Influence of counter-ions on the crystal structures of DNA decamers: binding of [Co(NH3)6]3+ and Ba2+ to A-DNA

A-DNA is a stable alternative right-handed double helix that is favored by certain sequences (e.g., (dG)n.(dC)n) or under low humidity conditions. Earlier A-DNA structures of several DNA oligonucleotides and RNA.DNA chimeras have revealed some conformational variation that may be the result of sequence-dependent effects or crystal packing forces. In this study, four crystal structures of three decamer oligonucleotides, d(ACCGGCCGGT), d(ACCCGCGGGT), and r(GC)d(GTATACGC) in two crystal forms (either the P6(1)22 or the P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group) have been analyzed at high resolution to provide the molecular basis of the structural difference in an experimentally consistent manner. The study reveals that molecules crystallized in the same space group have a more similar A-DNA conformation, whereas the same molecule crystallized in different space groups has different (local) conformations. This suggests that even though the local structure is influenced by the crystal packing environments, the DNA molecule adjusts to adopt an overall conformation close to canonical A-DNA. For example, the six independent CpG steps in these four structures have different base-base stacking patterns, with their helical twist angles (omega) ranging from 28 degrees to 37 degrees. Our study further reveals the structural impact of different counter-ions on the A-DNA conformers. [Co(NH3)6]3+ has three unique A-DNA binding modes. One binds at the major groove side of a GpG step at the O6/N7 sites of guanine bases via hydrogen bonds. The other two modes involve the binding of ions to phosphates, either bridging across the narrow major groove or binding between two intra-strand adjacent phosphates. Those interactions may explain the recent spectroscopic and NMR observations that [Co(NH3)6]3+ is effective in inducing the B- to A-DNA transition for DNA with (G)n sequence. Interestingly, Ba2+ binds to the same O6/N7 sites on guanine by direct coordinations.

A novel DNA structure induced by the anticancer bisplatinum compound crosslinked to a GpC site in DNA

The bifunctional platinum compound, [(trans-PtCI(NH)3)2)2(H2N(CH2)4NH2)]2+, forms a stable adduct with the self-complementary DNA oligomer CATGCATG, with the two platinum atoms coordinated at the N7 positions of the two symmetrical G4 nucleotides. The NMR-derived structure shows that the DNA octamer forms a novel hairpin structure with the platinated G4 residue adopting a syn conformation and the guanine base in the minor groove. Two such hairpins stack end-over-end and are linked together by the butanediamine tether to form a dumbbell structure. Such unusual structural distortion is different from that of the anticancer drug cisplatin-DNA adduct and may provide clues to explain the distinct biological activities of the two compounds.

Electrostatic potential distribution of the gene V protein from Ff phage facilitates cooperative DNA binding: a model of the GVP-ssDNA complex

The crystal structure of the gene V protein (GVP) from the Ff filamentous phages (M13, fl, fd) has been solved for the wild-type and two mutant (Y41F and Y41H) proteins at high resolution. The Y41H mutant crystal structure revealed crystal packing interactions, which suggested a plausible scheme for constructing the polymeric protein shell of the GVP-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) complex (Guan Y, et al., 1994, Biochemistry 33:7768-7778). The electrostatic potentials of the isolated and the cooperatively formed protein shell have been calculated using the program GRASP and they revealed a highly asymmetric pattern of the electrostatic charge distribution. The inner surface of the putative DNA-binding channel is positively charged, whereas the opposite outer surface is nearly neutral. The electrostatic calculation further demonstrated that the formation of the helical protein shell enhanced the asymmetry of the electrostatic distribution. A model of the GVP-ssDNA complex with the n = 4 DNA-binding mode could be built with only minor conformational perturbation to the GVP protein shell. The model is consistent with existing biochemical and biophysical data and provides clues to the properties of GVP, including the high cooperatively of the protein binding to ssDNA. The two antiparallel ssDNA strands form a helical ribbon with the sugar-phosphate backbones at the middle and the bases pointing away from each other. The bases are stacked and the Phe 73 residue is intercalated between two bases. The optimum binding to a tetranucleotide unit requires the participation of four GVP dimers, which may explain the cooperativity of the GVP binding to DNA.

Structure and dynamics of the antitumor drugs nogalamycin and disnogalamycin complexed to d(CGTACG)2: comparison of crystal and solution structures

The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) solution structures of the 2:1 complexes of nogalamycin-d(CGTACG)2 (Ng-CGTACG) and disnogalamycin-d(CGTACG)2 (DNg-CGTACG) have been determined by a quantitative treatment of two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (2D-NOE) crosspeak intensities. The 1.3 A resolution crystal structure of the 2:1 complex of Ng-CGTACG was used as a starting model for refinement using the procedure, SPEDREF [Robinson and Wang, Biochemistry 31 (1992) 3524-3533], which incorporates full matrix relaxation theory and simulated annealing minimization. The refined solution structures have R-factors of 16.1 and 19.6% between the observed and simulated NOEs for Ng-CGTACG and DNg-CGTACG, respectively. The refined NMR structures retain major features of the crystal structure in which the elongated aglycone chromophore is intercalated between the CpG steps with its nogalose and aminoglucose lying in the minor and major grooves, respectively. The root mean square deviation between the solution and crystal structure for the complexes is 1.01 A (Ng-CGTACG) and 1.20 A (DNg-CGTACG) for the drug, plus the three base pairs surrounding the drug, indicating a very similar local structure at the intercalation site. In the NMR structure, the two G:C Watson-Crick base pairs (C1:G12 and G2:C11) that wrap around the aglycone have large buckles, as do those seen in the crystal structure. There is a 22 degree bend at the T3-A4 step in the refined solution structure. This rearrangement of the solution conformation is likely due to the absence of crystal packing. Specific hydrogen bonds between the drug and G:C bases in both grooves of the helix are preserved in the solution structure. A separate study of the 2:1 complex at low pH showed that the terminal G-C base pairing is destabilized.

Crystal and solution structures of d(CGC[e6G]AATTCGCG)-drug complexes reveal conformational polymorphism of O6-ethyl-guanine:cytosine base pair

O6-ethyl-guanine (e6G) is a relatively persistent alkylation lesion caused by the exposure of DNA to carcinogen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea. We have studied the structural consequences of the e6G incorporation in DNA by X-ray crystallography and NMR. We have obtained crystals of the modified DNA dodecamer d(CGC[e6G]AATTCGCG) complexed to several minor groove binding drugs including Hoechst 33258, Hoechst 33342, netropsin, and SN6999. The space group of the crystals from those complexes is P2(1)2(1)2(1). However the crystal structure of the SN6999 complex is not isomorphous to that from the other three complexes. In all four refined crystal structures the drugs bind in the narrow minor groove at or close to the central AATT region of the dodecamer B-DNA duplex. The DNA conformation is influenced by the binding of drugs. The eight independent e6G:C base pairs have a conformation ranging from one with three-centered hydrogen bonds between the bases to a wobble conformation with two hydrogen bonds. The ethyl group of the eight e6G bases is mostly in the proximal orientation to N7. Our 1D and 2D-NMR studies of the same (free) dodecamer reveal that the e6G:C base pairs in the duplex are likely to adopt a wobble conformation in solution. Those results suggest that the e6G:C base pair has a dynamic equilibrium among various conformations, which may present an ambiguous signal to cells. In contrast, the e6G:T base pair adopts a Watson-Crick-like conformation. This may be a plausible explanation of why thymine is found preferentially incorporated across the e6G during replication.

Crystal structures of Y41H and Y41F mutants of gene V protein from Ff phage suggest possible protein-protein interactions in the GVP-ssDNA complex

Gene V protein (GVP) encoded by the filamentous phage Ff (M13, fl, fd) is a homodimeric protein of 87 amino acids that binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) nonspecifically and cooperatively. The structure (monoclinic C2 form) of the wild-type protein has been determined and refined at 1.8-A resolution [Skinner et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 2071-2075]. The monomer structure consists of a somewhat distorted five-stranded beta-barrel core with three prominent loops: a DNA-binding loop, a dyad loop, and a dimer contact loop. The amino acid residue at position 41 plays an important role in the dimer-dimer interactions of the protein-ssDNA complex. Two Y41 mutant structures have been studied by X-ray crystallography. The Y41F GVP structure has been refined to an R-factor of 0.180 at 2.2-A resolution and is very similar to the wild-type (wt) structure (rmsd of all C alpha atoms = 0.30 A). In contrast, Y41H GVP forms a new crystal lattice in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 77.18 A, b = 84.17 A, and c = 28.62 A. Its structure has been solved by the molecular replacement method and refined to an R-factor of 0.170 at 2.5-A resolution. The two monomers of Y41H are crystallographically independent, and their structures remain similar to wt-GVP but with significant differences, particularly in the DNA-binding hairpin region. In both crystals, the loop (residues 36-43) that contains the Y41 residue is involved in the crystal dimer packings but in a different manner. The dimer-dimer contacts found in the wt-GVP crystal may be important for GVP aggregation in the absence of DNA. In the presence of DNA, the dimer-dimer contacts may switch to the type found in the Y41H crystal, allowing the GVP-ssDNA complex to form cooperatively. A model of the complex, consistent with existing biochemical and biophysical data, has been constructed from those crystal packing data.

