Identification of binding mechanisms in single molecule-DNA complexes

Novel Bis(2-cyanoacrylamide) Linked to Sulphamethoxazole: Synthesis, DNA Interaction, Anticancer, ADMET, Molecular Docking, and DFT Studies

In the light of advancement and potential extensive use of medication design and therapy, new bis(cyanoacrylamides) incorporating sulphamethoxazole derivatives (7 a-7 f) were synthesized and confirmed by different spectral tools. In vitro anticancer activity towards different human cancer cells (HCT116, MDA-MB-231 and A549) was assessed using MTT assay. Among all derivatives, 4C- and 6C-spacer derivatives (7 e and 7 f) had the most potent growth inhibitory activities against HCT116 cells with IC50 values of 39.7 and 28.5 μM, respectively. 7 e and 7 f induced apoptosis and suppressed migration of HCT116 cells. These compounds also induced a significant increase in caspase-3 and CDH1 activities, and a downregulation of Bcl2 using ELISA. pBR322 DNA cleavage activities of cyanoacrylamides were determined using agarose gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, 7 e and 7 f showed good DNA and BSA binding affinities using different spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, molecular docking for 7 e and 7 f was performed to anticipate their binding capabilities toward various proteins (Bcl2, CDH1 and BSA). The docking results were well correlated with those of experimental results. Additionally, density functional theory and ADMET study were performed to evaluate the molecular and pharmacokinetic features of 7 e and 7 f, respectively. Thus, this work reveals promising antitumor lead compounds that merit future research and activity enhancement.

Electroanalysis in Pharmacogenomic Studies: Mechanisms of Drug Interaction with DNA

The review discusses electrochemical methods for analysis of drug interactions with DNA. The electroanalysis method is based on the registration of interaction-induced changes in the electrochemical oxidation potential of heterocyclic nitrogenous bases in the DNA molecule and in the maximum oxidation current amplitude. The mechanisms of DNA-drug interactions can be identified based on the shift in the electrooxidation potential of heterocyclic nitrogenous bases toward more negative (cathodic) or positive (anodic) values. Drug intercalation into DNA shifts the electrochemical oxidation potential to positive values, indicating thermodynamically unfavorable process that hinders oxidation of nitrogenous bases in DNA. The potential shift toward the negative values indicates electrostatic interactions, e.g., drug binding in the DNA minor groove, since this process does not interfere with the electrochemical oxidation of bases. The concentration-dependent decrease in the intensity of electrochemical oxidation of DNA bases allows to quantify the type of interaction and calculate the binding constants.

Nanoparticles design considerations to co-deliver nucleic acids and anti-cancer drugs for chemoresistance reversal

Chemoresistance and hence the consequent treatment failure is considerably challenging in clinical cancer therapeutics. The understanding of the genetic variations in chemoresistance acquisition encouraged the use of gene modulatory approaches to restore anti-cancer drug efficacy. Many smart nanoparticles are designed and optimized to mediate combinational therapy between nucleic acid and anti-cancer drugs. This review aims to define a rational design of such co-loaded nanocarriers with the aim of chemoresistance reversal at various cellular levels to improve the therapeutic outcome of anticancer treatment. Going through the principles of therapeutics loading, physicochemical characteristics tuning, and different nanocarrier modifications, also looking at combination effectiveness on chemosensitivity restoration. Up to now, these emerging nanocarriers are in development status but are expected to introduce outstanding outcomes.

Principles and Applications of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification to Point-of-Care Tests

For the identification of nucleic acids, which are important biomarkers of pathogen-mediated diseases and viruses, the gold standard for NA-based diagnostic applications is polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, the requirements of PCR limit its application as a rapid point-of-care diagnostic technique. To address the challenges associated with regular PCR, many isothermal amplification methods have been developed to accurately detect NAs. Isothermal amplification methods enable NA amplification without changes in temperature with simple devices, as well as faster amplification times compared with regular PCR. Of the isothermal amplifications, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is the most studied because it amplifies NAs rapidly and specifically. This review describes the principles of LAMP, the methods used to monitor the process of LAMP, and examples of biosensors that detect the amplicons of LAMP. In addition, current trends in the application of LAMP to smartphones and self-diagnosis systems for point-of-care tests are also discussed.

