An oxidized abasic lesion as an intramolecular source of DNA adducts

5′-(2-Phosphoryl-1,4-dioxobutane) (DOB) is a lesion produced in DNA via a variety of damaging agents. The DOB lesion spontaneously generates cis- and trans-but-2-en-1,4-dial (1) via β-elimination. Cis- and trans-but-2-en-1,4-dial forms exocyclic adducts with nucleosides. We used chemically synthesized DNA containing tritiated DOB incorporated at defined sites to examine the reactivity of cis- and trans-but-2-en-1,4-dial. Although the local DNA sequence does not appear to influence the distribution of nucleoside adducts, we find that DOB generates relatively high yields of cis- and trans-but-2-en-1,4-dial nucleoside adducts that likely are promutagenic.