TY - JOUR A1 - Hahn, Marc Benjamin T1 - Accessing radiation damage to biomolecules on the nanoscale by particle-scattering simulations JF - Journal of Physics Communications N2 - Radiation damage to DNA plays a central role in radiation therapy to cure cancer. The physico-chemical and biological processes involved encompass huge time and spatial scales. To obtain a comprehensive understanding on the nano and the macro scale is a very challenging tasks for experimental techniques alone. Therefore particle-scattering simulations are often applied to complement measurements and aide their interpretation, to help in the planning of experiments, to predict their outcome and to test damage models. In the last years, powerful multipurpose particle-scattering framework based on the Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) method, such as Geant4 and Geant4-DNA, were extended by user friendly interfaces such as TOPAS and TOPAS-nBio. This shifts their applicability from the realm of dedicated specialists to a broader range of scientists. In the present review we aim to give an overview over MCS based approaches to understand radiation interaction on a broad scale, ranging from cancerous tissue, cells and their organelles including the nucleus, mitochondria and membranes, over radiosensitizer such as metallic nanoparticles, and water with additional radical scavenger, down to isolated biomolecules in the form of DNA, RNA, proteins and DNA-protein complexes. Hereby the degradation of biomolecules by direct damage from inelastic scattering processes during the physical stage, and the indirect damage caused by radicals during the chemical stage as well as some parts of the early biological response is covered. Due to their high abundance the action of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and secondary low energy electrons (LEE) as well as prehydrated electrons are covered in additional detail. Applications in the prediction of DNA damage, DNA repair processes, cell survival and apoptosis, influence of radiosensitizer on the dose distribution within cells and their organelles, the study of linear energy transfer (LET), the relative biological effectiveness (RBE), ion beam cancer therapy, microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), the FLASH effect, and the radiation induced bystander effect are reviewed. KW - DNA KW - Protein KW - G5P KW - OH KW - Au KW - AuNP KW - Radiation KW - SSB KW - DSB KW - Beta decay KW - Brachytherapy KW - Cancer treatment KW - Clustered nanoparticles KW - DNA damage KW - Dosimetry KW - Energy deposit KW - Geant4 KW - Geant4-DNA KW - Gold Nanoparticles KW - Livermore model KW - Low energy electrons KW - MCS KW - Microdosimetry KW - Monte-Carlo simulation KW - NP KW - OH radical KW - Particle scattering KW - Penelope model KW - Proteins KW - Radiation damage KW - Radiation therapy KW - Radiationtherapy KW - Radioactive decay KW - Radiolysis KW - Radiotherapy KW - Simulation KW - TOPAS KW - TOPAS-nbio KW - Base damage KW - Base loss KW - DNA radiation damage KW - Direct damage KW - Dissociative electron attachment (DEA) KW - Dissociative electron transfer (DET) KW - Double-strand break (DSB) KW - ESCA KW - Hydrated DNA KW - Hydrated electron KW - Hydration shell KW - Hydroxyl radical KW - Indirect damage KW - Ionization KW - Ionisation KW - NAP-XPS KW - Near ambient pressure xray photo electron spectroscopy KW - Net-ionization reaction KW - Prehydrated electron KW - Presolvated electron KW - Quasi-direct damage KW - ROS KW - Radical KW - Reactive oxygen species KW - Single-strand break (SSB) KW - XPS KW - Xray KW - Xray photo electron spectrocopy KW - Cosolute KW - Ectoin KW - Ectoine KW - GVP KW - Gene five protein KW - Hydroxyectoine KW - Ionizing radiation damage KW - OH radical scavenger KW - Monte-Carlo simulations KW - Nanodosimetry KW - Osmolyte KW - Particle scattering simulations KW - Protein unfolding KW - Radical Scavenge KW - Radical scavenger KW - Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins KW - SAXS KW - Bio-SAXS KW - X-ray scattering KW - ssDNA KW - dsDNA KW - FLASH effect KW - Bystander effect KW - Ion beam therapy KW - Bragg peak KW - LET KW - MCNP KW - Photons KW - Electrons KW - Carbon ions KW - MRT KW - RNA KW - RBE KW - base loss KW - abasic side KW - DMSO KW - Cells PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-573240 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/2399-6528/accb3f SN - 2399-6528 VL - 7 IS - 4 SP - 042001 PB - Institute of Physics (IOP) Publishing CY - London AN - OPUS4-57324 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hallier, Dorothea C. A1 - Smales, Glen Jacob A1 - Seitz, H. A1 - Hahn, Marc Benjamin T1 - Inside back cover for the article "Bio-SAXS of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins: Radiation protection by the compatible solute ectoine" JF - Physical chemistry chemical physics (PCCP) N2 - Showcasing research from the Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing Berlin and Fraunhofer Institute for Celltherapy and Immunology Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses Potsdam. Bio-SAXS of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins: Radiation protection by the compatible solute ectoine. We aimed to increase the possible undisturbed exposure time during bio-SAXS measurements of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins. Therefore small angle X-ray scattering was performed on Gene-V Protein (G5P/GVP), which is involved in DNA repair processes. To achieve this, irradiations were performed in presence and absence of the hydroxyl-radical scavenger and osmolyte Ectoine, which showed efficient radiation protection and prevented protein aggregation, thus allows for a non-disturbing way to improve structure-determination of biomolecules. KW - Bio-SAXS KW - BioSAXS KW - Cosolute KW - DNA KW - Dosimetry KW - Ectoin KW - Ectoine KW - G5P KW - GVP KW - Geant4 KW - Geant4-DNA KW - Ionizing radiation damage KW - LEE KW - McSAS3 KW - Microdosimetry KW - Monte-Carlo simulations KW - OH Radical KW - OH radical scavenger KW - Protein KW - Protein unfolding KW - Radiation damage KW - Radical Scavenger KW - SAXS KW - Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins KW - Small-angle xray scattering KW - Topas-MC KW - Topas-nBio KW - TopasMC KW - X-ray scattering KW - Particle scatterin simulations KW - ssDNA PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP90056H SN - 1463-9076 SN - 1463-9084 VL - 25 IS - 7 SP - 5889 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-57006 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hallier, Dorothea C. A1 - Smales, Glen Jacob A1 - Seitz, H. A1 - Hahn, Marc Benjamin T1 - Bio-SAXS of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins: Radiation protection by the compatible solute ectoine JF - Physical chemistry chemical physics (PCCP) N2 - Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) can be used for structural determination of biological macromolecules and polymers in their native states (e.g. liquid phase). This means that the structural changes of (bio-)polymers, such as proteins and DNA, can be monitored in situ to understand their sensitivity to changes in chemical environments. In an attempt to improve the reliability of such experiments, the reduction of radiation damage occurring from exposure to X-rays is required. One such method, is to use scavenger molecules to protect macromolecules against radicals produced during radiation exposure, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study we investigate the feasibility of applying the compatible solute, osmolyte and radiation protector Ectoine (THP(B)), as a scavenger molecule during SAXS measurements of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein Gene-V Protein (G5P/GVP). In this case, we monitor the radiation induced changes of G5P during bio-SAXS measurments and the resulting microscopic energy-damage relation was determined from microdosimetric calculations by Monte-Carlo based particle scattering simulations with TOPAS/Geant4 and a custom target-model. This resulted in a median-lethal energy deposit of pure G5P at 4 mg mL−1 of E1/2 = 7 ± 5 eV, whereas a threefold increase of energy-deposit was needed under the presence of Ectoine to reach the same level of damage. This indicates that Ectoine increases the possible exposure time before radiation-damage to G5P is observed. Furthermore, the dominant type of damage shifted from aggregation in pure solutions towards a fragmentation for solutions containing Ectoine as a cosolute. These results are interpreted in terms of indirect radiation damage by reactive secondary species, as well as post-irradiation effects, related to preferential-exclusion of the cosolute from the protein surface. Hence, Ectoine is shown to provide a non-disturbing way to improve structure-determination of proteins via bio-SAXS in future studies. KW - BioSAXS KW - Bio-SAXS KW - Cosolute KW - Ectoine KW - G5P KW - GVP KW - Radiation damage KW - Radical Scavenger KW - Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins KW - X-ray scattering KW - DNA KW - ssDNA KW - Protein KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle xray scattering KW - McSAS3 KW - Dosimetry KW - Microdosimetry KW - Geant4 KW - Geant4-DNA KW - Topas KW - Topas-MC KW - Monte-Carlo simulations KW - Particle scattering simulations KW - Topas-nBio KW - OH Radical KW - OH radical scavenger KW - LEE KW - Ionizing radiation damage KW - Protein unfolding KW - Ectoin PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-568909 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d2cp05053f SN - 1463-9076 SN - 1463-9084 VL - 25 IS - 7 SP - 5372 EP - 5382 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-56890 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Cordsmeier, Leo A1 - Hahn, Marc Benjamin T1 - DNA Stability in Biodosimetry, Pharmacy and DNA Based Data-Storage: Optimal Storage and Handling Conditions JF - ChemBioChem N2 - DNA long-term stability and integrity is of importance for applications in DNA based bio-dosimetry, data-storage, pharmaceutical quality-control, donor insemination and DNA based functional nanomaterials. Standard protocols for these applications involve repeated freeze-thaw cycles of the DNA, which can cause detrimental damage to the nucleobases, as well as the sugar-phosphate backbone and therefore the whole molecule. Throughout the literature three hypotheses can be found about the underlying mechanisms occurring during freeze-thaw cycles. It is hypothesized that DNA single-strand breaks during freezing can be induced by mechanical stress leading to shearing of the DNA molecule, by acidic pH causing damage through depurination and beta elimination or by the presence of metal ions catalyzing oxidative damage via reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we test these hypotheses under well defined conditions with plasmid DNA pUC19 in high-purity buffer (1xPBS) at physiological salt and pH 7.4 conditions, under pH 6 and in the presence of metal ions in combination with the radical scavengers DMSO and Ectoine. The results show for the 2686 bp long plasmid DNA, that neither mechanical stress, nor pH 6 lead to degradation during repeated freeze-thaw cycles. In contrast, the presence of metal ions (Fe2+) leads to degradation of DNA via the production of radical species. KW - DNA KW - DNA stability KW - Pharmacy KW - Reference material KW - pUC19 KW - Strand break KW - SSB KW - Dosimetry KW - Biodosimetry KW - Biologisches Dosimeter KW - DNA Dosimeter KW - Quality control KW - Plasmid DNA KW - DNA data storage KW - Nucleobase KW - Base damage KW - Base loss KW - DNA degradation KW - Metal ions KW - ROS KW - OH radical KW - Fenton Reaction KW - H2O2 KW - DNA based data storage KW - Freezing KW - Thawing KW - Mechanical stress KW - pH KW - Beta elimination KW - Ectoine KW - Ectoin KW - THP(B) KW - Radical scavenger KW - DMSO KW - Buffer KW - lN2 KW - DNA vortexing KW - AGE KW - SYBR Gold KW - Gel electrophoresis KW - DNA long term storage KW - DNA reference material PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-557148 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202200391 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Wiley-VCH GmbH AN - OPUS4-55714 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hobmeier, K. A1 - Cantone, M. A1 - Nguyen, Q. A. A1 - Pflüger-Grau, K. A1 - Kremling, A. A1 - Kunte, Hans-Jörg A1 - Pfeiffer, F. A1 - Marin-Sanguino, A. T1 - Adaptation to varying salinity in Halomonas elongata: Much more than ectoine accumulation JF - Frontiers in microbiology N2 - The halophilic γ-proteobacterium Halomonas elongata DSM 2581T thrives at salt concentrations well above 10 % NaCl (1.7 M NaCl). A well-known osmoregulatory mechanism is the accumulation of the compatible solute ectoine within the cell in response to osmotic stress. While ectoine accumulation is central to osmoregulation and promotes resistance to high salinity in halophilic bacteria, ectoine has this effect only to a much lesser extent in non-halophiles. We carried out transcriptome analysis of H. elongata grown on two different carbon sources (acetate or glucose), and low (0.17 M NaCl), medium (1 M), and high salinity (2 M) to identify additional mechanisms for adaptation to high saline environments. To avoid a methodological bias, the transcripts were evaluated by applying two methods, DESeq2 and Transcripts Per Million (TPM). The differentially transcribed genes in response to the available carbon sources and salt stress were then compared to the transcriptome profile of Chromohalobacter