TIR domains of plant immune receptors are 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP synthetases mediating cell death

2',3'-cAMP is a positional isomer of the well-established second messenger 3',5'-cAMP, but little is known about the biology of this noncanonical cyclic nucleotide monophosphate (cNMP). Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors have the NADase function necessary but insufficient to activate plant immune responses. Here, we show that plant TIR proteins, besides being NADases, act as 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP synthetases by hydrolyzing RNA/DNA. Structural data show that a TIR domain adopts distinct oligomers with mutually exclusive NADase and synthetase activity. Mutations specifically disrupting the synthetase activity abrogate TIR-mediated cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb), supporting an important role for these cNMPs in TIR signaling. Furthermore, the Arabidopsis negative regulator of TIR-NLR signaling, NUDT7, displays 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP but not 3',5'-cAMP/cGMP phosphodiesterase activity and suppresses cell death activity of TIRs in Nb. Our study identifies a family of 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP synthetases and establishes a critical role for them in plant immune responses.

Molecular structure, DNA binding mode, photophysical properties and recommendations for use of SYBR Gold

SYBR Gold is a commonly used and particularly bright fluorescent DNA stain, however, its chemical structure is unknown and its binding mode to DNA remains controversial. Here, we solve the structure of SYBR Gold by NMR and mass spectrometry to be [2-[N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-propylamino]-4-[2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-(benzo-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-methylidene]-1-phenyl-quinolinium] and determine its extinction coefficient. We quantitate SYBR Gold binding to DNA using two complementary approaches. First, we use single-molecule magnetic tweezers (MT) to determine the effects of SYBR Gold binding on DNA length and twist. The MT assay reveals systematic lengthening and unwinding of DNA by 19.1° ± 0.7° per molecule upon binding, consistent with intercalation, similar to the related dye SYBR Green I. We complement the MT data with spectroscopic characterization of SYBR Gold. The data are well described by a global binding model for dye concentrations ≤2.5 μM, with parameters that quantitatively agree with the MT results. The fluorescence increases linearly with the number of intercalated SYBR Gold molecules up to dye concentrations of ∼2.5 μM, where quenching and inner filter effects become relevant. In summary, we provide a mechanistic understanding of DNA-SYBR Gold interactions and present practical guidelines for optimal DNA detection and quantitative DNA sensing applications using SYBR Gold.

Interaction of synthetic antimicrobial peptides of the Hylin a1 family with models of eukaryotic structures: Zwitterionic membranes and DNA

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been appointed as a possible alternative to traditional antibiotics in face of pathogens increasing resistance to conventional drugs. Hylin a1 (IFGAILPLALGALKNLIK), an AMP extracted from the skin secretion of a South American frog, Hypsiboas albopunctatus, was found to show a strong cytotoxicity against bacteria and fungus, but also a considerable hemolytic action. Considering the toxicity of the peptide in eukaryotic cells, this work focuses on investigating the effects of the interaction of the Hylin a1 analogues W⁶Hya1, D⁰W⁶Hya1 and K⁰W⁶Hya1 with models of eukaryotic structures, namely zwitterionic liposomes of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA). Through intrinsic Trp fluorescence we determined that the peptide affinity for fluid DPPC bilayers follows the decreasing order: D⁰W⁶Hya1 (+2) > W⁶Hya1 (+3) » K⁰W⁶Hya1 (+4). Fluorescence data also indicate that the Trp residue in the more positively charged peptide, K⁰W⁶Hya1, is less deep in the bilayer than the residue in the other two peptides. This finding is supported by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data, which shows that both D⁰W⁶Hya1 and W⁶Hya1 disturb DPPC gel-fluid transition slightly more effectively than K⁰W⁶Hya1. DPPC DSC profiles are homogeneously disturbed by the three peptides, probably related to peptide-membrane diffusion. Surprisingly, the peptide that displays the lowest affinity for PC membranes and is located at the more superficial position in the bilayer, K⁰W⁶Hya1, is the most efficient in causing formation of pores on the membrane, as attested by carboxyfluorescein leakage assays. The three peptides were found to interact with CT DNA, with a deep penetration of the Trp residue into hydrophobic pockets of the double helix, as indicated by the significant blue shift on the Trp fluorescence, and the displacement of DNA-bound ethidium bromide by the peptides. The experiments of DNA electrophoresis confirm that Hylin peptides bind DNA in a concentration-dependent manner, inducing complete DNA retardation at the relative AMP/plasmid DNA weight ratio of ~17. These findings could help to better understand the AMPs toxic effects on eukaryotic cells, thus contributing to the design of healthier therapeutic agents.

