The solution structure of the r(gcg)d(TATACCC):d(GGGTATACGC) Okazaki fragment contains two distinct duplex morphologies connected by a junction

Crystal structure of an RNA/DNA strand exchange junction

Short segments of RNA displace one strand of a DNA duplex during diverse processes including transcription and CRISPR-mediated immunity and genome editing. These strand exchange events involve the intersection of two geometrically distinct helix types-an RNA:DNA hybrid (A-form) and a DNA:DNA homoduplex (B-form). Although previous evidence suggests that these two helices can stack on each other, it is unknown what local geometric adjustments could enable A-on-B stacking. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of an RNA-5'/DNA-3' strand exchange junction at an anisotropic resolution of 1.6 to 2.2 Å. The structure reveals that the A-to-B helical transition involves a combination of helical axis misalignment, helical axis tilting and compression of the DNA strand within the RNA:DNA helix, where nucleotides exhibit a mixture of A- and B-form geometry. These structural principles explain previous observations of conformational stability in RNA/DNA exchange junctions, enabling a nucleic acid architecture that is repeatedly populated during biological strand exchange events.

Structural Impact of Single Ribonucleotide Residues in DNA

Single ribonucleotide intrusions represent the most common nonstandard nucleotide type found incorporated in genomic DNA, yet little is known of their structural impact. This lesion incurs genomic instability in addition to affecting the physical properties of the DNA. To probe for structural and dynamic effects of single ribonucleotides in various sequence contexts-AxC, CxG, and GxC, where x=rG or dG-we report the structures of three single-ribonucleotide-containing DNA duplexes and the corresponding DNA controls. The lesion subtly and locally perturbs the structure asymmetrically on the 3' side of the lesion in both the riboguanosine-containing and the complementary strand of the duplex. The perturbations are mainly restricted to the sugar and phosphodiester backbone. The ribose and 3'-downstream deoxyribose units are predominately in N-type conformation; backbone torsion angles ϵ and/or ζ of the ribonucleotide or upstream deoxyribonucleotide are affected. Depending on the flanking sequences, the C2'-OH group forms hydrogen bonds with the backbone, 3'-neighboring base, and/or sugar. Interestingly, even in similar purine-rG-pyrimidine environments (A-rG-C and G-rG-C), a riboguanosine unit affects DNA in a distinct manner and manifests different hydrogen bonds, which makes generalizations difficult.

Solution structure of the Dickerson DNA dodecamer containing a single ribonucleotide

Ribonucleotides are frequently incorporated into DNA during replication. They are recognized and processed by several cellular enzymes, and their continued presence in the yeast nuclear genome results in replicative stress and genome instability. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of isolated ribonucleotide incorporation on DNA structure. With this goal in mind, we describe the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the self-complementary Dickerson dodecamer sequence [d(CGC)rGd(AATTCGCG)](2) containing two symmetrically positioned riboguanosines. The absence of an observable H(1)-H(2) scalar coupling interaction indicates a C3'-endo conformation for the ribose. Longer-range structural perturbations resulting from the presence of the ribonucleotide are limited to the adjacent and transhelical nucleotides, while the global B-form DNA structure is maintained. Because crystallographic studies have indicated that isolated ribonucleotides promote global B → A transitions, we also performed molecular modeling analyses to evaluate the structural consequences of higher ribonucleotide substitution levels. Increasing the ribonucleotide content increased the minor groove width toward values more similar to that of A-DNA, but even 50% ribonucleotide substitution did not fully convert the B-DNA to A-DNA. Comparing our structure with the structure of an RNase H2-bound DNA supports the conclusion that, as with other DNA-protein complexes, the DNA conformation is strongly influenced by the interaction with the protein.

Structure and function of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase: molecular mechanisms of polymerization and inhibition

The rapid replication of HIV-1 and the errors made during viral replication cause the virus to evolve rapidly in patients, making the problems of vaccine development and drug therapy particularly challenging. In the absence of an effective vaccine, drugs are the only useful treatment. Anti-HIV drugs work; so far drug therapy has saved more than three million years of life. Unfortunately, HIV-1 develops resistance to all of the available drugs. Although a number of useful anti-HIV drugs have been approved for use in patients, the problems associated with drug toxicity and the development of resistance means that the search for new drugs is an ongoing process. The three viral enzymes, reverse transcriptase (RT), integrase (IN), and protease (PR) are all good drug targets. Two distinct types of RT inhibitors, both of which block the polymerase activity of RT, have been approved to treat HIV-1 infections, nucleoside analogs (NRTIs) and nonnucleosides (NNRTIs), and there are promising leads for compounds that either block the RNase H activity or block the polymerase in other ways. A better understanding of the structure and function(s) of RT and of the mechanism(s) of inhibition can be used to generate better drugs; in particular, drugs that are effective against the current drug-resistant strains of HIV-1.

