Recognition of CG inversions in DNA triple helices by methylated 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(7H)-one nucleoside analogues

Substituted 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(7H)-one nucleoside analogues have been synthesised from 5-alkynyl-uridine derivatives, incorporated into triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) and found to selectively bind CG inversions with enhanced affinity compared to T.

Role of exercise for cancer rehabilitation in UK hospitals: a survey of oncology nurses

A growing body of evidence indicates the potential benefits of exercise for cancer patients but little is known about exercise promotion within cancer services. A postal survey of oncology nurses in UK hospitals was conducted to ascertain the extent to which exercise has a role in cancer care. The survey design was based on the Total Design Method leading to a completed sample of 221 (62% response rate). Nineteen hospitals (9%) offered some kind of exercise programme or class for patients. In a further 17 (8%), there were other opportunities for exercise available (e.g. an exercise bicycle for inpatients). Sixty-five per cent of nurses were in favour of the notion of providing a specific exercise rehabilitation service for patients. Scarce resources and lack of awareness and expertise were identified as common barriers to establishing such a service. Fifty-eight per cent of nurses were unaware of, or unfamiliar with the published research on exercise for cancer rehabilitation and 33% reported receiving no training relating to exercise and health. The survey results indicate that some hospitals include exercise in the services offered to patients and that the majority of nurses favour adopting exercise as a rehabilitation intervention. However in general, the use of exercise within cancer care in the UK is currently rare.

Exceptionally slow kinetics of the intramolecular quadruplex formed by the Oxytricha telomeric repeat

We examined the stability and kinetics of folding of the Oxytricha telomeric repeat sequence (G4T4)4. Fluorescence melting experiments show that this intramolecular quadruplex, which is more stable in potassium- than sodium-containing buffers, shows considerable hysteresis between the melting and annealing profiles, even when heated at a rate of 0.05 degrees C min(-1). Quantitative analysis of this hysteresis, together with temperature-jump relaxation experiments show that the dissociation is exceptionally slow with a half-life of about 10 years at 37 degrees C in the presence of 50 mM K+. The association reaction has a half-life of a few seconds at 37 degrees C, but becomes slower at elevated temperatures consistent with the suggestion that association occurs by a nucleation-zipper mechanism.

Effects of a hairpin polyamide on DNA melting: comparison with distamycin and Hoechst 33258

We have used DNase I footprinting and fluorescence melting studies to study the interaction of the hairpin polyamide Im-Py-Py-Py-(R)H2Ngamma-Im-Py-Py-Py-beta-Dp with its preferred binding sites (5'-WGWWCW; W=A or T) and other sequences. DNase I footprinting confirmed that the ligand binds to the sequence AGAACA at nanomolar concentrations and that changing the terminal A to G causes a dramatic decrease in affinity, while there was no interaction with the reverse sequence WCWWGW. Fluorescence melting studies with 11-mer duplexes showed that the polyamide had very different effects on the forward (TGWWCT) and reverse (TCTAGT) sequences. At low concentrations, the polyamide produced biphasic melting curves with TGATCT, TGTACT and TGAACT, suggesting a strong interaction. In contrast, the melting profiles with TCTAGT were always monophasic and showed much smaller concentration dependent changes in Tm. The polyamide also showed weak binding to the sequence TGATCT when one of the central AT pairs was replaced with an AC mismatch. These melting profiles were compared with those produced by the AT-selective minor groove binding agents distamycin and Hoechst 33258 at the same sites and at similar sequences containing A5 and (AT)3, which are expected to bind distamycin in the 1:1 and 2:1 modes, respectively. These ligands produced simple monophasic melting curves in which the Tm steadily increased as the ligand concentration was raised.

Selectivity and affinity of triplex-forming oligonucleotides containing 2'-aminoethoxy-5-(3-aminoprop-1-ynyl)uridine for recognizing AT base pairs in duplex DNA

We have used DNase I footprinting, fluorescence and ultraviolet (UV) melting experiments and circular dichroism to demonstrate that, in the parallel triplex binding motif, 2'-aminoethoxy-5-(3-aminoprop-1-ynyl)uridine (bis-amino-U, BAU) has very high affinity for AT relative to all other Watson-Crick base pairs in DNA. Complexes containing two or more substitutions with this nucleotide analogue are stable at pH 7.0, even though they contain several C.GC base triplets. These modified triplex-forming oligonucleotides retain exquisite sequence specificity, with enhanced discrimination against YR base pairs (especially CG). These properties make BAU a useful base analogue for the sequence-specific creation of stable triple helices at pH 7.0.

Sequence selective binding of bis-daunorubicin WP631 to DNA

We have used footprinting techniques on a wide range of natural and synthetic footprinting substrates to examine the sequence-selective interaction of the bis-daunorubicin antibiotic WP631 with DNA. The ligand produces clear DNase I footprints that are very different from those seen with other anthracycline antibiotics such as daunorubicin and nogalamycin. Footprints are found in a diverse range of sequences, many of which are rich in GT (AC) or GA (TC) residues. As expected, the ligand binds well to the sequences CGTACG and CGATCG, but clear footprints are also found at hexanucleotide sequences such GCATGC and GCTAGC. The various footprints do not contain any particular unique di-, tri- or tetranucleotide sequences, but are frequently contain the sequence (G/C)(A/T)(A/T)(G/C). All sequences with this composition are protected by the ligand, though it can also bind to some sites that differ from this consensus by one base pair.

DNA sequence recognition by an isopropyl substituted thiazole polyamide

We have used DNA footprinting and fluorescence melting experiments to study the sequence-specific binding of a novel minor groove binding ligand (thiazotropsin A), containing an isopropyl substituted thiazole polyamide, to DNA. In one fragment, which contains every tetranucleotide sequence, sub-micromolar concentrations of the ligand generate a single footprint at the sequence ACTAGT. This sequence preference is confirmed in melting experiments with fluorescently labelled oligonucleotides. Experiments with DNA fragments that contain variants of this sequence suggest that the ligand also binds, with slightly lower affinity, to sequences of the type XCYRGZ, where X is any base except C, and Z is any base except G.

Influence of loop size on the stability of intramolecular DNA quadruplexes

We have determined the stability of intramolecular DNA quadruplexes in which the four G(3)-tracts are connected by non-nucleosidic linkers containing propanediol, octanediol or hexaethylene glycol, replacing the TTA loops in the human telomeric repeat sequence. We find that these sequences all fold to form intramolecular complexes, which are stabilized by lithium < sodium < potassium. Quadruplex stability increases in the order propanediol < hexaethylene glycol < octanediol. The shallower shape of the melting profile with propanediol linkers and its lower dependency on potassium concentration suggests that this complex contains fewer stacks of G-quartets. The sequence with octanediol linkers displays a biphasic melting profile, suggesting that it can adopt more than one stable structure. All these complexes display melting temperatures above 310 K in the presence of 10 mM lithium, without added potassium, in contrast to the telomeric repeat sequence. These complexes also fold much faster than the telomeric repeat and there is little or no hysteresis between their melting and annealing profiles. In contrast, the human telomeric repeat sequence and a complex containing two hexaethylene glycol groups in each loop, are less stable and fold more slowly. The melting and annealing profiles for the latter sequence show significant differences, even when heated at 0.2 degrees C min(-1). CD spectra for the oligonucleotides containing non-nucleosidic linkers show positive maxima at 264 nm, with negative minima approximately 244 nm, which are characteristic of parallel quadruplex structures. These results show that the structure and stability of intramolecular quadruplexes is profoundly influenced by the length and composition of the loops.

DNA binding of a short lexitropsin

Footprinting, capillary electrophoresis, molecular modelling and NMR studies have been used to examine the binding of a short polyamide to DNA. This molecule, which contains an isopropyl-substituted thiazole in place of one of the N-methylpyrroles, is selective for the sequence 5'-ACTAGT-3' to which it binds with high affinity. Two molecules bind side-by-side in the minor groove, but their binding is staggered so that the molecule reads six base pairs, unlike the related natural products, which tend to bind to four-base-pair sequences. The result suggests that high affinity and selectivity may be gained without resort to very large molecules, which may be difficult to deliver to the site of action.

