1
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Blanchard A, Abramov M, Hassan C, Marlière P, Herdewijn P, Pezo V. A microbiological system for screening the interference of XNA monomers with DNA and RNA metabolism. RSC Adv 2023; 13:29862-29865. [PMID: 37842681 PMCID: PMC10568403 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra06172h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We explored the toxicity and mutagenicity of a wide range of xenobiotic nucleoside triphosphates to an Escherichia coli strain equipped with a nucleoside triphosphate transporter. This bacterial test provides a tool to evaluate and guide the synthesis of nucleotides for applications such as the propagation of non-natural genetic information or the selection of potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Blanchard
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux 91057 Evry France
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute Herestraat 49, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Camille Hassan
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux 91057 Evry France
| | - Philippe Marlière
- Theraxen SA 296 route de Longwy L-1940 Luxembourg
- TESSSI 81 Rue Réaumur Paris 75002 France
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute Herestraat 49, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Valérie Pezo
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux 91057 Evry France
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2
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Pallan PS, Lybrand TP, Rozners E, Abramov M, Schepers G, Eremeeva E, Herdewijn P, Egli M. Conformational Morphing by a DNA Analogue Featuring 7-Deazapurines and 5-Halogenpyrimidines and the Origins of Adenine-Tract Geometry. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2854-2867. [PMID: 37694722 PMCID: PMC11062489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Several efforts are currently directed at the creation and cellular implementation of alternative genetic systems composed of pairing components that are orthogonal to the natural dA/dT and dG/dC base pairs. In an alternative approach, Watson-Crick-type pairing is conserved, but one or all of the four letters of the A, C, G, and T alphabet are substituted by modified components. Thus, all four nucleobases were altered to create halogenated deazanucleic acid (DZA): dA was replaced by 7-deaza-2'-deoxyadenosine (dzA), dG by 7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine (dzG), dC by 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (FdC), and dT by 5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine (CldU). This base-pairing system was previously shown to retain function in Escherichia coli. Here, we analyze the stability, hydration, structure, and dynamics of a DZA Dickerson-Drew Dodecamer (DDD) of sequence 5'-FdC-dzG-FdC-dzG-dzA-dzA-CldU-CldU-FdC-dzG-FdC-dzG-3'. Contrary to similar stabilities of DDD and DZA-DDD, osmotic stressing revealed a dramatic loss of hydration for the DZA-DDD relative to that for the DDD. The parent DDD 5'-d(CGCGAATTCGCG)-3' features an A-tract, a run of adenosines uninterrupted by a TpA step, and exhibits a hallmark narrow minor groove. Crystal structures─in the presence of RNase H─and MD simulations show increased conformational plasticity ("morphing") of DZA-DDD relative to that of the DDD. The narrow dzA-tract minor groove in one structure widens to resemble that in canonical B-DNA in a second structure. These changes reflect an indirect consequence of altered DZA major groove electrostatics (less negatively polarized compared to that in DNA) and hydration (reduced compared to that in DNA). Therefore, chemical modifications outside the minor groove that lead to collapse of major groove electrostatics and hydration can modulate A-tract geometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep S Pallan
- School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Terry P Lybrand
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Eriks Rozners
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroedersstraat 10, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Guy Schepers
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroedersstraat 10, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroedersstraat 10, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroedersstraat 10, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Martin Egli
- School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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3
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Yang H, Eremeeva E, Abramov M, Jacquemyn M, Groaz E, Daelemans D, Herdewijn P. CRISPR-Cas9 recognition of enzymatically synthesized base-modified nucleic acids. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1501-1511. [PMID: 36611237 PMCID: PMC9976875 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
