Le rayonnement UV solaire induit des modifications de la structure chimique des bases nucléiques de l'ADN essentiellement au niveau de site dipyrimidinique et conduit principalement à la formation des adduits cyclobutanique et (6-4). Ces adduits sont impliqués dans le photovieillisement et le cancer cutané. Les adduits (6-4) sont potentiellement les plus dangereux en raison de leurs propriétés mutagènes intrinsèques.La conformation de l'ADN représente l'un des facteurs gouvernant la formation de l'adduit (6-4). Afin, d'identifier les paramètres structuraux favorisant sa formation, des analogues du dinucléotide de thymine, de conformation choisie, ont été synthétisés. Les modifications chimiques apportées au sein des dinucléotodes ont permis de déplacer l'équilibre conformationnel Nord/Sud du désoxyribose de la thymidine, vers une conformation majoritaire souhaitée. Une analyse structurale par dichroïsme circulaire et une étude préliminaire de photoréactivité ont été réalisées sur ces dinucléotides modifiés. Les résultats obtenus révèlent l'implication de formes minoritaires empilées de ces dinucléotides dans la formation de l'adduit (6-4). De plus, l'étude photochimique montre que l'augmentation de conformères Nord et Sud du dinucléotide aux extrémités 5' et 3', respectivement, favorise la formation de l'adduit (6-4). Cependant, une conformation totalement contrainte Nord et Sud aux extrémités 5' et 3', respectivement, défavorise sa formation.Ces résultats ont permis d'identifier une conformation augmentant le rendement de formation de l'adduit (6-4) et permettront de concevoir de nouveaux modèles conduisant à la formation exclusive de ces adduits. Ces modèles pourront être utilisés en biologie en vue d'applications thérapeutiques ou comme outil en biophysique afin d'élucider le mécanisme de formation de cet adduit. / Exposure of DNA to solar UV light induces chemical modifications on its nucleic bases that are responsible for photoaging and skin cancer. Two major DNA photoproducts class exist: cyclobutane and (6-4) adducts. The latter is intrinsically more mutagenic than the cyclobutane adduct and therefore potentially more dangerous.DNA conformational parameters influence (6-4) adducts formation. To identify structural factors governing (6-4) adduct formation; we synthesized dinucleotides endowed with a specific conformation. Nucleoside moieties exist in a dynamic equilibrium between North and South conformation. Nucleoside conformational changes have been introduced by chemical modifications to obtain desired conformations. Then a structural study by circular dichroism correlated with photochemical study was done. It showed that minor stacked conformers promote (6-4) adduct formation. Moreover, the photochemical study reveals that the increase of North and South conformers at the 5' and 3' end, respectively, increased (6-4) adduct formation but a locked dinucleotide almost precluded (6-4) adduct formation. This result helps to design new models favoring (6-4) adduct formation. Understanding the conformational parameters that govern (6-4) adduct formation will facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies and the elucidation of the (6-4) adducts formation mechanism.

Ultraviolet light is damaging but fish have evolved protective mechanisms, which allows them to live in shallow water reefs, high in UV radiation. This thesis details my investigation into the physiological ecology of solar ultraviolet (UV) absorbing compounds, known as mycosporine-like amino acids found in the external epithelial mucus, and examines the supporting role potentially played by a UV-induced DNA repair mechanism in coral reef fish of the Indo-Pacific. Using reverse phase chromatography and UV spectrophotometry, I examined whether the distribution of MAA compounds across different areas of the body is correlated with differential UV exposure. Comparisons were made between the MAA content and the absorbance spectra of mucus from the dorsal, ventral, caudal and head body surface areas in five species of Scaridae (Chlorurus sordidus, Scarus schlegeli, S. niger, S. psittacus and S. globiceps) from Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay, Western Australia. All fish analysed had at least five MAAs present, and results showed that fish had increased UV absorbance in mucus over the dorsal area, which receives the brunt of UV radiation. Little UV protection was found in mucus from the ventral area, which receives the lower level of UV radiation mostly via reflection of the sand and reef surfaces. Furthermore, UV absorbance per mg dry mucus versus standard fish length showed that there is a positive relationship in C. sordidus with increasing size. I examined whether there is a difference in the quantity of UV screening compounds found in the mucus of fish along a longitudinal geographical gradient from inshore reefs (Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef) to the outer edge reefs to oceanic reefs (Osprey Reef). MAA absorbance increased with longitudinal distance from the mainland landmass of Australia to more oligotrophic outer reefs, where UV attenuation is reduced and the ocean is more transparent to UV wavelength. I determined that fish living on inshore, more turbid reefs where