Conformation of DNA modified at a d(GG) or a d(AG) site by the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

DNA-Destabilizing Agents as an Alternative Approach for Targeting DNA: Mechanisms of Action and Cellular Consequences

DNA targeting drugs represent a large proportion of the actual anticancer drug pharmacopeia, both in terms of drug brands and prescription volumes. Small DNA-interacting molecules share the ability of certain proteins to change the DNA helix's overall organization and geometrical orientation via tilt, roll, twist, slip, and flip effects. In this ocean of DNA-interacting compounds, most stabilize both DNA strands and very few display helix-destabilizing properties. These types of DNA-destabilizing effect are observed with certain mono- or bis-intercalators and DNA alkylating agents (some of which have been or are being developed as cancer drugs). The formation of locally destabilized DNA portions could interfere with protein/DNA recognition and potentially affect several crucial cellular processes, such as DNA repair, replication, and transcription. The present paper describes the molecular basis of DNA destabilization, the cellular impact on protein recognition, and DNA repair processes and the latter's relationships with antitumour efficacy.

Biophysical studies on the stability of DNA intrastrand cross-links of transplatin

Clinically ineffective transplatin [trans-diamminedichloridoplatinum(II)] is used in the studies of the structure-pharmacological activity relationship of platinum compounds. In addition, a number of transplatin analogs exhibit promising toxic effects in several tumor cell lines including those resistant to conventional antitumor cisplatin. Moreover, transplatin-modified oligonucleotides have been shown to be effective modulators of gene expression. Owing to these facts and because DNA is also considered the major pharmacological target of platinum complexes, interactions between transplatin and DNA are of great interest. We examined, using biophysical and biochemical methods, the stability of 1,3-GNG intrastrand cross-links (CLs) formed by transplatin in short synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes and natural double-helical DNA. We have found that transplatin forms in double-helical DNA 1,3-GNG intrastrand CLs, but their stability depends on the sequence context. In some sequences the 1,3-GNG intrastrand CLs formed by transplatin in double-helical DNA readily rearrange into interstrand CLs. On the other hand, in a number of other sequences these intrastrand CLs are relatively stable. We show that the stability of 1,3-GNG intrastrand CLs of transplatin correlates with the extent of conformational distortion and thermodynamic destabilization induced in double-helical DNA by this adduct.

Binding discrimination of MutS to a set of lesions and compound lesions (base damage and mismatch) reveals its potential role as a cisplatin-damaged DNA sensing protein

The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system plays a critical role in sensitizing both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells to the clinically potent anticancer drug cisplatin. It is thought to mediate cytotoxicity through recognition of cisplatin DNA lesions. This drug generates a range of lesions that may also give rise to compound lesions resulting from the misincorporation of a base during translesion synthesis. Using gel mobility shift competition assays and surface plasmon resonance, we have analyzed the interaction of Escherichia coli MutS protein with site-specifically modified DNA oligonucleotides containing each of the four cisplatin cross-links or a set of compound lesions. The major 1,2-d(GpG) cisplatin intrastrand cross-link was recognized with only a 1.5-fold specificity, whereas a 47-fold specificity was found with a natural G/T containing DNA substrate. The rate of association, kon, for binding to the 1,2-d(GpG) adduct was 3.1 x 104 m-1 s-1 and the specificity of binding was essentially dependent on koff. DNA duplexes containing a single 1,2-d(ApG), 1,3-d(GpCpG) adduct, and an interstrand cross-link of cisplatin were not preferentially recognized. Among 12 DNA substrates, each containing a different cisplatin compound lesion derived from replicative misincorporation of one base opposite either of the 1,2-intrastrand adducts, 10 were specifically recognized including those that are more likely formed in vivo based on cisplatin mutation spectra. Moreover, among these lesions, two compound lesions formed when an adenine was misincorporated opposite a 1,2-d(GpG) adduct were not substrates for the MutY-dependent mismatch repair pathway. The ability of MutS to sense differentially various platinated DNA substrates suggests that cisplatin compound lesions formed during misincorporation of a base opposite either adducted base of both 1,2-intrastrand cross-links are more plausible critical lesions for MMR-mediated cisplatin cytotoxicity.

