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Dalla Pozza M, Abdullrahman A, Cardin CJ, Gasser G, Hall JP. Three's a crowd - stabilisation, structure, and applications of DNA triplexes. Chem Sci 2022; 13:10193-10215. [PMID: 36277639 PMCID: PMC9473520 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01793h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA is a strikingly flexible molecule and can form a variety of secondary structures, including the triple helix, which is the subject of this review. The DNA triplex may be formed naturally, during homologous recombination, or can be formed by the introduction of a synthetic triplex forming oligonucleotide (TFO) to a DNA duplex. As the TFO will bind to the duplex with sequence specificity, there is significant interest in developing TFOs with potential therapeutic applications, including using TFOs as a delivery mechanism for compounds able to modify or damage DNA. However, to combine triplexes with functionalised compounds, a full understanding of triplex structure and chemical modification strategies, which may increase triplex stability or in vivo degradation, is essential - these areas will be discussed in this review. Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, which are able to photooxidise DNA and act as luminescent DNA probes, may serve as a suitable photophysical payload for a TFO system and the developments in this area in the context of DNA triplexes will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dalla Pozza
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology F-75005 Paris France www.gassergroup.com
| | - Ahmad Abdullrahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmacy Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus Reading Berkshire RG6 6AD UK
| | - Christine J Cardin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading Whiteknights Reading RG6 6AD UK
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology F-75005 Paris France www.gassergroup.com
| | - James P Hall
- Department of Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmacy Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus Reading Berkshire RG6 6AD UK
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Ah‐Fong AM, Boyd AM, Matson ME, Judelson HS. A Cas12a-based gene editing system for Phytophthora infestans reveals monoallelic expression of an elicitor. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2021; 22:737-752. [PMID: 33724663 PMCID: PMC8126191 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Phytophthora infestans is a destructive pathogen of potato and a model for investigations of oomycete biology. The successful application of a CRISPR gene editing system to P. infestans is so far unreported. We discovered that it is difficult to express CRISPR/Cas9 but not a catalytically inactive form in transformants, suggesting that the active nuclease is toxic. We were able to achieve editing with CRISPR/Cas12a using vectors in which the nuclease and its guide RNA were expressed from a single transcript. Using the elicitor gene Inf1 as a target, we observed editing of one or both alleles in up to 13% of transformants. Editing was more efficient when guide RNA processing relied on the Cas12a direct repeat instead of ribozyme sequences. INF1 protein was not made when both alleles were edited in the same transformant, but surprisingly also when only one allele was altered. We discovered that the isolate used for editing, 1306, exhibited monoallelic expression of Inf1 due to insertion of a copia-like element in the promoter of one allele. The element exhibits features of active retrotransposons, including a target site duplication, long terminal repeats, and an intact polyprotein reading frame. Editing occurred more often on the transcribed allele, presumably due to differences in chromatin structure. The Cas12a system not only provides a tool for modifying genes in P. infestans, but also for other members of the genus by expanding the number of editable sites. Our work also highlights a natural mechanism that remodels oomycete genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey M.V. Ah‐Fong
- Department of Microbiology and Plant PathologyUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Amy M. Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Plant PathologyUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Michael E.H. Matson
- Department of Microbiology and Plant PathologyUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Howard S. Judelson
- Department of Microbiology and Plant PathologyUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideCaliforniaUSA
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Gyssels E, Carrette LLG, Vercruysse E, Stevens K, Madder A. Triplex crosslinking through furan oxidation requires perturbation of the structured triple-helix. Chembiochem 2015; 16:651-8. [PMID: 25630588 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201402602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Short oligonucleotides can selectively recognize duplexes by binding in the major groove thereby forming triplexes. Based on the success of our recently developed strategy for furan-based crosslinking in DNA duplexes, we here investigated for the first time the use of the furan-oxidation crosslink methodology for the covalent locking of triplex structures by an interstrand crosslink. It was shown that in a triplex context, although crosslinking yields are surprisingly low (to nonexistent) when targeting fully complementary duplexes, selective crosslinking can be achieved towards mismatched duplex sites at the interface of triplex to duplex structures. We show the promising potential of furan-containing probes for the selective detection of single-stranded regions within nucleic acids containing a variety of structural motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Gyssels
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S4, 9000 Gent (Belgium)
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Abstract
Many devastating human diseases are caused by mutations in a single gene that prevent a somatic cell from carrying out its essential functions, or by genetic changes acquired as a result of infectious disease or in the course of cell transformation. Targeted gene therapies have emerged as potential strategies for treatment of such diseases. These therapies depend upon rare-cutting endonucleases to cleave at specific sites in or near disease genes. Targeted gene correction provides a template for homology-directed repair, enabling the cell's own repair pathways to erase the mutation and replace it with the correct sequence. Targeted gene disruption ablates the disease gene, disabling its function. Gene targeting can also promote other kinds of genome engineering, including mutation, insertion, or gene deletion. Targeted gene therapies present significant advantages compared to approaches to gene therapy that depend upon delivery of stably expressing transgenes. Recent progress has been fueled by advances in nuclease discovery and design, and by new strategies that maximize efficiency of targeting and minimize off-target damage. Future progress will build on deeper mechanistic understanding of critical factors and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Humbert
- Departments of Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Kanamori T, Masaki Y, Mizuta M, Tsunoda H, Ohkubo A, Sekine M, Seio K. DNA duplexes and triplex-forming oligodeoxynucleotides incorporating modified nucleosides forming stable and selective triplexes. Org Biomol Chem 2011; 10:1007-13. [PMID: 22146807 DOI: 10.1039/c1ob06411h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported DNA triplexes containing the unnatural base triad G-PPI·C3, in which PPI is an indole-fused cytosine derivative incorporated into DNA duplexes and C3 is an abasic site in triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) introduced by a propylene linker. In this study, we developed a new unnatural base triad A-ψ·C(R1) where ψ and C(R1) are base moieties 2'-deoxypseudouridine and 5-substituted deoxycytidine, respectively. We examined several electron-withdrawing substituents for R1 and found that 5-bromocytosine (C(Br)) could selectively recognize ψ. In addition, we developed a new PPI derivative, PPI(Me), having a methyl group on the indole ring in order to achieve selective triplex formation between DNA duplexes incorporating various Watson-Crick base pairs, such as T-A, C-G, A-ψ, and G-PPI(Me), and TFOs containing T, C, C(Br), and C3. We studied the selective triplex formation between these duplexes and TFOs using UV-melting and gel mobility shift assays.
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Abstract
A brief historical introduction describes early attempts to silence specific genes using the antisense oligonucleotides that flourished in the 1980s. Early aspirations for therapeutic applications were almost extinguished by the unexpected complexity of oligonucleotide pharmacology. Once the biochemistry and molecular biology behind some of the pharmacology was worked out, new approaches became apparent for using oligonucleotides to treat disease. The biochemistry of small nucleic acids is outlined in Section 2. Various approaches employing oligonucleotides to control cellular functions are reviewed in Section 3. These include antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA that bind to RNA, antigene oligonucleotides that bind to DNA, and aptamers, decoys, and CpG oligonucleotides that bind to proteins.
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MESH Headings
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/pharmacology
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/therapeutic use
- Communicable Diseases/drug therapy
- Communicable Diseases/pathology
- CpG Islands
- DNA/chemistry
- DNA/metabolism
- DNA, Catalytic/chemistry
- DNA, Catalytic/pharmacology
- DNA, Catalytic/therapeutic use
- Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy
- Diabetes Mellitus/pathology
- Humans
- MicroRNAs/chemistry
- MicroRNAs/pharmacology
- MicroRNAs/therapeutic use
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neurodegenerative Diseases/drug therapy
- Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology
- Nucleic Acid Hybridization
- Oligonucleotides/chemistry
- Oligonucleotides/pharmacology
- Oligonucleotides/therapeutic use
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/chemistry
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/pharmacology
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/therapeutic use
- RNA, Catalytic/chemistry
- RNA, Catalytic/pharmacology
- RNA, Catalytic/therapeutic use
- RNA, Small Interfering/chemistry
- RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacology
- RNA, Small Interfering/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- John Goodchild
- Department of Chemistry, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA 01602-2597, USA.
