DNA binding, cytotoxicity and inhibitory effect on RNA synthesis of two new 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine dimers

Two 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine dimers were prepared: one bearing a spermine flexible linking chain, compound 4, the other a rigid dipiperidine-type linker, compound 7. Both dimers elicited a higher affinity constant for DNA than the parent monomeric drug nitracrine 2. This affinity was several orders lower than what was found for other dimeric compounds having the same linkers and no nitro group on the acridine ring (3, 5, 6 and 8). Bisintercalation was evidenced for compound 4 by viscosimetric measurements. In the absence of dithiothreitol, an inhibitory effect of RNA synthesis in vitro was observed for all the tested compounds except 2 and 7. In the presence of dithiothreitol, 4 and 7 formed irreversible complexes with DNA of decreased template properties. The level of the dimers binding was lower than that of the parent compound 2. Cross-links were detected by means of hydroxylapatite chromatography in a complex of the dimer bearing a flexible linking chain, compound 4 with DNA, while the compound 7-DNA complex eluted in the single-stranded DNA region. The extent of cytotoxicity of the two 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine dimers against L1210 cultured cells was different.     

Hydration of dA.dT polymers: role of water in the thermodynamics of ethidium and propidium intercalation

We report differences in the interaction of two structurally similar phenanthroline intercalators, ethidium and propidium, with poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(A-T)] as a function of ionic strength based on titration microcalorimetry, fluorescence titration, and hydrostatic pressure measurements. Both ethidium and propidium bind more strongly to poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] than to poly(dA).poly(dT). Ethidium intercalation into the latter polymer displays titrations with positive cooperativity; this is not found with propidium. The enthalpy of intercalation (delta H degrees) is exothermic for both dyes with poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)]; however, the value of this parameter is nearly zero in the case of poly(dA).poly(dT). The molar volume change (delta V degrees) accompanying dye intercalation is negative under all conditions for poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] whereas it is positive for poly(dA).poly(dT). The changes observed in delta V degrees correlate well with the entropy changes derived from the titration and calorimetric data for this reaction. The results, interpreted in terms of the relative hydration of these two polymers, are consistent with a higher extent of hydration of poly(dA).poly(dT) relative to poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)].     

Equilibrium binding of benzo[a]pyrene tetrol to synthetic polynucleotides: sequence selectivity, thermodynamic properties, and ionic strength dependence

We have investigated the equilibrium binding of racemic 7r,8t,9t,10c-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene to the double-stranded, synthetic polynucleotides poly[d(A-T)], poly[d(G-C)], and poly[d(G-m5C)] at low binding ratios. Difference absorption spectroscopy shows a 10-nm red shift for binding to poly[d(A-T)] and an 11-nm red shift for binding to either poly[d(G-C)] or poly[d(G-m5C)]. The value of delta epsilon for binding is approximately the same for all three hydrocarbon-polynucleotide complexes. Binding of this neutral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivative to these polynucleotides is dependent upon ionic strength and temperature. Analysis of complex formation employing polyelectrolyte theory shows a greater release of counterions associated with binding to poly[d(A-T)] than with the other two polynucleotides (0.5 and ca. 0.36, respectively). Thus, sequence-selective binding of this hydrocarbon in DNA would be expected to change depending on salt concentration. The temperature dependence of binding was studied at 100 mM Na+ where the equilibrium binding constants for poly[d(A-T)] and poly[d(G-m5C)] are roughly equivalent and 6-fold greater than the binding affinity for poly[d(G-C)]. The binding to poly[d(A-T)] and poly[d(G-C)] is characterized by a delta H omicron = -7.0 kcal/mol, and the large difference in affinity constants arises from differences in negative entropic contributions. Formation of hydrocarbon-poly[d(G-m5C)] complexes is accompanied by a delta H = -9.1 kcal/mol. However, the affinity for poly[d-(G-m5C)] is the same as that for poly[d(A-T)] due to the much more negative entropy associated with binding to poly[d(G-m5C)].     