Human chromosomal centromere (AATGG)n sequence forms stable structures with unusual base pairs

Nine DNA sequences related to the purine strand of the human centromeric satellite (AATGG)n (CCATT)n repeat have been studied by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Earlier studies have suggested that the structure of (AATGG)n sequence has an equilibrium between the duplex form and a fold-back form. Structural refinement of d(CAATGG) and its related sequences by an NOE-constrained simulated annealing procedure reveals that the duplex form incorporates dynamic type-I G-A base pairs. 1D exchangeable proton NMR data support this model. The reverse sequence motif (GGTAA) destabilizes the structure.

Structure by NMR of antitumor drugs aclacinomycin A and B complexed to d(CGTACG)

Aclacinomycins A and B are anthracycline antibiotics with potent antitumor activity. Each consists of an alkavinone aglycon chromophore and a trisaccharide (rhodosamine-deoxyfucose-cinerulose A or B) tail attached at the C7 of ring A of the alkavinone. The structures of the 2:1 aclacinomycin-d(CGTACG) complexes have been studied in solution by 2D NMR spectroscopy using nuclear Overhauser effect data. SPEDREF refinement procedure (incorporating simulated annealing within the program X-PLOR) was used to obtain an ensemble of refined structures which reveal that the elongated alkavinone is intercalated between the CpG steps and the trisaccharide lies in the minor groove. In the complex, the two GC Watson-Crick base pairs (C1:G12 and G2:C11) that wrap around the aglycon have large buckles, consistent with those seen in the crystal structures of other anthracycline-DNA complexes. The intercalation geometry of aclcainomycin is a hybrid between those of daunorubicin and nogalamycin. Ring D of alkavinone is sandwiched by the C1 and C11 bases. The deoxyfucose ring of the trisaccharide is close to the DNA backbone at the A4 nucleotide, forcing the DNA helix to kink toward the major groove (with the opening in the minor groove). The kink between two adjacent A-T base pairs (T3-A10 and A4-T9) causes the adenine A4N6 to form two hydrogen bonds to T9O4 (interstrand) and T3O4 (intrastrand) simultaneously. There is a small unwinding of the helix resulting from the intercalated aclacinomycin. Several potential hydrogen bonds exist between the drug and the guanine bases in the minor groove of the helix.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-6,7-dihydro-9H-thiazolo[3,2-a]purin-9-one hydrate

The title molecule, C12H14N4O5S.H2O (I), has a syn-XCN glycosyl torsion angle, which is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between N3 of the tricylic base and O5' of the ribose (in a C2'-endo pucker). [The purine base, including atoms S and O6, of the molecule is planar to within 0.043 (2) A.] The tricyclic bases are stacked along a with an interplanar distance of 3.602 (3) A.

Structure of the gene V protein of bacteriophage f1 determined by multiwavelength x-ray diffraction on the selenomethionyl protein

The crystal structure of the dimeric gene V protein of bacteriophage f1 was determined using multiwavelength anomalous diffraction on the selenomethionine-containing wild-type and isoleucine-47-->methionine mutant proteins with x-ray diffraction data phased to 2.5 A resolution. The structure of the wild-type protein has been refined to an R factor of 19.2% using native data to 1.8 A resolution. The structure of the gene V protein was used to obtain a model for the protein portion of the gene V protein-single-stranded DNA complex.

13C-NMR of the deoxyribose sugars in four DNA oligonucleotide duplexes: assignment and structural features

Natural-abundance 13C-NMR spectra have been obtained for four self-complementary DNA oligonucleotides: [d(TAGCGCTA)]2, [d(GGTATACC)]2, [d(CG)3]2, and [d(TCGCG)]2; this paper focuses on the deoxyribose resonances. Assignments were made by a combination of the two-dimensional proton-detected heteronuclear correlation experiment and comparison of 1D spectra, accounting for 31P coupling, base composition, and similarities in chemical shift versus temperature profiles (delta vs T). Large shielding and deshielding of the sugar resonances (between 2.0 and -1.9 ppm) are observed upon thermal dissociation of the duplex. The shapes of the delta vs T profiles correlate strongly with the purine/pyrimidine nature of the base attached at C1' in these duplexes that have a substantial fraction of residues within alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences. The correlation is primarily associated with changes in the equilibrium distribution of furanose pseudorotational states that may arise in part from the relief of interstrand purine-purine steric clashes.