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AMP Hylin a1 analogues bind to both a model of eukaryotic membrane and DNA.

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The most cationic peptide has lowest affinity to PC vesicle and shallower binding.

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Peptide lower bilayer affinity is related to greater vesicle disruption and leakage.

•AMP hylin a1 analogues deep penetrate into hydrophobic pockets of CT-DNA double helix.

Pixantrone anticancer drug as a DNA ligand: Depicting the mechanism of action at single molecule level

In this work we use single molecule force spectroscopy performed with optical tweezers in order to characterize the complexes formed between the anticancer drug Pixantrone (PIX) and the DNA molecule, at two very different ionic strengths. Firstly, the changes of the mechanical properties of the DNA-PIX complexes were studied as a function of the drug concentration in the sample. Then, a quenched-disorder statistical model of ligand binding was used in order to determine the physicochemical (binding) parameters of the DNA-PIX interaction. In particular, we have found that the PIX molecular mechanism of action involves intercalation into the double helix, followed by a significant compaction of the DNA molecule due to partial neutralization of the phosphate backbone. Finally, this scenario of interaction was quantitatively compared to that found for the related drug Mitoxantrone (MTX), which binds to DNA with a considerably higher equilibrium binding constant and promotes a much stronger DNA compaction. The comparison performed between the two drugs can bring clues to the development of new (and more efficient) related compounds.

ZYH005, a novel DNA intercalator, overcomes all-trans retinoic acid resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Despite All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has transformed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) from the most fatal to the most curable hematological cancer, there remains a clinical challenge that many high-risk APL patients who fail to achieve a complete molecular remission or relapse and become resistant to ATRA. Herein, we report that 5-(4-methoxyphenethyl)-[1, 3] dioxolo [4, 5-j] phenanthridin-6(5H)-one (ZYH005) exhibits specific anticancer effects on APL and ATRA-resistant APL in vitro and vivo, while shows negligible cytotoxic effect on non-cancerous cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors. Using single-molecule magnetic tweezers and molecule docking, we demonstrate that ZYH005 is a DNA intercalator. Further mechanistic studies show that ZYH005 triggers DNA damage, and caspase-dependent degradation of the PML-RARa fusion protein. As a result, APL and ATRA-resistant APL cells underwent apoptosis upon ZYH005 treatment and this apoptosis-inducing effect is even stronger than that of arsenic trioxide and anticancer agents including 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin and doxorubicin. Moreover, ZYH005 represses leukemia development in vivo and prolongs the survival of both APL and ATRA-resistant APL mice. To our knowledge, ZYH005 is the first synthetic phenanthridinone derivative, which functions as a DNA intercalator and can serve as a potential candidate drug for APL, particularly for ATRA-resistant APL.

Control of Periodic Zigzag Structures of DNA by a Simple Shearing Method

A periodic zigzag structure of DNA material is successfully fabricated by a simple shearing method. The periodicity of the pattern can be finely controlled by combining the mechanical shearing method with topographic patterns of microchannels. The resultant zigzag patterns can be used as a template to control the alignment of rod-like liquid crystals due to its highly regular periodicity.

Quantifying the Interactions between PEI and Double-Stranded DNA: Toward the Understanding of the Role of PEI in Gene Delivery

Poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) is one of the most efficient nonviral vectors, and its binding mode/strength with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), which is still not clear, is a core area of transfection studies. In this work we used the atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) to detect the interaction between branched PEI and dsDNA quantitatively by using a long chain DNA as a probe. Our results indicate that PEI binds to phosphoric acid skeletons of dsDNA mainly via electrostatic interactions, no obvious groove-binding or intercalation has happened. The interaction strength is about 24-25 pN, and it remains unchanged at pH 5.0 and 7.4, which correspond to the pH values in lysosomes and in the cytoplasmic matrix, respectively. However, the interaction is found to be sensitive to the ionic strength of the environment. In addition, the unbinding force shows no obvious loading rate dependence indicative of equilibrium binding/unbinding.

