hole transfer to the sugar moiety and on deprotonation result in neutral sugar radicals that are precursors of DNA strand breaks. This work carried out in a homogeneous aqueous glass (7.5 M LiCl) at low temperatures (77-175 K) shows the extent of photoconversion of one-electron-oxidized guanine and the associated yields of individual sugar radicals are crucially controlled by the photon energy, protonation state, and strandedness of the oligomer. In addition to sugar radical formation, highly oxidizing excited states of one-electron-oxidized guanine are produced with 405 nm light at pH 5 and below that are able to oxidize chloride ion in the surrounding solution to form Cl(2)(•-) via an excited-state hole transfer process. Among the various DNA model systems studied in this work, the maximum amount of Cl(2)(•-) is produced with ds (double-stranded) DNA, where the one-electron-oxidized guanine exists in its cation radical form (G(•+):C). Thus, via excited-state hole transfer, the dsDNA is apparently able to protect itself from cation radical excited states by transfer of damage to the surrounding environment.