DNA Nanomachine (DNM) Biplex Assay for Differentiating Bacillus cereus Species

Conventional methods for the detection and differentiation of Bacillus cereus group species have drawbacks mostly due to the complexity of genetic discrimination between the Bacillus cereus species. Here, we describe a simple and straightforward assay based on the detected unamplified bacterial 16S rRNA by DNA nanomachine (DNM). The assay uses a universal fluorescent reporter and four all-DNA binding fragments, three of which are responsible for "opening up" the folded rRNA while the fourth stand is responsible for detecting single nucleotide variation (SNV) with high selectivity. Binding of the DNM to 16S rRNA results in the formation of the 10-23 deoxyribozyme catalytic core that cleaves the fluorescent reporter and produces a signal, which is amplified over time due to catalytic turnover. This developed biplex assay enables the detection of B. thuringiensis 16S rRNA at fluorescein and B. mycoides at Cy5 channels with a limit of detection of 30 × 10³ and 35 × 10³ CFU/mL, respectively, after 1.5 h with a hands-on time of ~10 min. The new assay may simplify the analysis of biological RNA samples and might be useful for environmental monitoring as a simple and inexpensive alternative to amplification-based nucleic acid analysis. The DNM proposed here may become an advantageous tool for detecting SNV in clinically significant DNA or RNA samples and can easily differentiate SNV under broadly variable experimental conditions and without prior amplification.

Obtaining Crystals of Nucleic Acids in Complex with the Protein U1A Using the Soaking Method

X-ray crystallography is one of the most prominent techniques for determining high-resolution structures of nucleic acids. The major challenges are to obtain well-diffracting single crystals and to solve the phase problem. The absence of structural information impedes the elucidation of the molecular details of biological processes. A particularly intriguing example is the RNA-cleavage catalyzed by the 10-23 deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme). This DNAzyme consists of a catalytic core that is flanked by two substrate binding arms, which can be designed to bind any RNA of interest. Structure elucidation of the 10-23 DNAzyme in a biologically relevant conformation faces three major challenges: (1) stabilization of the RNA substrate to capture the DNA:RNA complex in the pre-catalytic conformation, (2) prevention of the formation of an artificial duplex conformation due to a self-complementary sequence in the catalytic core of the DNAzyme, and (3) the crystallization of nucleic acids with their uniform surfaces. Here, we provide a protocol for an innovative strategy facilitating the crystallization of protein:nucleic acid complexes using a soaking approach and discuss on how to apply this protocol for the structure elucidation of the 10-23 DNAzyme. For this purpose, we describe the purification procedure of an optimized variant of the RNA-binding protein U1A, the crystallization of this specific U1A variant, the soaking process with its specific RNA hairpin loop, and finally suggest a strategy for applying this procedure on the 10-23 DNAzyme in complex with its specific RNA target.

Stability and Activity of the 10-23 DNAzyme Under Molecular Crowding Conditions

DNAzymes are biocatalysts that have been selected in vitro and their function inside cells (in vivo) is extremely low. Thus, almost all studies have been carried out in diluted solutions (in vitro). The cellular presence of molecules such as amino acids, polypeptides, alcohols, and sugars introduces forces that modify the kinetics and thermodynamics of DNAzyme-mediated catalysis. The crowded intracellular environment referred to as molecular crowding can be mimicked by adding high concentrations of natural or synthetic macromolecules to the reaction conditions. Here, we investigate the activity of the 10-23 DNAzyme and the stability of the DNAzyme:RNA complex under molecular crowding conditions. Therefore, we use a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based activity assay in combination with denaturing urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy.

PCR Methods for the Generation of Catalytic ssDNA

The ability to produce single-stranded DNA on a preparative scale from low amounts of starting templates is necessary for most research involving deoxyribozymes, but is particularly important for performing in vitro selections. While the production of single-stranded RNA is straightforward by means of in vitro transcription, the enzymatic production of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) on a preparative scale is often difficult. Nevertheless, several methods for the production of ssDNA have been published over the years. Here, we present two PCR methods that we find to be particularly effective, fast, and affordable, which we have adapted for our own needs.

A new Pb2+-specific DNAzyme by revisiting the catalytic core of 10-23 DNAzyme

10-23 DNAzyme is a catalytic DNA molecule from in vitro selection, the 15-mer catalytic core was investigated for more DNAzyme variants by block deletions. DNAzyme DZM01 was selected with metal ion dependence of Pb²⁺ ≫ Mn²⁺, with no activity in the presence of Mg²⁺ (20 mM), Ca²⁺ (20 mM), Zn²⁺ (20 mM, pH 6). The unique binding properties of Pb²⁺ with nucleic acids might be responsible for the formation of the catalytic core, which is different from that of other divalent metal ions. More DNAzyme variants are expected to be derived for specific metal ion dependence by various nucleobase sequences and modifications.