Tighter binding of HIV reverse transcriptase to RNA-DNA versus DNA-DNA results mostly from interactions in the polymerase domain and requires just a small stretch of RNA-DNA

Binding of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) to unique substrates that positioned RNA-DNA or DNA-DNA near the polymerase or RNase H domains was measured. The substrates consisted of a 50 nucleotide template and DNA primers ranging from 23 to 43 nucleotides. Five different types of template strands were used: homogeneous (1) RNA or (2) DNA, (3) the first 20 5' nucleotides of DNA and the last 30 RNA, (4) the first 20 RNA and the last 30 DNA, and (5) 15 nucleotides of DNA followed by 5 RNA and then 30 DNA. The different length primers were designed to position RT over various regions of the template. Dissociation rate constants were determined for each of the substrates. Results showed that the severalfold tighter binding to RNA-DNA vs DNA-DNA was determined by binding in the polymerase domain and required only a short 5 base pair RNA-DNA hybrid region. Chimeric substrates with RNA-DNA positioned near the polymerase domain and DNA-DNA near the RNase H domain showed binding comparable to a complete RNA-DNA substrate, while those with the reverse orientation were comparable to DNA-DNA. Interestingly, the first configuration, though binding as tightly as RNA-DNA, could not be cleaved by RT RNase H activity, a finding that could perhaps be exploited in the development of nucleic acid-based inhibitors.

Structure, Recognition Properties, and Flexibility of the DNA·RNA Hybrid

Molecular dynamics is used to investigate the properties of the DNA.RNA hybrid in aqueous solution at room temperature. The structure of the hybrid is intermediate between A and B forms but, in general, closer to the canonical A-type helix. All the riboses exhibit North puckerings, while 2'-deoxyriboses exist in North, East, and South puckerings, the latter being the most populated one. The molecular recognition pattern of the DNA.RNA hybrid is a unique combination of those of normal DNA and RNA duplexes. Finally, the results obtained from essential dynamics and stiffness analysis demonstrate the large and very asymmetric flexibility of the hybrid and the strong predilection that each strand (DNA or RNA) has on the nature of their intrinsic motions in the corresponding homoduplexes. The implications of the unique structural and dynamic properties of the DNA.RNA hybrid on the mechanism of cleavage by RNase H are discussed.

Two modes of HIV-1 polypurine tract cleavage are affected by introducing locked nucleic acid analogs into the (-) DNA template

Unusual base-pairing in a co-crystal of reverse transcriptase (RT) and a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) polypurine tract (PPT)-containing RNA/DNA hybrid suggests local nucleic acid flexibility mediates selection of the plus-strand primer. Structural elements of HIV-1 RT potentially participating in recognition of this duplex include the thumb subdomain and the ribonuclease H (RNase H) primer grip, the latter comprising elements of the connection subdomain and RNase H domain. To investigate how stabilizing HIV-1 PPT structure influences its recognition, we modified the (-) DNA template by inserting overlapping locked nucleic acid (LNA) doublets and triplets. Modified RNA/DNA hybrids were evaluated for cleavage at the PPT/U3 junction. Altered specificity was observed when the homopolymeric dA.rU tract immediately 5' of the PPT was modified, whereas PPT/U3 cleavage was lost after substitutions in the adjacent dT.rA tract. In contrast, the "unzipped" portion of the PPT was moderately insensitive to LNA insertions. Although a portion of the dC.rG and neighboring dT.rA tract were minimally affected by LNA insertion, RNase H activity was highly sensitive to altering the junction between these structural elements. Using 3'-end-labeled PPT RNA primers, we also identified novel cleavage sites ahead (+5/+6) of the PPT/U3 junction. Differential cleavage at the PPT/U3 junction and U3 + 5/+6 site in response to LNA-induced template modification suggests two binding modes for HIV-1 RT, both of which may be controlled by the interaction of its thumb subdomain (potentially via the minor groove binding track) at either site of the unzipped region.

Dynamic mechanism of nick recognition by DNA ligase

DNA ligases are the enzymes responsible for the repair of single-stranded and double-stranded nicks in dsDNA. DNA ligases are structurally similar, possibly sharing a common molecular mechanism of nick recognition and ligation catalysis. This mechanism remains unclear, in part because the structure of ligase in complex with dsDNA has yet to be solved. DNA ligases share common structural elements with DNA polymerases, which have been cocrystallized with dsDNA. Based on the observed DNA polymerase-dsDNA interactions, we propose a mechanism for recognition of a single-stranded nick by DNA ligase. According to this mechanism, ligase induces a B-to-A DNA helix transition of the enzyme-bound dsDNA motif, which results in DNA contraction, bending and unwinding. For non-nicked dsDNA, this transition is reversible, leading to dissociation of the enzyme. For a nicked dsDNA substrate, the contraction of the enzyme-bound DNA motif (a) triggers an opened-closed conformational change of the enzyme, and (b) forces the motif to accommodate the strained A/B-form hybrid conformation, in which the nicked strand tends to retain a B-type helix, while the non-nicked strand tends to form a shortened A-type helix. We propose that this conformation is the catalytically competent transition state, which leads to the formation of the DNA-AMP intermediate and to the subsequent sealing of the nick.

