Supramolecular Nature of Multicomponent Crystals Formed from 2,2'-Thiodiacetic Acid with 2,6-Diaminopurine or N9-(2-Hydroxyethyl)adenine

The synthesis and characterization of the multicomponent crystals formed by 2,2'-thiodiacetic acid (H2tda) and 2,6-diaminopurine (Hdap) or N9-(2-hydroxyethyl)adenine (9heade) are detailed in this report. These crystals exist in a salt rather than a co-crystal form, as confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffractometry, which reflects their ionic nature. This analysis confirmed proton transfer from the 2,2'-thiodiacetic acid to the basic groups of the coformers. The new multicomponent crystals have molecular formulas [(H9heade+)(Htda-)] 1 and [(H2dap+)2(tda2-)]·2H2O 2. These were also characterized using FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC) analyses. In the crystal packing the ions interact with each other via O-H⋯N, O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O, and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, generating cyclic hydrogen-bonded motifs with graph-set notation of R22(16), R22(10), R32(10), R33(10), R22(9), R32(8), and R42(8), to form different supramolecular homo- and hetero-synthons. In addition, in the crystal packing of 2, pairs of diaminopurinium ions display a strong anti-parallel π,π-stacking interaction, characterized by short inter-centroids and interplanar distances (3.39 and 3.24 Å, respectively) and a fairly tight angle (17.5°). These assemblies were further analyzed energetically using DFT calculations, MEP surface analysis, and QTAIM characterization.

Screening for Novel Fluorescent Nucleobase Analogues Using Computational and Experimental Methods: 2-Amino-6-chloro-8-vinylpurine (2A6Cl8VP) as a Case Study

Novel fluorescent nucleic acid base analogues (FBAs) with improved optical properties are needed in a variety of biological applications. 2-Amino-6-chloro-8-vinylpurine (2A6Cl8VP) is structural analogue of two existing highly fluorescent FBAs, 2-aminopurine (2AP) and 8-vinyladenine (8VA), and can therefore be expected to have similar base pairing as well as better optical properties compared to its counterparts. In order to determine the absorption and fluorescence properties of 2A6Cl8VP, as a first step, we used TD-DFT calculations and the polarizable continuum model for simulating the solvents and computationally predicted absorption and fluorescence maxima. To test the computational predictions, we also synthesized 2A6Cl8VP and measured its UV/vis absorbance, fluorescence emission, and fluorescence lifetime. The computationally predicted absorbance and fluorescence maxima of 2A6Cl8VP are in reasonable agreement to the experimental values and are significantly redshifted compared to 2AP and 8VA, allowing for its specific excitation. The fluorescence quantum yield of 2A6Cl8VP, however, is significantly lower than those of 2AP and 8VA. Overall, 2A6Cl8VP is a novel fluorescent nucleobase analogue, which can be useful in studying structural, biophysical, and biochemical applications.

Enzyme-free and sensitive method for single-stranded nucleic acid detection based on CHA and HCR

Simple, rapid, and highly sensitive methods for single-stranded nucleic acid detection are of great significance in clinical testing. Meanwhile, common methods are inseparable from the participation of enzymes, which greatly increases their complexity. Herein, an enzyme-free and sensitive method combining HCR and CHA is established to detect single-stranded nucleic acid. A target induces the auxiliary hairpin strands to open their secondary structure, exposing partial sequences that can trigger catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) and hybridization chain reactions (HCR), respectively. To avoid additional signaling substances, 2-aminopurines (which fluoresces differently in double-stranded DNA and G-quadruplex) are modified in the substrate chains of CHA and HCR. Compared with methods that adopt CHA or HCR alone, the sensitivity of this method is increased by nearly 10 times. Moreover, this method can effectively improve the specific recognition of the target. To "turn on" the method, two regions that can pair with H5 and H6 are required. Taking foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) as the object, this method can specifically detect FMDV to 2.78 × 101 TCID50. Although the sensitivity is not as good as RT-qPCR, it owns the advantages of simplicity and speed. We think this method can be used for the primary screening of FMDV, and has application potential in some grassroots.

Ultrafast energy delocalization and electron transfer dynamics in 2-aminopurine-containing trinucleotides

The fate of electronically excited states in DNA base stacks is of tremendous importance for subsequent photochemical damage reactions in the genome. In this study we present a femtosecond broadband pump-probe study on the adenine isomer 2-aminopurine (Ap) incorporated into trinucleotides. After selective excitation of Ap we can monitor energy delocalization between neighboring Ap moieties as well as excited state electron transfer, depending on the sequence of the trinucleotide. Our results establish the time scale for intrastand excimer formation and reveal the lifetime of the excimer state.