Solution structure of a GA mismatch DNA sequence, d(CCATGAATGG)2, determined by 2D NMR and structural refinement methods

GA mismatches in DNA have drawn attention because of their special repair mechanisms, stability, and variety of conformations. A symmetric 10-base oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplex, d(CCATGAATGG)2, containing two GA mismatches has been investigated by one- and two-dimensional multinuclear NMR and molecular refinement procedures to ascertain the conformational details of the 5'-pyrimidine-GA-purine-3' sequence. A molecular model established from the NMR results has a B-type right-handed helix with each of the bases retaining the normal anti-glycosidic torsional angles. Type I mismatched base pairs have GNH2-AN7 and GN3-ANH2 (edge-to-edge) hydrogen bonds, while type II base pairs have GN1H-AN1 and GO6-ANH2 (face-to-face) bonds. The conformation at the GA mismatch site has type I GA base pairs and an unusual cross-strand stacking of the adjacent G5 and A6 bases, which causes significant overwinding of the helix at the mismatch site. Unusual shifts of the 31P resonances suggest that the phosphate linkage between G5 and A6 is no longer in the low-energy BI conformation. One-dimensional imino and phosphorus NMR studies were carried out on a number of DNA sequences containing adjacent 5'-GA-3' mismatched base pairs to investigate the sequence dependence of the conformations and base-pairing types. Type I and type II conformations have very different imino proton and 31P NMR spectral patterns that can be used to classify any sequence with adjacent GA mismatches by base-pairing and conformational type. The NMR results indicate that the conformation selected is dictated completely by the flanking sequence: 5'-pyrimidine-GA-purine-3' sequences adopt the type I conformation, while 5'-purine-GA-pyrimidine-3' sequences have the type II conformation.

Conformations of the alternating (C-T)n sequence under neutral and low pH

The structures of the (C-T)n sequence at two different pHs have been analyzed by 500 MHz 2D-NMR using a modified DNA decamer d(CT[m5C]TCU[m5C]UCT) as a model system. The chemical modifications serve to perturb the monotonous C-T repeat, and consequently to yield a better chemical shift dispersion. The results reinforce our earlier suggestion that there are three major pH-dependent conformational species: two antiparallel-stranded (APS) duplexes at pH 7 and pH 3, and a different structure near pH 5. Structural refinement of the decamer duplexes at pH = 7.5 and pH = 2.9 using 2D-NOE data suggests that the C:T or C+:T base pairs are continuously stacked. Exchangeable proton NMR spectra at pH 7.5 and pH 2.9 are consistent with C:T or C+:T base pairing schemes in which a water molecule bridges the two bases.

Molecular structure of cyclic diguanylic acid at 1 A resolution of two crystal forms: self-association, interactions with metal ion/planar dyes and modeling studies

Cyclic ribodiguanylic acid, c-(GpGp), is the endogenous effector regulator of cellulose synthase. Its three dimensional structure from two different crystal forms (tetragonal and trigonal) has been determined by x-ray diffraction analysis at 1 A resolution. Both structures were solved by direct methods and refined by block-matrix least squares refinement to R-factors of 0.112 (tetragonal) and 0.119 (trigonal). In both crystal forms, two independent c-(GpGp) molecules associate with each other to form a self-intercalated dimer. All four c-(GpGp) molecules have very similar backbone conformation. The riboses are in the C3'-endo pucker with pseudorotation angles ranging from -7.2 degrees to 16.5 degrees and the bases have anti glycosyl chi angles (-175.5 degrees to 179.7 degrees). In the tetragonal form, a hydrated cobalt ion is found to coordinate to two N7 atoms of adjacent guanines, forcing these two guanines to destack with a large dihedral angle (33 degrees). This metal coordination mechanism has been noted previously in other Pt- or Co-GMP complexes and may be relevant to the binding of the anticancer drug cisplatin to a GpG sequence in DNA. A model of the adduct between cisplatin and a d(CAATGGATTG) duplex has been constructed in which the induced bending of the DNA helix at the Pt crosslinking site is 33 degrees, consistent with earlier electrophoretic analyses. Moreover, c-(GpGp) exhibits unusual spectral properties not seen in other cyclic dinucleotides. It interacts with planar organic intercalator molecules in ways similar to double helical DNA. We propose a cage-like model consisting of a tetrameric c-(GpGp) aggregate in which a large cavity (host molecule) is generated to afford a binding site for certain planar intercalators (guests molecules). The aggregate likely uses a hydrogen bonding scheme the same as that found in the G-quartet molecules, e.g., telomere DNA. The conformation of c-(GpGp) also suggests that certain nearest-neighbor intercalators may be synthesized on the basis of its unique molecular framework. Modeling studies have been carried out to test this hypothesis.

