New insights into pterin-photosensitized oxidation of 2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-monophosphate

DNA and its components, the nucleotides, are susceptible to oxidation, which alters normal cellular development and functioning, including the formation of mutations and the appearance of cancerous processes. Therefore, the study of the mechanisms involved in the oxidation of these molecules is relevant to prevent damage to genetic material. Electromagnetic radiation causes damage to DNA triggering the oxidation of all nucleobases, with guanine being the most affected. Depending on the wavelength, UV radiation can cause direct or photosensitized damage to DNA and its components; however, since solar radiation has wavelengths greater than 300 nm and is not absorbed by nucleobases, the primary damage is photosensitized. Here, we are presenting new evidence on the photosensitized oxidation of the adenine nucleotide, 2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-monophosphate (dAMP). Pterin is used as a model photosensitizer since it is present in all living systems and absorbs radiation in the UV-A region, the main UV component in solar radiation. We analyze the mechanisms involved and the role of superoxide anion (O₂ ^•-), evidencing that this reactive oxygen species protects dAMP by recovering the nucleotide after one-electron oxidation. Oxidation product analysis revealed the formation of 2'-allantoin-5´monophosphate (dAlMP).