Effects of Sulphydryl Compounds on the Radiation Damage in Biologically Active DNA

Abstract
The effect of sulfhydryl [SH] compounds on the induction [by .gamma.-rays] of alkali-labile sites and on the contribution of such sites to the inactivation of single-stranded [phage] .vphi.X174 DNA was studied. Cysteamine is capable of reacting with DNA radicals, thereby modifying the radiation damage in such a way that the induction of immediate and latent breaks is reduced. This depends on the pH of the solution. With only cysteine a pH dependent protection against lethal alkali-labile potential breaks could be observed. The damage other than breaks is not influenced by the presence of SH compounds.

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