title: Investigating DNA Radiation Damage Using X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy.
abstract: The biological influence of radiation on living matter has been studied for years; however, several questions about the detailed mechanism of radiation damage formation remain largely unanswered. Among all biomolecules exposed to radiation, DNA plays an important role because any damage to its molecular structure can affect the whole cell and may lead to chromosomal rearrangements resulting in genomic instability or cell death. To identify and characterize damage induced in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbone, in this work we performed x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the P K-edge on DNA irradiated with either UVA light or protons. By combining the experimental results with theoretical calculations, we were able to establish the types and relative ratio of lesions produced by both UVA and protons around the phosphorus atoms in DNA.
authors.affiliation: Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland; Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: joanna.czapla-masztafiak@psi.ch.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Czapla-Masztafiak
authors.affiliation: Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland; Institute of Physics, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Kielce, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szlachetko
authors.affiliation: Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lipiec
authors.affiliation: Ångström Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacinto
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Penfold
authors.affiliation: Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huthwelker
authors.affiliation: Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Camelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borca
authors.affiliation: Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abela
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Kwiatek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D011522:Protons; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D056928:X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D004247:DNA; C427203:calf thymus DNA