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Hypochlorous acid induced structural and conformational modifications in human DNA: A multi-spectroscopic study
Irfan Qadir Tantry1, Sana Waris1, Safia Habib1
1Department of Biochemistry, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, U.P., India.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|August 16, 2017
Summary
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) damages human DNA, causing structural changes like strand breaks. This DNA damage may lead to mutations, epigenetic alterations, and diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is produced by activated phagocytes during inflammation.
- HOCl-induced DNA damage, including base and nucleotide modifications, is linked to carcinogenesis and other pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and conformational alterations in human placental DNA induced by HOCl using biophysical techniques.
Main Methods:
- Biophysical techniques such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, and scanning electron microscopy were employed.
- Analysis of HOCl-modified DNA properties including hyperchromicity, fluorescence, melting temperature, conformational changes, band shifts, strand breakage, and aggregation.
Main Results:
- HOCl exposure resulted in hyperchromicity, reduced fluorescence, and a decreased melting temperature of DNA.
- CD and FT-IR studies indicated significant conformational changes and shifts in DNA band positions.
- Agarose gel electrophoresis and scanning electron microscopy revealed DNA strand breakage and reduced aggregation.
Conclusions:
- HOCl induces significant conformational and structural perturbations in mammalian DNA.
- These HOCl-induced DNA alterations may lead to mutations, epigenetic dysregulation, and potentially contribute to cancer and autoimmune diseases.
