DNA Strand Breaks Induced by 0–4 eV Electrons: The Role of Shape Resonances

Frédéric Martin, Paul D. Burrow, Zhongli Cai, Pierre Cloutier, Darel Hunting, and Léon Sanche
Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 068101 – Published 3 August 2004

Abstract

Collisions of 0–4 eV electrons with thin DNA films are shown to produce single strand breaks. The yield is sharply structured as a function of electron energy and indicates the involvement of π* shape resonances in the bond breaking process. The cross sections are comparable in magnitude to those observed in other compounds in the gas phase in which π* electrons are transferred through the molecule to break a remote bond. The results therefore support aspects of a theoretical study by Barrios et al. [J. Phys. B 106, 7991 (2002)] indicating that such a mechanism could produce strand breaks in DNA.

  • Figure
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  • Received 15 March 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.068101

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Frédéric Martin1, Paul D. Burrow2, Zhongli Cai1, Pierre Cloutier1, Darel Hunting1, and Léon Sanche1,*

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada
  • 2Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0111, USA

  • *Present address: Université de Sherbrooke, Département de medicine nucléaire et de radiobiologie, 3001, 12 Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1H 5N4 Email address: Leon.Sanche@usherbrooke.ca

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Vol. 93, Iss. 6 — 6 August 2004

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