A first-principles study of electron attachment to the fully hydrated bromonucleobases

Unraveling the Complexity of DNA Radiation Damage Using DNA Nanotechnology

Radiation cancer therapies use different ionizing radiation qualities that damage DNA molecules in tumor cells by a yet not completely understood plethora of mechanisms and processes. While the direct action of the radiation is significant, the byproducts of the water radiolysis, mainly secondary low-energy electrons (LEEs, <20 eV) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), can also efficiently cause DNA damage, in terms of DNA strand breakage or DNA interstrand cross-linking. As a result, these types of DNA damage evolve into mutations hindering DNA replication, leading to cancer cell death. Concomitant chemo-radiotherapy explores the addition of radiosensitizing therapeutics commonly targeting DNA, such as platinum derivatives and halogenated nucleosides, to enhance the harmful effects of ionizing radiation on the DNA molecule. Further complicating the landscape of DNA damage are secondary structures such as G-quadruplexes occurring in telomeric DNA. These structures protect DNA from radiation damage, rendering them as promising targets for new and more selective cancer radiation treatments, rather than targeting linear DNA. However, despite extensive research, there is no single paradigm approach to understanding the mysterious way in which ionizing radiation causes DNA damage. This is due to the multidisciplinary nature of the field of research, which deals with multiple levels of biological organization, from the molecular building blocks of life toward cells and organisms, as well as with complex multiscale radiation-induced effects. Also, intrinsic DNA features, such as DNA topology and specific oligonucleotide sequences, strongly influence its response to damage from ionizing radiation. In this Account, we present our studies focused on the absolute quantification of photon- and low-energy electron-induced DNA damage in strategically selected target DNA sequences. Our methodology involves using DNA origami nanostructures, specifically the Rothemund triangle, as a platform to expose DNA sequences to either low-energy electrons or vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV, <15 eV) photons and subsequent atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. Through this approach, the effects of the DNA sequence, incorporation of halogenated radiosensitizers, DNA topology, and the radiation quality on radiation-induced DNA strand breakage have been systematically assessed and correlated with fundamental photon- and electron-driven mechanisms underlying DNA radiation damage. At lower energies, these mechanisms include dissociative electron attachment (DEA), where electrons attach to DNA molecules causing strand breaks, and dissociative photoexcitation of DNA. Additionally, further dissociative processes such as photoionization and electron impact contribute to the complex cascade of DNA damage events induced by ionizing radiation. We expect that emerging DNA origami-based approaches will lead to a paradigm shift in research fields associated with DNA damage and suggest future directions, which can foster the development of technological applications in nanomedicine, e.g., optimized cancer treatments or the molecular design of optimized radiosensitizing therapeutics.

Interaction of low-energy electrons with radiosensitizers

We provide an experimentalist's perspective on the present state-of-the-art in the studies of low-energy electron interactions with common radiosensitizers, including compounds used in combined chemo-radiation therapy and their model systems. Low-energy electrons are important secondary species formed during the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter. Their role in the radiation chemistry of living organisms has become an important topic for more than 20 years. With the increasing number of works and reviews in the field, we would like to focus here on a very narrow area of compounds that have been shown to have radio-sensitizing properties on the one hand, and high reactivity towards low-energy electrons on the other hand. Gas phase experiments studying electron attachment to isolated molecules and environmental effects on reaction dynamics are reviewed for modified DNA components, nitroimidazoles, and organometallics. In the end, we provide a perspective on the future directions that may be important for transferring the fundamental knowledge about the processes induced by low-energy electrons into practice in the field of rational design of agents for concomitant chemo-radiation therapy.

X-ray and UV Radiation Damage of dsDNA/Protein Complexes

Simple Summary

One of the most common diseases in the world is cancer. The development of an appropriate treatment pathway for cancer patients seems to be crucial to fight this disease. Therefore, solving the problem that affects more and more people in an aging society is crucial. The study presents the results of radiation and photochemical damage to DNA interacting with proteins (specifically/non-specifically). The obtained results of the analysis of photoliths and radiolites by means of the LC-MS technique allowed to identify possible mechanisms of degradation of DNA interacting with proteins. Results suggest the protective action of protein against hydroxyl radicals or solvated electrons and increased damaging effect when sensitized DNA is irradiated by UV light (280 or 320 nm) compared to the DNA alone (without protein interaction).

Abstract

Radiation and photodynamic therapies are used for cancer treatment by targeting DNA. However, efficiency is limited due to physico-chemical processes and the insensitivity of native nucleobases to damage. Thus, incorporation of radio- and photosensitizers into these therapies should increase both efficacy and the yield of DNA damage. To date, studies of sensitization processes have been performed on simple model systems, e.g., buffered solutions of dsDNA or sensitizers alone. To fully understand the sensitization processes and to be able to develop new efficient sensitizers in the future, well established model systems are necessary. In the cell environment, DNA tightly interacts with proteins and incorporating this interaction is necessary to fully understand the DNA sensitization process. In this work, we used dsDNA/protein complexes labeled with photo- and radiosensitizers and investigated degradation pathways using LC-MS and HPLC after X-ray or UV radiation.

Uracil-5-yl O-Sulfamate: An Illusive Radiosensitizer. Pitfalls in Modeling the Radiosensitizing Derivatives of Nucleobases

Efficient radiotherapy requires the concomitant use of ionizing radiation (IR) and a radiosensitizer. In the present work uracil-5-yl O-sulfamate (SU) is tested against its radiosensitizing potential. The compound possesses appropriate dissociative electron attachment (DEA) characteristics calculated at the M06-2X/6-31++G(d,p) level. Crossed electron-molecular beam experiments in the gas phase demonstrate that SU undergoes efficient DEA processes, and the single C-O or S-O bond dissociations account for the majority of fragments induced by electron attachment. Most DEAs proceed already for electrons with kinetic energies of ∼0 eV, which is supported by the exothermic thresholds calculated at the M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level. However, in water solution under reductive conditions and physiological pH, SU does not undergo radiolysis, which demonstrates the crucial influence of aqueous environment on the radiosensitizing properties of modified nucleosides.

Why Does the Type of Halogen Atom Matter for the Radiosensitizing Properties of 5-Halogen Substituted 4-Thio-2'-Deoxyuridines?

Radiosensitizing properties of substituted uridines are of great importance for radiotherapy. Very recently, we confirmed 5-iodo-4-thio-2'-deoxyuridine (ISdU) as an efficient agent, increasing the extent of tumor cell killing with ionizing radiation. To our surprise, a similar derivative of 4-thio-2'-deoxyuridine, 5-bromo-4-thio-2'-deoxyuridine (BrSdU), does not show radiosensitizing properties at all. In order to explain this remarkable difference, we carried out a radiolytic (stationary and pulse) and quantum chemical studies, which allowed the pathways to all radioproducts to be rationalized. In contrast to ISdU solutions, where radiolysis leads to 4-thio-2'-deoxyuridine and its dimer, no dissociative electron attachment (DEA) products were observed for BrSdU. This observation seems to explain the lack of radiosensitizing properties of BrSdU since the efficient formation of the uridine-5-yl radical, induced by electron attachment to the modified nucleoside, is suggested to be an indispensable attribute of radiosensitizing uridines. A larger activation barrier for DEA in BrSdU, as compared to ISdU, is probably responsible for the closure of DEA channel in the former system. Indeed, besides DEA, the XSdU anions may undergo competitive protonation, which makes the release of X- kinetically forbidden.

5-Bromo-2'-deoxycytidine-a potential DNA photosensitizer

A double-stranded oligonucleotide, 80 base pairs in length, was multiply labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxycytidine (BrdC) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The modified oligonucleotide was irradiated with 300 nm photons and its damage was assayed by employing DHPLC, LC-MS and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Two types of damage were demonstrated, namely, single strand breaks (SSBs) and intrastrand cross-links (ICLs); the ICLs were in the form of d(G^C) and d(C^C) dimers. The former species are probably formed due to photoinduced electron transfer between the photoexcited BrdC and the ground state 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG), whereas the latter is a result of a cycloaddition reaction. Since SSBs and ICLs are potentially lethal to the cell, BrdC could be considered as a nucleoside with possible clinical applications.

