5-Hydroxymethyl-2’-deoxyuridine
(HmdU) is formed from thymidine during the oxidation of DNA by ionizing
radiation or reactive oxygen species (ROS)vthat are formed from
inflammatory response. This
causes genetic mutations, altered gene expression and chromosomal
instability that has generally been implicated with aging, cancers and
autoimmune diseases.
Systemic
oxidative stress levels, as evidenced by DNA damage products in the blood
and urine, appear to be associated with a risk of various cancers,
including that of the breast, lung and colorectal cancers.
Cigarette smoke contains numerous chemical carcinogens and other
compounds that generate reactive oxygen species that can damage DNA
directly or indirectly via inflammatory processes.
HmdU is one of the major oxidized DNA bases that is significantly
elevated in the white blood cells of women diagnosed with beast cancer,
which may be a result of diminished DNA repair.
Individuals with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations may be at increased risk
for cancer due to deficiencies in the repair of DNA lesions caused by ROS.
Additionally, antibody titers recognizing HmdU have also been found
to be significantly elevated in women with breast, color and rectal
cancers. Therefore, oxidative
DNA damage is therefore an attractive marker of disease risk as it takes
into account not only the exposure to and production of oxidants, but also
the cells’ DNA repair ability.
A goat antiserum to 5-hydroxymethyuridine (5-HmUrd) is currently available. This
antiserum has been shown to be immunoreactive with 5-HmUrd-modified bovine
serum albumin (BSA) by ELISA. This antibody should be a valuable tool for scientists
working to understand the relevance of 5-HmdUrd as a marker for oxidative
stress and it's relationship to the pathogenesis of various
diseases.
Manufacturing
Reference:
Vilpo, J.A., et al.
J. Immunol. Meth. 103: 41-45, 1990.