Dependence of the yields of AP sites and AP clusters produced in pUC18 plasmid DNA on scavenging capacity and radiation quality

Shiina, Takuya; Sugaya, Yuki ; Shiraishi, Iyo; Watanabe, Ritsuko; Yokoya, Akinari

Many studies using synthetic AP clusters reported that AP clusters retard base excision repair processes. Sutherland et al. (2002) showed that AP clusters are induced efficiently in human cells by low LET X-irradiation with the similar yields with those for the pyrimidine or purine base lesion clusters. There, however, has been very little knowledge of AP sites and AP clusters induced by high LET radiation. In order to clarify the relation between track structure of C ions or X-rays and the induction processes of an AP or AP clusters, we measure the yield of AP sites visualized by the treatment of irradiated pUC18 plasmid DNA with the AP endoclease (Nfo), which converts an AP site to detectable single strand break. Several scavenging capacities of the samples are tested to estimate the effect of indirect action of diffusible OH radicals. These experimental data will be discussed with theoretical radiation track structure in the respect of repair susceptibility of the AP cluster.