DNA recognition by structure-selective nucleases

Topology- and size-dependent binding of DNA nanostructures to the DNase I

The susceptibility of DNA nanomaterials to enzymatic degradation in biological environments is a significant obstacle limiting their broad applications in biomedicine. While DNA nanostructures exhibit some resistance to nuclease degradation, the underlying mechanism of this resistance remains elusive. In this study, the interaction of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with DNase I is investigated using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Our results indicate that DNase I can effectively bind to all dsDNA molecules, and certain key residues strongly interact with the nucleic bases of DNA. However, the binding of DNase I to TDNs exhibits a non-monotonic behavior based on size; TDN15 and TDN26 interact weakly with DNase I (∼ - 75 kcal/mol), whereas TDN21 forms a strong binding with DNase I (∼ - 110 kcal/mol). Furthermore, the topological properties of the DNA nanostructures are analyzed, and an under-twisting (∼32°) of the DNA helix is observed in TDN15 and TDN26. Importantly, this under-twisting results in an increased width of the minor groove in TDN15 and TDN26, which primarily explains their reduced binding affinity to DNase I comparing to the dsDNA. Overall, this study demonstrated a novel mechanism for local structural control of DNA at the nanoscale by adjusting the twisting induced by length.

Structural-Based Stability Enhancement of Antisense DNA Oligonucleotides

Antisense DNA oligonucleotide (AS) technology is a promising approach to regulate gene expression and cellular processes. For example, ASs can be used to capture the overexpressed, oncogenic miRNAs in tumors to suppress tumor growth. Among many challenges faced by AS approach is the degradation of ASs by nucleases under physiological conditions. Elongating the AS lifespan can substantially enhance the functions of AS. The paper reports a simple strategy to increase the stability of ASs. The authors discover that the ASs degrade quickly if their ends are in unpaired, single-stranded form, but much slower if their ends are in paired duplex form. It is conceivable to integrate this strategy with other strategies (such as chemical modification of ASs backbones) to maximally increase the ASs stabilities.

Aptamers in cancer therapy: problems and new breakthroughs

Aptamers, a class of oligonucleotides that can bind with molecular targets with high affinity and specificity, have been widely applied in research fields including biosensing, imaging, diagnosing, and therapy of diseases. However, compared with the rapid development in the research fields, the clinical application of aptamers is progressing at a much slower speed, especially in the therapy of cancer. Obstructions including nuclease degradation, renal clearance, a complex selection process, and potential side effects have inhibited the clinical transformation of aptamer-conjugated drugs. To overcome these problems, taking certain measures to improve the biocompatibility and stability of aptamer-conjugated drugs in vivo is necessary. In this review, the obstructions mentioned above are thoroughly discussed and the methods to overcome these problems are introduced in detail. Furthermore, landmark research works and the most recent studies on aptamer-conjugated drugs for cancer therapy are also listed as examples, and the future directions of research for aptamer clinical transformation are discussed.

Nucleic acid paranemic structures: a promising building block for functional nanomaterials in biomedical and bionanotechnological applications

Over the past few decades, DNA has been recognized as a powerful self-assembling material capable of crafting supramolecular nanoarchitectures with quasi-angstrom precision, which promises various applications in the fields of materials science, nanoengineering, and biomedical science. Notable structural features include biocompatibility, biodegradability, high digital encodability by Watson-Crick base pairing, nanoscale dimension, and surface addressability. Bottom-up fabrication of complex DNA nanostructures relies on the design of fundamental DNA motifs, including parallel (PX) and antiparallel (AX) crossovers. However, paranemic or PX motifs have not been thoroughly explored for the construction of DNA-based nanostructures compared to AX motifs. In this review, we summarize the developments of PX-based DNA nanostructures, highlight the advantages as well as challenges of PX-based assemblies, and give an overview of the structural and chemical features that lend their utilization in a variety of applications. The works presented cover PX-based DNA nanostructures in biological systems, dynamic systems, and biomedical contexts. The possible future advances of PX structures and applications are also summarized, discussed, and postulated.

