Electron Transfer in Gamma-irradiated Complexes between Aromatic Amino Acids and DNA Derivatives

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Abstract
An e.s.r. study of γ-irradiated complexes of aromatic amino acids and DNA derivatives shows that the spins are not distributed among the constituents following their radiosensitivity, but localize preferentially on the DNA derivatives. It is suggested that a transfer of electrons occurs, via the stacking of the molecules, during the anionic stage of their radiolysis, from the aromatic amino acids towards the DNA derivatives, i.e., towards the moeity presenting the highest electron affinity. These findings substantiate further the mechanism proposed previously in order to explain the spin transfers observed from purine towards pyrimidine nucleotides in complexes of these constituents.