Interactions between low energy electrons and DNA: a perspective from first-principles simulations

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Radiation Chemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Radiation exposure can cause DNA damage, impacting cell replication and survival.
• Historically, radicals were considered the primary agents of radiation-induced DNA damage.
• Seminal research revealed low-energy electrons (LEE) also induce DNA strand breaks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review experimental and theoretical findings on the role of LEE in DNA damage.
• To elucidate the physics and chemistry underlying radiation-induced DNA damage.
• To investigate the influence of physiological environments on LEE-induced DNA damage.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental data on radiation-induced DNA damage.
• Analysis of theoretical models describing electron-DNA interactions.
• First-principles molecular dynamics simulations of LEE interactions in physiological environments.

Main Results:

• Low-energy electrons (LEE) are significant contributors to DNA damage, alongside radicals.
• The propagation and interaction of LEE with DNA involve complex physical and chemical processes.
• Environmental factors, including aqueous solutions and histone amino acids, modulate LEE-induced DNA damage.

Conclusions:

• LEE play a critical role in DNA damage mechanisms following irradiation.
• Realistic physiological conditions significantly influence the outcome of LEE-DNA interactions.
• Further research is needed to fully understand and potentially mitigate LEE-induced DNA damage.