Voltammetric detection of damage to DNA caused by nitro derivatives of fluorene using an electrochemical DNA biosensor.

An electrochemical DNA biosensor based on the screen printed carbon paste electrode (SPCPE) with an immobilized layer of calf thymus double-stranded DNA has been used for in vitro investigation of the interaction between genotoxic nitro derivatives of fluorene (namely 2-nitrofluorene and 2,7-dinitrofluorene) and DNA. Two types of DNA damage have been detected at the DNA/SPCPE biosensor: first, that caused by direct association of the nitrofluorenes, for which an intercalation association has been found using the known DNA intercalators [Cu(phen)(2)](2+) and [Co(phen)(3)](3+) as competing agents, and, second, that caused by short-lived radicals generated by electrochemical reduction of the nitro group (observable under specific conditions only).