Structure of d(GT)n repeating sequences with parallel and antiparallel chains]

The ability of oligonucleotides 3'-d(GT)5pO(CH2)5Opd(GT)5-5' (anti[d(GT)]) and 3'-d(GT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(GT)5-3' (par[d(GT)]) to form hairpins and higher associates is studied. Optical methods of thermal denaturation and circular dichroism as well as the fluorescence of ethidium bromide and acridine orange bound to oligonucleotides were used. At room temperatures the formation of hairpin structure with parallel and antiparallel strands is possible. Thermodynamic parameters of par[d(GT)] and anti[d(GT)] are similar and equal to delta H = -15 kcal/mol, delta S = -50 cal/mol. deg. In the temperature range 3-10 degrees C par[d(GT)] and anti[d(GT)] form four-stranded structures with parallel chains, in which layers of four G-residues alternate with unpaired T-residues being bulged out easily. On comparison of occurrence of alternating (GT)n, (GC)n and (G)n sequences in genome it can be stated that (GT)n biological functions could be connected with conformational possibilities of the four-stranded parallel structures with unpaired T-residues.     

Parallel double stranded helices and the tertiary structure of nucleic acids

Thermal denaturation of four oligonucleotides, viz. 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(AT)5-3'(par(AT], 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(AT)5-5'(anti(AT],3'-d(A)10pO(CH2) 6Op(T)10-3'(par(A-T], and 3'-d(A)10pO(CH2)6Opd(T)10-5' (anti(A-T], was studied in 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 7, in the presence of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 M NaCl. All the oligomers were found to exist at a lower temperature (0 to 20 degrees C) as complexes composed either of two oligomer molecules (a canonical duplex) or of more oligomer molecules whereas, at a higher temperature (30 to 70 degrees C), they formed hairpins with a parallel (par(AT) and par(A-T] or antiparallel (anti(AT) and anti(A-T) orientation of the chains. Melting curves (A260(T] were used to calculate thermodynamic parameters for the formation of hairpins and "low-temperature" duplexes. Experiments on ethidium bromide binding to the oligonucleotides have shown that the oligomer anti(A-T) exists, at a low ionic strength, as a four stranded complex ("quadruplex") contains two antiparallel helices, d(A).d(T), which have a parallel orientation and are bound to one another owing to the formation of additional hydrogen bonds between nucleic acid bases. The possible biological function of quadruplexes is discussed.     

Parallel double helix and tertiary structure of nucleic acids

The thermal denaturation of four oligonucleotides, viz. 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(AT)5-3' (parAT), 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)5Opd(AT)5-5' (antiAT), 3'-d(A)10pO(CH2)6Op(T)10-3' (parA-T) and 3'd(A)10pOX X (CH2)6Opd(T)10-5' (antiA-T) in 0.01 M phosphate buffer at pH 7 in presence 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 M NaCl have been studied. It was shown that at lower temperature (0-20 degrees C) all oligomeres exist as complexes of two (canonic duplex) or four (eight) molecules of oligonucleotides, but at higher temperature (30-70 degrees C)- as hairpins with parallel (parAT and parA-T) of antiparallel (antiAT and antiA-T) orientation of chains. Thermodinamic parameters of separated strands-hairpins and hairpins--"low temperature complexes" transition were computated from the melting curves [A260 (T)] by nonlinear regression. AntiA-T was shown by ethidium bromide binding to exist at low strength (0.01 M phosphate buffer without NaCl) as four-stranded complex from two antiparallel double stranded helices parallely oriented and bonded by satisfy hydrogen-bond of groups not involved in WC-pairing. At higher ionic strength the two of such tetramers was conjugated by hydrophobic interaction into octamers. We speculate that four-stranded complexes serves to bring together, and zipper up two antiparallel double stranded helices at replication of DNA, cross-over of gomologues chromosomes and other biochemically important processes.     

