Trapping of DNA radicals with the nitrone spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide and genotoxic damage: Recent advances using the immuno-spin trapping technology.

Immuno-spin trapping detection of DNA radicals with the nitrone spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrloine N-oxide (DMPO) has made important contributions towards the understanding of DNA radicalization and genotoxicity at sites of inflammation. At sites of inflammation, one-electron oxidants and chloramines decay induce oxidation of genomic DNA, genotoxicity and cell transformation. Radicalization of DNA can result in either single- or double-strand breaks, or end-oxidation products at the sugar or bases. If not repaired, these modifications can lead to mutations and cell transformation. If trapped with DMPO, DNA-centered radical decay and subsequent formation of end-oxidation products are blocked. Herein we discuss recent literature regarding the use of immuno-spin trapping with DMPO to study DNA-centered radicals and their involvement in genotoxicity. This technique has shown the critical role of DNA radicalization in 8-oxo-dG formation and DNA strand breaks in isolated DNA, cells and in whole animals. Combination of technologies, including immuno-spin trapping and powerful chromatographic and sequencing techniques are needed to move forward the field towards the detection of specific genes that are susceptible to oxidative damage in cells located at sites of inflammation. This is important in order to provide novel information about genotoxicity mechanisms, as well as therapeutic possibilities of DMPO or its derivatives for preventing DNA-centered radical-mediated carcinogenesis.