Osmotic Pressure of DNA Solutions and Effective Diameter of the Double Helix

Abstract

A simple osmometer with nuclear filters (polymer films with pores of a preset diameter) were used to measure the osmotic pressure of Col El plasmid DNA solutions in the concentration range of 1–4 mg/ml DNA. Linear and open circular DNA forms proved to have the same osmotic pressure within the experimental accuracy. The results of the measurements were used for calculating the second virial coefficient A ₂ of the solution of DNA segments and the effective chain diameter d _eff in the ionic strength range of 10^?2-0.1 M, As the ionic strength is lowered from 0.1 to 10^?2 M the effective diameter of DNA increases from 80 to 220 A. The results are in rather good agreement with theory and with other experimental data.     

7-Azido-Actinomycin D: A Photoaffinity Probe of the Sequence Specificity of DNA Binding by Actinomycin D

Abstract

Actinomycin D (ActD) is a DNA-binding antitumor antibiotic that appears to act in vivo by inhibiting RNA polymerase. The mechanism of DNA binding of ActD has attracted much attention because of its strong preference for 5′-dGpdC-3′ sequences. Binding is thought to involve intercalation of the tricyclic aromatic phenoxazone ring into a GC step, with the two equivalent cyclic pentapeptide lactone substituents lying in the minor groove and making hydrogen bond contacts with the 2-amino groups of the nearest neighbor guanines. Recent studies have indicated, however, that binding is also influenced by next-nearest neighboring bases. We have examined this higher order specificity using 7-azido-actinomycin-D as a photoaffinity probe, and DNA sequencing techniques to quantitatively monitor sites of covalent photoaddition. We found that GC doublets were strongly preferred only if the 5′- flanking base was a pyrimidine and the 3′-flanking base was not cytosine. In addition we observed a previously unreported preference for binding at a GG doublet in the sequence 5′- TGGG-3′.     

DNA双螺旋模型的建立——基因的物质本性

1953年,沃森和克里克阐明了他们关于DNA双螺旋结构的假说。沃森-克里克模型标志着分子生物学的诞生。沃森和克里克为遗传学乃至整个生命科学作出了非凡贡献。 The Double Helix Model of DNA Structure——The Physical Nature of the Gene GAO Yi-zhi Southeast University,School of Medicine,Nanjing 210009,China Abstract:In 1953,Watson and Crick set forth their hypothesis for the double-helical nature of DNA.The Watson-Crick model had an immediate effect on the emerging discipline of molecular biology.It was a remarkable feat and highly significant in the history of genetics and biology. Key words：The Watson-Crick model;history of genetics     

Nonstacking Binding of 7-Aminoactinomycin D and Actinomycin D to DNA and Model Nucleotide Systems in Solutions

The mechanism of actinomycin D (AMD) and 7-aminoactinomycin D (7AAMD) interaction with DNA and model nucleotide compounds was studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy (steady-state, phase-modulation, and polarization). It was shown that complex formation does not result in energy transfer from photoexcited nucleotides to the phenoxazone chromophore of 7AAMD, which indicates the absence of stacking-like intercalation. This fact is fundamentally important to explain the biological effect of actinomycin on cells. A basic difference was revealed in the complex-forming properties of AMD and 7AAMD. Thus AMD is capable of binding to guanine micelles to destroy them; 7AAMD forms no complexes with either guanine micelles or polyguanylic acid. 7AAMD binding sites on DNA can differ substantially from AMD binding sites. However, strong competition is observed between AMD and 7AAMD for the binding site in oligonucleotide HP1 used as a DNA hairpin model. The effective diameters of 7AAMD–HP1 complex and free 7AAMD were determined using the Levshin–Perren equation.     

Temperature Dependence of the DNA Double Helix at the Nanoscale: Structure,Elasticity, and Fluctuations

Biological organisms exist over a broad temperature range of −15°C to +120°C, where many molecular processes involving DNA depend on the nanoscale properties of the double helix. Here, we present results of extensive molecular dynamics simulations of DNA oligomers at different temperatures. We show that internal basepair conformations are strongly temperature-dependent, particularly in the stretch and opening degrees of freedom whose harmonic fluctuations can be considered the initial steps of the DNA melting pathway. The basepair step elasticity contains a weaker, but detectable, entropic contribution in the roll, tilt, and rise degrees of freedom. To extend the validity of our results to the temperature interval beyond the standard melting transition relevant to extremophiles, we estimate the effects of superhelical stress on the stability of the basepair steps, as computed from the Benham model. We predict that although the average twist decreases with temperature in vitro, the stabilizing external torque in vivo results in an increase of ∼1°/bp (or a superhelical density of Δσ ?  + 0.03) in the interval 0–100°C. In the final step, we show that the experimentally observed apparent bending persistence length of torsionally unconstrained DNA can be calculated from a hybrid model that accounts for the softening of the double helix and the presence of transient denaturation bubbles. Although the latter dominate the behavior close to the melting transition, the inclusion of helix softening is important around standard physiological temperatures.     

Temperature Dependence of the DNA Double Helix at the Nanoscale: Structure,Elasticity, and Fluctuations

Biological organisms exist over a broad temperature range of −15°C to +120°C, where many molecular processes involving DNA depend on the nanoscale properties of the double helix. Here, we present results of extensive molecular dynamics simulations of DNA oligomers at different temperatures. We show that internal basepair conformations are strongly temperature-dependent, particularly in the stretch and opening degrees of freedom whose harmonic fluctuations can be considered the initial steps of the DNA melting pathway. The basepair step elasticity contains a weaker, but detectable, entropic contribution in the roll, tilt, and rise degrees of freedom. To extend the validity of our results to the temperature interval beyond the standard melting transition relevant to extremophiles, we estimate the effects of superhelical stress on the stability of the basepair steps, as computed from the Benham model. We predict that although the average twist decreases with temperature in vitro, the stabilizing external torque in vivo results in an increase of ∼1°/bp (or a superhelical density of Δσ?+0.03$\text{Δ}\sigma ?+0.03$) in the interval 0–100°C. In the final step, we show that the experimentally observed apparent bending persistence length of torsionally unconstrained DNA can be calculated from a hybrid model that accounts for the softening of the double helix and the presence of transient denaturation bubbles. Although the latter dominate the behavior close to the melting transition, the inclusion of helix softening is important around standard physiological temperatures.     

Torsional and Bending Rigidity of the Double Helix from Data on Small DNA Rings

Abstract

We have calculated the variance of equilibrium distribution of a circular wormlike polymer chain over the writhing number, ?(Wr)²?, as a function of the number of Kuhn statistical segments, n, For large n these data splice well with our earlier results obtained for a circular freely jointed polymer chain. Assuming that ?(ΔLk)²? = ?(ΔTw)²? + ?(Wr)²? we have compared our results with experimental data on the chain length dependence of the ?(ΔLk) ²? value recently obtained by Horowitz and Wang for small DNA rings. This comparison has shown an excellent agreement between theory and experiment and yielded a reliable estimate of the torsional and bending rigidity parameters. Namely, the torsional rigidity constant is C = 3.0·10^?19 erg cm, and the bending rigidity as expressed in terms of the DNA persistence length is a = 500 A. The obtained value of C agrees well with earlier estimates by Shore and Baldwin as well as by Horowitz and Wang whereas the a value is in accord with the data of Hagerman. We have found the data of Shore and Baldwin on the chain length dependence of the ?(ΔLk) ²? value to be entirely inconsistent with our theoretical results.     

Structural and thermodynamic properties of DNA uncover different evolutionary histories

We propose an index of DNA homogeneity (IDH) based on a binary distribution model that quantifies structural and thermodynamic aggregates present in DNA primary structures. Extensive analysis of sequence databases with the IDH uncovers significant constraints on DNA sequence other than those derived from codon usage or protein function. This index clearly distinguishes between organisms of different evolutive origins and places them in disjoint domains of DNA sequence space.On sabbatical leave from Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, MéxicoCorrespondence to: P. Miramontes     

Polymorphism distribution and structural conservation in RNA-sensing Toll-like receptors 3, 7, and 8 in pigs

Background

Viral genomic RNA—both single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds)—is recognized by RNA-sensing Toll-like receptors (TLRs), notably TLR3 (dsRNA), TLR7 (ssRNA), and TLR8 (ssRNA). However, our knowledge of the roles of porcine TLR3, 7, and 8 in antiviral immunity is inadequate.

Methods

From information on exon–intron boundaries obtained through comparisons of the genomic and cDNA sequences, polymorphisms in the coding sequences of each gene were detected in 84 male pigs of 11 breeds.

Results

Genomic structures are conserved between pigs and humans. The RNA-sensing TLR genes had fewer polymorphisms causing amino acid alterations than did the cell-surface TLR genes, but the alterations were distributed with a similar bias toward ectodomains.

Conclusions

The low level of diversity of substitutive polymorphisms in RNA-sensing TLRs than cell-surface ones implies that polymorphisms severely affecting function have been eliminated by selection pressure during longstanding pig breeding.

General significance

Recognition of virus-derived RNA is critical in host defense against infection. These results should provide a useful clue to analysis of the association between polymorphisms in RNA-sensing TLRs and disease resistance.     

The Conformation of the Complex of the Helix Destabilizing Protein GP32 of Bacteriophage T4 and Single Stranded DNA

Abstract

The conformation of single stranded polynucleotides is changed specifically upon binding of the helix destabilizing protein of bacteriophage T4 (GP32). On the basis of circular dichroism (CD) and absorption experiments it is shown that denaturing conditions and the binding of oligopeptides can not induce the altered conformation. On the contrary, according to the current CD and absorption theory, the optical properties of the complex can be explained by a specific, regular conformation, characterized by an appreciable tilt of the bases (?—10°) and either a small rotation per base or a small helix diameter. This conformation agrees nicely with the increase of the base-base distance in the complex as determined in solution by electric field induced birefringence measurements. Our calculations show that also the model proposed by Alma (Ph.D. Thesis Catholic University Nijmegen, The Netherlands (1982)) for the complex of the helix destabilizing protein of bacteriophage fd, in which the helix diameter is large and the bases are almost parallel to the helix axis, would agree with the CD- and absorption spectra of the GP32-complex. For the latter protein this model would have to be modified with regard to the axial increment of the bases which is much larger in the GP32-complexes.     

Correlation Between the Conformation Space and the Sequence Space of Peptide Chain

Effects of point mutations are investigated in a computer model ofsequence selection. In the model, sequences are selected according totheir functional ability defined by the configuration at the active site.Through such functional selection on the local configuration, sequenceswhich fold globally into a unique conformation can be selected from randomsequences. The selected sequence accepts many point mutations as neutralmutations. More structurally fluctuating sites in the chain accept alarger variety of point mutations, which shows correlation between theconformational fluctuation and the sequence fluctuation.     

P1 nuclease cleavage is dependent on length of the mismatches in DNA

P1 nuclease is one of the most extensively used single-strand DNA specific nucleases in molecular biology. In modern biology, it is used as an enzymatic probe to detect altered DNA conformations. It is well documented that P1 cleaves single-stranded nucleic acids and single-stranded DNA regions. The fact that P1 can act under a wide range of conditions, including physiological pH and temperature make it the most commonly used enzymatic probe in DNA structural studies. Surprisingly, to this date, there is no study to characterize the influence of length of mismatches on P1 sensitivity. Using a series of radioactively labeled oligomeric DNA substrates-containing mismatches, we find that P1 nuclease cleavage is dependent on the length of mismatches. P1 does not cleave DNA when there is a single-base mismatch. P1 cleavage efficiency is optimum when mismatch length is 3 nt or more. Changing the position of the mismatches also does not make any difference in cleavage efficacy. These novel findings on P1 properties have implications for its use in DNA structure and DNA repair studies.     

Theoretical Study of Ethidium Intercalation in Triple-Stranded DNA and at Triplex-Duplex Junctions

Abstract

The contribution of different factors in the interaction of ethidium intercalated into various sequences of a triple helix, or in the region of the junction between the double- and triple-stranded DNA has been studied by energy minimization. It is found that in the total energy of the ethidium - triple helix complexes, a particular electrostatic contribution emerges due to the presence of protonated cytosines in the triple helix. This parameter is determinant in the sequence-specificity of ethidium binding to the triple helix. The preferred intercalation sites of ethidium in the triple helix are proposed. The interaction of ethidium at the triplex-duplex junction, and its effects are also discussed. This study is aimed at searching for new drugs specific for the triple helix, or for the triplex-duplex junctions.     

双股寡聚d(G-C)6 DNA Z-构象的形成及其构象转换的动态研究

研究揭示,生物信息的形成,传递与DNA构象的多样性,特别是其中的左手螺旋Z-构象DNA（Z-DNA）相关.在机体DNA链中,普遍存在的特异序列结构d（C-G）n和d（G-C）n片段易形成Z-构象.但对d（G-C）n序列结构的寡聚体Oligo-d（G-C）n,（n小于8）能转换形成Z-DNA片段少见报道.为促进对Z-DNA尤其是其中的短片段Z-DNA与生物功能的相关性研究,我们对合成并纯化后的寡聚体Oligo-d（G-C）n,n分别为4,6,8,10, 及Oligo-d（C-G）6和多聚体poly-d（G-C）500-900进行Z-构象的形成和其构象转换的比较研究.研究结果发现：①d（GpCpGpCpGpCpGpCpGpCpGpC）是d（G-C）n序列结构中能转换形成Z-构象的最短片段（n＝6）.其转换成Z-构象能力有链长依赖性（poly d（G-C）500-900易于Oligo-d（G-C）6）;②Oligo-d（G-C）6的Z-构象形成能力因溶液中的介质性质不同而异.Co（NH3）3＋〉Mg2＋〉Na＋;C1O-4〉Cl-,因此要求盐溶液的浓度差异很大.③PH7.2,室温条件下,在MgCl2, NaClO4, NaCl溶液浓度分别由0 mol/L增至6.0 mol/L,Oligo-d（G-C）6的B、Z构象转换都出现：B-构象相对稳定期,B-、Z-构象转换跃迁期和Z-构象相对稳定期.每个阶段要求跨越的盐浓度变迁范围也因所用介质而异.当溶液中Oligo-d（G-C）6 B-构象、Z-构象各占50%（θ1/2）时,其盐浓度分别为1.72 mol/L（MgCl2）,2.88 mol/L（NaClO4）,3.85 mol/L（NaCl）.④Oligo-d（G-C）6的B-,Z-构象转换程度受盐浓度影响：当Oligo-d（G-C）6处于最适条件和不同盐溶液其浓度为θ（12）浓度时,温度由8 ℃→22 ℃,在MgCl2,NaClO4溶液中的Oligo-d（G-C）6形成Z-构象能力增加,当由22 ℃→60 ℃,MgCl2溶液中的Z-构象Oligo-d（G-C）6加速增加,而在NaClO4溶液中则是急速向B-型Oligo-d（G-C）6方向转换;温度变化对处于NaCl溶液中的Oligo-d（G-C）6B-、Z-构象相对平衡影响较小.⑤甲基化胞嘧啶即Oligo-d（G-mC）6或d（mC-G）6均增大Z-构象形成能力.⑥在4 mol/L MgCl2溶液中的Oligo-d（G-C）6或Oligo-d（C-G）6或poly d（G-C）500-900的UVab谱、UVcd谱均显示出非B-型或Z-型DNA的新谱型.并且有链长依赖性和因溶液浓度改变出现构象可逆性转变.提示在Oligo-d（G-C）6的构象转换过程中可能存在新构象＂X＂型,即BZX构象转换模式.     

Tentacle Morphogenesis in Hydra: A Morphological and Biochemical Analysis of the Effect of Actinomycin D

Stalked hydra exposed to 3 µg/ml actinomycin D for 24hr exhibited a restriction in the patterning of tentacle morphogenesis.The two-tentacied morphological modification manifested in regeneratinghydra was correlated with a reduction both in RNA synthesisin the hypostomal region of the animal and in the DMA syntheticactivity associated with normal tentacle elaboration. The tentaclesformed on actinomycin D-treated animals developed in the propersequence, however. In time the modification disappeared, indicatingthat the effect was reversible. Histological studies demonstrated depleted interstitial cell(I-cell) populations along the body column of actinomycin D-treatedhydra. Replacing the hypostomes of actinomycin D-treated hydrawith normal hypostomes reversed the cellular effects of actinomyinD exposure. All morphological and biochemical modifications in tentaclemorphogenesis occurring after actinomycin D treatment were consistentwith an impairment of hypostomal function in the animal. Evidencefrom ³H-actinomycin D autoradiography provided support for theproposal that the nervous system was the morphological siteof this malfunction.