title: Chromatographic studies on the radiolysis of DNA in aqueous solution.
abstract: Radiation-induced degradation of double-stranded DNA from calf thymus in aqueous solution with sodium phosphate was studied by conventional gel chromatography and by high-performance liquid-gel permeation chromatography. Comparison of the data after radiolysis of aqueous solutions of DNA under anaerobic and aerobic conditions indicates that double-strand breakage is not enhanced by oxygen. An increase of ionic strength impedes the break-down of the DNA molecules, so that loss of DNA can only be observed at doses above 100 Gy. Only reactions of OH-radicals contribute to the fragmentation of DNA, while the presence of hydrated electrons, H.-or formate radicals does not lead to a loss of highly polymerized DNA up to doses of 1500 Gy. High-performance liquid-chromatography proved to be an excellent method of studying the degradation of macromolecules as a function of dose.
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; D004247:DNA; D010100:Oxygen