Structural Features of the Interaction between Human 8-Oxoguanine DNA Glycosylase hOGG1 and DNA

The purpose of the present review is to summarize the data related with the structural features of interaction between the human repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) and DNA. The review covers the questions concerning the role of individual amino acids of hOGG1 in the specific recognition of the oxidized DNA bases, formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, and excision of the lesion bases from DNA. Attention is also focused upon conformational changes in the enzyme active site and disruption of enzyme activity as a result of amino acid mutations. The mechanism of damaged bases release from DNA induced by hOGG1 is discussed in the context of structural dynamics.

Structural Features of the Interaction between Human 8-Oxoguanine DNA Glycosylase hOGG1 and DNA

The purpose of the present review is to summarize the data related with the structural features of interaction between the human repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) and DNA. The review covers the questions concerning the role of individual amino acids of hOGG1 in the specific recognition of the oxidized DNA bases, formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, and excision of the lesion bases from DNA. Attention is also focused upon conformational changes in the enzyme active site and disruption of enzyme activity as a result of amino acid mutations. The mechanism of damaged bases release from DNA induced by hOGG1 is discussed in the context of structural dynamics.

Physicochemical Biology: Conquered Boundaries and New Horizons

In this paper, we shall consider the main evolutionary stages that occurred within the field of physicochemical biology during the 20th century, following the determination of the tertiary structure of DNA by Watson and Crick and the subsequent successes in the X-ray structural analysis of biopolymers. The authors ideas on the pre-emptive problems and the methods used in physicochemical biology in the 21st century are also presented, including an investigation of the dynamics of biochemical processes, studies of the functions of unstructured proteins, as well as single-molecule investigations of enzymatic processes and of biopolymer tertiary structure formation.

Physicochemical Biology: Conquered Boundaries and New Horizons

In this paper, we shall consider the main evolutionary stages that occurred within the field of physicochemical biology during the 20th century, following the determination of the tertiary structure of DNA by Watson and Crick and the subsequent successes in the X-ray structural analysis of biopolymers. The authors ideas on the pre-emptive problems and the methods used in physicochemical biology in the 21st century are also presented, including an investigation of the dynamics of biochemical processes, studies of the functions of unstructured proteins, as well as single-molecule investigations of enzymatic processes and of biopolymer tertiary structure formation.

Conformational dynamics and pre-steady-state kinetics of DNA glycosylases

Results of investigations of E. coli DNA glycosylases using pre-steady-state kinetics are considered. Special attention is given to the connection of conformational changes in the interacting biomolecules with kinetic mechanisms of the enzymatic processes.

Chemical and functional aspects of posttranslational modification of proteins

This paper reviews the chemical and functional aspects of the posttranslational modifications of proteins, which are achieved by the addition of various groups to the side chain of the amino acid residue backbone of proteins. It describes the main prosthetic groups and the interaction of these groups and the apoenzyme in the process of catalysis, using pyridoxal catalysis as an example. Much attention is paid to the role of posttranslational modification of proteins in the regulation of biochemical processes in live organisms, and especially to the role of protein kinases and their respective phosphotases. Methylation and acetylation reactions and their role in the "histone code", which regulates genome expression on the transcription level, are also reviewed. This paper also describes the modification of proteins by large hydrophobic residues and their role in the function of membrane-associated proteins. Much attention is paid to the glycosylation of proteins, which leads to the formation of glycoproteins. We also describe the main non-enzymatic protein modifications such as glycation, homocysteination, and desamida-tion of amide residues in dibasic acids.

Conformational dynamics of human AP endonuclease in base excision and nucleotide incision repair pathways

