A Novel Homogenous Assay for Topoisomerase II Action and Inhibition

Interlinked DNA nano-circles for measuring topoisomerase II activity at the level of single decatenation events

DNA nano-structures present appealing new means for monitoring different molecules. Here, we demonstrate the assembly and utilization of a surface-attached double-stranded DNA catenane composed of two intact interlinked DNA nano-circles for specific and sensitive measurements of the life essential topoisomerase II (Topo II) enzyme activity. Topo II activity was detected via the numeric release of DNA nano-circles, which were visualized at the single-molecule level in a fluorescence microscope upon isothermal amplification and fluorescence labeling. The transition of each enzymatic reaction to a micrometer sized labeled product enabled quantitative detection of Topo II activity at the single decatenation event level rendering activity measurements in extracts from as few as five cells possible. Topo II activity is a suggested predictive marker in cancer therapy and, consequently, the described highly sensitive monitoring of Topo II activity may add considerably to the toolbox of individualized medicine where decisions are based on very sparse samples.

Topoisomerase II from Human Malaria Parasites: EXPRESSION, PURIFICATION, AND SELECTIVE INHIBITION

Historically, type II topoisomerases have yielded clinically useful drugs for the treatment of bacterial infections and cancer, but the corresponding enzymes from malaria parasites remain understudied. This is due to the general challenges of producing malaria proteins in functional forms in heterologous expression systems. Here, we express full-length Plasmodium falciparum topoisomerase II (PfTopoII) in a wheat germ cell-free transcription-translation system. Functional activity of soluble PfTopoII from the translation lysates was confirmed through both a plasmid relaxation and a DNA decatenation activity that was dependent on magnesium and ATP. To facilitate future drug discovery, a convenient and sensitive fluorescence assay was established to follow DNA decatenation, and a stable, truncated PfTopoII was engineered for high level enzyme production. PfTopoII was purified using a DNA affinity column. Existing TopoII inhibitors previously developed for other non-malaria indications inhibited PfTopoII, as well as malaria parasites in culture at submicromolar concentrations. Even before optimization, inhibitors of bacterial gyrase, GSK299423, ciprofloxacin, and etoposide exhibited 15-, 57-, and 3-fold selectivity for the malarial enzyme over human TopoII. Finally, it was possible to use the purified PfTopoII to dissect the different modes by which these varying classes of TopoII inhibitors could trap partially processed DNA. The present biochemical advancements will allow high throughput chemical screening of compound libraries and lead optimization to develop new lines of antimalarials.

Recent Advances in Fluorescence Cross-correlation Spectroscopy

Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) is a method that measures the temporal fluorescence fluctuations coming from two differently labeled molecules diffusing through a small sample volume. Cross-correlation analysis of the fluorescence signals from separate detection channels extracts information of the dynamics of the dual-labeled molecules. FCCS has become an essential tool for the characterization of diffusion coefficients, binding constants, kinetic rates of binding, and determining molecular interactions in solutions and cells. By cross-correlating between two focal spots, flow properties could also be measured. Recent developments in FCCS have been targeted at using different experimental schemes to improve on the sensitivity and address their limitations such as cross-talk and alignment issues. This review presents an overview of the different excitation and detection methodologies used in FCCS and their biological applications. This is followed by a description of the fluorescent probes currently available for the different methods. This will introduce biological readers to FCCS and its related techniques and provide a starting point to selecting which experimental scheme is suitable for their type of biological study.

Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy in living cells

Cell biologists strive to characterize molecular interactions directly in the intracellular environment. The intrinsic resolution of optical microscopy, however, allows visualization of only coarse subcellular localization. By extracting information from molecular dynamics, fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) grants access to processes on a molecular scale, such as diffusion, binding, enzymatic reactions and codiffusion, and has become a valuable tool for studies in living cells. Here we review basic principles of FCCS and focus on seminal applications, including examples of intracellular signaling and trafficking. We consider FCCS in the context of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and multicolor imaging techniques and discuss application strategies and recent technical advances.