Luminescence and binding properties of dysprosium(III) complex containing 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [Dy(phen)2(OH2)3Cl]Cl2⋅H2O with DNA has been studied by electronic absorption, emission spectroscopy and viscosity measurement. The thermodynamic studies suggest that the interaction process to be endothermic and entropically driven, which indicates that the dysprosium(III) complex might interact with DNA by a non intercalation binding mode. Additionally, the competitive fluorescence study with ethidium bromide and also the effect of iodide ion and salt concentration on fluorescence of the complex-DNA system is investigated. Experimental results indicate that the Dy(III) complex strongly binds to DNA, presumably via groove binding mode. Furthermore, the complex shows a potent antibacterial activity and DNA cleavage ability.
A new charge transfer complex as a result of interaction between 1,10-phenanthroline (donor) with 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid), acceptor, was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, mass spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. The single crystal structure indicates that the cation and anion are joined together by strong N(+)H⋯O(-) type hydrogen bonds. This has been attributed to the formation of 1:1 CT complex via hydrogen bonding interaction. The binding of CT complex with in vitro calf thymus DNA was investigated by the fluorescence spectroscopy. To determine the DNA binding ability of the compound, fluorescence intensity data were analyzed by the Stern-Volmer equation and remarkable DNA interaction with CT complex is found. The CT complex was also screened for its antimicrobial activity. The CT complex exhibited inhibitory results against E. coli and Pseudomonas arenginosa, and the marked enhancement in the potency as antifungal agent.
The DNA-binding properties and DNA-cleavage activities of a Cu(II) complex, [Cu(sal-tau(phen)]·1.5H2O (sal-tau=a Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and taurine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline), have been investigated by using UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results indicated that this Cu(II) complex can bind to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) via an intercalative mode and shows efficient cleavage activity in the absence and presence of reducer. Its intrinsic binding constant Kb (1.66×10(4)M(-1)) was calculated by absorption spectra and its linear Stern-Volmer quenching constant Ksq (3.05) was obtained from florescence spectroscopy, as well as the cleaving reaction rate constant k1 (2.0×10(-4)s(-1)) was acquired from agarose gel electrophoresis. Meanwhile, the interactions of the complex with BSA have also been studied by spectroscopy. Results showed that the complex could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) remarkably through a static quenching process, and induce a conformational change with the loss of helical stability of protein.
Photophysical and photochemical properties of a series of mononuclear and binuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of phen (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), in the absence or in the presence of calf-thymus DNA have been investigated by steady-state as well as time-resolved methods. The complexes of this series are [Ru(x)(phen)(2x)(L)](2x+) (x=1 or 2) type, where L is a bpy (4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bypiridine, with x=1) or a bis-bpy covalently linked by flexible chains including either polymethylene groups or polyamine functions (with x=2). Upon addition of DNA, the most important increasing luminescence and change of emission maxima wavelength are observed for the bimetallic compounds having amine functions in their spacer. A biexponential decay in luminescence is found with emission lifetimes of the complexes upon binding to DNA. Moreover, these complexes induce efficient photocleavage of DNA by irradiation at 450 nm. This efficiency is particularly important when the binuclear complexes include amino groups. Topoisomerization experiments have pointed out a similarity between the DNA cleaving ability of these complexes and their intercalation into DNA. Scavenging experiments have shown that the oxidative species involved in DNA cleavage was mainly (1)O(2), via a type II mechanism.
Fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) as well as viscosity experiment have been used to characterize the DNA binding of [Ho(Phen)(2)Cl(3)]·H(2)O, where phen stand for 1,10-phanathroline. This complex exhibits the marked decrease in the emission intensity and some hypochromism in UV-Vis spectrum in the presence of DNA. For characterization of the binding mode between the Ho(III) complex and DNA various procedures such as: absorption and emission titration and EB quenching experiments, viscosity measurements, CD study, iodide quenching assay, salt effect and thermodynamical investigation are used. The intrinsic binding constant of [Ho(Phen)(2)Cl(3)]·H(2)O with DNA is calculated by UV-Vis and florescence spectroscopy. The value of binding constants in 296, 299 and 303 are 1.99±0.07×10(4), 1.07±0.09×10(4) and 0.84±0.06×10(4), respectively. The thermodynamic studies show that the reaction is entropically driven. The above-mentioned physical measurements indicate that the Ho(III) complex binds to fish salmon DNA, presumably via groove binding mode.
