Les électrons de très faible énergie produisent des lésions de l'ADN.

Site- and energy-selective slow-electron production through intermolecular Coulombic decay

“…For example, SSBs in DNA are produced favorably by electrons with energies between 0 and 4 eV [36], while DSBs are mostly induced by electrons with energies above 6 eV [11]. We note that only for electrons with energies below 15 eV the microscopic mechanisms for strand breakage have been investigated [10,11,[37][38][39] (for brief discussion on higher energy electrons, see Supplementary Materials). In all the ICD processes during the cascade two or more neighboring ions are produced directly leading to damaging Coulomb explosion [3,40].…”

“…Low-energy electrons (LEEs) [10,11], as well as radical cations [12], the direct products of the ICD, are known to be effective in causing single-and double-strand breaks in DNA. Recent experiments even suggest that ICD electrons contribute up to about 50% of the single-strand breaks (SSB) in DNA [13].…”

“…Recent experiments even suggest that ICD electrons contribute up to about 50% of the single-strand breaks (SSB) in DNA [13]. Moreover, these electrons possess energies at which much harder to repair double-strand breaks (DSB) occur [10,14] and the energetic cations produced in Coulomb explosions may additionally damage the DNA.…”

Soft X-ray and Low Energy Electron-Induced Damage to DNA under N2 and O2 Atmospheres

“…It is usually accepted 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 that the detrimental biological effects of ionizing radiation, such as X-and γ-rays, are largely caused by damage to the DNA of living cells. This damage is classified as direct and indirect.…”

Interaction of Self-Assembled Monolayers of DNA with Electrons: HREELS and XPS Studies

“…Among the few studies is an investigation of lowenergy electron damage to plasmid DNA deposited on a substrate and exposed to an electron beam. 1,2 The electron interactions with the DNA and the fundamental mechanisms of damage to the DNA strand induced by the impact of lowenergy electrons were also examined. 3,4 In an additional set of experiments involving thick layers of DNA condensed on a substrate, an electron beam impinged on the sample to produce ions.…”