Strand scissions of DNA by patulin in the presence of reducing agents and cupric ions.

Abstract
In the presence of NADPH and CuCl2, patulin induced the cleavage of ColE1 DNA and .lambda. phage DNA in vitro. The DNA-cleaving activity of patulin was concentration dependent. At the lowest concentration of patulin, ColE1 supercoiled DNA was relaxed and the highest concentration induced linearization of the DNA. This activity was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase and radical scavengers, showing involvement of free radicals in the DNA-cleavage. .lambda. Phage DNA was also degraded by patulin under the same conditions.