Function of Cu2+ on the DNA-breaking actions of ascorbic acid and triose reductone

The role of Cu2+ on the DNA-breaking action of ascorbic acid (AsA) and triose reductone (TR) was studied with an agarose slab gel electrophoretic analysis. AsA and TR decomposed calf thymus DNA which had been pretreated with Cu2+, and their decomposing activity was proportional to the concentration of Cu2+ bound to the DNA. The DNA-Cu2+ complex had the ability to oxidize reductones. AsA and TR also decomposed the pretreated DNA with Cu2+ more markedly than that pretreated with Cu2+ and successively with EDTA. The DNA-breaking activity of AsA and TR showed no Cu2+-concentration dependency. The maximal fragmentation of DNA occurred at the concentration ratio of DNA and Cu2+ of 4:1. Excess concentration of Cu2+ decreased the activity of reductones. The present results indicate that the binding of Cu2+ to DNA molecules is also essential for the DNA-breaking action of AsA and TR in the presence of Cu2+ and that Cu2+ bound to DNA molecules has more effective promoting activity than free Cu2+.