Hexamminecobalt(III)-induced condensation of calf thymus DNA: circular dichroism and hydration measurements

Fine-tuning the cytotoxicity of ruthenium(II) arene compounds to enhance selectivity against breast cancers

Ruthenium-based complexes have been suggested as promising anticancer drugs exhibiting reduced general toxicity compared to platinum-based drugs. In particular, Ru(η6-arene)(PTA)Cl2 (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), or RAPTA, complexes have demonstrated efficacy against breast cancer by suppressing metastasis, tumorigenicity, and inhibiting the replication of the human tumor suppressor gene BRCA1. However, RAPTA compounds have limited cytotoxicity, and therefore comparatively high doses are required. This study explores the activity of a series of RAPTA-like ruthenium(II) arene compounds against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines and [Ru(η6-toluene)(PPh3)2Cl]+ was identified as a promising candidate. Notably, [Ru(η6-toluene)(PPh3)2Cl]Cl was found to be remarkably stable and highly cytotoxic, and selective to breast cancer cells. The minor groove of DNA was identified as a relevant target.

Inorganic-organic coprecipitation: spontaneous formation of enclosed and porous silica compartments with enriched biopolymers

We show that it is possible to spontaneously form all-enclosed compartments with microporous shells and enriched biopolymers via simple coprecipitation of silica and biopolymers. The reaction involves mild conditions and tolerates the random mixing of multiple reagents. Such a synthetic advance points to a new direction for resolving the chicken-egg dilemma of how the early life forms were hosted: without a physical barrier it would be difficult to maintain organized reactions, but without organized reactions, it would be difficult to create a cell membrane. In our synthesis, the divalent cation Ca²⁺ plays a critical role in the co-precipitation and in creating hollow compartments after simple dilution with water. The precursor of silica, poly(silicic acid), is a negatively charged, cross-linked polymer. It could be co-precipitated with negatively charged biopolymers such as DNA and proteins, whereas the remaining silica precursor forms a conformal and microporous shell on the surface of the initial precipitate. After etching, the biopolymers are retained inside the hollow compartments. The fact that multiple favorable conditions are easily brought together in enclosed compartments opens new possibilities in theorizing the host of early life forms.

C3-Symmetric Ligands in Drug Design: When the Target Controls the Aesthetics of the Drug

A number of proteins are able to adopt a homotrimeric spatial conformation. Among these structures, this feature appears as crucial for biologic targets, since it facilitates the design of C3-symmetric ligands that are especially suitable for displaying optimized ligand-target interactions and therapeutic benefits. Additionally, DNA as a therapeutic target, even if its conformation into a superhelix does not correspond to a C3-symmetry, can also take advantage of these C3-symmetric ligands for better interactions and therapeutic effects. For the moment, this opportunity appears to be under-exploited, but should become more frequent with the discovery of new homotrimeric targets such as the SARS-CoV2 spike protein. Besides their potential therapeutic interest, the synthetic access to these C3-symmetric ligands often leads to chemical challenges, although drug candidates with an aesthetic structure are generally obtained.

Effects of Nucleic Acid Structural Heterogeneity on the Electrochemistry of Tethered Redox Molecules

The cation condensation-induced collapse of electrode-bound nucleic acids and the resulting change in the electrochemical signal is a useful tool to predict the structure and redox probe location of heterogeneous structures of surface-tethered DNA probes─a common architecture employed in the development of electrochemical sensors. In this paper, we measure the faradaic current of an appended redox molecule at the 3' position of the nucleic acid using cyclic voltammetry before and after nucleic acid collapse for various nucleic acid architectures and heterogeneous mixtures on the same electrode surface. The voltammetric peak current change with collapse correlates with the proximity of the redox molecules from the surface. For stem-loop probes, the terminal methylene blue is initially held closer to the surface, such that inducing collapse, by reducing the dielectric permittivity of the interrogation solution, results in a ∼30% increase in current. However, when incorporating pseudoknot probes that hold methylene blue further away from the electrode surface, the current change is much larger (∼120%), indicating a larger conformation change. Upon a 50:50 ratio of the two, we observe a change in current that relates to the ratiometric distribution of the probe used to make the surfaces. Additionally, using cyclic voltammetry, we find that the change between diffusion-limited and diffusion-independent peak currents is dependent upon the distinct structural characteristics of DNA probes on the surface (stem-loop or pseudoknot), as well as the ratios of different DNA probes on the surface. Thus, we demonstrate that the heterogeneous nature of DNA probes governs the corresponding electrochemical signals, which can lead to a better understanding on how to predict the structures of functional nucleic acids on electrode surfaces and how this affects surface-to-surface variability and electrochemical response.

