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Chikara Dohno

Publications and source records attributed to Chikara Dohno.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Control of DNA hybridization by photoswitchable mismatch binding ligands.

We herein demonstrate that mismatch binding ligands (MBL) can function as a molecular glue which brings two single stranded DNA (ssDNA) together to form the double stranded DNA (dsDNA). Incorporation of a photoisomerizable azobenzene linkage provides further ability of reversibly controlling duplex stability with light.

Azo Compounds↗

Stable, specific, and reversible base pairing via Schiff base.

We here present a novel covalently linked base pair via Schiff base formation between 5-formyluracil (fU) and 5-aminocytosine (AmC). Formation of the Schiff base linkage proceeds reversibly and does not require any additives. The cross-linked DNA is very stable under denaturing conditions, whereas it completely dissociates upon heating at 90 degrees C. The pairing ability of AmC and fU is very specific and is applicable to the detection of fU, which is the major oxidative lesion of T in DNA. We propose the Schiff base linkage as a new artificial base pairing scheme to create functional DNAs.

Base Pairing↗

Discrimination of single-nucleotide alterations by G-specific fluorescence quenching.

A new strategy for the detection of single-base alterations through fluorescence quenching by guanine (G) is described. We have devised a novel base-discriminating fluorescent (BDF) nucleoside, 4'PyT, that contains a pyrenecarboxamide fluorophore at the thymidine sugar's C4'-position. 4'PyT-containing oligodeoxynucleotides only exhibited enhanced fluorescence in response to the presence of a complementary adenine base. In contrast, the fluorescence of mismatched duplexes containing 4'PyT/N base pairs (N = C, G, or T) was considerably weaker. This highly A-selective fluorescence was a product of guanine-specific quenching efficiency; when the complementary base to 4'PyT was a mismatch, the pyrenecarboxamide fluorophore was able to interact intimately with neighboring G bases (the most likely interaction in the case of intercalation), so effective quenching by the G bases occurred in the mismatched duplexes. In contrast, duplexes containing 4'PyT/A base pairs exhibited strong emission, since in this case the fluorophores were positioned in the minor groove and able to escape fluorescence quenching by the G bases.

Adenine↗

Schiff base-mediated base pairing.

We here present a novel covalently linked base pair via Schiff base formation between 5-formyluracil (fU) and 5-aminocytosine (AmC). The formation of Schiff base remarkably increases thermal stability of the duplex DNA, whereas it completely dissociates upon heating at 90 degrees C. Neither AmC nor fU produces covalent linkage with other natural bases, and thus the pairing ability of AmC and fU is very specific.

Base Pairing↗

Effects of the photooxidant on DNA-mediated charge transport.

A direct comparison of DNA charge transport (CT) with different photooxidants has been made. Photooxidants tested include the two metallointercalators, Rh(phi)(2)(bpy')(3+) and Ru(phen)(bpy')(dppz)(2+), and three organic intercalators, ethidium (Et), thionine (Th), and anthraquinone (AQ). CT has been examined through a DNA duplex containing an A(6)-tract intervening between two 5'-CGGC-3' sites with each of the photooxidants covalently tethered to one end of the DNA duplex. CT is assayed both through determination of the yield of oxidative guanine damage and, in derivative DNA assemblies, by analysis of the yield of a faster oxidative trapping reaction, ring opening of N(2)-cyclopropylguanine (d(CP)G) within the DNA duplex. We find clear differences in oxidative damage ratios at the distal versus proximal 5'-CGGC-3' sites depending upon the photooxidant employed. Importantly, nondenaturing gel electrophoresis data demonstrate the absence of any DNA aggregation by the DNA-bound intercalators. Hence, differences seen with assemblies containing various photooxidants cannot be attributed to differential aggregation. Comparisons in assemblies using different photooxidants thus reveal characteristics of the photooxidant as well as characteristics of the DNA assembly. In the series examined, the lowest distal/proximal DNA damage ratios are obtained with Ru and AQ, while, for both Rh and Et, high distal/proximal damage ratios are found. The oxidative damage yields vary in the order Ru > AQ > Rh > Et, and photooxidants that produce higher distal/proximal damage ratios have lower yields. While no oxidative DNA damage is detected using thionine as a photooxidant, oxidation is evident using the faster cyclopropylguanosine trap; here, a complex distance dependence is found. Differences observed among photooxidants as well as the complex distance dependence are attributed to differences in rates of back electron transfer (BET). Such differences are important to consider in developing mechanistic models for DNA CT.