Nuclease resistance of DNA nanostructures

DNA nanotechnology has progressed from proof-of-concept demonstrations of structural design towards application-oriented research. As a natural material with excellent self-assembling properties, DNA is an indomitable choice for various biological applications, including biosensing, cell modulation, bioimaging and drug delivery. However, a major impediment to the use of DNA nanostructures in biological applications is their susceptibility to attack by nucleases present in the physiological environment. Although several DNA nanostructures show enhanced resistance to nuclease attack compared with duplexes and plasmid DNA, this may be inadequate for practical application. Recently, several strategies have been developed to increase the nuclease resistance of DNA nanostructures while retaining their functions, and the stability of various DNA nanostructures has been studied in biological fluids, such as serum, urine and cell lysates. This Review discusses the approaches used to modulate nuclease resistance in DNA nanostructures and provides an overview of the techniques employed to evaluate resistance to degradation and quantify stability.

Conformation and protein interactions of intramolecular DNA and phosphorothioate four-way junctions

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the structure and protein recognition features of branched DNA four-way junctions in an effort to explore the therapeutic potential of these molecules. The classic immobile DNA 4WJ, J1, is used as a matrix to design novel intramolecular junctions including natural and phosphorothioate bonds. Here we have inserted H2-type mini-hairpins into the helical termini of the arms of J1 to generate four novel intramolecular four-way junctions. Hairpins are inserted to reduce end fraying and effectively eliminate potential nuclease binding sites. We compare the structure and protein recognition features of J1 with four intramolecular four-way junctions: i-J1, i-J1(PS1), i-J1(PS2) and i-J1(PS3). Circular dichroism studies suggest that the secondary structure of each intramolecular 4WJ is composed predominantly of B-form helices. Thermal unfolding studies indicate that intramolecular four-way junctions are significantly more stable than J1. The T_m values of the hairpin four-way junctions are 25.2° to 32.2°C higher than the control, J1. With respect to protein recognition, gel shift assays reveal that the DNA-binding proteins HMGBb1 and HMGB1 bind the hairpin four-way junctions with affinity levels similar to control, J1. To evaluate nuclease resistance, four-way junctions are incubated with DNase I, exonuclease III (Exo III) and T5 exonuclease (T5 Exo). The enzymes probe nucleic acid cleavage that occurs non-specifically (DNase I) and in a 5'→3' (T5 Exo) and 3'→5' direction (Exo III). The nuclease digestion assays clearly show that the intramolecular four-way junctions possess significantly higher nuclease resistance than the control, J1.

DNA micelle flares: a study of the basic properties that contribute to enhanced stability and binding affinity in complex biological systems

DMFs are spherical DNA-diacyllipid nanostructures formed by hydrophobic effects between lipid tails coupled to single-stranded DNAs. Such properties as high cellular permeability, low critical micelle concentration (CMC) and facile fabrication facilitate intracellular imaging and drug delivery. While the basic properties of NFs have been amply described and tested, few studies have characterized the fundamental properties of DMFs with particular respect to aggregation number, dissociation constant and biostability. Therefore, to further explore their conformational features and enhanced stability in complex biological systems, we herein report a series of characterization studies. Static light scattering (SLS) demonstrated that DMFs possess greater DNA loading capacity when compared to other DNA-based nanostructures. Upon binding to complementary DNA (cDNA), DMFs showed excellent dissociation constants (Kd) and increased melting temperatures, as well as constant CMC (10 nM) independent of DNA length. DMFs also present significantly enhanced stability in aqueous solution with nuclease and cell lysate. These properties make DMFs ideal for versatile applications in bioanalysis and theranostics studies.

Aberrant community architecture and attenuated persistence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the absence of individual IHF subunits

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) utilizes a complex community-based developmental pathway for growth within superficial epithelial cells of the bladder during cystitis. Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a common matrix component of organized bacterial communities. Integration host factor (IHF) is a heterodimeric protein that binds to double-stranded DNA and produces a hairpin bend. IHF-dependent DNA architectural changes act both intrabacterially and extrabacterially to regulate gene expression and community stability, respectively. We demonstrate that both IHF subunits are required for efficient colonization of the bladder, but are dispensable for early colonization of the kidney. The community architecture of the intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) is quantitatively different in the absence of either IhfA or IhfB in the murine model for human urinary tract infection (UTI). Restoration of Type 1 pili by ectopic production does not restore colonization in the absence of IhfA, but partially compensates in the absence of IhfB. Furthermore, we describe a binding site for IHF that is upstream of the operon that encodes for the P-pilus. Taken together, these data suggest that both IHF and its constituent subunits (independent of the heterodimer), are able to participate in multiple aspects of the UPEC pathogenic lifestyle, and may have utility as a target for treatment of bacterial cystitis.

Design, assembly, and activity of antisense DNA nanostructures

Discrete DNA nanostructures allow simultaneous features not possible with traditional DNA forms: encapsulation of cargo, display of multiple ligands, and resistance to enzymatic digestion. These properties suggested using DNA nanostructures as a delivery platform. Here, DNA pyramids displaying antisense motifs are shown to be able to specifically degrade mRNA and inhibit protein expression in vitro, and they show improved cell uptake and gene silencing when compared to linear DNA. Furthermore, the activity of these pyramids can be regulated by the introduction of an appropriate complementary strand. These results highlight the versatility of DNA nanostructures as functional devices.

The tib adherence locus of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is regulated by cyclic AMP receptor protein

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a Gram-negative enteric pathogen that causes profuse watery diarrhea through the elaboration of heat-labile and/or heat-stable toxins. Virulence is also dependent upon the expression of adhesive pili and afimbrial adhesins that allow the pathogen to adhere to the intestinal epithelium or mucosa. Both types of enterotoxins are regulated at the level of transcription by cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP). To further our understanding of virulence gene regulation, an in silico approach was used to identify putative CRP binding sites in the genome of H10407 (O78:H11), an ETEC strain that was originally isolated from the stool of a Bangledeshi patient with cholera-like symptoms circa 1971. One of the predicted binding sites was located within an intergenic region upstream of tibDBCA. TibA is an autotransporter and afimbrial adhesin that is glycosylated by TibC. Expression of the TibA glycoprotein was abolished in an H10407 crp mutant and restored when crp was provided in trans. TibA-dependent aggregation was also abolished in a cyaA::kan strain and restored by addition of exogenous cAMP to the growth medium. DNase I footprinting confirmed that the predicted site upstream of tibDBCA is bound by CRP. Point mutations within the CRP binding site were found to abolish or significantly impair CRP-dependent activation of the tibDB promoter. Thus, these studies demonstrate that CRP positively regulates the expression of the glycosylated afimbrial adhesin TibA through occupancy of a binding site within tibDBp.

Intrinsic flexibility of B-DNA: the experimental TRX scale

B-DNA flexibility, crucial for DNA–protein recognition, is sequence dependent. Free DNA in solution would in principle be the best reference state to uncover the relation between base sequences and their intrinsic flexibility; however, this has long been hampered by a lack of suitable experimental data. We investigated this relationship by compiling and analyzing a large dataset of NMR ³¹P chemical shifts in solution. These measurements reflect the BI ↔ BII equilibrium in DNA, intimately correlated to helicoidal descriptors of the curvature, winding and groove dimensions. Comparing the ten complementary DNA dinucleotide steps indicates that some steps are much more flexible than others. This malleability is primarily controlled at the dinucleotide level, modulated by the tetranucleotide environment. Our analyses provide an experimental scale called TRX that quantifies the intrinsic flexibility of the ten dinucleotide steps in terms of Twist, Roll, and X-disp (base pair displacement). Applying the TRX scale to DNA sequences optimized for nucleosome formation reveals a 10 base-pair periodic alternation of stiff and flexible regions. Thus, DNA flexibility captured by the TRX scale is relevant to nucleosome formation, suggesting that this scale may be of general interest to better understand protein-DNA recognition.

Enhanced resistance of DNA nanostructures to enzymatic digestion

The ability of nucleases to perform their catalytic functions depends on the sequence and structural features of target DNA substrates. Due to their size and shape, several DNA tetrahedra are resistant to the action of specific and non-specific nucleases. Such enhanced stability is a key requirement for DNA nanostructures to be useful as delivery vehicles.

Synthesis and characterization of 2'-modified-4'-thioRNA: a comprehensive comparison of nuclease stability

We report herein the synthesis and physical and physiological characterization of fully modified 2′-modified-4′-thioRNAs, i.e. 2′-fluoro-4′-thioRNA (F-SRNA) and 2′-O-Me-4′-thioRNA (Me-SRNA), which can be considered as a hybrid chemical modification based on 2′-modified oligonucleotides (ONs) and 4′-thioRNA (SRNA). In its hybridization with a complementary RNA, F-SRNA (15mer) showed the highest T_m value (+16°C relative to the natural RNA duplex). In addition, both F-SRNA and Me-SRNA preferred RNA as a complementary partner rather than DNA in duplex formation. The results of a comprehensive comparison of nuclease stability of single-stranded F-SRNA and Me-SRNA along with 2′-fluoroRNA (FRNA), 2′-O-MeRNA (MeRNA), SRNA, and natural RNA and DNA, revealed that Me-SRNA had the highest stability with t_1/2 values of > 24 h against S1 nuclease (an endonuclease) and 79.2 min against SVPD (a 3′-exonuclease). Moreover, the stability of Me-SRNA was significantly improved in 50% human plasma (t_1/2 = 1631 min) compared with FRNA (t_1/2 = 53.2 min) and MeRNA (t_1/2 = 187 min), whose modifications are currently used as components of therapeutic aptamers. The results presented in this article will, it is hoped, contribute to the development of 2′-modified-4′-thioRNAs, especially Me-SRNA, as a new RNA molecule for therapeutic applications.

Analysis of RNA polymerase-promoter complex formation

Bacterial promoter identification and characterization is not as straightforward as one might presume. Promoters vary widely in their similarity to the consensus recognition element sequences, in their activities, and in their utilization of transcription factors, and multiple approaches often must be used to provide a framework for understanding promoter regulation. Characterization of RNA polymerase-promoter complex formation in the absence of additional regulatory factors (basal promoter function) can provide a basis for understanding the steps in transcription initiation that are ultimately targeted by nutritional or environmental factors. Promoters can be localized using genetic approaches in vivo, but the detailed properties of the RNAP-promoter complex are studied most productively in vitro. We first describe approaches for identification of bacterial promoters and transcription start sites in vivo, including promoter-reporter fusions and primer-extension. We then describe a number of methods for characterization of RNAP-promoter complexes in vitro, including in vitro transcription, gel mobility shift assays, footprinting, and filter binding. Utilization of these methods can result in determination of not only basal promoter strength but also the rates of transcription initiation complex formation and decay.

Endonucleolytic mutation analysis by internal labeling (EMAIL)