Radiation damage to single stranded oligonucleotide trimers labelled with 5-iodopyrimidines

The radiolysis of deoxygenated aqueous solution containing trimeric oligonucleotides labelled with iodinated pyrimidines and Tris-HCl as the hydroxyl radical scavenger leads to electron attachment to the halogenated bases that mainly results in single strand breaks. The iodinated trimers are 2-fold more sensitive to solvated electrons than the brominated oligonucleotides, which is explained by the barrier-free dissociation of the iodinated base anions. The present study fills the literature gap concerning the chemistry triggered by ionizing radiation in the iodinated pyrimidines incorporated into DNA.

DNA intrastrand cross-links induced by the purine-type deoxyguanosine-8-yl radical: a DFT study

Currently, all known DNA intrastrand cross-links are found to be induced by pyrimidine-type radicals; however, whether or not purine-type radicals are able to cause DNA intrastrand cross-links remains unclear. In the present study, probable additions of the highly reactive deoxyguanosine-8-yl radical to its 3'/5' neighboring pyrimidine nucleotides in four model compounds, 5'-G˙T-3', 5'-TG˙-3', 5'-G˙C-3', and 5'-CG˙-3', were studied using density functional theory (DFT) methods. In single-stranded DNA, the deoxyguanosine-8-yl radical is preferred to efficiently attack the C5 site of its 3' neighboring deoxythymidine or deoxycytidine, forming the G[8-5]T or G[8-5]C intrastrand cross-link rather than the C6 site forming the G[8-6]T or G[8-6]C intrastrand cross-link. The four corresponding sequence isomers, namely T[5-8]G, T[6-8]G, C[5-8]G, and C[6-8]G, formed by additions of deoxyguanosine-8-yl radical to its 5' neighboring pyrimidine nucleotides are predicted to be formed inefficiently. In double-stranded DNA, considering the detrimental effects of stabilizing weak interactions on related structural adjustments required in each addition reaction path, relatively lower reaction yields are suggested for the G[8-5]T and G[8-5]C intrastrand cross-links, while the formation of the other six intrastrand cross-links becomes quite difficult. All calculations definitely demonstrate that, in addition to pyrimidine-type radicals, the purine-type deoxyguanosine-8-yl radical is able to attack its 3'/5' neighboring pyrimidine nucleotides forming several DNA intrastrand cross-links.

Effect of adsorption kinetics on dissociation of DNA-nucleobases on gold nanoparticles under pulsed laser illumination

Photothermal therapy is a novel approach to destroy cancer cells by an increase of temperature due to laser illumination of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) that are incorporated into the cells. Here, we study the decomposition of DNA nucleobases via irradiation of gold nanoparticles with ns-laser pulses. The kinetics of the adsorption and decomposition process is described by a theoretical model based on the Langmuir assumptions and correlated with experimentally determined reaction rates revealing a strong influence of the nucleobase specific adsorption. Beside the four nucleobases, their brominated analogs, which are potential radiosensitizers in cancer therapy, are also investigated and show a significant modification of the decomposition rates. The fastest decomposition rates are observed for adenine, 8-bromoadenine, 8-bromoguanine and 5-bromocytosine. These results are in good agreement with the relative adsorption rates that are determined from the aggregation kinetics of the GNPs taking the effect of an inhomogeneous surface into account. For adenine and its brominated analog, the decomposition products are further analyzed by surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) indicating a strong fragmentation of the molecules into their smallest subunits.