Recognition of cisplatin adducts by cellular proteins

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. It reacts with nucleophilic bases in DNA and forms 1,2-d(ApG), 1,2-d(GpG) and 1,3-d(GpTpG) intrastrand crosslinks, interstrand crosslinks and monofunctional adducts. The presence of these adducts in DNA is through to be responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin. The exact signal transduction pathway that leads to cell cycle arrest and cell death following treatment with the drug is not known but cell death is believed to be mediated by the recognition of the adducts by cellular proteins. Here we describe the structural information available for cisplatin and related platinum adducts, the interactions of the adducts with cellular proteins and the implications of these interactions for cell survival.

Conformation, recognition by high mobility group domain proteins, and nucleotide excision repair of DNA intrastrand cross-links of novel antitumor trinuclear platinum complex BBR3464

The new antitumor trinuclear platinum compound [(trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2))(2)mu-trans-Pt(NH(3))(2)(H(2)N(CH(2))(6)NH(2))(2)](4+) (designated as BBR3464) is currently in phase II clinical trials. DNA is generally considered the major pharmacological target of platinum drugs. As such it is of considerable interest to understand the patterns of DNA damage. The bifunctional DNA binding of BBR3464 is characterized by the rapid formation of long range intra- and interstrand cross-links. We examined how the structures of the various types of the intrastrand cross-links of BBR3464 affect conformational properties of DNA, and how these adducts are recognized by high mobility group 1 protein and removed from DNA during in vitro nucleotide excision repair reactions. The results have revealed that intrastrand cross-links of BBR3464 create a local conformational distortion, but none of these cross-links results in a stable curvature. In addition, we have observed no recognition of these cross-links by high mobility group 1 proteins, but we have observed effective removal of these adducts from DNA by nucleotide excision repair. These results suggest that the processing of the intrastrand cross-links of BBR3464 in tumor cells sensitive to this drug may not be relevant to its antitumor effects. Hence, polynuclear platinum compounds apparently represent a novel class of platinum anticancer drugs acting by a different mechanism than cisplatin and its analogues.

Cisplatin adducts inhibit 1,N(6)-ethenoadenine repair by interacting with the human 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase

The human 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG) is a repair enzyme that removes a number of damaged bases from DNA, including adducts formed by some chemotherapeutic agents. Cisplatin is one of the most widely used anticancer drugs. Its success in killing tumor cells results from its ability to form DNA adducts and the cellular processes triggered by the presence of those adducts in DNA. Variations in tumor response to cisplatin may result from altered expression of cellular proteins that recognize cisplatin adducts. The present study focuses on the interaction between the cisplatin intrastrand cross-links and human AAG. Using site-specifically modified oligonucleotides containing each of the cisplatin intrastrand cross-links, we found that AAG readily recognized cisplatin adducts. The apparent dissociation constants for the 1, 2-d(GpG), the 1,2-d(ApG), and the 1,3-d(GpTpG) oligonucleotides were 115 nM, 71 nM, and 144 nM, respectively. For comparison, the apparent dissociation constant for an oligonucleotide containing a single 1,N(6)-ethenoadenine (epsilonA), which is repaired efficiently by AAG, was 26 nM. Despite the affinity of AAG for cisplatin adducts, AAG was not able to release any of these adducts from DNA. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the presence of cisplatin adducts in the reactions inhibited the excision of epsilonA by AAG. These data suggest a previously unexplored dimension to the toxicological response of cells to cisplatin. We suggest that cisplatin adducts could titrate AAG away from its natural substrates, resulting in higher mutagenesis and/or cell death because of the persistence of AAG substrates in DNA.

DNA damage recognition during nucleotide excision repair in mammalian cells

For the bulk of mammalian DNA, the core protein factors needed for damage recognition and incision during nucleotide excision repair (NER) are the XPA protein, the heterotrimeric RPA protein, the 6 to 9-subunit TFIIH, the XPC-hHR23B complex, the XPG nuclease, and the ERCC1-XPF nuclease. With varying efficiencies, NER can repair a very wide range of DNA adducts, from bulky helical distortions to subtle modifications on sugar residues. Several of the NER factors have an affinity for damaged DNA. The strongest binding factor appears to be XPC-hHR23B but preferential binding to damage is also a property of XPA, RPA, and components of TFIIH. It appears that in order to be repaired by NER, an adduct in DNA must have two features: it must create a helical distortion, and there must be a change in DNA chemistry. Initial recognition of the distortion is the most likely function for XPC-hHR23B and perhaps XPA and RPA, whereas TFIIH is well-suited to locate the damaged DNA strand by locating altered DNA chemistry that blocks translocation of the XPB and XPD components.

