BrdU-labelled cells can be selectively killed by exposure to:
DNA containing BrdU substituted in place of thymidine becomes photosensitive because carbon-bromine bond cleaves homolytically upon absorption of near-UV light around 313 nm or visible light when sensitized by intercalating dyes Hoechst 33258 or acridine orange. Resulting uracilyl radical abstracts hydrogen from deoxyribose causing strand break at apurinic site, creating alkali-labile lesions and single- and double-strand breaks that overwhelm base excision repair leading to cell death if incorporation extensive. This property underlies selective elimination technique: pulse culture with BrdU
Ref: Davidson RL et al PNAS 1974 BrdU photosensitivity light killing; Thermo Fisher BrdU labeling followed by light UV selective cell death.
