Cleaving DNA with DNA: Cooperative Tuning of Structure and Reactivity Driven by Copper Ions

A copper-dependent self-cleaving DNA (DNAzyme or deoyxyribozyme) previously isolated by in vitro selection has been analyzed by a combination of Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and advanced Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (Electron Spin Resonance) EPR/ESR spectroscopy, providing insights on the structural and mechanistic features of the cleavage reaction. The modeled 46-nucleotide deoxyribozyme in MD simulations forms duplex and triplex sub-structures that flank a highly conserved catalytic core. The DNA self-cleaving construct can also form a bimolecular complex that has a distinct substrate and enzyme domains. The highly dynamic structure combined with an oxidative site-specific cleavage of the substrate are two key-aspects to elucidate. By combining EPR/ESR spectroscopy with selectively isotopically labeled nucleotides it has been possible to overcome the major drawback related to the "metal-soup" scenario, also known as "super-stoichiometric" ratios of cofactors versus substrate, conventionally required for the DNA cleavage reaction within those nucleic acids-based enzymes. The focus on the endogenous paramagnetic center (Cu2+) here described paves the way for analysis on mixtures where several different cofactors are involved. Furthermore, the insertion of cleavage reaction within more complex architectures is now a realistic perspective towards the applicability of EPR/ESR spectroscopic studies.

NMR-identification of the interaction between BRCA1 and the intrinsically disordered monomer of the Myc-associated factor X

The breast cancer susceptibility 1 (BRCA1) protein plays a pivotal role in modulating the transcriptional activity of the vital intrinsically disordered transcription factor MYC. In this regard, mutations of BRCA1 and interruption of its regulatory activity are related to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Interestingly, so far, MYC's main dimerization partner MAX (MYC-associated factor X) has not been found to bind BRCA1 despite a high sequence similarity between both oncoproteins. Herein, we show that a potential reason for this discrepancy is the heterogeneous conformational space of MAX, which encloses a well-documented folded coiled-coil homodimer as well as a less common intrinsically disordered monomer state-contrary to MYC, which exists mostly as intrinsically disordered protein in the absence of any binding partner. We show that when the intrinsically disordered state of MAX is artificially overpopulated, the binding of MAX to BRCA1 can readily be observed. We characterize this interaction by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy chemical shift and relaxation measurements, complemented with ITC and SAXS data. Our results suggest that BRCA1 directly binds the MAX monomer to form a disordered complex. Though probed herein under biomimetic in-vitro conditions, this finding can potentially stimulate new perspectives on the regulatory network around BRCA1 and its involvement in MYC:MAX regulation.

Intrinsic Flexibility beyond the Highly Ordered DNA Tetrahedron: An Integrative Spectroscopic and Molecular Dynamics Approach

Since the introduction of DNA-based architectures, in the past decade, DNA tetrahedrons have aroused great interest. Applications of such nanostructures require structural control, especially in the perspective of their possible functionalities. In this work, an integrated approach for structural characterization of a tetrahedron structure is proposed with a focus on the fundamental biophysical aspects driving the assembly process. To address such an issue, spin-labeled DNA sequences are chemically synthesized, self-assembled, and then analyzed by Continuous-Wave (CW) and pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Interspin distance measurements based on PELDOR/DEER techniques combined with molecular dynamics (MD) thus revealed unexpected dynamic heterogeneity and flexibility of the assembled structures. The observation of flexibility in these ordered 3D structures demonstrates the sensitivity of this approach and its effectiveness in accessing the main dynamic and structural features with unprecedented resolution.

Structural and functional insights into the activation of the dual incision activity of UvrC, a key player in bacterial NER

Bacterial nucleotide excision repair (NER), mediated by the UvrA, UvrB and UvrC proteins is a multistep, ATP-dependent process, that is responsible for the removal of a very wide range of chemically and structurally diverse DNA lesions. DNA damage removal is performed by UvrC, an enzyme possessing a dual endonuclease activity, capable of incising the DNA on either side of the damaged site to release a short single-stranded DNA fragment containing the lesion. Using biochemical and biophysical approaches, we have probed the oligomeric state, UvrB- and DNA-binding abilities and incision activities of wild-type and mutant constructs of UvrC from the radiation resistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans. Moreover, by combining the power of new structure prediction algorithms and experimental crystallographic data, we have assembled the first model of a complete UvrC, revealing several unexpected structural motifs and in particular, a central inactive RNase H domain acting as a platform for the surrounding domains. In this configuration, UvrC is maintained in a 'closed' inactive state that needs to undergo a major rearrangement to adopt an 'open' active state capable of performing the dual incision reaction. Taken together, this study provides important insight into the mechanism of recruitment and activation of UvrC during NER.

Photoactivatable V-Shaped Bifunctional Quinone Methide Precursors as a New Class of Selective G-quadruplex Alkylating Agents

Combining the selectivity of G‐quadruplex (G4) ligands with the spatial and temporal control of photochemistry is an emerging strategy to elucidate the biological relevance of these structures. In this work, we developed six novel V‐shaped G4 ligands that can, upon irradiation, form stable covalent adducts with G4 structures via the reactive intermediate, quinone methide (QM). We thoroughly investigated the photochemical properties of the ligands and their ability to generate QMs. Subsequently, we analyzed their specificity for various topologies of G4 and discovered a preferential binding towards the human telomeric sequence. Finally, we tested the ligand ability to act as photochemical alkylating agents, identifying the covalent adducts with G4 structures. This work introduces a novel molecular tool in the chemical biology toolkit for G4s.

Hydrogen Production at a NiO Photocathode Based on a Ruthenium Dye-Cobalt Diimine Dioxime Catalyst Assembly: Insights from Advanced Spectroscopy and Post-operando Characterization

The production of hydrogen by efficient, low-cost, and integrated photoelectrochemical water splitting processes represents an important target for the ecological transition. This challenge can be addressed thanks to bioinspired chemistry and artificial photosynthesis approaches by designing dye-sensitized photocathodes for hydrogen production, incorporating bioinspired first-row transition metal-based catalysts. The present work describes the preparation and photoelectrochemical characterization of a NiO photocathode sensitized with a phosphonate-derivatized ruthenium tris-diimine photosensitizer covalently linked to a cobalt diimine dioxime hydrogen-evolving catalyst. Under simulated AM 1.5G irradiation, hydrogen is produced with photocurrent densities reaching 84 ± 7 μA·cm^-2, which is among the highest values reported so far for dye-sensitized photocathodes with surface-immobilized catalysts. Thanks to the unique combination of advanced spectroscopy and surface characterization techniques, the fast desorption of the dyad from the NiO electrode and the low yield of electron transfer to the catalyst, resulting in the Co demetallation from the diimine dioxime framework, were identified as the main barriers limiting the performances and the stability of the system. This work therefore paves the way for a more rational design of molecular photocathodes for solar fuel production and represents a further step toward the development of sustainable processes for the production of hydrogen from sunlight and water.

