Examination of the long-range effects of aminofluorene-induced conformational heterogeneity and its relevance to the mechanism of translesional DNA synthesis

Conformational Insights into the Mechanism of Acetylaminofluorene-dG-Induced Frameshift Mutations in the NarI Mutational Hotspot

Frameshift mutagenesis encompasses the gain or loss of DNA base pairs, resulting in altered genetic outcomes. The NarI restriction site sequence 5'-G1G2CG3CX-3' in Escherichia coli is a well-known mutational hotspot, in which lesioning of acetylaminofluorene (AAF) at G3* induces a greater -2 deletion frequency than that at other guanine sites. Its mutational efficiency is modulated by the nature of the nucleotide in the X position (C ∼ A > G ≫ T). Here, we conducted a series of polymerase-free solution experiments that examine the conformational and thermodynamic basis underlying the propensity of adducted G3 to form a slipped mutagenic intermediate (SMI) and its sequence dependence during translesion synthesis (TLS). Instability of the AAF-dG3:dC pair at the replication fork promoted slippage to form a G*C bulge-out SMI structure, consisting of S- ("lesion stacked") and B-SMI ("lesion exposed") conformations, with conformational rigidity increasing as a function of primer elongation. We found greater stability of the S- compared to the B-SMI conformer throughout TLS. The dependence of their population ratios was determined by the 3'-next flanking base X at fully elongated bulge structures, with 59% B/41% S and 86% B/14% S for the dC and dT series, respectively. These results indicate the importance of direct interactions of the hydrophobic AAF lesion with the 3'-next flanking base pair and its stacking fit within the -2 bulge structure. A detailed conformational understanding of the SMI structures and their sequence dependence may provide a useful model for DNA polymerase complexes.

Real-time surface plasmon resonance study of biomolecular interactions between polymerase and bulky mutagenic DNA lesions

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to measure polymerase-binding interactions of the bulky mutagenic DNA lesions N-(2′-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4′-fluoro-4-aminobiphenyl (FABP) or N-(2′-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-acetylaminofluorene (FAAF) in the context of two unique 5′-flanking bases (CG*A and TG*A). The enzymes used were exo-nuclease-deficient Klenow fragment (Kf-exo^–) or polymerase β (pol β). Specific binary and ternary DNA binding affinities of the enzymes were characterized at subnanomolar concentrations. The SPR results showed that Kf-exo^– binds strongly to a double strand/single strand template/primer junction, whereas pol β binds preferentially to double-stranded DNA having a one-nucleotide gap. Both enzymes exhibited tight binding to native DNA, with high nucleotide selectivity, where the K_D values for each base pair increased in the order dCTP ≪ dTTP ∼ dATP ≪ dGTP. In contrast to that for pol β, Kf-exo^– binds tightly to lesion-modified templates; however, both polymerases exhibited minimal nucleotide selectivity toward adducted DNA. Primer steady-state kinetics and ¹⁹F NMR results support the SPR data. The relative insertion efficiency f_ins of dCTP opposite FABP was significantly higher in the TG*A sequence compared to that in CG*A. Although Kf-exo^– was not sensitive to the presence of a DNA lesion, FAAF-induced conformational heterogeneity perturbed the active site of pol β, weakening the enzyme’s ability to bind to FAAF adducts compared to FABP adducts. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of SPR for elucidating how lesion-induced conformational heterogeneity affects the binding capability of polymerases and ultimately the nucleotide insertion efficiency.

