Formation of Complexes of Hydrogen Peroxide Molecules with DNA

Authors

  • D. V. Piatnytskyi Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Nat. Acad. of Sci. of Ukraine
  • O. O. Zdorevsky Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Nat. Acad. of Sci. of Ukraine
  • S. M. Perepelytsya Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Nat. Acad. of Sci. of Ukraine
  • S. N. Volkov Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Nat. Acad. of Sci. of Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15407/ujpe61.03.0219

Keywords:

DNA, hydrogen peroxide, Bragg peak, ionic therapy

Abstract

A possibility for hydrogen peroxide molecules to form stable complexes with atomic groups in the DNA backbone under the irradiation of the cell medium with high-energy ions has been studied. The energy of complexes is estimated, by taking the electrostatic and van der Waals interactions into account in the framework of the atom-atom potential function method. The interaction with metal counterions, which neutralize the surface charge of a macromolecule under natural conditions, is also taken into consideration. Stable configurations are determined for various complexes consisting of the atoms belonging to a DNA phosphate group, H2O2 and H2O molecules, and a Na+ metal ion. The complexes of hydrogen peroxide molecules with DNA phosphate groups and a counterion are shown to be not less stable than their complexes with water molecules. The attachment of an H2O2 molecule to a phosphate group of the double helix backbone can block the processes of DNA biological functioning and can deactivate the genetic mechanism of a cell.

Published

2019-01-06

How to Cite

Piatnytskyi, D. V., Zdorevsky, O. O., Perepelytsya, S. M., & Volkov, S. N. (2019). Formation of Complexes of Hydrogen Peroxide Molecules with DNA. Ukrainian Journal of Physics, 61(3), 219. https://doi.org/10.15407/ujpe61.03.0219

Issue

Section

Soft matter