Dissecting Highly Mutagenic Processing of Complex Clustered DNA Damage in Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Clusters of DNA damage, also called multiply damaged sites (MDS), are a signature of ionizing radiation exposure. They are defined as two or more lesions within one or two helix turns, which are created by the passage of a single radiation track. It has been shown that the clustering of DNA damage compromises their repair. Unresolved repair may lead to the formation of double-strand breaks (DSB) or the induction of mutation. We engineered three complex MDS, comprised of oxidatively damaged bases and a one-nucleotide (1 nt) gap (or not), in order to investigate the processing and the outcome of these MDS in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Such MDS could be caused by high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. Using a whole-cell extract, deficient (or not) in base excision repair (BER), and a plasmid-based assay, we investigated in vitro excision/incision at the damaged bases and the mutations generated at MDS in wild-type, BER, and translesion synthesis-deficient cells. The processing of the studied MDS did not give rise to DSB (previously published). Our major finding is the extremely high mutation frequency that occurs at the MDS. The proposed processing of MDS is rather complex, and it largely depends on the nature and the distribution of the damaged bases relative to the 1 nt gap. Our results emphasize the deleterious consequences of MDS in eukaryotic cells.

Melting Curve Analysis of Aptachains: Adenosine Detection with Internal Calibration

Small molecules are ubiquitous in nature and their detection is relevant in various domains. However, due to their size, sensitive and selective probes are difficult to select and the detection methods are generally indirect. In this study, we introduced the use of melting curve analysis of aptachains based on split-aptamers for the detection of adenosine. Aptamers, short oligonucleotides, are known to be particularly efficient probes compared to antibodies thanks to their advantageous probe/target size ratio. Aptachains are formed from dimers with dangling ends followed by the split-aptamer binding triggered by the presence of the target. The high melting temperature of the dimers served as a calibration for the detection/quantification of the target based on the height and/or temperature shift of the aptachain melting peak.

The Arabidopsis thaliana Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerases 1 and 2 Modify DNA by ADP-Ribosylating Terminal Phosphate Residues

Proteins from the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family, such as PARP1 and PARP2, use NAD⁺ as a substrate to catalyze the synthesis of polymeric chains consisting of ADP-ribose units covalently attached to an acceptor molecule. PARP1 and PARP2 are viewed as DNA damage sensors that, upon binding to strand breaks, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ate themselves and nuclear acceptor proteins. The flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana contains three genes encoding homologs of mammalian PARPs: atPARP1, atPARP2, and atPARP3. Both atPARP1 and atPARP2 contain poly(ADP-ribosyl)ating activity; however, it is unknown whether they could covalently modify DNA by ADP-ribosylating the strand break termini. Here, we report that similar to their mammalian counterparts, the plant atPARP1 and atPARP2 proteins ADP-ribosylate 5′-terminal phosphate residues in duplex DNA oligonucleotides and plasmid containing at least two closely spaced DNA strand breaks. AtPARP1 preferentially catalyzes covalent attachment of ADP-ribose units to the ends of recessed DNA duplexes containing 5′-phosphate, whereas atPARP2 preferentially ADP-ribosylates the nicked and gapped DNA duplexes containing the terminal 5′-phosphate. Similar to their mammalian counterparts, the plant PARP-catalyzed DNA ADP-ribosylation is particularly sensitive to the distance that separates two strand breaks in the same DNA molecule, 1.5 and 1 or 2 turns of helix for atPARP1 and atPARP2, respectively. PAR glycohydrolase (PARG) restored native DNA structure by hydrolyzing the PAR–DNA adducts generated by atPARPs. Biochemical and mass spectrometry analyses of the PAR–DNA adducts showed that atPARPs utilize phosphorylated DNA termini as an alternative to protein acceptor residues to catalyze PAR chain synthesis via phosphodiester bond formation between C1′ of ADP-ribose and a phosphate residue of the terminal nucleotide in DNA fragment. Taken together, these data establish the presence of a new type of DNA-modifying activity in Arabidopsis PARPs, suggesting a possible role of DNA ADP-ribosylation in DNA damage signaling and repair of terrestrial plants.

Aqueous Synthesis of DNA-Functionalized Near-Infrared AgInS2/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots

Biocompatibility, biofunctionality, and chemical stability are essential criteria to be fulfilled by quantum dot (QD) emitters for bio-imaging and -sensing applications. In addition to these criteria, achieving efficient near-infrared (NIR) emission with nontoxic QDs remains very challenging. In this perspective, we developed water-soluble NIR-emitting AgInS₂/ZnS core/shell (AIS/ZnS) QDs functionalized with DNA. The newly established aqueous route relying on a two-step hot-injection synthesis led to highly luminescent chalcopyrite-type AIS/ZnS core/shell QDs with an unprecedented photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 55% at 700 nm and a long photoluminescence (PL) decay time of 900 ns. Fast and slow hot injection of the precursors were compared for the AIS core QD synthesis, yielding a completely different behavior in terms of size, size distribution, stoichiometry, and crystal structure. The PL peak positions of both types of core QDs were 710 (fast) and 760 nm (slow injection) with PLQYs of 36 and 8%, respectively. The slow and successive incorporation of the Zn and S precursors during the subsequent shell growth step on the stronger emitting cores promoted the formation of a three-monolayer thick ZnS shell, evidenced by the increase of the average QD size from 3.0 to 4.8 nm. Bioconjugation of the AIS/ZnS QDs with hexylthiol-modified DNA was achieved during the ZnS shell growth, resulting in a grafting level of 5-6 DNA single strands per QD. The successful chemical conjugation of DNA was attested by UV-vis spectroscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis. Importantly, surface plasmon resonance imaging experiments using complementary DNA strands further corroborated the successful coupling and the stability of the AIS/ZnS-DNA QD conjugates as well as the preservation of the biological activity of the anchored DNA. The strong NIR emission and biocompatibility of these AIS/ZnS-DNA QDs provide a high potential for their use in biomedical applications.

Solid-phase synthesis of branched oligonucleotides containing a biologically relevant dCyd341 interstrand crosslink DNA lesion

Branched oligonucleotides containing a biologically relevant DNA lesion, dCyd341, which involves an interstrand crosslink between a cytosine base on one strand and a ribose moiety on the opposite strand, were prepared in a single automated solid-phase synthesis. For this, we first prepared the phosphoramidite analogue of dCyd341 bearing an orthogonal levulinyl protecting group. Then, following the synthesis of the first DNA strand containing dCyd341, the levulinic group was removed and the synthesis was then continued from the free base hydroxyl group at the branching point, using traditional phosphoramidites. The synthesized oligonucleotides were fully characterized by MALDI-TOF/MS and were enzymatically digested, and the presence of the lesion was confirmed by HPLC-MS/MS and the sequence was finally controlled upon exonuclease digestion followed by MALDI-TOF/MS analysis. The developed strategy was successfully employed for the preparation of several short linear and branched oligonucleotides containing the aforementioned lesion.

Characterization of DNA ADP-ribosyltransferase activities of PARP2 and PARP3: new insights into DNA ADP-ribosylation

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) act as DNA break sensors and catalyze the synthesis of polymers of ADP-ribose (PAR) covalently attached to acceptor proteins at DNA damage sites. It has been demonstrated that both mammalian PARP1 and PARP2 PARylate double-strand break termini in DNA oligonucleotide duplexes in vitro. Here, we show that mammalian PARP2 and PARP3 can PARylate and mono(ADP-ribosyl)ate (MARylate), respectively, 5′- and 3′-terminal phosphate residues at double- and single-strand break termini of a DNA molecule containing multiple strand breaks. PARP3-catalyzed DNA MARylation can be considered a new type of reversible post-replicative DNA modification. According to DNA substrate specificity of PARP3 and PARP2, we propose a putative mechanistic model of PARP-catalyzed strand break–oriented ADP-ribosylation of DNA termini. Notably, PARP-mediated DNA ADP-ribosylation can be more effective than PARPs’ auto-ADP-ribosylation depending on the DNA substrates and reaction conditions used. Finally, we show an effective PARP3- or PARP2-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of high-molecular-weight (∼3-kb) DNA molecules, PARP-mediated DNA PARylation in cell-free extracts and a persisting signal of anti-PAR antibodies in a serially purified genomic DNA from bleomycin-treated poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase-depleted HeLa cells. These results suggest that certain types of complex DNA breaks can be effectively ADP-ribosylated by PARPs in cellular response to DNA damage.

Aberrant repair initiated by the adenine-DNA glycosylase does not play a role in UV-induced mutagenesis in Escherichia coli

BACKGROUND

DNA repair is essential to counteract damage to DNA induced by endo- and exogenous factors, to maintain genome stability. However, challenges to the faithful discrimination between damaged and non-damaged DNA strands do exist, such as mismatched pairs between two regular bases resulting from spontaneous deamination of 5-methylcytosine or DNA polymerase errors during replication. To counteract these mutagenic threats to genome stability, cells evolved the mismatch-specific DNA glycosylases that can recognize and remove regular DNA bases in the mismatched DNA duplexes. The Escherichia coli adenine-DNA glycosylase (MutY/MicA) protects cells against oxidative stress-induced mutagenesis by removing adenine which is mispaired with 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8oxoG) in the base excision repair pathway. However, MutY does not discriminate between template and newly synthesized DNA strands. Therefore the ability to remove A from 8oxoG•A mispair, which is generated via misincorporation of an 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-triphosphate precursor during DNA replication and in which A is the template base, can induce A•T→C•G transversions. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that human MUTYH, homologous to the bacterial MutY, might be involved in the aberrant processing of ultraviolet (UV) induced DNA damage.

METHODS

Here, we investigated the role of MutY in UV-induced mutagenesis in E. coli. MutY was probed on DNA duplexes containing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproduct (6-4PP). UV irradiation of E. coli induces Save Our Souls (SOS) response characterized by increased production of DNA repair enzymes and mutagenesis. To study the role of MutY in vivo, the mutation frequencies to rifampicin-resistant (RifR) after UV irradiation of wild type and mutant E. coli strains were measured.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that MutY does not excise Adenine when it is paired with CPD and 6-4PP adducts in duplex DNA. At the same time, MutY excises Adenine in A•G and A•8oxoG mispairs. Interestingly, E. coli mutY strains, which have elevated spontaneous mutation rate, exhibited low mutational induction after UV exposure as compared to MutY-proficient strains. However, sequence analysis of RifR mutants revealed that the frequencies of C→T transitions dramatically increased after UV irradiation in both MutY-proficient and -deficient E. coli strains.

DISCUSSION

These findings indicate that the bacterial MutY is not involved in the aberrant DNA repair of UV-induced DNA damage.

Abasic and oxidized ribonucleotides embedded in DNA are processed by human APE1 and not by RNase H2

Ribonucleoside 5′-monophosphates (rNMPs) are the most common non-standard nucleotides found in DNA of eukaryotic cells, with over 100 million rNMPs transiently incorporated in the mammalian genome per cell cycle. Human ribonuclease (RNase) H2 is the principal enzyme able to cleave rNMPs in DNA. Whether RNase H2 may process abasic or oxidized rNMPs incorporated in DNA is unknown. The base excision repair (BER) pathway is mainly responsible for repairing oxidized and abasic sites into DNA. Here we show that human RNase H2 is unable to process an abasic rNMP (rAP site) or a ribose 8oxoG (r8oxoG) site embedded in DNA. On the contrary, we found that recombinant purified human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease-1 (APE1) and APE1 from human cell extracts efficiently process an rAP site in DNA and have weak endoribonuclease and 3′-exonuclease activities on r8oxoG substrate. Using biochemical assays, our results provide evidence of a human enzyme able to recognize and process abasic and oxidized ribonucleotides embedded in DNA.

Linear Chain Formation of Split-Aptamer Dimers on Surfaces Triggered by Adenosine

The detection of small molecules impacts various fields; however, their small size and low concentration are usually the cause of limitations in their detection. Thus, the need for biosensors with appropriate probes and signal amplification strategies is required. Aptamers are appropriate probes selected specifically against small targets such as adenosine. The possibility to split aptamers in parts led to original amplification strategies based on sandwich assays. By combining the self-assembling of oligonucleotide dimers with split-aptamer dangling ends and a surface plasmon resonance imaging technique, we developed an original amplification approach based on linear chain formation in the presence of the adenosine target. In this article, on the basis of sequence engineering, we analyzed its performance and the effect of the probe grafting density on the length of the chains formed at the surface of the biosensor.

Metallic Conductive Nanowires Elaborated by PVD Metal Deposition on Suspended DNA Bundles

Metallic conductive nanowires (NWs) with DNA bundle core are achieved, thanks to an original process relying on double-stranded DNA alignment and physical vapor deposition (PVD) metallization steps involving a silicon substrate. First, bundles of DNA are suspended with a repeatable process between 2 µm high parallel electrodes with separating gaps ranging from 800 nm to 2 µm. The process consists in the drop deposition of a DNA lambda-phage solution on the electrodes followed by a naturally evaporation step. The deposition process is controlled by the DNA concentration within the buffer solution, the drop volume, and the electrode hydrophobicity. The suspended bundles are finally metallized with various thicknesses of titanium and gold by a PVD e-beam evaporation process. The achieved NWs have a width ranging from a few nanometers up to 100 nm. The electrical behavior of the achieved 60 and 80 nm width metallic NWs is shown to be Ohmic and their intrinsic resistance is estimated according to different geometrical models of the NW section area. For the 80 nm width NWs, a resistance of about few ohms is established, opening exploration fields for applications in microelectronics.

Self-assembly of porphyrin–DNA hybrids into large flat nanostructures

Two complementary 21-mer oligonucleotide/porphyrin hybrids were synthesized and assembled into nanostructures.

A high-throughput screen for detection of compound-dependent phosphodiester bond cleavage at abasic sites

We have employed a DNA molecular beacon with a real abasic site, namely a 2-deoxyribose, in a fluorescent high-throughput assay to identify artificial nucleases that cleave at abasic sites. We screened a 1280 compound chemical library and identified a compound that functions as an artificial nuclease. We validated a key structure-activity relationship necessary for abasic site cleavage using available analogs of the identified artificial nuclease. We also addressed the activity of the identified compound with dose titrations in the absence and presence of a source of non-specific DNA. Finally, we characterized the phosphodiester backbone cleavage at the abasic site using denaturing gel electrophoresis. This study provides a useful template for researchers seeking to rapidly identify new artificial nucleases.

Oxidative DNA Damage and Repair in the Radioresistant Archaeon Thermococcus gammatolerans

The hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus gammatolerans can resist huge doses of γ-irradiation, up to 5.0 kGy, without loss of viability. The potential to withstand such harsh conditions is probably due to complementary passive and active mechanisms, including repair of damaged chromosomes. In this work, we documented the formation and repair of oxidative DNA lesions in T. gammatolerans. The basal level of the oxidized nucleoside, 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo), was established at 9.2 (± 0.9) 8-oxo-dGuo per 10⁶ nucleosides, a higher level than those usually measured in eukaryotic cells or bacteria. A significant increase in oxidative damage, i.e., up to 24.2 (± 8.0) 8-oxo-dGuo/10⁶ nucleosides, was measured for T. gammatolerans exposed to a 5.0 kGy dose of γ-rays. Surprisingly, the yield of radiation-induced modifications was lower than those previously observed for human cells exposed to doses corresponding to a few grays. One hour after irradiation, 8-oxo-dGuo levels were significantly reduced, indicating an efficient repair. Two putative base excision repair (BER) enzymes, TGAM_1277 and TGAM_1653, were demonstrated both by proteomics and transcriptomics to be present in the cells without exposure to ionizing radiation. Their transcripts were moderately upregulated after gamma irradiation. After heterologous production and purification of these enzymes, biochemical assays based on electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry indicated that both have a β-elimination cleavage activity. TGAM_1653 repairs 8-oxo-dGuo, whereas TGAM_1277 is also able to remove lesions affecting pyrimidines (1-[2-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl]-5-hydroxyhydantoin (5-OH-dHyd) and 1-[2-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl]-5-hydroxy-5-methylhydantoin (5-OH-5-Me-dHyd)). This work showed that in normal growth conditions or in the presence of a strong oxidative stress, T. gammatolerans has the potential to rapidly reduce the extent of DNA oxidation, with at least these two BER enzymes as bodyguards with distinct substrate ranges.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases covalently modify strand break termini in DNA fragments in vitro

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs/ARTDs) use nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) to catalyse the synthesis of a long branched poly(ADP-ribose) polymer (PAR) attached to the acceptor amino acid residues of nuclear proteins. PARPs act on single- and double-stranded DNA breaks by recruiting DNA repair factors. Here, in in vitro biochemical experiments, we found that the mammalian PARP1 and PARP2 proteins can directly ADP-ribosylate the termini of DNA oligonucleotides. PARP1 preferentially catalysed covalent attachment of ADP-ribose units to the ends of recessed DNA duplexes containing 3′-cordycepin, 5′- and 3′-phosphate and also to 5′-phosphate of a single-stranded oligonucleotide. PARP2 preferentially ADP-ribosylated the nicked/gapped DNA duplexes containing 5′-phosphate at the double-stranded termini. PAR glycohydrolase (PARG) restored native DNA structure by hydrolysing PAR-DNA adducts generated by PARP1 and PARP2. Biochemical and mass spectrometry analyses of the adducts suggested that PARPs utilise DNA termini as an alternative to 2′-hydroxyl of ADP-ribose and protein acceptor residues to catalyse PAR chain initiation either via the 2′,1″-O-glycosidic ribose-ribose bond or via phosphodiester bond formation between C1′ of ADP-ribose and the phosphate of a terminal deoxyribonucleotide. This new type of post-replicative modification of DNA provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying biological phenomena of ADP-ribosylation mediated by PARPs.

DNA Origami Mask for Sub-Ten-Nanometer Lithography

DNA nanotechnology is currently widely explored and especially shows promises for advanced lithography due to its ability to define nanometer scale features. We demonstrate a 9 × 14 nm(2) hole pattern transfer from DNA origami into an SiO2 layer with a sub-10-nm resolution using anhydrous HF vapor in a semiconductor etching machine. We show that the resulting SiO2 pattern inherits its shape from the DNA structure within a process time ranging from 30 to 60 s at an etching rate of 0.2 nm/s. At 600 s of etching, the SiO2 pattern meets corrosion and the overall etching reaction is blocked. These results, in addition to the entire surface coverage by magnesium occurring on the substrate at a density of 1.1 × 10(15) atom/cm(2), define a process window, fabrication rules, and limits for DNA-based lithography.

A DNA array based on clickable lesion-containing hairpin probes for multiplexed detection of base excision repair activities

An electrophoresis-free fluorescent functional assay has been developed to measure DNA repair activities in a miniaturized and parallelized manner.

