Peptide nucleic acids: deoxyribonucleic acid mimics with a peptide backbone

This tutorial briefly describes a new class of synthetic biopolymer, which is referred to as peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA, individual nucleobases are linked to an achiral neutral peptide backbone. PNA exhibits the hybridization characteristic (e.g., Watson—Crick duplex formation) of DNA. The achiral peptide backbone provides similar interbase distances as natural DNA, and adequate flexibility to permit base pair interactions with complementary RNA or DNA strands. Several potential applications of PNA oligomers in biotechnology are suggested. These include the use of PNAs as a probe for specific recognition of a DNA or RNA sequence selective, purification of nucleic acids via designed high affinity binding to PNA, screening for DNA mutations, and as possible therapeutic agents.     

Site-specific incorporation of nitroxide spin-labels into 2'-positions of nucleic acids

A protocol is described for the incorporation of nitroxide spin-labels into specific 2'-sites within nucleic acids. This labeling strategy facilitates the investigation of nucleic acid structure and dynamics using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and macromolecular complex formation using paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR spectroscopy. A spin-labeling reagent, 4-isocyanato TEMPO, which can be prepared in one facile step or obtained commercially, is used for postsynthetic modification of site-specifically 2'-amino-modified nucleic acids. This spin-labeling protocol has been applied primarily to RNA, but is also applicable to DNA. Subsequently, EPR spectroscopic analysis of the spin-labeled nucleic acids allows for the measurements of distances, solvent accessibilities and conformation dynamics. Using the spin-labeling strategy described here, spin-labeled samples can be prepared in 2-4 d.     

Comparison of interproton distances in DNA models with nuclear Overhauser enhancement data

The conformational flexibility inherent in the polynucleotide chain plays an important role in deciding its three-dimensonal structure and enables it to undergo structural transitions in order to fulfil all its functions. Following certain stereochemical guidelines, both right and left handed double-helical models have been built in our laboratory and they are in reasonably good agreement with the fibre patterns for various polymorphous forms of DNA. Recently, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has become an important technique for studying the solution conformation and polymorphism of nucleic acids. Several workers have used 1_H nuclear magnetic resonance nuclear Overhauser enhancement measurements to estimate the interproton distances for the various DNA oligomers and compared them with the-interproton distances for particular models of A and B form DNA. In some cases the solution conformation does not seem to fit either of these models. We have been studying various models for DNA with a view to exploring the full conformational space allowed for nucleic acid polymers. In this paper, the interproton distances calculated for the different stereochemically feasible models of DNA are presented and they are compared and correlated against those obtained from¹H nuclear magnetic resonance nuclear Overhauser enhancement measurements of various nucleic acid oligomers.     

Binding with nucleic acids or glycosaminoglycans converts soluble protein oligomers to amyloid

Ample evidence suggests that almost all polypeptides can either adopt a native structure (folded or intrinsically disordered) or form misfolded amyloid fibrils. Soluble protein oligomers exist as an intermediate between these two states, and their cytotoxicity has been implicated in the pathology of multiple human diseases. However, the mechanism by which soluble protein oligomers develop into insoluble amyloid fibrils is not clear, and investigation of this important issue is hindered by the unavailability of stable protein oligomers. Here, we have obtained stabilized protein oligomers generated from common native proteins. These oligomers exert strong cytotoxicity and display a common conformational structure shared with known protein oligomers. They are soluble and remain stable in solution. Intriguingly, the stabilized protein oligomers interact preferentially with both nucleic acids and glycosaminoglycans (GAG), which facilitates their rapid conversion into insoluble amyloid. Concomitantly, binding with nucleic acids or GAG strongly diminished the cytotoxicity of the protein oligomers. EGCG, a small molecule that was previously shown to directly bind to protein oligomers, effectively inhibits the conversion to amyloid. These results indicate that stabilized oligomers of common proteins display characteristics similar to those of disease-associated protein oligomers and represent immediate precursors of less toxic amyloid fibrils. Amyloid conversion is potently expedited by certain physiological factors, such as nucleic acids and GAGs. These findings concur with reports of cofactor involvement with disease-associated amyloid and shed light on potential means to interfere with the pathogenic properties of misfolded proteins.     

