Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Nida Rehmani

Publications

• Research Article
  DNA Binding and its Degradation by the Neurotransmitter Serotonin and its Structural Analogues Melatonin and Tryptophan: Putative Neurotoxic Mechanism
  Author(s): Nida Rehmani, Mohd Farhan and Sheikh Mumtaz HadiNida Rehmani, Mohd Farhan and Sheikh Mumtaz Hadi
  
  Over the years, DNA damage has been suggested to be directly linked to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and ageing. There is ample evidence suggesting that considerable DNA damage may be induced by metabolites produced during normal or aberrant metabolic processes. Herein, we examine the chemical basis of cytotoxicity of some endogenous metabolites. Towards this goal, we study the DNA reactive activities of the neurotransmitter serotonin and its structural analogues tryptophan and melatonin in the presence of copper. Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals a simple mode of interaction of these metabolites with calf thymus DNA and copper ions. The results of agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrate copper mediated strand scission in plasmid pBR322 DNA by these metabolites. Further, the relative DNA binding affinity order was affirmed using molecular docking studies involving the interaction of these .. Read More»
  

  Abstract PDF