Resonant Formation of Strand Breaks in Sensitized Oligonucleotides Induced by Low-Energy Electrons (0.5-9 eV)

Halogenated nucleobases are used as radiosensitizers in cancer radiation therapy, enhancing the reactivity of DNA to secondary low-energy electrons (LEEs). LEEs induce DNA strand breaks at specific energies (resonances) by dissociative electron attachment (DEA). Although halogenated nucleobases show intense DEA resonances at various electron energies in the gas phase, it is inherently difficult to investigate the influence of halogenated nucleobases on the actual DNA strand breakage over the broad range of electron energies at which DEA can take place (<12 eV). By using DNA origami nanostructures, we determined the energy dependence of the strand break cross-section for oligonucleotides modified with 8-bromoadenine (^8Br A). These results were evaluated against DEA measurements with isolated ^8Br A in the gas phase. Contrary to expectations, the major contribution to strand breaks is from resonances at around 7 eV while resonances at very low energy (<2 eV) have little influence on strand breaks.

Stability of the Parent Anion of the Potential Radiosensitizer 8-Bromoadenine Formed by Low-Energy (<3 eV) Electron Attachment

8-Bromoadenine (8BrA) is a potential DNA radiosensitizer for cancer radiation therapy due to its efficient interaction with low-energy electrons (LEEs). LEEs are a short-living species generated during the radiation damage of DNA by high-energy radiation as it is applied in cancer radiation therapy. Electron attachment to 8BrA in the gas phase results in a stable parent anion below 3 eV electron energy in addition to fragmentation products formed by resonant exocyclic bond cleavages. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the 8BrA- anion reveal an exotic bond between the bromine and the C8 atom with a bond length of 2.6 Å, where the majority of the charge is located on bromine and the spin is mainly located on the C8 atom. The detailed understanding of such long-lived anionic states of nucleobase analogues supports the rational development of new therapeutic agents, in which the enhancement of dissociative electron transfer to the DNA backbone is critical to induce DNA strand breaks in cancerous tissue.

Real-time monitoring of plasmon induced dissociative electron transfer to the potential DNA radiosensitizer 8-bromoadenine

The excitation of localized surface plasmons in noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) results in different nanoscale effects such as electric field enhancement, the generation of hot electrons and a temperature increase close to the NP surface. These effects are typically exploited in diverse fields such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), NP catalysis and photothermal therapy (PTT). Halogenated nucleobases are applied as radiosensitizers in conventional radiation cancer therapy due to their high reactivity towards secondary electrons. Here, we use SERS to study the transformation of 8-bromoadenine (^8BrA) into adenine on the surface of Au and AgNPs upon irradiation with a low-power continuous wave laser at 532, 633 and 785 nm, respectively. The dissociation of ^8BrA is ascribed to a hot-electron transfer reaction and the underlying kinetics are carefully explored. The reaction proceeds within seconds or even milliseconds. Similar dissociation reactions might also occur with other electrophilic molecules, which must be considered in the interpretation of respective SERS spectra. Furthermore, we suggest that hot-electron transfer induced dissociation of radiosensitizers such as ^8BrA can be applied in the future in PTT to enhance the damage of tumor tissue upon irradiation.

Gamma and Ion-Beam Irradiation of DNA: Free Radical Mechanisms, Electron Effects, and Radiation Chemical Track Structure

The focus of our laboratory's investigation is to study the direct-type DNA damage mechanisms resulting from γ-ray and ion-beam radiation-induced free radical processes in DNA which lead to molecular damage important to cellular survival. This work compares the results of low LET (γ-) and high LET (ion-beam) radiation to develop a chemical track structure model for ion-beam radiation damage to DNA. Recent studies on protonation states of cytosine cation radicals in the N1-substituted cytosine derivatives in their ground state and 5-methylcytosine cation radicals in ground as well as in excited state are described. Our results exhibit a radical signature of excitations in 5-methylcytosine cation radical. Moreover, our recent theoretical studies elucidate the role of electron-induced reactions (low energy electrons (LEE), presolvated electrons (e_pre^-), and aqueous (or, solvated) electrons (e_aq^-)). Finally DFT calculations of the ionization potentials of various sugar radicals show the relative reactivity of these species.

