Abstract
Background
The structural perturbations in DNA molecule may be caused by a break in a strand, a missing base from the backbone, or a chemically changed base. These alterations in DNA that occurs naturally can result from metabolic or hydrolytic processes. DNA damage plays a major role in the mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, aging and various other patho‐physiological conditions. DNA damage can be induced through hydrolysis, exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other reactive carbonyl metabolites including 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE). 4‐HNE is an important lipid peroxidation product which has been implicated in the mutagenesis and carcinogenesis processes.
Methods
The present study examines to probe the presence of auto‐antibodies against 4‐hydroxynonenal damaged DNA (HNE–DNA) in various cancer subjects. In this study, the purified calf thymus DNA was damaged by the action of 4‐HNE. The DNA was incubated with 4‐HNE for 24 h at 37°C temperature. The binding characteristics of cancer auto‐antibodies were assessed by direct binding and competitive inhibition ELISA.
Results
DNA modifications produced hyperchromicity in UV spectrum and decreased fluorescence intensity. Cancer sera exhibited enhanced binding with the 4‐HNE modified calf thymus DNA as compared to its native conformer. The 4‐HNE modified DNA presents unique epitopes which may be one of the factors for the auto‐antibody induction in cancer patients.
Conclusion
The HNE modified DNA presents unique epitopes which may be one of the factors for the autoantibody induction in cancer patients.