Peptide nucleic acids and their structural modifications

Peptide (polyamide) analogues of nucleic acids (PNAs) make very promising groups of natural nucleic acid (NA) ligands and show many other interesting properties. Two types of these analogues may be highlighted as particularly interesting: the first, containing a polyamide with alternating peptide/pseudopeptide bonds as its backbone, consisting of N-(aminoalkyl)amino-acid units (type I), with nucleobases attached to the backbone nitrogen with the carboxyalkyl linker; and the second, containing a backbone consisting of amino-acid residues carrying the nucleobases in their side chains (type II). So far, these two groups have been studied most intensively. The paper describes main groups of peptide nucleic acids, as well as various other amino acid-derived nucleobase monomers or their oligomers, which were either studied in order to determine their hybridisation to nucleic acids, or only discussed with respect to their potential usefulness in the oligomerisation and nucleic acids binding.     

Synthesis of polyacrylamides N-substituted with PNA-like oligonucleotide mimics for molecular diagnostic applications.

Two types of oligonucleotide mimics relative to peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) were tested as probes in nucleic acid hybridisation assays based on polyacrylamide technology. One type of mimic oligomers represented a chimera constructed of PNA and phosphono-PNA (pPNA) monomers, and the other one contained pPNA residues alternating with PNA-like monomers on the base of trans -4-hydroxy-L-proline (HypNA). A chemistry providing efficient and specific covalent attachment of these DNA mimics to acrylamide polymers using a convenient approach based on the co-polymerisation of acrylamide and some reactive acrylic acid derivatives with oligomers bearing 5'- or 3'-terminal acrylamide groups has been developed. A comparative study of polyacrylamide conjugates with oligonucleotides and mimic oligomers demonstrated the suitability and high potential of PNA-pPNA and HypNA-pPNA chimeras as sequence-specific probes in capture and detection of target nucleic acid fragments to serve current forms of DNA arrays.     

Measuring nanometer distances in nucleic acids using a sequence-independent nitroxide probe

This protocol describes the procedures for measuring nanometer distances in nucleic acids using a nitroxide probe that can be attached to any nucleotide within a given sequence. Two nitroxides are attached to phosphorothioates that are chemically substituted at specific sites of DNA or RNA. Inter-nitroxide distances are measured using a four-pulse double electron-electron resonance technique, and the measured distances are correlated to the parent structures using a Web-accessible computer program. Four to five days are needed for sample labeling, purification and distance measurement. The procedures described herein provide a method for probing global structures and studying conformational changes of nucleic acids and protein/nucleic acid complexes.     

DNA Facilitates Oligomerization and Prevents Aggregation via DNA Networks

Previous studies have shown that nucleic acids can nucleate protein aggregation in disease-related proteins, but in other cases, they can act as molecular chaperones that prevent protein aggregation, even under extreme conditions. In this study, we describe the link between these two behaviors through a combination of electron microscopy and aggregation kinetics. We find that two different proteins become soluble under harsh conditions through oligomerization with DNA. These DNA/protein oligomers form “networks,” which increase the speed of oligomerization. The cases of DNA both increasing and preventing protein aggregation are observed to stem from this enhanced oligomerization. This observation raises interesting questions about the role of nucleic acids in aggregate formation in disease states.     

Determination of the nucleic acids in pig embryonic kidney cells by magnetic cytaphoresis

Gallocyanine-chrome alum-stained pig embryonic kidney cells have paramagnetic properties. They move under the influence of gradient magnetic field (magnetophoresis). The velocity of magnetophoresis is proportional to the content of nucleic acids in cells. This allows to estimate the content of nucleic acids per cell dry weight by magnetophoresis and analytical centrifugation.     

Concentration and Extinction Coefficient Determination for Oligonucleotides and Analogs Using a General Phosphate Analysis

A general phosphate analysis (GPA) is developed which assays the concentration of nucleic acid oligomers and their analogs based on stoichiometric phosphorus in the sequence. The method involves complete digestion of the oligomer sample to orthophosphate using acid at high temperature and subsequent colorimetric analysis by phosphomolybdate complex formation. GPA is applied to oligomers having phosphodiester, methylphosphonate, and phosphorothioate backbone linkages. Given the absorption spectra of oligomers having these backbones, extinction coefficients are obtained and compared to other quantitative and predictive methods. In addition to sequences having the usual nucleoside residues found in naturally occurring nucleic acids, oligomers having base analog residues can be readily quantified by GPA.     