DNA sequence specificity of triplex-binding ligands

We have examined the ability of naphthylquinoline, a 2,7-disubstituted anthraquinone and BePI, a benzo[e]pyridoindole derivative, to stabilize parallel DNA triplexes of different base composition. Fluorescence melting studies, with both inter- and intramolecular triplexes, show that all three ligands stabilize triplexes that contain blocks of TAT triplets. Naphthylquinoline has no effect on triplexes formed with third strands composed of (TC)n or (CCT)n, but stabilizes triplexes that contain (TTC)n. In contrast, BePI slightly destabilizes the triplexes that are formed at (TC)n (CCT)n and (TTC)n. 2,7-Anthraquinone stabilizes (TC)n (CCT)n and (TTC)n, although it has the greatest effect on the latter. DNase I footprinting studies confirm that triplexes formed with (CCT)n are stabilized by the 2,7-disubstituted amidoanthraquinone but not by naphthylquinoline. Both ligands stabilize the triplex formed with (CCTT)n and neither affects the complex with (CT)n. We suggest that BePI and naphthylquinoline can only bind between adjacent TAT triplets, while the anthraquinone has a broader sequence of selectivity. These differences may be attributed to the presence (naphthylquinoline and BePI) or absence (anthraquinone) of a positive charge on the aromatic portion of the ligand, which prevents intercalation adjacent to C+GC triplets. The most stable structures are formed when the stacked rings (bases or ligand) alternate between charged and uncharged species. Triplexes containing alternating C+GC and TAT triplets are not stabilized by ligands as they would interrupt the alternating pattern of charged and uncharged residues.

Thermodynamic and kinetic stability of intermolecular triple helices containing different proportions of C+*GC and T*AT triplets

We have used oligonucleotides containing appropriately placed fluorophores and quenchers to measure the stability of 15mer intermolecular triplexes with third strands consisting of repeats of TTT, TTC, TCC and TCTC. In the presence of 200 mM sodium (pH 5.0) triplexes that contain only T.AT triplets are unstable and melt below 30 degrees C. In contrast, triplets with repeats of TTC, TCC and CTCT melt at 67, 72 and 76 degrees C, respectively. The most stable complex is generated by the sequence containing alternating C+*GC and T*AT triplets. All four triplexes are stabilised by increasing the ionic strength or by the addition of magnesium, although triplexes with a higher proportion of C+*GC triplets are much less sensitive to changes in the ionic conditions. The enthalpies of formation of these triplexes were estimated by examining the concentration dependence of the melting profiles and show that, in the presence of 200 mM sodium at pH 5.0, each C+*GC triplet contributes about 30 kJ x mol(-1), while each T*AT contributes only 11 kJ x mol(-1). Kinetic experiments with these oligonucleotides show that in 200 mM sodium (pH 5.0) repeats of TCC and TTC have half-lives of approximately 20 min, while the triplex with alternating C+*GC and T.AT triplets has a half-life of approximately 3 days. In contrast, the dissociation kinetics of the triplex containing only T*AT are too fast to measure.

The stability of intramolecular DNA quadruplexes with extended loops forming inter- and intra-loop duplexes

We have examined the formation of intramolecular quadruplex DNA structures in which the loops have been extended so as to generate short DNA duplexes. Fluorescence melting and DNase I cleavage studies show that duplexes can be formed within each loop, but that duplexes between the loops are not stable.

Stability of intramolecular DNA quadruplexes: comparison with DNA duplexes

We have determined the stability of intramolecular quadruplexes that are formed by a variety of G-rich sequences, using oligonucleotides containing appropriately placed fluorophores and quenchers. The stability of these quadruplexes is compared with that of the DNA duplexes that are formed on addition of complementary C-rich oligonucleotides. We find that the linkers joining the G-tracts are not essential for folding and can be replaced with nonnucleosidic moieties, though their sequence composition profoundly affects quadruplex stability. Although the human telomere repeat sequence d[G(3)(TTAG(3))(3)] folds into a quadruplex structure, this forms a duplex in the presence of the complementary C-rich strand at physiological conditions. The Tetrahymena sequence d[G(4)(T(2)G(4))(3)], the sequence d[G(3)(T(2)G(3))(3)], and sequences related to regions of the c-myc promoter d(G(4)AG(4)T)(2) and d(G(4)AG(3)T)(2) preferentially adopt the quadruplex form in potassium-containing buffers, even in the presence of a 50-fold excess of their complementary C-rich strands, though the duplex predominates in the presence of sodium. The HIV integrase inhibitor d[G(3)(TG(3))(3)] forms an extremely stable quadruplex which is not affected by addition of a 50-fold excess of the complementary C-rich strand in both potassium- and sodium-containing buffers. Replacing the TTA loops of the human telomeric repeat with AAA causes a large decrease in quadruplex stability, though a sequence with AAA in the first loop and TTT in the second and third loops is slightly more stable.

Cleavage of fragments containing DNA mismatches by enzymic and chemical probes

We prepared synthetic 50-mer DNA duplexes, each containing four mismatched base-pairs in similar positions. We examined their cleavage by DNases I and II, micrococcal nuclease (MNase), methidiumpropyl-EDTA-Fe(II) [MPE-Fe(II)] and hydroxyl radicals. We find that single mismatches only produce subtle changes in the DNase I-cleavage pattern, the most common of which is attenuated cleavage at locations 2-3 bases on the 3'-side of the mismatch. Subtle changes are also observed in most of the DNase II-cleavage patterns, although GT and GG inhibit the cleavage over longer regions and generate patterns that resemble footprints. MNase cleaves the heteroduplexes at the mismatches themselves (except for CC), and in some cases cleaves CpG and CpC steps. None of the mismatches causes any change in the cleavage patterns produced by hydroxyl radicals or MPE-Fe(II). We also examined the cleavage patterns of fragments containing tandem GA mismatches in the sequences RGAY/RGAY and YGAR/YGAR (R, purine; Y, pyrimidine). RGAY causes only subtle changes in the cleavage patterns, which are similar to those seen with single mismatches, except that there are no changes in MNase cleavage. However, YGAR inhibits DNases I and II cleavage over 4-6 bases, and attenuates MPE-Fe(II) and hydroxyl radical cleavage at 2 bases. These changes suggest that this mismatch has a more pronounced effect on the local DNA structure. These changes are discussed in terms of the structural and dynamic effects of each mismatch.

Sequence-dependent folding of DNA three-way junctions

Three-way DNA junctions can adopt several different conformers, which differ in the coaxial stacking of the arms. These structural variants are often dominated by one conformer, which is determined by the DNA sequence. In this study we have compared several three-way DNA junctions in order to assess how the arrangement of bases around the branch point affects the conformer distribution. The results show that rearranging the different arms, while retaining their base sequences, can affect the conformer distribution. In some instances this generates a structure that appears to contain parallel coaxially stacked helices rather than the usual anti-parallel arrangement. Although the conformer equilibrium can be affected by the order of purines and pyrimidines around the branch point, this is not sufficient to predict the conformer distribution. We find that the folding of three-way junctions can be separated into two groups of dinucleotide steps. These two groups show distinctive stacking properties in B-DNA, suggesting there is a correlation between B-DNA stacking and coaxial stacking in DNA junctions.

Stable DNA triple helix formation using oligonucleotides containing 2'-aminoethoxy,5-propargylamino-U

We have prepared oligonucleotides containing the novel base analogue 2'-aminoethoxy,5-propargylamino-U in place of thymidine and examined their ability to form intermolecular and intramolecular triple helices by DNase I footprinting and thermal melting studies. The results were compared with those for oligonucleotides containing 5-propargylamino-dU and 2'-aminoethoxy-T. We find that the bis-substituted derivative produces a large increase in triplex stability, much greater than that produced by either of the monosubstituted analogues, which are roughly equipotent with each other. Intermolecular triplexes with 9-mer oligonucleotides containing three or four base modifications generate footprints at submicromolar concentrations even at pH 7.5, in contrast to the unmodified oligonucleotide, which failed to produce a footprint at pH 5.0, even at 30 microM. UV- and fluorescence melting studies with intramolecular triplexes confirmed that the bis-modified base produces a much greater increase in T(m) than either modification alone.