Minor groove binding of SN6999 to an alkylated DNA: molecular structure of d(CGC[e6G]AATTCGCG)-SN6999 complex

The interaction between a potent synthetic antitumor and antiviral minor groove binding drug 1-methyl-4-[4-[4-(4-(1-methylquinolinium)amino)benzamido]anilino] pyridinium dichloride (SN6999) and an alkylated DNA d(CGC[e6G]AATTCGCG) dodecamer has been studied by X-ray crystallography. The complex forms a new crystal lattice in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions of a = 28.48 A, b = 36.11 A, and c = 69.60 A. The structure has been solved by the molecular replacement method and refined to an R-factor of 17.0% at approximately 2.5 A resolution using 1618 reflections. In the complex, the SN6999 covers almost six base pairs in the narrow minor groove with the 1-methylquinolinium (Q) ring near T8-A17 and the 1-methylpyridinium (P) ring near the C3-G22 base pair. The central benzamido (BQ) and anilino (BP) rings are essentially coplanar, with the Q and P rings having large dihedral angles of 38 degrees and 39 degrees, respectively, to the plane of BQ/BP. There is only one direct hydrogen bond between the amide NH of SN6999 to T20O2 of DNA. The drug-DNA interaction is stabilized by stacking interaction of sugar oxygens from T20O4' to BQ and C21O4' to BP. There is charge-induced dipole interaction between the positively charged nitrogen atom of 1-methylquinolinium with C9O4' and that of 1-methylpyridinium with G22O4'. The crystal structure of the complex can be used to explain the NMR results. SN6999 lacks the crescent shape observed in other minor groove binding drugs and distorts the DNA duplex upon binding. The complex packs in the lattice using the G-N2:G-N3 interlocking base pairs at both ends of the helix. As in earlier cases, the two independent e6G:C base pairs adopt different base pairing schemes. The e6G16:C9 base pair adopts a previously observed bifurcated configuration involving three-centered hydrogen bonds and is similar to a Watson-Crick pairing. In contrast, the e6G4:C21 base pair adopts a novel "reverse wobble" configuration with C21 being pushed toward the major groove side. The ethyl group is in the proximal orientation (to N7) in both base pairs. Taken together with the observations found in the same DNA complexed to Hoechst 33258, Hoechst 33342, and retropsin from different crystal lattices, the results suggest that the e6G:C base pairing is weak and polymorphic when compared to a normal G:C base pair and the DNA duplex containing this lesion is readily distorted.

Crystallographic studies of metal ion-DNA interactions: different binding modes of cobalt(II), copper(II) and barium(II) to N7 of guanines in Z-DNA and a drug-DNA complex

Metal ion coordination to nucleic acids is not only required for charge neutralization, it is also essential for the biological function of nucleic acids. The structural impact of different metal ion coordinations of DNA helices is an open question. We carried out X-ray diffraction analyses of the interactions of the two transition metal ions Co(II) and Cu(II) and an alkaline earth metal ion Ba(II), with DNA of different conformations. In crystals, Co(II) ion binds exclusively at the N7 position of guanine bases by direct coordination. The coordination geometry around Co(II) is octahedral, although some sites have an incomplete hydration shell. The averaged Co-N7 bond distance is 2.3 A. The averaged Co-N7-C8 angle is 121 degrees, significantly smaller than the value of 128 degrees if the Co-N7 vector were to bisect the C5-N7-C8 bond angle. Model building of Co(II) binding to guanine N7 in B-DNA indicates that the coordinated waters in the axial positions would have a van der Waals clash with the neighboring base on the 5' side. In contrast, the major groove of A-DNA does not have enough room to accommodate the entire hydration shell. This suggests that Co(II) binding to either B-DNA or A-DNA may induce significant conformational changes. The Z-DNA structure of Cu(II)-soaked CGCGTG crystal revealed that the Cu(II) ion is bis-coordinated to N7 position of G10 and #G12 (# denotes a symmetry-related position) bases with a trigonal bipyramid geometry, suggesting a possible N7-Cu-N7 crosslinking mechanism. A similar bis-coordination to two guanines has also been seen in the interaction of Cu(II) in m5CGUAm5CG Z-DNA crystal and of Ba(II) with two other Z-DNA crystals.

Structural effects of the C2-methylhypoxanthine:cytosine base pair in B-DNA: A combined NMR and X-ray diffraction study of d(CGC[m2I]AATTCGCG)

C2-Methylhypoxanthine (m2I) is a synthetic analog of guanine with the N2-amino group replaced by a methyl group. We have studied the structural consequence of the m2I incorporation in DNA by a combination of X-ray crystallographic, NMR, and enzymatic analyses. The crystal structure of d(CGC[m2I]AATTCGCG) has been solved and refined to an R factor of 20.7% at 2.25-A resolution. In the DNA duplex, the two independent m2I:C base pairs maintain the Watson-Crick scheme. While the C2-methyl group of m2I is in van der Waals contact with the O2 of the base-paired cytosine, it only causes the base pair to have slightly higher propeller twist and buckle angles. Its solution structure was analyzed by the NMR refinement procedure SPEDREF [Robinson, H., & Wang, A. H.-J. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 3524-3533] using 2D nuclear Overhauser effect data. Two starting models, a relaxed fiber model and an X-ray model, were subjected to the NOE-constrained refinement using 1518 NOE cross-peak integrals to arrive at the final models with (NOE) R factors of 13.8% and 14.3%, respectively. The RMSD between the two refined models (all atoms included) is 1.23 A, which presently seems to be near the limit of convergence of NOE-based refinement. The local structures of the two models are in better agreement as measured by the RMSD of the dinucleotide steps, falling in the range 0.54-0.98 A. Both refined solution structures confirm that the m2I dodecamer structure is of the B-DNA type with a narrow minor groove at the AT region, as observed in the crystal. However, significant differences exist between the crystal and solution structures in parameters such as pseudorotation angles, propeller twist angles, etc. The solution structure tends to have a more uniform backbone conformation, an observation consistent with that concluded from the laser Raman study of d(CGCAAATTTGCG) [Benevides, J. M., Wang, A. H.-J., van der Marel, G. A., van Boom, J. H., & Thomas, G. J., J. (1988) Biochemistry 27, 931-938]. Three related dodecamers, d(CGCGAATTCGCG), d(CGC[m2I]AATTCGCG), and d(CGC[e6G]AATTCGCG), were tested as substrates for the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. The m2I dodecamer was active, but the e6G dodecamer was not. Our results illustrate the complementarity in terms of the structural information provided by the two methods, X-ray diffraction and NMR.

NMR studies of pH-dependent conformational polymorphism of alternating (C-T)n sequences

Alternating (C-T)n sequences are involved in the H-DNA structure associated with (GA)n.(CT)n sequences. Low pH values facilitate H-DNA formation. We have undertaken a detailed analysis of the structural consequences of the (C-T)n sequence as a function of pH. The structures of three DNA oligonucleotides, d(CT)4, d(TC)4 and d(TC)15, have been studied by NMR. We found that their conformations are polymorphic and pH dependent. There are at least three major conformational species: an antiparallel-stranded (APS) duplex with entirely C:T base pairs at pH 7, an antiparallel-stranded (APS) duplex with entirely C+:T base pairs at pH 3, and a possible parallel-stranded (PS) duplex with C+:C and T:T base pairs near pH 5. In the intermediate pH range, the APS duplex may have varying numbers of C+:T and C:T base pairs, and there may be a fast exchange going on between APS duplex species involving these two kinds of base pairs. However, the transition between the APS and PS duplexes is slow. Structural refinement of the two octamers, d(TC)4 and d(CT)4, at pH = 6.9 and pH = 3 using 2D-NOE data suggests that the molecules are likely in the duplex form at 5 degrees C. We lack evidence that the structure at pH 3 is a PS structure with T nucleotides residing in the exterior of the helix. Titration of the longer oligonucleotide, d(TC)15, showed a prominent pKa of approximately 6, approaching the value of 7.0 obtained from the titration of poly-(dC).

5'-CGA sequence is a strong motif for homo base-paired parallel-stranded DNA duplex as revealed by NMR analysis

The structure of the non-self-complementary DNA heptamer d(CGACGAC) at low pH has been determined by the quantitative NMR refinement procedure designated SPEDREF (SPEctral-Driven REFinement). Acid-base titration of the molecule indicated a prominent n = 2 pKa near 6.8. In the pH range up to 6.0, the heptamer forms a remarkably stable double helix, which was conclusively shown to be an unusual homobase-paired parallel-stranded double helix (termed II-DNA). In this II-DNA helix, the 5'-CGA trinucleotide is the structural motif that accounts for the stability, with the C+-C hemiprotonated base pair (in which C+ is N3-protonated cytosine) providing for the alignment site and the unusual interstrand G-A base stack in the GpA step furnishing the additional stabilizing forces. The exchangeable proton data from two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy are in total agreement with the refined structure. We conclude that the 5'-CGA or other related sequences (e.g., 5'-CCGA) are powerful motifs in promoting the II-DNA or II-RNA conformations that may play certain biological functions.

Simultaneous incorporations of two anticancer drugs into DNA. The structures of formaldehyde-cross-linked adducts of daunorubicin-d(CG(araC)GCG) and doxorubicin-d(CA(araC)GTG) complexes at high resolution

