title: DNA breakage by L-DOPA and Cu(II): breakage by melanin and bacteriophage inactivation.
abstract: We have previously shown that L-DOPA in the presence of Cu(II) caused DNA cleavage through the generation of reactive oxygen species such as the hydroxyl radical. Since L-DOPA is the precursor for the synthesis of melanin, we have studied the action of melanin on DNA in a similar reaction. In this paper, we show that melanin in the presence of Cu(II) also causes DNA strand breakage. However, the rate of such strand breakage is considerably less than l-DOPA. Melanin and L-DOPA are both capable of generating superoxide anion. Furthermore, the action of L-DOPA and Cu(II) on bacteriophage lambda reduces its viability. The results are discussed in relation to the putative role of L-DOPA-Cu(II) system as a source of endogenous generation of reactive oxygen species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hadi
mesh_terms: D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000187:drug effects*; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008543:Melanins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010957:Plasmids
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D007980:Levodopa; D003300:Copper; D004247:DNA