Photochemistry of Nucleic Acid Bases

Addition of Amino Acids to Nucleic Acids

Abstract

Photochemical reactions of pyrimidine and purine bases are reviewed. These include photodimerization, photohydration, and photoadditions of pyrimidine bases. Photoadditions of nucleic acid with a wide variety of compounds are also described. In particular, photoinduced addition of amino acids to nucleic acid constituents are discussed in connection with the photoinduced cross-linking of nucleic acids to proteins.