Discriminating Intercalative Effects of Threading Intercalator Nogalamycin, from Classical Intercalator Daunomycin, Using Single Molecule Atomic Force Spectroscopy

DNA threading intercalators are a unique class of intercalating agents, albeit little biophysical information is available on their intercalative actions. Herein, the intercalative effects of nogalamycin, which is a naturally-occurring DNA threading intercalator, have been investigated by high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectroscopy (AFS). The results have been compared with those of the well-known chemotherapeutic drug daunomycin, which is a non-threading classical intercalator bearing structural similarity to nogalamycin. A comparative AFM assessment revealed a greater increase in DNA contour length over the entire incubation period of 48 h for nogalamycin treatment, whereas the contour length increase manifested faster in case of daunomycin. The elastic response of single DNA molecules to an externally applied force was investigated by the single molecule AFS approach. Characteristic mechanical fingerprints in the overstretching behaviour clearly distinguished the nogalamycin/daunomycin-treated dsDNA from untreated dsDNA—the former appearing less elastic than the latter, and the nogalamycin-treated DNA distinguished from the daunomycin-treated DNA—the classically intercalated dsDNA appearing the least elastic. A single molecule AFS-based discrimination of threading intercalation from the classical type is being reported for the first time.

Mechanisms of small molecule-DNA interactions probed by single-molecule force spectroscopy

There is a wide range of applications for non-covalent DNA binding ligands, and optimization of such interactions requires detailed understanding of the binding mechanisms. One important class of these ligands is that of intercalators, which bind DNA by inserting aromatic moieties between adjacent DNA base pairs. Characterizing the dynamic and equilibrium aspects of DNA-intercalator complex assembly may allow optimization of DNA binding for specific functions. Single-molecule force spectroscopy studies have recently revealed new details about the molecular mechanisms governing DNA intercalation. These studies can provide the binding kinetics and affinity as well as determining the magnitude of the double helix structural deformations during the dynamic assembly of DNA–ligand complexes. These results may in turn guide the rational design of intercalators synthesized for DNA-targeted drugs, optical probes, or integrated biological self-assembly processes. Herein, we survey the progress in experimental methods as well as the corresponding analysis framework for understanding single molecule DNA binding mechanisms. We discuss briefly minor and major groove binding ligands, and then focus on intercalators, which have been probed extensively with these methods. Conventional mono-intercalators and bis-intercalators are discussed, followed by unconventional DNA intercalation. We then consider the prospects for using these methods in optimizing conventional and unconventional DNA-intercalating small molecules.

Unraveling the physical chemistry and the mixed binding modes of complex DNA ligands by single molecule stretching experiments

In this work we present a complete methodology to unravel the physical chemistry and the mixed binding modes of complex DNA ligands.

Force-dependent persistence length of DNA-intercalator complexes measured in single molecule stretching experiments

By using optical tweezers with an adjustable trap stiffness, we have performed systematic single molecule stretching experiments with two types of DNA-intercalator complexes, in order to investigate the effects of the maximum applied forces on the mechanical response of such complexes. We have explicitly shown that even in the low-force entropic regime the persistence length of the DNA-intercalator complexes is strongly force-dependent, although such behavior is not exhibited by bare DNA molecules. We discuss the possible physicochemical effects that can lead to such results. In particular, we propose that the stretching force can promote partial denaturation on the highly distorted double-helix of the DNA-intercalator complexes, which interfere strongly in the measured values of the persistence length.

Investigation of the binding modes between AIE-active molecules and dsDNA by single molecule force spectroscopy

AIE (aggregation-induced emission)-active molecules hold promise for the labeling of biomolecules as well as living cells. The study of the binding modes of such molecules to biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, will shed light on a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of molecular interactions and eventually facilitate the design/preparation of new AIE-active bioprobes. Herein, we studied the binding modes of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with two types of synthetic AIE-active molecules, namely, tetraphenylethene-derived dicationic compounds (cis-TPEDPy and trans-TPEDPy) and anthracene-derived dicationic compounds (DSAI and DSABr-C6) using single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The experimental data indicate that DSAI can strongly intercalate into DNA base pairs, while DSABr-C6 is unable to intercalate into DNA due to the steric hindrance of the alkyl side chains. Cis-TPEDPy and trans-TPEDPy can also intercalate into DNA base pairs, but the binding shows strong ionic strength dependence. Multiple binding modes of TPEDPy with dsDNA have been discussed. In addition, the electrostatic interaction enhanced intercalation of cis-TPEDPy with dsDNA has also been revealed.