Mechanism of 2-aminopurine-stimulated mutagenesis in Escherichia coli

2-Aminopurine (2AP), a base analog, causes both transition and frameshift mutations in Escherichia coli. The analog is thought to cause mutations by two mechanisms: directly, by mispairing with cytosine, and indirectly, by saturation of mismatch repair (MMR). The goal of this work was to measure the relative contribution of these two mechanisms to the occurrence of transition mutations. Our data suggest that, in contrast to 2-aminopurine-stimulated frameshift mutations, the majority of transition mutations are a direct effect of base mispairing.

Factors related to the growth of psittacosis virus (strain 6BC) II. Purines, pyrimidines, and other components related to nucleic acid

In various amounts and mixtures, adenine, guanine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, thymine, thymidine, cytidylic acid, and an enzymatic digest of desoxyribonucleic acid all failed to influence the inhibition by sulfadiazine of the growth of psittacosis virus (6BC) in embryonated eggs. A number of purine analogues, including benzimidazole, 2,6-diaminopurine, and 8-azaguanine, inhibited the growth of psittacosis virus (6BC) in tissue cultures at concentrations which had no obvious toxic effects on the host tissues. The virus inhibitory action of 2,6-diaminopurine was reversed by addition of adenine and that of 8-azaguanine by guanine. The growth of psittacosis virus (6BC) was inhibited by the pteridine compounds 2-ammo-4-hydroxy-6-formylpteridine and xanthopterin, while other related substances had little or no inhibitory activity. Xanthine reversed the inhibitory effects of 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-formylpteridine. There was no correlation between the inhibitory activity of the pteridines on xanthine oxidase and multiplication of the virus.

Effect of base analog substitutions in the specific GATC site on binding and methylation of oligonucleotide duplexes by the bacteriophage T4 Dam DNA-[N6-adenine] methyltransferase

The interaction of the phage T4 Dam DNA-[N6-adenine] methyltransferase with 24mer synthetic oligonucleotide duplexes having different purine base substitutions in the palindromic recognition sequence, GATC, was investigated by means of gel shift and methyl transfer assays. The substitutions were introduced in either the upper or lower strand: guanine by 7-deazaguanine (G-->D) or 2-aminopurine (G-->N) and target adenine by purine (A-->P) or 2-aminopurine (A-->N). The effects of each base modification on binding/methylation were approximately equivalent for both strands. G-->D and G-->N substitutions resulted in a sharp decrease in binary complex formation. This suggests that T4 Dam makes hydrogen bonds with either the N7- or O6-keto groups (or both) in forming the complex. In contrast, A-->P and A-->N substitutions were much more tolerant for complex formation. This confirms our earlier observations that the presence of intact 5'-G:C base pairs at both ends of the methylation site is critical, but that base substitutions within the central A:T base pairs show less inhibition of complex formation. Addition of T4 Dam to a complete substrate mixture resulted in a burst of [3H]methylated product. In all cases the substrate dependencies of bursts and methylation rates were proportional to each other. For the perfect 24mer k cat = 0.014/s and K m = 7.7 nM was obtained. In contrast to binary complex formation the two guanine substitutions exerted relatively minor effects on catalytic turnover (the k cat was reduced at most 2. 5-fold), while the two adenine substitutions showed stronger effects (5- to 15-fold reduction in k cat). The effects of base analog substitutions on K m(DNA) were more variable: A-->P (decreased); A-->N and G-->D (unchanged); G-->N (increased).

The proofreading pathway of bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase

The base analog, 2-aminopurine (2AP), was used as a fluorescent reporter of the biochemical steps in the proofreading pathway catalyzed by bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase. "Mutator" DNA polymerases that are defective in different steps in the exonucleolytic proofreading pathway were studied so that transient changes in fluorescence intensity could be equated with specific reaction steps. The G255S- and D131N-DNA polymerases can hydrolyze DNA, the final step in the proofreading pathway, but the mutator phenotype indicates a defect in one or more steps that prepare the primer-terminus for the cleavage reaction. The hydrolysis-defective D112A/E114A-DNA polymerase was also examined. Fluorescent enzyme-DNA complexes were preformed in the absence of Mg2+, and then rapid mixing, stopped-flow techniques were used to determine the fate of the fluorescent complexes upon the addition of Mg2+. Comparisons of fluorescence intensity changes between the wild type and mutant DNA polymerases were used to model the exonucleolytic proofreading pathway. These studies are consistent with a proofreading pathway in which the protein loop structure that contains residue Gly255 functions in strand separation and transfer of the primer strand from the polymerase active center to form a preexonuclease complex. Residue Asp131 acts at a later step in formation of the preexonuclease complex.

2-Aminopurine fluorescence studies of base stacking interactions at abasic sites in DNA: metal-ion and base sequence effects

Metal-ion and sequence dependent changes in the stacking interactions of bases surrounding abasic (AB) sites in 10 different DNA duplexes were examined by incorporating the fluorescent nucleotide probe 2-aminopurine (2-AP), opposite to the site (AB-APopp) or adjacent to the site (AB-APadj) on either strand. A detailed study of the fluorescence emission and excitation spectra of these AB duplexes and their corresponding parent duplexes indicates that AB-APoppis significantly less stacked than 2-AP in the corresponding normal duplex. In general, AB-APadjon the AB strand is stacked, but AB-APadjon the opposite strand shows destabilized stacking interactions. The results also indicate that divalent cation binding to the AB duplexes contributes to destabilizaton of the base stacking interactions of AB-APopp, but has little or no effect on the stacking interactions of AB-APadj. Consistent with these results, the fluorescence of AB-APoppis 18-30-fold more sensitive to an externally added quenching agent than the parent normal duplex. When uracil DNA glycosylase binds to AB-APoppin the presence of 2.5 mM MgCl2, a 3-fold decrease in fluorescence is observed ( K d = 400 +/- 90 nM) indicating that the unstacked 2-APoppbecomes more stacked upon binding. On the basis of these fluorescence studies a model for the local base stacking interactions at these AB sites is proposed.

The role of base flipping in damage recognition and catalysis by T4 endonuclease V

The process of moving a DNA base extrahelical (base flipping) has been shown in the co-crystal structure of a UV-induced pyrimidine dimer-specific glycosylase, T4 endonuclease V, with its substrate DNA. Compared with other enzymes known to use base flipping, endonuclease V is unique in that it moves the base opposite the target site extrahelical, rather than moving the target base itself. Utilizing substrate analogs and catalytically inactive mutants of T4 endonuclease V, this study investigates the discrete steps involved in damage recognition by this DNA repair enzyme. Specifically, fluorescence spectroscopy analysis shows that fluorescence changes attributable to base flipping are specific for only the base directly opposite either abasic site analogs or the 5'-thymine of a pyrimidine dimer, and no changes are detected if the 2-aminopurine is moved opposite the 3'-thymine of the pyrimidine dimer. Interestingly, base flipping is not detectable with every specific binding event suggesting that damage recognition can be achieved without base flipping. Thus, base flipping does not add to the stability of the specific enzyme-DNA complex but rather induces a conformational change to facilitate catalysis at the appropriate target site. When used in conjunction with structural information, these types of analyses can yield detailed mechanistic models and critical amino acid residues for extrahelical base movement as a mode of damage recognition.

ATP hydrolysis stimulates binding and release of single stranded DNA from alternating subunits of the dimeric E. coli Rep helicase: implications for ATP-driven helicase translocation

DNA helicases are motor proteins that unwind duplex DNA during DNA replication, recombination and repair in reactions that are coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis. In the process of unwinding duplex DNA processively, DNA helicases must also translocate along the DNA filament. To probe the mechanism of ATP-driven translocation by the dimeric E. coli Rep helicase along single stranded (ss) DNA, we examined the effects of ATP on the dissociation kinetics of ssDNA from the Rep dimer. Stopped-flow experiments show that the dissociation rate of a fluorescent ss oligodeoxynucleotide bound to one subunit of the dimeric Rep helicase is stimulated by ssDNA binding to the other subunit, and that the rate of this ssDNA exchange reaction is further stimulated approximately 60-fold upon ATP hydrolysis. This ssDNA exchange process occurs via an intermediate in which ssDNA is transiently bound to both subunits of the Rep dimer. These results suggest a rolling or subunit switching mechanism for processive ATP-driven translocation of the dimeric Rep helicase along ssDNA. Such a mechanism requires the extreme negative cooperativity for DNA binding to the second subunit of the Rep dimer, which insures that the doubly DNA-ligated Rep (P2S2) dimer is formed only transiently and relaxes back to the singly ligated Rep (P2S) dimer. The fact that other oligomeric DNA helicases share many functional features with the dimeric Rep helicase suggests that similar mechanisms for translocation and DNA unwinding may apply to other dimeric as well as hexameric DNA helicases.