Model of the Second Most Abundant Cisplatin-DNA Cross-Link: X-ray Crystal Structure and Conformational Analysis of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO(3)).2H(2)O (9-MeA = 9-Methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-Ethylguanine)

A model compound of the second most abundant DNA adduct of the antitumor agent cisplatin has been synthesized and structurally and spectroscopically characterized and its conformational behavior examined: cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO(3))(2).2H(2)O (9-MeA = 9-methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-ethylguanine) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14) with a = 7.931(2), b = 11.035(3), c = 26.757(6) Å, beta = 94.94(2) degrees, and Z = 4. The two purine bases adopt a head-to-head orientation, with NH(2) of 9-MeA and CO of 9-EtGH being at the same side of the Pt coordination plane. A theoretical conformational analysis of the complex cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(Ade)(Gua)](2+) (Ade = adenine; Gua = guanine) based on molecular mechanics calculations of the nonbonded energy has revealed four minimum-energy zones similar to those derived previously for cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(Gua)(2)](2+) (Kozelka; et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 1992, 205, 895). This conformational analysis has allowed, together with the calculation of chemical shifts due to ring effects, the attribution of the two conformers observed for cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt{d(ApG)}](+) by Dijt et al. (Eur. J. Biochem. 1989, 179, 344) to the two head-to-head conformational zones. The orientation of the two nucleobases in the crystal structure of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA)(9-EtGH)](2+) corresponds, according to our analysis, roughly to that preferentially assumed by the minor rotamer of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt{d(ApG)}](+).

Mutagenic and genotoxic effects of DNA adducts formed by the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

The toxicity and mutagenicity of three DNA adducts formed by the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP or cisplatin) were investigated in Escherichia coli. The adducts studied were cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpG))] (G*G*), cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(ApG))] (A*G*) and cis-[Pt(NH3)2(d(GpTpG))] (G*TG*), which collectively represent approximately 95% of the DNA adducts reported to form when the drug damages DNA. Oligonucleotide 24-mers containing each adduct were positioned at a known site within the viral strand of single stranded M13mp7L2 bacteriophage DNA. Following transfection into E. coli DL7 cells, the genomes containing the G*G*, A*G* and G*TG* adducts had survival levels of 5.2 +/- 1.2, 22 +/- 2.6 and 14 +/- 2.5% respectively, compared to unmodified genomes. Upon SOS induction, the survival of genomes containing the G*G* and A*G* adducts increased to 31 +/- 5.4 and 32 +/- 4.9% respectively. Survival of the genome containing the G*TG* adduct did not increase upon SOS induction. In SOS induced cells, the G*G* and A*G* adducts gave rise predominantly to G-->T and A-->T transversions respectively, targeted to the 5' modified base. In addition, A-->G transitions were detected for the A*G* adduct and low levels of tandem mutations at the 5' modified base as well as the adjacent 5' base were also observed for both adducts. The A*G* adduct was more mutagenic than the G*G* adduct, with a mutation frequency of 6% compared to 1.4% for the latter adduct. No cis-[Pt(NH3)2)2+ intrastrand crosslink-specific mutations were observed for the G*TG* adduct.

Base sequence-independent distorsions induced by interstrand cross-links in cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)-modified DNA

Physico-chemical and immunological studies have been done in order to further characterize the distorsions induced in DNA by the interstrand cross-links formed between the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cis-DDP) and two guanines on the opposite strands of DNA at the d(GC/GC) sites. Bending (45 degrees) and unwinding (79 +/- 4 degrees) were determined from the electrophoretic mobility of multimers of 21- 24-base pairs double-stranded oligonucleotides containing an interstrand cross-link in the central sequence d(TGCT/AGCA). The distorsions induced by the interstrand cross-link in the three 22-base pairs oligonucleotides d(TGCT/AGCA), d(AGCT/AGCT) and d(CGCT/AGCG) were compared by means of gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, phenanthroline-copper footprinting and antibodies specifically directed against cis-DDP interstrand cross-links. The four different technical approaches indicate that the distorsions are independent of the chemical nature of the base pairs adjacent to the interstrand cross-link. The general conclusion is that the interstrand cross-link induces a bending and in particular an unwinding larger than other platinum adducts and the distorsions are independent of the nature of the bases (purine or pyrimidine) adjacent to the d(GC/GC) site.

