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Abstract DNA–protein crosslinks (DPCs) remain as a poorly understood DNA lesion. Herein, crosslinking between guanosine and lysine was explored using a model system comprising 9-methylguanine (9MG) and CH3NH2. Crosslinking was induced by one-electron oxidized 9MG•+ radical cations and doubly oxidized [9MG – HN2]+ cations, and analyzed as a function of reaction energy using an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer. Experiment was augmented by dynamics simulations and kinetics modeling. Alongside the formation of X-NH2CH3[9MG]•+ (X = C2, C8) via direct addition, 8-CH2NH2[9MG + HN7]+ was discovered as a new crosslink between 9MG•+ and CH3NH2. This crosslink results from methyl–hydrogen abstraction of CH3NH2 by the N7 of 9MG•+, followed by adding •CH2NH2 to [9MG + HN7]+. Notably, crosslinking is dramatically enhanced between [9MG – HN2]+ and CH3NH2, yielding major products X-+NH2CH3[9MG – HN2] (X = N2, N3, C5, and C8, along with their proton tautomers), which form from the direct CH3NH2 addition to [9MG – HN2]+, and minor products X-CH2NH2[9MG – HN2 + HO6]+ (X = N2, N3, C5, N7, and C8), which arise from the combination of methyl–hydrogen abstraction products. This work dissected and distinguished the roles of one- versus two-electron oxidized guanosine in DPC formation, offering novel insights into oxidative DNA damage. 

As a precursor to various reactive nitrogen species formed in biological systems, nitric oxide (•NO) participates in numerous processes, including enhancing DNA radiosensitivity in ionizing radiation-based radiotherapy. Forming guanine radical cations is another common DNA lesion resulting from ionization and oxidation damage. As such, the interaction of •NO with guanine radical cations (G•+) may contribute to the radiosensitization of •NO. An intriguing aspect of this process is the participation of multiple spin configurations in the reaction, including open-shell singlet 1,OS[G•+(↑)⋯(↓)•NO], closed-shell singlet 1,CS[G(↑↓)⋯NO+], and triplet 3[G•+(↑)⋯(↑)•NO]. In this study, the reactions of •NO with both unsubstituted guanine radical cations (in the 9HG•+ conformation) and 9-methylguanine radical cations (9MG•+, a guanosine-mimicking model compound) were investigated in the absence and presence of monohydration of radical cations. Kinetic-energy dependent reaction product ions and cross sections were measured using an electrospray ionization guided-ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and dynamics were comprehended by interpreting the reaction potential energy surface using spin-projected density functional theory, coupled cluster theory, and multiconfiguration complete active space second-order perturbation theory, followed by RRKM kinetics modeling. The combined experimental and computational findings revealed closed-shell singlet 1,CS[7-NO-9MG]+ as the major, exothermic product and triplet 3[8-NO-9MG]+ as the minor, endothermic product. Singlet biradical products were not detected due to high reaction endothermicities, activation barriers, and inherent instability.