High throughput measurement of duplex, triplex and quadruplex melting curves using molecular beacons and a LightCycler

We have used oligonucleotides containing molecular beacons to determine melting profiles for intramolecular DNA duplexes, triplexes and quadruplexes (tetraplexes). The synthetic oligonucleotides used in these studies contain a fluorophore (fluorescein) and quencher (methyl red) attached either to deoxyribose or to the 5 position of dU. In the folded DNA structures the fluorophore and quencher are in close proximity and the fluorescence is quenched. When the structures melt, the fluorophore and quencher are separated and there is a large increase in fluorescence. These experiments were performed in a Roche LightCycler; this requires small amounts of material (typically 4 pmol oligonucleotide) and can perform 32 melting profiles in parallel. We have used this technique to compare the stability of triplexes containing different base analogues and to confirm the selectivity of a triplex-binding ligand for triplex, rather than duplex, DNA. We have also compared the melting of inter- and intramolecular quadruplexes.

Interaction of Hoechst 33258 and echinomycin with nucleosomal DNA fragments containing isolated ligand binding sites

We have examined the interaction of Hoechst 33258 and echinomycin with nucleosomal DNA fragments which contain isolated ligand binding sites. A 145 base pair fragment was prepared on the basis of the sequence of tyrT DNA, which contained no CpG or (A/T)(4) binding sites for these ligands. Isolated binding sites were introduced into this fragment at discrete locations where the minor groove is known to face toward or away from the protein core when reconstituted onto nucleosome core particles. The interaction of ligands with target sites on these nucleosomal DNA fragments was assessed by DNase I footprinting. We find that Hoechst 33258 can bind to single nucleosomal sites which face both toward and away from the protein core, without affecting the nucleosome structure. Hoechst binding is also observed on nucleosomal fragments which contain two or more drug binding sites, though in these cases the footprints are accompanied by the presence of new cleavage products in positions which suggest that the ligand has caused a proportion of the DNA molecules to adopt a new rotational positioning on the protein surface. Hoechst 33258 does not affect nucleosome reconstitution with any of these fragments. In contrast, the bifunctional intercalating antibiotic echinomycin is not able to bind to single nucleosomal CpG sites. Echinomycin footprints are observed on nucleosomal fragments containing two or more CpG sites, but there are no changes in the cleavage patterns in the remainder of the fragment. Echinomycin abolishes nucleosome reconstitution when included in the reconstitution mixture.

Improving waterborne disease outbreak investigations

This article is a summary of discussions held and recommendations made at a workshop for the investigation of waterborne disease outbreaks in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 7-8, 1998. Suspected waterborne outbreaks in the United States are primarily investigated by state and local public health officials who may infrequently conduct enteric disease outbreak investigations. Thus, it is important that officials have a formal plan to ensure that epidemiological studies are methodologically sound and that effective collaboration occurs among the epidemiologists, scientists, and engineers who will conduct the investigations. Laboratory support to analyze water samples and clinical specimens should be arranged well in advance of when services may be needed. Enhanced surveillance activities can help officials recognize additional outbreaks and initiate investigations in a timely manner. Epidemiologists should pay more attention early in the investigation to study design, questionnaire development, and sources of bias, especially recall bias, that may affect the interpretation of observed associations. Improved investigations can increase our knowledge about important etiological agents, water systems deficiencies, and sources of water contamination so that waterborne outbreaks can be more effectively prevented.

January 2001: A 37 year old man with a history of Hodgkin's disease

The January Cases of the Month (COM): A case of intracranial metastatic nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease without dural attachment in a 37-year-old previously stage III male is presented with a brief review of the literature. Both the primary tumor in the lymph node biopsy and the metastatic brain tumor showed similar histopathology and a immunohistochemical profile typical for Hodgkin's Disease. After chemotherapy, there are no signs of recurrence or systemic disease on follow-up for five months.

Preferred binding sites for [N-MeCYs(3), N-MeCys(7)]TANDEM determined using a universal footprinting substrate

We have prepared a novel footprinting substrate which contains all 136 tetranucleotide sequences and have used this to determine the preferred binding sites for the synthetic quinoxaline antibiotic [N-MeCys(3),N-MeCys(7)]TANDEM. We find that, although the ligand binds to all TpA steps, it binds best to the tetranucleotide sequence ATAT and shows only weak interaction with TTAA and GTAC. The best binding sites contain the sequences ATAX and XTAT.