DNA and RNA as new binding targets of green tea catechins

The significance of catechins, the main constituent of green tea, is being increasingly recognized with regard to cancer prevention. Catechins have been studied for interactions with various proteins, but the mechanisms of the various catechins are not yet elucidated. Based on our previous observation that nucleic acids extracted from catechin-treated cells are colored, we studied whether catechins directly interact with nucleic acids using surface plasmon resonance assay (Biacore) and cold spray ionization-mass spectrometry. These two methods clearly showed that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) binds to both DNA and RNA molecules: the Biacore assay indicated that four catechins bound to DNA oligomers, and cold spray ionization-mass spectrometry analysis showed one to three EGCG molecules bound to single strand 18 mers of DNA and RNA. Moreover, one or two molecules of EGCG bound to double-stranded (AG-CT) oligomers of various nucleotide lengths. These results suggest that multiple binding sites of EGCG are present in DNA and RNA oligomers. Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) oligomers were detected only as EGCG-bound forms at high temperature, whereas at low temperature both the free and bound forms were detected, suggesting that EGCG protects dsDNA oligomers from dsDNA melting to single-stranded DNA. Because both galloyl and catechol groups of EGCG are essential for DNA binding, both groups seem to hold strands of DNA via their branching structure. These findings reveal for the first time the link between catechins and polynucleotides and will intensify our understanding of the effects of catechins on DNA in terms of cancer prevention.     

"Phantom" structure of solvents and packing of dual-chain nucleic acid molecules in liquid crystal dispersion particles

The properties of mesomorphic dispersions of double-stranded nucleic acids were studied. A comparison of these properties indicates that their diversity cannot be explained unambiguously in terms of the conception of Van-der-Waals interactions in particles of mesomorphic dispersions without regard for the specific properties of the solvent, water, in the vicinity of adjacent nucleic acid molecules. It was assumed that, with small distances between the molecules of nucleic acids, a specific "phantom" structure of the solvent appears in their vicinity, which acts as an elastic medium that modifies the interactions between nucleic acid molecules and as a medium in which a collective tunneling of protons can occur. The combination of the two effects determines the "recognition" of nucliec acid molecules and the stabilization of the cholesteric structure of mesomorphic dispersions of nucleic acids.     

New sequential-assignment routes of nucleic acid NMR signals using a [5'-(13)C]-labeled DNA dodecamer

NMR signal assignments for DNA oligomers have been performed by the well-established sequential assignment procedures based on NOESY and COSY. The H4'/H5'/H5' resonance region is congested and difficult to analyze without the use of isotope-labeled DNA oligomers. Here a DNA dodecamer constructed with 2'-deoxy[5'-(13)C]ribonucleotides, 5'-d(*C*G*C*G*A*A*T*T*C*G*CG)-3' (*N = [5'-(13)C]Nucleotide), was prepared in an effort to analyze the H4'/H5'/H5' resonance region by 2D 1H-13C HMQC-NOESY. In the C5' and H1' resonance region, weak and strong cross peaks for C5'(i)-H1'(i) and C5'(i)-H1'(i-1), respectively, were found, thus enabling the sequential assignment within this region. A similar sequential assignment route was found between C5' and H2'. Proton pair distances evaluated from the canonical B-DNA as well as A-DNA indicated that these sequential-assignment routes on a 2D 1H-13C HMQC-NOESY spectrum work for most nucleic acid stem regions.     

The conformation and stability of ribonucleic acids: modeling base sequence effects in double stranded helices

Base sequence effects within double stranded RNA oligomers of A and Z conformations have been studied by molecular modeling using a methodological approach specifically adapted to nucleic acids. Calculations on symmetric oligomers having homonucleotide or dinucleotide repeating base sequences show that sequence changes can produce modifications in overall conformation, influence the degree of internal hydrogen bonding and strongly affect stability.     

