Groove-binding unsymmetrical cyanine dyes for staining of DNA: syntheses and characterization of the DNA-binding

Two new crescent-shaped unsymmetrical cyanine dyes have been synthesised and their interactions with DNA have been investigated by different spectroscopic methods. These dyes are analogues to a minor groove binding unsymmetrical cyanine dye, BEBO, recently reported by us. In this dye, the structure of the known intercalating cyanine dye BO was extended with a benzothiazole substituent. To investigate how the identity of the extending heterocycle affects the binding to DNA, the new dyes BETO and BOXTO have a benzothiazole group and a benzoxazole moiety, respectively. Whereas BEBO showed a heterogeneous binding to calf thymus DNA, linear and circular dichroism studies of BOXTO indicate a high preference for minor groove binding. BETO also binds in the minor groove to mixed sequence DNA but has a contribution of non-ordered and non-emissive species present. A non-intercalative binding mode of the new dyes, as well as for BEBO, is further supported by electrophoresis unwinding assays. These dyes, having comparable spectral properties as the intercalating cyanine dyes, but bind in the minor groove instead, might be useful complements for staining of DNA. In particular, the benzoxazole substituted dye BOXTO has attractive fluorescence properties with a quantum yield of 0.52 when bound to mixed sequence DNA and a 300-fold increase in fluorescence intensity upon binding.     

Syntheses and DNA-binding studies of a series of unsymmetrical cyanine dyes: structural influence on the degree of minor groove binding to natural DNA

Twelve crescent-shaped unsymmetrical dyes have been synthesized and their interactions with DNA have been investigated by spectroscopic methods. A new facile synthetic route to this type of cyanine dyes has been developed, involving the preparation of 6-substituted 2-thiomethyl-benzothiazoles in good yields. The new dyes are analogues to the minor groove binding unsymmetrical cyanine dye, BEBO, recently reported by us. In this dye, the structure of the known intercalating cyanine dye BO was extended with a 6-methylbenzothiazole substituent. Herein we further investigate the role of the extending benzazole heterocycle, as well as of the pyridine or quinoline moiety of the cyanine chromophore, for the binding mode of these crescent-shaped dyes to calf thymus DNA. Flow LD and CD studies of the 12 dyes show that the extent of minor groove binding to mixed sequence DNA varies significantly between the dyes. We find that hydrophobicity and size are the crucial parameters for recognition of the minor groove. The relatively high fluorescence quantum yield of many of these cyanines bound to DNA, combined with their absorption at long wavelengths, may render them useful in biological applications. In particular, two of the benzoxazole containing dyes BOXTO and 2-BOXTO show a high degree of minor groove binding and quantum yields of 0.52 and 0.32, respectively, when bound to DNA.     

Comparing mono- and divalent DNA groove binding cyanine dyes -- binding geometries, dissociation rates, and fluorescence properties

The unsymmetrical cyanine dyes BOXTO-PRO and BOXTO-MEE were derived from the DNA groove binder BOXTO, by adding a positively charged or a non-ionic hydrophilic tail to BOXTO, respectively. The main objective was to obtain more efficient DNA probes, for instance in electrophoresis and microscopy, by slowing down the dissociation of BOXTO from DNA. The interactions with mixed sequence DNA was studied with fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy, stopped-flow dissociation and gel electrophoresis. Both the derivatives are groove bound as BOXTO, and have similar fluorescence properties when bound to mixed sequence DNA in free solution. BOXTO-PRO exhibits a slower dissociation than BOXTO from DNA, whereas the dissociation rate for BOXTO-MEE is faster and, unexpectedly independent of the ionic strength. During gel electrophoresis both BOXTO-PRO and BOXTO-MEE exhibit a faster dissociation rate than BOXTO. Still, BOXTO-PRO seems to be a good alternative as DNA probe, especially for applications in free solution where the dissociation is slower than for the corresponding intercalator TOPRO-1.     

Synthesis and DNA binding studies of a new asymmetric cyanine dye binding in the minor groove of [poly(dA-dT)]2

A new asymmetric cyanine dye has been synthesised and its interaction with different DNA has been investigated. In this dye, BEBO, the structure of the known intercalating cyanine dye BO has been extended with a benzothiazole substituent. The resulting crescent-shape of the molecule is similar to that of the well-known minor groove binder Hoechst 33258. Indeed, comparative studies of BO illustrate a considerable change in binding mode induced by this structural modification. Linear and circular dichroism studies indicate that BEBO binds in the minor groove to [poly (dA-dT)](2), but that the binding to calf thymus DNA is heterogeneous, although still with a significant contribution of minor groove binding. Similar to other DNA binding asymmetric cyanine dyes, BEBO has a large increase in fluorescence intensity upon binding and a relatively large quantum yield when bound. The minor groove binding of BEBO to [poly (dA-dT)](2) affords roughly a 180-fold increase in intensity, which is larger than to that of the commonly used minor groove binding probes DAPI and Hoechst 33258.     

A new minor groove binding asymmetric cyanine reporter dye for real-time PCR

The minor groove binding asymmetric cyanine dye 4-[(3-methyl-6-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2,3-dihydro- (benzo-1,3-thiazole)-2-methylidene)]-1-methyl-pyridin ium iodide (BEBO) is tested as sequence non- specific label in real-time PCR. The fluorescence intensity of BEBO increases upon binding to double-stranded DNA allowing emission to be measured at the end of the elongation phase in the PCR cycle. BEBO concentrations between 0.1 and 0.4 µM generated sufficient fluorescence signal without inhibiting the PCR. A comparison with the commonly used reporter dye SYBR Green I shows that the two dyes behave similarly in all important aspects.     

A Mechanism for the Entrapment of DNA at an Air-Water Interface

Addition of the intercalating dye quinacrine to a low ionic strength solution of DNA in quantities sufficient to saturate the high affinity sites in the DNA will result in the accumulation of the DNA at the solution interface. This entrapment of DNA at the air-water interface has been assayed by the adsorption of DNA to untreated carbon-coated electron microscope grids touched to the solution surface. Other intercalating dyes can also bring about this entrapment, if they possess a side arm large enough to occupy one of the DNA grooves when the dye is intercalated into the DNA. The extension and unwinding of the DNA helix brought about by the intercalating chromophore of the dye molecules are not requirements for the entrapment process. Spermidine, a simple polyamine that will bind to the DNA minor groove but that has no intercalating chromophore, was found to bring about this entrapment. Even simple mono- and divalent cations in the absence of the above ligands were found to promote a low level of surface entrapment. A model for the entrapment of DNA at the air-water interface is proposed in which one (or both) of the hydrophobic grooves of the DNA becomes a surface-active agent as a consequence of the association of various ligands and charge neutralization.     

Condensation of DNA in situ in metaphase chromosomes induced by intercalating ligands and its relationship to chromosome banding

Interactions of certain intercalating cationic ligands with nucleic acids result in the formation of products that undergo condensation and agglomeration; this transition in solution can be monitored by light-scatter measurements. In the present study, using such intercalators as the antitumor drug mitoxantrone or fluorochromes acridine orange and quinacrine, we induced condensation of DNA in situ in Chinese hamster chromosomes. The in situ products scattered light and could be detected by darkfield- or phase-contrast microscopy. In the darkfield the complexes had a characteristic granular appearance and often generated a banding pattern on the chromosomes. In contrast, condensation of DNA in situ by the nonintercalating polyvalent cations (Co3+, spermine4+), while enhancing the chromosome's image contrast, did not produce the granular products or the banding. The condensation of free DNA, single or double stranded, natural or synthetic, the latter of various base composition and configuration, was also measured in solution. The condensation in solution and in situ was observed at similar concentrations of the respective ligands. The intercalating dye ethidium bromide, which did not condense DNA in solutions of moderate and high ionic strength, also did not generate the granular products or banding on chromosomes. The data also show that both base composition and configuration are important factors in determining the sensitivity of DNA to condensation by particular intercalating ligands. The studies suggest that the phenomenon of DNA condensation by intercalating dyes, which shows a high degree of specificity with respect to primary and secondary structures of DNA, may be associated with mechanisms of chromosome banding induced by the intercalating thiazine dyes in Giemsa staining or by quinacrine. Observation of chromosome banding based on light-scatter detection in darkfield microscopy allows the study of interactions between DNA and the ligands that neither fluoresce nor generate colored products. This principle of chromosome "counter-staining" can be explored by flow cytometry.     

Development of a mechanism-based, DNA staining protocol using SYTOX orange nucleic acid stain and DNA fragment sizing flow cytometry

Accurate measurement of single DNA fragments by DNA fragment sizing flow cytometry (FSFC) depends upon precise, stoichiometric DNA staining by the intercalating dye molecules. In this study, we determined the binding characteristics of a commercially available 532 nm wavelength-excitable dye and used this information to develop a universal DNA staining protocol for DNA FSFC using a compact frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser excitation source. Among twelve 532 nm wavelength-excitable nucleic acid staining dyes tested, SYTOX Orange stain showed the highest fluorescence intensity along with a large fluorescence enhancement upon binding to double-stranded DNA ( approximately 450-fold). Furthermore, using SYTOX Orange stain, accurate fragment-size-distribution histograms were consistently obtained without regard to the staining dye to base pair (dye/bp) ratio. A model describing two binding modes, intercalation (primary, yielding fluorescence) and external binding (secondary, involving fluorescence quenching), was proposed to interpret the performance of the dyes under different dye/bp ratios. The secondary equilibrium dissociation constant was found to be the most critical parameter in determining the sensitivity of each fluorophore to the staining dye/bp ratio. The measurements of both equilibrium dissociation constants provided us with a theoretical framework for developing a universal protocol which was successfully demonstrated over a wide range of DNA concentrations on a compact flow cytometer equipped with a frequency-doubled, diode-pumped, solid-state Nd:YAG laser for rapid and sensitive DNA fragment sizing.     

BOXTO as a real-time thermal cycling reporter dye

The unsymmetrical cyanine dyes BOXTO (4-[6-(benzoxazole-2-yl-(3-methyl-)-2,3-dihydro-(benzo-1,3-thiazole)-2-methylidene)]-1-methyl-quinolinium chloride) and its positive divalent derivative BOXTO-PRO (4-[3-methyl-6-(benzoxazole-2-yl)-2,3-dihydro-(benzo-1,3-thiazole)-2-methylidene)]-1-(3-trimethylammonium-propyl)-quinolinium dibromide) were studied as real-time PCR reporting fluorescent dyes and compared to SYBR GREEN I (SG) (2-[N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-propylamino]-4-[2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-(benzo-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-methylidene]-1-phenylquinolinium). Unmodified BOXTO showed no inhibitory effects on real-time PCR, while BOXTO-PRO showed complete inhibition, Sufficient fluorescent signal was acquired when 0.5–1.0 μM BOXTO was used with RotorGene and iCycler platforms. Statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference between the efficiency and dynamic range of BOXTO and SG. BOXTO stock solution (1.5 mM) was stable at −20°C for more than one year and 40 μM BOXTO solution was more stable than 5x SG when both were stored at 4°C for 45 days.     

Comparison of SYTO9 and SYBR Green I for real-time polymerase chain reaction and investigation of the effect of dye concentration on amplification and DNA melting curve analysis

Following the initial report of the use of SYBR Green I for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1997, little attention has been given to the development of alternative intercalating dyes for this application. This is surprising considering the reported limitations of SYBR Green I, which include limited dye stability, dye-dependent PCR inhibition, and selective detection of amplicons during DNA melting curve analysis of multiplex PCRs. We have tested an alternative to SYBR Green I and report the first detailed evaluation of the intercalating dye SYTO9. Our findings demonstrate that SYTO9 produces highly reproducible DNA melting curves over a broader range of dye concentrations than does SYBR Green I, is far less inhibitory to PCR than SYBR Green I, and does not appear to selectively detect particular amplicons. The low inhibition and high melting curve reproducibility of SYTO9 means that it can be readily incorporated into a conventional PCR at a broad range of concentrations, allowing closed tube analysis by DNA melting curve analysis. These features simplify the use of intercalating dyes in real-time PCR and the improved reproducibility of DNA melting curve analysis will make SYTO9 useful in a diagnostic context.     

