Reactive molecular dynamics study on the first steps of DNA damage by free hydroxyl radicals

Ramin M. Abolfath, A. C.T. Van Duin, Thomas Brabec

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

102 Scopus citations

Abstract

We employ a large scale molecular simulation based on bond-order ReaxFF to simulate the chemical reaction and study the damage to a large fragment of DNA molecule in the solution by ionizing radiation. We illustrate that the randomly distributed clusters of diatomic OH radicals that are primary products of megavoltage ionizing radiation in water-based systems are the main source of hydrogen abstraction as well as formation of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the sugar moiety that create holes in the sugar rings. These holes grow up slowly between DNA bases and DNA backbone, and the damage collectively propagates to a DNA single and double strand break.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11045-11049
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry A
Volume115
Issue number40
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 13 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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