Abstract
Dihydropyrazines (DHPs), which are derived from sugars, inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli. Addition of copper(II) ion (Cu2+) accelerates the effect of DHPs, resulting in cell death. Investigation of the lethal effect in several DNA repair-deficient or detoxifying enzyme-deficient mutant strains and radical scavengers suggested that the cytotoxic and genotoxic damage was caused by radical species (hydroxyl, superoxide anion, and carbon-centered radicals) generated from reaction of DHPs with Cu2+.