Protein-DNA interactions and alterations in the DNA structure upon UvrB-DNA preincision complex formation during nucleotide excision repair in Escherichia coli

The UvrB-DNA preincision complex is a key intermediate in the repair of damaged DNA by the UvrABC endonuclease from Escherichia coli. DNaseI footprinting of this complex on DNA with a cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)-N7(1),N7(2)]] adduct provided global information on the protein binding site on this substrate [Visse, R., et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 7609-7617]. By applying a method developed by Fairall and Rhodes [Fairall, L., & Rhodes, D. (1992) Nucleic Acids Res. 20, 4727-4731], who have used the size and shape of DNasI for the interpretation of a footprint, we were able to define in more detail the region where UvrB-DNA interactions in the preincision complex occur. The potential interactions with phosphate groups could be reduced to less then 14 in the damaged and to 12 in the nondamaged strand. The main UvrB-DNA interactions seem restricted to the major groove on both sides of the lesion. As a consequence UvrB crosses the minor groove just downstream of the damage. Such a binding of UvrB orients the protein away from the damage. The more detailed interpretation of UvrB-DNA interactions was supported by methylation protection experiments. The structure of the DNA in the preincision complex formed on cis-[Pt(NH3)2[GpG-N7(1),N7(2)]] is altered as could be shown diethylpyrocarbonate sensitivity of adenines just downstream of the lesion. However the adenines just downstream of another cisplatin adduct, cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpCpG)-N7(1),N7(3)]], did not become diethylpyrocarbonate sensitive in the preincision complex although this complex is incision proficient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of a single intrastrand d(GpG) platinum adduct on the strand separating activity of the Escherichia coli proteins RecB and RecA

RecB and RecA proteins play key roles in the process of DNA recombination in Escherichia coli and both possess DNA unwinding activities which can displace short regions of duplex DNA in an ATP-dependent manner in vitro. We have examined the effect of the most abundant DNA adduct caused by the chemotherapeutic agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) on those activities. For this purpose, we have constructed a partially duplex synthetic oligonucleotide containing the intrastrand d(GpG) crosslink positioned at a specific site. We report here that both the DNA strand separating and DNA-dependent ATPase activities of the RecB protein are inhibited by the d(GpG) cis-DDP adduct. In contrast, neither the unwinding nor the ATPase activities of RecA protein appear to be perturbed by this lesion.

DNA breakage and inactivation resulting from hydroxylamine and/or cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) interactions with plasmid DNA

1. Occurrence of lesions induced in plasmid DNA by cis-DDP and by HA was quantified both as a transforming activity and as conformation integrity of supercoiled pBR322 DNA. Fifty per cent decrease of the biological activity of plasmid DNA, not accompanied by measurable change of DNA conformation, was observed after a single exposure of DNA to cis-DDP (1 hr/37 degrees C). 2. HA induced conversion of supercoiled DNA to other topological forms in a dose-dependent manner. 3. One- and two-strand DNA breaks were determined electrophoretically with high sensitivity. Cis-DDP exposed DNA relaxed at 30 times lower HA concentration compared to intact DNA. 4. This effect may be connected with a local distortion of DNA structure at the cis-DDP--DNA bond, which makes possible high effectivity of HA-DNA interaction. 5. On other hand, biological activity stayed at the 50% level despite breaks induced in DNA. 6. This finding supports the idea that DNA breaks occur at the locations which were modified during the exposure of DNA to cis-DDP. 7. The importance of the DNA structure during interaction with HA may be seen during HA-DNA interaction at heat-denaturation of supercoiled DNA. At this condition, the DNA breaks were induced at 100 times lower concentration of HA. 8. We conclude, on the basis of these results published earlier, that local distortion of supercoiled DNA structure, which is caused by the cis-DDP bond, and the local DNA uncoiling caused by heat-denaturation are related to high HA-DNA reactivity.