UV attenuation in shallow waters is high have lower levels of MAA protection than fish from clear oceanic reefs. Furthermore, there seems to be a direct relationship between light attenuation and exposure with the quantity of protective sunscreening found in the mucus of reef fish. It is know that UV irradiation decreases with water depth and that mucus from fish with deep habitats absorbs less UV than that of fish from shallow habitats. It is unknown however, whether this UV protection is variable within the same individuals and if so, how fast changes 11 occur. To test this, I relocated 9 ambon damselfish from a deep reef (18 m) to a shallow reef (1.5 m) to expose fish to increased levels of UV and relocated another 7 fish from a shallow to a deep reef to expose fish to decreased levels of UV. One week after relocation, all fish were returned to their original reef site to determine whether MAA levels would return to their initial levels. Fish relocated to a shallower depth were recovered and had a 60% (SD+/-2%) increase in mucus UV absorbance. Conversely, the fish relocated to a deeper depth were recovered and had a 41% (SD+/-1%) decrease mucus UV absorbance. No difference was found between UV absorbance of relocated and original fish at both depth. Six days after fish were returned to their original reef, mucus UV absorbance levels had returned to 67% +/- 4% of the original level. These results show that mucus UV absorbance is variable in individual ambon damselfish and that the sunscreen protection typical for a certain depth is reached in relocated fish within just a few days of relocation. The rate of MAA loss is higher than the accumulation of MAAs suggesting that diet is not the sole determining factor involved in the sequestration of MAAs to mucus. The cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus performs a mutualistic service by removing ectoparasites such as gnathiid isopods as well other dead infected tissue from its clients. Cleaner fish however are also known to feed on client mucus. The benefits of eating mucus until recently were unclear. In this study, we analysed the mucus of several cleaner fish clients to determine whether mucus feeding has a nutritional advantage over gnathiids and whether cleaner fish obtain their own MAA protection through this dietary mucus ingestion. Results show that host fish that are infected with gnathiids of poor nutritional value, in contrast to those that harbour gnathiids with higher nutritional value, continuously exude mucus that has both high nutritional value and high MAA content. These findings support the conclusion that in a competitive market for cleaners some host fish are forced to offer more than parasites to cleaners. Ultraviolet light that is not filtered by UV absorbing compounds such as MAA may still lead to DNA damage such as the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) or 6-4 photoproducts (6-4 PPs). However, coral reef fish have alternative mechanisms to overcome UV induced damage via the photolyase DNA repair mechanisms. We experimentally demonstrated for the first time that a coral reef fish species, the moon wrasse Thalassoma lunare has the ability to repair DNA damage via photoreactivation. Fish both with and without MAA protection were irradiated with UVB wavelength to induce DNA lesions. Half of the experimental fish were then exposed to photoreactivating wavelength to induce DNA repair 12 while the other fish were blocked from the repair mechanisms. Fish which had undergone DNA repair had the lowest number of lesions regardless of mucus MAA protection. When fish were blocked from photoreactivation wavelengths MAA sunscreens clearly served a photoprotective role. The amount of damage was greatest in fish which both lacked MAAs and which were also blocked from photoreactivating wavelengths. Thus for the overall UV protection of fish both the MAA sunscreens as well as the DNA repair system play a significant role in counteracting UV damage. Ultraviolet protection by MAA sunscreens is ubiquitous in marine fish. To date the same 5 MAA compounds (palythine (λmax 320 nm), asterina (λmax 330 nm), palythinol (λmax 332 nm), usujirene (λmax 357 nm) and palythene (λmax 360nm) have been identified in the mucus of several different species of reef fish from Australia. Here we report the first evidence of the presence of additional UV absorbing compounds found in the mucus of fish from Indonesia. Using UV spectroscopy the mucus of four species of fish was compared between both geographical regions. The presence of an additional peak between 294-296 nm wavelengths suggests the presence of gadusol and/or deoxygadusol, which are photoprotective compounds, thought to be the precursors of MAAs. Thus, UV protecting compounds in the mucus of fish may not be as conserved between different regions as previously assumed. Our knowledge concerning the effect of UV radiation has advanced considerably in the past decade and my research findings contribute to the better understanding of protective mechanisms of marine fish. The correlations I have found between UV attenuation/exposure, depth, and longitude of sampled individuals lead me to believe that mucus UV absorbing MAA compounds are a highly efficient adaptive defence.