Mismatch-specific endonucleases are efficient tools for the targeted scanning of populations for subtle DNA variations. Conventional protocols involve 5'-labeled amplicon substrates and the detection of digestion products by LIF electrophoresis. A shortcoming of such protocols, however, is the limited 5'-signal strength. Normally the sensitivity of fluorescent DNA analyzers is superior to that of intercalating dye/agarose systems, however, pooling capacities of the former and latter approaches to mismatch scanning are somewhat similar. Detection is further limited by significant background. We investigated the activity of CEL nucleases using amplicon substrates labeled both internally and at each 5'-terminus. The amplicons were generated from exon 8 of the rice starch synthase IIa encoding gene. Signal of both 5'-labels was significantly reduced by enzyme activity, while that of the internal label was largely unaffected. In addition, background resulting from internal labeling was a significant improvement on that associated with 5'-labeling. Sizing of the multilabeled substrates suggests that 5'-modification enhances exonucleolytic activity, resulting in the removal of the dye-labeled terminal nucleotides. We have developed an alternative approach to mismatch detection, in which amplicon labeling is achieved via the incorporation of fluorescently labeled deoxynucleotides, which we have named Endonucleolytic Mutation Analysis by Internal Labeling (EMAIL). The strength of the EMAIL assay was demonstrated by the reclassification of a rice line as being heterozygous for the starch gene. This cultivar was assigned as being homozygous by a previous resequencing study. EMAIL shows potential for the clear identification of multiple mutations amongst allelic pools.

A novel secreted endonuclease from Culex quinquefasciatus salivary glands

Previous analysis of the salivary gland transcriptome of Culex quinquefasciatus showed the potential presence of an endonuclease with sequence similarities to shrimp, crab and two tsetse salivary proteins. Indeed, not only was the cloned cDNA shown to encode an active double-stranded endonuclease, but also the same activity was demonstrated to be secreted by salivary glands of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Preliminary studies with salivary gland extracts confirmed the presence of a highly active nuclease. This enzyme was shown to be present in the saliva of female mosquitoes by allowing starved mosquitoes to probe DNA-containing agarose gel. The recombinant Cx. quinquefasciatus endonuclease (CuquEndo) produced in mammalian cells showed no sequence specificity for DNA substrate except that it only cleaves double-stranded DNA. Recombinant Cx. quinquefasciatus endonuclease was active in the presence of Mg(2+) ions at pH 7.0-8.0, but no endonuclease activity was detected in the presence of calcium ions. The final hydrolysis products of this enzyme, detected by ion exchange chromatography, yielded DNA fragments ranging form 8-12 base pairs. Although endonucleases have been associated with a variety of cellular functions, their role in mosquito saliva is not clear. This female-specific secreted endonuclease may assist blood meal intake by lowering the local viscosity created by the release of host DNA in the bite site and/or acting as an indirect anticoagulant factor by producing a defibrotide-like mixture of DNA haptamers.

Functional characterization of XendoU, the endoribonuclease involved in small nucleolar RNA biosynthesis

XendoU is the endoribonuclease involved in the biosynthesis of a specific subclass of Xenopus laevis intron-encoded small nucleolar RNAs. XendoU has no homology to any known cellular RNase, although it has sequence similarity with proteins tentatively annotated as serine proteases. It has been recently shown that XendoU represents the cellular counterpart of a nidovirus replicative endoribonuclease (NendoU), which plays a critical role in viral replication and transcription. In this paper, we combined prediction and experimental data to define the amino acid residues directly involved in XendoU catalysis. Specifically, we find that XendoU residues Glu-161, Glu-167, His-162, His-178, and Lys-224 are essential for RNA cleavage, which occurs in the presence of manganese ions. Furthermore, we identified the RNA sequence required for XendoU binding and showed that the formation of XendoU-RNA complex is Mn2+-independent.

A recombinant exonuclease III homologue of the thermophilic archaeon Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus

AP endonucleases catalyse an important step in the base excision repair (BER) pathway by incising the phosphodiester backbone of damaged DNA immediately 5' to an abasic site. Here, we report the cloning and expression of the 774 bp Mth0212 gene from the thermophilic archaeon Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus, which codes for a putative AP endonuclease. The 30.3 kDa protein shares 30% sequence identity with exonuclease III (ExoIII) of Escherichia coli and 40% sequence identity with the human AP endonuclease Ape1. The gene was amplified from a culture sample and cloned into an expression vector. Using an E. coli host, the thermophilic protein could be produced and purified. Characterization of the enzymatic activity revealed strong binding and Mg2+-dependent nicking activity on undamaged double-stranded (ds) DNA at low ionic strength, even at temperatures below the optimum growth temperature of M. thermautotrophicus (65 degrees C). Additionally, a much faster nicking activity on AP site containing DNA was demonstrated. Unspecific incision of undamaged ds DNA was nearly inhibited at KCl concentration of approximately 0.5 M, whereas incision at AP sites was still complete at such salt concentrations. Nicked DNA was further degraded at temperatures above 50 degrees C, probably by an exonucleolytic activity of the enzyme, which was also found on recessed 3' ends of linearized ds DNA. The enzyme was active at temperatures up to 70 degrees C and, using circular dichroism spectroscopy, shown to denature at temperatures approaching 80 degrees C. Considering the high intracellular potassium ion concentration in M. thermautotrophicus, our results suggest that the characterized thermophilic enzyme acts as an AP endonuclease in vivo with similar activities as Ape1.

