Induction of single strand scission in bacteriophage phi X174 replicative form I DNA by mitomycin C.

The action of mitomycin C on double-stranded replicative form I DNA (RF I DNA; supercoiled, covalently closed, circular duplex DNA) of bacteriophage phi X174 was investigated using the technique of agarose gel electrophoresis. Mitomycin C reduced with sodium hydrosulfite (sodium dithionite, Na2S2O4) caused single strand scission in phi X174 RF I DNA in the presence of Cu2+. Cu2+ was essential for this DNA cleave action, and other transition metal ions such as Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Co2+ and Zn2+ were of no effect. This DNA strand scission was inhibited by catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and various radical scavengers. This DNA strand scission was caused by free oxygen radicals generated during autoxidation of reduced mitomycin C in the presence of Cu2+.