Photoreactivities and thermal properties of psoralen cross-links

Tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of the sites of DNA interstrand cross-link

Formation of DNA interstrand cross-link is implicated in the mechanism of anticancer activity of some drugs. Here we examined the fragmentation of deprotonated ions of double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) that are covalently held together with either a mitomycin C or a 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen. Our results showed that, upon collisional activation, the covalently-bound duplex ODNs cleaved to give a series of wn and [an-base] ions; the sites of interstrand cross-linking could be determined from the mass shifts of some product ions. In addition, compared with the product-ion spectra acquired on an ion trap, those obtained from sustained off-resonance irradiation-collisionally activated dissociation (SORI-CAD) on a Fourier transform mass spectrometer offered high mass-resolving power, which facilitated unambiguous assignment of product ions and made it an effective method for locating the cross-linking sites.

Studies on mechanism of 8-methoxypsoralen-DNA interaction in the dark

The interaction of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) with calf thymus DNA was studied in darkness at 25 degrees C and pH 7.4. The enthalpy curve for 8-MOP-DNA interaction was obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry and showed a two-step process for the interaction. According to the spectrophotometric data, it was suggested that some compaction may occur in the DNA structure at higher [8-MOP](t)/[DNA] ratio. Using the fluorescence quenching data, the Scatchard analysis was performed for 8-MOP-DNA interaction at the extended ranges of drug concentration. The results indicated that the first set of binding sites was occupied by 1 mol of drug bound per near eight base pairs of DNA. Also 8-MOP caused the quenching of the fluorescence emission of DNA-ethidium bromide complex. The Scatchard analysis of these data indicated the non-competitive manner for quenching. A non-displacement based quenching mechanism has been suggested for this behavior. The circular dichroism spectra also confirmed the non-intercalative binding of 8-MOP at higher concentrations accompanied by some conformational changes in DNA structure. It has been suggested that at low drug load, 8-MOP binds to DNA as an intercalator, which is an endothermic process, whereas at higher ratios of [8-MOP](t)/[DNA], it binds to the outside of DNA, probably in the minor groove and causes some compaction in DNA, which is the exothermic process.

Fanconi anemia, complementation group A, cells are defective in ability to produce incisions at sites of psoralen interstrand cross-links

The hypersensitivity of Fanconi anemia, complementation group A, (FA-A) cells to agents which produce DNA interstrand cross-links correlates with a defect in their ability to repair this type of damage. In order to more clearly elucidate this repair defect, chromatin-associated protein extracts from FA-A cells were examined for ability to endonucleolytically produce incisions in DNA at sites of interstrand cross-links. A defined 140 bp DNA substrate was constructed with a single site-specific monoadduct or interstrand cross-link produced by 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) plus long wavelength (UVA) light. Our results show that FA-A cells are defective in ability to produce dual incisions in DNA at sites of interstrand cross-links. Specifically, there is defective incision on the 3'- and 5'-sides of both the furan and pyrone sides of the cross-link. This defect is corrected in FA-A cells transduced with a retroviral vector expressing FANCA cDNA. At the site of a TMP monoadduct, FA-A cells can introduce incisions on both the 3'- and 5'-sides of the furan side monoadduct, but are defective in ability to produce these incisions on the pyrone side monoadduct. These studies also indicate that XPF is involved in production of the 5' incision by the normal extracts on these substrates. These results correlate with our previous work, which showed that FA-A cells are mainly defective in ability to repair psoralen interstrand cross-links with a lesser defect in ability to repair psoralen monoadducts. This defect in endonucleolytic incision at sites of TMP interstrand cross-links could be related to reduced levels of non-erythroid alpha spectrin (alphaSpIISigma*) in the extracts from FA-A cells. alphaSpIISigma* could act as a scaffold to align proteins involved in cross-link repair and enhance their interactions; a deficiency in alphaSpIISigma* could thus lead to reduced efficiency of repair and the decreased levels of incisions we observe at sites of interstrand cross-links in FA-A cells.

