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Interaction of DNA and liposomes as a model for membrane-mediated DNA damage

Nature volume 267, pages 78–79 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

WE have described the antioxidant activity of calf thymus DNA on the oxidation of liposomal suspensions1; we now report the damaging consequences to the biological activity of bacterial transforming DNA in such a system. Because DNA is associated with eukaryotic2 and bacterial cell membranes3, the DNA–membrane interaction described here may be relevant to several pathological processes, including carcinogenesis4–7, ageing8–11 and oxygen-dependent, radiation-induced cell lethality10,11. In the presence of oxygen, the unsaturated fatty chains of membrane phospholipid undergo autoxidation12. These autocatalytic free radical reactions, due to their chain nature, both amplify and propagate an initiating event occurring within the membrane, during which time many highly reactive and potentially damaging chemical species are formed13.

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Author notes

  1. DENNIS D. PIETRONIGRO

    Present address: Department of Pharmacology, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, Ct, 06510

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center, New York, New York, 10016

    DENNIS D. PIETRONIGRO, W. BARRIE G. JONES, KATHY KALTY & HARRY B. DEMOPOULOS

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  1. DENNIS D. PIETRONIGRO
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  2. W. BARRIE G. JONES
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  3. KATHY KALTY
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  4. HARRY B. DEMOPOULOS
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PIETRONIGRO, D., JONES, W., KALTY, K. et al. Interaction of DNA and liposomes as a model for membrane-mediated DNA damage. Nature 267, 78–79 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/267078a0

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