On the Biology of Werner's Complex

Werner's Complex, as a cationic coordination complex (CCC), has hitherto unappreciated biological properties derived from its binding affinity to highly anionic biomolecules such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and nucleic acids. Competitive inhibitor and spectroscopic assays confirm the high affinity to GAGs heparin, heparan sulfate (HS), and its pentasaccharide mimetic Fondaparinux (FPX). Functional consequences of this affinity include inhibition of FPX cleavage by bacterial heparinase and mammalian heparanase enzymes with inhibition of cellular invasion and migration. Werner's Complex is a very efficient condensing agent for DNA and tRNA. In proof-of-principle for translational implications, it is demonstrated to display antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) at micromolar concentrations with promising selectivity. Exploitation of non-covalent hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions has motivated the unprecedented discovery of these properties, opening new avenues of research for this iconic compound.

DNA–affibody nanoparticle delivery system for cisplatin-based breast cancer chemotherapy

Cisplatin is the most widely used anticancer drug, but its side effects limit the maximum systemic dose. To circumvent the side effects, a DNA tetrahedron–affibody nanoparticle was prepared by combination of a DNA chain with cisplatin via interstrand crosslinks or adducts. Each nanocarrier can bind ∼68 molecules of cisplatin. This cisplatin nanoparticle exhibited high selectivity and inhibition for breast cancer HER2 overexpressing cells BT474 and lower toxicity in MCF-7 cells with low HER2 expression. The nano-drug inhibited the growth of BT474 cells by 94.57% at 512 nM (containing 33.3 μM cisplatin), which was higher than that of cisplatin (82.9%, 33.3 μM).

The novel nano-drug cisplatin-DNA tetrahedron-affibody has high specificity, high efficacy, and low toxicity for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancers.

Modulation of probe-genomic DNA interaction within the confined interior of a reverse micelle: Is the bulk-like properties of water truly achieved in large reverse micelles?

The prime motivation of the present study is to explore the effect of reverse micellar confinement on the binding interaction of an anthracene-based probe 9-methyl anthroate with herring-sperm DNA. The structural modification of the genomic DNA from its native B-form to the non-native C-form and subsequently to the condensed Ψ-form as a function of the level of hydration (W₀, defined as [water] / [surfactant]) of the reverse micellar core is found to reveal a remarkable regulatory role on the stability of the stacking interaction (intercalation) of the probe within the DNA helix; the interaction being progressively stabilized at higher W₀. Particularly, a close perusal of the dynamical aspects of the interaction is found to be counter-intuitive to the popular notion of the properties of the confined water within the reverse micelles typically approaching bulk-like properties at sufficiently high hydration levels (W₀ > 10).

Branched-Chain Polyamine Found in Hyperthermophiles Induces Unique Temperature-Dependent Structural Changes in Genome-Size DNA

A pentavalent branched‐chain polyamine, N⁴‐bis(aminopropyl)spermidine 3(3)(3)4, is a unique polycation found in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis, which grows at temperatures between 60 and 100 °C. We studied the effects of this branched‐chain polyamine on DNA structure at different temperatures up to 80 °C. Atomic force microscopic observation revealed that 3(3)(3)4 induces a mesh‐like structure on a large DNA (166 kbp) at 24 °C. With an increase in temperature, DNA molecules tend to unwind, and multiple nano‐loops with a diameter of 10–50 nm are generated along the DNA strand at 80 °C. These results were compared to those obtained with linear‐chain polyamines, homocaldopentamine 3334 and spermidine, the former of which is a structural isomer of 3(3)(3)4. These specific effects are expected to neatly concern with its role on high‐temperature preference in hyperthermophiles.