Mutagenicity and genotoxicity of the major DNA adduct of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

The mutagenicity and genotoxicity of cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)-N7(1),-N7(2)]] (G*G*), the major DNA adduct of the antitumor drug cisplatin, has been investigated in Escherichia coli. A duplex bacteriophage M13 genome was constructed to contain the G*G* adduct at a specific site in the (-) strand. The singly platinated duplex genome exhibited a survival of 22% relative to that of the unplatinated control genomes, and this value rose to 38% in cells treated with ultraviolet light to induce the SOS response. Singly platinated single-stranded genomes were also produced. Replication of the single- and double-stranded genomes in vivo yielded SOS-dependent, targeted mutations at frequencies of 1.3% and 0.16%, respectively. The mutagenic specificity of G*G* in both single- and double-stranded DNA was striking in that 80-90% of the mutations occurred at the 5'-platinated G. Approximately 80% of the mutations were G-->T transversions at that site. A model of mutagenesis is presented to explain this mutational specificity with respect to current understanding of platinum-DNA adduct structure.

Zinc induces a bend within the transcription factor IIIA-binding region of the 5 S RNA gene

Binding of Zn2+ to the 5 S RNA gene sequence of Xenopus borealis results in strong bending of the DNA, as inferred from transient electric birefringence data. The effect is specific for Zn2+; several other divalent ions are not able to induce a bend of a similar magnitude. Using five different fragments that span the binding sequence, we are able to estimate a bend magnitude of at least 55 degrees centered at base-pair +65 within the gene. This places the bend within the binding domain of the gene-regulatory protein transcription factor (TF) IIIA. Recent evidence has shown that the protein-DNA complex is also bent. Although our data do not allow us directly to link the two bends, our results suggest that TFIIIA could form a folded structure by stabilizing the same bent conformation that is induced by binding of Zn2+. The chemistry of Zn2+ binding to DNA, and the sequence around the bend center, suggest that the bend is most probably caused by joint co-ordination of Zn2+ to the N-7 groups of stacked purine residues.

RNA polymerases react differently at d(ApG) and d(GpG) adducts in DNA modified by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

Two duplexes (20-mers) were constructed containing either a single cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)]] or cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(ApG)]] intrastrand cross-link, the major DNA adducts of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). These synthetic duplexes were multimerized and the resultant polymers used as templates in single-step addition reactions of condensation of a single nucleoside triphosphate substrate to a dinucleotide primer (abortive elongation reaction) catalyzed by prokaryotic or eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Primer-substrate combinations were selected so as to direct trinucleotide product formation within the platinated bases of the templates. Transcription experiments established that cis-DDP-DNA adducts formed at d(ApG) or d(GpG) sites are not an absolute block to formation of a single phosphodiester bond by either Escherichia coli RNA polymerase or wheat germ RNA polymerase II. Furthermore, the kinetic data indicate that single-step addition reactions are much more impeded at the platinated d(GpG) than at the platinated d(ApG) site and that the mechanisms of inhibition of RNA polymerase activity are different at the two platinated sites. In particular, binding affinity between E. coli RNA polymerase and the d(GpG)-containing platinated template is lowered, as the apparent Km of enzyme for the platinated polymer is increased by a factor of 4-5. In contrast, binding affinity between the RNA polymerase and the d(ApG)-containing template is not affected by modification of the d(ApG) site by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). Similar experiments were carried out with synthetic templates containing the adducts at the d(GpG) sites, in which one of the two platinated dG residues is paired with a dT residue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis and characterization of a d(ApG) platinated nonanucleotide duplex

The nonamer 5'd(CTCAGCCTC) 3' 1 has been reacted with cis-diamminediaquaplatinum(II) in water at pH 4.2. The major reaction product was shown by enzymatic digestion and 1H NMR to be the d(ApG)cis-Pt(NH3)2 chelate [cis-Pt(NH3)2[d(CTCAGCCTC)-N7(4),N7(5)]] 1-Pt. When mixed with its complementary strand 2, 1-Pt forms a B DNA type duplex 3-Pt with a Tm of 35 degrees C (versus 58 degrees C for the unplatinated duplex). The NMR study of the exchangeable protons of 3-Pt revealed that the helix distortion is localized on the CA*G*-CTG moiety (the asterisks indicating the platinum chelation sites) with a strong perturbation of the A*(4)T(15) base pair related to a large tilt of A*(4).