APE1 is a multifunctional enzyme that plays a central role in base excision repair (BER) of DNA. APE1 is also involved in the alternative nucleotide incision repair (NIR) pathway. We present an analysis of conformational dynamics and kinetic mechanisms of the full-length APE1 and truncated NDelta61-APE1 lacking the N-terminal 61 amino acids (REF1 domain) in BER and NIR pathways. The action of both enzyme forms were described by identical kinetic schemes, containing four stages corresponding to formation of the initial enzyme-substrate complex and isomerization of this complex; when a damaged substrate was present, these stages were followed by an irreversible catalytic stage resulting in the formation of the enzyme-product complex and the equilibrium stage of product release. For the first time we showed, that upon binding AP-containing DNA, the APE1 structure underwent conformational changes before the chemical cleavage step. Under BER conditions, the REF1 domain of APE1 influenced the stability of both the enzyme-substrate and enzyme-product complexes, as well as the isomerization rate, but did not affect the rates of initial complex formation or catalysis. Under NIR conditions, the REF1 domain affected both the rate of formation and the stability of the initial complex. In comparison with the full-length protein, NDelta61-APE1 did not display a decrease in NIR activity with a dihydrouracil-containing substrate. BER conditions decrease the rate of catalysis and strongly inhibit the rate of isomerization step for the NIR substrates. Under NIR conditions AP-endonuclease activity is still very efficient.

DNA-binding and oxidative properties of cationic phthalocyanines and their dimeric complexes with anionic phthalocyanines covalently linked to oligonucleotides

Design of chemically modified oligonucleotides for regulation of gene expression has attracted considerable attention over the past decades. One actively pursued approach involves antisense or antigene oligonucleotide constructs carrying reactive groups, many of these based on transition metal complexes. The complexes of Fe(II) and Co(II) with phthalocyanines are extremely good catalysts of oxidation of organic compounds with molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The binding of positively charged Fe(II) and Co(II) phthalocyanines with single- and double-stranded DNA was investigated. It was shown that these phthalocyanines interact with nucleic acids through an outside binding mode. The site-directed modification of single-stranded DNA by O2 and H2O2 in the presence of dimeric complexes of negatively and positively charged Fe(II) and Co(II) phthalocyanines was investigated. These complexes were formed directly on single-stranded DNA through interaction between negatively charged phthalocyanine in conjugate and positively charged phthalocyanine in solution. The resulting oppositely charged phthalocyanine complexes showed significant increase of catalytic activity compared with monomeric forms of phthalocyanines Fe(II) and Co(II). These complexes catalyzed the DNA oxidation with high efficacy and led to direct DNA strand cleavage. It was determined that oxidation of DNA by molecular oxygen catalyzed by complex of Fe(II)-phthalocyanines proceeds with higher rate than in the case of Co(II)-phthalocyanines but the latter led to a greater extent of target DNA modification.

Location of template on the human ribosome as revealed from data on cross-linking with reactive mRNA analogs

In this review we summarize data on the location of template on the human ribosome that we obtained from cross-linking (affinity labeling) experiments using reactive mRNA analogs. Types of mRNA analogs, model complexes of these analogs with 80S ribosomes, and methods for analysis of the ribosomal components (proteins and rRNA nucleotides) cross-linked with the mRNA analogs are reviewed. From analysis of the cross-linking data, we suggest a scheme for the arrangement of mRNA on the human ribosome and compare the organization of the mRNA binding center on human and Escherichia coli ribosomes.

[The synthesis of a cobalt(II) tetracarboxyphthalocyanine- deoxyribooligonucleotide conjugate as a reagent for the directed DNA modification]

The cobalt(II) tetracarboxyphthalocyanine-deoxyribonucleotide pd(TCTTCCCA) conjugate was synthesized. The phthalocyanine N-succinimide ester prepared from phthalocyanine using DCC was mixed in DMF with an aqueous solution of the oligonucleotide bearing a 1,3-diaminopropane linker at the 5'-phosphate. The resulting conjugate was tested in the intraduplex reaction with target 14-mer and 22-mer oligonucleotides containing conjugate-complementary sequences. In the presence of O2 and a thiol (2-mercaptoethanol or DTT) as a coupled reducer or H2O2, sequence-specific DNA modification was observed that caused the cleavage of the target upon treatment with piperidine.

Real-time oligonucleotide hybridization kinetics monitored by resonant mirror technique

The kinetics of hybridization of 11-meric and 14-meric oligonucleotides, dTGGGAAGAGGG (ODN-11) and dTGGGAAGAGG GTCA (ODN-14), with 14-meric oligonucleotide dpTGACCCTCT TCCCA (p14) attached to the surface of a cuvette was studied by the resonant mirror method. The treatment of the experimental curves with exponential equations leads to the following values for association (kas) and dissociation (kdis) rate constants at 25 degrees C: kas = 219 +/- 39 and 183 +/- 162 M-1 s-1, kdis = (2.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(-3) and (4 +/- 1) x 10(-4) s-1 for the duplexes (p14) x (ODN-11) and p14 x (ODN-14), respectively. The oligonucleotide dTGCCTTGAATGGGAA GAGGGTCA (ODN-23), which forms a hairpin structure, does not associate with p14. The data were compared with the results of melting curve detection and temperature-jump experiments. The association rate constants for ODN-11 and ODN-14 are much slower than those values in homogeneous aqueous solution. The dissociation rate constants have the same magnitude values as estimated by using association constants measured from melting curves but differ from the values estimated in temperature-jump experiments.

