4-Chloro-orthophenylenediamine alters DNA integrity and affects cell survival: inferences from a computational,

Shifa Khan1, Asif Ali1, Moinuddin1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.

Insights

Hair dye component 4-chloro-orthophenylenediamine (4-Cl-OPD) directly interacts with DNA, causing structural damage and cell death. This study reveals its molecular mechanisms, including DNA binding and oxidative stress induction in lymphocytes.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hair dyes contain toxic compounds with documented health risks like carcinogenicity.
  • Limited understanding exists regarding the interaction mechanisms between hair dye components and nucleic acids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular interactions of 4-chloro-orthophenylenediamine (4-Cl-OPD), a hair dye component, with DNA.
  • To assess the impact of 4-Cl-OPD on DNA structure, integrity, and cellular viability.

Main Methods:

  • Computational analysis
  • Biophysical and biochemical assays
  • Microscopic examination
  • Cell-based studies using lymphocytes

Main Results:

  • 4-Cl-OPD binds to the minor groove of DNA, preferentially at G-C rich regions, inducing strand breaks and thermal instability.
  • Observed DNA fragmentation, reduced molecular size, altered B-DNA conformation, and disrupted secondary structure.
  • 4-Cl-OPD triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, increased DNA tail length in comet assays, and reduced lymphocyte viability.

Conclusions:

  • 4-Cl-OPD exhibits direct molecular and cellular toxicity by interacting with DNA and inducing oxidative stress.
  • The findings establish a mechanistic link between hair dye components and DNA damage, impacting cell survival.