Conformational perturbation of the anticancer nucleotide arabinosylcytosine on Z-DNA: molecular structure of (araC-dG)3 at 1.3 A resolution

Phosphates in the Z-DNA dodecamer are flexible, but their P-SAD signal is sufficient for structure solution

A large number of Z-DNA hexamer duplex structures and a few oligomers of different lengths are available, but here the first crystal structure of the d(CGCGCGCGCGCG)2 dodecameric duplex is presented. Two synchrotron data sets were collected; one was used to solve the structure by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) approach based on the anomalous signal of P atoms, the other set, extending to an ultrahigh resolution of 0.75 Å, served to refine the atomic model to an R factor of 12.2% and an R(free) of 13.4%. The structure consists of parallel duplexes arranged into practically infinitely long helices packed in a hexagonal fashion, analogous to all other known structures of Z-DNA oligomers. However, the dodecamer molecule shows a high level of flexibility, especially of the backbone phosphate groups, with six out of 11 phosphates modeled in double orientations corresponding to the two previously observed Z-DNA conformations: Z(I), with the phosphate groups inclined towards the inside of the helix, and Z(II), with the phosphate groups rotated towards the outside of the helix.

Z-DNA crystallography

We review the effect of sequence on the structure of left-handed Z-DNA in single crystals. The various substituent groups that define a nucleotide base as guanine, cytosine,thymine, or adenine affect both the DNA conformation and the organization of solvent around the duplex. These are discussed in terms of their effect on the ability of sequences to adopt the unusual Z-DNA structure. In addition, the experimental and theoretical methods used to treat DNA hydration are discussed as they relate to the stability of Z-DNA . Finally, we argue that Z-DNA , as defined by the crystal conformation, is sufficient in itself to account for the physical properties of left-handed conformations observed in polymers and in genomic sequences

2'-Fluoroarabino- and arabinonucleic acid show different conformations, resulting in deviating RNA affinities and processing of their heteroduplexes with RNA by RNase H

2'-Deoxy-2'-fluoro-arabinonucleic acid (FANA) and arabinonucleic acid (ANA) paired to RNA are substrates of RNase H. The conformation of the natural DNA/RNA hybrid substrates appears to be neither A-form nor B-form. Consistent with this, the conformations of FANA and ANA were found to be intermediate between the A- and B-forms. However, FANA opposite RNA is preferred by RNase H over ANA, and the RNA affinity of FANA considerably exceeds that of ANA. By investigating the conformational boundaries of FANA and ANA residues in crystal structures of A- and B-form DNA duplexes at atomic resolution, we demonstrate that FANA and ANA display subtle conformational differences. The structural data provide insight into the structural requirements at the catalytic site of RNase H. They also allow conclusions with regard to the relative importance of stereoelectronic effects and hydration as modulators of RNA affinity.

The -omics era and its impact

OBJECTIVE

To review the advances in clinically useful molecular biologic techniques and to identify their applications, as presented at the 12th Annual William Beaumont Hospital DNA Symposium.

DATA SOURCES

The 7 manuscripts submitted were reviewed and their major findings were compared with literature on the same or related topics.

STUDY SELECTION

Manuscripts address the use of molecular techniques in the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and bacterial ribosome mutations, which may lead to ribosome-targeted drug resistance; pharmacogenomics as a clinical laboratory service and example of warfarin dosing using CYP2C9 mutation analysis; definition of the potential of cytosine arabinoside incorporation into DNA to disrupt transcription using an in vitro model of oligonucleotides; use of laser capture microdissection to isolate solid tumor cells free of nontumor cells; and molecular methods used to classify lymphomas.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Two current issues related to the use of molecular tests in the clinical laboratories are (1) decentralization of molecular-based testing to a variety of nonmolecular laboratories and (2) need for wider acceptance of molecular-based testing through its incorporation in clinical practice guidelines. Molecular methods have had a major impact on infectious disease through the rapid identification of new infectious agents, SARS, and the characterization of drug resistance. Pharmacogenomics identifies the genetic basis for heritable and interindividual variation in response to drugs. The incorporation of the nucleoside analog, cytosine arabinoside, into DNA leads to local perturbation of DNA structure and reduces the ability of transcription factors to bind to their specific DNA binding elements as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Laser capture microdissection of tumor cells can provide an adequate number of cells for whole genome amplification. Gene expression microassay profiles of various lymphomas have modified classification systems and predict prognosis and response to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The current -omics era will continue to emphasize the use of microarrays and database software for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic screening to search for a useful clinical assay. The number of molecular pathologic techniques will expand as additional disease-associated mutations are defined.