salexigens, a closely related moderate halophilic bacterium. Transcriptome profiling supports the notion that glucose is degraded via the cytoplasmic Entner-Doudoroff pathway, whereas the Embden-Meyerhoff-Parnas pathway is employed for gluconeogenesis. The machinery of oxidative phosphorylation in H. elongata and C. salexigens differs greatly from that of non-halophilic organisms, and electron flow can occur from quinone to oxygen along four alternative routes. Two of these pathways via cytochrome bo' and cytochrome bd quinol oxidases seem to be upregulated in salt stressed cells. Among the most highly regulated genes in H. elongata and C. salexigens are those encoding chemotaxis and motility proteins, with genes for chemotaxis and flagellar assembly severely downregulated at low salt concentrations. We also compared transcripts at low and high-salt stress (low growth rate) with transcripts at optimal salt concentration and found that the majority of regulated genes were down-regulated in stressed cells, including many genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, while ribosome synthesis was up-regulated, which is in contrast to what is known from non-halophiles at slow growth. Finally, comparing the acidity of the cytoplasmic proteomes of non-halophiles, extreme halophiles and moderate halophiles suggests adaptation to an increased cytoplasmic ion concentration of H. elongata. Taken together, these results lead us to propose a model for salt tolerance in H. elongata where ion accumulation plays a greater role in salt tolerance than previously assumed. KW - Ectoine KW - Osmoadaptation PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-545608 DO - https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.846677 SN - 1664-302X VL - 13 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Frontiers Media CY - Lausanne AN - OPUS4-54560 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wittmar, J. A1 - Ohle, Corina A1 - Kunte, Hans-Jörg A1 - Brand, I. T1 - Effect of Ectoine on the Conformation and Hybridization of dsDNA in Monolayer Films: A Spectroelectrochemical Study JF - ChemElectroChem N2 - Lack of long-time stability of dsDNA-based supramolecular assemblies is an important issue that hinders their applications. In this work, 20 base pairs long dsDNA fragments [(dCdG)20 65%] composed of 65% dCdG and 35% dAdT nucleotides were tethered via a thiol to the surface of a gold electrode. The selfassembled (dCdG)20 -65% monolayer was immersed in solutions containing ectoine, a compatible solute. Electrochemical results showed that these monolayers were stable for one month. In situ IR spectroscopy indicated that ectoine interacts weakly with the phosphate-ribose backbone, dehydrating the phosphate groups and stabilizing the A-DNA conformation. This structural reorganization led to a reorientation of nucleic acid base pairs and a local disruption of the double-helix structure. However, the conformation and orientation of the dsDNA fragment was stable in the KW - Ectoine KW - dsDAN monolayer KW - A-DNA conformation PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-533346 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202100816 SN - 2196-0216 VL - 8 IS - 20 SP - 3844 EP - 3854 PB - Wiley-VCH GmbH AN - OPUS4-53334 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hahn, Marc Benjamin A1 - Zutta Villate, J. M. ED - Zutta Villate, J. M. T1 - Combined cell and nanoparticle models for TOPAS to study radiation dose enhancement in cell organelles JF - Scientific Reports N2 - Dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles (AuNP) increases the biological effectiveness of Radiation damage in biomolecules and tissue. To apply them effectively during cancer therapy their influence on the locally delivered dose has to be determined. Hereby, the AuNP locations strongly influence the energy deposit in the nucleus, mitochondria, membrane and the cytosol of the targeted cells. To estimate these effects, particle scattering simulations are applied. In general, different approaches for modeling the AuNP and their distribution within the cell are possible. In this work, two newly developed continuous and discrete-geometric models for simulations of AuNP in cells are presented. These models are applicable to simulations of internal emitters and external radiation sources. Most of the current studies on AuNP focus on external beam therapy. In contrast, we apply the presented models in Monte-Carlo particle scattering simulations to characterize the energy deposit in