Crystal structure of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in complex with a polypurine tract RNA:DNA

We have determined the 3.0 A resolution structure of wild-type HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in complex with an RNA:DNA oligonucleotide whose sequence includes a purine-rich segment from the HIV-1 genome called the polypurine tract (PPT). The PPT is resistant to ribonuclease H (RNase H) cleavage and is used as a primer for second DNA strand synthesis. The 'RNase H primer grip', consisting of amino acids that interact with the DNA primer strand, may contribute to RNase H catalysis and cleavage specificity. Cleavage specificity is also controlled by the width of the minor groove and the trajectory of the RNA:DNA, both of which are sequence dependent. An unusual 'unzipping' of 7 bp occurs in the adenine stretch of the PPT: an unpaired base on the template strand takes the base pairing out of register and then, following two offset base pairs, an unpaired base on the primer strand re-establishes the normal register. The structural aberration extends to the RNase H active site and may play a role in the resistance of PPT to RNase H cleavage.

Shape-selective binding of geometrically-constrained bis-distamycins to a DNA duplex and a model Okazaki fragment of identical sequence

The binding of ligands to nucleic acids is of great interest for the control of gene expression and other nucleic acid mediated processes. We have evaluated the binding of several geometrically-constrained bis-distamycins to a model Okazaki fragment [OKA], or a DNA duplex having identical base sequence [DD], using gel-shift assays, optical spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. In the case of covalent attachment of two distamycins to a central benzene ring, a similar binding profile was observed for [DD] as was observed for [OKA] (para binds [K(app) > 10(6) M(-1)], meta binds only weakly). For a central pyridyl ring, however, clear distinction between the binding to [DD] and binding to [OKA] was observed. While none of the three meta isomers having a central pyridyl ring bound [OKA], two of them (MT-17 and MT-12) bound [DD] [K(app) > 10(6) M(-1)]. These results demonstrate subtle differences in lexitropsin shape and placement of electronegative atoms may result in selective binding to a nucleic acid duplex based both on base sequence and chemical composition. Selective binding to DNA duplexes may be useful for designing ligands that regulate transcription, but do not interfere in other nucleic acid mediated processes.

Protein-nucleic acid interactions and DNA conformation in a complex of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase with a double-stranded DNA template-primer

The conformation of the DNA and the interactions of the nucleic acid with the protein in a complex of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) and 19-mer/18-mer double-stranded DNA template-primer (dsDNA) are described. The structure of this HIV-1 RT complex with dsDNA serves as a useful paradigm for studying aspects of nucleotide polymerases such as catalysis, fidelity, drug inhibition, and drug resistance. The bound dsDNA has a bend of approximately 41 degrees at the junction of an A-form region (first five base pairs near the polymerase active site) and a B-form region (the last nine base pairs toward the RNase H active site). The 41 degrees bend occurs smoothly over the four base pairs between the A-form portion and the B-form portion in the vicinity of helices alpha H and alpha I of the p66 thumb subdomain. The interactions between the dsDNA and protein primarily involve the sugar-phosphate backbone of the nucleic acid and structural elements of the palm, thumb, and RNase H of p66, and are not sequence specific. Amino acid residues from the polymerase active site region, including amino acid residues of the conserved Tyr-Met-Asp-Asp (YMDD) motif and the "primer grip," interact with 3'-terminal nucleotides of the primer strand and are involved in positioning the primer terminal nucleotide and its 3'-OH group at the polymerase active site. Amino acid residues of the "template grip" have close contacts with the template strand and aid in positioning the template strand near the polymerase active site. Helix alpha H of the p66 thumb is partly inserted into the minor groove of the dsDNA and helix alpha I is directly adjacent to the backbone of the template strand. Amino acid residues of beta 1', alpha A', alpha B', and the loop containing His539 of the RNase H domain interact with the primer strand of the dsDNA.

The solution structure of [d(CGC)r(aaa)d(TTTGCG)](2): hybrid junctions flanked by DNA duplexes

The solution structure and hydration of the chimeric duplex [d(CGC)r(aaa)d(TTTGCG)](2), in which the central hybrid segment is flanked by DNA duplexes at both ends, was determined using two-dimensional NMR, simulated annealing and restrained molecular dynamics. The solution structure of this chimeric duplex differs from the previously determined X-ray structure of the analogous B-DNA duplex [d(CGCAAATTTGCG)](2)as well as NMR structure of the analogous A-RNA duplex [r(cgcaaauuugcg)](2). Long-lived water molecules with correlation time tau(c)longer than 0.3 ns were found close to the RNA adenine H2 and H1' protons in the hybrid segment. A possible long-lived water molecule was also detected close to the methyl group of 7T in the RNA-DNA junction but not with the other two thymines (8T and 9T). This result correlates with the structural studies that only DNA residue 7T in the RNA-DNA junction adopts an O4'-endo sugar conformation, while the other DNA residues including 3C in the DNA-RNA junction, adopt C1'-exo or C2'-endo conformations. The exchange rates for RNA C2'-OH were found to be approximately 5-20 s(-1). This slow exchange rate may be due to the narrow minor groove width of [d(CGC)r(aaa)d(TTTGCG)](2), which may trap the water molecules and restrict the dynamic motion of hydroxyl protons. The minor groove width of [d(CGC)r(aaa)d(TTTGCG)](2)is wider than its B-DNA analog but narrower than that of the A-RNA analog. It was further confirmed by its titration with the minor groove binding drug distamycin. A possible 2:1 binding mode was found by the titration experiments, suggesting that this chimeric duplex contains a wider minor groove than its B-DNA analog but still narrow enough to hold two distamycin molecules. These distinct structural features and hydration patterns of this chimeric duplex provide a molecular basis for further understanding the structure and recognition of DNA. RNA hybrid and chimeric duplexes.

Hydration of [d(CGC)r(aaa)d(TTTGCG)](2)

We have studied the hydration and dynamics of RNA C2'-OH in a DNA. RNA hybrid chimeric duplex [d(CGC)r(aaa)d(TTTGCG)](2). Long-lived water molecules with correlation time tau(c) larger than 0.3 ns were found close to the RNA adenine H2 and H1' protons in the hybrid segment. A possible long-lived water molecule was also detected close to the methyl group of 7T in the RNA-DNA junction but not to the other two thymine bases (8T and 9T). This result correlates with the structural studies that only DNA residue 7T in the RNA-DNA junction adopts an O4'-endo sugar conformation (intermediate between B-form and A-form), while the other DNA residues including 3C in the DNA-RNA junction, adopt C1'-exo or C2'-endo conformations (in the B-form domain). Based on the NOE cross-peak patterns, we have found that RNA C2'-OH tends to orient toward the O3' direction, forming a possible hydrogen bond with the 3'-phosphate group. The exchange rates for RNA C2'-OH were found to be around 5-20 s(-1), compared to 26.7(+/-13.8) s(-1) reported previously for the other DNA.RNA hybrid duplex. This slow exchange rate may be due to the narrow minor groove width of [d(CGC)r(aaa)d(TTTGCG)](2), which may trap the water molecules and restrict the dynamic motion of hydroxyl protons. The distinct hydration patterns of the RNA adenine H2 and H1' protons and the DNA 7T methyl group in the hybrid segment, as well as the orientation and dynamics of the RNA C2'-OH protons, may provide a molecular basis for further understanding the structure and recognition of DNA.RNA hybrid and chimeric duplexes.

Shape-selective recognition of a model Okazaki fragment by geometrically-constrained bis-distamycins

Okazaki fragments represent interesting targets for the design of anticancer drugs because of their selective occurrence during DNA replication, a process often elevated in aggressive malignancies. Structural studies have indicated a bend occurs in the helical axis at the junction region (JR) that joins the DNA duplex region (DDR) and the RNA-DNA hybrid duplex region (HDR) of model Okazaki fragments. To identify a structural motif that provides a shape complementary to the Okazaki fragment minor groove, we have investigated the binding of geometrically-constrained bis-distamycins to a model Okazaki fragment, [OKA], with a sequence derived from the genome of simian virus 40 (SV40). Both the JR and the DDR of [OKA] contain consecutive A/T base pairs that could accommodate distamycin binding. Of the six bis-distamycins selected for analysis, the two with a para configuration of the distamycins on the benzene or pyridine scaffold bound [OKA] tightly (Kd approximately 10(-6) M from gel-shift assays; Kd approximately 10(-8) M from deltaT(M)) while the four with a meta orientation did not bind. The two mono-distamycins studied also did not bind [OKA]. Molecular modeling of the complex between the para bis-distamycin MT-9 and [OKA] revealed MT-9 adopted an S- shape complementary to the minor groove of the model Okazaki fragment.