[New approach to the study of interaction of amino acid side groups with aryl azides]

A new approach to the study of the interaction of amino acid side chains with photoreactive aryl azides was proposed. This approach was based on the drawing together of the reacting groups by the attachment of the reacting compounds to complementary oligonucleotides. Cystamine, histamine, and 1,6-hexamethylenediamine mimicking the cystine, histidine, and lysine residues, respectively, were attached to the 3'-terminal phosphate of the oligonucleotide GGTATCp through a phosphamide bond and used as the targets for photomodification. Derivatives of the oligonucleotide pGATACCAA with the fragment N3C6H4NH- attached directly to its 5'-end by a phosphamide bond or through the spacer -(CH2)nNH- (where n is 2, 4, and 6) were used as photoreagents. Their derivatives containing the same spacer and the N3C6F4CO-NH(CH2)3NH- or 2-N3,5-NO2-C6H3CO-NH(CH2)3NH- residues were also used. The duplexes were photomodified by irradiation with 300-350 nm wavelength light. The maximal yields of the photo-cross-linking were from 22 to 68%. The reagents containing p-azidoaniline residue were found to be the most effective toward the targets. The maximum yields of the photomodification products modeling the side chains of cysteine and lysine were found to vary from 40 to 67% and to depend on the length and the structure of the spacers used. The duplex with the target bearing the imidazole residue (the histidine model) manifested a yield decreased to 25%. This fact was in a good agreement with the data of computer modeling that indicated an unfavorable mutual displacement of the imidazole residue and the photoreactive group.

Photoaffinity labeling as an approach to study supramolecular nucleoprotein complexes

The modern approaches for studying the detailed structure of nucleoprotein complexes involved in replication and transcription, based on the use of nucleic acids with photoreactive groups incorporated into definite positions of polynucleotide chain, are considered. Methods of preparation of photoreactive nucleic acids of this type are presented. Their use for positioning of RNA polymerase III and transcription factors as well as of the main participants of the replication machinery at the respective templates is described. A survey of the data concerning the amino acid residues modified in the course of photoaffinity labeling of proteins is also presented and some complications are discussed.

Cooperative interactions of the oligodeoxyribonucleotides on the complementary template. The influence of chemical groups and mismatched nucleotides at the 5'- and 3'-ends of oligonucleotides on the parameters of cooperativity

Parameters of cooperative interactions of two or three oligodeoxyribonucleotides or their derivatives bound with the adjacent sites of the complementary template were measured using method of "complementary addressed modification titration" (CAMT). Complementary template (target) were modified with the reactive oligonucleotide derivatives (reagents) bearing covalently attached alkylating 4-[N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylamino]benzylamino- group (C1RCH2NH)- at 5'-terminal phosphate. The targets had only one binding site for the reagent and either no (T10), or one (T'22 and T22) or two sites (T26) for the oligonucleotides (effectors) cooperatively bound with the adjacent sites on the template. Both unmodified oligonucleotides E1, E2 and their derivatives E1Phn, E2Phn bearing N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-phenazinium residues Phn- both at 5'- and 3'-ends covalently linked via ethylenediamine linker were used as effectors. Effectors E1 and E2 (E1Phn and E2Phn) bind, respectively, upstream or downstream from the reagent. Hexameric (X6) or octameric (X8 or X8m) reagents were used for the target modification. The reagent X8m formed one TT-mismatch with the target at the end opposite to location of the reactive moiety. The cooperativity parameter values characterizing the mutual interactions between the reagents X6, X8, X8m and effectors E1, E2, E1Phn, E2Phn have been found as the ratio of the association constants of the reagents in the presence of effectors. The association constants were calculated from the dependencies of the target modification extent on initial concentrations of the reagents. The use of T26 existing both in linear and hairpin conformations permitted us to estimate additionally the role of indirect cooperativity originating from the induction of the target conformational change by the effectors. The following conclusions were done from the quantitative results. The efficiency of direct cooperativity is independent on the length of oligonucleotide for the same nature of the contact. The cooperativity parameter increases by factor about 3 in the presence of Phn-group covalently attached to oligonucleotides and located at the junctions. The presence of either alkylating group C1RCH2NH- or TT-mismatch at the junctions eliminates cooperative interaction between the bases. In the same time sufficiently effective cooperative interaction takes place in the case of simultaneous presence of both Phn- and either C1RCH2NH- group or TT-mismatch at the junction.