Conformational insights into the lesion and sequence effects for arylamine-induced translesion DNA synthesis: 19F NMR, surface plasmon resonance, and primer kinetic studies

Adduct-induced DNA damage can affect transcription efficiency and DNA replication and repair. We previously investigated the effects of the 3′-next flanking base (G*CT vs G*CA; G*, FABP, N-(2′-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4′-fluoro-4-aminobiphenyl; FAF, N-(2′-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene) on the conformation of arylamine-DNA lesions in relation to E. coli nucleotide excision repair (JainV., HiltonB., LinB., PatnaikS., LiangF., DarianE., ZouY., MackerellA. D.Jr., and ChoB. P. (2013) Nucleic Acids Res., 41, 869−88023180767). Here, we report the differential effects of the same pair of sequences on DNA replication in vitro by the polymerases exofree Klenow fragment (Kf-exo^–) and Dpo4. We obtained dynamic ¹⁹F NMR spectra for two 19-mer modified templates during primer elongation: G*CA [d(5′-CTTACCATCG*CAACCATTC-3′)] and G*CT [d(5′-CTTACCATCG*CTACCATTC-3′)]. We found that lesion stacking is favored in the G*CT sequence compared to the G*CA counterpart. Surface plasmon resonance binding results showed consistently weaker affinities for the modified DNA with the binding strength in the order of FABP > FAF and G*CA > G*CT. Primer extension was stalled at (n) and near (n – 1 and n + 1) the lesion site, and the extent of blockage and the extension rates across the lesion were influenced by not only the DNA sequences but also the nature of the adduct’s chemical structure (FAF vs FABP) and the polymerase employed (Kf-exo^– vs Dpo4). Steady-state kinetics analysis with Kf-exo^– revealed the most dramatic sequence and lesion effects at the lesion (n) and postinsertion (n + 1) sites, respectively. Taken together, these results provide insights into the important role of lesion-induced conformational heterogeneity in modulating translesion DNA synthesis.

Thermodynamic impact of abasic sites on simulated translesion DNA synthesis

Loss of a base in DNA and the creation of an abasic (apurinic/apyrimidinic, AP) site is a frequent lesion that may occur spontaneously, or as a consequence of the action of DNA-damaging agents. The AP lesion is mutagenic or lethal if not repaired. We report a systematic thermodynamic investigation by differential scanning calorimetry on the evolution, during primer extension, of a model AP site in chemically simulated DNA translesion synthesis. Incorporation of dAMP (deoxyadenosine monophosphate), as well as dTMP (deoxythymidine monophosphate), opposite an AP site is enthalpically unfavorable, although incorporation of dTMP is more enthalpically unfavorable than that of dAMP. This finding is in a good agreement with experimental data showing that AP sites block various DNA polymerases of eukaryotic and prokaryotic origin and that, if bypassed, dAMP is preferentially inserted, whereas insertion of dTMP is less likely. The results emphasize the importance of thermodynamic contributions to the insertion of nucleotides opposite an AP site by DNA polymerases.

Insights into the conformation of aminofluorene-deoxyguanine adduct in a DNA polymerase active site

The active site conformation of the mutagenic fluoroaminofluorene-deoxyguanine adduct (dG-FAF, N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene) has been investigated in the presence of Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Kfexo(-)) and DNA polymerase β (pol β) using (19)F NMR, insertion assay, and surface plasmon resonance. In a single nucleotide gap, the dG-FAF adduct adopts both a major-groove- oriented and base-displaced stacked conformation, and this heterogeneity is retained upon binding pol β. The addition of a non-hydrolysable 2'-deoxycytosine-5'-[(α,β)-methyleno]triphosphate (dCMPcPP) nucleotide analog to the binary complex results in an increase of the major groove conformation of the adduct at the expense of the stacked conformation. Similar results were obtained with the addition of an incorrect dAMPcPP analog but with formation of the minor groove binding conformer. In contrast, dG-FAF adduct at the replication fork for the Kfexo(-) complex adopts a mix of the major and minor groove conformers with minimal effect upon the addition of non-hydrolysable nucleotides. For pol β, the insertion of dCTP was preferred opposite the dG-FAF adduct in a single nucleotide gap assay consistent with (19)F NMR data. Surface plasmon resonance binding kinetics revealed that pol β binds tightly with DNA in the presence of correct dCTP, but the adduct weakens binding with no nucleotide specificity. These results provide molecular insights into the DNA binding characteristics of FAF in the active site of DNA polymerases and the role of DNA structure and sequence on its coding potential.

