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Avraham S, Schütz L, Käver L, Dankers A, Margalit S, Michaeli Y, Zirkin S, Torchinsky D, Gilat N, Bahr O, Nifker G, Koren-Michowitz M, Weinhold E, Ebenstein Y. Chemo-Enzymatic Fluorescence Labeling Of Genomic DNA For Simultaneous Detection Of Global 5-Methylcytosine And 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300400. [PMID: 37518671 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
5-Methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine are epigenetic modifications involved in gene regulation and cancer. We present a new, simple, and high-throughput platform for multi-color epigenetic analysis. The novelty of our approach is the ability to multiplex methylation and de-methylation signals in the same assay. We utilize an engineered methyltransferase enzyme that recognizes and labels all unmodified CpG sites with a fluorescent cofactor. In combination with the already established labeling of the de-methylation mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine via enzymatic glycosylation, we obtained a robust platform for simultaneous epigenetic analysis of these marks. We assessed the global epigenetic levels in multiple samples of colorectal cancer and observed a 3.5-fold reduction in 5hmC levels but no change in DNA methylation levels between sick and healthy individuals. We also measured epigenetic modifications in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and observed a decrease in both modification levels (5-hydroxymethylcytosine: whole blood 30 %; peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) 40 %. 5-methylcytosine: whole blood 53 %; PBMCs 48 %). Our findings propose using a simple blood test as a viable method for analysis, simplifying sample handling in diagnostics. Importantly, our results highlight the assay's potential for epigenetic evaluation of clinical samples, benefiting research and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigal Avraham
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Leonie Schütz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Larissa Käver
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas Dankers
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sapir Margalit
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Michaeli
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Shahar Zirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Dmitry Torchinsky
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Noa Gilat
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Omer Bahr
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Gil Nifker
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | | | - Elmar Weinhold
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yuval Ebenstein
- Department of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly SacklerFaculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Chemistry,Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
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2
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DNA Labeling Using DNA Methyltransferases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:535-562. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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3
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Sirasunthorn N, Jailwala A, Gerber A, Comstock LR. Evaluation of
N
‐Mustard Analogues of
S
‐Adenosyl‐L‐methionine with Eukaryotic DNA Methyltransferase 1. ChemistrySelect 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201902940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nichanun Sirasunthorn
- Department of Chemistry Wake Forest University 455 Vine Street Winston-Salem NC 27101–4135 USA
| | - Anuj Jailwala
- Department of Chemistry Wake Forest University 455 Vine Street Winston-Salem NC 27101–4135 USA
| | - Anna Gerber
- Department of Chemistry Wake Forest University 455 Vine Street Winston-Salem NC 27101–4135 USA
| | - Lindsay R. Comstock
- Department of Chemistry Wake Forest University 455 Vine Street Winston-Salem NC 27101–4135 USA
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4
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Hymbaugh SJ, Pecor LM, Tracy CM, Comstock LR. Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1‐Dependent Labeling and Isolation of Histone H4 through
N
‐Mustard Analogues of
S
‐Adenosyl‐
l
‐methionine. Chembiochem 2019; 20:379-384. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Hymbaugh
- Department of ChemistryWake Forest University 455 Vine Street Wake Downtown NC 27101-4135 USA
| | - Lindsay M. Pecor
- Department of ChemistryWake Forest University 455 Vine Street Wake Downtown NC 27101-4135 USA
| | - Christopher M. Tracy
- Department of ChemistryWake Forest University 455 Vine Street Wake Downtown NC 27101-4135 USA
| | - Lindsay R. Comstock
- Department of ChemistryWake Forest University 455 Vine Street Wake Downtown NC 27101-4135 USA
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5
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Atdjian C, Iannazzo L, Braud E, Ethève-Quelquejeu M. Synthesis of SAM-Adenosine Conjugates for the Study of m 6
A-RNA Methyltransferases. European J Org Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201800798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Colette Atdjian
- Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques; Team “Chemistry of RNAs, nucleosides, peptides and heterocycles”; Université Paris Descartes; UMR 8601; 75005 Paris France
| | - Laura Iannazzo
- Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques; Team “Chemistry of RNAs, nucleosides, peptides and heterocycles”; Université Paris Descartes; UMR 8601; 75005 Paris France
| | - Emmanuelle Braud
- Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques; Team “Chemistry of RNAs, nucleosides, peptides and heterocycles”; Université Paris Descartes; UMR 8601; 75005 Paris France
| | - Mélanie Ethève-Quelquejeu
- Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques; Team “Chemistry of RNAs, nucleosides, peptides and heterocycles”; Université Paris Descartes; UMR 8601; 75005 Paris France
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6