Thermal difference spectra: a specific signature for nucleic acid structures

We show that nucleic acid structures may be conveniently and inexpensively characterized by their UV thermal difference spectra. A thermal difference spectrum (TDS) is obtained for a nucleic acid by simply recording the ultraviolet absorbance spectra of the unfolded and folded states at temperatures above and below its melting temperature (T_m). The difference between these two spectra is the TDS. The TDS has a specific shape that is unique for each type of nucleic acid structure, a conclusion that is based on a comparison of >900 spectra from 200 different sequences. The shape of the TDS reflects the subtleties of base stacking interactions that occur uniquely within each type of nucleic acid structure. TDS provides a simple, inexpensive and rapid method to obtain structural insight into nucleic acid structures, which is applicable to both DNA and RNA from short oligomers to polynucleotides. TDS complements circular dichroism as a tool for the structural characterization of nucleic acids in solution.     

Monitoring the identity of bacteria using their intrinsic fluorescence

Three different fluorescence spectra were recorded following excitation at 250 nm (aromatic amino acids+nucleic acids), 270 nm (tryptophan residues) and 316 nm (NADH) for 25 strains of bacteria in dilute suspensions. Evaluation of the spectra using principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering showed a good reproducibility from culture to culture and a good discrimination of the bacteria. Applying the method of Mahalanobis distances to the spectra of lactobacilli species recorded following excitation at 250 nm, a good classification was observed for 100% and 81% of calibration and validation groups, respectively. The developed method allows the discrimination and identification of the investigated bacteria at the genus, species and strain levels.     

Participation of manganese ions complexed with tRNA in the interaction with amino acids and dipeptides.

Carboxyl groups of glycine, beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and diglycine interact with Mn2+ coordinated by tRNA, as revealed by 1H and 13C NMR studies. The amino groups of these compounds interact with tRNA phosphate groups. The distances between the coordinated Mn2+ and carboxyl groups and the alpha-protons of glycine were determined. The role of Mn2+ and Mg2+ complexed with nucleic acids in the formation of specific complexes between proteins and nucleic acids is discussed.     

Computer programs for nucleic acids studies. Atomic coordinates of helices and their graphic display.

For the purpose of calculation of NMR and other physiocochemical properties of nucleic acids, a computer program in FORTRAN language has been written. This program provides the printout of the Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates of all atoms of a double-stranded helix of nucleic acid in either A, A' or B conformation with any specified base sequence up to 50 nucleotides or longer. In addition, the interatomic distances between any two atoms or distances (with both perpendicular and parallel components) from the centers of the base rings to any atom in the helix can be calculated. This information has been used for the calculation of the ring current effects of the 1H chemical shift of two short helices. Satisfactory agreement has been found in the comparison between the present data and that obtained from model construction and from the table prepared by Arter and Schmidt. The structure of the helix can also be illustrated in graphic form on a Tektronix 4006 CRT terminal. The presentation can be manipulated, such as selection, enlargement, translation and rotation.     

Structural Requirements for the Procoagulant Activity of Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids, especially extracellular RNA, are exposed following tissue- or vessel damage and have previously been shown to activate the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway in vitro and in vivo. Yet, no information on structural requirements for the procoagulant activity of nucleic acids is available. A comparison of linear and hairpin-forming RNA- and DNA-oligomers revealed that all tested oligomers forming a stable hairpin structure were protected from degradation in human plasma. In contrast to linear nucleic acids, hairpin forming compounds demonstrated highest procoagulant activities based on the analysis of clotting time in human plasma and in a prekallikrein activation assay. Moreover, the procoagulant activities of the DNA-oligomers correlated well with their binding affinity to high molecular weight kininogen, whereas the binding affinity of all tested oligomers to prekallikrein was low. Furthermore, four DNA-aptamers directed against thrombin, activated protein C, vascular endothelial growth factor and nucleolin as well as the naturally occurring small nucleolar RNA U6snRNA were identified as effective cofactors for prekallikrein auto-activation. Together, we conclude that hairpin-forming nucleic acids are most effective in promoting procoagulant activities, largely mediated by their specific binding to kininogen. Thus, in vivo application of therapeutic nucleic acids like aptamers might have undesired prothrombotic or proinflammatory side effects.