The E/Z-photoisomerization of trans-1,2-dibenzoylethene (DBE) in the confinement of its crystal lattice proceeds readily, but not as a single crystal to single crystal process which was claimed previously by others. This model for the Z-->E isomerization at the 11-12 double bond of the retinal moiety in the crystal-like confinement of rhodopsin was investigated in view of the fact that the precise geometric features are crucial for a better understanding of the postulated twist mechanism. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) monitored long-range anisotropic molecular movements if trans-DBE was photoisomerized, but cis-DBE was unreactive even at the extreme sensitivity of AFM. The crystal lattices of both isomers cannot accommodate a rotational mechanism but at best the twist mechanism with the large groups not leaving their planes. The unidirectional solid-state photochemistry derives from the crystal packing of cis-DBE which exhibits severe 3D-interlocking. Thus, trans-DBE molecules are not formed in the cis-lattice, because their moving away would be prohibited. Conversely, photochemically formed cis-DBE molecules escape the foreign trans-DBE lattice easily along its glide planes, as is experimentally observed by AFM. These findings are reminiscent of the escape of 11-trans-retinal from the rhodopsin array in the vision cascade.
Irradiation of a complex between N-(5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyl)-N'-(D-biotinyl)-1,2-diaminoethane (I) and streptavidin with light of 313 nm led to the covalent attachment of the photobiotin analogue I to the protein. Streptavidin could also be labelled in the dark with prephotolyzed I. These results indicate that a long-lived reactive intermediate was formed upon irradiation. Moreover, after cleavage of labelled streptavidin with proteinase K this intermediate appears to be covalently attached to the same peptide as the one obtained by direct photoaffinity labelling. An iminosulfurane II derived from the reaction of biotin sulfur atom with aryl nitrene is responsible for the dark-labelling reaction. The photoproduct II converts in an aqueous solution almost completely into N-(5-amino-2-nitrobenzoyl)-N'-(D-(S-oxo)biotinyl)-1,2-diaminoethane (the half-life of II is 10 days).
Exposure to UVB irradiation is a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to identify agents that can offer protection against UVB-caused damage. Photocarcinogenesis is caused largely by mutations at sites of incorrectly repaired DNA photoproducts, of which the most common are the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). In this study, we demonstrated that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] protects primary human keratinocytes against the induction of CPDs by UVB. This protection required pharmacologic doses 1,25(OH)2D3 and an incubation period of at least 8 h before irradiation. Furthermore, we provided arguments indicating that the anti-proliferative capacity of 1,25(OH)2D3 underlies its protective effect against UVB-induced DNA damage. Finally, we showed that 19-nor-14-epi-23-yne-1,25(OH)2D3 (TX 522) and 19-nor-14,20-bisepi-23-yne-1,25(OH)2D3 (TX 527), two low-calcemic analogues of 1,25(OH)2D3, were even 100 times more potent than the parent molecule in inhibiting UVB-caused DNA damage. These molecules are therefore promising candidates for the chemoprevention of UVB-induced skin cancer.
Photochemical reactions between 5-bromo-1,3-dimethyluracils and 3-substituted indoles in acetone solution were studied. Irradiation (lambda greater than 290 nm) of 5-bromo-1,3-dimethyluracil (1) and N alpha-acetyl-L-tryptophan methyl ester (2) yields, in addition to 5-(2-indolyl)uracil (3), a new photoadduct 5-(7-indolyl)uracil (4). 5-Bromo-1,3-dimethyluracils with 6-alkyl substituents irradiated in the presence of 2 give the 5-(2-indolyl)uracil-type photoadducts exclusively.
The compound 2-(2-selenocyanic acid ethyl ester)-1H-benz[de] isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)-dione (SEBID), a ubiquitous, bioactive naphthalimide derivative is expected to possess an anticancer, anti-tumor and other important therapeutic activities of significant potency with low systematic toxicity. In this paper, the synthesis of the compound, photophysics of the newly prepared naphthalimide derivative and its interaction with model transport protein Bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been reported using the absorption and steady state fluorescence spectroscopic techniques exploiting the intrinsic fluorescence emission properties of BSA as a probe. Interaction of this organoselenium compound in different dioxane-water mixtures with increase in the polarity of the medium has been studied spectroscopically. Interaction of SEBID with BSA leads to a dramatic decrease in the fluorescence intensity of BSA, which suggests the binding of SEBID with the tryptophan residue of BSA. Furthermore, different thermodynamic parameters for SEBID-BSA interaction have been calculated. Rationalization of the data has been attempted, particularly in relation to prospective applications in the biomedical research.
As part of a wider programme to identify novel photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, the ability of a number of phthalocyanine dyes, including some novel copper phthalocyanine derivatives with a range of water solubilities, to produce potentially cytotoxic species in solution was examined. The experiments were performed in dimethylformamide using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPIBF) as the scavenger. The study revealed that all the dyes tested produced DPIBF photobleaching on illumination in vitro, but with widely different (greater than 12x) rates. The possible correlation of DPIBF photobleaching rates with a number of the dyes' properties is discussed.
We describe the synthesis of eighteen variously substituted 1,3- dibenzoylmethane (1,3-DBM) and their change in absorption spectra depending of the nature of donor or acceptor substituents on one or the two aromatic moieties. These compounds were prepared in two steps starting from the corresponding acetophenones, phenol and benzoyl chlorides. The phenyl benzoate was obtained by condensation of benzoyl chloride with phenol in a classical way. Stirring of the phenyl benzoate and acetophenone in DMSO with powdered sodium hydroxide for a few minutes gave the dibenzoylmethane in yields depending on substituents on the phenyl rings. Changes in absorption of UVA/UVB sunlight of these molecules were observed according to the nature and the position of substituents on the phenyl rings. Molecules 2b (1-phenyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedione), 2d (1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-l,3-propanedione), 2e (1-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-l,3-propanedione) and 2f (1-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-l,3-propanedione) were the most interesting for cosmetic applications because even after irradiation, they preserve their absorptive in UVA range and also in UVB range The other compounds are too photounstable and so can lose their protective effects. These results showed the lack of phototoxicity of these compounds and the possibility to use them as solar filters. Therefore, variously di- or tri methoxy 1,3-DBM are interesting molecules in term of photoprotection and open new prospects for UVA photostable filters.
A six-coordinate copper(II) complex with the ligand 1,3-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxopropane (Meobb), with composition [Cu(Meobb)(2)](NO(3))(2)·2CH(3)OH, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrical conductivities, IR, UV-Vis spectral measurements. A study of the electro-chemistry of the copper(II) complex was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structures of the ligand Meobb and the Cu(II) complex were determined by X-ray crystal diffraction. The DNA-binding modes of the ligand and the complex were investigated by electronic absorption titration, ethidium bromide-DNA displacement experiments and viscosity measurements. The experimental evidence indicated the compounds interact with calf thymus DNA through intercalation. Additionally, the Cu(II) complex exhibited potential antioxidant properties in in vitro studies.
The effect of substituted 1,4-anthraquinones on the photochemical activity and chlorophyll fluorescence of thylakoid membranes was examined. Both the fluorescence and the photochemical activity depend on the 1,4-anthraquinone substituent. Stronger quinone-induced quenching of the chlorophyll fluorescence than quinone-induced changes in the activity of photosystem II is observed. The type (Cl or Br) and the position (Cl) of the chalogen atom strongly influence the degree of inhibition of PSII electron transport and the quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. The data suggest that the quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence is due rather to the interaction of the 1,4-anthraquinones and chlorophyll molecules than to an indirect effect caused by stimulation of the photochemistry.
