Imaging techniques used for the detection of 8-oxoguanine adducts and DNA repair proteins in cells and tissues

The presence of 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) in DNA is considered a marker of oxid ative stress and DNA damage. Numerous biochemical techniques have been desc ribed for its detection in cells or tissues. Although these approaches are quantitative, they do not provide insights into whether the lesion occurs i n mitochrondrial versus genomic DNA. In addition, biochemical techniques ar e not amenable to the evaluation of individual cells or archival tissues. A ntibodies have been raised against 8-oxoG, which may circumvent some of the se issues. In this review, we described the use of in situ imaging techniqu es to detect oxidative DNA damage including the comet assay. We will review our previous work that describes the utility of an antibody fragment (Fab) engineered to recognize 8-oxoG in DNA. Furthermore, we will discuss the, a nalysis of DNA repair enzymes in the assessment of oxidative DNA damage. Fi nally, advantages and potential concerns associated with immunodetection of 8-oxoG are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved.