DNA cleavage by photolysis of aryl sulfoxides

Aryl sulfoxides have been identified as a class of organic compounds capable of inducing DNA cleavage in the presence of UV light. Phenyl sulfoxide and methyl phenyl sulfoxide were both shown to cleave pBR322 DNA at concentrations of 180 and 360 μM, respectively. Radical trapping studies indicate carbon-centered radicals are the active cleavage species.