[Gene-directed biologically active substances (antisense oligonucleotides and their derivatives)]

Results of studies carried out over the last eight years under the Russian State Scientific and Technical Program "New Methods in Bioengineering" are reviewed. New addressing constructions formed by a tandem of two or more oligonucleotides on a target nucleic acid are described. The reactivity of the tandem is enhanced due to the stabilization of some components, either by attachment of polyaromatic systems (method of effectors) or by the formation of a reaction center, which occurs when the components of the active center draw together into a tandem. Reagents which are oligonucleotide derivatives are also described, in particular a derivative of the antibiotic bleomycin, which is capable of catalytic cleavage of the target. Evidence is presented that oligonucleotides interact with the proteins of cells and living organisms, including the receptor proteins discovered in the course of this research, the T-helper CD4 receptor, immunoglobulins, and some growth factors.

Cooperative interactions in the tandem of oligonucleotide derivatives arranged at complementary target. Quantitative estimates and contribution of the target secondary structure

The intraduplex reaction of the alkylating reagent CIRCH2NHpd(TTCCCA) (X, ClR is p-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylaminophenyl) residue) with the target 26-mer d(TTGCCTTGAATGGGAAGAGGGTCATT) (P) in the presence of effectors was studied. The effectors used were Phn-L-pd(TTCAAGGC)p-L-Phn (E1) and Phn-L-pd(TGACCCTC)p-L-Phy (E2), where Phn is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-phenazinium residue and L is NHCH2CH2NH spacer. The dependence of the alkylation extent of the target on the reagent concentration was treated using the equation derived earlier for the two-component system (reagent + target) to calculate association constants of X with P, PE1, PE2 and PE1E2. The latter were found to be Kxe1 = 6.75 x 10(5) M-1, Kxe2 = 4.15 x 10(4) M-1 and Kxe12 = 5.87 x 10(6) M-1 as compared with the affinity of X to P Kx = 2.16 x 10(4) M-1 in the absence of effectors. Taking into account the internal structure of the target, co-operativity parameters describing interactions in the tandem E1 x X x E2 arranged at the target were calculated as alpha 1 = 16, alpha 2 = 10 and alpha 12 = 139 for the duplexes PXE1, PXE2 and PXE1E2.

Thermodynamic and structural features of cooperative interactions in tandem oligonucleotide derivatives arranged at the complementary template. Chemical modification data

General equations are derived for the limit yield [PZ] infinity of the intraduplex reaction between reactive oligonucleotide derivative X bearing p-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methyl-amino)phenyl residue and oligonucleotide target P encompassing the sequence complementary to X in the presence of one or two oligonucleotide effectors E1 and E2. The latters form the complementary tandem sequence E1-X-E2 at the target. It is shown that association constants characterizing the affinity of the reagent X to the effector containing complexes PE1, PE2 and PE1E2 may be calculated from the dependencies of [PZ] infinity on the initial concentration chi 0 of X providing the sufficient excess of effectors is present. The approach was applied to reaction of C1RCH2NHpd(TTCCCA) with 26-mer dTTGCCTTGAATGGGAAGAGGGTCATT and effectors Phn-L-pd(TTCAAGG-C)p-L-Phn(E1) and Phn-L-pd(TGACCCTC)p-L-Phn(E2) where Phn- is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-phenazinium residue and L is -NHCH2CH2NH- spacer. The association constants were found to be Kxe1 = 6.75 x 10(5)M-1, Kxe2 = 4.15 x 10(4)M-1 and Kxe12 = 5.87 x 10(6)M-1 as compared with the affinity of X to P Kx = 2.16 x 10(4)M-1 in the absence of effectors. The experiments on self-alkylation of target reactive derivative C1RCH2NHpd(TTGCCTTGAATGGGAAGAGGGTCATT) both in the presence and in the absence of effector E2 as well as the Molecular Mechanics calculations of its prereactive states showed target to form the hairpin secondary structure. Under reasonable suggestions taking into account the internal structure of the target co-operativity parameters describing the contribution of interactions of the terminal nucleotides of X with adjacent residues of effector were calculated and found to be alpha 1 = 16, alpha 2 = 10 and alpha 12 = 139 for the duplexes PXE1, PXE2 and PXE1E2, respectively.