Effect of cytarabine on the NMR structure of a model okazaki fragment from the SV40 genome

Okazaki fragments occur as intermediates during lagging strand DNA replication. Alterations in Okazaki fragment structure may contribute to the anticancer activities of nucleoside analogues such as cytarabine, a potent anti-leukemic agent that inhibits lagging strand replication. We have determined the solution structures for two model Okazaki fragments, [OKA] and [ARAC]. These sequences are derived from a frequent initiation site for primase during replication of the SV-40 viral genome. The sequence of [ARAC] differs from [OKA] only by substitution of cytarabine for one deoxycytidine. The structure of each model Okazaki fragment was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics simulations. The solution structures of [OKA] and [ARAC] each consist of two distinct domains: a DNA duplex region (DDR) and an RNA-DNA hybrid duplex region (HDR). The DDR of [OKA] adopts geometry similar to B-form except for variations in helical parameters, especially twist and roll, which occur in the purine tract, increasing base overlap among the five consecutive purines. The helical axes for the DDR and HDR of [OKA] are bent 22 degrees relative to one another. Although the local structures for the DDR and HDR of [ARAC] are similar to those in [OKA] (root-mean-square deviation (rmsd) approximately 0.8, 1.7 A), the bending at the junction is different (41 degrees for [ARAC] vs 22 degrees for [OKA]). Increased helical bending of cytarabine-substituted Okazaki fragments may contribute to the propensity of cytarabine to inhibit elongation of the lagging strand during DNA replication, and in effecting anticancer activity.

The crystal structure of the RNA/DNA hybrid r(GAAGAGAAGC). d(GCTTCTCTTC) shows significant differences to that found in solution

The crystal structure of the RNA/DNA hybrid r(GAAGAGAAGC). d(GCTTCTCTTC) has been solved and refined at 2.5 A resolution. The refinement procedure converged at R = 0.181 for all reflections in the range 20.0-2.5 A. In the crystal, the RNA/DNA hybrid duplex has an A' conformation with all but one of the nucleotide sugar moieties adopting a C3'- endo (N) conformation. Both strands in the double helix adopt a global conformation close to the A-form and the width of the minor groove is typical of that found in the crystal structures of other A-form duplexes. However, differences are observed between the RNA and DNA strands that make up the hybrid at the local level. In the central portion of the duplex, the RNA strand has backbone alpha, beta and gamma torsion angles that alternate between the normal gauche -/ trans / gauche + conformation and an unusual trans / trans / trans conformation. Coupled with this so-called 'alpha/gamma flipping' of the backbone torsion angles, the distance between adjacent phosphorous atoms on the RNA strand systematically varies. Neither of these phenomena are observed on the DNA strand. The structure of the RNA/DNA hybrid presented here differs significantly from that found in solution for this and other sequences. Possible reasons for these differences and their implications for the current model of RNase H activity are discussed.

Comparative structural analysis by [1H,31P]-NMR and restrained molecular dynamics of two DNA hairpins from a strong DNA topoisomerase II cleavage site

The structural analysis of two single-stranded DNAs d(AGCTTATCATCGATAAGCT) (ATC-19) and d(AGCTTATCGATGATAAGCT) (GAT-19) was performed by NMR and restrained molecular dynamics. These oligonucleotides reproduce the 15-33 segment of phage pBR322 DNA, which contains a strong cleavage site for topoisomerase II coupled to the antitumor drugs VP-16 and ellipticine. Because of their partial palindromic nature, the two oligonucleotides ATC-19 and GAT-19 may fold back into stable hairpin structures, consisting of a stem of eight base-pairs and a loop of three residues. NMR assignments and conformational parameters were determined from combined 2D NOESY, COSY and 1H-31P spectra. Conformations of ATC-19 and GAT-19 hairpins were calculated using the X-PLOR 3.1 program. Structures were generated through simulated annealing procedures starting from 50 structures with randomized torsion angles. A good convergence was observed for ATC-19 molecules, while no consensus was found for GAT-19. Within the GAT-19 loop, the base stacking was poor and no hydrogen bond could be detected. In contrast, ATC-19 displayed a well-defined three residue loop stabilized by both extensive base stackings and hydrogen bonding between the N3 atom of the adenine ring and the amino group of the cytosine ring. The results confirm our earlier ATC-19 structure obtained by a completely different calculation procedure (JUMNA) and the higher thermal stability of ATC-19 compared to GAT-19. Moreover, due to its mismatched base-pair, the ATC-19 loop may be better described as a single residue loop rather than a three residue loop. Comparison of this loop to those containing sheared purine.purine base-pairs revealed striking resemblances, particularly on the backbone angle combination. Finally, the differences observed between the ATC-19 and GAT-19 structures could help toward understanding the sequential cleavage of DNA strands by topoisomerase II.

Cytarabine-induced destabilization of a model Okazaki fragment

Cytarabine is a potent anticancer drug that interferes with elongation of the lagging strand at the replication fork during DNA synthesis. The effects of cytarabine substitution on the structural and thermodynamic properties of a model Okazaki fragment were investigated using UV hyperchromicity and 1H NMR spectroscopy to determine how cytarabine alters the physicochemical properties of Okazaki fragments that are intermediates during DNA replication. Two model Okazaki fragments were prepared corresponding to a primary initiation site for DNA replication in the SV40 viral genome. One model Okazaki fragment consisted of five ribo- and seven deoxyribonucleotides on the hybrid strand, together with its complementary (DNA) strand. The second model Okazaki fragment was identical to the first with the exception of cytarabine substitution for deoxycytidine at the third DNA nucleotide of the hybrid strand. Thermodynamic parameters for the duplex to single strand transition for each model Okazaki fragment were calculated from the concentration dependence of the T m at 260 nm. Cytarabine significantly decreased the stability of this model Okazaki fragment, decreasing the melting temperature from 46.8 to 42.4 degrees C at a concentration of 1.33 x 10(-5) M. The free energy for the duplex to single strand transition was 1.2 kcal/mol less favorable for the cytarabine-substituted Okazaki fragment relative to the control at 37 degrees C. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the imino1H resonances for the two duplexes demonstrated that cytarabine specifically destabilized the DNA:DNA duplex portion of the model Okazaki fragment. These results are consistent with inhibition of lagging strand DNA synthesis by cytarabine substitution resulting from destabilization of the DNA:DNA duplex portion of Okazaki fragments in vivo .

DNA sequence context and protein composition modulate HMG-domain protein recognition of cisplatin-modified DNA

Proteins containing the high mobility group (HMG) DNA-binding domain form specific complexes with cisplatin-modified DNA which shield the major intrastrand d(GpG) and d(ApG) cross-links from excision repair. The molecular basis for the specificity of binding was investigated for the two isolated domains of HMG1 with a series of 15-bp oligonucleotides, d(CCTCTCN1G*G*N2TCTTC). (GAAGAN3CCN4GAGAGG), where asterisks denote N7-modification of guanosine with cisplatin. Alteration of the nucleotides flanking the platinum lesion modulated HMG1domA recognition in this series by over 2 orders of magnitude and revealed an unprecedented preference for N2 = dA > T > dC. The flanking nucleotide preference for HMG1domB interaction with this oligonucleotide series was less pronounced and had only a 20-fold range of binding affinities. For the N1 = N2 = dA 15-bp probe, 100-fold stronger binding occurred with HMG1domA (Kd = 1.6 +/- 0.2 nM) compared to HMG1domB (Kd = 134 +/- 18 nM). The platinum-dependent recognition of the N1 = N2 = dA 15-bp probe saturates at 1 equiv of HMG1domA and is highly specific, as evidenced by the 1000-fold decrease in HMG1domA binding affinity for the corresponding unplatinated oligonucleotide. HMG domains were unable to bind specifically to cisplatin-modified DNA-RNA hybrids, revealing the need for a deoxyribose sugar backbone for specific complex formation with HMG-domain proteins. Protein-DNA contacts which may account for these observed binding preferences are proposed, and potential implications for the biological processing of cisplatin-DNA adducts are discussed.

Solution structure of r(gaggacug):d(CAGTCCTC) hybrid: implications for the initiation of HIV-1 (+)-strand synthesis

The three-dimensional solution structure of the hybrid duplex r(gaggacug):d(CAGTCCTC) has been determined by two-dimensional NMR, distance geometry (DG), restrained molecular dynamics (rMD) and NOE back-calculation methods. This hybrid, consisting of a purine-rich RNA strand and a pyrimidine-rich DNA strand, is related to the polypurine (+)-strand primer formed after (-)-strand DNA synthesis and RNase H degradation of the viral RNA strand and contains the site of a specific cleavage by reverse transcription (RT) RNase H at the end of the HIV-1 polypurine tract. This polypurine primer is an important intermediate in the formation of virally encoded double-stranded DNA prior to HIV-1 retrovirus integration. The correct processing of this primer is vital in the life cycle of the human immunodeficiency virus type (HIV-1) retrovirus. The structure of the r(gaggacug):d(CAGTCCTC) hybrid, as determined in solution by NMR, is intermediate between canonical A-type and B-type double helices, and has mixed structural characteristics. It is quantitatively different from the previously determined solution structures of other RNA-DNA hybrids, particularly in the width and shape of the major groove, which is wider than the major groove of other hybrids and is close to the dimension of the major groove of B-type DNA duplexes. The structure of this hybrid duplex contains a prominent bend in the double helix with a magnitude and direction similar to the bend in Okazaki fragments. The structural features of the present duplex may explain the unique interactions of this sequence with HIV-1 RT during both (-)-strand and (+)-strand DNA synthesis.

Solution structure of an RNA.2'-O-methylated RNA hybrid duplex containing an RNA.DNA hybrid segment at the center

The solution structure of an RNA.2'-O-methylated RNA hybrid duplex containing an RNA.DNA hybrid segment at its center, (ggagaugac).(GmUmCmATCTCmCm), where lowercase letters, capital letters, and capital letters with the subscript m are RNA, DNA, and 2'-O-methylated RNA residues, respectively, was determined by observing the NMR spectra and performing the full relaxation matrix refinement. The 2'-O-methylation gives several characteristic features to oligoribonucleotides. In addition, this hybrid duplex is cleaved at a specific position by Escherichia coli ribonuclease HI, and so the role of the tertiary structure during the substrate recognition by the enzyme is of interest. The NOE connectivities among the proton resonances revealed that the duplex was a right handed helix. The 2'-O-methylated RNA segments had a typical C3'-endo conformation, and the 2'-O-methyl groups were directed to the minor groove of this duplex, taking the torsion angles phi (C1'-C2'-02'-CH3) that were all gauche(+). The DNA residues in the central RNA.DNA hybrid duplex formed the C3'-endo conformation, except for the middle thymine residue. No remarkable structural discontinuities were observed around the junction sites at either the 5'- or 3'-end of the DNA. The overall structure was close to the typical A-form duplex.