cell organelles by radioactive 198AuNP. They emit beta and gamma rays and are therefore considered for applications with solid tumors. Differences in local dose enhancement between randomly distributed and nucleus targeted nanoparticles are compared. Hereby nucleus targeted nanoparticels showed a strong local dose enhancement in the radio sensitive nucleus. These results are the foundation for future experimental work which aims to obtain a mechanistic understanding of cell death induced by radioactive 198Au. KW - AuNP KW - Beta decay KW - Brachytherapy KW - Cancer treatment KW - DNA KW - DNA damage KW - Dosimetry KW - Energy deposit KW - Geant4 KW - Geant4-DNA KW - Gold Nanoparticles KW - LEE KW - MCS KW - Microdosimetry KW - Monte-Carlo simulation KW - NP KW - Ectoine KW - OH radicals KW - Radiation damage KW - Radiationtherapy KW - Radioactive decay KW - Simulation KW - Beta particle KW - Clustered nanoparticles KW - Gamma ray KW - Low energy electrons KW - Particle scattering KW - Radiolysis KW - Livermore model KW - Penelope model KW - TOPAS KW - TOPAS-nbio PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-523276 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85964-2 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 11 IS - 1 SP - 6721 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-52327 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wittmar, J. A1 - Meyer, Susann A1 - Sieling, T. A1 - Kunte, Hans-Jörg A1 - Smiatek, Jens A1 - Brand, Izabella T1 - What Does Ectoine Do to DNA? A Molecular-Scale Picture of Compatible Solute−Biopolymer Interactions JF - The Journal of Physical Chemistry N2 - Compatible solutes are accumulated in the cytoplasm of halophilic microorganisms. These molecules enable their survival in a high salinity environment. Ectoine is such a compatible solute. It is a zwitterionic molecule which strongly interacts with surrounding water molecules and changes the dynamics of the local hydration shell. Ectoine interacts with biomolecules such as lipids, proteins and DNA. The molecular interaction between ectoine and biomolecules in particular the interaction between ectoine and DNA is far from being understood. In this paper we describe molecular aspects of the interaction between ectoine and double stranded DNA(dsDNA). Two 20 base pairs long dsDNA fragments were immobilized on a Gold surface via a thiol-tether. The interaction between the dsDNA monolayers with diluted and concentrated ectoine solutions was examined by means of X-ray photoelectron and polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopies (PM IRRAS). Experimental results indicate that the ability of ectoine to bind water reduces the strength of hydrogen bonds formed to the ribose-phosphate backbone in the dsDNA. In diluted (0.1 M) ectoine solution, DNA interacts predominantly with water molecules. The sugar-phosphate backbone is involved in the formation of strong hydrogen bonds to water, which with elapsing time leads to a reorientation of the planes of nucleic acid bases. This reorientation destabilizes the hydrogen bonds strength between the bases and leads to a partial dehybridizaiton of the dsDNA. In concentrated ectoine solution (2.5 M), almost all water molecules interact with ectoine. Under this condition ectoine is able to interact directly with DNA. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the direct interaction involves the nitrogen atoms in ectoine and phosphate groups in the DNA molecule. The results of the quantum chemical calculations Show that rearrangements in the ribose-phosphate backbone, caused by a direct interaction with ectoine, facilitates contacts between O atom in the phosphate group and H atoms in a nucleic acid base. In the PM IRRA spectra, an increase in the number of the IR absorption modes in the base pair frequency region proves that the hydrogen bonds between bases become weaker. Thus, a sequence of reorientations caused by interaction with ectoine leads to a breakdown of hydrogen bonds between bases in the double helix. KW - Compatible solute KW - Ectoine KW - DNA KW - Self-assembled monolayer KW - IR spectroscopy KW - XPS PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c05273 VL - 124 IS - 37 SP - 7999 EP - 8011 PB - ACS Publicatios AN - OPUS4-51182 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Vandrich, Jasmina A1 - Pfeiffer, F. A1 - Alfaro Espinoza, Gabriela A1 - Kunte, Hans-Jörg T1 - Contribution of mechanosensitive channels to osmoadaptation and ectoine excretion in Halomonas elongata JF - Extremophiles