Quantitation of cellular deoxynucleoside triphosphates

Eukaryotic cells contain a delicate balance of minute amounts of the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), sufficient only for a few minutes of DNA replication. Both a deficiency and a surplus of a single dNTP may result in increased mutation rates, faulty DNA repair or mitochondrial DNA depletion. dNTPs are usually quantified by an enzymatic assay in which incorporation of radioactive dATP (or radioactive dTTP in the assay for dATP) into specific synthetic oligonucleotides by a DNA polymerase is proportional to the concentration of the unknown dNTP. We find that the commonly used Klenow DNA polymerase may substitute the corresponding ribonucleotide for the unknown dNTP leading in some instances to a large overestimation of dNTPs. We now describe assay conditions for each dNTP that avoid ribonucleotide incorporation. For the dTTP and dATP assays it suffices to minimize the concentrations of the Klenow enzyme and of labeled dATP (or dTTP); for dCTP and dGTP we had to replace the Klenow enzyme with either the Taq DNA polymerase or Thermo Sequenase. We suggest that in some earlier reports ribonucleotide incorporation may have caused too high values for dGTP and dCTP.     

Determination of ribonucleoside triphosphates and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates in Novikoff hepatoma cells by high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid, specific, and sensitive method has been developed for the determination of ribonucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates in Novikoff hepatoma cells. A simple three-step procedure was used. Extraction of the biological material with 5% cold trichloroacetic acid (TCA); elimination of TCA by ethilic ether wash and concentration of the sample by lyophilization; and separation of CTP, dCTP, ATP, dATP, UTP, dTTP, GTP, dGTP and their quantitation by anionic-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography under isocratic conditions. All the compounds were identified by comparing their retention times with those of pure compounds, by cochromatography with single pure ribonucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) or deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), and by comparing the 280 nm:254 nm spectral ratios of the peaks with those of known NTP and dNTP standards. The specific activity of all the above mentioned nucleotides also was determined in Novikoff hepatoma cells labeled with [32P]orthophosphate.     

Crystal structures of the Klenow fragment of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I complexed with deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates.

The crystal structures of the Klenow fragment of the Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I (Klentaq1) complexed with four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTP) have been determined to 2.5 A resolution. The dNTPs bind adjacent to the O helix of Klentaq1. The triphosphate moieties are at nearly identical positions in all four complexes and are anchored by three positively charged residues, Arg659, Lys663, and Arg587, and by two polar residues, His639 and Gln613. The configuration of the base moieties in the Klentaq1/dNTP complexes demonstrates variability suggesting that dNTP binding is primarily determined by recognition and binding of the phosphate moiety. However, when superimposed on the Taq polymerase/blunt end DNA complex structure (Eom et al., 1996), two of the dNTP/Klentaq1 structures demonstrate appropriate stacking of the nucleotide base with the 3' end of the DNA primer strand, suggesting that at least in these two binary complexes, the observed dNTP conformations are functionally relevant.     

Polymerase incorporation of pyrene-nucleoside triphosphates

Pyrene-deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dPTPs), varying by the positioning of the aromatic system, were synthesized. Their ability to function as substrates for the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and the TdT polymerase was assessed. The dPTPs are all equally well tolerated by the Klenow fragment, and lead to elongation of up to 5 extra nucleotides of a ssDNA primer in a TdT-mediated reaction. The tailing efficiency of the dPTPs compares favorably to other less drastically modified dNTPs.     

Photoaffinity labeling of the thymidine triphosphate binding domain in Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I: identification of histidine-881 as the site of cross-linking

Using the technique of ultraviolet-mediated cross-linking of substrate deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) to their acceptor site [Abraham, K. I., & Modak, M. J. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1176-1182], we have labeled the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Pol I) with [alpha-32P]dTTP. Covalent cross-linking of [alpha-32P]dTTP to the Klenow fragment is shown to be at the substrate binding site by the following criteria: (a) the cross-linking reaction requires dTTP in its metal chelate form; (b) dTTP is readily competed out by other dNTPs as well as by substrate binding site directed reagents; (c) labeling with dTTP occurs at a single site as judged by peptide mapping. Under optimal conditions, a modification of approximately 20% of the enzyme was achieved. Following tryptic digestion of the [alpha-32P]dTTP-labeled Klenow fragment, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that 80% of the radioactivity was contained within a single peptide. The amino acid composition and sequence of this peptide identified it as the peptide spanning amino acid residues 876-890 in the primary sequence of E. coli Pol I. Chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion of the labeled tryptic peptide in each case yielded a single smaller fragment that was radioactive. Amino acid analysis and sequencing of these smaller peptides further narrowed the dTTP cross-linking site to within the region spanning residues 876-883. We concluded that histidine-881 is the primary attachment site for dTTP in E. coli DNA Pol I, since during amino acid sequencing analysis of all three radioactive peptides loss of the histidine residue at the expected cycle is observed.     