Monomolecular tetrahelix of polyguanine with a strictly defined folding pattern

The G₃TG₃TG₃TG₃ (G3T) sequence folds into a monomolecular quadruplex with all-parallel G₃ segments connected to each other by chain-reversal loops. The homopolymer consisting of n number of G3T domains directly conjugated to each other folds into an uninterrupted and unusually stable polymer, tetrahelical monomolecular DNA (tmDNA). It was demonstrated that the tmDNA architecture has strong potential in nanotechnologies as highly programmable building material, high affinity coupler and the driving force for endergonic reactions. Here, we explore capability of analogous DNA sequences (i.e., monomolecular quadruplexes with G₂ or G₄ segments) to construct tmDNA architecture. The study demonstrates that tmDNA can have only one building pattern based on a quadruplex domain with three G-tetrads and single-nucleotide loops, G3N (N = G, A, C and T); all other domains demonstrate antiparallel topologies unsuitable for tmDNA. The present study also suggests that polyguanine is capable of tmDNA formation with strictly defined building pattern; G₃ segments connected to each other by chain-reversal G-loops. These findings can have significant impact on (i) DNA nanotechnologies; (ii) structure prediction of G-rich sequences of genome; and (iii) modeling of abiogenesis.

Steady-State Linear and Non-linear Optical Spectroscopy of Organic Chromophores and Bio-macromolecules

Bio-macromolecules as DNA, lipid membranes and (poly)peptides are essential compounds at the core of biological systems. The development of techniques and methodologies for their characterization is therefore necessary and of utmost interest, even though difficulties can be experienced due to their intrinsic complex nature. Among these methods, spectroscopies, relying on optical properties are especially important to determine their macromolecular structures and behaviors, as well as the possible interactions and reactivity with external dyes—often drugs or pollutants—that can (photo)sensitize the bio-macromolecule leading to eventual chemical modifications, thus damages. In this review, we will focus on the theoretical simulation of electronic spectroscopies of bio-macromolecules, considering their secondary structure and including their interaction with different kind of (photo)sensitizers. Namely, absorption, emission and electronic circular dichroism (CD) spectra are calculated and compared with the available experimental data. Non-linear properties will be also taken into account by two-photon absorption, a highly promising technique (i) to enhance absorption in the red and infra-red windows and (ii) to enhance spatial resolution. Methodologically, the implications of using implicit and explicit solvent, coupled to quantum and thermal samplings of the phase space, will be addressed. Especially, hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods are explored for a comparison with solely QM methods, in order to address the necessity to consider an accurate description of environmental effects on spectroscopic properties of biological systems.

How Does Nanoconfinement within a Reverse Micelle Influence the Interaction of Phenazinium-Based Photosensitizers with DNA?

The major focus of the present work lies in exploring the influence of nanoconfinement within aerosol-OT (AOT) reverse micelles on the binding interaction of two phenazinium-based photosensitizers, namely, phenosafranin (PSF) and safranin-O (SO), with the DNA duplex. Circular dichroism and dynamic light-scattering studies reveal the condensation of DNA within the reverse micellar interior (transformation of the B-form of native DNA to ψ-form). Our results unveil a remarkable effect of the degree of hydration of the reverse micellar core on the stability of the stacking interaction (intercalation) of the drugs (PSF and SO) into DNA; increasing size of the water nanopool (that is, w ₀) accompanies decreasing curvature of the DNA duplex structure with the consequent effect of increasing stabilization of the drug:DNA intercalation. The marked differences in the dynamical aspects of the interaction scenario following encapsulation within the reverse micellar core and the subsequent dependence on the size of the water nanopool are also meticulously explored. The differential degrees of steric interactions offered by the drug molecules (presence of methyl substitutions on the planar phenazinium ring in SO) are also found to affect the extent of intercalation of the drugs to DNA. In this context, it is imperative to state that the water pool of the reverse micellar core is often argued to approach bulk-like properties of water with increasing micellar size (typically w ₀ ≥ 10), so that deviation from the bulk water properties is likely to be minimized in large reverse micelles (w ₀ ≥ 10). On the contrary, our results (particularly quantitative elucidation of micropolarity and dynamical aspects of the interaction) explicitly demonstrate that the bulk-like behavior of the nanoconfined water is not truly achieved even in large reverse micelles.

