Nanoscience and photochemistry to improve DNA damage repair

Maintaining genome stability is a fundamental priority for all living organisms. Any change in the original sequence of nucleobases can disrupt key biological processes, impair cellular function or trigger a carcinogenic process. For this reason, mammalian cells have developed their own strategies to repair DNA damage. One such example is photoreactivation, a natural mechanism that uses visible light to reverse, in situ, the lesions caused by ultraviolet radiation.

In recent years, advances in materials science and catalysis have made it possible to mimic the behaviour of natural enzymes in synthetic systems. This is the case with nanozymes, artificial systems as efficient as natural enzymes. Their environmental and biomedical applications, although at different stages of maturity, are being demonstrated.

A team of researchers from the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) at the University of Valencia (UV) and the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has described a system for repairing specific DNA lesions through an innovative photorepair strategy.

The work focuses on the study of two etheno adducts, lesions caused by oxidative stress and present in the body even without exposure to external carcinogens. For this research, the team used so-called ‘upconversion nanohybrids’ — nanomaterials created by combining several components that have the ability to emit visible light upon absorbing infrared radiation. In other words, they combine particles activated by infrared light with photosensitising compounds, making it possible to repair the two etheno adducts.

“Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is gaining increasing importance as a complementary and selective treatment against various types of cancer, thanks to its ability to destroy tumour cells with minimal impact on healthy tissues. This approach is becoming established as a promising alternative to more aggressive conventional treatments”, explains Virginie Lhiaubet, researcher in the Catalysis for Sustainable Organic Reactions Group at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ, UPV-CSIC) and co-author of the article in Nanoscale.

“The properties of nanomaterials can help provide solutions to real and complex problems. To this end, basic research must establish simple models that allow technological progress towards the development of innovative medical products based on the use of new nanomaterials”, adds María González Béjar, researcher at ICMol (UV) and co-author of the article. “From now on, we will work to maximise photorepair efficiency, broaden the versatility of light-driven DNA repair strategies and, ultimately, improve the system we have developed”, the scientist concludes.

At the University of Valencia, the work is being carried out by the Photochemical Reactivity Group at ICMol, within the area of Bioapplications — a strategic line included in the recognition of this research centre as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence. The centre has held this accreditation since 2016, which has just been renewed, for the third consecutive time, by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

The study, highlighted on the Inside Front Cover of Nanoscale in recognition of the journal's appreciation of the quality of the published work, forms part of the MICIN State Programme for the Generation of Knowledge (PID2021-128348NB-I00 and PID2023-152131NB-I00) and is also funded by the EU’s NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1), the GVA, ERDF funds and Horizon Europe.

Reference:
Upconversion nanohybrids for NIR-induced photorepair of DNA etheno adducts. Laura Francés-Soriano,Gemma M. Rodríguez-Muñiz, Paloma Lizondo-Aranda, Delia Bellezza, María González-Béjar and Virginie Lhiaubet-Vallet. Nanoscale 2025.
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5NR01777G