Reactions of Metals with Nucleic Acids and Proteins

Reactions of Metals with Nucleic Acids and Proteins 

The demonstration of direct reactions of an agent with DNA, RNA, or proteins is fundamental in understanding its mutagenicity. However, not each of those reactions actually ends in a persistent mutation, as most of them are eliminated by repair systems or selective factors, including apoptosis. 

Well-documented reactions of several heavy metals with DNA are  

Direct binding to one of the numerous nucleophilic centers in nucleic acids (e.g., Ny in guanine or the phosphate groups of the DNA backbone). 

The formation of cross-links and, as a consequence, the induction of strand breaks in DNA. 

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