Electron transfer in DNA and in DNA-related biological processes. Electrochemical insights

The electrochemical reduction and oxidation of DNA bases and constituents, particularly the understanding of excess electron transfer through DNA and of proton-controlled electron transfer aspects of base oxidation have been reviewed. Included in the review are the charge transfer processes through oligonucleotides and DNA duplexes assembled onto electrodes, a field within which the contribution of electrochemistry is of importance. There is also an emphasis on the catalytic repair of ultraviolet-induced DNA lesions by redox photolyase enzymes, and on the detection of oxidative lesions involving charge transfer through DNA in glycosylase enzymes.