Synthesis of DNA Oligomers Possessing a Covalently Cross-Linked Watson-Crick Base Pair Model

Linking two DNA duplexes with a rigid linker for DNA nanotechnology

DNA has recently emerged as a promising material for the construction of nanosized architectures. Chemically modified DNA has been suggested to be an important component of such architectural building blocks. We have designed and synthesized a novel H-shaped DNA oligonucleotide dimer that is cross-linked with a structurally rigid linker composed of phenylene and ethynylene groups. A rotatable DNA unit was constructed through the self-assembly of this H-shaped DNA component and two complementary DNA oligonucleotides. In addition to the rotatable unit, a locked DNA unit containing two H-shaped DNA components was also constructed. As an example of an extended locked structure, a hexagonal DNA origami dimer and oligomer were constructed by using H-shaped DNA as linkers.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Repair of a Flexible O(6) -2'-Deoxyguanosine-alkylene-O(6) -2'-deoxyguanosine Intrastrand Cross-Link

Oligonucleotides tethered by an alkylene linkage between the O(6) -atoms of two consecutive 2'-deoxyguanosines, which lack a phosphodiester linkage between these residues, have been synthesized as a model system of intrastrand cross-linked (IaCL) DNA. UV thermal denaturation studies of duplexes formed between these butylene- and heptylene-linked oligonucleotides with their complementary DNA sequences revealed about 20 °C reduction in stability relative to the unmodified duplex. Circular dichroism spectra of the model IaCL duplexes displayed a signature characteristic of B-form DNA, suggesting minimal global perturbations are induced by the lesion. The model IaCL containing duplexes were investigated as substrates of O(6) -alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) proteins from human and E. coli (Ada-C and OGT). Human AGT was found to repair both model IaCL duplexes with greater efficiency towards the heptylene versus butylene analog adding to our knowledge of substrates this protein can repair.

Furan-oxidation-triggered inducible DNA cross-linking: acyclic versus cyclic furan-containing building blocks--on the benefit of restoring the cyclic sugar backbone

Oligodeoxynucleotides incorporating a reactive functionality can cause irreversible cross-linking to the target sequence and have been widely studied for their potential in inhibition of gene expression or development of diagnostic probes for gene analysis. Reactive oligonucleotides further show potential in a supramolecular context for the construction of nanometer-sized DNA-based objects. Inspired by the cytochrome P450 catalyzed transformation of furan into a reactive enal species, we recently introduced a furan-oxidation-based methodology for cross-linking of nucleic acids. Previous experiments using a simple acyclic building block equipped with a furan moiety for incorporation into oligodeoxynucleotides have shown that cross-linking occurs in a very fast and efficient way and that substantial amounts of stable, site-selectively cross-linked species can be isolated. Given the destabilization of duplexes observed upon introduction of the initially designed furan-modified building block into DNA duplexes, we explore here the potential benefits of two new building blocks featuring an extended aromatic system and a restored cyclic backbone. Thorough experimental analysis of cross-linking reactions in a series of contexts, combined with theoretical calculations, permit structural characterization of the formed species and allow assessment of the origin of the enhanced cross-link selectivity. Our experiments clearly show that the modular nature of the furan-modified building blocks used in the current cross-linking strategy allow for fine tuning of both yield and selectivity of the interstrand cross-linking reaction.

Unprecedented C-selective interstrand cross-linking through in situ oxidation of furan-modified oligodeoxynucleotides

Chemical reagents that form interstrand cross-links have been used for a long time in cancer therapy. They covalently link two strands of DNA, thereby blocking transcription. Cross-link repair enzymes, however, can restore the transcription processes, causing resistance to certain anti-cancer drugs. The mechanism of these cross-link repair processes has not yet been fully revealed. One of the obstacles in this study is the lack of sufficient amounts of well-defined, stable, cross-linked duplexes to study the pathways of cross-link repair enzymes. Our group has developed a cross-link strategy where a furan moiety is incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). These furan-modified nucleic acids can form interstrand cross-links upon selective furan oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide. We here report on the incorporation of the furan moiety at the 2'-position of a uridine through an amido or ureido linker. The resulting modified ODNs display an unprecedented selectivity for cross-linking toward a cytidine opposite the modified residue, forming one specific cross-linked duplex, which could be isolated in good yield. Furthermore, the structure of the formed cross-linked duplexes could be unambiguously characterized.