Nonspecific interaction of Escherichia coli pyrenyl RNA polymerase holoenzyme with synthetic polynucleotides as monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy

A derivative of RNA polymerase containing approximately 2 pyrene equiv per enzyme molecule has been used to study the interaction of RNA polymerase with poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] and poly[d-(G-C)].poly[d(G-C)]. As monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy, pyrenyl RNA polymerase displays a unique set of conformational changes with each synthetic polynucleotide as a function of temperature. An increase in the fluorescence intensity was observed for both polynucleotides at 5 degrees C. A decrease was observed in the case of poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] at 25 and 37 degrees C, whereas no discernible perturbation was observed in the case of poly[d(G-C)].poly[d(G-C)]. Different salt dependencies were observed for the interaction of pyrenyl RNA polymerase with these polynucleotides at 5 and 25 degrees C. Further characterization of these interactions as well as correlation of the observed fluorescence changes to the corresponding open and closed complexes was carried out with heparin. The interaction between pyrenyl RNA polymerase and poly[d-(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] at 25 degrees C was quantified by using two different methods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Study of conformation characteristics of "X-form" of alternating polynucleotides by the method of slow 1H----3H transition

The rate constants of 1H----3H exchange between water and C8H-groups of purine residues of alternating polynucleotides: poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)] and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)], as well as Escherichia coli DNA, dAMP and dGMP, in solutions with high concentration (4.3 or 6 M) CsF, in water ethanol (60%) solution and (in comparison) in 0.15 M NaCl were determined at 25 degrees C. The 1H----3H exchange rate exchange rate constants for adenylic (kA) and guanylic (kG) residues of polynucleotides were compared with the corresponding constant for DNA and mononucleotides. It was shown that at conditions when poly[d(G-T)] and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] exhibit the "X-form" CD spectrum, alteration of exchange rates in polynucleotides (approximately 2-fold increase in kA in CSF and approximately 1.5-fold decrease in kA and kG in 60% ethanol with 0.15 M NaCl) is due to the effect of solvents on the chemical reactivity of purine residues, but does not reflect a conformational transition. The analysis of these results allows us to conclude, that alternating polynucleotides under the above mentioned conditions retain roughly the conformations inherent in them in 0.15 M NaCl: poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)] conformation in 4.3 m CsF or 60% ethanol differs only insignificantly from the "canonic" B-DNA, whereas the poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] conformation in 6 M CSF corresponds to B-alternating DNA.     

DNA polyintercalation: comparison of DNA binding properties of an acridine dimer and trimer

The DNA binding characteristics of a mono-, di- and trimeric derivative of 9-aminoacridine were studied. The length of the linking carboxamidoalkyl chains was selected to allow bis- or tris-intercalation according to the excluded-site model. Measurements of DNA unwinding angle using closed circular DNA showed that the trimeric derivative behaves as a tris-intercalating agent. Nevertheless the increase of DNA binding affinity on going from dimer to trimer was found to be relatively small. This is probably related to the large structural constraint for DNA binding of the trimeric derivative. The nature of the linking chain for the design of high-affinity DNA poly-intercalating agents appears therefore critical.     

Binding characteristics of Hoechst 33258 with calf thymus DNA, poly[d(A-T)], and d(CCGGAATTCCGG): multiple stoichiometries and determination of tight binding with a wide spectrum of site affinities.

Equilibrium binding experiments using fluorescence and absorption techniques have been performed throughout a wide concentration range (1 nM to 30 microM) of the dye Hoechst 33258 and several DNAs. The most stable complexes found with calf thymus DNA, poly[d(A-T)], d(CCGGAATTCCGG), and d(CGCGAATTCGCG) all have dissociation constants in the range (1-3) X 10(-9) M-1. Such complexes on calf thymus DNA occur with a frequency of about 1 binding site per 100 base pairs, and evidence is presented indicating a spectrum of sequence-dependent affinities with dissociation constants extending into the micromolar range. In addition to these sequence-specific binding sites on the DNA, the continuous-variation method of Job reveals distinct stoichiometries of dye-poly[d(A-T)] complexes corresponding to 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 dyes per 5 A-T base pairs and even up to 1 and 2 (and possibly more) dyes per backbone phosphate. Models are suggested to account for these stoichiometries. With poly[d(G-C)] the stoichiometries are 1-2 dyes per 5 G-C pairs in addition to 1 and 2 dyes per backbone phosphate. Thermodynamic parameters for formation of the tightest binding complex between Hoechst 33258 and poly[d(A-T)] or d-(CCGGAATTCCGG) are determined. Hoechst 33258 binding to calf thymus DNA, chicken erythrocyte DNA, and poly[d(A-T)] exhibits an ionic strength dependence similar to that expected for a singly-charged positive ion. This ionic strength dependence remains unchanged in the presence of 25% ethanol, which decreases the affinity by 2 orders of magnitude. In addition, due to its strong binding, Hoechst 33258 easily displaces several intercalators from DNA.     

Effect of cesium on the volume of the helix-coil transition of dA.dT polymers and their ligand complexes

The pressure dependence of the helix–coil transition of poly(dA)∙poly(dT) and poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)] in aqueous solutions of NaCl and CsCl at concentrations between 10 and 200 mM is reported and used to calculate the accompanying volume change. We also investigated the binding parameters and volume change of ethidium bromide binding with poly(dA)∙poly(dT) and poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)] in aqueous solutions of these two salts. The volume change of helix–coil transition of poly(dA)∙poly(dT) in Cs⁺-containing solutions differs by less than 1 cm³ mol^− 1 from the value measured when Na⁺ is the counter-ion. We propose that this insensitivity towards salt type arises if the counter-ions are essentially fully hydrated around DNA and the DNA conformation is not significantly altered by salt types. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that the previously observed large volumetric disparity for the helix–coil transition of poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)] in solutions containing Na⁺ and Cs⁺ is likely result of a Cs⁺-induced conformation change that is specific for poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)]. This cation-specific conformation difference is mostly absent for poly(dA)∙poly(dT) and EB bound poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)].     

Determination of the kinetics of deuteration of DNA.RNA hybrids by ultraviolet spectroscopy

The kinetics of the hydrogen-deuterium exchange reactions of poly(dA).poly(rU) and poly(rA).poly(dT) has been examined, at pH 7.0 and at various temperatures in the 15-35 degrees C range, by stopped-flow ultraviolet spectrophotometry. For comparison, the deuteration kinetics of poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] and poly(rA).poly(rU) has been reexamined. At 20 degrees C, the imino deuteration (NH----ND) rates of the two hybrid duplexes were found to be 1.5 and 1.8 s-1, respectively. These are nearly equal to the imino deuteration rates of poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] (1.1 s-1) and poly(rA).poly(rU) (1.5 s-1) but appreciably higher than that of poly(dA).poly(dT) (0.35 s-1). It has been suggested that a DNA.RNA hybrid, an RNA duplex, and the AT-alternating DNA duplex have in general higher base-pair-opening reaction rates than the ordinary DNA duplex. The amino deuteration (NH2----ND2) rates, on the other hand, have been found to be 0.25, 0.28, and 0.33 s-1, respectively, for poly(dA).poly(rU), poly(rA).poly(dT), and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)], at 20 degrees C. These are appreciably higher than that for poly(rA).poly(rU) (0.10 s-1). In general, the equilibrium constants (K) of the base-pair opening are considered to be greatest for the DNA.RNA hybrid duplex (0.05 at 20 degrees C), second greatest for the RNA duplex (0.02 at 20 degrees C), and smallest for the DNA duplex (0.005 at 20 degrees C), although the AT-alternating DNA duplex has an exceptionally great K (0.07 at 20 degrees C). From the temperature effect on the K value, the enthalpy of the base-pair opening was estimated to be 3.0 kcal/mol for the DNA.RNA hybrid duplex.     

Kinetic and equilibrium analysis of a threading intercalation mode: DNA sequence and ion effects

The interaction of a symmetric naphthalene diimide with alkylamino substituents at each imide position was investigated with the alternating sequence polymers, poly[d(A-T)]2 and poly[d(G-C)]2. Spectrophotometric binding studies indicate strong binding of the diimide to both sequences although the GC binding constant is 20-25 times larger than the AT binding constant. Analysis of the effects of salt concentration on the binding equilibria shows that the diimide forms two ion pairs in its complex with both polymers as expected for a simple dication. Stopped-flow kinetics experiments demonstrate that the diimide both associates and dissociates from DNA more slowly than classical intercalators with similar binding constants. Analysis of salt concentration effects on dissociation kinetics rate constants (kd) reveals that slopes in log kd versus log [Na+] plots are only approximately half the value obtained for classical dicationic intercalators that have both charged groups in the same groove. These kinetics results support a threading intercalation model, with one charged diimide substituent in each of the DNA grooves rather than with both side chains in the same groove, for the diimide complex with DNA. In the rate-determining step of the mechanism for dissociation of a threading complex only one ion pair is broken; the free side chain can then slide between base pairs to put both diimide side chains in the same groove, and this is followed by rapid full dissociation of the diimide. This sequential release of ion pairs makes the dissociation slope for dicationic threading intercalators more similar to the slope for classical monocationic intercalating ligands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Circular dichroism studies of the interaction of a limited hydrolysate of T4 gene 32 protein with T4 DNA and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)].

