Acesulfame potassium, DNA binding and cell death in lab tests
What it found
In lab tests, acesulfame potassium bound to DNA in its minor groove and, at about 5 mg/mL, killed 85% of human umbilical vein cells after 48 hours.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
DNA binding site
UV-Vis spectra showed a drop in absorbance, indicating a DNA-Ace-K complex formed in the minor groove.
Binding mode evidence
Hoechst-DNA fluorescence decreased as Ace-K concentrations rose, while MB-DNA emission band intensity did not change noticeably. This supports groove binding.
Forces involved
Negative values of ΔH and ΔS point to hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between Ace-K and DNA.
Molecular docking
Docking placed Ace-K between guanine10 and 16 in the DNA minor groove, stabilized by two hydrogen bonds and one π-Sulfur interaction.
Cell death in lab
In cell culture, about 5 mg/mL of Ace-K caused the death of 85% of HUVEC cells after 48 hours.
What the authors conclude
“In vitro cell culture results showed that about 5 mg/mL of Ace-K caused the death of 85% of HUVEC cells after 48 h.”
Also in their conclusions
- They report that Ace-K binds to DNA in the minor groove through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces.
- They state that about 5 mg/mL of Ace-K caused the death of 85% of HUVEC cells after 48 h.
How it was done
Acesulfame potassium has been reported to interact with DNA and cause important genetic damage, but the type of interaction mechanism was unknown.
The researchers studied how acesulfame potassium interacts with calf thymus DNA using spectroscopic methods and molecular simulations. They also tested the sweetener on HUVEC cells in culture for 48 hours.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab tests on DNA and cells, not studies in people.
- They cannot show what happens when people consume acesulfame potassium in food or drinks.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Razi University, Iran; Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Iran
The paper
- Title
- Evaluation of DNA damage induced by acesulfame potassium: spectroscopic, molecular modeling simulations and toxicity studies
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Hadidi S, Varmira K, Soltani L (2023). Evaluation of DNA damage induced by acesulfame potassium: spectroscopic, molecular modeling simulations and toxicity studies. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics. doi:10.1080/07391102.2022.2105955PubMed 35916031DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error