A triple-stranded "clip" from the oligonucleotide 3'-(dA)10-pO(Ch2Ch2O)3p-(dT)10-pO(CH2CH2O)3-p-(dT)10(-5)]

The temperature dependence of the UV- and CD-spectra of the oligonucleotides 3'-d(A)10-L-(T)10-5' [anti(AT)], 3'-d(A)10-L-d(T)10-3' [par(AT)] and 3'-d(A)10-L-(dT)10-L-(dT)10-5' [tripl(ATT)] (L = -PO(CH2CH2O) 3p-) in the phosphate buffer at pH 7 under different concentrations of NaCL and in the presence or absence of 0.01 M MgCl2 was studied. All registered structural changes are the result of intramolecular processes if the concentrations of the oligonucleotides is low (about 2.2.10(-5) M). Par(AT) and anti(AT) exist in the only two forms, transforming into each other: under low temperatures they exist as hairpins with the parallel or antiparallel orientation of chains accordingly which transform into unfolded chains when the temperature increased. In contrast trip(ATT) exists in the three different forms depending on the temperature and ion conditions. They are: the three- stranded clip, the two-stranded hairpin with a single stranded "tail" and completely unfolded chain. For the first time this work presents thermodynamic parameters of the triplex formation from deoxyoligonucleotides depending on NaCl concentration. We have registered the CD spectra to one-, two-, and three-stranded forms. Ethidium bromide binding to three-stranded "clip" was investigated, and it was established that molecules of the dye may intercalate into the "clip" with formation of stable complexes (the constant of association 10(6) M-1). It is maximum three molecules of ethidium bromid which may bound to one molecule of the three-stranded clip. It has been shown that the suggested synthetic model (three oligonucleotide blocks combined by hydroxyalkyl chains) is the most convenient for physico-chemical investigations of triplexes today.     

Sequence composition effects on the stabilities of triple helix formation by oligonucleotides containing N7-deoxyguanosine.

A nonnatural nucleoside, 7-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pento-furanosyl)-guanine (d7G), mimics protonated cytosine and specifically binds GC base pairs within a pyrimidine - purine - pyrimidine triple helix. The differences in association constants (KT) determined by quantitative footprint titration experiments at neutral pH reveal dramatic sequence composition effects on the energetics of triple helix formation by oligonucleotides containing d7G. Purine tracts of sequence composition 5'-d(AAAAAGAGAGAGAGA)-3' are bound by oligonucleotide 5'-d(TTTTT7GT7GT7GT7GT7GT)-3' three orders of magnitude less strongly than by 5'-d(TTTTTmCTmCTmCTmCTmCT)-3' (KT = 1.5 x 10(6) M(-1) and KT > or = 3 x 10(9) M(-1) respectively). Conversely, purine tracts of sequence composition 5'-d(AAAAGAAAAGGGGGGA)-3' are bound by oligonucleotide 5'-d(TTTTmCTTTT7G7G7G7G7G7GT)-3' five orders of magnitude more strongly than by 5'-d(TTTTmCTTTTmCmCmCmCmCT)-3' (KT > or = 3 x 10(9) M(-1) and KT < 5 x 10(4) M(-1) respectively). The complementary nature of d7G and mC expands the repertoire of G-rich sequences which may be targeted by triple helix formation.     

Conformational polymorphism and extensibility of DNA quadruplexes formed from d(GT)n repeats

We showed earlier that oligonucleotides 3'-d(GT)5-pO(CH2CH2O)3p-d(GT)5-3' form bimolecular quadruplexes with parallel orientation of their strands, which are held by guanine quartets alternating with unpaired thymines (GT quadruplex). This work deals with the conformational polymorphism and extensibility of G quadruplexes in complex with molecules of an intercalating agent ethidium bromide (EtBr). A cooperative mechanism of EtBr binding to the GT quadruplex was revealed. The binding constant K = (3.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(4) M-1, cooperativity coefficient omega = 2.5 +/- 0.2, and maximal amount of EtBr molecules intercalated in GT quadruplex (N = 8) were determined. It was proved experimentally by analysis of adsorption isotherms and theoretically by mathematical modeling that the GT quadruplex is capable of double extension, which is indicative of the high elasticity of this four-stranded helix. Two most stable conformations of GT quadruplexes with thymine residues intercalated and/or turned outside were found by mechanico-mathematical modeling. The equilibrium is shifted toward the conformation with the looped out thymine residues upon intercalation of EtBr molecules into the GT quadruplex.     

Ethidium probing of the parallel double- and four-stranded structures formed by the telomeric DNA sequences dG(GT)4G and d(GT)5

Oligonucleotides 3'-d(GT)(5)-(CH(2)CH(2)O)(3)-d(GT)(5)-3' (parGT), containing GT repeats present in the telomeric DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, had been demonstrated to form bimolecular structure, GT-quadruplex (qGT) [O. F. Borisova et al. FEBS Letters 306, 140-142 (1992)]. Four d(GT)(5) strands of the GT-quadruplex are parallel and form five G-quartets while thymines are bulged out. The four GT repeats when flanked by guanines, 3'-dG(TG)(4)G-(CH(2)CH(2)O)(3)-dG(GT)(4)G-3' (hp-GT), had been shown to form a novel parallel-stranded (ps) double helix with G.G and T.T base pairs (hp-GT ps-DNA) [A. K. Shchyolkina et al. J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 18, 493-503 (2001)]. In the present study the intercalator ethidium bromide (Et) was used for probing the two structures. The mode of Et binding and its effect on thermostability of qGT and hp-GT were compared. The quantum yield (q) and the fluorescence lifetime (tau) of Et:qGT (q = 0.15 +/- 0.01 and tau = 24 +/- 1 ns) and Et:hp-GT (q = 0.10 +/- 0.01 and tau = 16.5 +/- 1 ns) indicative of intercalation mode of Et binding were determined. Et binding to qGT was found to be cooperative with corresponding coefficient omega = 3.9 +/- 0.1 and the binding constant Kappa = (6.4 +/- 0.1).10(4) M(-1). The maximum number of Et molecules intercalating into GT-quadruplex is as high as twice the number of innerspaces between G-quartets (eight in our case). The data conform to the model of Et association with GT-quadruplex suggested earlier [O. F. Borisova et al. Mol. Biol. (Russ) 35, 732-739 (2001)]. The anticooperative type of Et binding was observed in case of hp-GT ps-DNA, with the maximum number of bound Et molecules, N = 4 / 5, and the association constant Kappa = (1.5 +/- 0.1).10(5) M(-1). Thermodynamic parameters of formation of Et:qGT and EtBr:hp-GT complexes were calculated from UV thermal denaturation profiles.     

Oligonucleotides incorporating 7-(aminoalkyn-1-yl)-7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosines: duplex stability and phosphodiester hydrolysis by exonucleases

Self-complementary [[5'-d(G-C)4]2] and non-selfcomplementary oligonucleotides [5'-d(TAG GTC AAT ACT) x 3'-d(ATC CAG TTA TGA)] containing 7-(omega-aminoalkyn-1-yl)-7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosines (1a-c) (1) and 7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine instead of dG were studied regarding their thermal stability as well as their phosphodiester hydrolysis by either 3' --> 5'- or 5' --> 3'-phosphodiesterase studied by MALDI-TOF MS.     

Drug Binding to Higher Ordered DNA Structures: Ethidium Bromide Complexation with Parallel Quadruple-Stranded DNA

Abstract

The interaction between ethidium bromide and a parallel G4-DNA, which is a quadruplex composed from four oligonucleotides containing a dG cluster, has been investigated. [d(TTGGGGTT)]4 formed a complex with ethidium bromide, which was assumed to be intercalated between the adjacent guanine tetrads of the quadruplex.

     

Insertion of dNTPs opposite the 1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine adduct by Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 DNA polymerase IV

1, N (2)-Propanodeoxyguanosine (PdG) is a stable structural analogue for the 3-(2'-deoxy-beta- d- erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrimido[1,2-alpha]purin-10(3 H)-one (M 1dG) adduct derived from exposure of DNA to base propenals and to malondialdehyde. The structures of ternary polymerase-DNA-dNTP complexes for three template-primer DNA sequences were determined, with the Y-family Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4), at resolutions between 2.4 and 2.7 A. Three template 18-mer-primer 13-mer sequences, 5'-d(TCACXAAATCCTTCCCCC)-3'.5'-d(GGGGGAAGGATTT)-3' (template I), 5'-d(TCACXGAATCCTTCCCCC)-3'.5'-d(GGGGGAAGGATTC)-3' (template II), and 5'-d(TCATXGAATCCTTCCCCC)-3'.5'-d(GGGGGAAGGATTC)-3' (template III), where X is PdG, were analyzed. With templates I and II, diffracting ternary complexes including dGTP were obtained. The dGTP did not pair with PdG, but instead with the 5'-neighboring template dC, utilizing Watson-Crick geometry. Replication bypass experiments with the template-primer 5'-TCACXAAATCCTTACGAGCATCGCCCCC-3'.5'-GGGGGCGATGCTCGTAAGGATTT-3', where X is PdG, which includes PdG in the 5'-CXA-3' template sequence as in template I, showed that the Dpo4 polymerase inserted dGTP and dATP when challenged by the PdG adduct. For template III, in which the template sequence was 5'-TXG-3', a diffracting ternary complex including dATP was obtained. The dATP did not pair with PdG, but instead with the 5'-neighboring T, utilizing Watson-Crick geometry. Thus, all three ternary complexes were of the "type II" structure described for ternary complexes with native DNA [Ling, H., Boudsocq, F., Woodgate, R., and Yang, W. (2001) Cell 107, 91-102]. The PdG adduct remained in the anti conformation about the glycosyl bond in each of these threee ternary complexes. These results provide insight into how -1 frameshift mutations might be generated for the PdG adduct, a structural model for the exocylic M 1dG adduct formed by malondialdehyde.     

The telomeric dG(GT)4G sequence can adopt a parallel-stranded double helical conformation

Oligonucleotides 3'-d(GTGTGTGTGG)-L-d(GGTGTGTGTG)-3' (hp-GT) and 3'-d(G4STG4TG4STG4STGG)-L-d(GGTGTGTGTG)-3' (hp-SGT), (L=(CH2CH2O)3), were shown by use of several optical techniques to form a novel parallel-stranded (ps) intramolecular double helix with purine-purine and pyrimidine-pyrimidine base pairing. The rotational relaxation time of hp-GT was similar to that of a 10-bp reference duplex, and the fraction of unpaired bases was determined to be approximately 7%, testifying to the formation of an intramolecular double helical hairpin by the sequence under the given experimental conditions. A quasi-two-state mode of ps-double helix formation was validated, yielding a helix-coil transition enthalpy of -135 +/- 5 kJ/mol. The G x G and T x T (or 4ST x T) base pair configurations and conformational parameters of the double helix were derived with molecular modeling by force field techniques. Repetitive d(GT) sequences are abundant in telomers of different genomes and in the regulatory regions of genes. Thus, the observed conformational potential of the repetitive d(GT) sequence may be of importance in the regulation of cell processes.     

Sequence specificity of inter- and intramolecular G-quadruplex formation by human telomeric DNA

Human telomeric DNA consists of tandem repeats of the sequence 5'-d(TTAGGG)-3'. Guanine-rich DNA, such as that seen at telomeres, forms G-quadruplex secondary structures. Alternative forms of G-quadruplex structures can have differential effects on activities involved in telomere maintenance. With this in mind, we analyzed the effect of sequence and length of human telomeric DNA on G-quadruplex structures by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism. Telomeric oligonucleotides shorter than four, 5'-d(TTAGGG)-3' repeats formed intermolecular G-quadruplexes. However, longer telomeric repeats formed intramolecular structures. Altering the 5'-d(TTAGGG)-3' to 5'-d(TTAGAG)-3' in any one of the repeats of 5'-d(TTAGGG)(4)-3' converted an intramolecular structure to intermolecular G-quadruplexes with varying degrees of parallel or anti-parallel-stranded character, depending on the length of incubation time and DNA sequence. These structures were most abundant in K(+)-containing buffers. Higher-order structures that exhibited ladders on polyacrylamide gels were observed only for oligonucleotides with the first telomeric repeat altered. Altering the sequence of 5'-d(TTAGGG)(8)-3' did not result in the substantial formation of intermolecular structures even when the oligonucleotide lacked four consecutive telomeric repeats. However, many of these intramolecular structures shared common features with intermolecular structures formed by the shorter oligonucleotides. The wide variability in structure formed by human telomeric sequence suggests that telomeric DNA structure can be easily modulated by proteins, oxidative damage, or point mutations resulting in conversion from one form of G-quadruplex to another.     

