dnaaddukter

DNA addukter, or DNA adducts, are covalent attachments of chemical groups to DNA. They arise when reactive compounds or their metabolites interact with DNA bases or the sugar-phosphate backbone, altering the structure of the molecule. Common sources include environmental mutagens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylating agents, aldehydes, and certain processed foods or tobacco smoke. The resulting adducts can occur at various nucleotides, with guanine and adenine being frequent targets.

Adduct formation can interfere with DNA replication and transcription. If not repaired, adducts may cause misincorporation of bases, mutations, or replication blocks, contributing to carcinogenesis and other diseases. The biological impact depends on the adduct’s position, stability, and the efficiency of cellular DNA repair pathways. Nucleotide excision repair and base excision repair are among the primary mechanisms that remove many DNA adducts; persistent or complex adducts can be more challenging to repair and may have longer biological effects.

Detection and measurement of DNA addukter are used in toxicology and exposure assessment. Techniques include 32P-postlabeling and advanced methods such as LC-MS/MS, which can quantify specific adducts in tissues or bodily fluids. In risk assessment, the presence and levels of DNA adducts are considered biomarkers of exposure to genotoxic chemicals and potential cancer risk.

Overall, DNA addukter reflect chemical exposure and biological response, linking environmental factors to potential genetic outcomes.