Footprint of the retrotransposon R2Bm protein on its target site before and after cleavage

R2 elements are non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons that specifically integrate into the 28 S rRNA genes of their host. These elements encode a single open reading frame with a genome-specific endonuclease and a reverse transcriptase that uses the cleaved chromosomal target site to prime reverse transcription. Cleavage of the DNA strand that is used to prime reverse transcription is an efficient process that occurs in the presence or absence of RNA. Cleavage of the second DNA strand is much less efficient and requires RNA. Reverse transcription occurs before second strand cleavage and only if the RNA bound to the protein contains the 3' untranslated region of the R2 element. Thus a complex series of protein interactions with the DNA and conformational changes in the protein are likely to occur during this retrotransposition reaction. Here, we conduct electrophoretic mobility-shift assays and DNase I footprint studies on the binding of the R2 protein to the DNA target in the presence and absence of RNA both before and after first strand cleavage. While the total expanse of the protein footprint on the DNA eventually covers five helical turns, before cleavage the footprint only extends from 17 bp to 40 bp upstream of the cleavage site. This footprint is the same in the presence and absence of RNA. We hypothesize that the active site of the endonuclease domain is analogous to type IIS restriction enzymes in that it is located on a flexible domain that is not tightly bound to the cleavage site. After first strand cleavage the protein footprint extends beyond the cleavage site. We suggest that this increased protection after cleavage is the RT domain that is positioned over the free DNA end to begin reverse transcription on the nicked DNA substrate.

Kinetics of end-to-end collision in short single-stranded nucleic acids

A novel fluorescence-based method, which entails contact quenching of the long-lived fluorescent state of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-2-ene (DBO), was employed to measure the kinetics of end-to-end collision in short single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides of the type 5'-DBO-(X)n-dG with X = dA, dC, dT, or dU and n = 2 or 4. The fluorophore was covalently attached to the 5' end and dG was introduced as an efficient intrinsic quencher at the 3' terminus. The end-to-end collision rates, which can be directly related to the efficiency of intramolecular fluorescence quenching, ranged from 0.1 to 9.0 x 10(6) s(-1). They were strongly dependent on the strand length, the base sequence, as well as the temperature. Oligonucleotides containing dA in the backbone displayed much slower collision rates and significantly higher positive activation energies than strands composed of pyrimidine bases, suggesting a higher intrinsic rigidity of oligoadenylate. Comparison of the measured collision rates in short single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides with the previously reported kinetics of hairpin formation indicates that the intramolecular collision is significantly faster than the nucleation step of hairpin closing. This is consistent with the configurational diffusion model suggested by Ansari et al. (Ansari, A.; Kuznetsov, S. V.; Shen, Y. Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2001, 98, 7771-7776), in which the formation of misfolded loops is thought to slow hairpin formation.

