A Z-like form of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) in solution?

Circular dichroism was used to study changes in conformation of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) caused by a high concentration of various monovalent salts. It was found that CsF induced the gradual appearance of a negative band in the long wavelength part of the CD spectrum of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT), which might reflect a transition of this DNA toward a Z-like structure.     

Ultrapolymorphic DNA: B, A, Z, and Z* conformations of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT)

The synthetic polynucleotide poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) at low ionic strength is shown to undergo conformational changes in the presence of [tris(2-aminoethyl)amine]zinc(II) chloride (ZnN4). At 100 microM ZnN4, circular dichroism and 31P NMR spectra show the formation of Z DNA. With an increase of the concentration up to 600 microM, an A-like form is obtained, and at still higher concentration, the polynucleotide reverts to the original B form. Experiments on polynucleotide samples in which some sequence errors were observed showed that spermine was necessary as well as ZnN4 to induce the Z form. At higher concentrations of spermine and ZnN4, a second Z form (Z*) is observed. Raising the ionic strength inhibits the formation of the Z form, whereas the presence of ethylene glycol favors it.     

Right-handed and left-handed helices of poly(dA-dC) X (dG-dT).

The secondary structures of poly(dA-dC) X (dG-dT) were studied using CD and IR spectroscopies. We give spectroscopic evidence of secondary structure transitions of poly(dA-dC) X (dG-dT) from a B to a Z-like helix, induced by transition metal ions (Ni2+) in presence of high concentrations of Cs+ and Na+. In the presence of Na+, the B in equilibrium Z transition occurs at any temperature, whereas premelting conditions are required in presence of Cs+. For these two alkali ions the Z-like form is only induced by Ni2+ ions through their specific interactions at N7 of purines, under conditions of low water activity due to the high alkali salt concentration. We also show that the CD spectrum obtained in presence of Cs+ ions and characterized by a negative band at 275 nm, cannot be interpreted in terms of Z-like left-handed helix but reflects a modified B right-handed helix.     

Conformational transitions of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) induced by high salt or in ethanolic solution.

Poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) was studied by circular dichroism in the presence of high CsCl concentrations and in ethanolic solutions. This alternating purine-pyrimidine duplex may undergo two conformational transitions from a B-type to a novel structure and subsequently into an A-form. Cs+ ions or increasing ethanol concentrations induced a change of the B-type CD spectrum and an inversion of the long wavelength CD band. Lowering the temperature below 0 C or addition of small amounts of Ca++ ions were particularly potent in producing a large negative CD band. A modified B-type structure or a conversion into a left-handed Z-form is considered for this conformational transition.     

A left-handed (Z) conformation of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) induced by polyamines.

Blocks of potential Z-DNA forming alternating purine-pyrimidine (APP) sequences are widely dispersed in native DNAs. We have studied the effects of naturally occurring polyamines on the conformation of a synthetic APP sequence, poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) by circular dichroism spectroscopy. In the presence of micromolar concentrations of spermidine (125 microM) and spermine (16 microM), this polymer undergoes B to Z transition in low ionic strength (2 mM Na+) buffers. The concentration of polyamines required for B to Z transition increases with Na+ in the buffer and a straight line is obtained on plotting ln[Na+] vs. ln [spermidine 3+]. However, at concentrations of polyamines higher than those necessary to induce B to Z transition, Z-DNA converts to psi-DNA, an ordered, twisted, tight packing arrangement of the double helix. These results suggest a pathway for the transient formation of Z-DNA segments in vivo by interaction of the ubiquitous polyamines with naturally occurring blocks of APP sequences.     

The Z-conformation of poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) in solution as studied by ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy

Poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) structures in aqueous solutions with high NaCl concentrations and in the presence of Ni2+ ions have been studied with resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS). In low water activity the effects of added 95 mM NiCl2 in solution stabilize the syn geometry of the purines and reorganize the water distribution via local interactions of Ni-water charged complexes with the adenine N7 position. It is shown that RRS provides good marker bands for a left-handed helix: i) a purine ring breathing mode around 630 cm-1 coupled to the deoxyribose vibration in the syn geometry, ii) a 1300-1340 cm-1 region characterizing local chemical interactions of the Ni2+ ions with the adenine N7 position, iii) lines at about 1483- and 1582 cm-1 correlated to the anti/syn reorientation of the adenine residues on B-Z structure transition, iv) marker bands of the thymidine carbonyl group couplings at 1680- and 1733 cm-1 due to the disposition of the thymidine residues in the Z helix specific geometry. Hence poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) can adopt a Z form in solution. The Z form observed in alternate purine-pyrimidine sequences does not require G-C base pairs.     

Temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum of DNA. II. Raman signatures of premelting and melting transitions of poly(dA).poly(dT) and comparison with poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT).

The temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum of poly(dA).poly(dT) (dA: deoxyadenosine; dT: thymidine), a model for DNA containing consecutive adenine.thymine (A.T) pairs, has been analyzed using a spectrometer of high spectral precision and sensitivity. Three temperature intervals are distinguished: (a) premelting (10 < t < 70 degrees C), in which the native double helix is structurally altered but not dissociated into single strands; (b) melting (70 < t < 80 degrees C), in which the duplex is dissociated into single strands; and (c) postmelting (80 < t degrees C), in which no significant structural change can be detected. The distinctive Raman difference signatures observed between 10 and 70 degrees C and between 70 and 80 degrees C are interpreted in terms of the structural changes specific to premelting and melting transitions, respectively. Premelting alters the low-temperature conformation of the deoxyribose-phosphate backbone and eliminates base hydrogen bonding that is distinct from canonical Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding; these premelting perturbations occur without disruption of base stacking. Conversely, melting eliminates canonical Watson-Crick pairing and base stacking. The results are compared with those reported previously on poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT), the DNA structure consisting of alternating A.T and T.A pairs (L. Movileanu, J. M. Benevides, and G. J. Thomas, Jr. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 1999, Vol. 30, pp. 637-649). Poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) exhibit strikingly dissimilar temperature-dependent Raman profiles prior to the onset of melting. However, the two duplexes exhibit very similar melting transitions, including the same Raman indicators of ruptured Watson-Crick pairing, base unstacking and collapse of backbone order. A detailed analysis of the data provides a comprehensive Raman assignment scheme for adenosine and thymidine residues of B-DNA, delineates Raman markers diagnostic of consecutive A.T and alternating A.T/T.A tracts of DNA, and identifies the distinct Raman difference signatures for premelting and melting transitions in the two types of sequences.     

NMR relaxation and the structure of a synthetic DNA poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT)

1H-1H and 31P-1H nuclear Overhauser effects and 31P NMR spin-lattice relaxation times were measured for a synthetic DNA poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) in a low-salt aqueous solution. The results have shown that all bases in the double helix are anti-orientated with respect to deoxyribose residues and that the sugar-phosphate backbone has an alternating architecture.     

The molecular electrostatic potential and steric accessibility of poly (dA-dT). poly (dA-dT) in various conformations: B-DNA, D-DNA and 'alternating-B' DNA.

The influence of conformational changes on the molecular electrostatic potential and the steric accessibility of the double stranded polynucleotide poly (dA-dT). poly (dA-dT) are investigated by calculating these properties for three different conformations : B-DNA, D-DNA and alternating-B DNA.     

Thermal melting of poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) in methanol-water solutions

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a thermal breakdown product of a meperidine-like narcotic analgetic used by drug abusers as a synthetic heroin, causes Parkinsonian symptoms in humans and degeneration of the substantia nigra in monkeys. MPTP is oxidized by brain mitochondrial preparations in a process which is blocked by deprenyl and pargyline, implying catalysis by monoamine oxidase B. The present paper demonstrates that pure MAO B isolated from beef liver oxidizes MPTP 38% as fast as benzylamine with a comparable Km value. Additionally, MAO A, isolated from human placenta, oxidizes MPTP to the same product at about 12% of the rate of kynuramine, again with a comparable Km value. The latter reaction is blocked by clorgyline. Both forms of MAO are progressively inactivated by MPTP by a process which follows first order kinetics. This progressive inactivation and the fact that the activity of MAO B is not significantly regenerated following gel exclusion chromatography suggest the formation of a covalent adduct with enzyme. Thus, MPTP appears to be a suicide inactivator of MAO.     

Structure of the hydration envelope of the B-form of polydeoxyribonucleotides poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) and poly(dA-dG).poly(dTs-dT) from the data of Monte-Carlo simulation

The results of a Monte Carlo simulation of the hydration shell of two polynucleotides poly (dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) and poly(dA-dG).poly(dC-dT) are reported. This study is a part of a series of Monte Carlo computations of the hydration of regular polydeoxyribonucleotides with dinucleotide repeat aimed at looking for dependences of hydration shell structure on base sequence. The coordinates of the main local maximal of water density near the polymers and the topology of the most probable one- and two-membered water bridges are published. For most of the sequences a common primary hydration of base edges of successive base pairs is characteristic. The AT-homopolymeric sequence represents an exception with autonomous primary hydration of a base pair in both grooves, which correlates with the sequence-dependent flexibility and the occurrence of bends of DNA.     

An alternating conformation characterizes the phosphodiester backbone of poly(dA-dT) in solution.

A highly homogeneous 145-base-pair fragment of double helical poly(dA-dT) . poly(dA-dT) was obtained by micrococcal nuclease digestion of a semisynthetic chromatin prepared from the nucleosome core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, H4) and the synthetic polydeoxyribonucleotide. In contrast to higher molecular weight alternating copolymers, this fragment displayed two resolved 31P NMR signals, separated by 24 Hz at 10.93 MHz. The two signals were of equal intensity at all temperatures less than the Tm for the fragment. Analyses of the possible origins for the two reasonances leads to the conclusion that the phosphodiester backbone of this DNA contains two distinct phosphorus environments, probably in an alternating array. We suggest that this may indicate the presence of sequence-dependent local variation in the helical structure of DNA in general.     

A twenty-two-fold increase in the relative affinity of estrogen receptor to poly (dA-dC).poly (dG-dT) in the presence of polyamines.

We studied the relative efficacy of polyamines to facilitate the binding of estrogen receptor to poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT). In the absence of polyamines, 1,400 micrograms/ml of this polynucleotide eluted 50% of bound estrogen receptor from DNA-cellulose. In contrast, 50% estrogen receptor was eluted by 65 micrograms/ml of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) complexed with 150 microM spermidine. Putrescine and spermine also enhanced the ability of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) to elute estrogen receptor, but the magnitude of the effect was not as high as that of spermidine. Control experiments with calf thymus DNA and poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) showed 6- and 3-fold increase, respectively in their affinity for estrogen receptor in the presence of spermidine. The dramatic increase in the affinity of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) for estrogen receptor in the presence of polyamines might be a result of the conversion of the polynucleotide to the left-handed Z-DNA form. These results show that polyamines are capable of participating in estrogenic regulation of gene expression by altering the affinity of the receptor for specific DNA sequences.     

Titration of poly(dA-dT) . poly(dA-dT) in solution at variable NaCl concentration

CD and uv absorption data showed that high molecular weight poly(dA-dT) . poly(dA-dT), at 298 K, undergoes an acid-induced transition from B-double helix to random coil in NaCl solutions of different concentrations, ranging from 0.005 to 0.600M. Similarly, titration of the polynucleotide with a strong base causes duplex-to-single strands transition. The base- and acid-induced transitions were both reversible by back-titration (with an acid or, respectively, with a base): the apparent pKa were the same in both directions. However, the number of protons per titratable site (adenine N1) required to reach half-denaturation was in great excess over the stoichiometric value; to a much larger extent, the same effect was observed also for the deprotonation of the N3H sites of thymine. Moreover, in the basic denaturation experiments, at low salt concentrations ([NaCl]< or =0.300M) less acid than calculated was needed to back-titrate the base excess to half-denaturation. Both effects could be qualitatively justified on the basis of the counterion condensation theory of polyelectrolytes and considering the energy barrier created by the negatively charged phosphodiester groups to the penetration of the OH- ions inside the double helix and the screening effect of the Na+ ions on such charges, in the deprotonation experiments.     

Circular dichroism of polynucleotides: Interactions of NiCl2 with poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in a water-in-oil microemulsion

The thermal behavior of the synthetic, high molecular weight, double stranded polynucleotides poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) [polyAT] and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) [polyGC] solubilized in the aqueous core of the quaternary water-in-oil cationic microemulsion CTAB|n-pentanol|n-hexane|water in the presence of increasing amounts of NiCl(2) at several constant ionic strength values (NaCl) has been studied by means of circular dichroism and electronic absorption spectroscopies. In the microemulsive medium, both polynucleotides show temperature-induced modifications that markedly vary with both Ni(II) concentration and ionic strength. An increase of temperature causes denaturation of the polyAT duplex at low nickel concentrations, while more complex CD spectral modifications are observed at higher nickel concentrations and ionic strengths. By contrast, thermal denaturation is never observed for polyGC. At low Ni(II) concentrations, the increase of temperature induces conformational transitions from B-DNA to Z-DNA form, or, more precisely, to left-handed helical structures. In some cases, at higher nickel concentrations, the CD spectra suggest the presence of Z'-type forms of the polynucleotide.