Mechanisms Responsible for High Energy Radiation Induced Damage to Single-Stranded DNA Modified by Radiosensitizing 5-Halogenated Deoxyuridines

Experimental studies showed that high energy radiation induced base release and DNA backbone breaks mainly occur at the neighboring 5' nucleotide when a single-stranded DNA is modified by radiosensitizing 5-halogenated deoxyuridines. However, no mechanism can be used to interpret these experimental observations. To better understand the radiosensitivity of 5-halogenated deoxyuridines, mechanisms involving hydrogen abstraction by the uracil-5-yl radical from the C2' and C3' positions of an adjacent nucleotide separately followed by the C3'-O3' or N-glycosidic bond rupture and the P-O3' bond breakage are investigated in the DNA sequence 5'-TU(•)-3' employing density functional theory calculations in the present study. It is found that hydrogen abstractions from both positions are comparable with the one from the C2' site slightly more favorable. The N-glycosidic bond cleavage in the neighboring 5' nucleotide following the internucleotide C2'-Ha abstraction is estimated to have the lowest activation free energies, indicating that the adjacent 5' base release dominates electron induced damage to single-stranded DNA incorporated by 5-halogenated deoxyuridines. Relative to the P-O3' bond breakage after the internucleotide C3'-H abstraction, the C3'-O3' bond rupture in the neighboring 5' nucleotide following the internucleotide C2'-Ha abstraction is predicted to have a lower activation free energy, implying that single-stranded DNA backbone breaks are prone to occur at the C3'-O3' bond site. The 5'-TU(•)-3' species has substantial electron affinity and can even capture a hydrated electron, forming the 5'-TU(-)-3' anion. However, the electron induced C3'-O3' bond rupture in 5'-TU(-)-3' anion via a pathway of internucleotide proton abstraction is only minor in both the gas phase and aqueous solution. The present theoretical predictions can interpret rationally experimental observations, thereby demonstrating that the mechanisms proposed here are responsible for high energy radiation induced damage to single-stranded DNA incorporated by radiosensitizing 5-halogenated deoxyuridines. By comparing with previous results, our work proves that the radiosensitizing action of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine is not weaker but stronger than its isomer 6-bromo-2-deoxyuridine on the basis of the available data.

Mechanisms of Damage to DNA Labeled with Electrophilic Nucleobases Induced by Ionizing or UV Radiation

Hypoxia--a hallmark of solid tumors--makes hypoxic cells radioresistant. On the other hand, DNA, the main target of anticancer therapy, is not sensitive to the near UV photons and hydrated electrons, one of the major products of water radiolysis under hypoxic conditions. A possible way to overcome these obstacles to the efficient radio- and photodynamic therapy of cancer is to sensitize the cellular DNA to electrons and/or ultraviolet radiation. While incorporated into genomic DNA, modified nucleosides, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine in particular, sensitize cells to both near-ultraviolet photons and γ rays. It is believed that, in both sensitization modes, the reactive nucleobase radical is formed as a primary product which swiftly stabilizes, leading to serious DNA damage, like strand breaks or cross-links. However, despite the apparent similarity, such radio- and photosensitization of DNA seems to be ruled by fundamentally different mechanisms. In this review, we demonstrate that the most important factors deciding on radiodamage to the labeled DNA are (i) the electron affinity (EA) of modified nucleoside (mNZ), (ii) the local surroundings of the label that significantly influences the EA of mNZ, and (iii) the strength of the chemical bond holding together the substituent and a nucleobase. On the other hand, we show that the UV damage to sensitized DNA is governed by long-range photoinduced electron transfer, the efficiency of which is controlled by local DNA sequences. A critical review of the literature mechanisms concerning both types of damage to the labeled biopolymer is presented. Ultimately, the perspectives of studies on DNA sensitization in the context of cancer therapy are discussed.

