The majority of studiesinvolving radical induced nucleic acid damage have been limited to DNA.Investigations focusing on RNA damage have increased after studies implicatedthis phenomenon as an underlying cause in the early development ofneurodegenerative diseases. Like DNA, RNA is susceptible to oxidative damage byexogenous or endogenous sources. In order to understand the relationship betweendisease development and radical formation, it is essential to understandradical initiated damage to nucleic acids.  The goal of this project is to study radicalinduced RNA damage. 5'-Pivaloyluridine was successfully synthesized and utilized for thegeneration of the ribosyl 5'-radical through Norrish type I photocleavage.Photolysis under anaerobic conditions using glutathione or tri-n-butyltinhydride as H-atom donors delivered several products that were analyzed by HPLC.Formation of the expected reduction product uridine as well as the baseelimination product uracil was identified. Further investigation of 5'-radicalderived products will be discussed.

Synthesis of modified uridine as a radical precursor for the study of oxidative damage to RNA

242nd National Meeting (2011)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.