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Babault N, Allali-Hassani A, Li F, Fan J, Yue A, Ju K, Liu F, Vedadi M, Liu J, Jin J. Discovery of Bisubstrate Inhibitors of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT). J Med Chem 2018; 61:1541-1551. [PMID: 29320176 PMCID: PMC5823789 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) catalyzes the N-methylation of pyridine-containing compounds using the cofactor S-5'-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) as the methyl group donor. Through the regulation of the levels of its substrates, cofactor, and products, NNMT plays an important role in physiology and pathophysiology. Overexpression of NNMT has been implicated in various human diseases. Potent and selective small-molecule NNMT inhibitors are valuable chemical tools for testing biological and therapeutic hypotheses. However, very few NNMT inhibitors have been reported. Here, we describe the discovery of a bisubstrate NNMT inhibitor MS2734 (6) and characterization of this inhibitor in biochemical, biophysical, kinetic, and structural studies. Importantly, we obtained the first crystal structure of human NNMT in complex with a small-molecule inhibitor. The structure of the NNMT-6 complex has unambiguously demonstrated that 6 occupied both substrate and cofactor binding sites. The findings paved the way for developing more potent and selective NNMT inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Babault
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | | | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Jie Fan
- Accutar Biotechnology, Brooklyn, New York 11226, United States
| | - Alex Yue
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kevin Ju
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Feng Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jing Liu
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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7
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Deen J, Vranken C, Leen V, Neely RK, Janssen KPF, Hofkens J. Methyltransferase-Directed Labeling of Biomolecules and its Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:5182-5200. [PMID: 27943567 PMCID: PMC5502580 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201608625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Methyltransferases (MTases) form a large family of enzymes that methylate a diverse set of targets, ranging from the three major biopolymers to small molecules. Most of these MTases use the cofactor S-adenosyl-l-Methionine (AdoMet) as a methyl source. In recent years, there have been significant efforts toward the development of AdoMet analogues with the aim of transferring moieties other than simple methyl groups. Two major classes of AdoMet analogues currently exist: doubly-activated molecules and aziridine based molecules, each of which employs a different approach to achieve transalkylation rather than transmethylation. In this review, we discuss the various strategies for labelling and functionalizing biomolecules using AdoMet-dependent MTases and AdoMet analogues. We cover the synthetic routes to AdoMet analogues, their stability in biological environments and their application in transalkylation reactions. Finally, some perspectives are presented for the potential use of AdoMet analogues in biology research, (epi)genetics and nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem Deen
- Laboratory of Nanoscale BiologySchool of Engineering, EPFL, STI IBI-STI LBEN BM 5134 (Bâtiment BM)Station 17CH-1015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Charlotte Vranken
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200FB-3001HeverleeBelgium
| | - Volker Leen
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200FB-3001HeverleeBelgium
| | - Robert K. Neely
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Kris P. F. Janssen
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200FB-3001HeverleeBelgium
| | - Johan Hofkens
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200FB-3001HeverleeBelgium
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8
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Deen J, Vranken C, Leen V, Neely RK, Janssen KPF, Hofkens J. Die Methyltransferase-gesteuerte Markierung von Biomolekülen und ihre Anwendungen. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201608625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jochem Deen
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology; School of Engineering, EPFL, STI IBI-STI LBEN BM 5134 (Bâtiment BM); Station 17 CH-1015 Lausanne Schweiz
| | - Charlotte Vranken
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of Chemistry; KU Leuven; Celestijnenlaan 200F B-3001 Heverlee Belgien
| | - Volker Leen
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of Chemistry; KU Leuven; Celestijnenlaan 200F B-3001 Heverlee Belgien
| | - Robert K. Neely
- School of Chemistry; University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Großbritannien
| | - Kris P. F. Janssen
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of Chemistry; KU Leuven; Celestijnenlaan 200F B-3001 Heverlee Belgien
| | - Johan Hofkens
- Laboratory of Photochemistry and Spectroscopy, Department of Chemistry; KU Leuven; Celestijnenlaan 200F B-3001 Heverlee Belgien
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9
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Tomkuvienė M, Kriukienė E, Klimašauskas S. DNA Labeling Using DNA Methyltransferases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 945:511-535. [PMID: 27826850 PMCID: PMC11032744 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-43624-1_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferases (MTases) uniquely combine the ability to recognize and covalently modify specific target sequences in DNA using the ubiquitous cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet). Although DNA methylation plays important roles in biological signaling, the transferred methyl group is a poor reporter and is highly inert to further biocompatible derivatization. To unlock the biotechnological power of these enzymes, two major types of cofactor AdoMet analogs were developed that permit targeted MTase-directed attachment of larger moieties containing functional or reporter groups onto DNA. One such approach (named sequence-specific methyltransferase-induced labeling, SMILing) uses reactive aziridine or N-mustard mimics of the cofactor AdoMet, which render targeted coupling of a whole cofactor molecule to the target DNA. The second approach (methyltransferase-directed transfer of activated groups, mTAG) uses AdoMet analogs with a sulfonium-bound extended side chain replacing the methyl group, which permits MTase-directed covalent transfer of the activated side chain alone. As the enlarged cofactors are not always compatible with the active sites of native MTases, steric engineering of the active site has been employed to optimize their alkyltransferase activity. In addition to the described cofactor analogs, recently discovered atypical reactions of DNA cytosine-5 MTases involving non-cofactor-like compounds can also be exploited for targeted derivatization and labeling of DNA. Altogether, these approaches offer new powerful tools for sequence-specific covalent DNA labeling, which not only pave the way to developing a variety of useful techniques in DNA research, diagnostics, and nanotechnologies but have already proven practical utility for optical DNA mapping and epigenome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miglė Tomkuvienė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, LT-10222, Lithuania
