UV degradation of genomic DNA from in vitro grown plant species: A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic assessment

In this work, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of seven untreated and UV irradiated genomic DNAs extracted from leaves of different in vitro grown plant species, respectively, have been analyzed in the 800-1800 cm−1 spectral range, in order to investigate their screening characteristic features and their structural response to UV treatment at 253.7 nm. As far as the untreated genomic plant DNAs are concerned, both A and B backbone vibrational modes were detected. A low amount of Z-DNA was also found in the untreated nucleic acids, especially for DNA from Rosa. Besides, in vitro grown plant species dependent UV degradation of DNA has been observed. The major UV influence on nucleic acids from leaf tissues was observed in the case of DNA isolated from Drosera, Hypericum, Leontopodium and Rosa, respectively. It seems, that in a lesser extent is affected Sequoia DNA by UV irradiation at 253.7 nm. Particularly, alterations in nucleic acid bases, base pairing and base stacking have been found. Also, changes in DNA conformation and sugar groups were detected. The DNA conformation seems to be in our cases, a mixture of conformational states. However, A-form DNA is the predominant conformation in both non-irradiated and irradiated samples.