DARK AND PHOTOREACTIVITY OF 4'-AMINOMETHYL-4,5',8-TRIMETHYLPSORALEN WITH T7-PHAGE

The dark and photoreactions of 4′-aminomethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen (AMT) with T7 phage were investigated from biological and structural points of view. The dark reaction leads to the structural destabilization of the double helix of the DNA as is shown by optical melting measurements. The genotoxicity of AMT in the dark is comparable with that of known genotoxic drugs as determined by phage inactivation. The photoreaction with UVA light leads to the formation of mono- and di-adducts depending on the wavelength and dose used. Mono- and di-adducts influence DNA stability differently; biologically both types of adducts are genotoxic as measured by action spectra. © 1990.