Cu(II) sensitizes pBR322 plasmid DNA to inactivation by UV-B (280-315 nm).

Copper(II), in the presence of UV-B radiation (280-315 nm), can generate single-strand breaks in the sugar-phosphate backbone of pBR322 plasmid DNA. A low level of single-strand backbone breaks occurs in the presence of Cu(II) alone, but UV-B irradiation increases the rate by the more than 100-fold. Concomitant with the damage to the DNA backbone is a loss of transforming activity. Oxygen is required for generation of the single-strand breaks but not for the loss of transforming activity. A DNA glycosylase (Fpg), which participates in the repair of certain DNA nitrogenous base damage, does not repair plasmid DNA damaged by Cu(II). The hydroxyl radical scavenging compound DMSO is only somewhat effective at protecting the physical and biological properties of the DNA. These results with Cu(II) are compared to those obtained previously with pBR322 plasmid DNA in the presence of Fe(III) and UV-A.