RESUMO
BACKGROUND: DNA and RNA oxidations have been linked to diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis, neurodegeneration and diabetes. The prototype base modification studied is the 8-hydroxylation of guanine. DNA integrity is maintained by elaborate repair systems and RNA integrity is less studied but relies mainly on degradation. SCOPE OF REVIEW: DNA and RNA oxidations are measured by very similar techniques. The scope of this review is to highlight the preferred methods of measurement of oxidized nucleic acid metabolites, to highlight novel findings particularly in RNA oxidation, and to present the interpretation of the measurements. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Tissue levels are snap-shots of the level in a specific organ or cell system and reflect the balance between formation rate and elimination rate (repair), and must be interpreted as such. Urinary excretion is a global measure of oxidative stress in an organism and is therefore best suited for situations or diseases where large parts or the entire organism is stressed by oxidation. It represents the body average rate by which either RNA or DNA is oxidized and is interpreted as oxidative stress. Oxidations of RNA and DNA precursors have been demonstrated and the quantitative importance is debated. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Careful experimental designs and appropriate choice of methodology are paramount for correct testing of hypotheses related to oxidative stress, and pitfalls are plentiful. There is accumulating evidence that DNA oxidation is associated with disease, particularly cancer, and recent evidence points at an association between RNA oxidation and neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Current methods to study reactive oxygen species - pros and cons and biophysics of membrane proteins. Guest Editor: Christine Winterbourn.