The chlorophyll fluorescence, photochemical activity and surface electric properties of thylakoid membranes with different stoichiometry of pigment-protein complexes and organization of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex of photosystem II (LHCII) were studied in the presence of substituted 1,4-anthraquinones. Data show strong dependence of the quenching of the chlorophyll fluorescence on the structural organization of LHCII. The increase of the LHCII oligomerization, which is associated with significant reduction of the transmembrane electric charge asymmetry and electric polarizability of the membrane, correlates with enhanced quenching effect of substituted 1,4-athraquinones. Crucial for the large quinone-induced changes in the membrane electric dipole moments is the structure of the quinone molecule. The strongest reduction in the values of the dipole moments is observed after interaction of thylakoids with 3-chloro-9-hydroxy-1,4-anthraquinone (TF33) which has the highest quenching efficiency. The quinone induced changes in the photochemical activity of photosystem II (PSII) correlate with the total amount of the supramolecular LHCII-PSII complex and depend on the number of substituents in the 1,4-anthraquinone molecule.
The photostability and phototoxic potential of two new 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (PCA-4230 and PCA-4248) were investigated. When these 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines were irradiated with a multilamp photoreactor (band centred at 350 nm), both exhibited a slow photodegradation showing first-order kinetics. The photodegradation rate constants were 0.37 h-1 for PCA-4248 and 0.39 h-1 for PCA-4230 in oxygenated conditions. The photodecomposition was slower for both drugs in the absence of oxygen. In order to evaluate the phototoxicity induced by these drugs, red blood cells and Hep-2 (human laringo carcinoma cell line) were irradiated using a minisolarium, which emits UVA radiation (350-390 nm). The results showed that PCA-4248 and PCA-4230 did not exhibit a phototoxic effect in the two models tested.
Nineteen 2-[(R-phenyl)amine]-1,4-naphthalendione derivatives (PAN) were tested on spinach thylakoids for their activity as electron acceptors. These molecules act as photosystem I electron acceptors in the micromolar range. AC(50) values varied from 5 nM to 24 microM. QSAR analysis revealed a linear correlation of the m-PAN derivative log [1/AC(50)] with the energy difference of the LUMO and HOMO orbitals. The biological activity of p-PAN derivatives correlates linearly with structural parameters. Electron affinity is being the most important. The half wave I potential values (E(1/2)) of PAN compounds (from -213 to -569 mV vs. NHE) match with the mid-point potentials of the A(0) to F(X) niche of PSI electron transport carriers. The logP values of PAN derivatives were 3.35 and 3.88, indicating that they are hydrophobic compounds. Therefore PAN compounds accept electrons at the hydrophobic A(0) to F(X) niche of PSI.
The present study demonstrates photoinduced generation of superoxide radical anion and singlet oxygen upon UVA irradiation of ethyl 1,4-dihydro-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate (DNQC), and its cytotoxic/phototoxic effects on murine leukemia L1210 cells. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated by EPR spectroscopy using in situ spin trapping technique and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-piperidine (TMP) for singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) detection. The EPR spectra monitored upon photoexcitation of aerated solutions of DNQC in dimethylsulfoxide evidenced the efficient activation of molecular oxygen via Types I and II mechanisms. The cytotoxic/phototoxic effects of DNQC, analysis of cell cycle, induction of apoptosis/necrosis, DNA damage and molecular mechanism of apoptotic death of L1210 cells in dark and in the presence of UVA irradiation were compared. DNQC induced a different cytotoxic/phototoxic effect, which was concentration- and time-dependent. The four highest tested concentrations of non-photoactivated and photoactivated DNQC induced immediate cytotoxic/phototoxic effect after 24h cultivation of L1210 cells. This effect decreased with the time of treatment. The irradiation increased the sensitivity of leukemia cell line on DNQC, but the cell sensitivity decreased with time of processing. Quinolone derivative DNQC significantly induced direct DNA strand breaks in L1210 cells, which were increased with the irradiation of cells. The DNA damage generated by DNQC alone/with combination of UVA irradiation induced cell arrest in G(0)/G(1) and G(2)/M phases, decrease in the number of L1210 cells in Sphase and apoptotic cell death of certain part of cell population after 24 h of influence. DNQC alone/with combination of UVA irradiation induced apoptosis in L1210 cells through ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway.