Kinetic study of the addressed modification by hemin derivatives of oligonucleotides

Kinetics of oligonucleotide pd(TGAATGGGAAGA) modification by a hemin derivative of the complementary oligonucleotide pd(TTCCCATT) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide was investigated. The treatment of experimental data permitted to evaluate the association and rate constants at 25 degrees C: Kx = (3.40 +/- 0.38) x 10(5) M-1 (association constant of the reagent with the target), kd = 152 +/- 6 M-1 min-1 (degradation constant of the hemin group of the reagent in a parallel reaction), ko = 51.0 +/- 1.7 M-1 min-1 (target modification constant in the reactive duplex). The modification of DNA is incomplete due to competition of the modification reaction with the degradation of the hemin group of the reagent in a parallel reaction.

The influence of the target structure on the efficiency of alkylation of single-stranded DNA with the reactive derivatives of antisense oligonucleotides

Site-directed alkylation of three oligonucleotide targets: 41-mer (hairpin structure), 22-mer (loop part of this hairpin) and 10-mer (part of the loop) with 5'-p-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)benzylamides of oligonucleotides complementary to the loop region was studied. Thermodynamic parameters of the interaction were estimated using the dependence of the limit modification extent on the reagent concentration at several temperatures. The stability of the complex increases significantly in the set: 302-mer carrying above hairpin, 41-mer, 22-mer, the data for 22-mer and 10-mer being nearly identical. This indicates significant influence of the loop supporting structure on the interaction with antisense reagents.

Cell membranes as barriers for antisense constructions

The results of studies on interaction of oligonucleotides and polynucleotides with cell membranes are reviewed. Oligonucleotides and polynucleotides bind to lipid membranes in the presence of divalent cations that may result in spontaneous encapsulation of nucleic acids and transfer of the formed vesicles to the other side of the membrane. Oligonucleotides can enter eukaryotic cells and interact with cellular RNA and DNA. On the surface of eukaryotic cells, there are proteins capable of binding to nucleic acids that may be involved in oligonucleotide uptake. Oligonucleotides bind to cellular CD4 receptors. Efficient delivery into cells can be achieved by conjugation of oligonucleotides to lipophilic groups or by encapsulation into membrane carriers.

Reactive oligonucleotide derivatives as gene-targeted biologically active compounds and affinity probes

Development of efficient methods for synthesis of oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs has opened up the possibility of designing a broad spectrum of affinity reagents for specific modification of nucleic acids and proteins. These affinity reagents are used for investigation of the topology of ribosomes and nucleic acid polymerases. Oligonucleotides and their analogs are already used for suppression of specific gene expression and for elucidation of the physiological role of their products. Oligonucleotide derivatives appear to offer considerable promise as potential gene-targeted drugs such as antivirals and specific inhibitors of oncogene expression.

Antisense oligonucleotide derivatives as gene-targeted drugs

The strategies and problems involved in designing oligonucleotide derivatives as gene-targeted drugs are discussed. Experiments with isolated and cellular nucleic acids, studies with infected cell cultures, and preliminary animal tests all demonstrate that various derivatives of complementary oligonucleotides (antisense oligonucleotide derivatives) can act as extremely specific and potent inhibitors of gene expression. The design and synthesis of more stable oligonucleotide analogues that can enter mammalian cells and efficiently affect preselected nucleic acids will result in the development of a new generation of drugs, including those with antiviral and anticancer properties.