Structure and thermodynamic insights on acetylaminofluorene-modified deletion DNA duplexes as models for frameshift mutagenesis

2-Acetylaminofluorene (AAF) is a prototype arylamine carcinogen that forms C8-substituted dG-AAF and dG-AF as the major DNA lesions. The bulky N-acetylated dG-AAF lesion can induce various frameshift mutations depending on the base sequence around the lesion. We hypothesized that the thermodynamic stability of bulged-out slipped mutagenic intermediates (SMIs) is directly related to deletion mutations. The objective of the present study was to probe the structural/conformational basis of various dG-AAF-induced SMIs formed during translesion synthesis. We performed spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and molecular dynamics studies of several AAF-modified 16-mer model DNA duplexes, including fully paired and -1, -2, and -3 deletion duplexes of the 5'-CTCTCGATG[FAAF]CCATCAC-3' sequence and an additional -1 deletion duplex of the 5'-CTCTCGGCG[FAAF]CCATCAC-3' NarI sequence. Modified deletion duplexes existed in a mixture of external B and stacked S conformers, with the population of the S conformer being 'GC'-1 (73%) > 'AT'-1 (72%) > full (60%) > -2 (55%) > -3 (37%). Thermodynamic stability was in the order of -1 deletion > -2 deletion > fully paired > -3 deletion duplexes. These results indicate that the stacked S-type conformer of SMIs is thermodynamically more stable than the conformationally flexible external B conformer. Results from the molecular dynamics simulations indicate that perturbation of base stacking dominates the relative stability along with contributions from bending, duplex dynamics, and solvation effects that are important in specific cases. Taken together, these results support a hypothesis that the conformational and thermodynamic stabilities of the SMIs are critical determinants for the induction of frameshift mutations.

Unusual sequence effects on nucleotide excision repair of arylamine lesions: DNA bending/distortion as a primary recognition factor

The environmental arylamine mutagens are implicated in the etiology of various sporadic human cancers. Arylamine-modified dG lesions were studied in two fully paired 11-mer duplexes with a -G*CN- sequence context, in which G* is a C8-substituted dG adduct derived from fluorinated analogs of 4-aminobiphenyl (FABP), 2-aminofluorene (FAF) or 2-acetylaminofluorene (FAAF), and N is either dA or dT. The FABP and FAF lesions exist in a simple mixture of 'stacked' (S) and 'B-type' (B) conformers, whereas the N-acetylated FAAF also samples a 'wedge' (W) conformer. FAAF is repaired three to four times more efficiently than FABP and FAF. A simple A- to -T polarity swap in the G*CA/G*CT transition produced a dramatic increase in syn-conformation and resulted in 2- to 3-fold lower nucleotide excision repair (NER) efficiencies in Escherichia coli. These results indicate that lesion-induced DNA bending/thermodynamic destabilization is an important DNA damage recognition factor, more so than the local S/B-conformational heterogeneity that was observed previously for FAF and FAAF in certain sequence contexts. This work represents a novel 3'-next flanking sequence effect as a unique NER factor for bulky arylamine lesions in E. coli.

Binary and ternary binding affinities between exonuclease-deficient Klenow fragment (Kf-exo(-)) and various arylamine DNA lesions characterized by surface plasmon resonance

We used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to characterize the binding interactions between the exonulease-free Klenow fragment (Kf-exo(-)) and unmodified and modified dG adducts derived from arylamine carcinogens: fluorinated 2-aminofluorene (FAF), 2-acetylaminofluorene (FAAF), and 4-aminobiphenyl (FABP). Tight polymerase binding was detected with unmodified dG and the correct dCTP. The discrimination of correct versus incorrect nucleotides was pronounced with K(D) values in the order of dCTP ≪ dTTP < dATP < dGTP. In contrast, minimal selectivity was observed for the modified templates with Kf-exo(-) binding tighter to the FAAF (k(off): 0.02 s(-1)) and FABP (k(off): 0.01 s(-1)) lesions than to FAF (k(off): 0.04 s(-1)).

