Electron transfer through DNA and peptides.
Electrons can migrate through DNA and peptides over very long distances in a multistep hopping process. Stepping stones, which carry the charges for a short time, are the nucleotide bases of DNA or the aromatic side chains of amino acids in peptides. Chemical reactions of these charged intermediates lead to the formation but also to the repair of DNA lesions. In enzymes, long distance electron transfer can activate the binding pocket, and initiates the chemical transformation of the substrate.
Giese
Bernd
B
Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns Ring 19, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland. bernd.giese@unibas.ch
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D004583:Electrons; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*
D005609:Free Radicals; D010455:Peptides; D004247:DNA