An enzymatic method has been successfully established enabling the generation of partially base-modified RNA (previously named RZA) constructs, in which all G residues were replaced by isomorphic fluorescent thienoguanosine (thG) analogs, as well as fully modified RZA featuring thG, 5-bromocytosine, 7-deazaadenine and 5-chlorouracil. The transcriptional efficiency of emissive fully modified RZA was found to benefit from the use of various T7 RNA polymerase variants. Moreover, dthG could be incorporated into PCR products by Taq DNA polymerase together with the other three base-modified nucleotides. Notably, the obtained RNA products containing thG as well as thG together with 5-bromocytosine could function as effectively as natural sgRNAs in an in vitro CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage assay. N1-Methylpseudouridine was also demonstrated to be a faithful non-canonical substitute of uridine to direct Cas9 nuclease cleavage when incorporated in sgRNA. The Cas9 inactivation by 7-deazapurines indicated the importance of the 7-nitrogen atom of purines in both sgRNA and PAM site for achieving efficient Cas9 cleavage. Additional aspects of this study are discussed in relation to the significance of sgRNA-protein and PAM--protein interactions that were not highlighted by the Cas9-sgRNA-DNA complex crystal structure. These findings could expand the impact and therapeutic value of CRISPR-Cas9 and other RNA-based technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Molecular Engineering Group, George Street 2, 4000 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Jacquemyn
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elisabetta Groaz
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,University of Padova, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Dirk Daelemans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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4
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Potowski M, Kunig VBK, Eberlein L, Škopić MK, Vakalopoulos A, Kast SM, Brunschweiger A. Investigations Into Chemically Stabilized Four-Letter DNA for DNA-Encoded Chemistry. Front Chem 2022; 10:894563. [PMID: 35755251 PMCID: PMC9218945 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.894563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA-encoded libraries are a prime technology for target-based small molecule screening. Native DNA used as genetic compound barcode is chemically vulnerable under many reaction conditions. DNA barcodes that are composed of pyrimidine nucleobases, 7-deazaadenine, and 7-deaza-8-azaguanine have been investigated for their suitability for encoded chemistry both experimentally and computationally. These four-letter barcodes were readily ligated by T4 ligation, amplifiable by Taq polymerase, and the resultant amplicons were correctly sequenced. Chemical stability profiling showed a superior chemical stability compared to native DNA, though higher susceptibility to depurination than a three-letter code based on pyrimidine DNA and 7-deazaadenine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Potowski
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Verena B K Kunig
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Lukas Eberlein
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Mateja Klika Škopić
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Alexandros Vakalopoulos
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research and Development, Synthetic Modalities, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Stefan M Kast
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Andreas Brunschweiger
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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5
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Nguyen H, Abramov M, Rozenski J, Eremeeva E, Herdewijn P. In vivo assembly and expression of DNA containing non-canonical bases in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200060. [PMID: 35322918 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Chemically modified nucleic acids are of utmost interest in synthetic biology to create a regulable and sophisticated synthetic system with tailor-made properties. Implanting chemically modified nucleic acids in microorganisms might serve biotechnological applications, while using them in human cells might lead to new advanced medicines. Previously, we reported that a fully modified DNA sequence (called DZA) composed of the four base-modified nucleotides - 7-deaza-adenine, 5-chlorouracil, 7-deaza-guanine and 5-fluorocytosine - could function as a genetic template in prokaryotic cells, Escherichia coli . Here, we report the synthesis of long, partially or fully modified DZA fragments that encode the yeast-enhanced red fluorescence protein (yEmRFP). The DZA sequences were directly introduced in the genome of the eukaryotic cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , via the yeast natural homologous recombination. The simple and straightforward DZA cloning strategy reported herein might be of interest to scientists working in the field of xenobiology in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoai Nguyen
- KU Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research.: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, BELGIUM
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- KU Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, BELGIUM
| | - Jef Rozenski
- KU Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research.: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, BELGIUM
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- KU Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research.: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, BELGIUM
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49 - box 1030, 3000, Leuven, BELGIUM
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6
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Beck KM, Pham RL, Nanim RA, Laustsen A, Nielsen P. Double‐Headed Nucleotides with Increased Base‐Pairing Affinity and Specificity. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202101209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kasper M. Beck
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Robert L. Pham