Induction of parallel human telomeric G-quadruplex structures by Sr(2+)

Human telomeric DNA forms G-quadruplex secondary structures, which can inhibit telomerase activity and are targets for anti-cancer drugs. Here we show that Sr(2+) can induce human telomeric DNA to form both inter- and intramolecular structures having characteristics consistent with G-quadruplexes. Unlike Na(+) or K(+), Sr(2+) facilitated intermolecular structure formation for oligonucleotides with 2 to 5 5'-d(TTAGGG)-3' repeats. Longer 5'-d(TTAGGG)-3' oligonucleotides formed exclusively intramolecular structures. Altering the 5'-d(TTAGGG)-3' to 5'-d(TTAGAG)-3' in the 1st, 3rd, or 4th repeats of 5'-d(TTAGGG)(4)-3' stabilized the formation of intermolecular structures. However, a more compact, intramolecular structure was still observed when the 2nd repeat was altered. Circular dichroism spectroscopy results suggest that the structures were parallel-stranded, distinguishing them from similar DNA sequences in Na(+) and K(+). This study shows that Sr(2+), promotes parallel-stranded, inter- and intramolecular G-quadruplexes that can serve as models to study DNA substrate recognition by telomerase.     

Three-dimensional structure of the complexes of ribonuclease A with 2',5'-CpA and 3',5'-d(CpA) in aqueous solution, as obtained by NMR and restrained molecular dynamics.

The three-dimensional structure of the complexes of ribonuclease A with cytidyl-2',5'-adenosine (2',5'-CpA) and deoxycytidyl-3',5'-deoxyadenosine [3',5'-d(CpA)] in aqueous solution has been determined by 1H NMR methods in combination with restrained molecular dynamics calculations. Twenty-three intermolecular NOE cross-corrections for the 3',5'-d(CpA) complex and 19 for the 2',5'-CpA, together with about 1,000 intramolecular NOEs assigned for each complex, were translated into distance constraints and used in the calculation. No significant changes in the global structure of the enzyme occur upon complex formation. The side chains of His 12, Thr 45, His 119, and the amide backbone group of Phe 120 are involved directly in the binding of the ligands at the active site. The conformation of the two bases is anti in the two complexes, but differs from the crystal structure in the conformation of the two sugar rings in 3',5'-d(CpA), shown to be in the S-type region, as deduced from an analysis of couplings between the ribose protons. His 119 is found in the two complexes in only one conformation, corresponding to position A in the free protein. Side chains of Asn 67, Gln 69, Asn 71, and Glu 111 from transient hydrogen bonds with the adenine base, showing the existence of a pronounced flexibility of these enzyme side chains at the binding site of the downstream adenine. All other general features on the structures coincide clearly with those observed in the crystal state.     

Pressure-jump study of the kinetics of ethidium bromide binding to DNA

Pressure-jump chemical relaxation has been used to investigate the kinetics of ethidium bromide binding to the synthetic double-stranded polymers poly[d(G-C)] and poly[d(A-T)] in 0.1 M NaCl, 10 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride, and 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, pH 7.2, at 24 degrees C. The progress of the reaction was followed by monitoring the fluorescence of the intercalated ethidium at wavelengths greater than 610 nm upon excitation at 545 nm. The concentration of DNA was varied from 1 to 45 microM and the ethidium bromide concentration from 0.5 to 25 microM. The data for both polymers were consistent with a single-step bimolecular association of ethidium bromide with a DNA binding site. The necessity of a proper definition of the ethidium bromide binding site is discussed: it is shown that an account of the statistically excluded binding phenomenon must be included in any adequate representation of the kinetic data. For poly[d(A-T)], the bimolecular association rate constant is k1 = 17 X 10(6) M-1 s-1, and the dissociation rate constant is k-1 = 10 s-1; in the case of poly[d(G-C)], k1 = 13 X 10(6) M-1 s-1, and k-1 = 30 s-1. From the analysis of the kinetic amplitudes, the molar volume change, delta V0, of the intercalation was calculated. In the case of poly[d(A-T)], delta V0 = -15 mL/mol, and for poly[d(G-C)], delta V0 = -9 mL/mol; that is, for both polymers, intercalation is favored as the pressure is increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Construction of a viable simian virus 40 variant that carries a poly[d(GT) . d(CA)] insertion.

