Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strand break caused by a synthetic cyclic peroxide, 4-ethoxy-1, 4-dihydro-2, 3-benzodioxin-1-ol (Bd) was studied by both ethidium bromide fluorescence quenching and agarose gel electrophoresis. The Bd-mediated DNA strand break occurred dependently on temperature and also on Bd concentration. The reaction proceeded at a temperature higher than 30°C (decomposition temperature of Bd), indicating that the reactive species generated by Bd-decomposition are responsible for the reaction. The reaction was protected by 1, 4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and NaN3. and also moderately by OH radical scavengers such as Na-benzoate and NaBr. Possible involvement of active oxygen radicals including OH radical in the DNA strand break is discussed in relation to the mechanism of Bd decomposition.
