Fig. 1.

Schematic overview of 8-oxo-dG generation. Cellular 2′-deoxyguanosine undergoes an oxidative process which is mediated by a plethora of different agents. The most abundant intermediate in this process is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) which derives from cellular metabolism and superoxide dismutases (SODs) activity. H₂O₂ promotes ^•OH release in the presence of transition metals. However, other reactive oxygen species (ONOO⁻, ^•OOH, CO₃^•− or ¹O₂) may also intervene in this process and increase the rate of 8-oxo-dG formation.