A 90-base-pair tract of a simple sequence composed of alternating guanosine and thymidine nucleotide residues (poly[d(GT) . d(CA)]) was inserted into the simian virus 40 genome at nucleotide 2666 (0.17 map units). The poly[d(GT) . d(CA)] insertion was stably maintained in the viral genome, but the variant virus grew more slowly than simian virus 40.     

Cooperative effects in long-range 1,4 DNA-DNA interstrand cross-links formed by polynuclear platinum complexes: an unexpected syn orientation of adenine bases outside the binding sites

The novel phase II anticancer drug BBR3464 ([[ trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)](2)- micro -[ trans-Pt(NH(3))(2)(NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2))(2)]](NO(3))(4)) forms a 1,4-interstrand cross-link adduct with the self-complementary DNA octamer 5'-d(ATG*TACAT)(2)-3', with the two platinum atoms coordinated in the major groove at the N7 positions of guanines that are four base pairs apart on opposite DNA strands. The "central" tetraamine linker [ trans-H(2)N(CH(2))(6)NH(2)Pt(NH(3))(2)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)] was located in or close to the minor groove. The adduct was characterized and analyzed by MS, UV and NMR spectroscopy. NMR analysis of the adduct shows strong H8/H1' intraresidue crosspeaks observed for the A1 and A7 resonances, consistent with a syn conformation for these bases which is usually not observed for adenine residues and bases not directly involved in the cross-link in oligonucleotides. The strong intraresidue H8/H1' crosspeak is also observed for G3. Examination of the structure thus reveals unusual cooperative effects unique to this class of anticancer drugs and is the first demonstration of cooperative effects in solution for an anticancer drug. The significant characteristic of the structure is the lack of severe DNA distortion such as a kink, directed bend or significant unwinding of the helices which are characteristic for DNA adducts of mononuclear complexes. This may contribute to the lack of protein recognition of the cross-link by HMG-domain proteins, a biological consequence significantly different from that of mononuclear complexes such as cisplatin. Since DNA is the principal target in vivo for these Pt cross-linking agents, the unique structural perturbations induced by BBR3464 cross-links are likely related to its increased cytotoxicity and antitumor activity as compared to cisplatin ( cis-DDP).     

Sequence dependence of conformations of self-complementary duplex tetradeoxynucleotides containing cytosine and guanine

The four self-complementary tetradeoxynucleotides which contain only cytosine and guanine are 5'-d-(CpGpCpG)-3', 5'-d(CpCpGpG)-3', 5'-d(GpCpGpC)-3', and 5'-d(GpGpCpC)-3'. The Raman spectra of aqueous solutions (about 0.05 M in monomer) of these tetranucleotides at pH 7 and 2 degrees C show clearly that these self-complementary tetranucleotides form double-stranded duplex structures of the canonical B type when the NaCl concentration is 0.5 M NaCl. If the temperature is raised to 50 degrees C, the Raman spectra show that in each case the double-helical B form melts in a non-cooperative way to a disordered single-chain form. On the other hand, if the salt concentration is raised to saturation, the Raman spectrum of only one of these four tetranucleotide solutions at 2 degrees C is changed in any substantial way. The Raman spectrum of the tetranucleotide 5'-d(CpGpCpG)-3' at 2.2 degrees C and at 4 M or higher salt concentration strongly resembles that of double-helical Z-form poly(dC-dG) taken under similar conditions. We conclude that the tetramer 5'-d(CpGpCpG)-3' is the only self-complementary double-helical tetranucleotide containing only cytosine and guanine in which the B-Z transition can be induced by increasing the salt concentration. This tetramer has several types of stacking interactions which differ markedly from stacking interactions in the other tetramers and may account for the enhanced stabilization of its Z conformation.     

Intercalation of the (1S,2R,3S,4R)-N6-[1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,3, 4-trihydroxybenz[a]anthracenyl)]-2'-deoxyadenosyl adduct in an oligodeoxynucleotide containing the human N-ras codon 61 sequence

The (1S,2R,3S,4R)-N(6)-[1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,3, 4-trihydroxybenz[a]anthracenyl)]-2'-deoxyadenosyl adduct at X6 of 5'-d(CGGACXAGAAG)-3'.5'-d(CTTCTTGTCCG)-3', incorporating codons 60, 61 (underlined), and 62 of the human N-ras protooncogene, results from trans opening of (1R,2S,3S,4R)-1,2-epoxy-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydrobenz[a]anthracenyl-3,4-diol by the exocyclic N6 of adenine. Two conformations of this adduct exist, in slow exchange on the NMR time scale. A structure for the major conformation, which represents approximately 80% of the population, is presented. In this conformation, an anti glycosidic torsion angle is observed for all nucleotides, including S,R,S,RA6. The refined structure is a right-handed duplex, with the benz[a]anthracene moiety intercalated on the 3'-face of the modified base pair, from the major groove. It is located between S,R,S,RA6.T17 and A7.T16. Intercalation is on the opposite face of the modified S,R,S,RA6.T17 base pair as compared to the (1R,2S,3R,4S)-N6-[1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2, 3,4-trihydroxybenz[a]anthracenyl)]-2'-deoxyadenosyl adduct, which intercalated 5' to the modified R,S,R,SA6.T17 base pair [Li, Z. , Mao, H., Kim, H.-Y., Tamura, P. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Stone, M. P. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 2969-2981]. The spectroscopic data do not allow refinement of the minor conformation, but suggest that the adenyl moiety in the modified nucleoti111S,R, S,RA6 adopts a syn glycosidic torsion angle. Thus, the minor conformation may create greater distortion of the DNA duplex. The results are discussed in the context of site-specific mutagenesis studies which reveal that the S,R,S,RA6 lesion is less mutagenic than the R,S,R,SA6 lesion.     

DNA sequence modulates the conformation of the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in the recognition sequence of the NarI restriction enzyme

The conformations of C8-dG adducts of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) positioned in the C-X1-G, G-X2-C, and C-X3-C contexts in the C-G1-G2-C-G3-C-C recognition sequence of the NarI restriction enzyme were compared, using the oligodeoxynucleotides 5'-d(CTCXGCGCCATC)-3'.5'-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3', 5'-d(CTCGXCGCCATC)-3'.5'-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3', and 5'-d(CTCGGCXCCATC)-3'.5'-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3' (X is the C8-dG adduct of IQ). These were the NarIIQ1, NarIIQ2, and NarIIQ3 duplexes, respectively. In each instance, the glycosyl torsion angle chi for the IQ-modified dG was in the syn conformation. The orientations of the IQ moieties were dependent upon the conformations of torsion angles alpha' [N9-C8-N(IQ)-C2(IQ)] and beta' [C8-N(IQ)-C2(IQ)-N3(IQ)], which were monitored by the patterns of 1H NOEs between the IQ moieties and the DNA in the three sequence contexts. The conformational states of IQ torsion angles alpha' and beta' were predicted from the refined structures of the three adducts obtained from restrained molecular dynamics calculations, utilizing simulated annealing protocols. For the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes, the alpha' torsion angles were predicted to be -176 +/- 8 degrees and -160 +/- 8 degrees , respectively, whereas for the NarIIQ3 duplex, torsion angle alpha' was predicted to be 159 +/- 7 degrees . Likewise, for the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes, the beta' torsion angles were predicted to be -152 +/- 8 degrees and -164 +/- 7 degrees , respectively, whereas for the NarIIQ3 duplex, torsion angle beta' was predicted to be -23 +/- 8 degrees . Consequently, the conformations of the IQ adduct in the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes were similar, with the IQ methyl protons and IQ H4 and H5 protons facing outward in the minor groove, whereas in the NarIIQ3 duplex, the IQ methyl protons and the IQ H4 and H5 protons faced into the DNA duplex, facilitating the base-displaced intercalated orientation of the IQ moiety [Wang, F., Elmquist, C. E., Stover, J. S., Rizzo, C. J., and Stone, M. P. (2006) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 10085-10095]. In contrast, for the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes, the IQ moiety remained in the minor groove. These sequence-dependent differences suggest that base-displaced intercalation of the IQ adduct is favored when both the 5'- and 3'-flanking nucleotides in the complementary strand are guanines. These conformational differences may correlate with sequence-dependent differences in translesion replication.