Phenol oxidation product(s), formed by a peroxidase reaction, that bind to DNA.

Phenol oxidation by horseradish peroxidase/H2O2 initially results in p,p'-biphenol and o.o'-biphenol formation and subsequently results in polymer formation. o,o'-Biphenol is the major product formed, but it is rapidly oxidized to the polymer, particularly in the presence of phenol. p,p'-Biphenol is very rapidly oxidized to p,p'-biphenoquinone which can also be involved in polymer formation. Extensive binding of 14C-phenol oxidation products to DNA occurs if the DNA is present in the reaction mixture. However, enzymic hydrolysis of DNA releases the bound polymers. p,p'-Biphenol, however, did not bind to DNA following peroxidase-catalysed oxidation, but o,o'-biphenol readily binds to DNA following peroxidase-catalysed oxidation. Enzymic hydrolysis of the oxidized o,o'-biphenol-bound DNA also resulted in the release of the polymers.