Solution structure of an arabinonucleic acid (ANA)/RNA duplex in a chimeric hairpin: comparison with 2'-fluoro-ANA/RNA and DNA/RNA hybrids

Hybrids of RNA and arabinonucleic acid (ANA) as well as the 2'-fluoro-ANA analog (2'F-ANA) were recently shown to be substrates of the enzyme RNase H. Although RNase H binds to double-stranded RNA, no cleavage occurs with such duplexes. Therefore, knowledge of the structure of ANA/RNA hybrids may prove helpful in the design of future antisense oligonucleotide analogs. In this study, we have determined the NMR solution structures of ANA/RNA and DNA/RNA hairpin duplexes and compared them to the recently published structure of a 2'F-ANA/RNA hairpin duplex. We demonstrate here that the sugars of RNA nucleotides of the ANA/RNA hairpin stem adopt the C3'-endo (north, A-form) conformation, whereas those of the ANA strand adopt a 'rigid' O4'-endo (east) sugar pucker. The DNA strand of the DNA/RNA hairpin stem is flexible, but the average DNA/RNA hairpin structural parameters are close to the ANA/RNA and 2'F-ANA/RNA hairpin parameters. The minor groove width of ANA/RNA, 2'F-ANA/RNA and DNA/RNA helices is 9.0 +/- 0.5 A, a value that is intermediate between that of A- and B-form duplexes. These results rationalize the ability of ANA/RNA and 2'F-ANA/RNA hybrids to elicit RNase H activity.

Properties of arabinonucleic acids (ANA & 20'F-ANA): implications for the design of antisense therapeutics that invoke RNase H cleavage of RNA

Inversion of configuration of the C2' position of RNA leads to a very unique nucleic acid structure: arabinonucleic acid (ANA). ANA, and its 2'-fluoro derivative (2'F-ANA) from hybrids with RNA that are capable of activating RNase H, resulting in cleavage of the RNA strand. In this paper, we review the properties of duplexes formed between ANA (or 2'F-ANA) and its RNA complement. These studies support the notion that RNase H is sensitive to the minor groove dimensions of the hybrid substrate.

Structural basis of cleavage by RNase H of hybrids of arabinonucleic acids and RNA

The origins of the substrate specificity of Escherichia coli RNase H1 (termed RNase H here), an enzyme that hydrolyzes the RNA strand of DNA-RNA hybrids, are not understood at present. Although the enzyme binds double-stranded RNA, no cleavage occurs with such duplexes [Lima, W. F., and Crooke, S. T. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 390]. Therefore, the hybrid substrates may not adopt a canonical A-form geometry. Furthermore, RNase H is exquisitely sensitive to chemical modification of the DNA strands in hybrid duplexes. This is particularly relevant to the RNase H-dependent pathway of antisense action. Thus, only very few of the modifications currently being evaluated as antisense therapeutics are tolerated by the enzyme, among them phosphorothioate DNA (PS-DNA). Recently, hybrids of RNA and arabinonucleic acid (ANA) as well as the 2'F-ANA analogue were shown to be substrates of RNase H [Damha, M. J., et al. (1998) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 12976]. Using X-ray crystallography, we demonstrate here that ANA analogues, such as 2'F-ANA [Berger, I., et al. (1998) Nucleic Acids Res. 26, 2473] and [3.3.0]bicyclo-ANA (bc-ANA), may not be able to adopt sugar puckers that are compatible with pure A- or a B-form duplex geometries, but rather prefer the intermediate O4'-endo conformation. On the basis of the observed conformations of these ANA analogues in a DNA dodecamer duplex, we have modeled a duplex of an all-C3'-endo RNA strand and an all-O4'-endo 2'F-ANA strand. This duplex exhibits a minor groove width that is intermediate between that of A-form RNA and B-form DNA, a feature that may be exploited by the enzyme in differentiating between RNA duplexes and DNA-RNA hybrids. Therefore, the combination of the established structural and functional properties of ANA analogues helps settle existing controversies concerning the discrimination of substrates by RNase H. Knowlegde of the structure of an analogue that exhibits enhanced RNA affinity while not interfering with RNase H activity may prove helpful in the design of future antisense modifications.

Crystal structures of B-DNA with incorporated 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-arabino-furanosyl thymines: implications of conformational preorganization for duplex stability

The fundamental conformational states of right-handed double helical DNA, the A- and B-forms, are associated with distinct puckers of the sugar moieties. The furanose conformation itself is affected by the steric and electronic nature of the ring substituents. For example, a strongly electronegative substituent at the C2' position, such as in the 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro ribo furanosyl analogue, will drive the conformational equilibrium towards the C3'- endo type (north). Conversely, the 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro arabino furanosyl modification with opposite stereochemistry at C2' appears to have a preference for a C2'- endo type pucker (south). Incorporation of 2'-fluoroarabinofuranosyl thymines was previously shown to enhance the thermodynamic stability of B-DNA duplexes. We have determined the crystal structures of the B-DNA dodecamer duplexes [d(CGCGAASSCGCG)]2and [d(CGCGAASTCGCG)]2with incorporated 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroarabinofuranosyl thymines S (south) at 1.55 A resolution. In the crystal structures, all S residues adopt an O4'- endo conformation (east), well compatible with an overall B-form duplex geometry. In addition to the increased rigidity of S nucleosides, a clathrate-like ordered water structure around the 2'-fluorines may account for the observed larger thermodynamic stability of DNA duplexes containing 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroarabino thymidines.

Crystal structure of the self-complementary 5'-purine start decamer d(GCGCGCGCGC) in the Z-DNA conformation. I

Alternating self-complementary oligonucleotides starting with a 5'-pyrimidine usually form left-handed Z-DNA; however, with a 5'-purine start sequence they form the right-handed A-DNA. Here we report the crystal structure of the decamer d(GCGCGCGCGC) with a 5'-purine start in the Z-DNA form. The decamer crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6(5)22, unit cell dimensions a = b = 18.08 and c = 43.10 A, with one of the following four dinucleotide diphosphates in the asymmetric unit: d(pGpC)/d(GpCp)/d(pCpG)/d(CpGp). The molecular replacement method, starting with d(pGpC) of the isomorphous Z-DNA hexamer d(araC-dG)3 without the 2'-OH group of arabinose, was used in the structure analysis. The method gave the solution only after the sugar-phosphate conformation of the GpC step was manipulated. The refinement converged to a final R value of 18.6% for 340 unique reflections in the resolution range 8.0-1.9 A. A result of the sequence alternation is the alternation in the nucleotide conformation; guanosine is C3'-endo, syn, and cytidine is C2'-endo, anti. The CpG step phosphodiester conformation is the same as ZI or ZII, whereas that of the GpC step phosphodiester is "intermediate" in the sense that zeta (O3'-P bond) is the same as ZII but alpha (P-O5' bond) is the same as ZI. The duplexes generated from the dinucleotide asymmetric unit are stacked one on top of the other in the crystal to form an infinite pseudocontinuous helix. This renders it a quasi-polymerlike structure that has assumed the Z-DNA conformation further strengthened by the long inner Z-forming stretch d(CG)4. An interesting feature of the structure is the presence of water strings in both the major and the minor grooves. In the minor groove the cytosine carbonyl oxygen atoms of the GpC and CpG steps are cross-bridged by water molecules that are not themselves hydrogen bonded but are enclosed by the water rings in the mouth of the minor groove. In the major groove three independent water molecules form a zigzagging continuous water string that runs throughout the duplex.