Free-radical formation in gamma-irradiated oriented DNA containing electron-affinic radiosensitizers.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (e.p.r.) was used to study the free radicals induced by gamma-irradiation at 77 K in oriented DNA with incorporated electronaffinic radiosensitizing compounds (4-nitroacetophenone, metronidazole, and Ro-07-0582). The observed e.p.r. spectra were compared with those obtained from pure oriented DNA, which had previously been analysed in detail and found to consist mainly of two components, arising from anion redicals on thymine, and cation radicals on guanine. The major spectral changes caused by the radiosensitizers could be explained as a considerable increase in the formation of cationic free radicals on guanine. There were also indications of the formation of anion radicals on the radiosensitizer molecules. No hydrogen-addition free radicals on thymine were observed when the radiosensitized samples were annealed, in contrast to the pure DNA samples.