N-dodecyl-N'-(2-phosphonoethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (DNDI) is a novel naphthalenic diimide with amphiphilic character. DNDI was synthesized through the sequential reaction of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, first with dodecylamine and then with 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid. Fluorescence measurements showed that DNDI forms excimers in water at sufficiently high concentrations. The fluorescence quantum yield of DNDI in diluted solutions is sensitive to the polarity of the microenvironment, decreasing as going from water to less polar solvents. This property allowed to monitor the incorporation of DNDI into cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles, with a binding constant of 1.2x10(4) M-1. UV irradiation (365 nm) of solutions containing DNDI and the redox protein cytochrome c (cyt c) resulted in the reduction of the heme iron from the Fe(III) to the Fe(II) state, a reaction that was inhibited by the incorporation of DNDI into CTAB micelles. DNDI formed host-guest complexes with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) through the inclusion of the dodecyl group, resulting in an increased aqueous solubility of the compound.
A Schiff base ligand bis(N-salicylidene)-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamine H2L have been prepared. Reaction of the shape-specific designed ligand with Ln(NO3)3⋅6H2O afforded three novel complexes, namely, Sm(L)(NO3)(DMF)(H2O) 1, [Eu(H2L)2(NO3)3]n2 and Tb2(L)2(NO3)23. The ligand and complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. It is noteworthy that the complexes demonstrate three different types of the structure which changed according to the charge density and acidity of the lanthanide. Complex 1 is a discrete mononuclear species that Sm(III) ion is nine-coordinated in the structure and forming a distorted tricapped trigonal prism geometry. Complex 2 is possessed a 1-D ribbon framework constructed from an extended array of ten-coordinated Eu³⁺ centers and the Schiff base ligands. Complex 3 is revealed as a centrosymmetric binuclear neutral entity, in which Tb(III) ion is eight-coordinated with the coordination surround of distorted square antiprism geometry. In order to explore the relationship between the structure and biological properties, the DNA-binding properties have been investigated by electronic absorption, fluorescence, and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the ligand and complexes bind to DNA via groove modes. The intrinsic binding constants Kb of the complexes 1–3 are (1.19 ± 0.112) × 10⁵, (4.22 ± 0.086) × 10⁴ and (3.89 ± 0.104) × 10⁴ M⁻¹ respectively. Moreover, the antioxidant activity experiments show that these compounds also exhibit good antioxidant activities against OH and O2⁻ in vitro studies.