Reactivity pattern of bromonucleosides induced by 2-hydroxypropyl radicals: photochemical, radiation chemical, and computational studies

The bromonucleosides (BrdX's) 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), 5-bromo-2'-deoxycytidine (BrdC), 8-bromo-2'-deoxyadenosine (BrdA), and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine (BrdG) may substitute for ordinary nucleosides in DNA. As indicated by electron-stimulated desorption experiments, such a modified biopolymer is greater than 2-3-fold more sensitive to damage induced by excess electrons. The other major product of water radiolysis, the (•)OH radical, may form a number of other radicals in chemical reactions with the complex content of the cell. Thus, the well-proved BrdU-labeled DNA radiosensitivity may be, at least in part, related to secondary organic radicals. Therefore, in the current study, the propensity of BrdX's to damage induced by 2-hydroxypropyl radical (OHisop(•))-a prototype radical species-was investigated. The HPLC and LC-MS analyses revealed the formation of two major products from the brominated pyrimidine nucleosides, a native nucleoside and an adduct of BrdX and OHisop(•) , and only an adduct of BrdX from the bromopurine nucleosides. Quantum chemical calculations ascribed this evident difference between purines and pyrimidines to the electron transfer from OHisop(•) to BrdX that is especially favorable in pyrimidines.

The radiosensitivity of 5- and 6-bromocytidine derivatives--electron induced DNA degradation

Halogenated nucleotides belong to the group of radiosensitizers that sensitize solid tumors when incorporated into genomic DNA. Here, we consider the propensity of two isomeric bromocytidine derivatives, 3',5'-diphosphates of 5-bromo-2'-deoxycytidine (5BrdCDP) and 6-bromo-2'-deoxycytidine (6BrdCDP), to be damaged by electrons - one of the most abundant products formed during radiotherapy. An intranucleotide degradation mechanism leading to phosphodiester bond breakage (a model of single strand breakage in labeled DNA) and a ketone derivative formation was found for 6BrdCDP, while for 5BrdCDP a similar mechanism is sterically hindered. 5BrdCDP is, therefore, suggested to undergo electron induced degradation involving hydrogen transfer from a neighboring nucleotide or environment.

Anion states and fragmentation of 2-chloroadenine upon low-energy electron collisions

We report on a joint theoretical and experimental investigation into the electron-induced fragmentation of 2-chloroadenine, for electrons up to 12 eV. Our results suggest that 2-chloroadenine can be considered as potential radiosensitiser.

Excess electron interaction with radiosensitive 5-bromopyrimidine in aqueous solution: a combined ab initio molecular dynamics and time-dependent wave-packet study

Radiation-generated secondary electrons can induce resonance processes in a target molecule and fragment it via different pathways.

An ESR and DFT study of hydration of the 2'-deoxyuridine-5-yl radical: a possible hydroxyl radical intermediate

The mechanism of radiation-induced frank strand break formation in irradiated 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labelled DNA is still unclear despite the proven radiosensitizing properties of BrdU. Combination of ESR spectroscopy and quantum chemical modelling points to a simple reaction between the uridine-5-yl radical and water molecules that produces the genotoxic hydroxyl radical.

Artificial plasmid labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine: a universal molecular system for strand break detection

DNA strand breaks (SBs) are among the most cytotoxic forms of DNA damage, and their residual levels correlate directly with cell death. Hence, the type and amount of SBs is directly related to the efficacy of a given anticancer therapy. In this study, we describe a molecular tool that can differentiate between single (SSBs) and double (DSBs) strand breaks and also assess them quantitatively. Our method involves PCR amplification of a linear DNA fragment labeled with a sensitizing nucleotide, circularization of that fragment, and enzymatic introduction of supercoils to transform the circular relaxed form of the synthesized plasmid into a supercoiled one. After exposure of the molecule to a damaging factor, SSB and DSB levels can be easily assayed with gel electrophoresis. We applied this method to prepare an artificial plasmid labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and to assay SBs photoinduced in the synthesized plasmid.