N2 - For osmoadaptation the halophilic bacterium Halomonas elongata synthesizes as its main compatible solute the aspartate derivative ectoine. H. elongata does not rely entirely on synthesis but can accumulate ectoine by uptake from the surrounding environment with the help of the osmoregulated transporter TeaABC. Disruption of the TeaABC-mediated ectoine uptake creates a strain that is constantly losing ectoine to the medium. However, the efflux mechanism of ectoine in H. elongata is not yet understood. H. elongata possesses four genes encoding mechanosensitive channels all of which belong to the small conductance type (MscS). Analysis by qRT-PCR revealed a reduction in transcription of the mscS genes with increasing salinity. The response of H. elongata to hypo- and hyperosmotic shock never resulted in up-regulation but rather in downregulation of mscS transcription. Deletion of all four mscS genes created a mutant that was unable to cope with hypoosmotic shock. However, the knockout mutant grew significantly faster than the wildtype at high salinity of 2 M NaCl, and most importantly, still exported 80% of the ectoine compared to the wildtype. We thus conclude that a yet unknown system, which is independent of mechanosensitive channels, is the major export route for ectoine in H. elongata. KW - Halomonas elongata KW - Ectoine KW - Osmotic shock KW - Solute excretion KW - Osmoadaptation KW - Mechanosensitive channel KW - MscS PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-507229 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-020-01168-y VL - 24 SP - 421 EP - 432 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-50722 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hahn, Marc Benjamin A1 - Smales, Glen Jacob A1 - Seitz, H. A1 - Solomun, Tihomir A1 - Sturm, Heinz T1 - Ectoine interaction with DNA: Influence on ultraviolet radiation damage JF - Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics N2 - Ectoine is a small zwitterionic osmolyte and compatible solute, which does not interfere with cell metabolism even at molar concentrations. Plasmid DNA (pUC19) was irradiated with ultraviolet radiation (UV-C at 266 nm) under quasi physiological conditions (PBS) and in pure water in the presence and absence of ectoine (THP(B)) and hydroxyectoine (THP(A)). Different types of UV induced DNA damage were analysed: DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs), abasic sites and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). A complex interplay between these factors was observed with respect to the nature and occurrence of DNA damage with 266 nm photons. In PBS, the cosolutes showed efficient protection against base damage, whilst in pure water, a dramatic shift from SSB damage to base damage was observed when cosolutes were added. To test whether these effects are caused by ectoine binding to DNA, further experiments were conducted: small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), surface-plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements and Raman spectroscopy. The results show, for the first time, a close interaction between ectoine and DNA. This is in stark contrast to the assumption made by preferential exclusion models, which are often used to interpret the behaviour of compatible solutes within cells and with biomolecules. It is tentatively proposed that the alterations of UV damage to DNA are attributed to ectoine influence on nucleobases through the direct interaction between ectoine and DNA. KW - Ectoine KW - DNA KW - Radiation damage KW - Radiation protection KW - SSB KW - DNA damage KW - DNA protection KW - Compatible solute KW - Zwitterion KW - Hydroxyectoine KW - Salt KW - PBS KW - UV absorption KW - DNA strand-break KW - DNA base damage KW - Ectoine UV absorption KW - Ectoine DNA protection KW - Excited states KW - UV irradiation KW - UV-A KW - UV-B KW - UV-C KW - 266nm KW - UV photons KW - Ectoine-DNA binding KW - Raman spectroscopy KW - UV-Vis KW - Radical scavenger KW - OH scavenger KW - Hydroxyl radicals KW - CPD KW - Abasic site KW - Agarose gel electrophorese KW - SYBR gold KW - DNA melting temperature KW - Counterions KW - Preferential exclusion KW - Cancer KW - Therapy KW - UV protection KW - Sunscreen PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-505772 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d0cp00092b SN - 1463-9076 SN - 1463-9084 VL - 22 IS - 13 SP - 6984 EP - 6992 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-50577 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -