Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 2004, 69, 1395-1428
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc20041395

Electron Binding to Nucleic Acid Bases. Experimental and Theoretical Studies. A Review

Daniel Svozil*, Pavel Jungwirth and Zdeněk Havlas

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry and Centre for Complex Molecular Systems and Biomolecules, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic

Abstract

An in-depth knowledge of an excess electron binding mechanism to DNA and RNA nucleobases is important for our understanding of radiation damage influence on the biological functions of nucleic acids, as well as for the possible use of DNA molecules as wires in molecular electronic circuits. The of anions created by electron attachment to individual nucleic acid bases is discussed in detail. The principles of the experimental and theoretical approaches to the description of these anions are outlined, and the available results concerning valence- and dipole-bound anions of nucleic acid bases are reviewed. A review with 167 references.

Keywords: DNA; RNA; Nucleobases; Anions; Dipole-bound; Valence-bound; Ab initio calculations; Photoelectron spectroscopy; Rydberg electron transfer; Vertical detachment energy; Adiabatic electron affinity; Vertical electron affinity; Uracil; Thymine; Adenine; Guanine; Cytosine.

References: 167 live references.