Methods and compositions for direct detection of dna damage

Abstract

The present invention is a method for detecting the extent of DNA damage in a subject suspected of having DNA damage wherein the damage results in the formation of aldehyde moieties in DNA comprising, obtaining a DNA sample from the subject, combining the DNA sample with a fluorescent, chromogenic, pro-fluorescent or pro-chromogenic hydrazine compound to from a fluorescent DNA, detecting the presence of the fluorescent DNA by monitoring the fluorescent emission and quantitating the fluorescent emission thereby determining the extent of DNA damage in the subject.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting DNA damage in a subject suspected of having DNA damage wherein the damage results in the formation of aldehyde moieties in DNA, comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a DNA sample from the subject suspected of having DNA damage; b) combining the DNA sample with a fluorescent or pro-fluorescent hydrazine compound to form a fluorescent DNA; c) detecting the fluorescent DNA by monitoring a fluorescent emission; and d) quantitating the fluorescent emission to determine the DNA damage. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the DNA damage in the subject is the result of the subject being exposed to ionizing radiation or oxidizing chemicals. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pro-fluorescent hydrazine compound is 2-hydrazinoquinoline, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone, 6-hydrazinonicotinamide or 4-hydrazinostilbazole. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the presence of the fluorescent DNA is detected in an isolated DNA sample, a living cell or a tissue sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aldehyde moiety in damaged DNA is 5-FodU or 5-FodC.