CHEMICAL PROTECTION AND REPAIR OF THE CARBOHYDRATE PART OF DNA .1. PRODUCTS OF 2-DEOXY-D-RIBOSE RADIOLYSIS IN THE ABSENCE OF OXYGEN AND A RADIOPROTECTOR

The yields of 2-deoxy-D-ribose (DR) radiolysis products were determined in an aqueous N2O-saturated solution by their reaction with thiobarbituric acid. One of the products was identified as malonic dialdehyde (MDA). It was established that the MDA yield [G(MDA)] increased 4 - 5 times with an increase in the DR concentration from 10(-3) to 10(-1) mol/l regardless of the presence of oxygen. The high efficiency of the reaction between DR and hydrogen atoms in forming MDA was found by using tert-butanol as a hydroxyl radical scavenger. The reaction mechanism leading to MDA formation is discussed.