Sequence-specific chemical modification of double-stranded DNA with alkylating oligodeoxyribonucleotide derivatives

Chemical modification of double-stranded (ds) DNA with alkylating oligodeoxynucleotide (oligo) derivatives, 5'-p(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino) benzylamides of oligos, has been investigated. In contrast to relaxed plasmid DNAs, the superhelical molecules interact with the oligo derivatives and specific alkylation of the DNAs occurs at the regions complementary to the oligo reagents. Alkylating derivatives of oligocytidylates and pT(pCpT)6 react with corresponding homopyrimidine-homopurine tracts within ds DNA fragments due to triple helix formation.

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenazinium derivatives of oligonucleotides as effectors of the sequence-specific modification of nucleic acids with reactive oligonucleotide derivatives

It has been found that mono- and especially diphenazinium derivatives of oligonucleotides complementary to the DNA sequence adjacent to the target sequence of the addressed alkylation of DNA, significantly enhance the extent and specificity of alkylation with p-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)benzylamide derivatives of the addressing oligonucleotides, thus playing the role of effector of the sequence-specific (complementary addressed) modification.

Affinity labeling at the A-site of Escherichia coli ribosomes by a non-hydrolyzable gamma-amide analog of GTP

gamma-Amides of GTP and affinity and photoaffinity derivatives of gamma-amides of GTP: gamma-anilide of GTP, gamma-(4-azido)anilide of GTP, gamma-[N-(4-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl]amide of GTP, gamma[4-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylaminobenzyl]amide of GTP and gamma-[4-N-(2-oxoethyl)-N-methylaminobenzyl]amide of GTP substituted efficiently for GTP in the EF-Tu-dependent transfer of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome but, in contrast to GTP, they were not hydrolyzed in this process. They represent a new class of non-hydrolyzable GTP analogs with preserved gamma-phosphodiester bond. The radioactive analog of GTP: gamma-[4-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylamino[14C]benzyl]amide of GTP was used as an affinity labeling probe for the identification of components of the GTPase center formed in the EF-Tu-dependent transfer reaction of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal A-site. Within a six-component complex of poly(U)-programmed E. coli ribosomes with elongation factor Tu, Phe-tRNA(Phe) (at the A-site), tRNA(Phe) (at the P-site) and the [14C]GTP analog, mainly the ribosomal 23S RNA and to a lesser extent the ribosomal proteins L17, L21, S16, S21 and the ribosomal 16S RNA were labeled by the reagent. No significant modification of EF-Tu was detected.

Protein-nucleic acid interaction in reactions catalyzed with DNA polymerases

The affinities of oligothymidylates and of some analogs for the template site, of a set of oligodeoxyribo- and oligoribonucleotides for the primer site, and of dNTPs and some analogs for the substrate sites of DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment and of human placenta DNA polymerase alpha were measured using them either as competitors of affinity modification or as substrates. The data obtained enable us to hypothesize that the Me2+-dependent electrostatic contact and hydrogen bond of a single internucleotide phosphate and the hydrophobic interactions of the other nucleotide units determine the formation of oligonucleotide-template site complexes. Interaction of the primer's 3'-terminal hydroxy group and of the negatively charged adjacent phosphate with the enzyme, and Watson-Crick base pairing with the template are of crucial importance for the formation of the ternary enzyme-template-primer complex. dNTP and dNMP imidazolides inactivate enzymes via an affinity modification mechanism only in the presence of the template-primer complex. dNTP affinities exceed those of dNDPs and dNMPs, the enhancement being most significant for the substrate that is complementary to the template, thus suggesting the participation of the gamma-phosphate of dNTP in the substrate selection step.

Complementary addressed modification of double-stranded DNA within a ternary complex

Double-stranded DNA containing a d(pG)18.d(pC)18 sequence was shown to be selectively alkylated in the vicinity of this fragment using the 5'-p-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)benzylamide of deoxyribooligocytidylate, CIRCH2NH(pdC)n (n = 9,15), in conditions favouring triple-stranded complex formation.