Direct real-time molecular scale visualisation of the degradation of condensed DNA complexes exposed to DNase I

The need to protect DNA from in vivo degradation is one of the basic tenets of therapeutic gene delivery and a standard test for any proposed delivery vector. The currently employed in vitro tests, however, presently provide no direct link between the molecular structure of the vector complexes and their success in this role, thus hindering the rational design of successful gene delivery agents. Here we apply atomic force microscopy (AFM) in liquid to visualise at the molecular scale and in real time, the effect of DNase I on generation 4 polyamidoamine dendrimers (G4) complexed with DNA. These complexes are revealed to be dynamic in nature showing a degree of mobility, in some cases revealing the addition and loss of dendrimers to individual complexes. The formation of the G4-DNA complexes is observed to provide a degree of protection to the DNA. This protection is related to the structural morphology of the formed complex, which is itself shown to be dependent on the dendrimer loading and the time allowed for complex formation.

Structural determinants for substrate binding and catalysis by the structure-specific endonuclease XPG

XPG belongs to the Fen1 family of structure-specific nucleases and is responsible for the 3' endonucleolytic incision during mammalian nucleotide excision repair. In addition, it has ill-defined roles in the transcription-coupled repair of oxidative DNA damage and likely also in transcription that are independent of its nuclease activity. We have used DNA binding and footprinting assays with various substrates to gain insight into how XPG interacts with DNA. Ethylation interference footprinting revealed that XPG binds to its substrates through interaction with the phosphate backbone on one face of the helix, mainly to the double-stranded DNA. By comparing DNA binding and cleavage activity using single-/double-stranded DNA junction substrates differing in the length of the single-stranded regions, we have found that the 3' but not the 5' single-stranded arm was necessary for DNA binding and incision activity. Furthermore, we show that although a 5' overhang is not required for XPG activity, an overhang containing double-stranded DNA near the junction inhibits the nuclease but not substrate binding activity. Apparently, junction accessibility or flexibility is important for catalysis but not binding of XPG. These results show that XPG has distinct requirements for binding and cleaving DNA substrates.

A novel method for SNP detection using a new duplex-specific nuclease from crab hepatopancreas

We have characterized a novel nuclease from the Kamchatka crab, designated duplex-specific nuclease (DSN). DSN displays a strong preference for cleaving double-stranded DNA and DNA in DNA-RNA hybrid duplexes, compared to single-stranded DNA. Moreover, the cleavage rate of short, perfectly matched DNA duplexes by this enzyme is essentially higher than that for nonperfectly matched duplexes of the same length. Thus, DSN differentiates between one-nucleotide variations in DNA. We developed a novel assay for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection based on this unique property, termed "duplex-specific nuclease preference" (DSNP). In this innovative assay, the DNA region containing the SNP site is amplified and the PCR product mixed with signal probes (FRET-labeled short sequence-specific oligonucleotides) and DSN. During incubation, only perfectly matched duplexes between the DNA template and signal probe are cleaved by DSN to generate sequence-specific fluorescence. The use of FRET-labeled signal probes coupled with the specificity of DSN presents a simple and efficient method for detecting SNPs. We have employed the DSNP assay for the typing of SNPs in methyltetrahydrofolate reductase, prothrombin and p53 genes on homozygous and heterozygous genomic DNA.

Design and characterization of decoy oligonucleotides containing locked nucleic acids

Transfection of cis-element double-stranded oligonucleotides, referred to as decoy ODNs, has been reported to be a powerful tool that provides a new class of antigene strategies for gene therapy. However, one of the major limitations of the decoy approach is the rapid degradation of phosphodiester oligonucleotides by intracellular nucleases. To date, several DNA analogs have been employed to overcome this issue, but insufficient efficacy and/or specificity have limited their in vivo usefulness. In this paper we have investigated the use of conformationally restricted nucleotides in the design of decoy molecules for nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). Starting from a synthetic double-stranded oligonucleotide, containing the kappaB consensus binding sequence, we designed a panel of decoy molecules modified to various extents and at various positions with locked nucleic acids (LNAs). Our results indicate that the addition of terminal LNA bases, outside the kappaB sequence, to generate LNA-DNA-LNA co-polymers was sufficient to confer appreciable protection towards nuclease digestion, without interfering with transcription factor binding. Conversely, insertion of LNA substitutions in the context of the kappaB-binding site resulted in further increased stability, but caused a loss of affinity of NF-kappaB for the target sequence. However, our results also indicate that this latter effect was apparently dependent not only on the extent but also on strand positioning of the internal LNA substitutions. This observation is of great importance since it provides evidence for the possibility of tuning DNA-LNA duplexes with internal LNAs into decoy agents with improved features in terms of biological stability and inhibitory effect.