Oxidatively Generated Guanine(C8)-Thymine(N3) Intrastrand Cross-links in Double-stranded DNA Are Repaired by Base Excision Repair Pathways

Oxidatively generated guanine radical cations in DNA can undergo various nucleophilic reactions including the formation of C8-guanine cross-links with adjacent or nearby N3-thymines in DNA in the presence of O2. The G*[C8-N3]T* lesions have been identified in the DNA of human cells exposed to oxidative stress, and are most likely genotoxic if not removed by cellular defense mechanisms. It has been shown that the G*[C8-N3]T* lesions are substrates of nucleotide excision repair in human cell extracts. Cleavage at the sites of the lesions was also observed but not further investigated (Ding et al. (2012) Nucleic Acids Res. 40, 2506-2517). Using a panel of eukaryotic and prokaryotic bifunctional DNA glycosylases/lyases (NEIL1, Nei, Fpg, Nth, and NTH1) and apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases (Apn1, APE1, and Nfo), the analysis of cleavage fragments by PAGE and MALDI-TOF/MS show that the G*[C8-N3]T* lesions in 17-mer duplexes are incised on either side of G*, that none of the recovered cleavage fragments contain G*, and that T* is converted to a normal T in the 3'-fragment cleavage products. The abilities of the DNA glycosylases to incise the DNA strand adjacent to G*, while this base is initially cross-linked with T*, is a surprising observation and an indication of the versatility of these base excision repair proteins.

Synthesis of a multibranched porphyrin-oligonucleotide scaffold for the construction of DNA-based nano-architectures

The interest in the functionalization of oligonucleotides with organic molecules has grown considerably over the last decade. In this work, we report on the synthesis and characterization of porphyrin-oligonucleotide hybrids containing one to four DNA strands (P1-P4). The hybrid P4, which inserts one porphyrin and four DNA fragments, was combined with gold nanoparticles and imaged by transmission electron microscopy.

Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide derived N7-alkylguanine adducts are bypassed accurately in vivo

Adducts formed at the nucleophilic N7 position of guanine are the most abundant lesions produced by alkylating agents such as ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO). In order to investigate the intrinsic mutagenic potential of N7-alkylguanine adducts, we prepared single-stranded DNA probes containing a single well-defined N7-alkylguanine adduct under conditions that minimize the presence of depurinated molecules. Following introduction of these probes into Escherichia coli cells, the effect of the N7-alkylguanine adducts on the efficiency and fidelity of replication was determined. To investigate the effect on replication we monitored the relative transformation efficiency of the lesion containing constructs with respect to the control construct. The methyl adduct was found not to be toxic, while the N7-(2-hydroxyethyl)guanine (N7-heG) and N7-(2-hydroxypropyl)guanine (N7-hpG) adducts reduce the transformation efficiency to ≈70% and 40%, respectively. Within the detection limits of our assay, replication across the N7-alkylguanine adducts in vivo is essentially error-free, as no mutant colony was observed among ≈300 individual sequenced colonies (i.e., mutation frequency<0.3%).

Zinc finger oxidation of Fpg/Nei DNA glycosylases by 2-thioxanthine: biochemical and X-ray structural characterization

DNA glycosylases from the Fpg/Nei structural superfamily are base excision repair enzymes involved in the removal of a wide variety of mutagen and potentially lethal oxidized purines and pyrimidines. Although involved in genome stability, the recent discovery of synthetic lethal relationships between DNA glycosylases and other pathways highlights the potential of DNA glycosylase inhibitors for future medicinal chemistry development in cancer therapy. By combining biochemical and structural approaches, the physical target of 2-thioxanthine (2TX), an uncompetitive inhibitor of Fpg, was identified. 2TX interacts with the zinc finger (ZnF) DNA binding domain of the enzyme. This explains why the zincless hNEIL1 enzyme is resistant to 2TX. Crystal structures of the enzyme bound to DNA in the presence of 2TX demonstrate that the inhibitor chemically reacts with cysteine thiolates of ZnF and induces the loss of zinc. The molecular mechanism by which 2TX inhibits Fpg may be generalized to all prokaryote and eukaryote ZnF-containing Fpg/Nei-DNA glycosylases. Cell experiments show that 2TX can operate in cellulo on the human Fpg/Nei DNA glycosylases. The atomic elucidation of the determinants for the interaction of 2TX to Fpg provides the foundation for the future design and synthesis of new inhibitors with high efficiency and selectivity.

Radiation-mediated formation of complex damage to DNA: a chemical aspect overview

During the last three decades, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken to determine the nature, the mechanism of formation and the biological consequences of radiation-induced DNA lesions. Most of the information was obtained via the development of chemical approaches, including theoretical, analytical and organic synthesis methods. Since it is not possible to present all the results obtained in this review article, we will focus on recent data dealing with the formation of complex DNA lesions produced by a single oxidation event, as these lesions may play a significant role in cellular responses to ionizing radiation and also to other sources of oxidative stress. Through the description of specific results, the contribution of different chemical disciplines in the assessment of the structure, the identification of the mechanism of formation and the biological impacts in terms of repair and mutagenicity of these complex radiation-induced DNA lesions will be highlighted.

Anomalous electrophoretic migration of short oligodeoxynucleotides labelled with 5'-terminal Cy5 dyes

By using a fluorescent exonuclease assay, we reported unusual electrophoretic mobility of 5'-indocarbo-cyanine 5 (5'-Cy5) labelled DNA fragments in denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Incubation time and enzyme concentration were two parameters involved in the formation of 5'-Cy5-labelled degradation products, while the structure of the substrate was slightly interfering. Replacement of positively charged 5'-Cy5-labelled DNA oligonucleotides (DNA oligos) by electrically neutral 5'-carboxyfluorescein (5'-FAM) labelled DNA oligos abolished the anomalous migration pattern of degradation products. MS analysis demonstrated that anomalously migrating products were in fact 5'-labelled DNA fragments ranging from 1 to 8 nucleotides. Longer 5'-Cy5-labelled DNA fragments migrated at the expected position. Altogether, these data highlighted, for the first time, the influence of the mass/charge ratio of 5'-Cy5-labelled DNA oligos on their electrophoretic mobility. Although obtained by performing 3' to 5' exonuclease assays with the family B DNA polymerase from Pyrococcus abyssi, these observations represent a major concern in DNA technology involving most DNA degrading enzymes.

A multiplex assay based on encoded microbeads conjugated to DNA NanoBeacons to monitor base excision repair activities by flow cytometry

We reported here a new assay to detect base excision repair activities from purified enzymes, as well as in cell-free extracts. The multiplex format rests upon the encoding of magnetic beads with the fluorophore Alexa 488, thanks to a fast and original procedure. Fluorescently encoded microbeads are subsequently functionalized by lesion-containing DNA NanoBeacons labeled with the fluorophore/quencher pair Cyanine 5/BHQ2. Probes cleavage, induced by targeted enzymes leads to Cyanine 5 signal enhancement, which is finally quantified by flow cytometry. The multiplex assay was applied to the detection of restriction enzymes activities as well as base excision repair processes. Each test requires only 500fmol of DNA substrate, which constitutes great sensitivity compared to other BER functional assays. The present biosensor is able to detect both uracil DNA N-glycosylase (UNG) and AP-endonuclease 1 (APE1) within few nanograms of nuclear extract. Additionally, we demonstrated that the corresponding assay has potential application in DNA repair inhibitor search. Finally, the current multiplexed tool shows several advantages in comparison to other functional BER assays with no need of electrophoretic separation, straightforward, easy and reproducible functionalization of encoded microbeads and a high stability of DNA probes in cell-free extracts.