DNA repair and chromatin structure in genetic diseases

Interaction of DNA repair proteins with damaged DNA in eukaryotic cells is influenced by the packaging of DNA into chromatin. The basic repeating unit of chromatin, the nucleosome, plays an important role in regulating accessibility of repair proteins to sites of damage in DNA. There are a number of different pathways fundamental to the DNA repair process. Elucidation of the proteins involved in these pathways and the mechanisms they utilize for interacting with damaged nucleosomal and nonnucleosomal DNA has been aided by studies of genetic diseases where there are defects in the DNA repair process. Two of these diseases are xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and Fanconi anemia (FA). Cells from patients with these disorders are similar in that they have defects in the initial steps of the repair process. However, there are a number of important differences in the nature of these defects. One of these is in the ability of repair proteins from XP and FA cells to interact with damaged nucleosomal DNA. In XP complementation group A (XPA) cells, for example, endonucleases present in a chromatin-associated protein complex involved in the initial steps in the repair process are defective in their ability to incise damaged nucleosomal DNA, but, like the normal complexes, can incise damaged naked DNA. In contrast, in FA complementation group A (FA-A) cells, these complexes are equally deficient in their ability to incise damaged naked and similarly damaged nucleosomal DNA. This ability to interact with damaged nucleosomal DNA correlates with the mechanism of action these endonucleases use for locating sites of damage. Whereas the FA-A and normal endonucleases act by a processive mechanism of action, the XPA endonucleases locate sites of damage distributively. Thus the mechanism of action utilized by a DNA repair enzyme may be of critical importance in its ability to interact with damaged nucleosomal DNA.

Photoreaction of new psoralen analogs with DNA: sequence and mutation specificity in the Escherichia coli lacZ gene

New thio- and seleno-analogs of psoralen were synthesized and analyzed for their photoreactivity toward DNA. Using oligonucleotides of defined sequence, we first showed that these derivatives predominantly generated interstrand crosslinks at 5'-TpA sites. We also observed a surprisingly high reactivity of 7H-thiopyrano[3,2-f][1]benzofuran-7-one (PSO[O-S]) with the BamHI and PstI oligomers, giving rise to the formation of crosslinks at 5'-ApT sites and of the thymidine-psoralen-cytosine type. Next, the sequence specificity in the photochemical binding of all the compounds was investigated in two DNA fragments encompassing the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli, using the T4 DNA polymerase sequencing methodology. Resulting maps demonstrated that thio- and seleno-analogs of psoralen preferentially photoreacted with thymine and cytosine residues. The AT-rich sequences proved to be particularly reactive sites as did adjacent thymines, especially at C-surrounding residues. Likewise, photoaddition at cytosines in CA/AC context was observed. It was highly significant that all of the derivatives exhibited similar sequence specificities with only minor differences. However, PSO(O-S) differed from the other heteropsoralens. Photoadducts occurred with a higher frequency at AC and CA dinucleotides, and new sites were detected. A comparison with 8-methoxypsoralen photobinding is also reported. Finally, the mutagenic consequences of photoadducts induced in M13mp19 DNA by PSO(O-S) were determined in a forward system that detects all classes of mutagenic events. The high phototoxicity exhibited by PSO(O-S) could be attributed to crosslinks, and the comparison of the observed mutational specificity with the photoadduct distribution within the same gene showed that mutations were targeted at potential monoadduct sites where photolesions were detected in our footprinting experiments.

Transformation of Escherichia coli cells by pH 2.3 plasmid DNA treated with psoralens plus near-UV light

The effect of two psoralens, 8-methoxypsoralen (8MOP) and angelicin (ANG), plus near-UV (PUVA) on the transformation capacity of pH 2.3 plasmid DNA on Escherichia coli was studied. Under identical experimental conditions the 8MOP linking to plasmid DNA drastically decreased its transformation capacity compared with the ANG linking. In the case of 8MOP, the decrease depends on the UV dose, as well as on the molar ratios of psoralen and DNA nucleotides. When the effect of short-wavelength UV (UVB) was tested, the higher the molar ratios, the more the combined effects of PUVA and UVB were negative.