gp32 I is a protein with a molecular weight of 27 000. It is obtained by limited hydrolysis of T4 gene 32 coded protein, which is one of the DNA melting proteins. gp32 I itself appears to be also a melting protein. It denatures poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] and T4 DNA at temperatures far (50-60 degrees C) below their regular melting temperatures. Under similar conditions gp32 I will denature poly[d(A-T).poly[d(A-T)] at temperatures approximately 12 degrees C lower than those measured for the intact gp32 denaturation. For T4 DNA gp32 shows no melting behavior while gp32 I shows considerable denaturation (i.e., hyperchromicity) even at 1 degree C. In this paper the denaturation of poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] and T4 DNA by gp32 I is studied by means of circular dichroism. It appears that gp32 I forms a complex with poly[d(A-T)]. The conformation of the polynucleotide in the complex is equal to that of one strand of the double-stranded polymer in 6 M LiCl. In the gp32 I DNA complex formed upon denaturation of T4 DNA, the single-stranded DNA molecule has the same conformation as one strand of the double-strand T4 DNA molecule in the C-DNA conformation.     

DNA tris-intercalation: first acridine trimer with DNA affinity in the range of DNA regulatory proteins. Kinetic studies

A trimer made up of three acridine chromophores linked by a positively charged poly(aminoalkyl) chain was synthesized as a potential tris-intercalating agent. The length of the linking chain was selected to allow intercalation of each chromophore according to the excluded site model. 1H NMR studies have shown that, at 5 mM sodium, pH 5, the acridine trimer occurred under a folded conformation stabilized by stacking interactions between the three aromatic rings. DNA tris-intercalation of the dye at a low dye/base pair ratio was shown by measurements of both the unwinding of PM2 DNA and the lengthening of sonicated rodlike DNA. The trimer exhibits a high DNA affinity for poly[d(A-T)] (Kapp = 8 X 10(8) M-1, 1 M sodium) as shown by competition experiments with ethidium dimer. Kinetic studies of both the association with poly[d(A-T)] and the exchange between poly[d(A-T)] and sonicated calf thymus DNA have been performed as a function of the ionic strength. In 0.3 M sodium the on-rate constant (k1 = 2.6 X 10(7) M-1 s-1) is similar to that reported for other monoacridines or bis(acridines), whereas the off-rate constant is much smaller (k-1 = 1.2 X 10(-4) s-1), leading to an equilibrium binding constant as large as Kapp = 2.2 X 10(11) M-1. A plot of log (k1/k-1) as a function of log [Na+] yielded a straight line whose slope shows that 5.7 ion pairs (out of 7 potential) are formed upon the interaction with DNA. From this linear relationship a Kapp value of 10(14) M-1 in 0.1 M sodium can be estimated. Such a value reaches and even goes beyond that of some DNA regulatory proteins. This acridine trimer appears to be the first synthetic ligand with such a high DNA affinity.     

Temperature dependence of the volumetric parameters of drug binding to poly[d(A-T)].Poly[d(A-T)] and Poly(dA).Poly(dT)

We report the temperature and salt dependence of the volume change (DeltaVb) associated with the binding of ethidium bromide and netropsin with poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)]. The DeltaV(b) of binding of ethidium with poly(dA).poly(dT) was much more negative at temperatures approximately 70 degrees C than at 25 degrees C, whereas the difference is much smaller in the case of binding with poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)]. We also determined the volume change of DNA-drug interaction by comparing the volume change of melting of DNA duplex and DNA-drug complex. The DNA-drug complexes display helix-coil transition temperatures (Tm several degrees above those of the unbound polymers, e.g., the Tm of the netropsin complex with poly(dA)poly(dT) is 106 degrees C. The results for the binding of ethidium with poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] were accurately described by scaled particle theory. However, this analysis did not yield results consistent with our data for ethidium binding with poly(dA).poly(dT). We hypothesize that heat-induced changes in conformation and hydration of this polymer are responsible for this behavior. The volumetric properties of poly(dA).poly(dT) become similar to those of poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] at higher temperatures.     