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Chiou CC, Chen SW, Luo JD, Chien YT. Monitoring triplex DNA formation with fluorescence resonance energy transfer between a fluorophore-labeled probe and intercalating dyes. Anal Biochem 2011; 416:1-7. [PMID: 21609711 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Revised: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are sequence-dependent DNA binders that may be useful for DNA targeting and detection. A sensitive and convenient method to monitor triplex formation by a TFO and its target DNA duplex is required for the application of TFO probes. Here we describe a novel design by which triplex formation can be monitored homogeneously without prelabeling the target duplex. The design uses a TFO probe tagged with a fluorophore that undergoes fluorescence resonance energy transfer with fluorescent dyes that intercalate into the target duplex. Through color compensation analysis, the specific emission of the TFO probe reveals the status of the triple helices. We used this method to show that triple helix formation with TFOs is magnesium dependent. We also demonstrated that the TFO probe can be used for detection of sequence variation in melting analysis and for DNA quantitation in real-time polymerase chain reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiuan-Chian Chiou
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
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Mukherjee A, Vasquez KM. Triplex technology in studies of DNA damage, DNA repair, and mutagenesis. Biochimie 2011; 93:1197-208. [PMID: 21501652 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) can bind to the major groove of homopurine-homopyrimidine stretches of double-stranded DNA in a sequence-specific manner through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding to form DNA triplexes. TFOs by themselves or conjugated to reactive molecules can be used to direct sequence-specific DNA damage, which in turn results in the induction of several DNA metabolic activities. Triplex technology is highly utilized as a tool to study gene regulation, molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, recombination, and mutagenesis. In addition, TFO targeting of specific genes has been exploited in the development of therapeutic strategies to modulate DNA structure and function. In this review, we discuss advances made in studies of DNA damage, DNA repair, recombination, and mutagenesis by using triplex technology to target specific DNA sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Mukherjee
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, 1400 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Austin, TX 78723, USA
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Sargent RG, Kim S, Gruenert DC. Oligo/polynucleotide-based gene modification: strategies and therapeutic potential. Oligonucleotides 2011; 21:55-75. [PMID: 21417933 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2010.0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide- and polynucleotide-based gene modification strategies were developed as an alternative to transgene-based and classical gene targeting-based gene therapy approaches for treatment of genetic disorders. Unlike the transgene-based strategies, oligo/polynucleotide gene targeting approaches maintain gene integrity and the relationship between the protein coding and gene-specific regulatory sequences. Oligo/polynucleotide-based gene modification also has several advantages over classical vector-based homologous recombination approaches. These include essentially complete homology to the target sequence and the potential to rapidly engineer patient-specific oligo/polynucleotide gene modification reagents. Several oligo/polynucleotide-based approaches have been shown to successfully mediate sequence-specific modification of genomic DNA in mammalian cells. The strategies involve the use of polynucleotide small DNA fragments, triplex-forming oligonucleotides, and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides to mediate homologous exchange. The primary focus of this review will be on the mechanistic aspects of the small fragment homologous replacement, triplex-forming oligonucleotide-mediated, and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated gene modification strategies as it relates to their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Geoffrey Sargent
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California , San Francisco, California 94115, USA
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Abstract
A DNA duplex can be recognized sequence-specifically in the major groove by an oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN). The resulting structure is a DNA triple helix, or triplex. The scientific community has invested significant research capital in the study of DNA triplexes because of their robust potential for providing new applications, including molecular biology tools and therapeutic agents. The triplex structures have inherent instabilities, however, and the recognition of DNA triplexes by small molecules has been attempted as a means of strengthening the three-stranded complex. Over the decades, the majority of work in the field has focused on heterocycles that intercalate between the triplex bases. In this Account, we present an alternate approach to recognition and stabilization of DNA triplexes. We show that groove recognition of nucleic acid triple helices can be achieved with aminosugars. Among these aminosugars, neomycin is the most effective aminoglycoside (groove binder) for stabilizing a DNA triple helix. It stabilizes both the TAT triplex and mixed-base DNA triplexes better than known DNA minor groove binders (which usually destabilize the triplex) and polyamines. Neomycin selectively stabilizes the triplex (TAT and mixed base) without any effect on the DNA duplex. The selectivity of neomycin likely originates from its potential and shape complementarity to the triplex Watson-Hoogsteen groove, making it the first molecule that selectively recognizes a triplex groove over a duplex groove. The groove recognition of aminoglycosides is not limited to DNA triplexes, but also extends to RNA and hybrid triple helical structures. Intercalator-neomycin conjugates are shown to simultaneously probe the base stacking and groove surface in the DNA triplex. Calorimetric and spectrosocopic studies allow the quantification of the effect of surface area of the intercalating moiety on binding to the triplex. These studies outline a novel approach to the recognition of DNA triplexes that incorporates the use of noncompeting binding sites. These principles of dual recognition should be applicable to the design of ligands that can bind any given nucleic acid target with nanomolar affinities and with high selectivity.
