Faraday communications. Electron conduction and trapping in DNA. An electron spin resonance study

Abstract

Exposure of intercalated DNA to γ-rays at 77 K gives two radical anions, identified as thymine (T^˙–) and intercalator (int^˙–) radical anions. Growth of the Int^˙– signal follows an exponential law with 50% scavenging of T^˙– at ca. 1 : 110 (Int^˙– to base pairs). Thus on average, electrons traverse ca. 200 bases before becoming trapped.