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EPR study on the photosensitized generation of reactive oxygen species by actinomycin D

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Abstract

Actinomycin D (AMD) is an anticancer antibiotic that can bind selectively to both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA, and this binding greatly enhances DNA photosensitization. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in combination with spin trapping techniques, a systematic study was carried out on the reactive oxygen species generated in the photosensitization process of AMD. It was found that 1O2 and \(O_2^{ - \cdot } \) are important reactive intermediates either in solution or in DNA complexes, and the generation of these species is in competition. This finding suggests that the photodynamic action of AMD proceeds via two pathways: energy transfer (type I mechanism) and electron transfer (type II mechanism). 1O2 is the main product formed via energy transfer reaction in solution while electron transfer between the excited states of AMD and DNA becomes the predominant pathway in DNA complexes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Radiation Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Nuclear Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201800, Shanghai, China

    Jingxi Pan, Tiecheng Tu, Zhenhui Han, Xichen Cai, Side Yao & Nianyun Lin

  2. Institute of Plant Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China

    Suping Zhang

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  1. Jingxi Pan
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  2. Suping Zhang
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  3. Tiecheng Tu
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  4. Zhenhui Han
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  5. Xichen Cai
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  6. Side Yao
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  7. Nianyun Lin
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Correspondence to Side Yao.

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Pan, J., Zhang, S., Tu, T. et al. EPR study on the photosensitized generation of reactive oxygen species by actinomycin D. Sc. China Ser. B-Chem. 45, 449–454 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1360/02yb9058

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1360/02yb9058

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