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Development of a DNA-dosimeter system for monitoring the effects of solar-ultraviolet radiation

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Abstract

Solar radiation sustains and affects all life forms on Earth. In recent years, the increase in environmental levels of solar-UV radiation due to depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, as a result of anthropogenic emission of destructive chemicals, has highlighted serious issues of social concern. This becomes still more dramatic in tropical and subtropical regions, where the intensity of solar radiation is higher. To better understand the impact of the harmful effects of solar-UV radiation on the DNA molecule, we developed a reliable biological monitoring system based on the exposure of plasmidDNA to artificial UV lamps and sunlight. The determination and quantification of different types of UV photoproducts were performed through the use of specific DNA repair enzymes and antibodies. As expected, a significant number of CPDs and 6-4PPs was observed when the DNA-dosimeter system was exposed to increasing doses of UVB radiation. Moreover, CPDs could also be clearly detected in plasmidDNA when this system was exposed to either UVA or directly to sunlight. Interestingly, although less abundant, 6-4PPs and oxidative DNA damage were also generated after exposure to both UVA and sunlight. These results confirm the genotoxic potential of sunlight, reveal that UVA may also produce CPDs and 6-4PPs directly in naked DNA and demonstrate the applicability of a DNA-dosimeter system for monitoring the biological effects of solar-UV radiation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil

    André Passaglia Schuch, Rodrigo da Silva Galhardo, Keronninn Moreno de Lima-Bessa & Carlos Frederico Martins Menck

  2. Southern Regional Space Research Center, CRSPE/INPE-MCT, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

    Nelson Jorge Schuch

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  1. André Passaglia Schuch
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  2. Rodrigo da Silva Galhardo
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  5. Carlos Frederico Martins Menck
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Correspondence to Carlos Frederico Martins Menck.

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Schuch, A.P., da Silva Galhardo, R., de Lima-Bessa, K.M. et al. Development of a DNA-dosimeter system for monitoring the effects of solar-ultraviolet radiation. Photochem Photobiol Sci 8, 111–120 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1039/b810085c

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