1H and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the differences in DNA deformation induced by anti-tumoral 7H-pyrido[4,3-c]carbazole dimers

Ditercalinium (2,2'-[( 4,4'-bipiperidine]-1,1'-diyldi-2,1-ethane-diyl) bis-[10-methoxy-7H pyrido[4,3-c]carbazolium)tetramethane sulfonate (NSC 366241], a DNA bis-intercalating compound, is a potent anti-tumoral rigid dimer. Previous studies have shown that a reduced flexibility of the linking chain of such a dimer is essential for its biological activity. In order to understand, at the molecular level, the mechanism of action and the structure-activity relationships of this series of DNA intercalators, new dimers with additional methylene groups between the two piperidine rings have been synthesized. Addition of one methylene group in the chain preserved the activity, whereas addition of two methylene groups reduced the cytotoxicity, which finally disappeared when three methylene groups were inserted. Therefore, the study of the interaction of dimers bearing no (202), two (222) and three (232) methylene groups with the self-complementary hexanucleotide d(CGATCG)2 have been investigated by 1H and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies. The results reported here indicate that all dimers bis-intercalate into the minihelix. The intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between the dimers and the nucleotide lead to the conclusion that the three dimers intercalate with their rigid bis-ethyl bipiperidine chain fitting the major groove of the helix. Inter-residue nuclear Overhauser effects at the DNA level, as well as induced shifts, are discussed in relation to the conformational changes induced in DNA upon intercalation and to the different activity of the dimers.     

CD evidence that the alternating purine-pyrimidine sequence poly[d(A-C).d(G-T)], but not poly[d(A-T).d(A-T)], undergoes an acid-induced transition to a modified secondary conformation.

Circular dichroism and UV absorption data showed that poly[d(A-C).d(G-T)] (at 0.01M Na+ (phosphate), 20 degrees C) underwent two reversible conformational transitions upon lowering of the pH. The first transition was complete at about pH 3.9 and resulted in an acid form of the polymer that was most likely a modified, protonated duplex. The second transition occurred between pH 3.9 and 3.4 and consisted of the denaturation of this protonated duplex to the single strands. UV absorption and CD data also showed that the separated poly[d(A-C)] strand formed two acid-induced self-complexes with pKa values of 6.1 and 4.7 (at 0.01M Na+). However, neither one of these poly[d(A-C)] self-complexes was part of the acid-induced rearrangements of the duplex poly[d(A-C).d(G-T)]. Acid titration of the separated poly[d(G-T)] strand, under similar conditions, did not show the formation of any protonated poly[d(G-T)] self-complexes. In contrast to poly[d(A-C).d(G-T)], poly[d(A-T).d(A-T)] underwent only one acid-induced transition, which consisted of the denaturation of the duplex to the single strands, as the pH was lowered from 7 to 3.     

Poly(dA).poly(dT) exists in an unusual conformation under physiological conditions: propidium binding to poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)]

The binding of propidium to poly(dA).poly(dT) [poly(dA.dT)] and to poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] [poly[d(A-T)2]] has been compared under a variety of solution conditions by viscometric titrations, binding studies, and kinetic experiments. The binding of propidium to poly[d(A-T)2] is quite similar to its binding to calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The interaction with poly(dA.dT), however, is quite unusual. The viscosity of a poly(dA.dT) solution first decreases and then increases in a titration with propidium at 18 degrees C. The viscosity of poly[d(A-T)2] shows no decrease in a similar titration. Scatchard plots for the interaction of propidium with poly(dA.dT) show the classical upward curvature for positive cooperativity. The curvature decreases as the temperature is increased in binding experiments. A van't Hoff plot of the observed binding constants yields an apparent positive enthalpy of approximately +6 kcal/mol for the propidium-poly(dA.dT) interaction. Propidium binding to poly[d(A-T)2] shows no evidence for positive cooperativity, and the enthalpy change for the reaction is approximately -9 kcal/mol. Both the magnitude of the dissociation constants and the effects of ionic strength are quite similar for the dissociation of propidium from poly(dA-T)2] and from poly[d(A-T)2], suggesting that the intercalated states are similar for the two complexes. The observed association reactions, under pseudo-first-order conditions, are quite different. Plots of the observed pseudo-first-order association rate constant vs. polymer concentration have much larger slopes for propidium binding to poly[d(A-T)2] than to poly(dA.dT).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Intracellular DNA damage produced by a series of diacridines.