[ES] Los estudios sobre los daños en el ADN se han incrementado en las últimas décadas con el fin de profundizar en su implicación en la aparición del cáncer. Entre el gran número de lesiones del ADN, los aductos de tipo eteno han sido objeto de interés debido a su presencia en los tejidos humanos crónicamente inflamados. Asimismo, su cuantificación es útil para su uso como potencial biomarcador del cáncer de colon, próstata, pulmón, etc. Además, estas lesiones presentan propiedades altamente mutagénicas e inducen transiciones de bases o transversiones en las células de mamíferos. Los aductos de tipo eteno se generan principalmente de forma endógena como resultado de la peroxidación lipídica. Este proceso bioquímico produce aldehídos reactivos como el malondialdehído, que pueden combinarse con las bases del ADN creando un anillo exocíclico.Este anillo exocíclico proporciona a la nucleobase un sistema extendido p-conjugado que puede conferirles propiedades ópticas diferentes a las de las bases canónicas, lo que puede suponer una amenaza para la fotoestabilidad del ADN. Las bases canónicas tienen la capacidad de disipar la mayor parte de la energía recibida a través de canales no radiativos eficientes que conducen de nuevo al estado fundamental. Por lo tanto, los estudios sobre las propiedades ópticas de estos aductos etenos son clave para establecer si estas lesiones pueden poner en peligro la relajación eficiente de los estados excitados de las bases y desencadenar una fotorreactividad indeseada del ADN. La primera parte de la tesis trata de evaluar la fotoactividad potencial de estas lesiones del ADN mediante un estudio espectroscópico. En el Capítulo 3 se combinan experimentos de upconversión de fluorescencia en la escala de femtosegundos y cálculos teóricos (en los niveles PCM-TD-DFT y CASPT2/CASSCF) para proporcionar una imagen completa de la relajación de los estados excitados del aducto mutagénico 3,N4-eteno-2'-desoxicitidina (edC). El Capítulo 4 aborda las propiedades fotofísicas de los aductos junto con su fotorreactividad en presencia de fotosensibilizadores comunes como la Rosa de Bengala (RB) y la 4-carboxibenzofenona (CBP), prestando especial atención a la interacción con el 1O2. En condiciones aeróbicas, se observa una interacción con 1O2 para los tres aductos estudiados. Curiosamente, se observan los mismos fotoproductos, las nucleobases originales, para la irradiación en condiciones anaeróbicas, abriendo la posibilidad de un mecanismo mixto de Tipo I y Tipo II cuando se utiliza Rosa de Bengala como fotosensibilizador, y de Tipo I para la 4-carboxibenzofenona. Finalmente, el último capítulo trata de unir todos los conocimientos adquiridos sobre la fotorreactividad de los e-aductos para elegir el mejor cromóforo tratando de optimizar el proceso de reparación observado en el Capítulo 4. Para ello se utilizan sistemas híbridos de nanopartículas metálicas de Ag como matriz de soporte para la Rosa de Bengala. Las NPs metálicas, como las Ag NPs, poseen una resonancia plasmónica superficial localizada (LSPR), este efecto amplifica una gran variedad de fenómenos ópticos que pueden mejorar las propiedades ópticas de la Rosa de Bengala. / [CA] Els estudis sobre els danys en l'ADN s'han incrementat en les últimes dècades amb la finalitat d'aprofundir en la seua implicació en l'aparició del càncer. Entre el gran nombre de lesions de l'ADN, els adductes de tipus eteno han sigut objecte d'interés degut a la seua presència en els teixits humans crònicament inflamats, la qual cosa fa que la seua quantificació siga útil com a potencials biomarcadors del càncer de còlon, pròstata, pulmó, etc. A més, aquestes lesions presenten propietats altament mutagèniques i indueixen transicions de bases o transversions en les cèl·lules dels mamífers. Els adductes de tipus eteno es formen principalment de manera endògena com a resultat de la peroxidació dels lípids. Aquest procés bioquímic produeix aldehids reactius com el malondialdehid, que poden combinar-se amb les bases de l'ADN creant un anell exocíclic. Aquest anell exocíclic proporciona a les nucleobases un sistema estés p-conjugat que pot conferir-les propietats òptiques diferents a les de les bases canòniques, i que poden suposar una amenaça per a la fotoestabilitat de l'ADN. Les bases canòniques tenen la capacitat de dissipar la major part de l'energia d'excitació a través de canals no radiatius eficients que condueixen de nou a l'estat bàsic. No obstant això, els estudis sobre les propietats òptiques d'aquests adductes de tipus eteno són fonamentals per a deixar clar si aquestes lesions poden posar en perill aquesta