Human endonucleolytic incision of DNA 3' and 5' to a site-directed psoralen monoadduct and interstrand cross-link

Human chromatin-associated protein extracts were examined for endonucleolytic activity on a defined 132-base pair DNA substrate containing a single, site-specific 4,5'-8-trimethylpsoralen plus long wavelength ultraviolet light-induced furan side or pyrone side monoadduct or interstrand cross-link. These extracts produced incisions on both the 3' and 5' sides of each of these lesions. The distance between the 3' and 5' incisions at sites of a furan side monoadduct or cross-link was 9 nucleotides, and at sites of a pyrone side monoadduct or cross-link it was 17 nucleotides. Incisions on the 3' side of both types of furan side and pyrone side adducts were similar and were either at the fourth or fifth phosphodiester bond from the adducted thymine, depending upon the adduct. However, greater differences were observed between sites of 5' incision. This incision occurred at the fifth and sixth phosphodiester bonds from the adducted thymine at sites of furan side monoadducts and cross-links, respectively, and at the 13th and 14th phosphodiester bonds at sites of pyrone side monoadducts and cross-links, respectively. Thus, direct analysis of sites of endonucleolytic incision reveals that the location of sites of incision on TMP-adducted substrates depends upon the type of adduct present.

8-Methoxypsoralen photoadduct formation in complementary oligonucleotides containing a cross-linkable site

The complete profile of 8-methoxypsoralen photoadduct formation in complementary oligonucleotides (5'-GAGTATGAG and 5'-CATAC) has been determined. Equimolar solutions of the oligonucleotides were irradiated at 4 degrees C in order to stabilize the mini-double helix. Photomodified oligonucleotides were separated by reversed phase chromatography on a Vydac C4 column. Photoadduct formation favored the 5'TAT site in the 9mer over the 5'ATA site in the 5mer by a factor of two. Split-dose studies showed that the monoadducts formed on GAGTATGAG were preferentially converted to cross-links by an additional UVA exposure.

The reactivity of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen with oligonucleotides containing AT sites

Pyrimidine bases of duplex DNA, of appropriate sequence context, are photoreactive toward 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen in the presence of long-wavelength UV light. It is generally believed that a 5'-AT site is less photoreactive with psoralen than a 5'-TA site. We have compared the reactivities of these two sites using oligonucleotide duplexes of different sequence context and found that 5'-TA and 5'-AT sites are equally reactive in certain sequences. The presence of alternating pyrimidine and purine (5'-PyATPu-3') bases in oligonucleotide duplexes optimizes the reactivity of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen in the 5'-AT sites.

Inhibition of viral growth by an alpha-oligonucleotide directed to the splice junction of herpes simplex virus type-1 immediate-early pre-mRNA species 22 and 47

A 13-residue alpha-anomeric oligonucleotide [alpha-5'-d(GGGCGTCCTCCTT)3'], 5'-substituted with a psoralen derivative, Pso-alpha-13 psoralen linked to the 5' end of an alpha-anomeric n-residue oligonucleotide, was targeted to the acceptor splice junction of Herpes simplex virus type-1 immediate-early pre-mRNA species 22 and 47. Inhibition of viral growth was observed upon irradiation of Vero cells infected with Herpes simplex virus type-1 and treatment with Pso-alpha-13. The virus titer was decreased by 80% at an oligonucleotide concentration of 0.5 microM and at a multiplicity of infection of 0.1 plaque-forming units/cell. The 13-residue oligonucleotide did not induce any cytotoxic effect after irradiation and the inhibition of viral growth was clearly sequence specific. A non-specific 5' Pso-alpha-15 did not inhibit Herpes simplex virus type-1 growth. The 5' Pso-alpha-13 targeted to the acceptor splice junction of Herpes simplex virus type 1, contained five mismatches with respect to the corresponding sequence of Herpes simplex virus type 2, and did not exhibit any inhibitory effects on Herpes simplex virus type-2 growth. These results show that alpha-oligonucleotides can exhibit a sequence-specific antiviral effect and suggest that they may inhibit splicing reactions and be useful in targeting specific nucleic acid sequences within the cell nucleus.