[Effectiveness of the modification of a single-stranded DNA fragment by alkylating derivatives of oligonucleotides]

Modification of a single-stranded DNA fragment 303 nucleotides long with addressed reagents d(pTGACCCTCTTCCC) A greater than CHRCl (I), d(pACCCTCTTCCC) A greater than CHRCl (II), d(CCTCTTCCC) A greater than CHRCl (III) and d(TCTTCCC) A greater than CHRCl (IV) complementary to the sequence 261-274 has been studied. It was shown that not only G258 residue, located near to the above sequence, but also G179 residue is modified. The latter can be explained by the vicinity of G179 and the alkylating group in the three-dimensional structure of the complex. Some modification of fragment 19-24 was observed due to non-complementary binding of the reagent. Association constants of the reagents (I)-(IV) with 261-274 sequence of the fragment were calculated using the dependence of the modification extent of G258 and G179 on the reagent concentration. The constants at 25 and 35 degrees C were found to be 260 and 31 (I), 0,5 and 2 (II), 0,46 and 0,13 (III), 0,0020 and 0,0023 (IV) microM-1.

Dynamic aspects of affinity labelling as revealed by alkylation and phosphorylation of pancreatic ribonuclease with reactive deoxyribodinucleotide derivatives

Affinity labelling of pancreatic RNase with 4-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)benzylamide and (N----P) N-methylimidazolide of d(pTpA) results in the formation of monomodified enzyme derivatives retaining partially enzymatic activity. These data together with some cases described in the literature are considered as suggesting the dynamic nature of the enzyme-reagent complex represented by a set of states differing in the probability of intra-complex reaction. In particular, modification may proceed in a low probability state with an especially favorable mutual orientation of reagent and some protein residue remote from the active site of the enzyme resulting in the removal of the covalently attached reagent moiety from the active center.

Reactive oligonucleotide derivatives and sequence-specific modification of nucleic acids

Selective modification of nucleic acid base sequences can be achieved by complementary oligonucleotides carrying reactive groups. Different types of reactive groups are briefly presented.

Direct cross-linking of heptauridilate to E. coli ribosomes by water-soluble carbodiimide in the complex stabilized by codon-anticodon interaction at both A- and P-sites

Affinity labelling of E. coli ribosomes is performed by treatment with water-soluble carbodiimide of the complex of ribosomes with (pU)7, tRNAPhe at the P-site and with Phe-tRNAPhe (complex I) and without Phe-tRNAPhe (complex II) at the A-site. The extent of modification is, respectively, 0.06 and 0.026 mol (pU)7 per mol ribosomes. Protein S3 is found as a single labelled protein in complex I, whereas S7, S8, L25 are modified in complex II. Thus, in the absence of a large spacer group within the complex stabilized by codon-anticodon interactions at both A- and P-sites, a highly selective modification occurs.

Nucleotide and oligonucleotide derivatives as enzyme and nucleic acid targeted irreversible inhibitors. Chemical aspects

Reactive derivatives of nucleic acid components are the promising affinity reagents for specific modification of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-related proteins. Reactive ATP derivatives synthesized using the simple method described in the present chapter are potent specific inhibitors of various enzymes interacting with ATP. Reactive oligonucleotide derivatives bind to complementary nucleotide sequences in nucleic acids and modify them in the neighborhood of the binding area. Modification with these derivatives (complementary addressed modification) may become an efficient approach for specific arrest of certain cellular biopolymer biosynthesis and for site-directed mutagenesis. In this chapter, synthesis of alkylating oligonucleotide derivatives is described in detail and the results of their application for modification of nucleic acids in vitro are summarized. The results allow one to think about future biochemical and biomedical applications of complementary addressed modification.

[20 years of cooperation in the study of structure and function of tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetases]

The article reviews the results of joint projects initiated 20 years ago in the field of tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Laboratories located at Novosibirsk, Moscow, Kiev and other places remoted geographically effectively cooperated with each other. More than 30 common publications emerged and the data obtained were communicated at several international meetings. The effectiveness of cooperation was achieved by two important factors: (i) mutual scientific and methodological complementarity of the cooperating units, and (ii) absence of administrative pressure. The cooperation was strongly supported by the Scientific Council of Molecular Biology and 10 workshops were sponsored by the Council to facilitate personal contacts and to create an atmosphere of intensive and informal exchange of data and ideas. It is stressed that the experience worked out in this particular field is applicable to other fields of molecular biology.