Rescue of abasic hammerhead ribozymes by exogenous addition of specific bases

We have synthesized 13 hammerhead ribozyme variants, each containing an abasic residue at a specific position of the catalytic core. The activity of each of the variants is significantly reduced. In four cases, however, activity can be rescued by exogenous addition of the missing base. For one variant, the rescue is 300-fold; for another, the rescue is to the wild-type level. This latter abasic variant (G10.1X) has been characterized in detail. Activation is specific for guanine, the base initially removed. In addition, the specificity for guanine versus adenine is substantially altered by replacing C with U in the opposite strand of the ribozyme. These results show that a binding site for a small, noncharged ligand can be created in a preexisting ribozyme structure. This has implications for structure-function analysis of RNA, and leads to speculations about evolution in an "RNA world" and about the potential therapeutic use of ribozymes.

NMR study of the conformation of the 2-aminopurine:cytosine mismatch in DNA

DNA polymerase makes errors by misincorporating natural DNA bases and base analogs. Because of the wide variety of possible mismatches and the varying efficiency with which they are repaired, structural studies are necessary to understand in detail how these mispairs differ and can be distinguished from standard Watson-Crick base pairs. 2-Aminopurine (AP) is a highly mutagenic base analog. The objective of this study was to determine the geometry of the AP x C mispair in DNA at neutral pH. Although several studies have focused on the AP x C mispair in DNA, there is not as of yet consensus on its structure. At least four models have been proposed for this mispair. Through the use of NMR spectroscopy with selective 15N-labeling of exocyclic amino nitrogens on bases of interest, we are able to resolve ambiguities in previous studies. We find here that, in two different DNA sequences, the AP x C mispair at neutral and high pH is in a wobble geometry. The structure and stability of this base mispair is dependent upon the local base sequence.

Synthesis and hydrolysis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 2-aminopurine

A new method is reported for the synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 2-aminopurine residues at selected sites. This method involves protection of the 2-aminopurine ribonucleoside, reduction to the deoxyribonucleoside and standard preparation of the 5'-0- (4,4'-dimethoxytrityl)-3'-O-(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N- diisopropylphosphoramidite. The 2-aminopurine phosphoramidite prepared by this method couples with high efficiency and is stable under standard automated synthesis conditions. The presence and location of the 2-aminopurine residue is easily verified by treatment of the oligodeoxyribonucleotide with hot piperidine. The mechanism for selective hydrolysis of the 2-aminopurine residue in alkaline solution is predominantly direct cleave of the glycosidic bond.

2-Aminopurine labelled RNA bulge loops. Synthesis and thermodynamics

The chemical introduction of the blue-fluorescent 2-aminopurine riboside into oligoribonucleotides synthesized using the 2'-O-t-butyl-dimethylsilyl protection is reported. The proposed purification procedure led to the synthetic RNAs of high purity required for spectrofluorimetry studies. Thermodynamic parameters for the RNA bulge loops of type (A)n labelled with the 2-aminopurine (2AP) have been determined by optical melting. Results indicate that a bulge (B) in the RNA duplexes GUCG(B)GCUG + CAGCCGAC destabilize a regular helix structure and the destabilization increases monotonically as bulge length increases in the following order of (B) = A-2AP-A > 2AP-A; A-2AP > 2AP. The analysis of the free energy increments for bulged loops, delta G(o)37(bulge), allows to conclude that the structural properties of 2-aminopurine in RNA bulge loops are very similar to those of isomeric adenine. The fluorescent 2-aminopurine could therefore be used as non-invasive conformational probe.

Using modified nucleotides to map the DNA determinants of the Tus-TerB complex, the protein-DNA interaction associated with termination of replication in Escherichia coli

A series of modified nucleotides was used to map the hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic sites of the TerB DNA required for Tus interaction. Each of four consensus guanine residues in the TerB-binding site was replaced by 7-deazaguanine, 2-aminopurine, or inosine nucleobase analogues, and each thymine by a uracil analogue. The observable equilibrium dissociation constant for the Tus protein-TerB DNA complex was measured at pH 7.5, 25 degrees C, and 150 mM potassium glutamate using a competition binding method. Substitutions made at position 10 with a 7-deazaguanine, 2-aminopurine, or inosine analogue had a large effect on the stability of the complex, approximately +3 kcal/mol in each case. Substitutions made at positions 13 and 17 had a varied response. For uracil substitutions, potential hydrophobic sites were identified at six positions in the TerB DNA. The energetic penalty for the removal of a single methyl group ranged between +1 and +2 kcal/mol. Rate dissociation measurements agree with these results. Overall, major and minor groove determinants are required for binding. An unusual result was that the conserved nucleotide at position 6 did not significantly affect in vitro binding of the complex.