Extracting physical chemistry from mechanics: a new approach to investigate DNA interactions with drugs and proteins in single molecule experiments

In this review we focus on the idea of establishing connections between the mechanical properties of DNA–ligand complexes and the physical chemistry of DNA–ligand interactions.

Single molecule DNA intercalation in continuous homogenous elongational flow

Sequence-nonspecific staining of DNA with intercalating fluorophores is required for fluorescence-based length estimation of elongated DNA in optical mapping techniques. However, the observed length of a DNA molecule is affected by the relative concentrations of DNA and dye. In some applications, predetermination of DNA concentration may not be possible. Here we present a microfluidic approach in which individual DNA molecules are entrained by converging laminar sheath flows containing the intercalating dye PO-PRO-1. This provides uniform staining regardless of DNA concentration, and uniform elastic stretching of DNA in continuous elongational flow. On-chip intercalation provides a unique process for concentration-independent staining of long DNA fragments for the optical mapping method Genome Sequence Scanning (GSS), and normalizes intramolecular elasticity across a broad range of molecule lengths. These advances permit accurate mapping of observed molecules to sequence derived templates, thus improving detection of complex bacterial mixtures using GSS.

Direct force measurement of single DNA-peptide interactions using atomic force microscopy

The selective interactions between DNA and miniature (39 residues) engineered peptide were directly measured at the single-molecule level by using atomic force microscopy. This peptide (p007) contains an α-helical recognition site similar to leucine zipper GCN4 and specifically recognizes the ATGAC sequence in the DNA with nanomolar affinity. The average rupture force was 42.1 pN, which is similar to the unbinding forces of the digoxigenin-antidigoxigenin complex, one of the strongest interactions in biological systems. The single linear fit of the rupture forces versus the logarithm of pulling rates showed a single energy barrier with a transition state located at 0.74 nm from the bound state. The smaller koff compared with that of other similar systems was presumably due to the increased stability of the helical structure by putative folding residues in p007. This strong sequence-specific DNA-peptide interaction has a potential to be utilized to prepare well-defined mechanically stable DNA-protein hybrid nanostructures.

Non-covalent duplex to duplex crosslinking of DNA in solution revealed by single molecule force spectroscopy

Small molecules that interact with DNA, disrupting the binding of transcription factors or crosslinking DNA into larger structures, have significant potential as cancer therapies and in nanotechnology. Bisintercalators, including natural products such as echinomycin and rationally designed molecules such as the bis-9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamides, are key examples. There is little knowledge of the propensity of these molecules to crosslink duplex DNA. Here we use single molecule force spectroscopy to assay the crosslinking capabilities of bisintercalators. We show that bis-9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamides with both rigid and flexible linkers are able to crosslink duplex strands of DNA, and estimate the equilibrium free energy of a 9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide bisintercalator from DNA at 5.03 kJ mol(-1). Unexpectedly, we find that echinomycin and its synthetic analogue TANDEM are capable of sequence-specific crosslinking of the terminal base pairs of two duplex DNA strands. In the crowded environment of the nucleosome, small molecules that crosslink neighbouring DNA strands may be expected to have significant effects on transcription, while a small molecule that facilitates sequence-specific blunt-end ligation of DNA may find applications in the developing field of DNA nanotechnology.

Analysis of DNA interactions using single-molecule force spectroscopy

Protein-DNA interactions are involved in many biochemical pathways and determine the fate of the corresponding cell. Qualitative and quantitative investigations on these recognition and binding processes are of key importance for an improved understanding of biochemical processes and also for systems biology. This review article focusses on atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force spectroscopy and its application to the quantification of forces and binding mechanisms that lead to the formation of protein-DNA complexes. AFM and dynamic force spectroscopy are exciting tools that allow for quantitative analysis of biomolecular interactions. Besides an overview on the method and the most important immobilization approaches, the physical basics of the data evaluation is described. Recent applications of AFM-based force spectroscopy to investigate DNA intercalation, complexes involving DNA aptamers and peptide- and protein-DNA interactions are given.

