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A Messere

Publications and source records attributed to A Messere.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Targeting duplex DNA with DNA-PNA chimeras? Physico-chemical characterization of a triplex DNA-PNA/DNA/DNA.

Targeting double-stranded DNA with homopyrimidine PNAs results in strand displacement complexes PNA/DNA/PNA rather than PNA/DNA/DNA triplex structures. Not much is known about the binding properties of DNA-PNA chimeras. A 16-mer 5'-DNA-3'-p-(N)PNA(C) has been investigated for its ability to hybridize a complementary duplex DNA by DSC, CD, and molecular modeling studies. The obtained results showed the formation of a triplex structure having similar, if not slightly higher, stability compared to the same all-DNA complex.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Physico-chemical studies of a DNA triplex containing a new ferrocenemethyl-thymidine residue in the third strand.

The stability of a 16-mer DNA triple helix containing a 3-N(ferrocenemethyl)-thymidine residue in the third strand has been investigated in comparison with the unmodified triplex of the same sequence. A complete physico-chemical characterization of the two triple helices on changing the pH by means of calorimetry, circular dichroism and molecular modeling is therefore reported. The thermodynamic parameters were obtained in the pH range 5.5-7.2 by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For both triplexes the T(m) and Delta H degrees (T(m)) values increase on decreasing the pH. In the pH range 7.2-6.0 the triplex containing the ferrocenemethyl nucleoside is less stable than the unmodified one, whereas the modified triplex becomes more stable at pH 5.5. Such difference in stability at each pH value is overwhelmingly enthalpic in origin. CD spectra show conformational changes on decreasing the pH for both the triplexes. By spectroscopic pH titration the apparent pK(a) values of the cytosines in the two triplexes could be estimated, with the cytosines in the TFO containing the ferrocenemethyl residue having lower apparent pK(a) values. These results are consistent with the calorimetric data, showing a decrease of the thermodynamic parameters in the pH range 7.2-6.0 and an increase at pH 5.5 for the ferrocenylated triplex with respect to the unmodified one. The thermodynamic and spectroscopic data are also discussed in relation to molecular models.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Studies toward the synthesis of pinolidoxin, a phytotoxic nonenolide from the fungus Ascochyta pinodes. Determination of the configuration at the C-7, C-8, and C-9 chiral centers and stereoselective synthesis of the C(6)-C(18) fragment.

The absolute stereochemistry at the C-7, C-8, and C-9 chiral centers of pinolidoxin (1) has been determined by chemical and spectral methods. First, the synthesis of four stereoisomeric fully benzoylated 2,3-erythro-1,2,3,4-heptanetetrols, corresponding to the C(6)-C(18) portion of the natural substance, has been accomplished starting from meso-tartaric acid. As next step, the selection of the synthetic tetrabenzoate possessing "natural" stereochemistry (10a'), suitable for absolute configuration determination, has been carried out by correlation with its "natural" homologue derived from degradation of pinolidoxin. Determination of the stereochemistry at the title chiral centers has been carried out by application of the Mosher's method both to 7a', a compound stereochemically related to 10a', and to pinolidoxin itself. The stereoselective synthesis of a protected form of the C(6)-C(18) portion of pinolidoxin, to be used in its total synthesis, has also been accomplished starting from commercially available D-erythronolactone.

Alkenes↗

Glycosylations of inosine and uridine nucleoside bases and synthesis of the new 1-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-inosine-5',6"-diphosphate.

Gluco- and ribosylation of the bases of sugar protected inosine and uridine were investigated, obtaining only adducts with beta-configuration at the new glycosidic carbon; stereospecific insertion of a sugar moiety at the 1-N of inosine was achieved either using a Mitsunobu approach (for ribosylation) or by direct coupling of 1-alpha-bromoglucose 13 with 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetylinosine for glucosylation. 1-(beta-D-glucosyl)-inosine, chosen as starting substrate for glucosylated analogs of cyclic IDP-ribose, was phosphorylated at the primary hydroxyls and tested in intramolecular pyrophosphate bond formation.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

A new solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides 3'-conjugated with peptides.

A convenient 'on line' solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides conjugated at the 3'-end with peptides by means of a polymeric support linking the first nucleoside via the base has been developed. A 17-mer designed for antisense experiments against HIV-1, linking at the 3'-terminus the tripeptide Gly-Gly-His, was prepared in good yields and characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Chemistry↗

Synthesis and DNA binding properties of DNA-PNA chimeras.

A systematic study to evaluate the ability of 5'-DNA-3'-p-(N)-PNA-(C) chimeras to form triple helix structures has been undertaken. Preliminary results carried out on a 16-mer chimera with three PNA monomers at the 3'-end showed the formation of a stable DNA-PNA/DNA/DNA triplex, having similar conformational behaviour to a canonical DNA/DNA/DNA triplex.

Binding Sites↗