Abstract
When deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was treated with ascorbic acid (AsA) in the presence of Cu2+ under aerobic conditions, significant releases of cytosine, thymine, guanine and adenine from the DNA molecule occurred. Addition of catalase or chemical scavengers of hydroxyl radical to the reaction mixture prevented the release of the bases. Monoesterified phosphate groups were found in the reaction mixture, indicating that the cleavage of DNA had occurred. The total amount of the bases released was almost equivalent to the amount of monoesterified phosphate groups formed by the reaction of DNA with AsA and Cu2+. These results indicate that the release of the bases from DNA molecule was easily caused by activated oxygen, possibly by hydroxyl radicals and/or hydrogen peroxide, formed by the autooxidation of AsA in the presence of Cu2+.
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