PYRIMIDINE DIMER FORMATION IN HUMAN SKIN

Steven E. Freeman, Richard W. Gange, John C. Sutherland, Betsy M. Sutherland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers are major photoproducts formed upon irradiation of DNA with ultraviolet light. We have developed a method for detecting as few as one pyrimidine dimer per million bases in about 50 ng of non‐radioactive DNA, and have used this method to quantitate dimer yields in human skin DNA exposed in situ to UV. We found that UVA radiation (320–400 nm) produces detectable levels of dimers in the DNA of human skin. We also measured UVB‐induced dimer yields in skin of individuals of differing sun sensitivity and found higher yields in individuals with higher UVB minimal erythema doses and greater sun sensitivity. These approaches should provide important information on damage induced in human skin upon exposure to natural or artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)207-212
Number of pages6
JournalPhotochemistry and Photobiology
Volume46
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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