Melting of a DNA helix terminus within the active site of a DNA polymerase

Accurate synthesis of DNA by polymerase is due in part to the selective removal of misincorporated nucleotides by a 3'-5' exonuclease activity (proofreading). Proofreading by an exonuclease domain containing a single-stranded DNA binding site may involve local melting of a duplex DNA substrate. Here we use time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to analyze the local melting of a DNA duplex terminus induced by the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. Four oligodeoxynucleotide primer/templates were prepared, each containing the fluorescent adenine analog 2-aminopurine (A*) at the primer 3' terminus, and one of the common DNA bases opposite the A* residue. Fluorescence decays of the duplex DNAs and the single primer oligonucleotide were jointly analyzed using global analysis procedures. Four lifetime components were resolved in the duplex DNAs, representing distinct conformational states of the terminal A* residue: paired A* bases, partially stacked A* bases, and extended A* bases. The variation of the apparent fraction of paired A* bases with temperature was in accord with optical melting data, and the extent of base pairing observed in each duplex was consistent with the base-pairing preferences of A* established in other studies. These results establish that the fluorescence decay characteristics of A* can be used to examine base-pairing interactions at a DNA duplex terminus. Since the fluorescence of A* can be observed without interference from protein amino acid residues, unlike existing methods for monitoring DNA melting transitions, this method was used to examine the extent to which Klenow fragment could induce fraying at each duplex terminus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A simple method for N-15 labelling of exocyclic amino groups in synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides

The use of the ammonia deprotection step to introduce (15)N labels at specific exocyclic amino positions of adenine, cytosine, guanine or 2-aminopurine of oligodeoxynucleotides is described.

Thermodynamics of interaction of a fluorescent DNA oligomer with the anti-tumour drug netropsin

Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to study the interaction between the minor-groove-binding drug netropsin and the self-complementary oligonucleotide d(CTGAnPTTCAG)2 containing the fluorescent base analogue 2-aminopurine (nP). The binding of netropsin to this oligonucleotide causes strong quenching of the 2-aminopurine fluorescence, observed by steady-state as well as time-resolved spectroscopy. From fluorescence titrations, binding isotherms were recorded and evaluated. The parameters showed one netropsin binding site/oligonucleotide duplex and an association constant of about 10(5) M-1 at 25 degrees C, 3-4 orders of magnitude weaker than for an exclusive adenine/thymine host sequence. From the temperature dependence of the association constant the thermodynamic parameters were obtained as delta G = -29 kJ/mol, delta H = -12 kJ/mol and delta S = +55 J.mol-1.K-1 at 25 degrees C. These parameters resemble those of the interaction of poly[(dG-dC).(dG-dC)] with netropsin, indicating a mainly entropy-driven reaction. The amino group of 2-aminopurine, like that of guanine, resides in the minor groove of DNA. Therefore the relatively weak binding of netropsin to d(CTGAnPTTCAG)2 is probably related to partial blockage of the tight fit of netropsin into the preferred minor groove of an exclusive adenine/thymine host sequence.

Binding of Hoechst 33258 and 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole to self-complementary decadeoxynucleotides with modified exocyclic base substituents

Fluorescence titrations have been carried out to determine the association constants (Ka) for binding of the dyes Hoechst 33258 and DAPI to the self-complementary decamer d(CTGAATTCAG) and nine duplex derivatives with exocyclic substituent changes in the six central base pairs. Many Ka values are in the range (2-5) x 10(8) (duplex M)-1 at 5.5 degrees C. Replacement of the leftmost adenine by 2-aminopurine in the sequence decreases Ka for Hoechst 33258 by a factor of 170. When the centermost adenine is replaced by 2-aminopurine, Ka for Hoechst 33258 and DAPI is too small to be evaluated. When the centermost adenine is replaced by purine, Ka for both dyes increases, but this very stable duplex-Hoechst 33258 complex is nonfluorescent. The measured affinities are compared to expectations derived from X-ray studies with dodecamer-dye complexes having an identical central binding sequence (Pjura et al., 1987; Teng et al., 1988; Larsen et al., 1989).

Characterization of the high pH wobble structure of the 2-aminopurine.cytosine mismatch by N-15 NMR spectroscopy

Transition mutations induced by the base analogue 2-aminopurine arise via the formation of AP.C base pairs during DNA replication. We report here the results of N-15 NMR studies on a duplex oligonucleotide containing N-15 enriched AP and C residues. At high pH (8.6) the AP.C base pair is predominantly wobble. This is the first report on use of a site specifically N-15 enriched oligonucleotide as a probe of aberrant base pairing in DNA.

A new approach to the synthesis of a protected 2-aminopurine derivative and its incorporation into oligodeoxynucleotides containing the Eco RI and Bam HI recognition sites

A protected 2-aminopurine nucleoside suitable for incorporation into oligodeoxynucleotides using phosphite triester chemical synthesis procedures has been prepared via oxidation of a purine hydrazino derivative with silver (I) oxide. Five oligodeoxynucleotides containing Eco RI and Bam HI recognition sites have been prepared such that, in the double stranded form, the 2-aminopurine base has either a complementary thymine or cytosine nucleobase. The helix character and thermodynamic parameters for helix formation have been examined.