Biophysical analysis of DNA modified by 1,2-diaminocyclohexane platinum(II) complexes

Modification of DNA and double-stranded deoxyoligonucleotides with antitumour 1,2-diamino-cyclohexanedinitroplatinum(II) (Pt-dach) complexes was investigated with the aid of physico-chemical methods and chemical probes of nucleic acid conformation. The three Pt-dach complexes were used which differed in isomeric forms of the dach nonleaving ligand-Pt(1R,2R-dach), Pt(1S,2S-dach) and Pt(1R,2S-dach) complexes. The latter complex has lower antitumour activity than the other two Pt-dach complexes. Pt(1R,2S-dach) complex exhibits the slowest kinetics of its binding to DNA and of the conversion of monofunctional binding to bifunctional lesions. The anomalously slow electrophoretic mobility of multimers of the platinated and ligated oligomers suggests that bifunctional binding of Pt-dach complexes to a d(GG) site within double-stranded oligonucleotides induces bending of the oligomer. In addition, chemical probing of double-helical deoxyoligonucleotides modified by the Pt-dach complexes at the d(GG) sites reveals that Pt(1R,2S-dach) complex induces more extensive conformational changes in the oligomer than Pt(1R,2R-dach) and Pt(1S,2S-dach) complexes. It is proposed that different effects of the Pt-dach complexes on DNA observed in this work arise mainly from a steric crowding of the axially oriented cyclohexane ring in the DNA adduct of Pt(1R,2S-dach) complex.

Cisplatin resistance in human cancers

Cancer chemotherapeutic agents primarily act by damaging cellular DNA directly or indirectly. Tumor cells, in contrast to normal cells, respond to cisplatin with transient gene expression to protect and/or repair their chromosomes. Repeated cisplatin treatments results in a stable resistant cell line with enhanced gene expression but lacking gene amplification for the proteins that will limit cisplatin cytotoxicity. Recently, several new human cell lines have been characterized for cisplatin resistance. These cell lines have led to a better understanding of the molecular and biochemical basis of cisplatin resistance. The c-fos proto-oncogene, a master switch for turning on other genes in response to a wide range of stimuli, has been shown to play an important role in cisplatin resistance both in vitro and in patients. Based on these studies, new strategies have been developed to circumvent and/or exploit clinical cisplatin resistance.

Possible catalytic activity of DNA in the reaction between the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and the intercalator N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium

The platinum(II) complex cis-[Pt(NH3)2(N7-N-methyl-2-diazapyrenium)Cl]2+ formed in the reaction between cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium reacts with N7 of guanine residues in DNA. The resulting adduct is kinetically inert within single-stranded DNA. Within double-stranded DNA, it is kinetically inert in 1 M NaClO4 and becomes labile as the salt concentration is decreased. Two products, cis-[Pt(NH3)2(N7-N-methyl-2-diazapyrenium)H2O]3+ and N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium, are released. The conformation of the platinated DNA is different in low- and high-salt conditions as shown by the chemical probe diethyl pyrocarbonate. These results are discussed in relation with a possible catalytic role played by the double-stranded DNA.

The reaction of platinum(II) complexes with DNA. Kinetics of intrastrand crosslink formation in vitro

The kinetics of the formation of bifunctional DNA platinum(II) adducts (DNA-crosslinks) have been investigated by endonuclease digestion and subsequent HPLC analysis of the soluble nucleotides and nucleotide platinum(II) adducts. The results indicate two waves of crosslinking [rate constants (0.2-0.3) min-1 and (0.015-0.025) min-1] that correlate with changes in ultra violet absorbance and ethidium bromide dependent fluorescence intensity, previously interpreted in terms of two consecutive, local conformational rearrangements of platinum-DNA (Schaller, W., Reisner, H., and Holler, E. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 943-950). The formation of crosslinks at sequences d(GpG) and d(GpNpG) follows identical kinetics. A minimal reaction mechanism is proposed for the binding of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) to DNA under in vitro conditions. The approximately 3-fold higher rate for meso-[1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4- hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]diaquaplatinum(II) in comparison to the rate for cis-diamminediaquaplatinum(II) indicates that crosslink formation is affected by the nature of the non-leaving platinum ligand(s).