Base Sequence↗

Direct chemical evidence for charge transfer between photoexcited 2-aminopurine and guanine in duplex DNA.

Photoexcited 2-aminopurine (Ap*) is extensively exploited as a fluorescent base analogue in the study of DNA structure and dynamics. Quenching of Ap* in DNA is often attributed to stacking interactions between Ap* and DNA bases, despite compelling evidence indicating that charge transfer (CT) between Ap* and DNA bases contributes to quenching. Here we present direct chemical evidence that Ap* undergoes CT with guanine residues in duplex DNA, generating oxidative damage at a distance. Irradiation of Ap in DNA containing the modified guanine, cyclopropylguanosine (CPG), initiates hole transfer from Ap* followed by rapid ring opening of the CPG radical cation. Ring opening accelerates hole trapping to a much shorter time regime than for guanine radicals in DNA; consequently, trapping effectively competes with back electron transfer (BET) leading to permanent CT chemistry. Significantly, BET remains competitive, even with this much faster trapping reaction, consistent with measured kinetics of DNA-mediated CT. The distance dependence of BET is sharper than that of forward CT, leading to an inverted dependence of product yield on distance; at short distances product yield is inhibited by BET, while at longer distances trapping dominates, leading to permanent products. The distance dependence of product yield is distinct from forward CT, or charge injection. As with photoinduced charge transfer in other chemical and biological systems, rapid kinetics for charge injection into DNA need not be associated with a high yield of DNA damage products.

2-Aminopurine↗

Base-discriminating fluorescent DNA probe based on the guanine-specific fluorescence quenching.

A new strategy for the detection of a single base alteration utilizing the fluorescence quenching by guanine base is described. We have devised a novel base-discrimination fluorescent (BDF) nucleoside, PyT, which contains pyrene carboxamide fluorophore at sugar 4' position. PyT-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) exhibit an intense fluorescence only when PyT forms a complementary base pair with adenine.

Base Pairing↗

Hole trapping at N6-cyclopropyldeoxyadenosine suggests a direct contribution of adenine bases to hole transport through DNA.

Recent studies predict that adenine radical cation (A*+) contributes to the hole-trapping process through long A/T sequences and exists as a real chemical intermediate. However, the experimental evidence for the existence of A*+ has not been observed in the DNA-mediated hole transport reaction. To examine the direct contribution of A*+, we have developed a novel hole-trapping nucleobase N6-cyclopropyldeoxyadenosine (dCPA) which possesses a cyclopropyl group as a radical trapping device. One-electron oxidation of dCPA revealed that dCPA radical cation undergoes a rapid cyclopropane ring opening. With the use of the dCPA-containing DNA, we have demonstrated that the migrating hole was trapped at CPA incorporated into a long A/T bridge between two GG sites. The present results indicate that nucleobases possessing ionization potential higher than that of dG, such as dA, are able to participate directly in the multistep hopping mechanism.

Adenine↗

Fast back electron transfer prevents guanine damage by photoexcited thionine bound to DNA.

The phenothiazinium dye thionine has a high excited state reduction potential and is quenched by guanine on the femtosecond time scale. Here, we show by gel electrophoresis that irradiation of thionine with 599 nm light in the presence of an oligonucleotide duplex does not produce permanent DNA damage. Upon photoexcitation of thionine weakly associated with guanosine-5'-monophosphate, the reduced protonated thionine radical and neutral guanine radical are detected by transient absorption spectroscopy, indicating that the quenching of thionine by guanine occurs via an electron-transfer mechanism. The observation of radical formation without permanent guanine damage indicates that fast back electron transfer plays a critical role in governing the yield of damage by DNA-binding molecules.

DNA↗

Guanine of the third strand of C.G*G triplex serves as an effective hole trap.

