BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterised by the presence of antibodies to double stranded DNA (dsDNA), which are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Previous studies showed that at least two thirds of patients develop a clinical relapse within six months after a significant rise in the anti-dsDNA level, and most relapses were prevented by the administration of corticoster...

Recombinational DNA repair by the RecF pathway of Escherichia coli requires the coordinated activities of RecA, RecFOR, RecQ, RecJ, and single-strand DNA binding (SSB) proteins. These proteins facilitate formation of homologously paired joint molecules between linear double-stranded (dsDNA) and supercoiled DNA. Repair starts with resection of the broken dsDNA by RecQ, a 3'→5' helicase, RecJ, a ...

NEPHRITIS Antibodies against DNA were described in 1957 by four independent research groups (1–4). Scientists at that time could not foresee that the discovery of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) would have an immense impact on our understanding of origin and regulation of autoimmunity in general, and more specifically on autoimmunemediated inflammation. Soon after their discovery, it ...

Anti-single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) B cells are regulated in non-autoimmune mice. In this report we show that while both anti-ssDNA and anti-dsDNA B cells are blocked in their ability to differentiate into antibody-secreting cells, other phenotypic and functional characteristics distinguish them from one another. Splenic anti-ssDNA B cells are found distributed...

Ethidium homodimer (EthD; lambda Fmax 620 nm) at EthD:DNA ratios up to 1 dye:4-5 bp forms stable fluorescent complexes with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) which can be detected with high sensitivity using a confocal fluorescence gel scanner (Glazer, A.N., Peck, K. & Mathies, R.A. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 3851-3855). However, on incubation with unlabeled DNA partial migration of Eth...

Polyhalogenated quinones are a class of carcinogenic intermediates. We found recently that the highly reactive and biologically/environmentally important ·OH can be produced by polyhalogenated quinones and H₂O₂ independent of transition metal ions. However, it is not clear whether this unusual metal-independent ·OH producing system can induce potent oxidative DNA damage. Here we show that TCBQ ...

Single molecules of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were stretched with force-measuring laser tweezers. Under a longitudinal stress of approximately 65 piconewtons (pN), dsDNA molecules in aqueous buffer undergo a highly cooperative transition into a stable form with 5.8 angstroms rise per base pair, that is, 70% longer than B form dsDNA. When the stress was relaxed below 65 pN, the molecules rapid...

Quercetin interaction with dsDNA was investigated electrochemically using two types of DNA biosensor in order to evaluate the occurrence of DNA damage caused by oxidized quercetin. The results showed that quercetin binds to dsDNA where it can undergo oxidation. The radicals formed during quercetin oxidation cause breaks of the hydrogen bonds in the dsDNA finally giving rise to 8-oxoguanine sinc...

Fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (FANA) and anti-double stranded deoxytribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibody testing is an integral part of the evaluation of the patients who are suspected of having connective tissue disease. We tested 2,140 serum samples for FANA and 1,460 serum samples for anti-dsDNA antibodies. Of 2,140 serum samples tested for FANA, 492 (23%) yielded a positive result (tit...