Abstract
N-formamido-(DNA) is one of the main lesions formed on the thymidylic fragments of DNA when DNA, in vitro or in vivo conditions, is exposed to ionising radiations. The N-formamido group partly replaces the thymine base in DNA sequence.
This article proposes an indirect dosing technique for this damage. The method is based on the release of 14CO2 from the C-2 of the thymine ring. When the pyrimidine ring of the thymidine moiety is broken, N-formamido deoxyribose derivative, carbon dioxide and pyruvamide are formed all in the same reaction. During this investigation the phenomena of protection due to the constituent parts of the cell and to the secondary and tertiary structures of DNA are also evidenced.