Conformational and thermodynamic properties modulate the nucleotide excision repair of 2-aminofluorene and 2-acetylaminofluorene dG adducts in the NarI sequence

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a major repair pathway that recognizes and corrects various lesions in cellular DNA. We hypothesize that damage recognition is an initial step in NER that senses conformational anomalies in the DNA caused by lesions. We prepared three DNA duplexes containing the carcinogen adduct N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-acetylaminofluorene (FAAF) at G(1), G(2) or G(3) of NarI sequence (5'-CCG(1)G(2)CG(3)CC-3'). Our (19)F-NMR/ICD results showed that FAAF at G(1) and G(3) prefer syn S- and W-conformers, whereas anti B-conformer was predominant for G(2). We found that the repair of FAAF occurs in a conformation-specific manner, i.e. the highly S/W-conformeric G(3) and -G(1) duplexes incised more efficiently than the B-type G(2) duplex (G(3)∼G(1)> G(2)). The melting and thermodynamic data indicate that the S- and W-conformers produce greater DNA distortion and thermodynamic destabilization. The N-deacetylated N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene (FAF) adducts in the same NarI sequence are repaired 2- to 3-fold less than FAAF: however, the incision efficiency was in order of G(2)∼G(1)> G(3), a reverse trend of the FAAF case. We have envisioned the so-called N-acetyl factor as it could raise conformational barriers of FAAF versus FAF. The present results provide valuable conformational insight into the sequence-dependent UvrABC incisions of the bulky aminofluorene DNA adducts.

Conformational and thermodynamic impact of bulky aminofluorene adduction on simulated translesion DNA synthesis

We report a systematic spectroscopic investigation on the conformational evolution during primer extension of a bulky fluoroaminofluorene-modified dG adduct (FAF-dG) in chemically simulated translesion synthesis. FAF-dG was paired either with dC or dA (dC-match and dA-mismatch series, respectively). Dynamic (19)F NMR/CD results showed that the FAF-adduct exists in a syn/anti equilibrium and that its conformational characteristics are modulated by the identity of an inserted nucleotide at the lesion site and the extent of primer elongation. At the pre-insertion site, the adduct adopted preferentially a syn conformation where FAF stacked with preceding bases. Insertion of the correct nucleotide dC at the lesion site and subsequent elongation resulted in a gradual transition to the anti conformation. By contrast, the syn conformer was persistent along with primer extension in the dA-mismatch series. In the dC-match series, FAF-induced thermal (T(m)) and thermodynamic (-ΔG°(37 °C)) stabilities were significantly reduced relative to those of the controls. However, the corresponding T(m) and -ΔG°(37 °C) values were increased in the FAF-modified mismatched dA series. The lesion impact persisted up to three 5'-nucleotides from the lesion. Occupation of the minor groove of the W-conformer with the bulky carcinogenic fluorene moiety not only would limit the DNA mobility but also would impose a serious difficulty for the active site of a polymerase throughout the replication process. Our spectroscopic results are consistent with reported data on AF, which showed dramatic (~10(4)-fold) differences in the nucleotide insertion rates between the dC-match and dA-mismatch series. The results emphasize the importance of adduct-induced steric constraints for determining the replication fidelity of a polymerase.

Enthalpy-entropy contribution to carcinogen-induced DNA conformational heterogeneity

DNA damage by adduct formation is a critical step for the initiation of carcinogenesis. Aromatic amines are strong inducers of environmental carcinogenesis. Their DNA adducts are known to exist in an equilibrium between the major groove (B) and base-displaced stacked (S) conformations. However, the factors governing such heterogeneity remain unclear. Here we conducted extensive calorimetry/NMR/CD studies on the model DNA lesions caused by fluorinated 2-aminfluorene (FAF) and 4-aminobiphenyl (FABP) in order to gain thermodynamic and kinetic insights into the S/B conformational equilibrium. We demonstrate that there are large differences in enthalpy-entropy compensations for FABP and FAF. The small and flexible FABP exclusively adopts the less perturbed B conformer with small enthalpy (DeltaDeltaH-2.7 kcal/mol)/entropy (DeltaDeltaS-0.7 eu) change. In contrast, FAF stacks better and exists as a mixture of B and S conformers with large enthalpy (DeltaDeltaH-13.4 kcal/mol)/entropy (DeltaDeltaS-34.2 eu) compensation. van't Hoff analysis of dynamic (19)F NMR data indicated DeltaH(B<-->S) = 4.1 kcal/mol in favor of the B conformer and DeltaS(B<-->S) = 15.6 cal mol(-1) K(-1) in favor of the intercalated S conformer. These findings demonstrate that the favorable entropy of the S conformer over B conformer determines the S/B population ratios at physiological temperatures.

Influence of flanking sequence context on the conformational flexibility of aminofluorene-modified dG adduct in dA mismatch DNA duplexes

When positioned opposite to a dA in a DNA duplex, the prototype arylamine-DNA adduct [N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-yl)-7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene (FAF)] adopts the so-called 'wedge' (W) conformation, in which the carcinogen resides in the minor groove of the duplex. All 16 FAF-modified 12-mer NG*N/NAN dA mismatch duplexes (G* = FAF, N = G, A, C, T) exhibited strongly positive induced circular dichroism in the 290-360 nm range (ICD(290-360 nm)), which supports the W conformation. The ICD(290-360 nm) intensities were the greatest for duplexes with a 3'-flanking T. The AG*N duplex series showed little adduct-induced destabilization. An exception was the AG*T duplex, which displayed two well-resolved signals in the (19)F NMR spectra. This was presumably due to a strong lesion-destabilizing effect of the 3'-T. The flanking T effect was substantiated further by findings with the TG*T duplex, which exhibited greater lesion flexibility and nucleotide excision repair recognition. Adduct conformational heterogeneity decreased in order of TG*T > AG*T > CG*T > AG*A > AG*G > AG*C. The dramatic flanking T effect on W-conformeric duplexes is consistent with the strong dependence of the ICD(290-360) on both temperature and salt concentration and could be extended to the arylamine food mutagens that are biologically relevant in humans.

Alpha,beta-methylene-2'-deoxynucleoside 5'-triphosphates as noncleavable substrates for DNA polymerases: isolation, characterization, and stability studies of novel 2'-deoxycyclonucleosides, 3,5'-cyclo-dG, and 2,5'-cyclo-dT

We report synthesis and characterization of a complete set of alpha,beta-methylene-2'-dNTPs (alpha,beta-m-dNTP; N = A, C, T, G, 12-15) in which the alpha,beta-oxygen linkage of natural dNTP was replaced by a methylene group. These nucleotides were designed to be noncleavable substrates for DNA polymerases. Synthesis entails preparation of 2'-deoxynucleoside 5'-diphosphate precursors, followed by an enzymatic gamma-phosphorylation. All four synthesized alpha,beta-m-dNTPs were found to be potent inhibitors of polymerase beta, with K i values ranging 1-5 microM. During preparation of the dG and dT derivatives of alpha,beta-methylene diphosphate, we also isolated significant amounts of 3,5'-cyclo-dG (16) and 2,5'-cyclo-dT (17), respectively. These novel 2'-deoxycyclonucleosides were formed via a base-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization (N3 --> C5' and O2 --> C5', respectively). In acidic solution, both 16 and 17 underwent glycolysis, followed by complete depurination. When exposed to alkaline conditions, 16 underwent an oxidative deamination to produce 3,5'- cyclo-2'-deoxyxanthosine (19), whereas 17 was hydrolyzed exclusively to dT.

Lesion processing: high-fidelity versus lesion-bypass DNA polymerases

When a high-fidelity DNA polymerase encounters certain DNA-damage sites, its progress can be stalled and one or more lesion-bypass polymerases are recruited to transit the lesion. Here, we consider two representative types of lesions: (i) 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), a small, highly prevalent lesion caused by oxidative damage; and (ii) bulky lesions derived from the environmental pre-carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, in the high-fidelity DNA polymerase Bacillus fragment (BF) from Bacillus stearothermophilus and in the lesion-bypass DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4) from Sulfolobus solfataricus. The tight fit of the BF polymerase around the nascent base pair contrasts with the more spacious, solvent-exposed active site of Dpo4, and these differences in architecture result in distinctions in their respective functions: one-step versus stepwise polymerase translocation, mutagenic versus accurate bypass of 8-oxoG, and polymerase stalling versus mutagenic bypass at bulky benzo[a]pyrene-derived lesions.