On-bead fluorescent DNA nanoprobes to analyze base excision repair activities

DNA integrity is constantly threatened by endogenous and exogenous agents that can modify its physical and chemical structure. Changes in DNA sequence can cause mutations sparked by some genetic diseases or cancers. Organisms have developed efficient defense mechanisms able to specifically repair each kind of lesion (alkylation, oxidation, single or double strand break, mismatch, etc). Here we report the adjustment of an original assay to detect enzymes' activity of base excision repair (BER), that supports a set of lesions including abasic sites, alkylation, oxidation or deamination products of bases. The biosensor is characterized by a set of fluorescent hairpin-shaped nucleic acid probes supported on magnetic beads, each containing a selective lesion targeting a specific BER enzyme. We have studied the DNA glycosylase alkyl-adenine glycosylase (AAG) and the human AP-endonuclease (APE1) by incorporating within the DNA probe a hypoxanthine lesion or an abasic site analog (tetrahydrofuran), respectively. Enzymatic repair activity induces the formation of a nick in the damaged strand, leading to probe's break, that is detected in the supernatant by fluorescence. The functional assay allows the measurement of DNA repair activities from purified enzymes or in cell-free extracts in a fast, specific, quantitative and sensitive way, using only 1 pmol of probe for a test. We recorded a detection limit of 1 μg mL(-1) and 50 μg mL(-1) of HeLa nuclear extracts for APE1 and AAG enzymes, respectively. Finally, the on-bead assay should be useful to screen inhibitors of DNA repair activities.

Solution-phase vs surface-phase aptamer-protein affinity from a label-free kinetic biosensor

Aptamers are selected DNA ligands that target biomolecules such as proteins. In recent years, they are showing an increasing interest as potential therapeutic agents or recognition elements in biosensor applications. In both cases, the need for characterizing the mating between the target and the aptamer either in solution or immobilized on a surface, is pressing. In this context, we have developed a kinetic biosensor made of micro-arrayed anti-thrombin aptamers to assess the kinetic parameters of this interaction. The binding of label-free thrombin on the biosensor was monitored in real-time by Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging. Remarkable performances were obtained for the quantification of thrombin without amplification (sub-nanomolar limit of detection and linear range of quantification to two orders of magnitude). The independent determinations of both the solution- and surface-phase affinities, respectively K_D^Sol and K_D^Surf, revealed distinct values illustrating the importance of probes, targets or surface interactions in biosensors. Interestingly, K_D^Surf values depend on the aptamer grafting density and linearly extrapolate towards K_D^Sol for highly diluted probes. This suggests a lesser impact of the surface compared to the probe or target cooperativity interactions since the latter decrease with a reduced grafting density.

Highly mutagenic exocyclic DNA adducts are substrates for the human nucleotide incision repair pathway

BACKGROUND

Oxygen free radicals induce lipid peroxidation (LPO) that damages and breaks polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes. LPO-derived aldehydes and hydroxyalkenals react with DNA leading to the formation of etheno(ε)-bases including 1,N(6)-ethenoadenine (εA) and 3,N(4)-ethenocytosine (εC). The εA and εC residues are highly mutagenic in mammalian cells and eliminated in the base excision repair (BER) pathway and/or by AlkB family proteins in the direct damage reversal process. BER initiated by DNA glycosylases is thought to be the major pathway for the removal of non-bulky endogenous base damage. Alternatively, in the nucleotide incision repair (NIR) pathway, the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases can directly incise DNA duplex 5' to a damaged base in a DNA glycosylase-independent manner.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Here we have characterized the substrate specificity of human major AP endonuclease 1, APE1, towards εA, εC, thymine glycol (Tg) and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8oxoG) residues when present in duplex DNA. APE1 cleaves oligonucleotide duplexes containing εA, εC and Tg, but not those containing 8oxoG. Activity depends strongly on sequence context. The apparent kinetic parameters of the reactions suggest that APE1 has a high affinity for DNA containing ε-bases but cleaves DNA duplexes at an extremely slow rate. Consistent with this observation, oligonucleotide duplexes containing an ε-base strongly inhibit AP site nicking activity of APE1 with IC(50) values in the range of 5-10 nM. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the reaction products demonstrated that APE1-catalyzed cleavage of εA•T and εC•G duplexes generates, as expected, DNA fragments containing 5'-terminal ε-base residue.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The fact that ε-bases and Tg in duplex DNA are recognized and cleaved by APE1 in vitro, suggests that NIR may act as a backup pathway to BER to remove a large variety of genotoxic base lesions in human cells.

Tools and strategies for DNA damage interactome analysis

DNA is the target of multiple endogenous and exogenous agents generating chemical lesions on the double helix. Cellular DNA damage response pathways rely on a myriad of proteins interacting with DNA alterations. The cartography of this interactome currently includes well known actors of chromatin remodelling, DNA repair or proteins hijacked from their natural functions such as transcription factors. In order to go further into the characterisation of these protein networks, proteomics-based methods began to be used in the early 2000s. The strategies are diverse and include mainly (i) damaged DNA molecules used as targets on protein microarrays, (ii) damaged DNA probes used to trap within complex cellular extracts proteins that are then separated and identified by proteomics, (iii) identification of chromatin- bound proteins after a genotoxic stress, or (iv) identification of proteins associated with other proteins already known to be part of DNA damage interactome. All these approaches have already been performed to find new proteins recognizing oxidised bases, abasic sites, strand breaks or crosslinks generated by anticancer drugs such as nitrogen mustards and platinating agents. Identified interactions are generally confirmed using complementary methods such as electromobility shift assays or surface plasmon resonance. These strategies allowed, for example, demonstration of interactions between cisplatin-DNA crosslinks and PARP-1 or the protein complex PTW/PP. The next challenging step will be to understand the biological repercussions of these newly identified interactions which may help to unravel new mechanisms involved in genetic toxicology, discover new cellular responses to anticancer drugs or identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

A triple spin-labeling strategy coupled with DEER analysis to detect DNA modifications and enzymatic repair

In a spin: Spin-labeled oligonucleotides produced by click chemistry can be studied by EPR, by using a DEER sequence. This was used to test a complex triple-labeling strategy with damaged DNA. Extensive and accurate analysis of DNA structure and enzymatic repair processes were performed after digestion by EndoIV. Modified DNA structures and DNA-protein interactions can now be readily studied.

