Electrode potential-controlled DNA damage in the presence of copper ions and their complexes

Supercoiled (sc) DNA immobilized at the surface of a hanging mercury drop electrode was cleaved by reactive oxygen species generated by an electrochemically modulated reaction of copper ions, hydrogen peroxide and/or oxygen. The cleavage was observed in a certain potential region where redox cycling of DNA-bound Cu(II)/Cu(I) took place. In the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline the maximum efficiency of DNA cleavage was shifted to more negative potentials and the effect was enhanced.