Stable suppression of the R2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase by R2-targeted short interference RNA sensitizes p53(-/-) HCT-116 colon cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents and ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors

Ribonucleotide reductase catalyzes the production of deoxyribonucleoside diphosphates, the precursors of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates for DNA synthesis. Mammalian ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a tetramer consisting of two non-identical homodimers, R1 and either R2 or p53R2, which are considered to be involved in DNA replication and repair, respectively. We have demonstrated that DNA damage by doxorubicin and cisplatin caused a steady elevation of the R2 protein in p53(-/-) HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cells but induced degradation of the protein in p53(+/+) cells. To evaluate the involvement of R2 in response to DNA damage, p53(-/-) HCT-116 cells were stably transfected with an expression vector transcribing short hairpin/short interference RNA directed against R2 mRNA. Stably transfected clones exhibited a pronounced reduction of the R2 protein with no change in the cellular growth rate. Furthermore, short interference RNA-mediated reduction of the R2 protein caused a marked increase in sensitivity to the DNA-damaging agent cisplatin as well as to the RNR inhibitors Triapine and hydroxyurea. Ectopic expression of p53R2 partially reversed the cytotoxicity of cisplatin but not that of RNR inhibitors to R2 knockdown cells. The increase in sensitivity to cisplatin and RNR inhibitors was correlated with the suppression of dATP and dGTP levels caused by stable expression of R2-targeted short interference RNA. These results indicated that DNA damage resulted in elevated levels of the R2 protein and dNTPs and, consequently, enhanced the survival of p53(-/-) HCT-116 cells. The findings provide evidence that R2-RNR can be employed to supply dNTPs for the repair of DNA damage in cells with an impaired p53-dependent induction of p53R2.     

Analysis of closely related genes by the use of synthetic oligonucleotide probes labeled to a high specific activity

A method for labeling synthetic oligonucleotide probes to high specific activity is described. The method utilizes two partly complementary oligonucleotides that are labeled by a fill-in reaction using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and four α³²P-nucleoside triphosphates. Such probes can, in combination with Southern blot analysis, be used for routine analysis of individual genes in multigene families.     

Distinct complexes of DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) for base and sugar discrimination during nucleotide substrate selection

During each catalytic cycle, DNA polymerases select deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) substrates complementary to a templating base with high fidelity from a pool that includes noncomplementary dNTPs and both complementary and noncomplementary ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs). The Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (KF) achieves this through a series of conformational transitions that precede the chemical step of phosphodiester bond formation. Kinetic evidence from fluorescence and FRET experiments indicates that discrimination of the base and sugar moieties of the incoming nucleotide occurs in distinct, sequential steps during the selection pathway. Here we show that KF-DNA complexes formed with complementary rNTPs or with noncomplementary nucleotides can be distinguished on the basis of their properties when captured in an electric field atop the α-hemolysin nanopore. The average nanopore dwell time of KF-DNA complexes increased as a function of complementary rNTP concentration. The increase was less than that promoted by complementary dNTP, indicating that the rNTP complexes are more stable than KF-DNA binary complexes but less stable than KF-DNA-dNTP ternary complexes. KF-DNA-rNTP complexes could also be distinguished from KF-DNA-dNTP complexes on the basis of ionic current amplitude. In contrast to complementary rNTPs, noncomplementary dNTPs and rNTPs diminished the average nanopore dwell time of KF-DNA complexes in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that binding of a noncomplementary nucleotide keeps the KF-DNA complex in a less stable state. These results imply that nucleotide selection proceeds through a series of complexes of increasing stability in which substrates with the correct moiety promote the forward transitions.     