Comparison of Metal-Ammine Compounds Binding to DNA and Heparin. Glycans as Ligands in Bioinorganic Chemistry

We present spectroscopic and biophysical approaches to examine the affinity of metal-ammine coordination complexes for heparin as a model for heparan sulfate (HS). Similar to nucleic acids, the highly anionic nature of heparin means it is associated in vivo with physiologically relevant cations, and this work extends their bioinorganic chemistry to substitution-inert metal-ammine compounds (M). Both indirect and direct assays were developed. M compounds are competitive inhibitors of methylene blue (MB)-heparin binding, and the change in the absorbance of the dye in the presence or absence of heparin can be used as an indirect reporter of M-heparin affinity. A second indirect assay uses the change in fluorescence of TAMRA-R₉, a nonaarginine linked to a fluorescent TAMRA moiety, as a reporter for M-heparin binding. Direct assays are surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The K_d values for TriplatinNC-heparin varied to some extent depending on the technique from 33.1 ± 2 nM (ITC) to 66.4 ± 1.3 nM (MB absorbance assay) and 340 ± 30 nM (SPR). The differences are explained by the nature of the technique and the use of heparin of differing molecular weight. Indirect probes using the displacement of ethidium bromide from DNA or, separately, fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide (DNA-Fl) can measure the relative affinities of heparin and DNA for M compounds. These assays showed essentially equivalent affinity of TriplatinNC for heparin and DNA. The generality of these methods was confirmed with a series of mononuclear cobalt, ruthenium, and platinum compounds with significantly lower affinity because of their smaller overall positive charge but in the order [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ > [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ > [Pt(NH₃)₄]²⁺. The results on heparin can be extrapolated to glycosoaminoglycans such as HS, emphasizing the relevance of glycan interactions in understanding the biological properties of coordination compounds and the utility of the metalloglycomics concept for extending bioinorganic chemistry to this class of important biomolecules.

Binding of aluminium/cacodylate complexes with DNA and RNA. Experimental and “in silico”study

Mechanism of the interaction of a dinuclear aluminium/cacodylate complex with nucleic acids.

Studying compaction-decompaction of DNA molecules induced by surfactants

The mechanism and detailed processes of DNA compaction and decompaction are essential for the life activities, as well as for the researches in the molecular biology, genetics and biomedicine. The compaction of two kinds of DNA molecules caused by Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) and their decompaction induced with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or excessive amount of CTAB have been investigated with multiple perspectives such as the UV-VIS spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential. The compaction phenomenon of DNA can easily be observed when the CTAB combines with the DNA, not just when the molar ratio Q_CTAB/Q_DNA is approximately equal to 1 as the conventional recognition, but also when Q_CTAB/Q_DNA <1,DNA can be compacted; Molecular state of DNA is only changed in the conformational structure, but not in the chemical structure. Finally, a model is suggested to help catch on the biophysical mechanism of DNA chain conformational change.

Interfering with DNA High-Order Structures using Chiral Ruthenium(II) Complexes

In this work, it was found that DNA can undergo B-Z transformational changes and compaction in the presence of DNA intercalators such as ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes. The link between B-Z transition and condensation is weak but can be strengthened under certain circumstances with slight alterations to the structures of the ruthenium(II) complexes. Here, following on from previous research, this work reports a series of ruthenium(II) complexes with imidazophenanthroline ligands, which vary in size and planarity. The complexes exhibit distinct effects on DNA structures, ranging from little impact to the transformation of DNA secondary structures to the formation of higher-order DNA structures. Further studies on DNA morphological changes induced by chiral ruthenium(II) complexes are observed by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Study on the interaction between the 1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide-spermine conjugate (NDIS) and DNA using a spectroscopic approach and molecular docking

