DNA Breaking Reaction with Catecholamines

Abstract

Breaking activity of catecholamines and their structural analogues on λ DNA were investi-gated by agarose slab gel electrophoresis. Since λ DNA has a homogenous molecular size, it is a favorable material to detect the activity of DNA breaking reagent. Among the com-pounds tested, those having enediol group were only active, though their activities remarkably differed owing to their side chains. The profile of the breaking reaction was studied in detail by the use of one of the catecholamines, epinephrine.