Local supercoil-stabilized DNA structures

The DNA double helix exhibits local sequence-dependent polymorphism at the level of the single base pair and dinucleotide step. Curvature of the DNA molecule occurs in DNA regions with a specific type of nucleotide sequence periodicities. Negative supercoiling induces in vitro local nucleotide sequence-dependent DNA structures such as cruciforms, left-handed DNA, multistranded structures, etc. Techniques based on chemical probes have been proposed that make it possible to study DNA local structures in cells. Recent results suggest that the local DNA structures observed in vitro exist in the cell, but their occurrence and structural details are dependent on the DNA superhelical density in the cell and can be related to some cellular processes.

A d(GpG)-platinated decanucleotide duplex is kinked. An extended NMR and molecular mechanics study

A conformational study of the double-stranded decanucleotide d(GCCG*G*ATCGC).d(GCGATCCGGC), with the G* guanines chelating a cis-Pt(NH3)2 moiety, has been accomplished using 1H and 31P NMR, and molecular mechanics. Correlation of the NMR data with molecular models has disclosed an equilibrium between several kinked conformations and has ruled out an unkinked structure. The deformation is localized at the CG*G*.CCG trinucleotide where the helix is kinked by approximately 60 degrees towards the major groove and unwound by 12-19 degrees. The models revealed an unexpected mobility of the cytosine complementary to the 5'-G*. This cytosine can stack on either branch of the kinked complementary strand. The energy barrier between the two positions has been calculated to be less than or equal to 12 kJ/mol. The NMR data are in support of rapid flip-flopping of this cytosine. An explanation for the strong downfield shift observed in the 31P resonance of the G*pG* phosphate is given.

Distortions induced in double-stranded oligonucleotides by the binding of cis- or trans-diammine-dichloroplatinum(II) to the d(GTG) sequence

Conformational changes induced in double-stranded oligonucleotides by the binding of trans- or cis-diamminedichloro platinum(II) to the d(GTG) sequence have been characterized by means of melting temperatures, electrophoretic migrations in non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels, reactivities with the artificial nuclease Phenanthroline-copper and with chemical probes. The cis-platinum adduct behaves more as a centre of directed bend than as a hinge joint, the induced bend angle being of the order of 25-30 degrees. The double helix is locally denatured over 2 base pairs (corresponding to the platinated 5'G residue and the central T residue) and is distorted over 4-5 base pairs. The trans-platinum adduct behaves also more as a centre of directed bend than as a hinge joint, the induced bend angle being of the order of 60 degrees. The double helix is locally denatured over 4 base pairs (corresponding to the immediately 5'T residue adjacent to the adduct and to the three base residues of the adduct). Both the cis- and trans-platinum adducts decrease the thermal stability of the double helix.

Single d(ApG)/cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) adduct-induced mutagenesis in Escherichia coli

The mutation spectrum induced by the widely used antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) showed that cisDDP[d(ApG)] adducts, although they account for only 25% of the lesions formed, are approximately 5 times more mutagenic than the major GG adduct. We report the construction of vectors bearing a single cisDDP[d(ApG)] lesion and their use in mutagenesis experiments in Escherichia coli. The mutagenic processing of the lesion is found to depend strictly on induction of the SOS system of the bacterial host cells. In SOS-induced cells, mutation frequencies of 1-2% were detected. All these mutations are targeted to the 5' base of the adduct. Single A----T transversions are mainly observed (80%), whereas A----G transitions account for 10% of the total mutations. Tandem base-pair substitutions involving the adenine residue and the thymine residue immediately 5' to the adduct occur at a comparable frequency (10%). No selective loss of the strand bearing the platinum adduct was seen, suggesting that, in vivo, cisDDP[d(ApG)] adducts are not blocking lesions. The high mutation specificity of cisDDP[d(ApG)]-induced mutagenesis is discussed in relation to structural data.

DNA bending induced by covalently bound drugs. Gel electrophoresis and chemical probe studies

Modification of nucleotide residues arising from the covalent binding of a drug or as a result of irradiation with ultraviolet light can induce distortion of the DNA double helix. The purpose of this review is to show that, from investigation of the electrophoretic mobility of the modified DNA fragments, one can deduce whether the distortions behave more as the centers of directed bends or as hinge joints. It is also demonstrated that chemical probes are a complementary tool for the analysis of distortions at the nucleotide level.