DNA structural forms

In the years that have passed since the publication of Wolfram Saenger's classic book on nucleic acid structure (Saenger, 1984), a considerable amount of new data has been accumulated on the range of conformations which can be adopted by DNA. Many unusual species have joined the DNA zoo, including new varieties of two, three and four stranded helices. Much has been learnt about intrinsic DNA curvature, dynamics and conformational transitions and many types of damaged or deformed DNA have been investigated. In this article, we will try to summarise this progress, pointing out the scope of the various experimental techniques used to study DNA structure, and, where possible, trying to discern the rules which govern the behaviour of this subtle macromolecule. The article is divided into six major sections which begin with a general discussion of DNA structure and then present successively, B-DNA, DNA deformations, A-DNA, Z-DNA and DNARNA hybrids. An extensive set of references is included and should serve the reader who wishes to delve into greater detai.

Structural variation among retroviral primer-DNA junctions: solution structure of the HIV-1 (-)-strand Okazaki fragment r(gcca)d(CTGC).d(GCAGTGGC)

The three-dimensional solution structure of the hybrid-chimeric duplex r(gcca)d(CTGC).d(GCAGTGGC) has been determined by two-dimensional NMR, restrained molecular dynamics (rMD), and NOE back-calculation methods. This chimera, consisting of a chimeric RNA-DNA strand and its complementary DNA strand, is formed after priming (-)-strand DNA synthesis by tRNA(Lys3) and subsequent (+)-strand DNA synthesis by reverse transcriptase and is an obligatory intermediate in the formation of double-stranded DNA prior to HIV-1 retrovirus integration. The duplex consists of two different types of double helix: a hybrid form (H-form) and a B-form structure connected by a junction. It is chemically similar to several other Okazaki fragments whose structures have been previously determined in our laboratory. However, some structural parameters are not the same and were found to be sequence dependent. In particular, the sugar conformations at the DNA base pair proximal to the hybrid segment vary from O4'-endo to C2'-endo depending on the base composition. The position of the transition from the relatively wide groove of H-form to the narrow groove of B-form is also sequence dependent, occurring either exactly at the RNA-DNA junction or within the purely DNA segment of the chimera-as is the case in the structure of the present HIV-1 (-)-strand primer. This structural change produces a kink at the DNA-DNA step adjacent to the RNA-DNA junction in the HIV-1 (-)-strand primer. The sequence dependence of structures of RNA-DNA chimeric duplexes may be responsible for the variable cleavage pattern of different Okazaki fragments by reverse transcriptase RNase H.

Role of calf RTH-1 nuclease in removal of 5'-ribonucleotides during Okazaki fragment processing

The role of the exonucleolytic activity of the calf 5' to 3' exo/endonuclease, a RAD2 homolog 1 (RTH-1) class nuclease, in lagging-strand DNA replication has been examined using model Okazaki fragment substrates. These substrates exemplify the situation in Okazaki fragment processing which occurs after the initiator RNA primer is cleaved off, and released intact, by calf RNase HI, leaving a single ribonucleotide at the 5' end of the RNA-DNA junction. This final RNA is then removed by the calf RTH-1 nuclease [Turchi et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 9803-9807]. The cleavage specificity of calf RTH-1 nuclease for different junction ribonucleotides was compared. These were removed without the usual requirement of calf RTH-1 for an immediately adjacent upstream primer. In most cases, the presence of an upstream DNA or RNA primer, separated from the monoribonucleotide-DNA segment by either a nick or a gap, reduced the efficiency of removal of the monoribonucleotide compared to the removal seen with no upstream primer. Substrates in which the monoribonucleotide-DNA segment had been replaced by an oligomer of the same sequence but consisting entirely of DNA also exhibited upstream primer inhibition. Results with various sequences indicated that the upstream primer is generally inhibitory for ribonucleotide removal but is sometimes neutral. For deoxynucleotide removal it could be stimulatory, neutral, or inhibitory. Possible reasons for the unexpected lack of upstream primer dependence have been explored. The ratio of RNase HI to RTH-1 was also shown to be critical for both enzymes to work together efficiently. These results suggest that regions of upstream primer inhibition within the genome may play a role in determining the mechanism by which mammalian Okazaki fragments are processed.