Influence of cyanine dye structure on self-aggregation and interaction with nucleic acids: a kinetic approach to TO and BO binding

Kinetics and equilibria of cyanine dyes thiazole orange (TO) and benzothiazole orange (BO) self-aggregation and binding to CT-DNA are investigated in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C and pH 7. Absorbance spectra and T-jump experiments reveal that BO forms J-aggregates while TO forms more stable H-aggregates. Fluorescence and absorbance titrations show that TO binds to DNA more tightly than BO. TO stacks externally to DNA for low polymer-to-dye concentration ratios (C(P)/C(D)) while dye intercalation occurs for high values of C(P)/C(D). T-jump and stopped-flow experiments performed at high C(P)/C(D) agree with reaction scheme D+S <=> D,S <=> DS(I) <=> DS(II) where the precursor complex D,S evolves to a partially intercalated complex DS(I) which converts to the more stable intercalate DS(II). Non-electrostatic forces play a major role in D,S stabilization. Last step is similar for both dyes suggesting accommodation of the common benzothiazole residue between base pairs. Experiments using poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) confirm base pair preference for TO.     

Energetics and affinity of the histone octamer for defined DNA sequences

Previous studies have compared the relative free energies for histone octamer binding to various DNA sequences; however, no reports of the equilibrium binding affinity of the octamer for unique sequences have been presented. It has been shown that nucleosome core particles (NCPs) dissociate into free DNA and histone octamers (or free histones) on dilution without generation of stable intermediates. Dissociation is reversible, and an equilibrium distribution of NCPs and DNA is rapidly attained. Under low ionic strength conditions (<400 mM NaCl), NCP dissociation obeys the law of mass action, making it possible to calculate apparent equilibrium dissociation constants (K(d)s) for NCPs reconstituted on defined DNA sequences. We have used two DNA sequences that have previously served as model systems for nucleosome reconstitution studies, human alpha-satellite DNA and Lytechinus variegatus 5S DNA, and find that the octamer exhibits K(d)s of 0.03 and 0.06 nM, respectively, for these sequences at 50 mM NaCl. These DNAs form NCPs that are approximately 2 kcal/mol more stable than total NCPs isolated from cellular chromatin. As for mixed-sequence NCPs, increasing ionic strength or temperature promotes dissociation. van't Hoff plots of K(a)s versus temperature reveal that the difference in binding free energy for alpha-satellite and 5S NCPs compared to bulk NCPs is due almost entirely to a more favorable entropic component for NCPs formed on the unique sequences compared to mixed-sequence NCPs. Additionally, we address the contribution of the amino-terminal tail domains of histones H3 and H4 to octamer affinity through the use of recombinant tailless histones.     

Selective inhibition of restriction endonuclease cleavage by DNA intercalators

The preferred dye binding sites and the microenvironment of known nucleotide sequences within mitochondrial and plasmid pBR322 DNA was probed in a gross fashion with restriction endonucleases. The intercalating dyes, ethidium bromide and propidium iodide, do not inhibit a given restriction endonuclease equally at all of the restriction sites within a DNA molecule. The selective inhibition may be explained, in part, by the potential B to Z conformation transition of DNA flanking the restriction site and by preferred dye binding sites. Propidium iodide was found to be a more potent inhibitor than ethidium bromide and the inhibition is independent of the type of cut made by the enzyme.     

Combining sequence-specific probes and DNA binding dyes in real-time PCR for specific nucleic acid quantification and melting curve analysis

Currently, in real-time PCR, one often has to choose between using a sequence-specific probe and a nonspecific double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) binding dye for the detection of amplified DNA products. The sequence-specific probe has the advantage that it only detects the targeted product, while the nonspecific dye has the advantage that melting curve analysis can be performed after completed amplification, which reveals what kind of products have been formed. Here we present a new strategy based on combining a sequence-specific probe and a nonspecific dye, BOXTO, in the same reaction, to take the advantage of both chemistries. We show that BOXTO can be used together with both TaqMan probes and locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes without interfering with the PCR. The probe signal reflect formation of target product, while melting curve analysis of the BOXTO signal reveals primer-dimer formation and the presence of any other anomalous products.     

