The spontaneous cleavage of the N glycosidic link between purine bases and deoxyribose in DNA.

Depurination of DNA results in the loss of a purine from the DNA backbone and DNA strand breakage. Such DNA lesions are often the result of ionizing radiation, free radicals, or alkylating reagents that destabilize the N-glycosidic bond. Left unchecked, they have the potential to cause mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Depurination is also a well-known side reaction in DNA synthesis and in isolation of DNA or RNA samples from gels, when the oligonucleotide is subjected to weak acid conditions. During synthetic deprotection of trityl plus some . . . a test