The interaction of herring sperm DNA with the 1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide-spermine conjugate (NDIS) was studied by UV/vis absorption, fluorescence and CD spectroscopic methods. Compared with the 1,8-naphthalimide-spermidine conjugate (NIS), the values of KSV (quenching constant) and Kb (binding constant) of NDIS were larger, and the hypochromic effect in the UV/vis spectra and the quenching effect in the fluorescence of NDIS were more significant. The interaction mode between NDIS and DNA was mainly groove binding. The fluorescence experiments at varying temperatures showed that the binding process of NDIS and DNA was static, as both hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic forces played a major role in the binding of NDIS and DNA. The CD spectrum indicated that NDIS caused a conformational change, like the B to A-DNA transition, and the tests using KI and NaCl and 1H NMR spectroscopy indicated that NDIS was not a classical DNA inserter. All the results demonstrated that both the polyamine side chain and the aromatic rings affect the process of NDIS binding to DNA, which is thus obviously different from that of NIS. The conclusion was confirmed by the in silico molecular docking experiments.

Fullerene Cluster Assisted Self-Assembly of Short DNA Strands into Semiconducting Nanowires

Programmable, hierarchical assembly of DNA nanostructures with precise organisation of functional components have been demonstrated previously with tiled assembly and DNA origami. However, building organised nanostructures with random oligonucleotide strands remains as an elusive problem. Herein, a simple and general strategy, in which nanoclusters of a fullerene derivative act as stapler motifs in bringing ordered nanoscale assembly of short oligonucleotide duplexes into micrometre-sized nanowires, is described. In this approach, the fullerene derivative, by virtue of its amphiphilic structure and unique hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance, pre-assembles to form 3-5 nm sized clusters in a mixture of DMSO-phosphate buffer, which further assists the assembly of DNA strands. The optimum cluster size, availability of DNA anchoring motifs and the nature of the DNA strands controls the structure of these nanomaterials. Furthermore, horizontal conductivity measurements through conductive AFM confirmed the charge transport properties of these nanowires. The current strategy could be employed to organise random DNA duplexes and tiles into functional nanostructures, and hence, open up new avenues in DNA nanotechnology.

Binding and thermodynamics of REV peptide-ctDNA interaction

The thermodynamics of DNA-ligand binding is important as it provides useful information to understand the details of binding processes. HIV-1 REV response element (RRE) located in the env coding region of the viral genome is reported to be well conserved across different HIV-1 isolates. In this study, the binding characteristics of Calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and REV peptide from HIV-1 were investigated using spectroscopic (UV-visible, fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD)) and isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) techniques. Thermal stability and ligand binding properties of the ctDNA revealed that native ctDNA had a T_m of 75.5 °C, whereas the ctDNA-REV peptide complex exhibited an incremental shift in the T_m by 8 °C, indicating thermal stability of the complex. CD data indicated increased ellipticity due to large conformational changes in ctDNA molecule upon binding with REV peptide and two binding stoichiometric modes are apparent. The ctDNA experienced condensation due to large conformational changes in the presence of REV peptide and positive B→Ψ transition was observed at higher molar charge ratios. Fluorescence studies performed at several ligand concentrations revealed a gradual decrease in the fluorescence intensity of EtBr-bound ctDNA in response to increasing ligand concentrations. The fluorescence data further confirmed two stoichiometric modes of binding for ctDNA-REV peptide complex as previously observed with CD studies. The binding enthalpies were determined using ITC in the temperature range of 293 K-308 K. The ITC binding isotherm was exothermic at all temperatures examined, with low ΔH values indicating that the ctDNA-REV peptide interaction is driven largely by entropy. The heat capacity change (ΔC_p ) was insignificant, an unusual finding in the area of DNA-peptide interaction studies. The variation in the values obtained for ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG with temperature further suggests that ctDNA-REV peptide interaction is entropically driven. ITC based analysis of salt dependence of binding constant gave a charge value (Z) = +4.01, as determined for the δlnK/δln[Na⁺ ] parameter, suggesting the participation of only 3-4 Arg out of 11 Arg charge from REV peptide. The stoichiometry observed for the complex was three molar charge of REV peptide binding per molar charge of ctDNA. ITC based analysis further confirmed that the binding between ctDNA and REV peptide is governed by electrostatic interaction. Molecular interactions including H-bonding, van der Waals forces, and solvent molecules rearrangement, underlie the binding of REV peptide to ctDNA.