Fluorescence probing of aminofluorene-induced conformational heterogeneity in DNA duplexes

Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to study carcinogen-induced conformational heterogeneity in DNA duplexes. The fluorophore 2-aminopurine (AP) was incorporated adjacent (5') to the lesion (G*) in eight different DNA duplexes [d(5'-CTTCT PG* NCCTC-3'):d(5'-GAGGN XTAGAAG-3'), G* = FAF adduct, P = AP, N = G, A, C, T, and X = C, A] modified by FAF [ N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene], a fluorine-tagged model DNA adduct derived from the potent carcinogen 2-aminofluorene. Steady-state measurements showed that fluorescence intensity and Stern-Volmer constants ( Ksv) derived from acrylamide quenching experiments decreased for all carcinogen-modified duplexes relative to the controls, which suggests greater AP stacking in the duplex upon adduct formation. Conformation-specific stacking of AP with the neighboring adduct was evidenced by a sequence-dependent variation in fluorescence intensity, position of emission maximum, degree of emission quenching by acrylamide, and temperature-dependent spectral changes. The magnitude of stacking was in the order of FAF residue in base-displaced stacked (S) > minor groove wedged (W) > major groove B type (B). This work represents a novel utility of AP in probing adduct-induced conformational heterogeneities in DNA duplexes.

Probing the sequence effects on NarI-induced -2 frameshift mutagenesis by dynamic 19F NMR, UV, and CD spectroscopy

The NarI recognition sequence (5'-G1G2CG3CN-3') is the most vulnerable hot spot for frameshift mutagenesis induced by the carcinogen 2-aminofluorene and its analogues in Escherichia coli. Lesioning of the guanine in the G3 position induces an especially high frequency of -2 deletion mutations; vulnerability to these mutations is modulated by the nature of the nucleotide in the N position (C approximately A > G > T). The objective of the present study was to probe the structural basis of this N-mediated influence on the propensity of the G3 lesion to form a slipped mutagenic intermediate (SMI) during translesion synthesis. We studied NarI-based fully paired [(5'-CTCG1G2CG3*CNATC-3')(5'-GATNCGGCCGAG-3'), N = dC or dT] and -2 deletion [(5'-CTCG1G2CG3*CNATC-3')(5'-GATNGCCGAG-3'), N = dC or dT] duplexes, in which G* was either AF [N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene] or the 19F probe FAF [N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene]. The latter sequences mimic the bulged SMI for -2 deletion mutations. Dynamic 19F NMR, circular dichroism, and UV melting results indicated that the NarI-dC/-2 deletion duplex adopts exclusively an intercalated conformer, whereas the NarI-dT/-2 deletion duplex exists as multiple conformers. The data support the presence of a putative equilibrium between a carcinogen-intercalated and a carcinogen-exposed SMI for the dT/-2 duplex. A similar dT-induced conformational heterogeneity was observed for the fully paired duplexes in which all three guanines were individually modified by AF or FAF. The frequency of the carcinogen stacked S-conformation was found to be highest (69-75%) at the G3 hot spot in NarI-dC duplexes. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that the conformational stability of the SMI is a critical determinant for the efficacy of -2 frameshift mutagenesis in the NarI sequence. We also provide evidence for AF/FAF conformational compatibility in the NarI sequences.

Spectroscopic and theoretical insights into sequence effects of aminofluorene-induced conformational heterogeneity and nucleotide excision repair

A systematic spectroscopic and computational study was conducted in order to probe the influence of base sequences on stacked (S) versus B-type (B) conformational heterogeneity induced by the major dG adduct derived from the model carcinogen 7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene (FAF). We prepared and characterized eight 12-mer DNA duplexes (-AG*N- series, d[CTTCTAG*NCCTC]; -CG*N- series, d[CTTCTCG*NCCTC]), in which the central guanines (G*) were site-specifically modified with FAF with varying flanking bases (N = G, A, C, T). S/B heterogeneity was examined by CD, UV, and dynamic 19F NMR spectroscopy. All the modified duplexes studied followed a typical dynamic exchange between the S and B conformers in a sequence dependent manner. Specifically, purine bases at the 3'-flanking site promoted the S conformation (G > A > C > T). Simulation analysis showed that the S/B energy barriers were in the 14-16 kcal/mol range. The correlation times (tau = 1/kappa) were found to be in the millisecond range at 20 degrees C. The van der Waals energy force field calculations indicated the importance of the stacking interaction between the carcinogen and neighboring base pairs. Quantum mechanics calculations showed the existence of correlations between the total interaction energies (including electrostatic and solvation effects) and the S/B population ratios. The S/B equilibrium seems to modulate the efficiency of Escherichia coli UvrABC-based nucleotide excision repair in a conformation-specific manner: i.e., greater repair susceptibility for the S over B conformation and for the -AG*N- over the -CG*N- series. The results indicate a novel structure-function relationship, which provides insights into how bulky DNA adducts are accommodated by UvrABC proteins.

DNA sequence modulates the conformation of the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in the recognition sequence of the NarI restriction enzyme

The conformations of C8-dG adducts of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) positioned in the C-X1-G, G-X2-C, and C-X3-C contexts in the C-G1-G2-C-G3-C-C recognition sequence of the NarI restriction enzyme were compared, using the oligodeoxynucleotides 5'-d(CTCXGCGCCATC)-3'.5'-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3', 5'-d(CTCGXCGCCATC)-3'.5'-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3', and 5'-d(CTCGGCXCCATC)-3'.5'-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3' (X is the C8-dG adduct of IQ). These were the NarIIQ1, NarIIQ2, and NarIIQ3 duplexes, respectively. In each instance, the glycosyl torsion angle chi for the IQ-modified dG was in the syn conformation. The orientations of the IQ moieties were dependent upon the conformations of torsion angles alpha' [N9-C8-N(IQ)-C2(IQ)] and beta' [C8-N(IQ)-C2(IQ)-N3(IQ)], which were monitored by the patterns of 1H NOEs between the IQ moieties and the DNA in the three sequence contexts. The conformational states of IQ torsion angles alpha' and beta' were predicted from the refined structures of the three adducts obtained from restrained molecular dynamics calculations, utilizing simulated annealing protocols. For the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes, the alpha' torsion angles were predicted to be -176 +/- 8 degrees and -160 +/- 8 degrees , respectively, whereas for the NarIIQ3 duplex, torsion angle alpha' was predicted to be 159 +/- 7 degrees . Likewise, for the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes, the beta' torsion angles were predicted to be -152 +/- 8 degrees and -164 +/- 7 degrees , respectively, whereas for the NarIIQ3 duplex, torsion angle beta' was predicted to be -23 +/- 8 degrees . Consequently, the conformations of the IQ adduct in the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes were similar, with the IQ methyl protons and IQ H4 and H5 protons facing outward in the minor groove, whereas in the NarIIQ3 duplex, the IQ methyl protons and the IQ H4 and H5 protons faced into the DNA duplex, facilitating the base-displaced intercalated orientation of the IQ moiety [Wang, F., Elmquist, C. E., Stover, J. S., Rizzo, C. J., and Stone, M. P. (2006) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 10085-10095]. In contrast, for the NarIIQ1 and NarIIQ2 duplexes, the IQ moiety remained in the minor groove. These sequence-dependent differences suggest that base-displaced intercalation of the IQ adduct is favored when both the 5'- and 3'-flanking nucleotides in the complementary strand are guanines. These conformational differences may correlate with sequence-dependent differences in translesion replication.