title: An overview of chemical processes that damage cellular DNA: spontaneous hydrolysis, alkylation, and reactions with radicals.
abstract: The sequence of heterocyclic bases on the interior of the DNA double helix constitutes the genetic code that drives the operation of all living organisms. With this said, it is not surprising that chemical modification of cellular DNA can have profound biological consequences. Therefore, the organic chemistry of DNA damage is fundamentally important to diverse fields including medicinal chemistry, toxicology, and biotechnology. This review is designed to provide a brief overview of the common types of chemical reactions that lead to DNA damage under physiological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, 125 Chemistry Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211. gatesk@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Kent S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Gates
mesh_terms: D000478:Alkylation; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D018736:DNA Adducts / Q000737:chemistry; D004249:DNA Damage; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D006868:Hydrolysis
chemical_list: D018736:DNA Adducts; D005609:Free Radicals; D004247:DNA