Six nitroxide spin-labeled psoralen derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated as probes for structural and dynamic studies. Sequence specific photoaddition of these derivatives to DNA oligonucleotides resulted in site-specifically cross-linked and spin-labeled oligomers. Comparison of the general line shape features of the observed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of several duplexes ranging in size from 8 to 46 base pairs with simulated EPR spectra indicate that the nitroxide spin-label probe reports the global tumbling motion of the oligomers. While there is no apparent large amplitude motion of the psoralen other than the overall tumbling of the DNA on the time scales investigated, there are indications of bending and other residual motions. The (A)BC excinuclease DNA repair system detects structural or dynamic features of the DNA that distinguish between damaged and undamaged DNA and are independent of the intrinsic structure of the lesion. NMR studies have shown that psoralencross-linked DNA has altered backbone dynamics and conformational populations in the immediate vicinity Psoralen-damaged DNA serves as an excellent substrate for the study of structural and dynamic motifs that DNA repair enzyme systems may recognize. Psoralens are photoreagents which form a well-characterized set of covalent nucleic acid adducts through photochemical addition ( Figure 1) (Straub et al., 1981; Kanne et al., 1982a,b). The primary reaction is cyclobutane ring formation between the 5,6 double bond of thymidine in DNA and either the 4',5' or 3,4 double bonds of the psoralen. Reaction at the 4'3' double bond creates a furanside monoadduct (MAf),' which can react further at a site with opposed and adjacent pyrimidines to create an interstrand cross-link (XL). The XL is a rigid unit formed by the psoralen and the opposite and adjacent pyrimidine bases, linking the two strands together. Reaction at the 3,4 double bond of the psoralen first creates a pyroneside monoadduct (MAP), which cannot form an interstrand cross-link.Psoralen-DNA monoadducts and cross-links are recognized and removed by the excision repair system in both