Linear dichroism and polarized fluorescence of dye-complexed DNA fibers

Summary A simple method to obtain well orientated DNA fibers for studying the ordered binding of dyes and fluorochromes by linear dichroism and polarized fluorescence is described. The metachromatic dye toluidine blue and the intercalating fluorochromes ethidium bromide and acridine orange showed a perpendicular alignement to DNA; the minor groove binding fluorochromes 33258 Hoechst and DAPI appeared parallel. Thus, DNA fibers represent a suitable cytochemical test substrate for studying the orientation of bound dyes by polarization methods.     

Binding of ethidium to the nucleosome core particle. 1. Binding and dissociation reactions

We have examined binding properties of and dissociation induced by the intercalating dye ethidium bromide when it interacts with the nucleosome core particle under low ionic strength conditions. Ethidium binding to the core particle results in a reversible dissociation which requires the critical binding of 14 ethidium molecules. Under low ionic strength conditions, dissociation is about 90% completed in 5 h. The observed ethidium binding isotherm was corrected for the presence of free DNA due to particle dissociation. The corrected curve reveals that the binding of ethidium to the core particle itself is a highly cooperative process characterized by a low intrinsic binding constant of KA = 2.4 X 10(4) M-1 and a cooperativity parameter of omega = approximately 140. The number of base pairs excluded to another dye molecule by each bound dye molecule (n) is 4.5. Through the use of a chemical probe, methidiumpropyl-EDTA (MPE), we have localized the initial binding sites of ethidium in the core particle to consist of an average of 27 +/- 4 bp of DNA that are distributed near both ends of the DNA termini. MPE footprint analysis has also revealed that, prior to dissociation, the fractional population of core particles which bind the dye (f) may be as low as 50%. Comparison of the binding and dissociation data showed that the cooperative maximum of the binding curve occurred at or near the critical value, i.e., at the point where dissociation began. The data were used to generate a detailed model for the association of ethidium with chromatin at the level of the nucleosome.     

Comparison of multiple DNA dyes for real-time PCR: effects of dye concentration and sequence composition on DNA amplification and melting temperature

The importance of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has increased steadily in clinical applications over the last decade. Many applications utilize SYBR Green I dye to follow the accumulation of amplicons in real time. SYBR Green I has, however, a number of limitations that include the inhibition of PCR, preferential binding to GC-rich sequences and effects on melting curve analysis. Although a few alternative dyes without some of these limitations have been recently proposed, no large-scale investigation into the properties of intercalating dyes has been performed. In this study, we investigate 15 different intercalating DNA dyes for their inhibitory effects on PCR, effects on DNA melting temperature and possible preferential binding to GC-rich sequences. Our results demonstrated that in contrast to the results of SYBR Green I, two intercalating dyes SYTO-13 and SYTO-82 do not inhibit PCR, show no preferential binding to GC rich sequences and do not influence melting temperature, T_m, even at high concentrations. In addition, SYTO-82 demonstrated a 50-fold lower detection limit in a dilution series assay. In conclusion, the properties of SYTO-82 and SYTO-13 will simplify the development of multiplex assays and increase the sensitivity of real-time PCR.     

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)     

Permeation of styryl dyes through nanometer-scale pores in membranes

Styryl dyes are widely used to study synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling in neurons; vesicles are loaded with dye during endocytosis, and dye is subsequently released via exocytosis. During putative kiss-and-run exocytosis, efflux of dye from individual SVs has been proposed to occur via two sequential steps: dissociation from the membrane followed by permeation through a small fusion pore. To improve our understanding of the kinetics of efflux of dye from vesicles during kiss-and-run events, we examined the rates of efflux of different dyes through nanometer-scale pores formed in membranes by the toxins melittin and α-hemolysin; these pores approximate the size of fusion pores measured in neuroendocrine cells. We found that the axial diameter of each dye was a crucial determinant for permeation. Moreover, the two dyes with the largest cross-sectional areas were completely unable to pass through pores formed by a mutant α-hemolysin that has a slightly smaller pore than the wild-type toxin. The overall time constant for efflux (seconds) of each dye was orders of magnitude slower than the time constant for dissociation from membranes (milliseconds). Thus, the permeation step is rate-limiting, and this observation was further supported by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Together, the data reported here help provide a framework for interpreting dye destaining rates from secretory vesicles.