Base pair opening dynamics of a 2-aminopurine substituted Eco RI restriction sequence and its unsubstituted counterpart in oligonucleotides

Studies of 1H NMR selective saturation recovery were performed to determine the imino proton exchange with solvent water of the base pairs in the Eco RI endonuclease recognition sequence GAATTC, placed at the center of self-complementary decamer and dodecamer oligonucleotides. In one oligonucleotide the innermost adenine was replaced by the fluorescent base analogue 2-aminopurine (2AP). From the measurements at different concentrations of TRIS buffer acting as proton exchange catalyst, base pair lifetimes were evaluated. The results at 25 degrees show that the AT base pairs have lifetimes of the order of a few ms, whereas the surrounding GC base pairs in a dodecamer have lifetimes of about 100 ms. The (2AP)T base pair has a shorter lifetime than the corresponding AT base pair. The temperature dependent optical absorption, and for the 2AP containing oligonucleotide fluorescence, were used to study the single strand-duplex equilibrium of the decamers. The results indicate that NMR and the optical techniques, although applied at very different concentrations, monitor the same conformational transition of the oligonucleotide.

NMR studies on an oligodeoxynucleotide containing 2-aminopurine opposite adenine

A heteroduplex containing the mismatch 2-aminopurine (AP)-adenine has been synthesized and studied by proton NMR. The mismatch was incorporated into the sequence d[CGG(AP)GGC].d-(GCCACCG). One-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect measurements in H2O and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectra in D2O show AP.A base pairs in a wobble structure in which both bases are in the anti conformation. The adenine is stacked well in the helix, but the helix twist between the adenine and neighboring cytosine in the 3' direction is unusually small. As a result, the aminopurine on the opposite strand is somewhat pushed out of the helix. From the measurements of the imino proton line widths, the two adjacent G.C base pairs are not found to be significantly destabilized by the presence of the purine-purine wobble pair.

Base pairing and mutagenesis: observation of a protonated base pair between 2-aminopurine and cytosine in an oligonucleotide by proton NMR

2-Aminopurine (AP), a potent mutagenic base analogue, most frequently pairs with thymine. In the AP X T base pair, both bases adopt normal tautomeric forms. The mechanism for the mutagenic activity arises from its observed pairing with cytosine, which has been ascribed to an enhanced tendency to adopt the rare imino tautomeric form. NMR studies in H2O on all the exchangeable protons in an oligonucleotide duplex containing an AP X T base pair show Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding. When the thymine is replaced by cytosine in the duplex, we observe an AP X C base pair. Both amino protons of AP are seen excluding the rare tautomeric form. Although several alternative structures are possible, it is shown that the second hydrogen bond is formed by protonation of the AP X C base pair and that this is the dominant species under physiological conditions.

Synthesis and properties of defined DNA oligomers containing base mispairs involving 2-aminopurine

DNA heptamers containing the mutagenic base analogue 2-aminopurine (AP) have been chemically synthesized and physically characterized. We report on the relative stabilities of base pairs between AP and each of the common DNA bases, as determined from heptamer duplex melts at 275 and 330 nm. Base pairs are ranked in order of decreasing stability: AP.T greater than AP.A greater than AP.C greater than AP.G. It is of interest that AP.A is more stable than AP.C even though DNA polymerase strongly favors the formation of AP.C over AP.A base pairs. Comparisons of melting profiles at 330 nm and 275 nm indicate that AP.T, AP.A, and AP.C base pairs are annealed in heptamer duplexes and melt 2-3 degrees prior to surrounding base pairs, whereas AP.G appears not to be annealed.

Evidence of 2-aminopurine-cytosine base mispairs involving two hydrogen bonds

It is shown that the mutagen base analogue 2-aminopurine is hydrogen-bonded at its 1-ring position when annealed with cytosine in DNA. The presence of stably hydrogen-bonded regions proximal to the 2-aminopurine-cytosine base mispair is a prerequisite for the occurrence of two hydrogen bonds coupling the bases at their 1-3- and 2-2-positions. We consider the possibility that, in the resulting heteroduplex base mispair, 2-aminopurine or cytosine may be present as a disfavored imino tautomer.