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Rita A. Nanim
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Anders Laustsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Poul Nielsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
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7
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Potowski M, Kunig VBK, Eberlein L, Vakalopoulos A, Kast SM, Brunschweiger A. Chemisch stabilisierte DNA‐Codes für DNA‐kodierte Chemie. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Potowski
- TU Dortmund University Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Medicinal Chemistry Otto-Hahn-Straße 6 44227 Dortmund Deutschland
| | - Verena B. K. Kunig
- TU Dortmund University Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Medicinal Chemistry Otto-Hahn-Straße 6 44227 Dortmund Deutschland
| | - Lukas Eberlein
- TU Dortmund University Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Physical Chemistry Otto-Hahn-Straße 4a 44227 Dortmund Deutschland
| | | | - Stefan M. Kast
- TU Dortmund University Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Physical Chemistry Otto-Hahn-Straße 4a 44227 Dortmund Deutschland
| | - Andreas Brunschweiger
- TU Dortmund University Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Medicinal Chemistry Otto-Hahn-Straße 6 44227 Dortmund Deutschland
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8
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Potowski M, Kunig VBK, Eberlein L, Vakalopoulos A, Kast SM, Brunschweiger A. Chemically Stabilized DNA Barcodes for DNA-Encoded Chemistry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:19744-19749. [PMID: 34153170 PMCID: PMC8456907 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
DNA‐encoded compound libraries are a widely used small molecule screening technology. One important aim in library design is the coverage of chemical space through structurally diverse molecules. Yet, the chemical reactivity of native DNA barcodes limits the toolbox of reactions for library design. Substituting the chemically vulnerable purines by 7‐deazaadenine, which exhibits tautomerization stability similar to natural adenine with respect to the formation of stable Watson–Crick pairs, yielded ligation‐competent, amplifiable, and readable DNA barcodes for encoded chemistry with enhanced stability against protic acid‐ and metal ion‐promoted depurination. The barcode stability allowed for straightforward translation of 16 exemplary reactions that included isocyanide multicomponent reactions, acid‐promoted Pictet–Spengler and Biginelli reactions, and metal‐promoted pyrazole syntheses on controlled pore glass‐coupled barcodes for diverse DEL design. The Boc protective group of reaction products offered a convenient handle for encoded compound purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Potowski
- TU Dortmund University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Verena B K Kunig
- TU Dortmund University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Lukas Eberlein
- TU Dortmund University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Stefan M Kast
- TU Dortmund University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Andreas Brunschweiger
- TU Dortmund University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
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9
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Beck KM, Ruder L, Nicolai TS, Pham RL, Risgaard NA, Hornum M, Nielsen P. Double‐Headed Nucleotides with Non‐Native Nucleobases: Synthesis and Duplex Studies. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kasper M. Beck
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Linette Ruder
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Tine S. Nicolai
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Robert L. Pham
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Nikolaj A. Risgaard
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Mick Hornum
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
| | - Poul Nielsen
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
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10
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Yang H, Eremeeva E, Abramov M, Herdewijn P. The Network of Replication, Transcription, and Reverse Transcription of a Synthetic Genetic Cassette. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202011887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Medicinal Chemistry Rega Institute for Medical Research KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Box-1041 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- Medicinal Chemistry Rega Institute for Medical Research KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Box-1041 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- Medicinal Chemistry Rega Institute for Medical Research KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Box-1041 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Medicinal Chemistry Rega Institute for Medical Research KU Leuven Herestraat 49, Box-1041 3000 Leuven Belgium
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11