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Kolevzon N, Yavin E. Site-Specific DNA Photocleavage and Photomodulation by Oligonucleotide Conjugates. Oligonucleotides 2010; 20:263-75. [DOI: 10.1089/oli.2010.0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Netanel Kolevzon
- The School of Pharmacy, The Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eylon Yavin
- The School of Pharmacy, The Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Vasquez KM. Targeting and processing of site-specific DNA interstrand crosslinks. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2010; 51:527-39. [PMID: 20196133 PMCID: PMC2895014 DOI: 10.1002/em.20557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are among the most cytotoxic types of DNA damage, and thus ICL-inducing agents such as cyclophosphamide, melphalan, cisplatin, psoralen, and mitomycin C have been used clinically as anticancer drugs for decades. ICLs can also be formed endogenously as a consequence of cellular metabolic processes. ICL-inducing agents continue to be among the most effective chemotherapeutic treatments for many cancers; however, treatment with these agents can lead to secondary malignancies, in part due to mutagenic processing of the DNA lesions. The mechanisms of ICL repair have been characterized more thoroughly in bacteria and yeast than in mammalian cells. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ICL processing offers the potential to improve the efficacy of these drugs in cancer therapy. In mammalian cells, it is thought that ICLs are repaired by the coordination of proteins from several pathways, including nucleotide excision repair (NER), base excision repair (BER), mismatch repair (MMR), homologous recombination (HR), translesion synthesis (TLS), and proteins involved in Fanconi anemia (FA). In this review, we focus on the potential functions of NER, MMR, and HR proteins in the repair of and response to ICLs in human cells and in mice. We will also discuss a unique approach, using psoralen covalently linked to triplex-forming oligonucleotides to direct ICLs to specific sites in the mammalian genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Vasquez
- Department of Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park-Research Division, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA.
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Hinz JM. Role of homologous recombination in DNA interstrand crosslink repair. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2010; 51:582-603. [PMID: 20658649 DOI: 10.1002/em.20577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Homologous recombination repair (HRR) encompasses mechanisms that employ homologous DNA sequences as templates for repair or tolerance of a wide range of DNA lesions that inhibit DNA replication in S phase. Arguably the most imposing of these DNA lesions is that of the interstrand crosslink (ICL), consisting of a covalently attached chemical bridge between opposing DNA strands. ICL repair requires the coordinated activities of HRR and a number of proteins from other DNA repair and damage response systems, including nucleotide excision repair, base excision repair, mismatch repair, and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). Interestingly, different organisms favor alternative methods of HRR in the ICL repair process. E. coli perform ICL repair using a homology-driven damage bypass mechanism analogous to daughter strand gap repair. Eukaryotes from yeast to humans initiate ICL repair primarily during DNA replication, relying on HRR activity to restart broken replication forks associated with double-strand break intermediates induced by nucleolytic activities of other excision repair factors. Higher eukaryotes also employ several additional factors, including members of the Fanconi anemia damage-response network, which further promote replication-associated ICL repair through the activation and coordination of various DNA excision repair, TLS, and HRR proteins. This review focuses on the proteins and general mechanisms of HRR associated with ICL repair in different model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Hinz
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
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