The intracellular DNA damage produced by a series of diacridines after a 2 h pulse treatment of L1210 cells in culture was investigated by using the alkaline-elution technique. Like other intercalating agents, diacridines produce single-strand breaks and protein-DNA links. There is a large increase in both types of damage as the alkane chain linking the two 9-aminoacridine residues is increased beyond five methylene groups, which is consistent with the previously observed change from monofunctional to bifunctional intercalation [Wakelin, Romanos, Chen, Glaubiger, Canellakis & Waring (1978) Biochemistry 17, 5057-5063]. For linker chains of less than six methylene groups these agents produce less DNA damage than does the parent 9-aminoacridine at the same drug concentration. Unlike the monofunctional intercalators previously investigated [Ross, Glaubiger & Kohn (1979) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 562, 41-50; Zwelling, Michaels, Erickson, Ungerleider, Nichols & Kohn (1981) Biochemistry 20, 6553-6563; Zwelling, Kerrigan & Michaels (1982) Cancer Res. 42, 2687-2691; Zwelling, Michaels, Kerrigan, Pommier & Kohn (1982) Biochem. Pharmacol. 31, 3261-3267], there is no correlation between the number of single-strand breaks and protein-DNA links produced by these diacridines.     

fd gene 5 protein binds to double-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides poly(dA.dT) and poly[d(A-T).d(A-T)]

Circular dichroism (CD) data indicated that fd gene 5 protein (G5P) formed complexes with double-stranded poly(dA.dT) and poly[d(A-T).d(A-T)]. CD spectra of both polymers at wavelengths above 255 nm were altered upon protein binding. These spectral changes differed from those caused by strand separation. In addition, the tyrosyl 228-nm CD band of G5P decreased more than 65% upon binding of the protein to these double-stranded polymers. This reduction was significantly greater than that observed for binding to single-stranded poly(dA), poly(dT), and poly[d(A-T)] but was similar to that observed for binding of the protein to double-stranded RNA [Gray, C.W., Page, G.A., & Gray, D.M. (1984) J. Mol. Biol. 175, 553-559]. The decrease in melting temperature caused by the protein was twice as great for poly[d(A-T).d(A-T)] as for poly(dA.dT) in 5 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride (Tris-HCl), pH 7. Upon heat denaturation of the poly(dA.dT)-G5P complex, CD spectra showed that single-stranded poly(dA) and poly(dT) formed complexes with the protein. The binding of gene 5 protein lowered the melting temperature of poly(dA.dT) by 10 degrees C in 5 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7, but after reducing the binding to the double-stranded form of the polymer by the addition of 0.1 M Na+, the melting temperature was lowered by approximately 30 degrees C. Since increasing the salt concentration decreases the affinity of G5P for the poly(dA) and poly(dT) single strands and increases the stability of the double-stranded polymer, the ability of the gene 5 protein to destabilize poly(dA.dT) appeared to be significantly affected by its binding to the double-stranded form of the polymer.     

Accessibility for water molecules and relative stability of the A- and B-forms of DNA

Accessible surface areas of DNA molecules (A- and B-forms) for different probe particle radii were calculated for poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] sequences. The problem of different forms stability is discussed in connection with accessible surface area characteristics as well as coulombic interaction between base pairs. The coulombic interaction was shown to play an important role in sequence dependent stability of the DNA molecule.     

Volume and hydration changes of DNA-ligand interactions

We report the volumetric and other thermodynamic properties of ethidium bromide (EB), propidium iodide (PI) and daunomycin (DAU) intercalating with poly(dA).poly(dT), poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)], and poly[d(G-C)].poly[d(G-C)], respectively, as well as minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 binding with poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)]. The data were obtained using fluorescence titration and hydrostatic pressure measurements. Our thermodynamic data are combined with enthalpies from literature reports to analyze the thermodynamic characteristics of the different interactions. The differences are interpreted based on three processes related to hydration: I. burial of non-polar hydrophobic solvent accessible surface, II. burial of polar surface and formation of solute-solute H-bonds, and III. disruption of "structural" hydration. Sequence dependent conformational changes may also be important when comparing ligand binding to different DNA sequences. We conclude that a combination of different thermodynamic parameters, especially volume change, is essential in order to understand the role of hydration in the energetics of DNA-ligand interactions.