Understanding Resonant Light-Triggered DNA Release from Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Nanoparticle-based platforms for gene therapy and drug delivery are gaining popularity for cancer treatment. To improve therapeutic selectivity, one important strategy is to remotely trigger the release of a therapeutic cargo from a specially designed gene- or drug-laden near-infrared (NIR) absorbing gold nanoparticle complex with NIR light. While there have been multiple demonstrations of NIR nanoparticle-based release platforms, our understanding of how light-triggered release works in such complexes is still limited. Here, we investigate the specific mechanisms of DNA release from plasmonic nanoparticle complexes using continuous wave (CW) and femtosecond pulsed lasers. We find that the characteristics of nanoparticle-based DNA release vary profoundly from the same nanoparticle complex, depending on the type of laser excitation. CW laser illumination drives the photothermal release of dehybridized single-stranded DNA, while pulsed-laser excitation results in double-stranded DNA release by cleavage of the Au-S bond, with negligible local heating. This dramatic difference in DNA release from the same DNA-nanoparticle complex has very important implications in the development of NIR-triggered gene or drug delivery nanocomplexes.

C 3-symmetric opioid scaffolds are pH-responsive DNA condensation agents

Herein we report the synthesis of tripodal C₃-symmetric opioid scaffolds as high-affinity condensation agents of duplex DNA. Condensation was achieved on both supercoiled and canonical B-DNA structures and identified by agarose electrophoresis, viscosity, turbidity and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Structurally, the requirement of a tris-opioid scaffold for condensation is demonstrated as both di- (C₂-symmetric) and mono-substituted (C₁-symmetric) mesitylene-linked opioid derivatives poorly coordinate dsDNA. Condensation, observed by toroidal and globule AFM aggregation, arises from surface-binding ionic interactions between protonated, cationic, tertiary amine groups on the opioid skeleton and the phosphate nucleic acid backbone. Indeed, by converting the 6-hydroxyl group of C₃-morphine (MC3) to methoxy substituents in C₃-heterocodeine (HC3) and C₃-oripavine (OC3) molecules, dsDNA compaction is retained thus negating the possibility of phosphate—hydroxyl surface-binding. Tripodal opioid condensation was identified as pH dependent and strongly influenced by ionic strength with further evidence of cationic amine-phosphate backbone coordination arising from thermal melting analysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy, with compaction also witnessed on synthetic dsDNA co-polymers poly[d(A-T)₂] and poly[d(G-C)₂]. On-chip microfluidic analysis of DNA condensed by C₃-agents provided concentration-dependent protection (inhibition) to site-selective excision by type II restriction enzymes: BamHI, HindIII, SalI and EcoRI, but not to the endonuclease DNase I.

A Simple Zn2+ Complex-Based Composite System for Efficient Gene Delivery

Metal complexes might become a new type of promising gene delivery systems because of their low cytotoxicity, structural diversity, controllable aqua- and lipo-solubility, and appropriate density and distribution of positive charges. In this study, Zn2+ complexes (1-10) formed with a series of ligands contained benzimidazole(bzim)were prepared and characterized. They were observed to have different affinities for DNA, dependent on their numbers of positive charges, bzim groups, and coordination structures around Zn2+. The binding induced DNA to condensate into spherical nanoparticles with ~ 50 nm in diameter. The cell transfection efficiency of the DNA nanoparticles was poor, although they were low toxic. The sequential addition of the cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) TAT(48-60) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) resulted in the large DNA condensates (~ 100 nm in diameter) and the increased cellular uptake. The clathrin-mediated endocytosis was found to be a key cellular uptake pathway of the nanoparticles formed with or without TAT(48-60) or/and PEG. The DNA nanoparticles with TAT(48-60) and PEG was found to have the cell transfection efficiency up to 20% of the commercial carrier Lipofect. These results indicated that a simple Zn2+-bzim complex-based composite system can be developed for efficient and low toxic gene delivery through the combination with PEG and CPPs such as TAT.

