Synthesis and 1H NMR spectroscopic characterization of trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d(ApGpGpCpCpT)-N7-A(1),N7-G(3)]]

The reaction of trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] with the sodium salt of [d(ApGpGpCpCpT)]2 in aqueous solution at 37 degrees C was monitored by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and UV spectroscopy. Two intermediates, most likely monofunctional adducts, were observed, which subsequently formed one predominant single-stranded product, as well as several polymeric species proposed to be interstrand cross-linked products. The single-stranded adduct was structurally characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy. From the pH dependence of the chemical shifts, two-dimensional homonuclear chemical shift correlation (COSY) spectroscopy, and one- and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (NOESY) experiments, the platinum(II) moiety was found to be coordinated to the N7 positions of adenine(1) and guanine(3), with the intervening guanine(2) base destacked from its neighboring residues. This intrastrand 1,3 adduct induces changes in the backbone torsion angles and causes the deoxyribose ring of adenine(1) to switch from a C2'-endo to a predominantly C3'-endo conformation. The other deoxyribose rings retain B DNA type conformations. The structure of trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d(ApGpGpCpCpT)-N7-A(1),N7-G(3)]] differs from those previously reported for cis-DDP 1,2- and 1,3-intrastrand oligonucleotide adducts but is consistent with the structures of trans-DDP 1,3-intrastrand adducts of two previously reported trinucleotides.     

Linkage isomerization reaction of intrastrand cross-links in trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)-modified single-stranded oligonucleotides.

The stability of trans-(Pt(NH3)2[d(CGAG)-N7-G,N7-G]) adducts, resulting from cross-links between two guanine residues at d(CGAG) sites within single-stranded oligonucleotides by trans-diamminedichloro-platinum(II), has been studied under various conditions of temperature, salt and pH. The trans-(Pt(NH3)2[d(C GAG)-N7-G,N7-G]) cross-links rearrange into trans-(Pt(NH3)2[d(CGAG)-N3-C,N7-G]) cross-links. The rate of rearrangement is independent of pH, in the range 5-9, and of the nature and concentration of the salt (NaCl or NaCIO4) in the range 10-400 mM. The reaction rate depends upon temperature, the t1/2 values for the disappearance of the (G,G) intrastrand cross-link ranging from 120 h at 30 degrees C to 70 min at 80 degrees C. The linkage isomerization reaction occurs in oligonucleotides as short as the platinated tetramer d(CGAG). Replacement of the intervening residue A by T has no major effect on the reaction. The C residue adjacent to the adduct on the 5' side plays a key-role in the reaction; its replacement by a G, A or T residue prevents the reaction occuring. No rearrangement was observed with the C residue adjacent to the adduct on the 3' side. It is proposed that the linkage isomerization reaction results from a direct attack of the base residue on the platinum(II) square complex.     

Bending studies of DNA site-specifically modified by cisplatin, trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and cis-[Pt(NH3)2(N3-cytosine)Cl]+

Duplex oligonucleotides containing a single intrastrand [Pt(NH3)2]2+ cross-link or monofunctional adduct and either 15 or 22 bp in length were synthesized and chemically characterized. The platinum-modified and unmodified control DNAs were polymerized in the presence of DNA ligase and the products studied on 8% native polyacrylamide gels. The extent of DNA bending caused by the various platinum-DNA adducts was revealed by their gel mobility shifts relative to unplatinated controls. The bifunctional adducts cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)]]+, cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(ApG)]]+, and cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(G*pTpG*)]], where the asterisks denote the sites of platinum binding, all bend the double helix, whereas the adduct trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d(G*pTpG*)]] imparts a degree of flexibility to the duplex. When modified by the monofunctional adduct cis-[Pt(NH3)2(N3-cytosine)(dG)]Cl the helix remains rod-like. These results reveal important structural differences in DNAs modified by the antitumor drug cisplatin and its analogs that could be important in the biological processing of the various adducts in vivo.     

Parallel-stranded DNA with Hoogsteen base pairing stabilized by a trans-[Pt(NH3)2]2+ cross-link: characterization and conversion into a homodimer and a triplex

The oligonucleotides 5'-d(TTTTCTTTTG) and 5'-d(AAAAGAAAAG) were cross-linked with a trans-[Pt(NH3)2]2+ entity via the N7 positions of the 3'-end guanine bases to give parallel-stranded (ps) DNA. At pH 4.2, CD and NMR spectroscopy indicate the presence of Hoogsteen base pairing. In addition, temperature-dependent UV spectroscopy shows an increase in melting temperature for the platinated duplex (35 degrees C) as compared to the non-platinated, antiparallel-stranded duplex formed from the same oligonucleotides (21 degrees C). A monomer-dimer equilibrium for the platinated 20mer is revealed by gel electrophoresis. At pH 4.2, addition of a third strand of composition 5'-d(AGCTTTTCTTTTAG) to the ps duplex leads to the formation of a triple helix with two distinct melting points at 38 degrees C (platinum cross-linked Hoogsteen part) and 21 degrees C (Watson-Crick part), respectively.     

A high melting cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)]]adduct of a decanucleotide duplex

The [cis-Pt(NH3)2(d(GCCGGATCGC)-N7(4), N7(5))]-d(GCGATCCGGC) duplex has been prepared with Tm = 49 degrees C (vs 58 degrees C for the unplatinated form). NMR of the ten observable imino protons supports a kinked structure with intact base pairing of the duplex on the 3'-side of the d(GpG).cis-Pt chelate (relative to the platinated strand) The modification of the B-DNA type CD spectrum, due to the platinum chelate, is comparable to that observed for the platination (at a 0.05 Pt:base ratio) of the Micrococcus Lysodeikticus DNA (72% GC).     

Chemical and biological studies of the major DNA adduct of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpG]], built into a specific site in a viral genome

A duplex Escherichia coli bacteriophage M13 genome was constructed containing a single cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpG]] intrastrand cross-link, the major DNA adduct of the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). The duplex dodecamer d(AGAAGGCCTAGA).d(TCTAGGCCTTCT) was ligated into the HincII site of M13mp18 to produce an insertion mutant containing a unique StuI restriction enzyme cleavage site. A genome with a 12-base gap in the minus strand was created by hybridizing HincII-linearized M13mp18 duplex DNA with the single-stranded circular DNA of the 12-base insertion mutant. The dodecamer d(TCTAGGCCTTCT) was synthesized by the solid-phase phosphotriester method and platinated by reaction with cis-[Pt(NH3)2(H2O)2]2+ (yield 39%). Characterization by pH-dependent 1H NMR spectroscopy established that platinum binds to the N7 positions of the adjacent guanosines. The platinated oligonucleotide was phosphorylated in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP with bacteriophage T4 polynucleotide kinase and incorporated into the 12-base gap of the heteroduplex, thus situating the adduct specifically within the StuI site in the minus strand of the genome. Approximately 80% of the gapped duplexes incorporated a dodecanucleotide in the ligation reaction. Of these, approximately half did so with the dodecanucleotide covalently joined to the genome at both 5' and 3' termini. The site of incorporation of the dodecamer was mapped to the expected 36-base region delimited by the recognition sites of XbaI and HindIII. The cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpG]] cross-link completely inhibited StuI cleavage, which was fully restored following incubation of the platinated genome with cyanide to remove platinum as [Pt(CN)4]2-. Gradient denaturing gel electrophoresis of a 289-base-pair fragment encompassing the site of adduction revealed that the presence of the cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpG]] cross-link induces localized weakening of the DNA double helix. In addition, double- and single-stranded genomes, in which the cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpG]] cross-link resides specifically in the plus strand, were constructed. Comparative studies revealed no difference in survival between platinated and unmodified double-stranded genomes. In contrast, survival of the single-stranded platinated genome was only 10-12% that of the corresponding unmodified single-stranded genome, indicating that the solitary cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpG]] cross-link is lethal to the single-stranded bacteriophage.     

Interstrand cross-linking reaction in triplexes containing a monofunctional transplatin-adduct.

Our aim was to determine whether a single transplatin monofunctional adduct, either trans-[Pt(NH3)2(dC)Cl]+ or trans-[Pt(NH3)2(dG)Cl]+ within a homopyrimidine oligonucleotide, could further react and form an interstrand cross-link once the platinated oligonucleotide was bound to the complementary duplex. The single monofunctional adduct was located at either the 5' end or in the middle of the platinated oligonucleotide. In all the triplexes, specific interstrand cross-links were formed between the platinated Hoogsteen strand and the complementary purine-rich strand. No interstrand cross-links were detected between the platinated oligonucleotides and non-complementary DNA. The yield and the rate of the cross-linking reaction depend upon the nature and location of the monofunctional adducts. Half-lives of the monofunctional adducts within the triplexes were in the range 2-6 h. The potential use of the platinated oligonucleotides to modulate gene expression is discussed.     

Intrastrand cross-links are not formed in the reaction between transplatin and native DNA: relation with the clinical inefficiency of transplatin.

The reaction between trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and single-stranded oligonucleotides containing the sequence d(GXG) (X being an adenine, cytosine or thymine residue) yields trans-[Pt(NH3)2[(GXG)-GN7,GN7]] intrastrand cross-links. These cross-links do not prevent the pairing of the platinated oligonucleotides with their complementary strands but they decrease the thermal stability of the duplexes. The thermal stability is not much affected by the chemical nature of the X residue and its complementary base. By gel electrophoresis, it is shown that the trans- [Pt(NH3)2[d(GTG)-GN7,GN7]] cross-link bends the DNA double helix (26 degrees) and unwinds it (45 degrees). The pairing of the platinated oligonucleotides with their complementary strands promotes the rearrangement of the 1,3-intrastrand cross-links into interstrand cross-links. At a given temperature, the nature of the X residue, its complementary base and of the base pairs adjacent to the adducts do not dramatically affect the rate of the reaction. To know whether trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GXG)-GN7,GN7]] cross-links do not rearrange in some sequences, the location of these adducts was searched in double-stranded DNA after reaction with trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) by means of the 3'-5' exonuclease activity of T4 DNA polymerase. At low level of platination, trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GXG)-GN7,GN7]] cross-links were not detected. Monofunctional adducts and interstrand cross-links were mainly formed. These results are discussed in relation with the clinical inefficiency of trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).     

Binding of cis- and trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) to deoxyribonucleic acid exposes nucleosides as measured immunochemically with anti-nucleoside antibodies

We report the use of anti-nucleoside antibodies to probe for local denaturation of calf thymus DNA upon binding of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), cis-DDP, and the biologically inactive analogues trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), trans-DDP, and chloro(diethylenetriamine)platinum(II) chloride, [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl. These antibodies specifically recognize each of the four DNA nucleosides. They bind well to denatured DNA, but not to native DNA in which the bases are less accessible owing to Watson-Crick duplex structure. At relatively high levels of modification (D/N approximately 0.1), cis-DDP causes significant disruption of DNA base pairing as reflected by the increased binding of anti-cytidine, anti-adenosine, and anti-thymidine antibodies. At lower levels of platinum adduct formation, however, all four anti-nucleoside antibodies bind more to DNA modified with trans-DDP. This result indicates that adducts formed by trans-DDP disrupt the DNA structure to a greater extent than those formed by cis-DDP at low D/N ratios. Modification of DNA by the monofunctional complex [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl does not affect its recognition by anti-nucleoside antibodies, demonstrating that base pair disruption is a consequence of bifunctional binding. The relative anti-nucleoside antibody recognition of cis-DDP-modified DNA is anti-cytosine greater than anti-adenosine approximately anti-thymidine much greater than anti-guanosine, consistent with the major adduct being an intrastrand d(GpG) cross-link. These results reveal that base pair disruption in a naturally occurring DNA modified by either cis-DDP or trans-DDP is sufficient to be detected by protein (antibody) binding. The relevance of these findings to current ideas about the molecular mechanism of action of cis-DDP is discussed.     

Interaction of trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) with DNA: formation of monofunctional adducts and their reaction with glutathione

Bifunctional reactions with DNA are responsible for the toxic action of the cancer chemotherapeutic drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP). Thiourea has previously been used to trap transient monofunctional adducts in DNA before they rearrange to the toxic lesions. In these studies, thiourea was used to quantify the monofunctional adducts produced by the ineffective isomer trans-DDP. Rather than trapping monofunctional adducts, thiourea labilized them from DNA. At short time periods, 85% of trans-DDP bound to double-stranded DNA as monofunctional adducts of deoxyguanosine. Rearrangement to bifunctional adducts in double-stranded DNA was 50% complete in 24 h but was much more rapid in single-stranded DNA with 100% complete rearrangement in 24 h. The ineffectiveness of trans-DDP therefore results from a high proportion of monofunctional adducts in DNA that rearrange very slowly to toxic bifunctional adducts. The persistent monofunctional adducts react rapidly with glutathione, which would further reduce their potential toxicity by preventing them from rearranging to more toxic bifunctional adducts.     

Identification and characterization of a novel linkage isomerization in the reaction of trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) with 5'-d(TCTACGCGTTCT)

The oligonucleotide 5'-d(TCTACGCGTTCT) reacts with trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) to yield primarily trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d(TCTACGCGTTCT)-N7-G(6),N7-G(8)]], containing the desired trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GCG)]] 1,3-cross-link. A key element of the platination reaction is the use of low pH to suppress coordination at A(4). The product was fully characterized by pH-dependent NMR titrations, enzymatic degradation analysis, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, the 1,3-cross-linked adduct is unstable at neutral pH, rearranging unexpectedly to form the linkage isomer trans-[Pt(NH3)2[d-(TCTACGCGTTCT)-N3-C(5),N7-G(8)]]. This rearrangement product is more stable than the initially formed isomer and could be characterized by pH-dependent NMR titrations, enzymatic degradation analysis, liquid secondary ion mass spectrometric analysis of an enzymatically digested fragment, 195Pt NMR spectroscopy, and modified Maxam-Gilbert footprinting experiments. By contrast, the 1,3-intrastrand cross-linked isomer rearranges during the course of both pH titration and enzymatic degradation experiments to form the 1,4-adduct. The equilibrium constant for this rearrangement is approximately 3, favoring the 1,4-adduct. Kinetic studies of the linkage isomerization reaction reveal t1/2 values for the first-order disappearance of the 1,3-intrastrand cross-linked isomer ranging from 129 (at 30 degrees C) to 3.6 h (at 62 degrees C), with activation parameters delta H not equal to = 91 +/- 2 kJ/mol and delta S not equal to = -58 +/- 8 J/(mol.K). Mechanistic implications of these kinetic results as well as the general relevance of this linkage isomerization reaction to platinum-DNA chemistry are briefly discussed.     

DNA unwinding produced by site-specific intrastrand cross-links of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

The DNA unwinding produced by specific adducts of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) has been quantitatively determined. Synthetic DNA duplex oligonucleotides of varying lengths with two base pair cohesive ends were synthesized and characterized that contained site-specific intrastrand N7-purine/N7-purine cross-links. Included are cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)]], cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(ApG)]], and cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpTpG)]] adducts, respectively referred to as cis-GG, cis-AG, and cis-GTG. Local DNA distortions at the site of platination were amplified by polymerization of these monomers and quantitatively evaluated by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The extent of DNA unwinding was determined by systematically varying the interplatinum distance, or phasing, in polymers containing the adducts. The multimer that migrates most slowly gives the optimal phasing for cooperative bending, from which the degree of unwinding can be obtained. We find that the cis-GG and cis-AG adducts both unwind DNA by 13 degrees, while the cis-GTG adduct unwinds DNA by 23 degrees. In addition, experiments are presented that support previous studies revealing that a hinge joint forms at the sites of platination in DNA molecules containing trans-GTG adducts. On the basis of an analysis of the present and other published studies of site-specifically modified DNA, we propose that local duplex unwinding is a major determinant in the recognition of DNA damage by the Escherichia coli (A)BC excinuclease. In addition, local duplex unwinding of 13 degrees and bending by 35 degrees are shown to correlate well with the recognition of platinated DNA by a previously identified damage recognition protein (DRP) in human cells.     

Instability of the monofunctional adducts in cis-[Pt(NH3)2(N7-N-methyl-2-diazapyrenium)Cl](2+)-modified DNA: rates of cross-linking reactions in cis-platinum-modified DNA.

Single- and double-stranded oligonucleotides containing a single monofunctional cis-[Pt(NH3)2(dG)(N7-N-methyl-2-diazapyrenium)]3+ adduct have been studied at two NaCl concentrations. In 50 mM and 1 M NaCl, the adducts within the single-stranded oligonucleotides are stable. In contrast, they are unstable within the corresponding double-stranded oligonucleotides. In 50 mM NaCl, the bonds between platinum and guanine or N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium residues are cleaved and subsequently, intra- or interstrand cross-links are formed as in the reaction between DNA and cis-DDP. In 1 M NaCl, the main reaction is the replacement of N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium residues by chloride which generates double-stranded oligonucleotides containing a single monofunctional cis-[Pt(NH3)2(dG)Cl]+ adduct. The rates of closure of these monofunctional adducts to bifunctional cross-links have been studied in 60 mM NaClO4. Within d(TG.CT/AGCA), d(CG.CT/AGCG) and d(AG.CT/AGCT) (the symbol.indicates the location of the adducts in the central sequences of oligonucleotides), the half-lifes (t1/2) of the cis-[Pt(NH3)2(dG)Cl]+ adducts are respectively 12, 6 and 2.8 hr and the cross-linking reactions occur between guanine residues on the opposite strands. Within d(AG.TC/GACT), d(CG.AT/ATCG) and d(TGTG./CACA) or d(TG.TG/CACA) t1/2 are respectively 1.6, 8 and larger than 20 hr and the intrastrand cross-links are formed at the d(AG), d(GA) and d(GTG) sites, respectively. The conclusion is that the rates of conversion of cis-platinum-DNA monofunctional adducts to minor bifunctional cross-links are dependent on base sequence. The potential use of the instability of cis-[Pt(NH3)2(dG)(N7-N-methyl-2-diazapyrenium)]3+ adducts is discussed in the context of the antisense strategy.     

Platination of the (T2G4)4 telomeric sequence: a structural and cross-linking study.

The telomeric sequence (T(2)G(4))(4) was platinated in aqueous solutions containing 50 mM LiClO(4), NaClO(4), or KClO(4). The identification of the guanines which reacted with [Pt(NH(3))(3)(H(2)O)](2+) revealed that the same type of folding exists in the presence of the three cations and that the latter determine the relative stabilities of the G-quadruplex structures in the order K(+) > Na(+) > Li(+). The tri-ammine complex yielded ca. 40--90% of adducts, mono- and poly-platinated, bound to 4 guanines out of the 16 guanines in the sequence, in the decreasing amounts G9 > G15 > G3 > G21. The formation of these adducts was interpreted with a G-quadruplex structure obtained by restrained molecular dynamics (rMD) simulations which confirms the schematic model proposed by Williamson et al. [(1989) Cell 59, 871--880]. The bifunctional complexes cis- and trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) also first reacted with G9 and G15 and gave cross-linked adducts between two guanines, which did not exceed 5% each of the products formed. Both the cis and trans isomers formed a G3-G15 platinum chelate, and the second also formed bis-chelates at both ends of the G-quadruplex structure: G3-G15/G9-G21 and G3-G15/G9-G24. The rMD simulations showed that the cross-linking reactions by the trans complex can occur without disturbing the stacking of the three G-quartets.     

Biophysical analysis of DNA modified by 1,2-diaminocyclohexane platinum(II) complexes.

Modification of DNA and double-stranded deoxyoligonucleotides with antitumour 1,2-diamino-cyclohexanedinitroplatinum(II) (Pt-dach) complexes was investigated with the aid of physico-chemical methods and chemical probes of nucleic acid conformation. The three Pt-dach complexes were used which differed in isomeric forms of the dach nonleaving ligand-Pt(1R,2R-dach), Pt(1S,2S-dach) and Pt(1R,2S-dach) complexes. The latter complex has lower antitumour activity than the other two Pt-dach complexes. Pt(1R,2S-dach) complex exhibits the slowest kinetics of its binding to DNA and of the conversion of monofunctional binding to bifunctional lesions. The anomalously slow electrophoretic mobility of multimers of the platinated and ligated oligomers suggests that bifunctional binding of Pt-dach complexes to a d(GG) site within double-stranded oligonucleotides induces bending of the oligomer. In addition, chemical probing of double-helical deoxyoligonucleotides modified by the Pt-dach complexes at the d(GG) sites reveals that Pt(1R,2S-dach) complex induces more extensive conformational changes in the oligomer than Pt(1R,2R-dach) and Pt(1S,2S-dach) complexes. It is proposed that different effects of the Pt-dach complexes on DNA observed in this work arise mainly from a steric crowding of the axially oriented cyclohexane ring in the DNA adduct of Pt(1R,2S-dach) complex.     

DNA adducts of antitumor trans-[PtCl2 (E-imino ether)2].

It has been shown recently that some analogues of clinically ineffective trans-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (transplatin) exhibit antitumor activity. This finding has inverted the empirical structure-antitumor activity relationships delineated for platinum(II) complexes, according to which only the cis geometry of leaving ligands in the bifunctional platinum complexes is therapeutically active. As a result, interactions of trans platinum compounds with DNA, which is the main pharmacological target of platinum anticancer drugs, are of great interest. The present paper describes the DNA binding of antitumor trans-[PtCl(2)(E-imino ether)(2)] complex (trans-EE) in a cell-free medium, which has been investigated using three experimental approaches. They involve thiourea as a probe of monofunctional DNA adducts of platinum (II) complexes with two leaving ligands in the trans configuration, ethidium bromide as a probe for distinguishing between monofunctional and bifunctional DNA adducts of platinum complexes and HPLC analysis of the platinated DNA enzymatically digested to nucleosides. The results show that bifunctional trans-EE preferentially forms monofunctional adducts at guanine residues in double-helical DNA even when DNA is incubated with the platinum complex for a relatively long time (48 h at 37 degrees C in 10 mM NaCIO(4). It implies that antitumor trans-EE modifies DNA in a different way than clinically ineffective transplatin, which forms prevalent amount of bifunctional DNA adducts after 48 h. This result has been interpreted to mean that the major adduct of trans-EE, occurring in DNA even after long reaction times, is a monofunctional adduct in which the reactivity of the second leaving group is markedly reduced. It has been suggested that the different properties of the adducts formed on DNA by transplatin and trans-EE are relevant to their distinct clinical efficacy.     

DNA oligonucleotide duplexes containing intramolecular platinated cross-links: energetics,hydration, sequence,and ionic effects

The anticancer activity of cisplatin arises from its ability to bind covalently to DNA, forming primarily intrastrand cross-links to adjacent purine residues; the most common adducts involve d(GpG) (65%) and d(ApG) (25%) intrastrand cross-links. The incorporation of these platinum adducts in a B-DNA helix induces local distortions, causing bending and unwinding of the DNA. In this work, we used temperature-dependent UV spectroscopy to investigate the unfolding thermodynamics, and associated ionic effects, of two sets of DNA decamer duplexes containing either cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)[d(GpG]] or cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2) [d(ApG]] cross-links, and their corresponding unmodified duplexes. The platinated duplexes are less stable and unfold with lower T(M)s (and Delta G degrees s) in enthalpy-driven reactions, which indicates a loss of favorable base-pair stacking interactions. The folding thermodynamics and hydration effects for the first set of decamers containing the d(GpG) cross-link was investigated by a combination of titration calorimetry, density, and ultrasound techniques. The hydration parameters showed an uptake of structural water by the platinated duplex and a release of electrostricted water by the control duplex. Relative to the unmodified duplex, the folding of the platinated duplex at 20 degrees C yielded a positive Delta Delta G degrees term [and positive Delta Delta H-Delta(T Delta S) compensation] and a negative differential volume change. The opposite signs of the Delta Delta G degrees and Delta Delta V terms confirmed its uptake of structural water. Further, solvent-accessible surface areas calculations for a similar pair of dodecamer duplexes indicated that the modified duplex has a 503 oeA(2) higher polar and nonpolar surface area that is exposed to the solvent. Therefore, the incorporation of a platinum adduct in duplex DNA disrupts favorable base-pair stacking interactions, yielding a greater exposure of aromatic bases to the solvent, which in turn immobilizes structural water. The overall results correlate nicely with the results reported in the available structural data of nuclear magnetic resonance solution studies.     

Effect of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and related platinum complexes on eukaryotic DNA replication

An SV40-based in vitro replication system has been used to examine the effects of platinum compounds on eukaryotic DNA replication. Plasmid templates containing the SV40 origin of replication were modified with the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP, cisplatin) or the inactive analogues [Pt(dien)Cl]+ and trans-DDP. The platinated plasmids were used as templates for DNA synthesis by the DNA polymerases present in cytosolic extracts prepared from human cell lines HeLa and 293. Bifunctional adducts formed by cis- and trans-DDP inhibited DNA replication by 95% at a bound drug to nucleotide ratio [(D/N)b] of less than 9 x 10(-4), in contrast to the monofunctional [Pt(dien)Cl]+ analogues, which required a (D/N)b of 3.4 x 10(-3) for 62% inhibition of DNA replication. An average of two platinum adducts per genome was sufficient for inhibition of DNA replication by cisplatin. When trans-DDP-modified, but not cis-DDP-modified, SV40 origin containing plasmids [(D/N)b = 1.7 x 10(-3)] were allowed to incubate in the 293 cytosolic extracts for 1 h prior to addition of T-antigen to initiate replication, DNA synthesis was restored to 30% of control. This result suggested the presence of an activity in the extracts that reactivates trans-DDP-modified DNA templates for replication. This hypothesis was confirmed by an in vitro nucleotide excision repair assay that revealed activity in 293 and HeLa cell extracts selective for trans-DDP-modified plasmid DNAs. Such selective repair of trans-DDP-damaged DNA in human cells would contribute to its lack of antitumor activity.     

Conformation, protein recognition and repair of DNA interstrand and intrastrand cross-links of antitumor trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)

Replacement of one ammine in clinically ineffective trans-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (transplatin) by a planar N-heterocycle, thiazole, results in significantly enhanced cytotoxicity. Unlike 'classical' cisplatin {cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2]} or transplatin, modification of DNA by this prototypical cytotoxic transplatinum complex trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)] (trans-PtTz) leads to monofunctional and bifunctional intra or interstrand adducts in roughly equal proportions. DNA fragments containing site-specific bifunctional DNA adducts of trans-PtTz were prepared. The structural distortions induced in DNA by these adducts and their consequences for high-mobility group protein recognition, DNA polymerization and nucleotide excision repair were assessed in cell-free media by biochemical methods. Whereas monofunctional adducts of trans-PtTz behave similar to the major intrastrand adduct of cisplatin [J. Kasparkova, O. Novakova, N. Farrell and V. Brabec (2003) Biochemistry, 42, 792-800], bifunctional cross-links behave distinctly differently. The results suggest that the multiple DNA lesions available to trans-planaramine complexes may all contribute substantially to their cytotoxicity so that the overall drug cytotoxicity could be the sum of the contributions of each of these adducts. However, acquisition of drug resistance could be a relatively rare event, since it would have to entail resistance to or tolerance of multiple, structurally dissimilar DNA lesions.     

NMR solution structure of a DNA dodecamer containing a transplatin interstrand GN7-CN3 cross-link.

The DNA duplex d(CTCTCG*AGTCTC).d(GAGAC-TC*GAGAG) containing a single trans- diammine-dichloroplatinum(II) interstrand cross-link (where G* and C* represent the platinated bases) has been studied by two-dimensional NMR. All the exchangeable and non-exchangeable proton resonance lines were assigned (except H5'/H5") and the NOE intensities were transformed into distances via the RELAZ program. By combining the NOESY and COSY data (330 constraints) and NMR-constrained molecular mechanics using JUMNA, a solution structure of the cross-linked duplex has been determined. The duplex is distorted over two base pairs on each side of the interstrand cross-link and exhibits a slight bending of its axis ( approximately 20 degrees ) towards the minor groove. The platinated guanine G* adopts a syn conformation. The rotation results in a Hoogsteen-type pairing between the complementary G(6)* and C(19)* residues which is mediated by the platinum moiety and is stabilized by a hydrogen bond between O6(G(6)*) and N4H(C(19)*). The rise between the cross-linked residues and the adjacent residues is increased owing to the interaction between these adjacent residues and the ammine groups of the platinum moiety. These results are discussed in relation to the slow rate of closure of the monofunctional adducts into interstrand cross-links.