We have examined the structural and electronic effects of the one-electron oxidation of the C.GG triplex, where G is located in a quite different environment from the G of duplex DNA. Upon photoirradiation of an external photosensitizer (riboflavin) with the C.GG triplex, oxidative DNA cleavage occurred exclusively at guanine repeat sequences in the third strand of triple helix DNA. Hole transport through the C.GG triplex also occurred, resulting in selective cleavage at G in the third strand. Thus, the hole generated in the duplex can migrate to GGG in the third strand and is trapped exclusively at Gs in the third strand. These experimental results, together with molecular orbital calculations, suggest that the origin of the selective strand cleavage can be explained as follows: (i) guanine repeat sequences in the third strand are more easily oxidized than in duplex DNA and (ii) in their radical cation states, G of the third strand rapidly deprotonates and reacts with oxygen and/or water, leading to strand cleavage. These results indicate that the oxidative damage preferentially occurred at Gs of the third strand owing to thermodynamic and kinetic features of the one-electron oxidation of the C.GG triplex.

Base Pairing↗

N(2)-phenyldeoxyguanosine: modulation of the chemical properties of deoxyguanosine toward one-electron oxidation in DNA.

We have shown here that (1) substitution of an exocyclic amino group of dG is effective in modulating the chemical properties of dG toward one-electron oxidation and (2) decomposition of the guanine radical cation was effectively suppressed near dPhG. These results indicate that dPhG is a prototype of nucleosides functioning as an intrinsic antioxidant of duplex DNA toward one-electron oxidation.

Autoradiography↗

Modulation of remote DNA oxidation by hybridization with peptide nucleic acids (PNA).

We have examined the efficiency of DNA photooxidation in DNA/PNA duplex and DNA/(PNA)(2) triplex for the first time. DNA/PNA duplex was cleaved at GG steps by external riboflavin with high efficiency like specific GG cleavage in DNA/DNA duplex. However, the 5'G selectivity of the GG oxidation in DNA/PNA duplex was much lower than that observed in DNA/DNA duplex. Remote DNA oxidation of oxidant-tethered DNA/PNA duplex was considerably suppressed. In contrast, the formation of DNA/(PNA)(2) triplex by hybridization with two PNA strands completely inhibited the remote GG oxidation, indicating that PNA acts as an inhibition for remote oxidative DNA damage.

DNA↗

Suppression of DNA-mediated charge transport by BamHI binding.

A guanine radical cation produced by one-electron DNA oxidation migrates over long distances through the DNA pi-stack. Fundamental questions regarding the likelihood of charge transport in genomic DNA, the effects of protein binding, and its biological consequences arise as the next issues of study. Electronic effects of protein binding on the efficiency of charge transport were investigated for the endonuclease BamHI-DNA complex. Direct contact of a positively charged guanidium group of BamHI to guanines in the recognition sequence 5'-GGATCC-3' completely suppressed one-electron oxidation of the guanine in the protein binding site and dramatically lowered the charge transport efficiency through the sequence. Electronically insulated guanines, by the hydrogen bonding contact of a guanidium group in BamHI, no longer function as a stepping stone in the charge transport through the DNA pi-stack.

Base Pairing↗

Efficient DNA alkylation by a pyrrole-imidazole CBI conjugate with an indole linker: sequence-specific alkylation with nine-base-pair recognition.

Conjugates 7, 8, and 10 of N-methylpyrrole (Py)-N-methylimidazole (Im) polyamides and 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[1,2-c]benz[1,2-e]indol-4-one (CBI) with a 5-amino-1H-indole-2-carbonyl linker were synthesized by Fmoc solid-phase synthesis and a subsequent liquid-phase coupling procedure. The DNA alkylating abilities of conjugates 7, 8, 6b, and 10 were examined using Texas Red-labeled PCR fragments and high-resolution denaturing gel electrophoresis. CBI conjugates 7 and 8 exhibited highly efficient sequence-specific DNA alkylation comparable with previous CBI conjugates with a vinyl linker. In particular, conjugate 10, with a 10-ringed hairpin Py-Im polyamide, alkylated at the adenine of 5'-ACAAATCCA-3'. Introduction of an indole linker greatly facilitated the synthesis of sequence-specific alkylating Py-Im polyamides.

Alkylation↗