Relaxation of supercoiled DNA by aminomethyl trimethylpsoralen and UV photons: action spectrum

An action spectrum for the relaxation of supercoiled plasmid DNA (induction of the first single-strand break) by photoactivated 4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (AMT) has been determined using monochromatic UV photons from 254 to 405 nm. The spectrum of AMT-induced plasmid DNA relaxation fits closely with the absorbance spectrum of AMT in the spectral region between 313 nm and 405 nm but deviates at wavelengths shorter than 313 nm. This assay also reveals that the psoralen photosensitization reaction with DNA also produces piperidine-labile sites. Addition of mannitol and azide partially quenches the supercoil relaxation reaction, evidence for a role of Type II photosensitization pathway.

Orientation isomers of the mitomycin C interstrand cross-link in non-self-complementary DNA. Differential effect of the two isomers on restriction endonuclease cleavage at a nearby site

Reductively activated mitomycin C (MC) forms DNA interstrand cross-links between two guanines at CG.CG sequences. It is predictable that such cross-links should occur in two isomeric strand orientations in duplex DNA (except when located in the center of a self-complementary duplex). This was verified by the isolation and characterization of a pair of two isomeric oligonucleotides in each case of five non-self-complementary duplexes of 8-bp length, cross-linked by MC. Isomer separation was accomplished by reverse-phase HPLC. The isomers in a pair were formed in approximately 1:1 proportion. Their structures were rigorously characterized by a two-step cross-linking procedure: first, 1''-monoalkylation of each strand, followed by conversion to a cross-linked duplex by annealing the monoalkylated strand to its complement in the presence of a reducing agent. The resulting individual authentic orientation isomers were used as standards for identification of the two isomers formed in the original (one-step) cross-linking reactions. A 16-bp duplex oligonucleotide was synthesized featuring the AluI cognate sequence, separated from a MC cross-link site by only 1 bp. Its two MC cross-linked isomers were prepared separately, and their rate of cleavage by AluI was determined using HPLC. Cleavage of both the unmodified and cross-linked duplexes was nonsymmetrical. The isomer in which the 2''-NH3+ of MC is oriented toward the AluI site was cleaved essentially at the same rate as the control duplex, while cleavage of the isomer with the MC indoloquinone group oriented toward the AluI site was inhibited 2-fold at the faster-cleaved strand.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recent advances in the synthesis and structure determination of site specifically psoralen-modified DNA oligonucleotides

We have developed novel methods for the preparation of multimicromole quantities of extremely pure, uniquely photoadducted psoralen-DNA cross-links, furan-side monoadducted DNA and pyrone-side monoadducts. Psoralen cross-linked and furan-side monoadducted DNA were produced by employing high intensity argon ion and krypton ion lasers as light sources. Pyrone-side monoadducts were prepared by base-catalyzed photoreversal of psoralen cross-links. The various psoralen-adducted DNA oligomers were efficiently purified by high performance liquid chromatography. These methods have permitted us to synthesize 4 mumol each of a self-complementary 8-mer d(GCGTACGC) 4'-(hydroxymethyl)-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (HMT) furan-side monoadduct and HMT cross-link. Preliminary nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data on the HMT cross-linked 8-mer d(GCGTACGC) have been obtained which confirmed the presence of the diadducted psoralen at the unique 5'TpA3' site. NMR data obtained from the 8-mer furan-side monoadduct revealed that the psoralen molecule is intercalated into the DNA double helix. Preliminary crystals of 8-mer cross-linked DNA molecule have been grown. Conditions for the growth of X-ray diffraction-quality crystals and the further analysis of these crystals are now in progress.

