Strand scission in DNA induced by L-DOPA in the presence of Cu(II).

It has been recently reported that L-DOPA and Cu(II) in the presence of H2O2 leads to extensive DNA damage. In this paper we show that L-DOPA in the presence of Cu(II) alone can cause DNA cleavage through the generation of reactive oxygen species such as the hydroxyl radical. Fluorescence quenching studies indicate that L-DOPA is capable of binding to DNA.