The Role of Electrons’ Spin in DNA Oxidative Damage Recognition

Formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-20-deoxyguanosine (OG) is one of the most common forms of DNA oxidative damage found in human cells. Although this damage is prevalent in many disease states, it only marginally influences the structure and stability of double -stranded DNA (dsDNA). Therefore, it is a challenge to establish the mechanism by which this damage is detected by repair enzymes. We investigated the position-dependent effect of the damage on the interactions between dsDNA and oligopeptides using atomic force microscopy. The results were confirmed by monitoring the spin and location-dependent polarizability of the damaged DNA, applying a Hall device. The observations suggest that the interac-tion of peptide with DNA depends on oxidative damage in the DNA and on its location relative to the point of contact between the peptide and the DNA. Hence, a remote search mechanism for damage in DNA is possible.