Isocratic HPLC analysis for the simultaneous determination of dNTPs,rNTPs and ADP in biological samples

Information about the cellular concentrations of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) is instrumental for mechanistic studies of DNA replication and for understanding diseases caused by defects in dNTP metabolism. The dNTPs are measured by methods based on either HPLC or DNA polymerization. An advantage with the HPLC-based techniques is that the parallel analysis of ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) can serve as an internal quality control of nucleotide integrity and extraction efficiency. We have developed a Freon-free trichloroacetic acid-based method to extract cellular nucleotides and an isocratic reverse phase HPLC-based technique that is able to separate dNTPs, rNTPs and ADP in a single run. The ability to measure the ADP levels improves the control of nucleotide integrity, and the use of an isocratic elution overcomes the shifting baseline problems in previously developed gradient-based reversed phase protocols for simultaneously measuring dNTPs and rNTPs. An optional DNA-polymerase-dependent step is used for confirmation that the dNTP peaks do not overlap with other components of the extracts, further increasing the reliability of the analysis. The method is compatible with a wide range of biological samples and has a sensitivity better than other UV-based HPLC protocols, closely matching that of mass spectrometry-based detection.     

Changes in ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pools within the cell cycle of a synchronized mouse fibroblast cell line

Intracellular pool levels of ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates were monitored throughout the cell cycle of C3H10T1/2 mouse embryo fibroblast cells synchronized by isoleucine deprivation. Absolute pool sizes of ribonucleoside triphosphates were approximately 30 fold greater than those of the corresponding deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Of the ribonucleoside triphosphates, pool sizes of ATP exhibited the greatest change, increasing from a low of 32.7 nmol/10(7) cells during G1 to a high of 81.6 nmol/10(7) cells 2 h prior to mid S-phase. Levels of ATP subsequently declined to 40.2 nmol/10(7) cells during late S-phase, followed by a second peak of 65.8 nmol/10(7) with the onset of cell division. No significant changes in the pool sizes of UTP and GTP were found throughout the cell cycle. Of the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, pool sizes of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates were approx. 5-10 fold greater than those of purine deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Low levels of deoxyribonucldoside triphosphates during G1 (0.3-1.3 pmol/10(7) cells) increased coordinately with the initiation of DNA synthesis to an initial peak during mid S-phase (0.5-6.4 pmol/10(7) cells). Declining levels of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates during late S-phase were followed by a subsequent larger second peak (1.7-10.7 pmol/10(7) cells) during G2-M.     

Biochemical characterization of TT1383 from Thermus thermophilus identifies a novel dNTP triphosphohydrolase activity stimulated by dATP and dTTP

The HD domain motif is found in a superfamily of proteins in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. A few of these proteins are known to have metal-dependant phosphohydrolase activity, but the others are functionally unknown. Here we have characterized an HD domain-containing protein, TT1383, from Thermus thermophilus HB8. This protein has sequence similarity to Escherichia coli dGTP triphosphohydrolase, however, no dGTP hydrolytic activity was detected. The hydrolytic activity of the protein was determined in the presence of more than two kinds of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), which were hydrolyzed to their respective deoxyribonucleosides and triphosphates, and was found to be strictly specific for dNTPs in the following order of relative activity: dCTP > dGTP > dTTP > dATP. Interestingly, this dNTP triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) activity requires the presence of dATP or dTTP in the dNTP mixture. dADP, dTDP, dAMP, and dTMP, which themselves were not hydrolyzed, were nonetheless able to stimulate the hydrolysis of dCTP. These results suggest the existence of binding sites specific for dATP and dTTP as positive modulators, distinct from the dNTPase catalytic site. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a non-specific dNTPase that is activated by dNTP itself.     

Genetic Bit Analysis: a solid phase method for typing single nucleotide polymorphisms.

A new method for typing single nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA is described. In this method, specific fragments of genomic DNA containing the polymorphic site(s) are first amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using one regular and one phosphorothioate-modified primer. The double-stranded PCR product is rendered single-stranded by treatment with the enzyme T7 gene 6 exonuclease, and captured onto individual wells of a 96 well polystyrene plate by hybridization to an immobilized oligonucleotide primer. This primer is designed to hybridize to the single-stranded target DNA immediately adjacent from the polymorphic site of interest. Using the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I or the modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase), the 3' end of the capture oligonucleotide is extended by one base using a mixture of one biotin-labeled, one fluorescein-labeled, and two unlabeled dideoxynucleoside triphosphates. Antibody conjugates of alkaline phosphatase and horseradish peroxidase are then used to determine the nature of the extended base in an ELISA format. This paper describes biochemical features of this method in detail. A semi-automated version of the method, which we call Genetic Bit Analysis (GBA), is being used on a large scale for the parentage verification of thoroughbred horses using a predetermined set of 26 diallelic polymorphisms in the equine genome.     