| | - Edita Kriukienė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, LT-10222, Lithuania
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10
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Rombouts K, Braeckmans K, Remaut K. Fluorescent Labeling of Plasmid DNA and mRNA: Gains and Losses of Current Labeling Strategies. Bioconjug Chem 2015; 27:280-97. [PMID: 26670733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Live-cell imaging has provided the life sciences with insights into the cell biology and dynamics. Fluorescent labeling of target molecules proves to be indispensable in this regard. In this Review, we focus on the current fluorescent labeling strategies for nucleic acids, and in particular mRNA (mRNA) and plasmid DNA (pDNA), which are of interest to a broad range of scientific fields. By giving a background of the available techniques and an evaluation of the pros and cons, we try to supply scientists with all the information needed to come to an informed choice of nucleic acid labeling strategy aimed at their particular needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rombouts
- Laboratory of general biochemistry and physical pharmacy, Faculty of pharmacy and ‡Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University , Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - K Braeckmans
- Laboratory of general biochemistry and physical pharmacy, Faculty of pharmacy and ‡Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University , Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - K Remaut
- Laboratory of general biochemistry and physical pharmacy, Faculty of pharmacy and ‡Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University , Ghent 9000, Belgium
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11
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Kunkel F, Lurz R, Weinhold E. A 7-Deazaadenosylaziridine Cofactor for Sequence-Specific Labeling of DNA by the DNA Cytosine-C5 Methyltransferase M.HhaI. Molecules 2015; 20:20805-22. [PMID: 26610450 PMCID: PMC6332214 DOI: 10.3390/molecules201119723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferases (MTases) catalyze the transfer of the activated methyl group of the cofactor S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet or SAM) to the exocyclic amino groups of adenine or cytosine or the C5 ring atom of cytosine within specific DNA sequences. The DNA adenine-N6 MTase from Thermus aquaticus (M.TaqI) is also capable of coupling synthetic N-adenosylaziridine cofactor analogues to its target adenine within the double-stranded 5′-TCGA-3′ sequence. This M.TaqI-mediated coupling reaction was exploited to sequence-specifically deliver fluorophores and biotin to DNA using N-adenosylaziridine derivatives carrying reporter groups at the 8-position of the adenine ring. However, these 8-modified aziridine cofactors were poor substrates for the DNA cytosine-C5 MTase from Haemophilus haemolyticus (M.HhaI). Based on the crystal structure of M.HhaI in complex with a duplex oligodeoxynucleotide and the cofactor product, we synthesized a stable 7-deazaadenosylaziridine derivative with a biotin group attached to the 7-position via a flexible linker. This 7-modified aziridine cofactor can be efficiently used by M.HhaI for the direct, quantitative and sequence-specific delivery of biotin to the second cytosine within 5′-GCGC-3′ sequences in short duplex oligodeoxynucleotides and plasmid DNA. In addition, we demonstrate that biotinylation by M.HhaI depends on the methylation status of the target cytosine and, thus, could provide a method for cytosine-C5 DNA methylation detection in mammalian DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Kunkel
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, Aachen D-52056, Germany.
| | - Rudi Lurz
- Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestrasse 73, Berlin D-14195, Germany.
| | - Elmar Weinhold
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, Aachen D-52056, Germany.
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12
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Hymbaugh Bergman SJ, Comstock LR. N-mustard analogs of S-adenosyl-L-methionine as biochemical probes of protein arginine methylation. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:5050-5055. [PMID: 26037613 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nucleosomes, the fundamental building blocks of eukaryotic chromatin, undergo post-synthetic modifications and play a major role in the regulation of transcriptional processes. Combinations of these modifications, including methylation, regulate chromatin structure, determining its different functional states and playing a central role in differentiation. The biological significance of cellular methylation, particularly on chromatin, is widely recognized, yet we know little about the mechanisms that link biological methylation events. To characterize and fully understand protein methylation, we describe here novel N-mustard analogs of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) as biochemical tools to better understand protein arginine methylation events using protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1). Specifically, azide- and alkyne-functionalized N-mustard analogs serve as cofactor mimics of SAM and are enzymatically transferred to a model peptide substrate in a PRMT1-dependent fashion. Once incorporated, the resulting alkynes and azides can be modified through chemoselective ligations, including click chemistry and the Staudinger ligation. These results readily demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing N-mustard analogs as biochemical tools to site-specifically label substrates of PRMT1 and serve as an alternative approach to study protein methylation events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay R Comstock
- Wake Forest University, Department of Chemistry, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, United States.
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