A pulse radiolysis study of the electron reaction with DNA in aqueous solution and ice

Research is described into some aspects of the interaction of ionizing radiation with DNA, the main emphasis being on the indirect effect where the radiation causes the formation of intermediates in the surrounding medium which then interact with the DNA. Experiments are described which have been carried out to examine the dependence of the reaction rate constant on ionic strength and counterion charge. They show that for double stranded DNA (dsDNA) the reaction rate constant increases with ionic strength. To see whether quantitative agreement can be obtained between the observations and a physical interpretation the author combines a model for reaction kinetics and a refined model for the electrostatic potential into one to obtain a theoretical rate constant for reaction with a cylindrical polyelectrolyte. Optical absorption spectra of the electron adducts of ss- and dsDNA are shown to exist and they differ significantly from the spectra of the H and OH adducts. The spectra of the electron adducts of the nucleotides have been measured. Experiments are also described devoted to the precursor of the hydrated electron: the thermalized, dry electron. Although from a radiation chemical point of view the experiments yielded a lot of information (a direct observation of the dry electron, the kinetics of electron localization, the role of ice defects in the solvation process, etc.), they proved also that the dry electron does not react with DNA in an ice matrix. (Auth.)