2'-Functional group of adenosine in 10-23 DNAzyme promotes catalytic activity

10-23 DNAzyme is an artificially selected catalytic DNA molecule. Its great potential as genetic therapeutics promoted chemical modifications for more efficient DNAzymes. Here, 10-23 DNAzyme was modified on its six deoxyadenosine residues (A5, A9, A11, A12, A15 in the catalytic domain and A0 of the recognition arm next to the cleavage site) with compound 1, an adenosine analogue with 2'-O-[N-(aminoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl group. A positive effect of compound 1 at A15 was observed (HJDS-05, k_obs = 0.0111 min^-1). Compared to the effect of 2'-H and 2'-OMe at A15, this result provided an approach for more efficient DNAzyme by combining 2'-substituted amino group of adenosine with A15 as the lead structure.

Cationic copolymer-chaperoned short-armed 10-23 DNAzymes

The cationic copolymer poly(L-lysine)-graft-dextran (PLL-g-Dex) has nucleic acid chaperone-like activity. The copolymer facilitates both DNA hybridization and strand exchange reactions. For these reasons, DNA-based enzyme (DNAzyme) activity is enhanced in the presence of copolymer. In this study, we evaluated activities of DNAzymes with substrate-binding arms (S-arms) of various lengths. The copolymer promoted DNAzyme reactivity and turnover efficacy, and, depending on S-arm length, maximally accelerated the reaction rate by 250-fold compared to the rate in the absence of copolymer. The copolymer permitted up to six nucleotides truncation of the S-arms having initial length of 10 and 11 nucleotides without loss of catalytic efficiency, enable tuning of the optimal temperature ranging from 30 to 55 °C. The approach might be useful for the development of DNAzyme systems targeting short or highly structured RNAs as well for improvement of DNAzyme-based nanomachines and biosensors.

Inability of DNAzymes to cleave RNA in vivo is due to limited Mg[Formula: see text] concentration in cells

Sequence specific cleavage of RNA can be achieved by hammerhead ribozymes as well as DNAzymes. They comprise a catalytic core sequence flanked by regions that form double strands with complementary RNA. While different types of ribozymes have been discovered in natural organisms, DNAzymes derive from in vitro selection. Both have been used for therapeutic down-regulation of harmful proteins by reducing drastically the corresponding mRNA concentration. A priori DNAzymes appear advantageous because of the higher haemolytic stability and better cost effectiveness when compared to RNA. In the present work the 10-23 DNAzyme was applied to knockdown expression of the prion protein (PrP), the sole causative agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. We selected accessible target sequences on the PrP mRNA based on a sequential folding algorithm. Very high effectivity of DNAzymes was found for cleavage of RNA in vitro, but activity in neuroblastoma cells was very low. However, siRNA directed to the identical target sequences reduced expression of PrP in the same cell type. According to our analysis, three Mg[Formula: see text] bind cooperatively to the DNAzyme to exert full activity. However, free ATP binds the Mg[Formula: see text] ions more strongly and already stoichiometric amounts of Mg[Formula: see text] and ATP inhibited the activity of DNAzymes drastically. In contrast, natural ribozymes form three-dimensional structures close to the cleavage site that stabilize the active conformation at much lower Mg[Formula: see text] concentrations. For DNAzymes, however, a similar stabilization is not known and therefore DNAzymes need higher free Mg[Formula: see text] concentrations than that available inside the cell.

Studies on the preferred uracil-adenine base pair at the cleavage site of 10-23 DNAzyme by functional group modifications on adenine

10-23 DNAzyme is capable of catalytically cleaving RNA substrates with the preferred cleavage sites rAU and rGU, in which the common base pair U-dA0 forms between the substrate and the DNAzyme in the cleavage reaction. Here its conservation was studied with base modifications on dA and extra functional groups introduced. The nitrogen atom at 7- or 8-position of adenine was demonstrated to be equally important for the cleavage reaction, although it is not related to the thermal stability of the base pair. Deletion of 6-amino group led to decreased stability of the base pair and a slight slower reaction rate. Extra functional groups through 6-amino group were not favorably accommodated in the cleavage site. From these modifications at the level of functional groups, it demonstrated that the base pair U-dA0 not only contributes to the recognition and binding stability, but also it is involved in the active catalytic center by its functional groups and base stacking. This kind of chemical modifications with 7-substituted 8-aza-7-deaza-2'-deoxyadenosine at dA0 is favorable for the introduction of signal molecules for mechanistic studies and biological applications, without significant loss of the catalytic function and structural destruction.

Position-specific modification with imidazolyl group on10-23 DNAzyme realized catalytic activity enhancement

Nucleoside analogues with imidazolyl and histidinyl groups were synthesized for site-specific modification on the catalytic core of 10-23 DNAzyme. The distinct position-dependent effect of imidazolyl group was observed. Positive effect at A9 position was always observed. The pH- and Mg(2+)-dependence of the imidazolyl-modified DNAzymes suggested that imidazolyl group in 10-23 DNAzyme probably plays a dual role, its hydrogen bonding ability and spacial occupation play the favorable influence on the catalytic conformation of the modified DNAzymes. This research demonstrated that the catalytic performance of DNAzymes could be enhanced by incorporation of additional functional groups. Chemical modification is a feasible approach toward more efficient DNAzymes for therapeutic and biotechnological applications.