New insights in the removal of the hydantoins, oxidation product of pyrimidines, via the base excision and nucleotide incision repair pathways

Background

Oxidative damage to DNA, if not repaired, can be both miscoding and blocking. These genetic alterations can lead to mutations and/or cell death, which in turn cause cancer and aging. Oxidized DNA bases are substrates for two overlapping repair pathways: base excision (BER) and nucleotide incision repair (NIR). Hydantoin derivatives such as 5-hydroxyhydantoin (5OH-Hyd) and 5-methyl-5-hydroxyhydantoin (5OH-5Me-Hyd), major products of cytosine and thymine oxidative degradation pathways, respectively, have been detected in cancer cells and ancient DNA. Hydantoins are blocking lesions for DNA polymerases and excised by bacterial and yeast DNA glycosylases in the BER pathway. However little is known about repair of pyrimidine-derived hydantoins in human cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, using both denaturing PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS analyses we report that the bacterial, yeast and human AP endonucleases can incise duplex DNA 5′ next to 5OH-Hyd and 5OH-5Me-Hyd thus initiating the NIR pathway. We have fully reconstituted the NIR pathway for these lesions in vitro using purified human proteins. Depletion of Nfo in E. coli and APE1 in HeLa cells abolishes the NIR activity in cell-free extracts. Importantly, a number of redundant DNA glycosylase activities can excise hydantoin residues, including human NTH1, NEIL1 and NEIL2 and the former protein being a major DNA glycosylase activity in HeLa cells extracts.

Conclusions/Significance

This study demonstrates that both BER and NIR pathways can compete and/or back-up each other to remove hydantoin DNA lesions in vivo.

Unexpected role for Helicobacter pylori DNA polymerase I as a source of genetic variability

Helicobacter pylori, a human pathogen infecting about half of the world population, is characterised by its large intraspecies variability. Its genome plasticity has been invoked as the basis for its high adaptation capacity. Consistent with its small genome, H. pylori possesses only two bona fide DNA polymerases, Pol I and the replicative Pol III, lacking homologues of translesion synthesis DNA polymerases. Bacterial DNA polymerases I are implicated both in normal DNA replication and in DNA repair. We report that H. pylori DNA Pol I 5′- 3′ exonuclease domain is essential for viability, probably through its involvement in DNA replication. We show here that, despite the fact that it also plays crucial roles in DNA repair, Pol I contributes to genomic instability. Indeed, strains defective in the DNA polymerase activity of the protein, although sensitive to genotoxic agents, display reduced mutation frequencies. Conversely, overexpression of Pol I leads to a hypermutator phenotype. Although the purified protein displays an intrinsic fidelity during replication of undamaged DNA, it lacks a proofreading activity, allowing it to efficiently elongate mismatched primers and perform mutagenic translesion synthesis. In agreement with this finding, we show that the spontaneous mutator phenotype of a strain deficient in the removal of oxidised pyrimidines from the genome is in part dependent on the presence of an active DNA Pol I. This study provides evidence for an unexpected role of DNA polymerase I in generating genomic plasticity.

Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of ulcers and gastric cancers. One the characteristics of this bacterial species is that it displays an amazing capacity to change its genetic information. This genetic variability provides H. pylori with an adaptation potential that allows it to successfully colonise the stomach of about half the human population. Here we identified a surprising source of genomic plasticity in an enzyme also involved in the maintenance of DNA integrity. Indeed, we show that DNA polymerase I, one of the only two DNA polymerases that are found in H. pylori, although essential for DNA replication and repair, contributes to mutagenesis due to its biochemical characteristics.

TOX4 and its binding partners recognize DNA adducts generated by platinum anticancer drugs

Platinating agents are commonly prescribed anticancer drugs damaging DNA. Induced lesions are recognized by a wide range of proteins. These are involved in cellular mechanisms such as DNA repair, mediation of cytotoxicity or chromatin remodeling. They therefore constitute crucial actors to understand pharmacology of these drugs. To expand our knowledge about this subproteome, we developed a ligand fishing trap coupled to high throughput proteomic tools. This trap is made of damaged plasmids attached to magnetic beads, and was exposed to cell nuclear extracts. Retained proteins were identified by nanoHPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. This approach allowed us to establish a list of 38 proteins interacting with DNA adducts generated by cisplatin, oxaliplatin and satraplatin. Some of them were already known interactome members like high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) or the human upstream binding factor (hUBF), but we also succeeded in identifying unexpected proteins such as TOX HMG box family member 4 (TOX4), phosphatase 1 nuclear targeting subunit (PNUTS), and WD repeat-containing protein 82 (WDR82), members of a recently discovered complex. Interaction between TOX4 and platinated DNA was subsequently validated by surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). These interactions highlight new cellular responses to DNA damage induced by chemotherapeutic agents.

Excision by the human methylpurine DNAN‐glycosylase of cyanuric acid, a stable and mutagenic oxidation product of 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanine

PURPOSE

1-(2-Deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-cyanuric acid (cyanuric acid nucleoside or dCa) has been shown to be formed upon exposure of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine- (8-oxoG) containing oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) to oxidizing agents. When present in DNA, cyanuric acid (Ca) is readily bypassed by Escherichia coli DNA polymerases, which preferentially incorporate 2'-deoxyadenosine-5'-monophosphate (dAMP) opposite to the lesion. Therefore, Ca could be a mutagenic DNA lesion yielding G.C to T.A transversions like 8-oxoG. These results call attention to the potential importance of secondary oxidation products of 8-oxoG. The present study investigates the capability of several DNA N-glycosylases to remove the Ca lesion in DNA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A site-specifically modified 22-mer ODN containing a single Ca residue was hybridized with complementary sequences yielding four DNA duplexes harbouring Ca opposite each of the regular DNA bases. The four Ca.N duplexes were used as substrates for nine DNA N-glycosylases from bacterial, yeast or human origin.

RESULTS

The results show that the human methylpurine DNA N-glycosylase (Mpg) can remove Ca from DNA duplexes. Interestingly, oxidized base-specific DNA N-glycosylases, Fpg, Nth, Ntg1, Ntg2, Ogg1, hNth1 and hOgg1, cannot repair Ca in DNA. Furthermore, the removal of Ca by Mpg varied markedly depending on the opposite DNA base, the rank being Ca.C=Ca.T>Ca.G=Ca.A.

