Abstract
The mechanism of the DNA breaking activity of 1-amino-l-deoxy-D-fructose (o-isoglucosamine) in double-stranded replicative form I DNA (RFI DNA) of bacteriophage φX174 was investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis under various conditions. Cu2+ was indispensable for DNA strand scission. Induction of scission by D-isoglucosamine was proportional to incubation time and concentration, and was inhibited by the addition of chelating agents (EDTA, DETAPAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and some other free radical scavengers. These results suggested that DNA strad scission by D-isoglucosamine was caused by oxygen radicals generated during the autoxidation of D-isoglucosamine in the presence of Cu2+.