A model for DNA polymerase translocation: worm-like movement of DNA within the binding cleft

On the basis of recent results, we propose a model for DNA polymerase translocation along DNA. Human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase is taken as an example. According to the model, movement of the enzyme is the result of transition of the enzyme-bound DNA from the A- to B-form which is accompanied by lengthening of DNA within the binding channel. The driving force of this transition is the increase in water accessibility to the DNA-binding cleft after dNTP binding. dNTP hydrolysis proceeding during the following chemical step supplies the energy for the reverse B-->A transition of DNA. Translocation is considered to be an integral part of the stage of conformational change preceding catalysis and can be described as a worm-like movement of DNA within the DNA-binding cleft.

Structure of chimeric duplex junctions: solution conformation of the retroviral Okazaki-like fragment r(ccca)d(AATGA).d(TCATTTGGG) from Moloney murine leukemia virus

We have determined the solution structure of the synthetic chimeric duplex r(ccca)d(AATGA).d(TCATTTGGG) by two-dimensional NMR, distance geometry, restrained molecular dynamics, and full relaxation matrix simulation of the two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectra at various mixing times. The chimeric strand of this duplex consists of the last four residues of the tRNA(Pro) primer for (-) strand DNA synthesis of Moloney murine leukemia virus and the first five residues of the (-) strand DNA produced by extending this primer; the complementary DNA strand corresponds to the (+) strand product from this template. The hybrid section of this chimeric duplex assumes a structure similar to that found for pure hybrid duplexes of mixed sequence, while the DNA section assumes a conformation closer to B-form DNA. There is significant distortion of the duplex at the hybrid-DNA junction which is manifested in marked changes in the helical parameters buckle, roll, and tip, changes in glycosidic torsion angles, and changes in the backbone torsion angles delta, epsilon, and zeta. The sugar conformations also undergo large changes, from heteromerous puckers in the hybrid section to a more B-form in the DNA section. Furthermore, the intrastrand phosphate separation in the chimeric strand is more typical of A-form duplexes in the RNA section but more like B-form duplexes in the DNA section. In the DNA section the minor groove width changes gradually from B-form at the periphery and approaches hybrid-like dimensions closer to the junction. The structural discontinuities act synergistically to produce a bend of 18 +/- 3 degrees at the junction. The global structure of this sequence is similar to that previously found in the chemically analogous Okazaki fragment r(gcg)d(TATACCC).d(GGGTATACGC) in solution. Such structure homology suggests a possible link between structure and function with respect to the recognition and cleavage of the junction RNA residues in both retroviral chimeras and Okazaki fragments during reverse transcription and normal DNA replication.

Solution Strucutres of DNA duplexes containing a DNA x RNA hybrid region, d(GG)r(AGAU)d(GAC) x d(GTCATCTCC) and d(GGAGA)r(UGAC) x d(GTCATCTCC)

The solution structures of two DNA duplexes containing a DNA*RNA hybrid region at different sites, d(GG)r(AGAU)d(GAC) x d(GTCATCTCC) (DHD, where D and H represent the DNA and DNA x RNA hybrid segments, respectively) and d(GGAGA)r(UGAC) x d(GTCATCTCC) (DDH), were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to clarify the structural features of the D-H and H-D junctions. All proton-proton distances were derived from the NOESY spectra, with mixing times of 45 ms, and the restrained molecular dynamics were carried out starting from the typical A- and B-form conformations. Both duplexes were converged from the respective initial structures into structures with RMSD values of less than 1.0 angstrom. These structures were subjected to full relaxation matrix refinement to produce the final structures. In the case of the D-H junction, where the ribonucleotide was linked to the 3'-end of the DNA, the H2' and H2" signals of the deoxynucleotide overlapped completely, and the ribonucleotide had a H1'-H2' coupling constant larger than that of the normal C3'-endo sugar pucker. The dihedral angles, the pseudorotation phase angles, and the helical parameters changed at the H-D junction, but not at the D-H junction. A detailed comparison of the two duplexes revealed the structural heterogeneity between the DNA segment and the DNA x RNA hybrid region and the transitions at the junctions.

Crystal structures of B-form DNA-RNA chimers complexed with distamycin

Two DNA-RNA chimers, complexed with DNA minor groove binding drugs, have been observed to adopt the B-form conformation for the first time. Thus, the RNA duplex may assume the B-DNA conformation when interacting with drugs, peptides or proteins.

Structures of DNA and RNA polymerases and their interactions with nucleic acid substrates

DNA and RNA polymerases are enzymes that are primarily responsible for copying genetic material in all living systems. The four polymerases whose structures have been determined by X-ray crystallographic methods have significant similarities at the polymerase active site that are indicative of common requirements for polynucleotide synthesis. Structural studies of complexes of the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, HIV type 1 reverse transcriptase, and rat DNA polymerase beta with DNA are leading to generalized models for catalysis.