Generation of DNA interstrand cross-links by post-synthetic reductive amination

DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) are the clinically most relevant adducts formed by many antitumor agents. To facilitate the study of biological responses triggered by ICLs, we developed a new approach toward the synthesis of mimics of nitrogen mustard ICLs. 7-Deazaguanine residues bearing acetaldehyde groups were incorporated into complementary strands of DNA and cross-link formation induced by double reductive amination. Our strategy enables the synthesis of major groove cross-links in high yields and purity.

Conformational analysis of a covalently cross-linked Watson-Crick base pair model

Low-temperature NMR experiments and molecular modeling have been used to characterize the conformational behavior of a covalently cross-linked DNA base pair model. The data suggest that Watson-Crick or reverse Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding geometries have similar energies and can interconvert at low temperatures. This low-temperature process involves rotation about the crosslink CH(2)C(5') (psi) carbon-carbon bond, which is energetically preferred over the alternate CH(2)N(3) (phi) carbon-nitrogen bond rotation.

Synthesis and characterization of DNA containing an N1-2'-deoxyinosine-ethyl-N3-thymidine interstrand cross-link: a structural mimic of the cross-link formed by 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea

Interstrand cross-links, which are generated by chemotherapeutic treatment with bis-alkylating agents, exert their therapeutic effect by connecting the nucleobases of adjacent DNA strands together and represent some of the most threatening forms of damage suffered by genomic DNA. However, one of the reasons for treatment failure using these agents is due to enhanced repair of this DNA damage. The pursuit of understanding the repair of interstrand cross-links by repair systems has necessitated the synthesis of sufficient quantities of such damaged DNA. We report the synthesis of a site-specific interstrand cross-linked duplex containing an ethylene-bridged N (1)-2'-deoxyinosine- N (3)-thymidine base pair prepared by solution and solid-phase synthesis as a mimic for the lesion formed by the therapeutic agent 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea using both a phosphoramidite and a bis-phosphoramidite approach. UV thermal denaturation experiments revealed that this cross-linked duplex was stabilized by 52 degrees C relative to the noncross-linked control, and circular dichroism studies indicated little deviation from a B-form structure compared to a duplex that contained a G-C base pair at the same position. Molecular models of the cross-linked duplex that were geometry optimized using the AMBER forcefield also suggest that this lesion induces minimal distortion in B-form DNA. This modified oligonucleotide will be useful for studies related to the investigation of interstrand cross-linked DNA repair.

A modified thymine for the synthesis of site-specific thymine-guanine DNA interstrand crosslinks

DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are highly cytotoxic lesions formed by a variety of important anti-tumor agents. Despite the clinical importance of ICLs, the mechanisms by which these lesions are repaired in mammalian cells have so far remained elusive. One of the obstacles in the study of ICL repair has been the limited availability of suitable methods for the synthesis of defined site-specific ICLs. We report here the synthesis of a site-specific ICL containing an ethylene-bridged G-T base pair based on the incorporation of a crosslink precursor containing a selectively reactive group on one strand using solid-phase synthesis. 3-(2-chloroethyl)thymidine was incorporated into oligonucleotides and underwent ICL formation upon annealing to a complementary strand by reacting with the base opposite to the modified T residue. A strong preference for ICL formation with a G residue opposite the reactive T was observed. Detailed characterization of the reaction product revealed that the alkylation reaction occurred with the O-6 group of G and a mechanism accounting for this preference is proposed. These G-T crosslinks introduced here will be useful for studies of ICL repair.

Benzoderivatives of Nucleic Acid Bases as Modified DNA Building Blocks

The tautomeric properties of benzoderivatives of the canonical nucleic acid bases have been studied by using different computational approaches. Attention has been paid to the impact of the benzene group in altering the tautomeric preferences of the canonical bases both in the gas phase and in aqueous solution. To this end, relative solvation free energies of the tautomers determined from Self-Consistent Reaction Field continuum calculations and Monte Carlo-Free Energy Perturbation are combined with gas-phase tautomerization free energies determined from quantum mechanical calculations. The results provide a detailed picture of the tautomeric preferences of the benzoderivatives of nucleic acid bases. This information is used to examine the recognition properties of the preferred tautomers of the benzo-fused derivatives, paying particular attention to the ability to form Watson-Crick hydrogen-bonding and stacking interactions as well as to the hydrophobic nature of the modified bases. The implications of present results on the potential use of benzo-fused bases as potential building blocks in modified DNA duplexes are examined.

