TY - JOUR A1 - Hahn, Marc Benjamin A1 - Susann, Meyer A1 - Schröter, Maria-Astrid A1 - Kunte, Hans-Jörg A1 - Solomun, Tihomir A1 - Sturm, Heinz T1 - DNA protection by ectoine from ionizing radiation: molecular mechanisms T2 - Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics N2 - Ectoine, a compatible solute and osmolyte, is known to be an effective protectant of biomolecules and whole cells against heating, freezing and extreme salinity. Protection of cells (human keratinocytes) by ectoine against ultraviolet radiation has also been reported by various authors, although the underlying mechanism is not yet understood. We present the first electron irradiation of DNA in a fully aqueous environment in the presence of ectoine and at high salt concentrations. The results demonstrate effective protection of DNA by ectoine against the induction of single-strand breaks by ionizing radiation. The effect is explained by an increase in low-energy electron scattering at the enhanced free-vibrational density of states of water due to ectoine, as well as the use of ectoine as an ˙OH-radical scavenger. This was demonstrated by Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - United Kingdom KW - Ectoine KW - DNA KW - Radiation protection KW - Ionizing radiation KW - Compatible solute KW - Biomolecules KW - Sodium chloride KW - Aqueous solution KW - Hydroxyectoine KW - Raman spectroscopy KW - Electron irradiation KW - Cancer KW - Radical scavenger KW - Low energy electrons KW - Hydroxyl radical KW - OH-radical KW - Ectoin KW - UV radiation KW - Sun KW - Salt KW - Radiation therapy PY - 2017 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-bam/frontdoor/index/index/docId/41933 AN - OPUS4-41933 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-419332 UR - http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2017/cp/c7cp02860a SN - 1463-9076 VL - 19 IS - 37 SP - 25717 EP - 25722 AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany