Interaction of topotecan,DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor,with double-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides. 4. Topotecan binds preferably to the GC base pairs of DNA

Interaction of topotecan (TPT) with synthetic double-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides has been studied in solutions of low ionic strength at pH = 6.8 by linear flow dichroism (LD), circular dichroism (CD), UV-Vis absorption and Raman spectroscopy. The complexes of TPT with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), poly(dG).poly(dC), poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT), poly(dA).poly(dT) and previously studied by us complexes of TPT with calf thymus DNA and coliphage T4 DNA have been shown to have negative LD in the long-wavelength absorption band of TPT, whereas the complex of TPT with poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) has positive LD in this absorption band of TPT. Thus, there are two different types of TPT complexes with the polymers. TPT has been established to bind preferably to GC base pairs because its affinity to the polymers of different GC composition decreases in the following order: poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) > poly(dG).poly(dC) > poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) > poly(dA).poly(dT). The presence of DNA has been shown to shift monomer-dimer equilibrium in TPT solutions toward dimer formation. Several duplexes of the synthetic polynucleotides bound together by the bridges of TPT dimers may participate in the formation of the studied type of TPT-polynucleotide complexes. Molecular models of TPT complex with linear and ring supercoiled DNAs and with deoxyguanosine have been considered. TPT (and presumably all camptothecin family) proved to be a representative of a new class of DNA-specific ligands whose biological action is associated with formation of dimeric bridges between two DNA duplexes.     

Interaction of clinically important human DNA topoisomerase I poison, topotecan, with double-stranded DNA

Topotecan (TPT), a water-soluble derivative of camptothecin, is a potent antitumor poison of human DNA topoisomerase I (top1) that stabilizes the cleavage complex between the enzyme and DNA. The role of the recently discovered TPT affinity to DNA remains to be defined. The aim of this work is to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the TPT-DNA interaction and to propose the models of TPT-DNA complexes in solution in the absence of top1. It is shown that TPT molecules form dimers with a dimerization constant of (4.0 +/- 0.7) x 10(3) M(-1) and the presence of DNA provokes more than a 400-fold increase of the effective dimerization constant. Flow linear dichroism spectroscopy accompanied by circular dichroism, fluorescence, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering experiments provide evidence that TPT dimers are able to bind DNA by bridging different DNA molecules or distant DNA structural domains. This effect may provoke modification of the intrinsic geometry of the cruciform DNA structures, leading to the appearance of new crossover points that serve as the sites of the top1 loading position. The data presume the hypothesis of TPT-mediated modulation of top1-DNA recognition before ternary complex formation.     

Interaction of topotecan--a DNA topoisomerase inhibitor--with dual-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides. I. Dimerization of topotecan in solution]

Behavior of topotecan, DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor, was studied in aqueous solutions by optical methods. Topotecan absorption spectra were recorded in the pH range 0.5-11.5 and its pKa were determined. Quantum chemical calculations were made for all charge states of the topotecan molecule in lactone and carboxylate form. The calculated absorption maxima agree well with the experimental data. Protonation of the topotecan D ring (pKa = 3.6) was revealed. Comparison of experimental and calculated data showed topotecan structure with a proton at the oxygen atom at C16a rather than N4 to be the most preferable. Topotecan molecules were shown to form dimers at concentrations above 10(-5) M. Topotecan dimerization is accompanied by an increase in the pKa of hydroxy group of the A ring from 6.5 ([TPT] = 10(-6) M) to 7.1 ([TPT] = 10(-4) M), which indicates participation of this group in dimer stabilization, perhaps due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding with N1 of the B ring of a neighboring molecule. Probable dimer structures were proposed. The topotecan dimerization constant was determined, K = (4.0 +/- 0.7) x 10(3) M-1.     

Interaction of topotecan--a DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor--with dual-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides. II. Formation of a complex containing several DNA molecules in the presence of topotecan]

This study is a continuation of a series of papers dealing with topotecan interaction with double-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides. We showed earlier that topotecan molecules form dimers in solution at concentration above 10(-5) (per base pair). Topotecan interaction with calf thymus DNA in solutions of low ionic strength was studied by fluorescence, circular dichroism, and linear flow dichroism. The data obtained indicate that topotecan forms two types of complex with DNA, DNA molecules combining with each other during formation of one of these complexes. The association constant of two topotecan-filled DNA molecules with each other was estimated at 10(4) M-1 (per base pair) in 1 mM sodium cacodylate buffer, pH 6.8, at 20 degrees C. A possibility of modulation of DNA topoisomerase I activity by topotecan due to complexation with several sites of a supercoiled DNA molecule is discussed.     

Inhibition of human DNA topoisomerase I by new DNA minor groove ligands: derivatives of oligo-1,3-thiazolecarboxamides.

A series of novel thiazole-containing oligopeptides (oligo-1,3-thiazolecarboxamides) interesting specifically with the minor groove of DNA was shown to inhibit human DNA topoisomerase I (topo I). Inhibitory effects of thiazole-containing oligopeptides (TCO) increase with the number of thiazole units in such compounds. Inhibitory properties of TCO containing 3 or 4 thiazole units were shown to be 3-10 times better than those of the well-known natural antibiotic, distamycin A containing pyrrole rings. The structure of various additional groups attached to the N-terminus and C-terminus of TCO had no significant effect on TCO interaction with the complex of DNA and topo I. TCO were shown to be capable of binding with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), and the majority of TCO analyzed were more effective in binding with dsDNA than distamycin A. Possible reasons for the different effects of distamycin A and TCO on the reaction of relaxation catalyzed by topo I are discussed.     

Binding of symmetrical cyanine dyes into the DNA minor groove

Optical methods, such as fluorescence, circular dichroism and linear flow dichroism, were used to study the binding to DNA of four symmetrical cyanine dyes, each consisting of two identical quinoline, benzthiazole, indole, or benzoxazole fragments connected by a trimethine bridge. The ligands were shown to form a monomer type complex into the DNA minor groove. The complex of quinoline-containing ligand with calf thymus DNA appeared to be the most resistant to ionic strength, and it did not dissociate completely even in 1 M NaCl. Binding of cyanine dyes to DNA could also be characterized by possibility to form ligand dimers into the DNA minor groove, by slight preference of binding to AT pairs, as well as by possible intercalation between base pairs of poly(dG)-poly(dC). The correlation found between the binding constants to DNA and the extent of cyanine dyes hydrophobicity estimated as the n-octanol/water partition coefficient is indicative of a significant role of hydrophobic interactions for the ligand binding into the DNA minor groove.     

Camptothecin, a specific inhibitor of type I DNA topoisomerase, induces DNA breakage at replication forks.

The structure of replicating simian virus 40 minichromosomes, extracted from camptothecin-treated infected cells, was investigated by biochemical and electron microscopic methods. We found that camptothecin frequently induced breaks at replication forks close to the replicative growth points. Replication branches were disrupted at about equal frequencies at the leading and the lagging strand sides of the fork. Since camptothecin is known to be a specific inhibitor of type I DNA topoisomerase, we suggest that this enzyme is acting very near the replication forks. This conclusion was supported by experiments with aphidicolin, a drug that blocks replicative fork movement, but did not prevent the camptothecin-induced breakage of replication forks. The drug teniposide, an inhibitor of type II DNA topoisomerase, had only minor effects on the structure of these replicative intermediates.     

Out-of-shape DNA minor groove binders: induced fit interactions of heterocyclic dications with the DNA minor groove

DB921 and DB911 are benzimidazole-biphenyl isomers with terminal charged amidines. DB911 has a central meta-substituted phenyl that gives it a shape similar to those of known minor groove binding compounds. DB921 has a central para-substituted phenyl with a linear conformation that lacks the appropriate radius of curvature to match the groove shape. It is thus expected that DB911, but not DB921, should be an effective minor groove binder, but we find that DB921 not only binds in the groove but also has an unusually high binding constant in SPR experiments (2.9 x 10(8) M(-)(1), vs 2.1 x 10(7) M(-)(1) for DB911). ITC thermodynamic analysis with an AATT sequence shows that the stronger binding of DB921 is due to a more favorable binding enthalpy relative to that of DB911. CD results support minor groove binding for both compounds but do not provide an explanation for the binding of DB921. X-ray crystallographic analysis of DB921 bound to AATT shows that an induced fit structural change in DB921 reduces the twist of the biphenyl to complement the groove, and places the functional groups in position to interact with bases at the floor of the groove. The phenylamidine of DB921 forms indirect contacts with the bases through a bound water. The DB921-water pair forms a curved binding module that matches the shape of the minor groove and provides a number of strong interactions that are not possible with DB911. This result suggests that traditional views of compound curvature required for minor groove complex formation should be reevaluated.     

Interaction of Topotecan,DNA Topoisomerase I Inhibitor,with Double-stranded Polydeoxyribonucleotides. 3. Binding at the Minor Groove

Interaction of topotecan (TPT) with calf thymus DNA, coliphage T4 DNA, and poly(dGdC) · poly(dG-dC) was studied by optical (linear flow dichroism, UV-vis spectroscopy) and quantum chemical methods. The linear dichroism signal of TPT bound to DNA was shown to have positive sign in the range 260–295 nm. This means that the plane of quinoline fragment (rings A and B) of TPT forms an angle less than 54° with the long axis of DNA, and hence the TPT molecule cannot intercalate between DNA base pairs. TPT was established to bind to calf thymus DNA as readily as to coliphage T4 DNA whose cytosines in the major groove were all glycosylated at the 5th position. Consequently, the DNA major groove does not participate in TPT binding. TPT molecule was shown to compete with distamycin for binding sites in the minor groove of DNA and poly(dG-dC) · poly(dG-dC). Thus, it was demonstrated for the first time that TPT binds to DNA at its minor groove.     

Mechanism of action of rat liver DNA methylase. I. Interaction with double-stranded methyl-acceptor DNA

Rat liver DNA methylase forms two types of complexes with DNA which are distinguishable on the basis of their sensitivity to ionic strength. A weak complex which is dissociable by 0.2 m-NaCl is formed at 0 °C. A more tightly bound complex which is stable to 0.2 m-NaCl is formed at higher temperatures. On the basis of a comparison of the effects of salt upon tight complex formation and upon enzyme activity, it would appear that formation of the tightly bound complex is required for DNA methylation to occur. With tightly bound enzyme the methylation of high molecular weight DNA is nearly linear for 30 minutes in the presence of salt. Under the same conditions low molecular weight DNA's give non-linear kinetics which demonstrate a sharp reduction in the rate of methylation with time. The lower the molecular weight of the DNA fragments, the more marked is the deviation from linearity. On the basis of these data it is suggested that rat liver DNA cytosine-methylase which is tightly bound to DNA is able to accomplish several methyl group transfers without becoming detached from the DNA and that the enzyme must therefore walk along the DNA helix. We calculate that the walk is probably not random, but linear, and that the rate of walk may be about 1.5 to 3.5 base pairs per second.     

Interaction of minor groove binding ligands with long AT tracts.

We have used quantitative DNase I footprinting to examine the ability of distamycin and Hoechst 33258 to discriminate between different arrangements of AT residues, using synthetic DNA fragments containing multiple blocks of (A/T)6or (A/T)10in identical sequence environments. Previous studies have shown that these ligands bind less well to (A/T)4sites containing TpA steps. We find that in (A/T)6tracts distamycin shows little discrimination between the various sites, binding approximately 2-fold stronger to TAATTA than (TA)3, T3A3and GAATTC. In contrast, Hoechst 33258 binds approximately 20-fold more tightly to GAATTC and TAATTA than T3A3and (TA)3. Hydroxyl radical footprinting reveals that both ligands bind in similar locations at the centre of each AT tract. At (A/T)10sites distamycin binds with similar affinity to T5A5, (TA)5and AATT, though bands in the centre of (TA)5are protected at approximately 50-fold lower concentration than those towards the edges. Hoechst 33258 shows a similar pattern of preference, with strong binding to AATT, T5A5and the centre of (TA)5. Hydroxyl radical footprinting reveals that at low concentrations both ligands bind at the centre of (TA)5and A5T5, while at higher concentrations ligand molecules bind to each end of the (A/T)10tracts. At T5A5two ligand molecules bind at either end of the site, even at the lowest ligand concentration, consistent with the suggestion that these compounds avoid the TpA step. Similar DNase I footprinting experiments with a DNA fragment containing T n (n = 3-6) tracts reveals that both ligands bind in the order T3< T4 << T5 = T6.     

Benzo[a]pyrene-dG adduct interference illuminates the interface of vaccinia topoisomerase with the DNA minor groove

Vaccinia DNA topoisomerase forms a covalent DNA-(3'-phosphotyrosyl)-enzyme intermediate at a pentapyrimidine target site 5'-C(+5)C(+4)C(+3)T(+2)T(+1)p downward arrow in duplex DNA. The enzyme engages the target site within a C-shaped protein clamp. Here we mapped the interface of topoisomerase with the DNA minor groove by introducing chiral C-10 R and S 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide adducts of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) at single N(2)-deoxyguanosine (dG) positions within the nonscissile DNA strand. These trans opened BPdG adducts fit into the minor groove without perturbing helix conformation or base pairing, and the R and S diastereomers are oriented in opposite directions within the minor groove. We measured the effects of the BPdG adducts on the rate and extent of single-turnover DNA transesterification. We observed a sharp margin of interference effects, whereby +5 and -2 BPdG modifications were well tolerated but +4, +3, and -1 BPdG adducts were severely deleterious. Stereoselective effects at the -1 nucleoside (the R isomer interfered, whereas the S isomer did not) delineated at high resolution the downstream border of the minor groove interface. BPdG inhibition of transesterification is likely caused by steric exclusion of constituents of the topoisomerase from the minor groove. We also applied the BPdG interference method to probe the interactions of exonuclease III with the minor groove. DNAs containing these BPdG adducts were protected from digestion by exonuclease III, which was consistently arrested at positions 2-4 nucleotides prior to the BP-modified guanosine.     

Proton equilibria in the minor groove of DNA.

Poisson-Boltzmann calculations by Pack and co-workers suggest the presence of regions of increased hydrogen ion density in the grooves of DNA. As an experimental test of this prediction, we have attached proton-sensitive probes, with variable linker lengths, to random-sequence DNA at G sites in the minor groove. The amino groups of beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and epsilon-aminocaproic acid have been coupled at pH 5, via a formaldehyde link, to the exocyclic amino group of guanine, utilizing a reaction that has been extensively investigated by Hanlon and co-workers. The resulting adducts at pH 5 retained duplex B form but exhibited typical circular dichroism (CD) changes previously shown to be correlated with the presence of a net positive charge in the minor groove. Increases in the solvent pH reversed the CD spectral changes in a manner suggesting deprotonation of the carboxylic acid group of the adduct. These data were used to calculate an apparent pK(a) for the COOH. The pK(a) was increased by 2.4 units for beta-alanine, by 1.7 units for GABA, and by 1.5 units for epsilon-amino caproic acid, relative to their values in the free amino acid. This agrees well with Poisson-Boltzmann calculations and the energy minimization of the structures of the adducts that place the carboxyl groups in acidic domains whose hydrogen ion density is approximately 2 orders of magnitude greater than that of bulk solvent.     

Binding to the minor groove of the double-strand, tau protein prevents DNA from damage by peroxidation

Tau, an important microtubule associated protein, has been found to bind to DNA, and to be localized in the nuclei of both neurons and some non-neuronal cells. Here, using electrophoretic mobility shifting assay (EMSA) in the presence of DNA with different chain-lengths, we observed that tau protein favored binding to a 13 bp or a longer polynucleotide. The results from atomic force microscopy also showed that tau protein preferred a 13 bp polynucleotide to a 12 bp or shorter polynucleotide. In a competitive assay, a minor groove binder distamycin A was able to replace the bound tau from the DNA double helix, indicating that tau protein binds to the minor groove. Tau protein was able to protect the double-strand from digestion in the presence of DNase I that was bound to the minor groove. On the other hand, a major groove binder methyl green as a negative competitor exhibited little effect on the retardation of tau-DNA complex in EMSA. This further indicates the DNA minor groove as the binding site for tau protein. EMSA with truncated tau proteins showed that both the proline-rich domain (PRD) and the microtubule-binding domain (MTBD) contributed to the interaction with DNA; that is to say, both PRD and MTBD bound to the minor groove of DNA and bent the double-strand, as observed by electron microscopy. To investigate whether tau protein is able to prevent DNA from the impairment by hydroxyl free radical, the chemiluminescence emitted by the phen-Cu/H(2)O(2)/ascorbate was measured. The emission intensity of the luminescence was markedly decreased when tau protein was present, suggesting a significant protection of DNA from the damage in the presence of hydroxyl free radical.     

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen loaded onto double-stranded DNA: dynamics, minor groove interactions and functional implications

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) acts as a biologically essential processivity factor that encircles DNA and provides binding sites for polymerase, flap endonuclease-1 (FEN-1) and ligase during DNA replication and repair. We have computationally characterized the interactions of human and Archaeoglobus fulgidus PCNA trimer with double-stranded DNA (ds DNA) using multi-nanosecond classical molecular dynamics simulations. The results reveal the interactions of DNA passing through the PCNA trimeric ring including the contacts formed, overall orientation and motion with respect to the sliding clamp. Notably, we observe pronounced tilting of the axis of dsDNA with respect to the PCNA ring plane reflecting interactions between the DNA phosphodiester backbone and positively charged arginine and lysine residues lining the PCNA inner surface. Covariance matrix analysis revealed a pattern of correlated motions within and between the three equivalent subunits involving the PCNA C-terminal region and linker strand associated with partner protein binding sites. Additionally, principal component analysis identified low frequency global PCNA subunit motions suitable for translocation along duplex DNA. The PCNA motions and interactions with the DNA minor groove, identified here computationally, provide an unexpected basis for PCNA to act in the coordinated handoff of intermediates from polymerase to FEN-1 to ligase during DNA replication and repair.     

