Proton Tunneling in Radiation-Induced Mutation
Robert Rein 1 and
Frank E. Harris 1
1 Quantum Chemistry Group, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
The equilibrium proton distribution and tunneling rate in the N-H. . . N hydrogen bond of the guanine-cytosine base pair have been calculated quantum mechanically for the ground state, a charge-transfer excited state, and positive and negative ionic states. These results are consistent with the idea that tautomeric rearrangement can be a cause of radiation induced mutation or carcinogenesis.