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Yang H, Eremeeva E, Abramov M, Herdewijn P. The Network of Replication, Transcription, and Reverse Transcription of a Synthetic Genetic Cassette. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 60:4175-4182. [PMID: 33142013 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic nucleic acids, with four non-canonical nucleobases, can function as genetic materials. A comprehensive analysis of PCR amplification, transcription, reverse transcription, and cloning was done to screen for alternative genetic monomers. A small library of six modified nucleobases was selected: the modified 2'-deoxyribonucleoside (dZTPs) and ribonucleoside (rZTPs) triphosphates of 7-deaza-adenine, 5-chlorouracil, 7-deaza-guanine or inosine together with 5-fluorocytosine or 5-bromocytosine. The fragments composed of one to four modified nucleotides (denoted as DZA) have been successfully recognized and transcribed to natural or modified RNA (denoted as RZA) by T7 RNA polymerase. The fully modified RZA fragment could be reverse transcribed and then amplified in the presence of various dZTPs. Noticeably, modified fragments could function as genetic templates in vivo by encoding the 678 base pair gene of a fluorescent protein in bacteria. These results demonstrate the existence of a fully simulated genetic circuit that uses synthetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box-1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box-1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box-1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box-1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Duffy K, Arangundy-Franklin S, Holliger P. Modified nucleic acids: replication, evolution, and next-generation therapeutics. BMC Biol 2020; 18:112. [PMID: 32878624 PMCID: PMC7469316 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00803-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Modified nucleic acids, also called xeno nucleic acids (XNAs), offer a variety of advantages for biotechnological applications and address some of the limitations of first-generation nucleic acid therapeutics. Indeed, several therapeutics based on modified nucleic acids have recently been approved and many more are under clinical evaluation. XNAs can provide increased biostability and furthermore are now increasingly amenable to in vitro evolution, accelerating lead discovery. Here, we review the most recent discoveries in this dynamic field with a focus on progress in the enzymatic replication and functional exploration of XNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Duffy
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | | | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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13
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Abstract
To increase the scope of natural biosystem, nucleic acids have been intensively modified. One direction includes the development of a synthetic alternative to the native DNA and RNA, denoted Xenobiotic nucleic acids (XNAs) that are able to store and transfer genetic information either by base-modification or backbone-modification. Another line of research aims to develop alternative third base pair additional to natural A:T and G:C. These unnatural base pairs (UBPs) can store increased information content encoded in three base pairs. This review outlines the recent progress made towards XNA and UBP applications as new components of the genomic DNA as well as biostable aptamers. New achievements in the replacement of a bacterial genome by unnatural non-canonical nucleotides are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Eremeeva
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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14
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Abstract
An efficient PCR amplification of various templates (short 57-mer, random 67- and 82-mer, and long DNA) with base-modified nucleoside triphosphates is presented here. Using 5-substituted pyrimidine and 7-substituted-7-deaza- or 8-substituted purine nucleoside triphosphates as substrates for thermostable DNA polymerases [Taq and Vent (exo- )], successful PCR amplification of partially or entirely modified DNA libraries and long DNA constructs (up to 1.5 kb) is achieved. Visualization of double-stranded PCR product formation is improved through the use of primers with different fluorescent labels. This allows one to monitor the efficiency of modified substrate incorporation and the enzymatic recognition of the modified template during PCR. The redesigned fully base-modified DNA (denoted 'DZA') can be utilized for the straightforward production of diverse libraries for in vitro selection of aptamer and catalytic nucleic acids as well as for the synthesis of artificial genetic templates, replicons, or complex vectors. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Eremeeva
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Leuven, Belgium
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15
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Non canonical genetic material. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018; 57:25-33. [PMID: 30554069 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
To increase the scope of natural biosystem, nucleic acids have been intensively modified. One direction includes the development of a synthetic alternative to the native DNA and RNA, denoted Xenobiotic nucleic acids (XNAs) that are able to store and transfer genetic information either by base-modification or backbone-modification. Another line of research aims to develop alternative third base pair additional to natural A:T and G:C. These unnatural base pairs (UBPs) can store increased information content encoded in three base pairs. This review outlines the recent progress made towards XNA and UBP applications as new components of the genomic DNA as well as biostable aptamers. New achievements in the replacement of a bacterial genome by unnatural non-canonical nucleotides are also described.
