title: 5-Bromodeoxyuridine radiosensitization: conformation-dependent DNA damage.
abstract: DNA structure has recently emerged as one of the key factors governing the ability of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to radiosensitize DNA. Here, we report the dependence of the specific damage induced by BrdU for different DNA conformations. Strand breaks are specific for B-form DNA, whereas A-DNA only undergoes formation of piperidine-sensitive DNA lesions. Interstrand cross-links are only found in semi-complementary B-DNA. DNA conformation was altered by gradually rehydrating lyophilized DNA samples, which induces an A- to B-form transition. These results were also validated by irradiating DNA in solution, in the presence or absence of 80% ethanol to induce an A- or B-form, respectively. Alkali-labile DNA lesions were revealed using hot piperidine to transform both base and sugar lesions into strand breaks. We also analyzed the location of damage as a function of DNA structure: piperidine-sensitive lesions were observed exclusively at the site of BrdU substitution, whereas strand breaks were able to migrate along the DNA strand, with a clear preference for the adenine 5' of the BrdU. Thus, not only the hybridization state but also the DNA conformation affect the degree of sensitization by BrdU by influencing the amount and type of damage produced. Although clinical trials using BrdU as a radiosensitizer have been disappointing up to this point, these new findings point to several key features of BrdU radiosensitization that may alter future radiotherapeutic studies.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Radiooncology (CR2), Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1H 5N4.
authors.forename: Marie-Eve
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dextraze
authors.forename: J Richard
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Darel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hunting
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D053960:DNA Breaks; D004249:DNA Damage; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005720:Gamma Rays; D008954:Models, Biological; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation / Q000528:radiation effects; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D010880:Piperidines / Q000737:chemistry; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D010880:Piperidines; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol; C032727:piperidine; D004247:DNA; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D009609:Nitrous Oxide