Sequence-specific photo-induced cross-linking of the two strands of double-helical DNA by a psoralen covalently linked to a triple helix-forming oligonucleotide

On the basis of the structure of DNA-psoralen bis adducts (formed by psoralen with two thymines on opposite strands), a psoralen-oligonucleotide conjugate was designed to photoinduce a cross-link between the two DNA strands at a specific sequence. Psoralen was attached via its C-5 position to a 5'-thiophosphate group of an 11-mer homopyrimidine oligonucleotide. The 11-mer binds to an 11-base-pair homopurine.homopyrimidine sequence of a DNA fragment, where it forms a triple helix. Upon near-UV-irradiation, the two strands of DNA are crosslinked at the TpA step present at the triplex-duplex junction. The reaction is specific for the homopurine.homopyrimidine DNA sequence and requires both oligonucleotide recognition of the DNA major groove and intercalation of psoralen at the triplex-duplex junction. The yield of the photo-induced cross-linking reaction is quite high (greater than 80%). Such psoralen-oligonucleotide conjugates are probes of sequence-specific triple-helix formation and could be used to selectively control gene expression or to induce site-directed mutations.

Psoralen covalently linked to oligodeoxyribonucleotides: synthesis, sequence specific recognition of DNA and photo-cross-linking to pyrimidine residues of DNA

The psoralen derivative 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen was covalently linked to the 5'-terminus of an 18mer oligodeoxyribonucleotide in the course of solid phase synthesis using phosphoroamidite chemistry. The derivative was introduced as a phosphitylation compound in the last cycle of the oligomer synthesis. The reagent was prepared by 4'-chloromethylation of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen, introduction of a linker by ethanediol and phosphitylation with chloro-[(beta-cyanoethoxy)-N,N-diisopropylamino]-phosphine. After oxydation and deprotection the 5'-psoralen modified oligodeoxyribonucleotide was characterised by HPLC. Hybridisation of the psoralen-modified oligomer to a complementary single stranded 21mer followed by irradiation at 350 nm revealed a photo-cross-linked double-stranded DNA fragment analysed on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. The cross-link could be reversed upon irradiation at 254nm.

Repair of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen monoadducts and cross-links by the Escherichia coli UvrABC endonuclease

Using an oligonucleotide model substrate, we observed two unusual mechanisms of UvrABC endonuclease in the repair of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen monoadducts and crosslinks. (i) UvrABC endonuclease usually incises a psoralen monoadduct only on the damaged strand. However, for one of the monoadducts we studied, incision on the complementary undamaged strand was also observed at a very low frequency, as though the adduct were on the thymine across from the damaged strand. Although the details of the erroneous incision are not yet known, such erroneous incision is potentially mutagenic. (ii) In cross-link repair, we observed that the UvrABC endonuclease incises the cross-linked DNA on either the furan side strand or the pyrone side strand. The incisions are not equally efficient. These data suggest that the structure of a psoralen cross-link, as seen by a repair enzyme, varies with the DNA sequence.

Alkali reversal of psoralen cross-link for the targeted delivery of psoralen monoadduct lesion

Psoralen intercalates into double-stranded DNA and photoreacts mainly with thymines to form monoadducts and interstrand cross-links. We used an oligonucleotide model to demonstrate a novel mechanism: the reversal of psoralen cross-links by base-catalyzed rearrangement at 90 degrees C (BCR). The BCR reaction is more efficient than the photoreversal reaction. We show that the BCR occurs predominantly on the furan side of a psoralen cross-link. The cleavage does not result in the breaking of the DNA backbone, and the thymine base freed from the cross-link by the cleavage reaction appears to be unmodified. Similarly, BCR of the furan-side monoadduct of psoralen removed the psoralen molecule and regenerated the unaltered native oligonucleotide. The pyrone-side psoralen monoadduct is relatively resistant to BCR. One can use BCR to perform efficient oligonucleotide-directed, site-specific delivery of a psoralen monoadduct. As a demonstration of this approach, we have hybridized a 19 base long oligonucleotide vehicle containing a furan-side psoralen monoadduct to a 56 base long complementary oligonucleotide target strand and formed a specific cross-link at the target site with 365-nm UV. Subsequent BCR released the oligonucleotide vehicle and deposited the psoralen at the target site.