[Selective modification of polyadenyl fragments of mRNA from Krebs-2 ascites carcinoma cells by an alkylating derivative of nonathymidilyluridine]

It is shown that alkylating reagent 2',3'-O-[4-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)]-benzylidene nonathymidilyluridine penetrates into the Krebs-2 ascite carcinoma cells and efficiently alkylates their polymers. Nearly 30% of the reagent penetrated into the cell is consumed by nucleic acids. In conditions providing stability of the complementary complexes the modification extent of poly(A) fragments is two orders of magnitude greater than that of other nucleic acids fractions. No destruction of the oligonucleotide moiety of the reagent occurs in the course of intracellular alkylation.

General scheme of the phosphotriester condensation in the oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis with arylsulfonyl chlorides and arylsulfonyl azolides

Phosphotriester condensation (RO)(R'O)PO-2 (PDE) + R"OH (RO)(R'O)(R"O)PO (PTE) in the presence of arylsulfonyl chloride (ArSO2Cl) as well as arylsulfonyl azolides proceeds in two steps as revealed by 31P NMR spectroscopy. Pyrophosphotetraester (PPTE) accumulates in over 80% yield in the first step and converts to PTE in the second one. Nucleophilic catalysts of pyridine type (Nu1) are necessary in the first step. The second step is catalyzed by Nu1 as well as by catalysts of the tetrazole type (Nu2H). Base catalysis operates in the latter case. With Nu1 catalysts (pyridine, 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, N-methylimidazole) the general scheme may be presented as follows: ArSO2Cl + Nu1 in equilibrium ArSO2Nu+1 + Cl-; ArSO2Nu+1 + PDE----(RO)(R'O)P(O)OSO2Ar (I); I + Nu+1----(RO)(R'O)P(O)Nu+1 (II); II + PDE in equilibrium [(RO)(R'O)PO]20; II + R"OH----(RO)(R'O)(R"O)PO. Catalysts of Nu2H type don't accelerate PPTE formation. In the second step they participate most probably in the process PPTE + Nu2H in equilibrium (RO)(R'O)P(O)Nu2 (III) + PDE; III + R"OH----(RO)(R'O)(R"O)PO + H+. The latter step is subjected to strong base catalysis.

[Kinetic characteristics of the ATP-pyrophosphate isotope exchange catalyzed by RNA ligase from T4 bacteriophage]

The dependence of initial rate v0 of ATP--PPi exchange reaction catalyzed by RNA-ligase of bacteriophage T4 on the concentration of ATP(s), pyrophosphate (z) and Mgcl2 has been determined. The dependence of v0 on s and z described by the equation v0 = k-1k2E0/(k-1 + K2) (1 + K1/s + k2/z) has been obtained for the reaction of E + S in equilibrium ES in equilibrium E1 + Z, where E--enzyme, E1--adenylylenzyme, S--ATP, Z--pyrophosphate, K1 and K2--constants of equilibrium, k-1, k2--velocity constants of transition of ES to E + S and E1 + Z, E0--complete concentration of enzyme. The low inhibition of the ATP--PPi exchange by the acceptor A(pA)2 and donors pAp, p(Ap)3, pCp has been shown. The dependence of v0 on the concentration of MgCl2 is consent with the incorporation of only dimagnesium salts of substrates in the isotope-exchange reaction.

The proteins of the messenger RNA binding site of Escherichia coli ribosomes

Oligo(U) derivatives with [14C]-4-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)benzaldehyde attached to 3'-end cis-diol group via acetal bond, p(Up)n-1UCHRCl as well as with [14C]-4-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)benzylamine attached to 5'-phosphate via amide bond, ClRCH2NHpU(pU)6 were used to modify 70S E. coli ribosomes near mRNA binding centre. Within ternary complex with ribosome and tRNAPhe all reagents covalently bind to ribosome the extent of modification being 0.1-0.4 mole/mole 70S. p(Up)n-1UCHRCl alkylates either 30S (n=5,7) or both subunits (n=6,8). rRNA is preferentially modified within 30S subunit. ClRCH2NHpU(pU)6 alkylates both subunits the proteins being mainly modified. The distribution of the label among proteins differ for various reagents. S4, S5, S7, S9, S11, S13, S15, S18 and S21 are found to be alkylated within 30S subunit, proteins L1, L2, L6, L7/L12, L19, L31 and L32 are modified in the 50S subunit. Most proteins modified within 30S subunit are located at the "head" of this subunit and proteins modified within 50S subunit are located at the surface of the contact between this subunit and the "head" of 30S subunit at the model of Stoffler.