Torsional sensing of small-molecule binding using magnetic tweezers

DNA-binding small molecules are widespread in the cell and heavily used in biological applications. Here, we use magnetic tweezers, which control the force and torque applied to single DNAs, to study three small molecules: ethidium bromide (EtBr), a well-known intercalator; netropsin, a minor-groove binding anti-microbial drug; and topotecan, a clinically used anti-tumor drug. In the low-force limit in which biologically relevant torques can be accessed (<10 pN), we show that ethidium intercalation lengthens DNA ∼1.5-fold and decreases the persistence length, from which we extract binding constants. Using our control of supercoiling, we measure the decrease in DNA twist per intercalation to be 27.3 ± 1° and demonstrate that ethidium binding delays the accumulation of torsional stress in DNA, likely via direct reduction of the torsional modulus and torque-dependent binding. Furthermore, we observe that EtBr stabilizes the DNA duplex in regimes where bare DNA undergoes structural transitions. In contrast, minor groove binding by netropsin affects neither the contour nor persistence length significantly, yet increases the twist per base of DNA. Finally, we show that topotecan binding has consequences similar to those of EtBr, providing evidence for an intercalative binding mode. These insights into the torsional consequences of ligand binding can help elucidate the effects of small-molecule drugs in the cellular environment.

Biophysical characterization of DNA binding from single molecule force measurements

Single molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful method that uses the mechanical properties of DNA to explore DNA interactions. Here we describe how DNA stretching experiments quantitatively characterize the DNA binding of small molecules and proteins. Small molecules exhibit diverse DNA binding modes, including binding into the major and minor grooves and intercalation between base pairs of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Histones bind and package dsDNA, while other nuclear proteins such as high mobility group proteins bind to the backbone and bend dsDNA. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding proteins slide along dsDNA to locate and stabilize ssDNA during replication. Other proteins exhibit binding to both dsDNA and ssDNA. Nucleic acid chaperone proteins can switch rapidly between dsDNA and ssDNA binding modes, while DNA polymerases bind both forms of DNA with high affinity at distinct binding sites at the replication fork. Single molecule force measurements quantitatively characterize these DNA binding mechanisms, elucidating small molecule interactions and protein function.

An improved measurement of dsDNA elasticity using AFM

The mechanical properties of a small fragment (30 bp) of an individual double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) in water have been investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We have stretched three systems including ssDNA, double-fixed dsDNA (one strand of the dsDNA molecules was biotinylated at the 3'-end and thiolated at the 5'-end, this was reversed for the other complementary strand) and single-fixed dsDNA (one strand of the dsDNA molecules was biotinylated at the 3'-end and thiolated at the 5'-end, whereas the other complementary strand was biotinylated at only the 5'-end). The achieved thiolation and biotinylation were to bind ds- or ssDNA to the gold surface and streptavidin-coated AFM tip, respectively. Analysis of the force versus displacement (F-D) curves from tip-DNA-substrate systems shows that the pull-off length (L(o)) and stretch length (delta) from the double-fixed system were shorter than those observed in the ssDNA and the single-fixed system. The obtained stretch force (F(st)) from the single-fixed dsDNA was much greater than that from the ssDNA even though it was about 10 pN greater than the one obtained in the double-fixed system. As a result, the Young's modulus of the double-fixed dsDNA was greater than that of the single-fixed dsDNA and the ssDNA. A more reliable stiffness of the dsDNA was observed via the double-fixed system, since there is no effect of the unpaired molecules during stretching, which always occurred in the single-fixed system. The unpaired molecules were also observed by comparing the stiffness of ssDNA and single-fixed dsDNA in which the end of one strand was left free.