Can Changes in Temperature or Ionic Conditions Modify the DNA Organization in the Full Bacteriophage Capsid?

We compared four bacteriophage species, T5, λ, T7, and Φ29, to explore the possibilities of DNA reorganization in the capsid where the chain is highly concentrated and confined. First, we did not detect any change in DNA organization as a function of temperature between 20 to 40 °C. Second, the presence of spermine (4+) induces a significant enlargement of the typical size of the hexagonal domains in all phages. We interpret these changes as a reorganization of DNA by slight movements of defects in the structure, triggered by a partial screening of repulsive interactions. We did not detect any signal characteristic of a long-range chiral organization of the encapsidated DNA in the presence and in the absence of spermine.

Spectroscopic and molecular modeling methods to study the interaction between naphthalimide-polyamine conjugates and DNA

The effect of polyamine side chains on the interaction between naphthalimide-polyamine conjugates (1-7) and herring sperm DNA was studied by UV/vis absorption and fluorescent spectra under physiological conditions (pH=7.4). The diverse spectral data and further molecular docking simulation in silico indicated that the aromatic moiety of these compounds could intercalate into the DNA base pairs while the polyamine motif might simultaneously locate in the minor groove. The triamine compound 7 can interact more potently with DNA than the corresponding diamine compounds (1-6). The presence of the bulky terminal group in the diamine side chain reduced the binding strength of compound 1 with DNA, compared to other diamine compounds (2-6). In addition, the increasing methylene number in the diamine backbone generally results in the elevated binding constant of compounds-DNA complex. The fluorescent tests at different temperature revealed that the quenching mechanism was a static type. The binding constant and thermodynamic parameter showed that the binding strength and the type of interaction force, associated with the side chains, were mainly hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic force. And the calculated free binding energies of molecular docking are generally consistent with the stability of polyamine-DNA complexes. The circular dichroism assay about the impact of compounds 1-7 on DNA conformation testified the B to A-like conformational change.

Counterion effects on nano-confined metal-drug-DNA complexes

We have explored morphology of DNA molecules bound with Cu complexes of piroxicam (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) molecules under one-dimensional confinement of thin films and have studied the effect of counterions present in a buffer. X-ray reflectivity at and away from the Cu K absorption edge and atomic force microscopy studies reveal that confinement segregates the drug molecules preferentially in a top layer of the DNA film, and counterions enhance this segregation.

tRNA conjugation with chitosan nanoparticles: An AFM imaging study

The conjugation of tRNA with chitosan nanoparticles of different sizes 15,100 and 200 kDa was investigated in aqueous solution using multiple spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Structural analysis showed that chitosan binds tRNA via G-C and A-U base pairs as well as backbone PO2 group, through electrostatic, hydrophilic and H-bonding contacts with overall binding constants of KCh-15-tRNA=4.1 (±0.60)×10(3)M(-1), KCh-100-tRNA=5.7 (±0.8)×10(3)M(-1) and KCh-200-tRNA=1.2 (±0.3)×10(4)M(-1). As chitosan size increases more stable polymer-tRNA conjugate is formed. AFM images showed major tRNA aggregation and particle formation occurred as chitosan concentration increased. Even though chitosan induced major biopolymer structural changes, tRNA remains in A-family structure.

Microscopic and spectroscopic analysis of chitosan-DNA conjugates

Conjugations of DNA with chitosans 15 kD (ch-15), 100 kD (ch-100) and 200 kD (ch-200) were investigated in aqueous solution at pH 5.5-6.5. Multiple spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to locate the chitosan binding sites and the effect of polymer conjugation on DNA compaction and particle formation. Structural analysis showed that chitosan-DNA conjugation is mainly via electrostatic interactions through polymer cationic charged NH2 and negatively charged backbone phosphate groups. As polymer size increases major DNA compaction and particle formation occurs. At high chitosan concentration major DNA structural changes observed indicating a partial B to A-DNA conformational transition.