Sequence-specific recognition of double-stranded DNA by synthetic minor groove binder conjugates. toward the construction of artificial site-specific deoxyribonucleases

Bis-conjugates of hairpin N-methylpyrrole/N-methylimidazole oligocarboxamide minor groove binders (MGB) possessing enhanced affinity and sequence-specificity for dsDNA were synthesized. Two hairpin MGBs were connected by their N-termini via an aminodiacetate linker. The binding of bis-MGB conjugates to the target DNA was studied by gel mobility retardation, footprinting, and circular dichroism; their affinity and binding mode in the DNA minor groove were determined. In order to functionalize the bis-MGB conjugates, DNA-cleaving agents such as phenanthroline or bipyridine were attached. Effective site-specific cleavage of target DNA in the presence of Cu(2+) ions was observed.     

Mammalian topoisomerase II activity is modulated by the DNA minor groove binder distamycin in simian virus 40 DNA

DNA topoisomerases II are nuclear enzymes that have been identified recently as targets for some of the most active anticancer drugs. Antitumor topoisomerase II inhibitors such as teniposide (VM-26) produce enzyme-induced DNA cleavage and inhibition of enzyme activity. By adding to such reactions distamycin, a compound whose effects on DNA have been extensively characterized, we investigated the effects of drug binding upon topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage induced by VM-26. We have found a correspondence between distamycin binding (determined by footprinting analysis) and topoisomerase II-mediated cleavage of SV40 DNA (determined by sequencing gel analysis). Distamycin binding potentiated the cleavage of specific sites in the near proximity of distamycin-binding sites (within at least 25 base pairs), which indicates that DNA secondary structure is involved in topoisomerase II-DNA interactions. That distamycin potentiated cleavage only at sites that were recognized in the absence of distamycin and suppressed cleavage directly at distamycin-binding sites indicates that topoisomerase II recognizes DNA on the basis of primary sequence. In addition, distamycin stimulated topoisomerase II-mediated DNA relaxation and antagonized the inhibitory effect of VM-26. These results show that the DNA sequence-specific binding of distamycin produces local and propagated effects in the DNA which markedly affect topoisomerase II activity.     

DNA binding properties of minor groove binders and their influence on the topoisomerase II cleavage reaction

We present titrations of the human δβ-globin gene region with DNA minor groove binders netropsin, bisnetropsin, distamycin, chromomycin and four bis-quaternary ammonium compounds in the presence of calf thymus topoisomerase II and DNase I. With increasing ligand concentration, stimulation and inhibition of enzyme activity were detected and quantitatively evaluated. Additionally we show a second type of stimulation, the appearance of strong new topoisomerase II cleavage sites at high ligand concentrations. The specific binding sites of the minor groove binders of the DNA sequence and their microscopic binding constants were determined from DNase I footprints. A binding mechanism for minor groove binders is proposed in order to explain these results especially when ligand concentration is increased. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction of topotecan-a DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor-with dual-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides. V. Topotecan is able to cause single- and double-strand breaks in ring superhelical DNA in the absence of enzyme

Temperature, concentration, and time dependence for the emergence of breaks in the sugar-phosphate backbone in a circular supercoiled DNA (scDNA) was studied for the first time in the presence of topotecan (TPT) and in the absence of human DNA topoisomerase I (topo I). Because TPT is a comptothecin (CPT) derivative, it is the first example for the ability of molecules of CPT family to cause double-stranded breaks in scDNA in the absence of the enzyme. The experiments were carried out in low ionic strength solutions (10 mM sodium cacodylate) at neutral pH (6.8). Incubation time necessary for the appearance of double-stranded breaks in scDNA in the presence of TPT correlated with the time of formation of strong TPT-DNA complex. A model was suggested for the complex composed of two crossed DNA duplexes bound through a bridge of two dimers of TPT lactone form. According to this model, two carbonyl groups of D rings of different TPT dimers form hydrogen bonds with 2-amino groups of guanines located in the neighboring base pairs of diverse strands of one of DNA duplexes. At the same time, two other carbonyl groups of D rings of TPT dimers form hydrogen bonds with 2-amino groups of guanines spaced five bp apart in the same strand of the second DNA duplex.