lambda DNA-fragmenting actions of ascorbic acid and triose reductone in the presence of Cu2+

Lambda DNA-fragmenting actions of ascorbic acid (AsA) and triose reductone (TR) in the presence of Cu2+ were studied. The mixture of AsA or TR and Cu2+ caused a marked fragmentation of lambda DNA (3.2 X 10(7) daltons) within the first 1 min of reaction. Further incubation resulted in accumulation of the most abundant species of fragmented lambda DNA having a molecular weight of 1.3 X 10(5) daltons. The mixture of AsA or TR and Cu2+ fragmented calf thymus DNA to produce the fragmented DNA of which 5'-OH terminal groups have a mixture of free OH groups and phosphodiester linkage. The mixture of AsA or TR and Cu2+ was also found to fragment lambda DNA to produce dCMP predominantly as 5'-OH terminal nucleotides.