Exploration of factors driving incorporation of unnatural dNTPS into DNA by Klenow fragment (DNA polymerase I) and DNA polymerase alpha

In order to further understand how DNA polymerases discriminate against incorrect dNTPs, we synthesized two sets of dNTP analogues and tested them as substrates for DNA polymerase α (pol α) and Klenow fragment (exo⁻) of DNA polymerase I (Escherichia coli). One set of analogues was designed to test the importance of the electronic nature of the base. The bases consisted of a benzimidazole ring with one or two exocyclic substituent(s) that are either electron-donating (methyl and methoxy) or electron-withdrawing (trifluoromethyl and dinitro). Both pol α and Klenow fragment exhibit a remarkable inability to discriminate against these analogues as compared to their ability to discriminate against incorrect natural dNTPs. Neither polymerase shows any distinct electronic or steric preferences for analogue incorporation. The other set of analogues, designed to examine the importance of hydrophobicity in dNTP incorporation, consists of a set of four regioisomers of trifluoromethyl benzimidazole. Whereas pol α and Klenow fragment exhibited minimal discrimination against the 5- and 6-regioisomers, they discriminated much more effectively against the 4- and 7-regioisomers. Since all four of these analogues will have similar hydrophobicity and stacking ability, these data indicate that hydrophobicity and stacking ability alone cannot account for the inability of pol α and Klenow fragment to discriminate against unnatural bases. After incorporation, however, both sets of analogues were not efficiently elongated. These results suggest that factors other than hydrophobicity, sterics and electronics govern the incorporation of dNTPs into DNA by pol α and Klenow fragment.     

Changes in ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pools within the cell cycle of a synchronized moused fibroblast cell line

Intracellular pool levels of ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates were monitored throughout the cell cycle of C3H10T1/2 mouse embryo fibrolast cells synchronized by isoleucine deprivation. Absolute pool sizes of ribonucleoside triphosphates were approximately 30 fold greater than those of the corresponding deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Of the ribonucleoside triphosphates, pool sizes of ATP exhibited the greatest change, increasing from a low of 32.7 nmol/10⁷ cells during G₁ to a high of 81.6 nmol/10⁷ cells 2 h prior to mid S-phase. Levels of ATP subsequently declined to 40.2 nmol/10⁷ cells during late S-phase, followed by a second peak of 65.8 nmol/10⁷ with the onset of cell division. No significant changes in the pool sizes of UTP and GTP were found throughout the cell cycle. Of the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, pool sizes of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates were approx. 5–10 fold greater than those of purine deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Low levels of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates during G₁ (0.3–1.3 pmol/10⁷ cells) increased coordinately with the initiation of DNA synthesis to an initial peak during mid S-phase (0.5–6.4 pmol/10⁷ cells). Decling levels of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates during late S-phase were followed by a subsequent larger second peak (1.7–10.7 pmol/10⁷ cells) during G₂-M.     

Enzyme kinetics of the mitochondrial deoxyribonucleoside salvage pathway are not sufficient to support rapid mtDNA replication

Using a computational model, we simulated mitochondrial deoxynucleotide metabolism and mitochondrial DNA replication. Our results indicate that the output from the mitochondrial salvage enzymes alone is inadequate to support a mitochondrial DNA replication duration of as long as 10 hours. We find that an external source of deoxyribonucleoside diphosphates or triphosphates (dNTPs), in addition to those supplied by mitochondrial salvage, is essential for the replication of mitochondrial DNA to complete in the experimentally observed duration of approximately 1 to 2 hours. For meeting a relatively fast replication target of 2 hours, almost two-thirds of the dNTP requirements had to be externally supplied as either deoxyribonucleoside di- or triphosphates, at about equal rates for all four dNTPs. Added monophosphates did not suffice. However, for a replication target of 10 hours, mitochondrial salvage was able to provide for most, but not all, of the total substrate requirements. Still, additional dGTPs and dATPs had to be supplied. Our analysis of the enzyme kinetics also revealed that the majority of enzymes of this pathway prefer substrates that are not precursors (canonical deoxyribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleotides) for mitochondrial DNA replication, such as phosphorylated ribonucleotides, instead of the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides. The kinetic constants for reactions between mitochondrial salvage enzymes and deoxyribonucleotide substrates are physiologically unreasonable for achieving efficient catalysis with the expected in situ concentrations of deoxyribonucleotides.     