Nanoparticles targeted with NGR motif deliver c-myc siRNA and doxorubicin for anticancer therapy

We have designed a PEGylated LPD (liposome-polycation-DNA) nanoparticle for systemic, specific, and efficient delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) into solid tumors in mice by modification with NGR (aspargine-glycine-arginine) peptide, targeting aminopeptidase N (CD13) expressed in the tumor cells or tumor vascular endothelium. LPD-PEG-NGR efficiently delivered siRNA to the cytoplasm and downregulated the target gene in the HT-1080 cells but not CD13(-) HT-29 cells, whereas nanoparticles containing a control peptide, LPD-PEG-ARA, showed only little siRNA uptake and gene silencing activity. LPD-PEG-NGR efficiently delivered siRNA into the cytoplasm of HT-1080 xenograft tumor 4 hours after intravenous injection. Three daily injections (1.2 mg/kg) of c-myc siRNA formulated in the LPD-PEG-NGR effectively suppressed c-myc expression and triggered cellular apoptosis in the tumor, resulting in a partial tumor growth inhibition. When doxorubicin (DOX) and siRNA were co-formulated in LPD-PEG-NGR, an enhanced therapeutic effect was observed.

Interaction of oxazole yellow dyes with DNA studied with hybrid optical tweezers and fluorescence microscopy

We have integrated single molecule fluorescence microscopy imaging into an optical tweezers set-up and studied the force extension behavior of individual DNA molecules in the presence of various YOYO-1 and YO-PRO-1 concentrations. The fluorescence modality was used to record fluorescent images during the stretching and relaxation cycle. Force extension curves recorded in the presence of either dye did not show the overstretching transition that is characteristic for bare DNA. Using the modified wormlike chain model to curve-fit the force extension data revealed a contour length increase of 6% and 30%, respectively, in the presence of YO-PRO-1 and YOYO-1 at 100 nM. The fluorescence images recorded simultaneously showed that the number of bound dye molecules increased as the DNA molecule was stretched and decreased again as the force on the complex was lowered. The binding constants and binding site sizes for YO-PRO-1 and YOYO-1 were determined as a function of the force. The rate of YO-PRO-1 binding and unbinding was found to be 2 orders of magnitude larger than that for YOYO-1. A kinetic model is proposed to explain this observation.

Hydration and conformational mechanics of single, end-tethered elastin-like polypeptides

We investigated the effect of temperature, ionic strength, solvent polarity, and type of guest residue on the force-extension behavior of single, end-tethered elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs), using single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). ELPs are stimulus-responsive polypeptides that contain repeats of the five amino acids Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly (VPGXG), where Xaa is a guest residue that can be any amino acid with the exception of proline. We fitted the force-extension data with a freely jointed chain (FJC) model which allowed us to resolve small differences in the effective Kuhn segment length distributions that largely arise from differences in the hydrophobic hydration behavior of ELP. Our results agree qualitatively with predictions from recent molecular dynamics simulations and demonstrate that hydrophobic hydration modulates the molecular elasticity for ELPs. Furthermore, our results show that SMFS, when combined with our approach for data analysis, can be used to study the subtleties of polypeptide-water interactions and thus provides a basis for the study of hydrophobic hydration in intrinsically unstructured biomacromolecules.

Single-molecule atomic force spectroscopy reveals that DnaD forms scaffolds and enhances duplex melting

The Bacillus subtilis DnaD is an essential DNA-binding protein implicated in replication and DNA remodeling. Using single-molecule atomic force spectroscopy, we have studied the interaction of DnaD and its domains with DNA. Our data reveal that binding of DnaD to immobilized single molecules of duplex DNA causes a marked reduction in the 'end-to-end' distance of the DNA in a concentration-dependent manner, consistent with previously reported DnaD-induced looping by scaffold formation. Native DnaD enhances partial melting of the DNA strands. The C-terminal domain (Cd) of DnaD binds to DNA and enhances partial duplex melting but does not cause DNA looping. The Cd-mediated melting is not as efficient as that caused by native DnaD. The N-terminal domain (Nd) does not affect significantly the DNA. A mixture of Nd and Cd fails to recreate the DNA looping effect of native DnaD but produces exactly the same effects as Cd on its own, consistent with the previously reported failure of the separated domains to form DNA-interacting scaffolds.

Parallel manipulation of bifunctional DNA molecules on structured surfaces using kinesin-driven microtubules

We have developed a technique to manipulate bifunctional DNA molecules: One end is thiolated to bind to a patterned gold surface and the other end is biotinylated to bind to a microtubule gliding over a kinesin-coated surface. We found that DNA molecules can be stretched and overstretched between the gold pads and the motile microtubules, and that they can form dynamic networks. This serves as a proof-of-principle that biological machineries can be used in vitro to accomplish the parallel formation of structured DNA templates that will have applications in biophysics and nanoelectronics.