Nonrandom substitution of 2-aminopurine for adenine during deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in vitro

The incorporation of the deoxyribonucleotide of 2-aminopurine [(AP)] for deoxyadenylate into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in vitro has been examined by using five highly purified DNA polymerases: calf thymus polymerase alpha, Escherichia coli polymerase I, and the polymerases induced by T4 phage mutant L56 (mutator phenotype), wild-type T4 phage, and T4 phage mutant L141 (antimutator phenotype). On a template of gapped salmon sperm DNA, the overall incorporation of (AP) relative to the incorporation of adenine decreases in this series of enzymes, in line with the increasing 3'-exonucleolytic activity associated with these polymerases. The nearest-neighbor distributions for (AP) and for adenine in the newly synthesized DNA were determined to test for potential sequence selectivity in the incorporation of (AP). In polymerizations in which d(AP)TP fully replaced dATP, the L141 polymerase, and to a lesser degree the wild type T4 polymerase, synthesized a DNA in which the distribution for (AP) was distinctly skewed compared to the nearest-neighbor distribution observed for adenine; incorporation of (AP) was relatively favored after guanine and disfavored after adenine and thymine. These sequence effects were less pronounced in syntheses in which both dATP and d(AP)TP were present. When dGTP was replaced by dITP, or dTTP by dUTP, adenine was still incorporated to the normal extent after the analogue, but the incorporation of (AP) was reduced after these analogues, which form weaker base pairs. The results indicate that incorporation of (AP) is disfavored with all polymerases tested and that a greater bias exists with those polymerases containing an active 3'-exonuclease. This bias against (AP) incorporation is alleviated after strong base pairs, and particularly following guanine, possibly due to stabilizing vertical stacking interactions.

On the molecular basis of transition mutations: frequencies of forming 2-aminopurine.cytosine and adenine.cytosine base mispairs in vitro

We address the question of whether substituting 2-aminopurine (APur) in place of adenine (Ade) in DNA can increase the frequency of base mispairing with cytosine. Using DNA polymerase alpha to measure the rates of inserting deoxycytidine and thymidine nucleotides in direct competition with each other for APur or Ade sites on synthetic copolymer DNA templates, we observe that the ratio of dCMP to dTMP insertion is increased by a factor of at least 230 when APur replaces Ade on a poly(dA) template and by a factor of 35 when APur replaces Ade on a poly(dC,dA) template. These data support the idea that APur.C base mispairs are directly involved in APur induction of A.T leads to G.C transition mutations. The observed misinsertion frequency of cytosine substituting for thymine opposite template APur sites is about 5%. This value is in excellent agreement with earlier predictions and measurements for APur.C heteroduplex-heterozygote frequencies in T4 bacteriophage in vivo.

Deoxyribonucleotide pools, base pairing, and sequence configuration affecting bromodeoxyuridine- and 2-aminopurine-induced mutagenesis

Despite recent experiments showing that BrdUrd-induced mutagenesis can be independent of the level of bromouracil (BrUra) substitution [Kaufman, E.R. & Davidson, R.L. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75, 4982-4986; Aebersold, P.M. (1976) Mutat. Res. 36, 357-362], BrUra.G base mispairs are a major determinant of mutagenesis. We propose that the experiments cited above are sensitive predominantly to G . C leads to A . T transitions driven by the immeasurably small but highly mutagenic substitution of BrUra for cytosine and not by the gross substitution of BrUra for thymine in DNA. More generally, we show how accumulated evidence suggests that both BrdUrd and 2-aminopurine have two mutagenic effects intracellularly: perturbation of normal deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pools and analogue mispairs in DNA. We propose a molecular basis for various observations of normal exogenous deoxyribonucleosides as synergists and counteragents to base analogue mutagenesis. A model is proposed to explain the antipolarity of BrdUrd and 2-aminopurine mutagenesis--i.e., why mutants at hot spots for induction by one base analogue are usually hot spots for reversion by the other. It is concluded that the configuration of the neighboring nucleotides surrounding the base analogue mispair, and not the base analogue's preference for inducing A . T leads to G . C or G . C leads to A . T errors, is responsible for the antipolarity of BrdUrd and 2-aminopurine mutagenesis.

Isolation, genetic analysis, and characterization of Escherichia coli mutants with defects in the lacY gene

Five hundred thirty-five lacY mutants were isolated from an Escherichia coli strain carrying the lactose operon on an F' factor, either without mutagenesis or after mutagenesis with 2-aminopurine or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Crosses against 48 independently isolated deletions ending in the lacY gene divided the gene into 36 deletion groups. Suppressibility studies with 7 nonsense suppressor strains classified 276 mutants as nonsense mutants and 78 as missense (or nonsuppressible) mutants. One hundred seventy-nine mutants were "leaky" and could not be so allocated, and two were found to have small internal deletions. Nonsense mutants could in many cases be subdivided even within deletion groups on the basis of their suppressibility pattern, giving a total of 70 groups of nonsense mutants. Studies of these mutants allow the following conclusions: lactose and melibiose most probably do not have separate binding sites on the permease; the lacY region most likely consists of one cistron, and so both active transport and facilitated diffusion are functions of one protein; and finally, there is probably no small defined region of the permease responsible for energy coupling of transport. Furthermore, the strains and the analysis form the basis for a future functional study of the permease by biochemical techniques.