The specific recognition of DNA modifications by repair endonucleases was used to characterize DNA damage induced by 1,6-dioxapyrene (1,6-DP) in the presence of ultraviolet light at 365 nm (UVA) in the plasmid YEplac181. Under cell free conditions, 1,6-DP plus UVA generated lesions are recognized by the UvrABC endonuclease, the proteins Nth, Nfo and Fpg. The number of UvrABC sensitive sites was at least ten-fold higher than that of Fpg or Nth sensitive sites. Moreover, 1,6-DP plus UVA generated single-strand breaks which are the second most frequent lesions. To investigate the biological effect of DNA damage, YEplac181 DNA was treated with 1,6-DP plus UVA and transformed into Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In Escherichia coli, the transformation efficiency of 1,6-DP plus UVA treated DNA was greatly reduced in the uvrA mutant compared to that in the wild-type strain. However, the transforming efficiency was not affected in Fpg-deficient strains. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the transformation efficiency of 1,6-DP plus UVA treated YEplac181 was greatly reduced in the rad14::URA3 strain. The photobiological effect of 1,6-DP plus UVA was also analysed in haploid yeast strains of various repair capacities. The results show that the yeast strain defective in the nucleotide excision repair pathway (rad14::URA3) is hypersensitive to 1,6-DP plus UVA treatment as compared to the parental wild-type strain. It is confirmed that the lethal effect of 1,6-DP plus UVA on wild-type yeast is strongly oxygen dependent, whereas the survival of the rad14::URA3 mutant only exhibits a minor oxygen dependence. To conclude, our data show that the photodynamic DNA lesions induced by 1,6-DP plus UVA can be recognized and repaired in pro- and eukaryotic cells by the nucleotide excision repair pathway.
A novel tetradentate Cu(II) complex of the type, [CuL](NO(3))(2) was synthesized by the interaction of Schiff base ligand, N,N-bis[(E)-2-thienylmethylidene]-1,8-naphthalenediamine, L obtained by the condensation of thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene. The formation of Schiff base ligand, L and its Cu(II) complex was confirmed on the basis of results of elemental analyses, mass, FT-IR, (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectral studies. UV-Vis, EPR and magnetic susceptibility data support a square planar environment around Cu(II) ion. However, molar conductance values confirmed 1:2 electrolytic nature for the Cu(II) complex. The electrochemical studies of Cu(II) complex was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry which revealed the complex to exhibit quasi reversible process. The biological activity of Cu(II) complex such as ability to bind DNA and DNA cleavage were studied where the Cu(II) complex was shown to cause considerable DNA cleavage and also generated reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion. Since it is known that various anticancer drugs act through induction of oxidative stress that is mediated by reactive oxygen species, our results suggest a putative role of Cu(II) complex similar to various anticancer drugs.
The catalytic center for photosynthetic water-splitting consists of 4 Mn atoms and 1 Ca atom and is located near the lumenal surface of photosystem II. So far the structure of the Mn(4)Ca-cluster has been studied by a variety of techniques including X-ray spectroscopy and diffraction, and various structural models have been proposed. However, its exact structure is still unknown due to the limited resolution of crystal structures of PSII achieved so far, as well as possible radiation damages that might have occurred. Very recently, we have succeeded in solving the structure of photosystem II at 1.9 Å, which yielded a detailed picture of the Mn(4)CaO(5)-cluster for the first time. In the high resolution structure, the Mn(4)CaO(5)-cluster is arranged in a distorted chair form, with a cubane-like structure formed by 3 Mn and 1 Ca, 4 oxygen atoms as the distorted base of the chair, and 1 Mn and 1 oxygen atom outside of the cubane as the back of the chair. In addition, four water molecules were associated with the cluster, among which, two are associated with the terminal Mn atom and two are associated with the Ca atom. Some of these water molecules may therefore serve as the substrates for water-splitting. The high resolution structure of the catalytic center provided a solid basis for elucidation of the mechanism of photosynthetic water splitting. We review here the structural features of the Mn(4)CaO(5)-cluster analyzed at 1.9 Å resolution, and compare them with the structures reported previously.
In this survey, emphasis was placed on the main photoreactions of nucleic acid components, involving both direct and indirect effects. The main UVB- and UVA-induced DNA photoproducts, together with the mechanisms of their formation, are described. Information on the photoproduct distribution within cellular DNA is also provided, taking into account the limitations of the different analytical methods applied to monitor the formation of the DNA damage. Thus, the formation of the main DNA dimeric pyrimidine lesions produced by direct absorption of UVB photons was assessed using a powerful HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry assay. In addition, it was found that UVA photooxidation damage mostly involves the guanine residues of cellular DNA as the result of singlet oxygen generation by still unknown endogenous photosensitizers.
