Degradation of Nucleosides by Direct and Alternating Electric Currents

Abstract

Degradation of four nucleosides, 2′-deoxyguanosine, 2′-deoxyadenosine, 2′-deoxycytidine, and thymidine, in potassium phosphate buŠer of pH 7.4 by direct and alternating electric currents was monitored by HPLC. When a direct current of 3 V was applied to the nucleoside solution, all the nucleosides were consumed time-dependently. Results for voltage dependence showed that the nucleosides were decomposed above 0.8 V for 2′-deoxyguanosine, 1.5 V for 2′-deoxyadenosine, and 2.5 V for 2′-deoxycytidine and thymidine. Results of frequency dependence of alternating current at 3 V showed that increasing frequency caused decreasing consumption of all the nucleosides, and that no consumption was observed above 3,000 Hz. The results suggest that accidental ingestion of batteries or electrical shock by domestic power supply may induce alternation of nucleosides.

Sensing Dna With Alternating Currents Using a Nanogap Sensor Embedded in a Nanochannel Device

“…The literature indicates that denatured bases are permanently oxidized in a d.c. current, but that a.c. currents above 1 kHz or so are not as damaging. 26 DNA in vivo also is hypothesized to oxidize and reduce reversibly without permanent damage. 27 We thus believe that a properly solvated, double stranded molecule indeed can be probed cyclically, but that a reverse bias has to be provided.…”