Cu(2+)-dependent DNA-cleaving activity of arenes

Oxidative DNA cleavage by free and oligonucleotide-conjugated O-bromobenzoic acid in the presence of copper(II) ions

o-Bromobenzoic acid was found to promote copper-dependent reactive oxygen species formation from molecular oxygen, resulting in DNA base modification and backbone cleavage. The oligonucleotide conjugate bearing 5-(4'-aminopropyl-sulfomoyl)-2-bromobenzoic acid as a reactive group was synthesized and DNA cleavage activity of this oligonucleotide conjugate was tested on a model deoxyoligonucleotide.

New reagent for protein-DNA contacts footprinting

We have found, that the reaction of o-bromobenzoic acid with Cu2+ ions can be used as a source of activated oxygen species capable of cleaving DNA. Possibility to apply this reaction for footprinting the nucleosome core in the reconstituted chromatin was demonstrated.