Radiation-induced free radical formation in the amino acid l-α-alanine has been studied using powder and single-crystal X-, K-, and Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, X-band powder electron−nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), thermal annealing, and EPR spectrum simulations. The spectra obtained after room temperature irradiations are composite, consisting of resonances from mainly three radicals denoted R1, R2, and R3. R1 is the well-known, stable room-temperature species formed by deamination from a protonated alanine anion radical. On the basis of simulations of EPR spectra obtained at X-, K-, and Q-bands, the room-temperature EPR spectrum seems to consist of about 55% of R1. Upon thermal annealing, the R1 resonance disappears faster than those of the other two components. The R2 species is presumably formed in the oxidative chain of radiation-induced events by net H-abstraction from the central alanine carbon atom. Q-band EPR was used to determine the g-tensor of R2. This species ...

Alanine Radicals. 2. The Composite Polycrystalline Alanine EPR Spectrum Studied by ENDOR, Thermal Annealing, and Spectrum Simulations†

Single crystals of 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate were X-irradiated at 10 K and at 65 K, receiving doses between 4.5 and 200 kGy, and studied using K-band EPR, ENDOR, and field-swept ENDOR (FSE) spectroscopy. Evidence for five base-centered and more than nine sugar-centered radicals was found at 10 K following high radiation doses. The base-centered radicals were the charged anion, the N10-deprotonated cation, the C8 H-addition radical, a C5 H-addition radical, and finally a stable radical so far unidentified but with parameters similar to those expected for the charged cation. The sugar-centered radicals were the H-abstraction radicals centered at C1', C2', C3', and C5', an alkoxy radical centered at O3', a C5'-centered radical in which the C5'-O5' phosphoester bond appears to be ruptured, a radical tentatively assigned to a C4'-centered radical involving a sugar-ring opening, as well as several additional unidentified sugar radicals. Most radicals were formed regardless of radiation doses. All radicals formed following low doses (4.5-9 kGy) were also observed subsequent to high doses (100-200 kGy). The relative amount of some of the radicals was dose dependent, with base radicals dominating at low doses, and a larger relative yield of sugar radicals at high doses. Above 200 K a transformation from a sugar radical into a base radical occurred. Few other radical transformations were observed. In the discussion of primary radicals fromed in DNA, the presence of sugar-centered radicals has been dismissed since they are not apparent in the EPR spectra. The present data illustrate how radicals barely traceable in the EPR spectra may be identified due to strong ENDOR resonances. Also, the observation of a stable radical with parameters similar to those expected for the charge guanine cation is interesting with regard to the nature of the primary radicals stabilized in X-irradiated DNA.

Free radical formation in single crystals of 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate tetrahydrate disodium salt: an EPR/ENDOR study.

It has been proposed that the primary direct radiation damage products in DNA are guanine cations and thymine anions. Experiments reported here characterize a guanine cation observed in a single crystal of guanine:HCl:H2O. ESR experiments were performed by x‐irradiating and observing the crystals at 15 K. Spectral parameters for the cation include N3 and N10 hyperfine couplings, a C8–Hα hyperfine coupling, and two small exchangeable couplings presumably from the N10 protons. The computed spin densities of ρ(N3)=0.283, ρ(N10)=0.168, and ρ(C8)=0.182 agree nicely with those observed for the guanine cation in DNA. In the single crystal the native molecule is protonated at N7. It is proposed that once the native molecule is oxidized it rapidly deprotonates at N7 to form the cation observed.

ESR study of the guanine cation

Previous ESR studies of x‐irradiated single crystals of 2’‐deoxyguanosine‐5’‐monophosphate have indicated the presence of a radical thought to be formed by deprotonation of a primary base cation at N1. In this communication are reported some results of detailed ESR and ENDOR experiments at 10 K conflicting with the above results. One of the radicals detected exhibited two α‐proton type couplings. The data analysis shows that one coupling is due to the exchangeable proton of the extra‐annular NH2 group, while the other is due to the proton bonded at C8. The experimental spin densities were ρ(N10)=0.33, and ρ(C8)=0.18. The results agree reasonably well with the INDO calculated spin density distribution of a radical formed by deprotonation at N10 of a primary cation radical. The radical is stable on warming to about 200 K where it anneals rapidly.

ESR and ENDOR study of the guanine cation: Secondary product in 5’‐dGMP

SummarySingle crystals of guanine hydrochloride dihydrate, in which the guanine base is protonated at N7, were X-irradiated at 20K, 65K and 150K. Study with K-band ESR and ENDOR techniques indicated at least four radical species to appear in the temperature range 20–300K. Three of the radical species (Radicals 1, 2, and 3) were present immediately following irradiation at 20K. Radical 1 was identified as the molecular anion protonated at O6. Hyperfine couplings in Radical 1 to HC8, HN1, and HN7 were fully characterized with ENDOR spectroscopy. The data indicated this product to be trapped in four different conformations which coalesced into the most stable form as the sample temperature was raised to ca. 180K. Radical 2 was the C8 H-addition radical. For this radical, hyperfine couplings to HN7, HN9, and the two β-methylene protons were fully characterized with ENDOR spectroscopy. Radical 3 was the result of hydroxyl addition to C8 of the guanine base. For Radical 3, full characterization by ENDOR was pos...

ESR/ENDOR study of guanine.HCl.2H2O X-irradiated at 20K.

A radical identified as C6H5NHCS[Ndot]NH2 has been studied with E.S.R. and ENDOR spectroscopy in X-irradiated 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide single crystals. The ENDOR measurements reveal interactions between the unpaired electron and two hydrogen nuclei with the principal values These interactions are of NH α-type and arise from the amino hydrogens. The E.S.R. indicates additional interaction between the unpaired electron and three nitrogen nuclei. These interactions are all axially symmetric about the direction of intermediate hydrogen coupling and have principal values estimated to be From these results and those from the hydrogen interactions, the nitrogen interaction labelled N2 is assigned to the amino nitrogen.

C.D. Gill

Papers

E.S.R. and ENDOR studies of X-irradiated 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide single crystals