Intense oxidative DNA damage promoted by <scp>l</scp>‐DOPA and its metabolites implications for neurodegenerative disease

Oxidative DNA damage can cause mutation and cell death. We show that l ‐DOPA, dopamine and 3‐ O ‐methyl‐DOPA cause extensive oxidative DNA damage in the presence of H 2 O 2 and traces of copper ions. 8‐Hydroxyguanine is the major product. Iron ions were much less effective and manganese ions did not catalyse DNA damage. We propose that copper ion release, in the presence of l ‐DOPA and its metabolites, may be an important mechanism of neurotoxicity, e.g. in Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.