Solar UV radiation-induced DNA Bipyrimidine photoproducts: formation and mechanistic insights

Top Curr Chem. 2015:356:249-75. doi: 10.1007/128_2014_553.

Abstract

This review chapter presents a critical survey of the main available information on the UVB and UVA bipyrimidine photoproducts which constitute the predominant recipient classes of photo-induced DNA damage. Evidence is provided that UVB irradiation of isolated DNA in aqueous solutions and in cells gives rise to the predominant generation of cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and, to a lesser extent, of pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs), the importance of which is strongly primary sequence dependent. A notable change in the photoproduct distribution is observed when DNA either in the dry or in desiccated microorganisms is exposed to UVC or UVB photons with an overwhelming formation of 5-(α-thymidyl)-5,6-dihydrothymidine, also called spore photoproduct (dSP), at the expense of CPDs and 6-4PPs. UVA irradiation of isolated and cellular DNA gives rise predominantly to bipyrimidine photoproducts with the overwhelming formation of thymine-containing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers at the exclusion of 6-4PPs. UVA photons have been shown to modulate the distribution of UVB dimeric pyrimidine photoproducts by triggering isomerization of the 6-4PPs into related Dewar valence isomers. Mechanistic aspects of the formation of bipyrimidine photoproducts are discussed in the light of recent photophysical and theoretical studies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Archaea / genetics
  • Archaea / radiation effects
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / radiation effects
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • DNA / radiation effects*
  • DNA Damage*
  • G-Quadruplexes / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyrimidine Dimers / chemistry*
  • Pyrimidine Dimers / isolation & purification
  • Pyrimidine Dimers / radiation effects
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / radiation effects
  • Solutions
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Sunlight / adverse effects*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Pyrimidine Dimers
  • Solutions
  • DNA