Anthracycline antibiotics (notably daunorubicin (DAU) and doxorubicin (DOX)) and nucleoside analog arabinosylcytosine (araC or aC) are important anticancer drugs. They are sometimes used together in the treatment of certain cancers. Both classes of compounds act by blocking DNA replication and transcription. To probe whether both drugs can be incorporated simultaneously into DNA and the possible structural consequences, we carried out x-ray diffraction analyses of the complexes between DAU/DOX and araC-containing DNA hexamers cross-linked with formaldehyde. The crystal structures were determined to high resolution (DAU-CGaCGCG, 1.2 A, space group P4(1)2(1)2, R = 0.182, 3275 reflections; DOX-CAaCGTG, 1.5 A, space group C2, R = 0.175, 3359 reflections), and they are similar to those of the previously studied DAU- and DOX-DNA complexes, despite different crystal packings. Two DAU/DOX molecules intercalate at both ends of the helix with their amino sugars in the minor groove. As in the structure of DAU-CGCGCG (Wang, A.H.-J., Gao, Y.-G., Liaw, Y.-C., and Li, Y.K. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 3812-3815), a covalent methylene bridge (from formaldehyde) between the N3' of daunosamine and the N2 of the guanine is formed in both adducts. In DOX-CAaCGTG, the two halves are slightly different with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.322 A between them. The O14 hydroxyls of the intercalated DOXs are within hydrogen bond distances to the O2P atoms of the A2p(aC3) and A8p(AC9) steps. The O2'-hydroxyl group from araC does not affect the binding of DAU-DOX or the conformation of the drug-DNA complexes. The results suggest that three major drug modifications on DNA, i.e., intercalation, covalent bond formation, and nucleoside analog incorporation, can coexist in the same DNA molecule without difficulty. When they occur in close proximity in DNA, they may provide an additive inhibitory effect for the target enzymes.

Structural influence of RNA incorporation in DNA: quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance refinement of d(CG)r(CG)d(CG) and d(CG)r(C)d(TAGCG)

RNA and DNA adopt different types of conformations, i.e., A-type with C3'-endo sugar pucker for RNA and B-type with C2'-endo sugar pucker for DNA, respectively. The structural influence of the incorporation of RNA nucleotides into DNA is less understood. In this paper, we present the three-dimensional structures of two RNA-containing oligonucleotides, d(CG)r(CG)d(CG) and d(CG)r(C)d-(TAGCG), as determined by the NMR refinement procedure, and assess the possible structural perturbation of DNA induced by RNA. With a single RNA insertion into an octamer DNA, its overall conformation remains as the canonical B-DNA, except that the sugar pucker of the rC3 residue is C3'-endo (pseudorotation angle P = 3.6 degrees). In contrast, the hybrid hexamer is neither the pure B-DNA nor the pure A-DNA conformation. Instead, we propose a model in which the DNA parts adopt B conformation, whereas the RNA part adopts A conformation, with the overall conformation closer to A-DNA. To ensure an exhaustive search of the conformational space, the model was subjected to 100-ps simulated annealing with slow cooling or 100-ps molecular dynamics with subsequent quenching. Models obtained at different time points of the trajectories were further subjected to the SPEDREF NOE refinement [Robinson & Wang (1992) Biochemistry 31, 3524] and they appeared to arrive at a convergent model (< 0.5 A RMSD for the central four base pairs). The consensus hexamer structure contains a significant discontinuity at the (rG4)p(dC5) step with a base pair tilt angle of 6.7 degrees and roll angle of 11.5 degrees.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Functional analysis of matrix proteins expressed from cloned genes of measles virus variants that cause subacute sclerosing panencephalitis reveals a common defect in nucleocapsid binding

We have developed an in vitro nucleocapsid-binding assay for studying the function of the matrix (M) protein of measles virus (MV) (A. Hirano, A. H. Wang, A. F. Gombart, and T. C. Wong, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:8745-8749, 1992). In this communication we show that the M proteins of three MV strains that cause acute infection (Nagahata, Edmonston, and YN) bind efficiently to the viral nucleocapsids whereas the M proteins of four MV strains isolated from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (Biken, IP-3, Niigata, and Yamagata) fail to bind to the viral nucleocapsids. MV Biken (an SSPE-related virus) produces variant M sequences which encode two antigenically distinct forms of M protein. A serine-versus-leucine difference is responsible for the antigenic variation. MV IP-3 (an SSPE-related virus) also produces variant M sequences, some of which have been postulated to encode a functional M protein responsible for the production of an infectious revertant virus. However, the variant M proteins of Biken and IP-3 strains show no nucleocapsid-binding activity. These results demonstrate that the nucleocapsid-binding function is conserved in the M proteins of MV strains that cause acute infection and that the M proteins of MV strains that cause SSPE exhibit a common defect in this function. Analysis of chimeric M proteins indicates that mutations in the amino-terminal, carboxy-proximal, or carboxy-terminal region of the M protein all abrogate nucleocapsid binding, suggesting that the M protein conformation is important for interaction with the viral nucleocapsid.