Covalent Analogues of DNA Base-Pairs and Triplets VII. Synthesis and Cytostatic Activity of Bis(purin-6-yl)acetylene and -diacetylene Nucleosides

The title bis(purin-6-yl)acetylene and -diacetylene nucleoside derivatives were prepared as covalent base-pair analogues starting from acyl-protected 6-ethynylpurine and 6-iodopurine nucleosides by the Sonogashira cross-coupling or oxidative alkyne-dimerization reactions followed by deprotection. The key starting acyl-protected 6-ethynylpurine nucleosides were prepared by a sequence of cross-coupling reactions of protected 6-halopurine nucleosides with (trimethylsilyl)acetylene followed by a modified desilylation with TBAF in presence of acetic acid. Surprisingly, the acyl-protected nucleosides exhibited significant cytostatic activity higher than the fully deprotected title compounds.

Concise and stereoselective synthesis of enamides and dienamides by a titanium-mediated coupling method

Ynamide-titanium alkoxide complexes underwent hydrolysis or addition to aldehydes and ketones to give single, stereodefined di- or trisubstituted enamides in good yields. Alternatively, coupling of a variety of alkyne-titanium alkoxide complexes with terminal ynamides generated amino-substituted titanacyclopentadienes, hydrolysis or aldehyde addition of which afforded stereodefined dienamides. [reaction--see text]

Covalent analogues of DNA base-pairs and triplets. Part 2: synthesis and cytostatic activity of bis(purin-6-yl)acetylenes,-diacetylenes and related compounds

The title bis(purin-6-yl)acetylenes, -diacetylenes, -ethylenes and -ethanes were prepared as covalent base-pair analogues starting from 6-ethynylpurines and 6-iodopurines by cross-coupling and homo-coupling reactions and hydrogenations. The bis(purin-6-yl)acetylenes and -diacetylenes exhibited significant cytostatic activity in vitro (IC(50)=0.4-1.0 micromol/l).

Covalent Analogues of DNA Base-Pairs and Triplets IV. Synthesis of Trisubstituted Benzenes Bearing Purine and/or Pyrimidine Rings by Cyclotrimerization of 6-Ethynylpurines and/or 5-Ethynyl-1,3-dimethyluracil

Ni-Catalyzed cyclotrimerizations of 6-ethynylpurines 3 or 5-ethynyl-1,3-dimethyluracil (4) afforded the 1,2,4-tris(purin-6-yl)benzenes 7 or 1,2,4-tris(1,3-dimetyhyluracil-5-yl)benzene (9), respectively. The symmetrical 1,3,5-tris(purin-6-yl)benzenes 8 were also formed as minor products in very low yields. Co-cyclotrimerization of 9-benzyl-6-ethynylpurine (3a) with 4 afforded the tris(purinyl)benzene 7a as a major product along with 1,2-bis(9-benzylpurin-6-yl)-4-(1,3-dimethyluracil-5-yl)benzene (10) and a complex mixture of other derivatives and isomers. Compounds 7-10 are analogues of Hoogsteen base-triplets.

Covalent Analogues of DNA Base-Pairs and Triplets V. Synthesis of Purine-Purine and Purine-Pyrimidine Conjugates Connected by Diverse Types of Acyclic Carbon Linkages

The title 1,2-bis(purin-6-yl)acetylenes, -diacetylenes, -ethylenes and -ethanes were prepared as covalent base-pair analogues starting from 6-ethynylpurines and 6-iodopurines by the Sonogashira cross-coupling or oxidative alkyne-dimerization reactions followed by hydrogenations. 6-[(1,3-Dimethyluracil-5-yl)ethynyl]purine (11) was prepared analogously and hydrogenated to the corresponding purine-pyrimidine conjugates linked via vinylene and ethylene linkers. Unlike the cytostatic bis(purin-6-yl)acetylenes and -diacetylenes, the purine-pyrimidine conjugates were inactive. Crystal structures of bis(purin-6-yl)acetylene 6a, -diacetylene 8a and -ethane 5a were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.