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16
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Röthlisberger P, Levi-Acobas F, Sarac I, Marlière P, Herdewijn P, Hollenstein M. On the enzymatic incorporation of an imidazole nucleotide into DNA. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 15:4449-4455. [PMID: 28485736 DOI: 10.1039/c7ob00858a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The expansion of the genetic alphabet with an additional, artificial base pair is of high relevance for numerous applications in synthetic biology. The enzymatic construction of metal base pairs is an alluring strategy that would ensure orthogonality to canonical nucleic acids. So far, very little is known on the enzymatic fabrication of metal base pairs. Here, we report on the synthesis and the enzymatic incorporation of an imidazole nucleotide into DNA. The imidazole nucleotide dIm is known to form highly stable dIm-Ag+-dIm artificial base pairs that cause minimal structural perturbation of DNA duplexes and was considered to be an ideal candidate for the enzymatic construction of metal base pairs. We demonstrate that dImTP is incorporated with high efficiency and selectivity opposite a templating dIm nucleotide by the Kf exo-. The presence of Mn2+, and to a smaller extent Ag+, enhances the efficiency of this polymerization reaction, however, without being strictly required. In addition, multiple incorporation events could be observed, albeit with modest efficiency. We demonstrate that the dIm-Mn+-dIm cannot be constructed by DNA polymerases and suggest that parameters other than stability of a metal base pair and its impact on the structure of DNA duplexes govern the enzymatic formation of artificial metal base pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Röthlisberger
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR 3523, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
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17
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Gasse C, Zaarour M, Noppen S, Abramov M, Marlière P, Liekens S, De Strooper B, Herdewijn P. Modulation of BACE1 Activity by Chemically Modified Aptamers. Chembiochem 2018; 19:754-763. [PMID: 29327496 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A modified DNA aptamer that binds BACE1, a therapeutic target involved in Alzheimer's disease has been developed. This ssXNA not only tightly binds to BACE1 but also inhibits its protease activity in vitro in the same range as a previously described unmodified aptamer. We report the in vitro selection of functional oligonucleotides incorporating two nucleobase modifications: 5-chlorouracil and 7-deazaadenine. The nucleoside analogue 5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine has already been explored as a replacement for thymidine in a chemically modified genome of a bacterium. Thus, 5-chlorouracil modification is a good candidate to support genetic transfer in vivo as well as functional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Gasse
- Univ Evry, CNRS-UMR8030-Laboratoire iSSB, CEA, DRF, IG, Genoscope, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, Évry, 91030, France
| | - Marwa Zaarour
- Univ Evry, CNRS-UMR8030-Laboratoire iSSB, CEA, DRF, IG, Genoscope, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, Évry, 91030, France
| | - Sam Noppen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Postbus 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Marlière
- The European Syndicate of Synthetic Scientists and Industrialists (TESSI), 81 rue Réaumur, 75002, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Liekens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Postbus 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Institute for Neuroscience and Disease, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Dementia Research Institute (UK), University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, London, UK
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Univ Evry, CNRS-UMR8030-Laboratoire iSSB, CEA, DRF, IG, Genoscope, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, Évry, 91030, France.,Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Eremeeva E, Abramov M, Margamuljana L, Herdewijn P. Base-Modified Nucleic Acids as a Powerful Tool for Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology. Chemistry 2017; 23:9560-9576. [PMID: 28513881 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201700679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The ability of various nucleoside triphosphate analogues of deoxyguanosine and deoxycytidine with 7-deazadeoxyadenosine (A1 ) and 5-chlorodeoxyuridine (T1 ) to serve as substrates for Taq DNA polymerase was evaluated. The triphosphate set composed of A1 , T1 , and 7-deazadeoxyguanosine with either 5-methyldeoxycytidine or 5-fluorodeoxycytidine was successfully employed in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of 1.5 kb fragments as well as random oligonucleotide libraries. Another effective combination of triphosphates for the synthesis of a 1 kb PCR product was A1 , T1 , deoxyinosine, and 5-bromodeoxycytidine. In vivo experiments using an antibiotic-resistant gene containing the latter set demonstrated that the bacterial machinery accepts fully modified sequences as genetic templates. Moreover, the ability of the base-modified segments to selectively protect DNA from cleavage by restriction endonucleases was shown. This approach can be used to regulate the endonuclease cleavage pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Eremeeva
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michail Abramov
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lia Margamuljana
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Université d'évry, CNRS-UMR8030/ Laboratoire iSSB, CEA, DRF, IG, Genoscope, Université Paris-Saclay, évry, 91000, Paris, France
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