Molecular and crystal structures of ecteinascidins: potent antitumor compounds from the Caribbean tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata

Some members of marine alkaloid ecteinascidins (Et's), isolated from the Caribbean tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata, exhibit potent anticancer activity. The three dimensional structures of the N12-formyl derivative of Et729 1a and the natural N12-oxide of Et743 2 have been determined by x-ray crystallography at 0.9 A resolution. Compounds 1a and 2 crystallize in the space groups P2(1)2(1)2(1) (a = 23.214(9) A, b = 28.541(10) A and c = 13.303(9) A) and P2(1) (a = 11.720(5) A, b = 13.230(4) A, c = 28.557(5) A, beta = 90.22(2) degrees), respectively. Their crystal structures have been solved by the Patterson search method, which located the sulfur atoms permitting the phase extension. The final crystallographic R-factors are 0.059 and 0.069 for 1a and 2, respectively. There are two independent molecules, associated as a dimer, in the asymmetric unit of crystals of both 1a and 2. The structure determination allows an unequivocal assignment of the relative configuration of all the chiral centers. Assuming that ecteinascidins and safracin C (whose absolute configuration is known) have the same absolute configuration at C1 position, then the absolute configurations of various chiral positions in Ets are C1(R), N2(R), C3(R), C4(R), C11(R), C13(S), C21(S) and C22(R), respectively. The four independent Et molecules adopt two conformations in which the position of ring C relative to rings A & B is different. The molecules have a compact shape and they are conformationally strained due to a severe van der Waals clash between the sulfur atom and the aromatic ring A. By analogy to the related saframycin, the potent biological activity of Et's may be associated with their ability to form a covalent adduct to DNA using the reactive carbinolamine group. The covalent binding interaction between the Et and the N2 of guanine in the minor groove of the DNA double helix has been studied by computer modelling which suggests that rings A and B "stack" against the DNA backbone. While the bulky drug molecule makes numerous contacts with DNA, it does not significantly distort the conformation of the DNA double helix.

Demonstration of Z-d(5BrCGAT5BrCG) and B-d(CGCGATCGCG) form crystal structures in DNA-cobalt hexammine complexes by Kr 647.1 nm excitation of Raman spectra

Cobalt hexammine [Co(NH3)6(3+)] is an efficient DNA complexing agent which significantly perturbs nucleic acid secondary structure. We have employed red excitation (647.1 nm) from a krypton laser to obtain Raman spectra of the highly colored complexes formed between cobalt hexammine and crystals of the DNA oligomers, d(5BrCGAT5BrCG) and d(CGCGATCGCG), both of which incorporate out-of-alternation pyrimidine/purine sequences. The Co(NH3)6(3+) complex of d(5BrCGAT5BrCG) exhibits a typical Z-form Raman signature, similar to that reported previously for the alternating d(CGCGCG) sequence. Comparison of the Raman bands of d(5BrCGAT5BrCG) with those of other oligonucleotide and polynucleotide structures suggests that C3'-endo/syn and C3'-endo/anti thymidines may exhibit distinctive nucleoside conformation markers, and tentative assignments are proposed. The Raman markers for C2'-endo/anti adenosine in this Z-DNA are consistent with those reported previously for B-DNA crystals containing C2'-endo/anti dA. Raman bands of the cobalt hexammine complex of d(CGCGATCGCG) are those of B-DNA, but with significant differences from the previously characterized B-DNA dodecamer, d(CGCAAATTTGCG). The observed differences suggest an unusual deoxyguanosine conformer, possibly related to a previously characterized structural intermediate in the B-->Z transition. The present results show that crystallization of d(CGCGATCGCG) in the presence of cobalt hexammine is not alone sufficient to induce the left-handed Z-DNA conformation. This investigation represents the first application of off-resonance Raman spectroscopy for characterization of highly chromophoric DNA and illustrates the feasibility of the Raman method for investigating other structurally perturbed states of DNA-cobalt hexammine complexes.

Z-DNA structure of a modified DNA hexamer at 1.4-A resolution: aminohexyl-5'-d(pCpGp[br5C]pGpCpG)

Oligonucleotides with modification at the 5'-end have been used for various biochemical applications. As a first step to better assess the effects of those modifications on DNA conformation, we determined at 1.4-A resolution the left-handed Z-DNA structure of a DNA hexamer, aminohexyl-5'-d(pCpGp[br5C]pGpCpG), by X-ray diffraction analysis. This hexamer was crystallized in the monoclinic C2 (a = 51.13 A, b = 18.44 A, c = 34.67 A, and beta = 120.9 degrees) space group. Its structure has been refined by the restrained least-squares refinement to a final R factor of 0.164 using 3727 [> 2.0 sigma (F)] observed reflections. The overall conformation of the double helix resembles that of the canonical Z-DNA. The terminal 5'-phosphate groups of the dC residues adopt conformations (beta approximately 180 degrees and gamma approximately 60 degrees) similar to phosphodiester's conformation of the internal dC residues. Two types of interhelical stackings are observed, one of which may serve as a model for a single-strand nick in the backbone of DNA double helix. A barium ion is found to bridge two side-by-side Z-DNA helices by coordinating to the O6 and N7 atoms of two guanines simultaneously. This "cross-linking" ability of barium ion may be a useful property in promoting the reversible aggregation of nucleic acids.