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Site-specific cleavage of single-stranded DNAs at unique sites by a copper-dependent redox reaction

Nature volume 335, pages 186–188 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

Metal ions play a crucial role not only in the formation and maintenance of nucleic acid structure, but also in important biochemical conversions of polynucleotides. Some aqueous metal ions, acting as general acid/base (or electrophilic/nucleophilic) catalysts, can induce site-specific cleavage of RNA1–6. DNA is not cleaved efficiently by the non-redox metal-induced mechanism7. However, DNA degradation by radicals formed in the metal-catalysed auto-oxidation of ascorbate (or other reducing agents) is well known8–11. In the past, the observed cleavage reactions have not been very specific. Here, we report a non-enzymatic cleavage of single-stranded DNA occurring at unique sites due to redox reactions involving copper. This could be considered a 'self-cleavage' reaction, by analogy with the lead-induced non-redox RNA cleavage reaction3–5. This site-specific cleavage of DNA, stimulated by ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide, is most efficient under physiological conditions, so this phenomenon may have biological significance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Siberian Division of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev Prospekt 8, Novosibirsk, 630090, USSR

    Sergey A. Kazakov, Tatiana G. Astashkina, Sergey V. Mamaev & Valentin V. Vlassov

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  1. Sergey A. Kazakov
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  2. Tatiana G. Astashkina
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  3. Sergey V. Mamaev
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  4. Valentin V. Vlassov
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Kazakov, S., Astashkina, T., Mamaev, S. et al. Site-specific cleavage of single-stranded DNAs at unique sites by a copper-dependent redox reaction. Nature 335, 186–188 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/335186a0

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