CONCLUSIONS

8-OxoG-derived lesions in DNA such as spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp), guanidinohydantoin (Gh), oxaluric acid (Oa), oxazolone (Oz) and Ca are substrates of base excision repair DNA N-glycosylases. Most of them, Sp, Gh, Oa and Oz, are substrates of the oxidized bases-specific enzymes such as Nth or Fpg. In contrast, Ca is substrate of the human methylpurine DNA N-glycosylase (Mpg).

Lesion-induced DNA weak structural changes detected by pulsed EPR spectroscopy combined with site-directed spin labelling

Double electron-electron resonance (DEER) was applied to determine nanometre spin-spin distances on DNA duplexes that contain selected structural alterations. The present approach to evaluate the structural features of DNA damages is thus related to the interspin distance changes, as well as to the flexibility of the overall structure deduced from the distance distribution. A set of site-directed nitroxide-labelled double-stranded DNA fragments containing defined lesions, namely an 8-oxoguanine, an abasic site or abasic site analogues, a nick, a gap and a bulge structure were prepared and then analysed by the DEER spectroscopic technique. New insights into the application of 4-pulse DEER sequence are also provided, in particular with respect to the spin probes' positions and the rigidity of selected systems. The lesion-induced conformational changes observed, which were supported by molecular dynamics studies, confirm the results obtained by other, more conventional, spectroscopic techniques. Thus, the experimental approaches described herein provide an efficient method for probing lesion-induced structural changes of nucleic acids.

The alkyltransferase-like ybaZ gene product enhances nucleotide excision repair of O(6)-alkylguanine adducts in E. coli

O(6)-methylguanine adducts are potent pre-mutagenic lesions owing to their high capacity to direct mis-insertion of thymine when bypassed by replicative DNA polymerases. The strong mutagenic potential of these adducts is prevented by alkyltransferases such as Ada and Ogt in Escherichia coli that transfer the methyl group to one of their cysteine residues. Alkyl residues larger than methyl are generally weak substrates for reversion by alkyltransferases. In this paper we have investigated the genotoxic potential of the O(6)-alkylguanine adducts formed by ethylene and propylene oxide using single-adducted plasmid probes. Our work shows that the ybaZ gene product, a member of the alkyltransferase-like protein family, strongly enhances the repair by nucleotide excision repair of the larger O(6)-alkylguanine adducts that are otherwise poor substrates for alkyltransferases. The YbaZ protein is shown to interact with UvrA. This factor may thus enhance the efficiency of nucleotide excision repair in a way similar to the Transcription-Repair Coupling factor Mfd, by recruiting the UvrA(2).UvrB complex to the adduct site via its interaction with UvrA.

The formation of double-strand breaks at multiply damaged sites is driven by the kinetics of excision/incision at base damage in eukaryotic cells

It has been stipulated that repair of clustered DNA lesions may be compromised, possibly leading to the formation of double-strand breaks (DSB) and, thus, to deleterious events. Using a variety of model multiply damaged sites (MDS), we investigated parameters that govern the formation of DSB during the processing of MDS. Duplexes carrying MDS were inserted into replicative or integrative vectors, and used to transform yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Formation of DSB was assessed by a relevant plasmid survival assay. Kinetics of excision/incision and DSB formation at MDS was explored using yeast cell extracts. We show that MDS composed of two uracils or abasic sites, were rapidly incised and readily converted into DSB in yeast cells. In marked contrast, none of the MDS carrying opposed oG and hU separated by 3–8 bp gave rise to DSB, despite the fact that some of them contained preexisting single-strand break (a 1-nt gap). Interestingly, the absence of DSB formation in this case correlated with slow excision/incision rates of lesions. We propose that the kinetics of the initial repair steps at MDS is a major parameter that direct towards the conversion of MDS into DSB. Data provides clues to the biological consequences of MDS in eukaryotic cells.

DNA repair and free radicals, new insights into the mechanism of spore photoproduct lyase revealed by single amino acid substitution

The major DNA photoproduct in UV-irradiated Bacillus subtilis spores is the thymine dimer named spore photoproduct (SP, 5-(alpha-thyminyl)-5,6-dihydrothymine). The SP lesion has been found to be efficiently repaired by SP lyase (SPL) a very specific enzyme that reverses the SP to two intact thymines, at the origin of the great resistance of the spores to UV irradiation. SPL belongs to a superfamily of [4Fe-4S] iron-sulfur enzymes, called "Radical-SAM." Here, we show that the single substitution of cysteine 141 into alanine, a residue fully conserved in Bacillus species and previously shown to be essential for spore DNA repair in vivo, has a major impact on the outcome of the SPL-dependent repair reaction in vitro. Indeed the modified enzyme catalyzes the almost quantitative conversion of the SP lesion into one thymine and one thymine sulfinic acid derivative. This compound results from the trapping of the allyl-type radical intermediate by dithionite, used as reducing agent in the reaction mixture. Implications of the data reported here regarding the repair mechanism and the role of Cys-141 are discussed.

Absence of 2'-deoxyguanosine-carbon 8-bound ochratoxin A adduct in rat kidney DNA monitored by isotope dilution LC-MS/MS

The contribution of DNA adduct formation in the carcinogenic action of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) has been subject to much debate. Recently, a carbon-bonded ochratoxin A-2'-deoxyguanosine adduct (dGuoOTA) formed by photochemical reaction in vitro has been shown by 32P-postlabeling/TLC to comigrate with a spot detected in DNA isolated from rat and pig kidney following exposure to OTA. Considering the large body of evidence arguing against covalent DNA binding of OTA and the poor resolution and specificity of postlabeling analysis, we developed a stable isotope dilution LC-MS/MS method to analyze dGuoOTA in kidney DNA isolated from rats treated with OTA. dGuoOTA and nitrogen-15-labeled dGuoOTA (15N(5)-dGuoOTA) were prepared by photoirradiation of OTA in the presence of dGuo or nitrogen-15-labeled dGuo. Conditions for DNA hydrolysis were optimized using a synthetic oligonucleotide containing dGuoOTA to ensure complete release of dGuoOTA. The LOD of the method (S/N > 3) was 10 fmol dGuoOTA on-column. However, dGuoOTA was not detected in DNA samples isolated from male F344 rats treated with OTA for up to 90 days at doses known to cause renal tumor formation. Detection limits, calculated for each individual sample based on the absolute LOD and the amount of DNA injected, were as low as 3.5 dGuoOTA/10(9) nucleotides. These data are consistent with previous results showing lack of DNA adduct formation by OTA and demonstrate that dGuoOTA is not formed in biologically relevant amounts under physiological conditions in vivo.