A general method to cleave a known DNA sequence at any site.

We describe a new method for obtaining DNA fragments starting at a desired point where there is no recognition sequence for any known restriction endonuclease. A single-stranded DNA containing the fragment of interest is annealed to a synthetic oligonucleotide hybridizing at the 5' end of the required fragment. Then, a partially double-stranded DNA is synthesized using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I in the presence of the four deoxynucleoside triphosphates. The remaining single-stranded regions are removed by digestion with a single-strand nuclease, and the resulting 5' blunt-ended fragment is finally released by digestion with a restriction endonuclease at any site downstream its 3' end. The usefulness of the method was exemplified here by insertion of an epidermal growth factor-like African swine fever virus gene immediately downstream of the ribosome binding site of an expression vector.     

Enzymatic assay for deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates using synthetic oligonucleotides as template primers

The enzymatic assay for deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates has been improved by using synthetic oligonucleotides of a carefully defined sequence as template primers for DNA polymerase. High backgrounds, which limit the sensitivity of the assay when calf thymus DNA or alternating copolymers are used as template primers, were eliminated with these oligonucleotide template primers. Sensitivity was further increased by designing the template primer to incorporate multiple labeled deoxyribonucleotides per limiting unlabeled deoxyribonucleotide. Each of several DNA polymerases exhibited unique reaction characteristics with the oligonucleotide template primers, which was attributed to the differing exonuclease activities associated with these various enzymes. Assay optimization therefore included matching the polymerase with the template primer to obtain the lowest background reaction and highest sensitivity. This modified assay is particularly well suited for keeping cell sample size to a minimum in experimental protocols which generate large numbers of data points or require careful timing of sampling. With this technique, we measured the levels of all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates in extracts from as few as 2 x 10(4) cultured cells.     

Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleotides, pool sizes, synthesis, and regulation

We quantify cytosolic and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) from four established cell lines using a recently described method for the separation of cytosolic and mitochondrial (mt) dNTPs from as little as 10 million cells in culture (Pontarin, G., Gallinaro, L., Ferraro, P., Reichard, P., and Bianchi, V. (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 100, 12159-12164). In cycling cells the concentrations of the phosphates of thymidine, deoxycytidine, and deoxyadenosine (combining mono-, di-, and triphosphates in each case) did not differ significantly between mitochondria and cytosol, whereas deoxyguanosine phosphates were concentrated to mitochondria. We study the source and regulation of the mt dTTP pool as an example of mt dNTPs. We suggest two pathways as sources for mt dTTP: (i) import from the cytosol of thymidine diphosphate by a deoxynucleotide transporter, predominantly in cells involved in DNA replication with an active synthesis of deoxynucleotides and (ii) import of thymidine followed by phosphorylation by the mt thymidine kinase, predominantly in resting cells. Here we demonstrate that the second pathway is regulated by a mt 5'-deoxyribonucleotidase (mdN). We modify the in situ activity of mdN and measure the transfer of radioactivity from [(3)H]thymidine to mt thymidine phosphates. In cycling cells lacking the cytosolic thymidine kinase, a 30-fold overproduction of mdN decreases the specific radioactivity of mt dTTP to 25%, and an 80% decrease of mdN by RNA interference increases the specific radioactivity 2-fold. These results suggest that mdN modulates the synthesis of mt dTTP by counteracting in a substrate cycle the phosphorylation of thymidine by the mt thymidine kinase.     

The ATP dependence of the incision and resynthesis steps of excision repair.

Escherichia coli made permeable by treatment with toluene can perform a mode of DNA synthesis that is stimulated by ultraviolet radiation and closely resembles the resynthesis step of excision repair. If ultraviolet-irradiated toulene-treated cells are incubated in an assay mixture with ATP but without the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) or NAD, accumulations of single-strand breaks in the DNA are detected by alkaline sucrose gradient analysis. A second incubation with the dNTP'S and NAD but without ATP produces nonconservative DNA synthesis in strains with normal levels of DNA polymerase I. However, in PolA strains, ATP must be present during the second incubation in order to produce measurable amounts of ultraviolet-stimulated DNA synthesis. These results suggest that in strains deficient in DNA polymerase I there may be two ATP-dependent steps in this repair pathway, one required for incision and one associated with resynthesis.