Investigations on purine and pyrimidine bases stacking associations in aqueous solutions by the fluorescence quenching method. II. Heteroassociation between 2-aminopurine and thymidine

Heteroassociation between A and B compounds in liquid solution was considered. Provided that concentration of A molecules is low, a general equation describing fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime of compound A as a function of B molecules concentration was derived. The heteroassociation between 2-aminopurine and thymidine in aqueous solutions was examined within the range of temperatures 0 to 90 degrees C. The equilibrium constants of the first step of association, namely heterodimer formation, were determined and its thermodynamic parameters (deltaH equals - 2.76 kcal/mol, deltaS equals - 5.9 e.u.) were calculated. The observed changes of the stacking rate constants with temperature confirm the two-step mechanism of the reaction. The activation energy (approximately 10.7 angstroms) are only slightly larger than in the case of 2-aminopurine autoassociation, most probably because of a stronger solvation of thymidine molecules.

Altered nutritional requirements associated with mutations affecting the structures of ribonucleic acid polymerase in Lactobacillus casei

Rifampin-resistant mutants were isolated from Lactobacillus casei S1 and examined for possible simultaneous alteration in nutritional properties. Among the 36 mutants obtained either spontaneously or after mutagenesis with 2-aminopurine, 22 were found to be altered with respect to the specific growth requirements. The majority (20 of 22) of the latter mutants were shown to require L-glutamine in addition to the nutrients required by the parental strain for maximal growth, whereas the remaining mutants had apparently lost the requirement for L-aspartate. Further studies with one of the glutamine-requiring mutants revealed that the rifampin resistance of this strain is due to the resistance of ribonucleic acid polymerase itself and that a single mutation is responsible for both rifampin resistance and the glutamine requirement. These results strongly indicate that a structural alteration of the ribonucleic acid polymerase caused by the rifampin resistance mutation somehow affected glutamine metabolism, possibly through change in selective transcription of the genes involved.

KINETIN-LIKE GROWTH-PROMOTING ACTIVITY OF 1-SUBSTITUTED ADENINES (1-BENZYL-6-AMINOPURINE AND 1-(GAMMA, GAMMA-DIMETHYLALLYL)-6-AMINOPURINE

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Cytological studies on the antimetabolite action of 2, 6-diaminopurine in Vicia faba roots

At a concentration of 9.6 x 10(-5)M, 2,6-diaminopurine (DAP) completely inhibited cell enlargement, cell division, and DNA synthesis (determined by microphotometric measurement of Feulgen dye) in Vicia faba roots. Inhibition of cell enlargement was partially reversed by adenine, guanine, xanthine, adenosine, and desoxyadenosine. Guanine and the nucleosides gave the greatest reversal, suggesting that one point of DAP action upon cell enlargement is a disruption of nucleoside or nucleotide metabolism, possibly during pentosenucleic acid synthesis. DAP inhibited cell division by preventing onset of prophase. At the concentrations used it had no significant effect on the rate or appearance of mitoses in progress. Inhibition of entrance into prophase was not directly due to inhibition of DNA synthesis since approximately half of the inhibited nuclei had the doubled (4C) amount of DNA. Adenine competitively reversed DAP inhibition of cell division, giving an inhibition index of about 0.5. Guanine gave a slight reversal while xanthine, hypoxanthine, adenosine, and desoxyadenosine were inactive. A basic need for free adenine for the onset of mitosis was suggested by this reversal pattern. Meristems treated with DAP contained almost no nuclei with intermediate amounts of DNA, indicating that DAP prevented the onset of DNA synthesis while allowing that underway to reach completion. The inhibition of DNA synthesis was reversed by adenine, adenosine, and desoxyadenosine although synthesis appeared to proceed at a slower rate in reversals than in controls. Inhibition of DNA synthesis by DAP is probably through nucleoside or nucleotide metabolism. A small general depression of DNA content of nuclei in the reversal treatments was observed. This deviation from DNA "constancy" cannot be adequately explained at present although it may be a result of direct incorporation of DAP into DNA. The possible purine precursor, 4-amino-5-imidazolecarboxamide gave no reversal of DAP inhibition of cell elongation and cell division and only a slight possible reversal of inhibition of DNA synthesis.