Breaking Up with DNA
Poster Number
22
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Chemotherapy can destroy many cancerous cells but it destroys some healthy cells as well. Some chemicals destroy cancer cells by alkylating DNA. Another method for killing fast growing cancer cells uses the Fenton reaction which involves hydrogen peroxide, a specific pH, and a ferrous iron catalyst. The peroxide reacts to a hydroxide ion and a hydroxyl free radical. The hydroxyl free radical is the primary oxidizing species which oxidizes and breaks apart organic molecules, such as DNA. We have set up Fenton reactions in a test tube and studied the effect on DNA strand breaks. Recently, we have begun investigating a nickel complex that had been shown to cause DNA single strand breaks. In this case, reactions that break up the DNA may be enhanced by the ability of complex to intercalate or slide between the bases of DNA. There may be different methods to cause DNA strand breaks but in any case, antioxidant should be able to prevent it. Antioxidants are molecules that slow down the production of free radicals and oxidation reactions. They can remove radical intermediates and are often called reducing agents. Small amounts of antioxidants may help prevent cancer by preventing DNA strand caused by environmental chemicals. Large amounts of antioxidants or antioxidants taking during chemotherapy may not be helpful. In order be able to study the effect of different amounts of antioxidants on the Fenton reaction and other reactions that cause DNA strand breaks we have been optimizing methods for detecting DNA strand breaks.
Location
Pacific Geosciences Center
Start Date
5-5-2007 1:00 PM
End Date
5-5-2007 3:00 PM
Breaking Up with DNA
Pacific Geosciences Center
Chemotherapy can destroy many cancerous cells but it destroys some healthy cells as well. Some chemicals destroy cancer cells by alkylating DNA. Another method for killing fast growing cancer cells uses the Fenton reaction which involves hydrogen peroxide, a specific pH, and a ferrous iron catalyst. The peroxide reacts to a hydroxide ion and a hydroxyl free radical. The hydroxyl free radical is the primary oxidizing species which oxidizes and breaks apart organic molecules, such as DNA. We have set up Fenton reactions in a test tube and studied the effect on DNA strand breaks. Recently, we have begun investigating a nickel complex that had been shown to cause DNA single strand breaks. In this case, reactions that break up the DNA may be enhanced by the ability of complex to intercalate or slide between the bases of DNA. There may be different methods to cause DNA strand breaks but in any case, antioxidant should be able to prevent it. Antioxidants are molecules that slow down the production of free radicals and oxidation reactions. They can remove radical intermediates and are often called reducing agents. Small amounts of antioxidants may help prevent cancer by preventing DNA strand caused by environmental chemicals. Large amounts of antioxidants or antioxidants taking during chemotherapy may not be helpful. In order be able to study the effect of different amounts of antioxidants on the Fenton reaction and other reactions that cause DNA strand breaks we have been optimizing methods for detecting DNA strand breaks.