Selenium-containing compounds protect DNA from single-strand breaks caused by peroxynitrite. uri icon

abstract

  • Peroxynitrite (ONOO-/ONOOH) is a powerful oxidant that can induce mutations and cause single-strand breaks in plasmid supercoiled DNA. The selenium-containing compound ebselen rapidly reacts with peroxynitrite. Therefore, ebselen [2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one] and other selenium-containing molecules, selenomethionine and selenocystine, were studied as agents protecting DNA from single-strand breaks induced by peroxynitrite. Selenomethionine and selenocystine protected DNA from single-strand breaks more effectively than their sulfur analogs, methionine and cystine, and they also were more effective than glutathione or the hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol. These results suggest that selenium-containing compounds can protect DNA from damage caused by peroxynitrite.

published proceedings

  • Arch Biochem Biophys

author list (cited authors)

  • Roussyn, I., Briviba, K., Masumoto, H., & Sies, H.

citation count

  • 108

complete list of authors

  • Roussyn, I||Briviba, K||Masumoto, H||Sies, H

publication date

  • June 1996