Self-assembly and hybridization mechanisms of DNA with cationic polythiophene

The combination of DNA and π-conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) represents a promising approach to develop DNA hybridization biosensors, with potential applications for instance in the detection of DNA lesions and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Here we exploit the remarkable optical properties of a cationic poly[3-(6'-(trimethylphosphonium)hexyl)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (CPT) to decipher the self-assembly of DNA and CPT. The ssDNA/CPT complexes have chiroptical signatures in the CPT absorption region that are strongly dependent on the DNA sequence, which we relate to differences in supramolecular interactions between the thiophene monomers and the various nucleobases. By studying DNA-DNA hybridization and melting processes on preformed ssDNA/CPT complexes, we observe sequence-dependent mechanisms that can yield DNA-condensed aggregates. Heating-cooling cycles show that non-equilibrium mixtures can form, noticeably depending on the working sequence of the hybridization experiment. These results are of high importance for the use of π-conjugated polyelectrolytes in DNA hybridization biosensors and in polyplexes.

Epigenetics and autoimmune diseases: the X chromosome-nucleolus nexus

Autoimmune diseases occur more often in females, suggesting a key role for the X chromosome. X chromosome inactivation, a major epigenetic feature in female cells that provides dosage compensation of X-linked genes to avoid overexpression, presents special vulnerabilities that can contribute to the disease process. Disruption of X inactivation can result in loss of dosage compensation with expression from previously sequestered genes, imbalance of gene products, and altered endogenous material out of normal epigenetic context. In addition, the human X has significant differences compared to other species and these differences can contribute to the frequency and intensity of the autoimmune disease in humans as well as the types of autoantigens encountered. Here a link is demonstrated between autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, and the X chromosome by discussing cases in which typically non-autoimmune disorders complicated with X chromosome abnormalities also present lupus-like symptoms. The discussion is then extended to the reported spatial and temporal associations of the inactive X chromosome with the nucleolus. When frequent episodes of cellular stress occur, the inactive X chromosome may be disrupted and inadvertently become involved in the nucleolar stress response. Development of autoantigens, many of which are at least transiently components of the nucleolus, is then described. Polyamines, which aid in nucleoprotein complex assembly in the nucleolus, increase further during cell stress, and appear to have an important role in the autoimmune disease process. Autoantigenic endogenous material can potentially be stabilized by polyamines. This presents a new paradigm for autoimmune diseases: that many are antigen-driven and the autoantigens originate from altered endogenous material due to episodes of cellular stress that disrupt epigenetic control. This suggests that epigenetics and the X chromosome are important aspects of autoimmune diseases.

The phosphate clamp: sequence selective nucleic acid binding profiles and conformational induction of endonuclease inhibition by cationic Triplatin complexes

The substitution-inert polynuclear platinum(II) complex (PPC) series, [{trans-Pt(NH3)2(NH2(CH2)nNH3)}2-μ-(trans-Pt(NH3)2(NH2(CH2)nNH2)2}](NO3)8, where n = 5 (AH78P), 6 (AH78 TriplatinNC) and 7 (AH78H), are potent non-covalent DNA binding agents where nucleic acid recognition is achieved through use of the 'phosphate clamp' where the square-planar tetra-am(m)ine Pt(II) coordination units all form bidentate N-O-N complexes through hydrogen bonding with phosphate oxygens. The modular nature of PPC-DNA interactions results in high affinity for calf thymus DNA (Kapp ∼5 × 10(7) M(-1)). The phosphate clamp-DNA interactions result in condensation of superhelical and B-DNA, displacement of intercalated ethidium bromide and facilitate cooperative binding of Hoechst 33258 at the minor groove. The effect of linker chain length on DNA conformational changes was examined and the pentane-bridged complex, AH78P, was optimal for condensing DNA with results in the nanomolar region. Analysis of binding affinity and conformational changes for sequence-specific oligonucleotides by ITC, dialysis, ICP-MS, CD and 2D-(1)H NMR experiments indicate that two limiting modes of phosphate clamp binding can be distinguished through their conformational changes and strongly suggest that DNA condensation is driven by minor-groove spanning. Triplatin-DNA binding prevents endonuclease activity by type II restriction enzymes BamHI, EcoRI and SalI, and inhibition was confirmed through the development of an on-chip microfluidic protocol.