INDUCTION OF DNA DAMAGE BY PORPHYRIN PHOTOSENSITIZERS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (9) , 3543-3545
Abstract
The photosensitizing effects of hematoporphyrin derivative, meso-tetra(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphine, meso-tetra(p-carboxyphenyl)porphine, and meso-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine on ColE1 [plasmid] supercoiled DNA were studied using agarose gel electrophoresis. Photoinduced single- and double-strand breaks were observed to form under neutral conditions. Singlet oxygen predominated in the mechanism of the induction of these lesions in the case of hematoporphyrin derivative, meso-tetra(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphine, and meso-tetra(p-carboxyphenyl)porphine and to play a significant role in the case of meso-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine. The risk of photodynamic carcinogenesis may accompany photochemotherapy and fluorescence endoscopic procedures involving porphyrin photosensitizers.