relaxació eficient i desencadenar una fotoreactivitat indesitjada de l'ADN. La primera part de la tesi tracta d'estimar el potencial fotoactiu d'aquestes lesions de l'ADN mitjançant un estudi espectroscòpic. En el Capítol 3 es combinen experiments de "upconversió" de fluorescència en una escala de femtosegons i càlculs teòrics (en els nivells PCM-TD-DFT i CASPT2/CASSCF) per a proporcionar una imatge completa de la relaxació dels estats excitats del adducte mutagènic 3,N4-eteno-2'-desoxicitidina (edC). El Capítol 4 aborda les propietats fotofísiques dels adductes restants juntament amb el seua fotoreactivitat en presència d'alguns fotosensibilitzadors comuns com la Rosa de Bengala (RB) i la 4-carboxibenzofenona (CBP), prestant especial atenció a la interacció amb el 1O2. S'observa la interacció amb 1O2 per als tres adductes estudiats. Curiosament, s'observa la mateixa formació de nucleobases per a la irradiació en condicions anaeròbiques, obrint la possibilitat d'un mecanisme mixt de Tipus I i Tipus II quan s'utilitza Rosa de Bengala com fotosensibilitzador i de Tipus I per a la 4-carboxibenzofenona. Finalment, l'últim capítol tracta d'unir tots els coneixements adquirits sobre la fotoreactivitat dels adductes de tipus eteno per a triar el millor cromòfor tractant d'optimitzar el procés de reparació observat en el Capítol 4. Per a això s'utilitzen sistemes híbrids de nanopartícules metàl·liques de Ag com a matriu de suport per a la Rosa de Bengala. Les NPs metàl·liques, com les de Ag, posseeixen ressonància plasmónica superficial localitzada (LSPR), aquest efecte amplifica una gran varietat de fenòmens òptics que poden millorar les propietats òptiques de la Rosa de Bengala. / [EN] Studies dealing with DNA damages have increased during the last decades in order to get more insight into their involvement in the appearance of cancer. Among the large number of DNA lesions, etheno adducts have been the matter of interest because of their presence in chronically inflamed human tissues, making their quantification useful as potential biomarkers for cancer of colon, prostate, lung, etc. Moreover, these lesions exhibit highly mutagenic properties and induce base transitions or transversion in mammal cells. Etheno adducts are mainly formed endogenously as a result of lipid peroxidation. This biochemical process produces reactive aldehydes such as malondialdehyde, which can combine with DNA bases creating the exocyclic ring. This exocyclic ring provides to the nucleobases an extended p- conjugated system that might confer them optical properties different from those of the canonical bases, and can pose a threat to the DNA photostability. Canonical bases have the ability to dissipate most of the excitation energy through efficient nonradiative channels leading back to the ground state. However, the studies about the optical properties of this etheno adducts are basics to make it clear whether these lesions can jeopardize this efficient relaxation and trigger undesired DNA photoreactivity. The first part of the thesis establishes the potential photoactivity of these DNA lesions through a spectroscopic study. Chapter 3 joints femtosecond fluorescence upconversion experiments and theoretical calculations (at the PCM-TD-DFT and CASPT2/CASSCF levels) to provide a comprehensive picture of the mutagenic etheno adduct 3,N4-etheno-2'-deoxycytidine (edC) excited states relaxation. Chapter 4 addresses the photophysical properties of the adducts together with its photoreactivity in the presence of some common photosensitizers as Rose Bengal and 4-carboxybenzophenone, paying a special attention to interaction with 1O2. Interaction with 1O2 is observed for the three studied e-adducts. Interestingly, the same nucleobase formation is detected for irradiation under anaerobic conditions, opening the possibility of a mixed Type I and Type II mechanism when Rose Bengal is used as photosensitizer, and Type I for 4-carboxybenzophenone. Finally, the last chapter takes advantage of all the gained knowledge about the photoreactivity of e-adducts to choose the best chromophore and optimize the repair process observed in Chapter 4. To achieve this, hybrid systems of Ag metal nanoparticles are used as a support matrix for the Rose Bengal. Metal NPs, such as Ag NP, possess localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This effect amplifies a wide variety of optical phenomena that can enhance the Rose Bengal optical properties. / Lizondo Aranda, P. (2022). Photoreactivity of DNA Etheno Adducts: Spectroscopic and Mechanistic Study [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/189688