Radiolytic products of bromodeoxyuridine in solids by 60Co gamma-rays and monoenergetic soft x-rays at the K-absorption edge of bromine.

In order to investigate DNA damage due to Auger cascades in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), BrdU mixed with other nucleosides, as a model of DNA, was irradiated in solids by gamma-rays and monoenergetic x-rays at around the K-absorption edge of bromine (13.47 keV). The main products of BrdU were deoxyuridine produced through debromination, and bromouracil produced through the decomposition of a sugar group. The rates of the debromination and the nucleobases release of additives were markedly increased in the mixed sample. This observation indicated that the additives surrounding BrdU efficiently supplied protons and then decomposed. The major products by x-rays were the same as those by gamma-rays, indicating that Auger cascades in bromine atoms did not produce specific products. The production rates for all products from the mixed sample were about 2.5 times higher at 13.51 (above the K-absorption edge) keV than at 13.43-keV x-rays.