Immobilization of sugar-non-specific nucleases by utilizing the streptavidin--biotin interaction

Due to their high enzymatic activity, the sugar-non-specific endonucleases from Serratia marcescens and Anabaena can be used for a number of applications, such as the removal of contaminating genetic material from biological preparations, footprinting studies, and the determination of nucleic acids in biochemical samples. These methods would benefit from immobilized nucleases. For this purpose, a single cysteine residue was added at the N-terminus of the Serratia and Anabaena nucleases and subsequently modified with a maleimide-biotin conjugate. Alternatively, a biotin acceptor domain was fused to the Anabaena nuclease, allowing biotinylation during expression in E. coli without a further chemical step. The attachment of biotin-modified nucleases to streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads and to streptavidin-coated surface plasmon resonance sensor chips (to study interactions with substrate and inhibitor) worked well when aggregates present in the protein preparations were removed by ultrafiltration. These methods should be of general use for similar enzyme systems.

Structural alterations in the DNA ahead of the primer terminus during displacement synthesis by reverse transcriptases

Unlike most DNA polymerases, reverse transcriptases can initiate DNA synthesis at a single-strand break and displace the downstream non- template strand simultaneously with extension of the primer. This reaction is important for generation of the long terminal repeat sequences in the duplex DNA product of retroviral reverse transcription. Oligonucleotide-based model displacement constructs were used to study the interaction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptases with the DNA. Under conditions where the DNA is saturated with enzyme, there is no protection against DNase I cleavage of the 5' single-stranded extension that would correspond to the already-displaced strand. However, the DNase I footprint on the non-template strand extends from the +1 to the +9 position for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enzyme and from +1 to +7 or +8 for the Moloney enzyme. This extent of protection on the non-template strand is similar to what was observed previously for the template strand downstream from the primer terminus. Use of potassium permanganate as a probe for unpaired bases in the region ahead of the primer terminus reveals that the two base-pairs immediately in front of the enzyme are melted by the bound enzyme. These findings are consistent with a displacement mechanism in which the reverse transcriptase plays an active role in unpairing the DNA ahead of the translocating polymerase. The results are interpreted in light of a recent crystal structure showing the nature of the protein-DNA contacts with the template strand ahead of the primer terminus.

X-ray structure of T4 endonuclease VII: a DNA junction resolvase with a novel fold and unusual domain-swapped dimer architecture

Phage T4 endonuclease VII (Endo VII), the first enzyme shown to resolve Holliday junctions, recognizes a broad spectrum of DNA substrates ranging from branched DNAs to single base mismatches. We have determined the crystal structures of the Ca2+-bound wild-type and the inactive N62D mutant enzymes at 2.4 and 2.1 A, respectively. The Endo VII monomers form an elongated, highly intertwined molecular dimer exhibiting extreme domain swapping. The major dimerization elements are two pairs of antiparallel helices forming a novel 'four-helix cross' motif. The unique monomer fold, almost completely lacking beta-sheet structure and containing a zinc ion tetrahedrally coordinated to four cysteines, does not resemble any of the known junction-resolving enzymes, including the Escherichia coli RuvC and lambda integrase-type recombinases. The S-shaped dimer has two 'binding bays' separated by approximately 25 A which are lined by positively charged residues and contain near their base residues known to be essential for activity. These include Asp40 and Asn62, which function as ligands for the bound calcium ions. A pronounced bipolar charge distribution suggests that branched DNA substrates bind to the positively charged face with the scissile phosphates located near the divalent cations. A model for the complex with a four-way DNA junction is presented.