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Biomedical subjects

G Gebeyehu

Publications and source records attributed to G Gebeyehu.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Application of electromodulated fluorescence to the study of the dynamics of single-strand oligonucleotides at modified gold surfaces.

Single-strand oligonucleotides with fluorescein labels were immobilized on modified gold electrodes and the surface fluorescence intensity was measured as a function of the potential applied to the electrode. The potential consisted of a constant and sinusoidal parts. The fluorescence was detected synchronously with the sinusoidal component of the potential. Large variation in the electromodulated fluorescence (EmF) was observed as a function of the constant component of the applied potential. In the potential range -0.2 to +0.2 V (vs Ag/AgCl) the EmF signal was quasi-reversible. A model for surface fluorescence was applied to the analysis of the EmF in this potential range. The model assumed that the adsorption-desorption process and quenching by the metal were the dominant mechanisms responsible for the observed EmF. For constant potential more negative than -0.5 V, the observed EmF response appeared to have a contribution from ssDNA in solution. This interpretation was suggested by comparison to EmF from solutions containing free fluorescein or labeled ssDNA. Large variation in the EmF response was observed for electrodes modified with amine and carboxyl groups. This suggests that electrostatic interactions play a dominant role.

Electrochemistry↗

Elimination of band compression in sequencing gels by the use of N4-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate.

Taq DNA polymerase, Sequenase, and the large fragment of E.coli polymerase I effectively utilize N4-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (N4-methyl-dCTP) in the place of dCTP in dideoxynucleotide terminator sequencing reactions on single-stranded templates. When the resulting fragment mixtures are resolved on sequencing gels, they are found to be free of band compressions even in cases where such compressions remain unresolved by the substitution of 7-deaza-dGTP for dGTP. Sequencing reactions using N4-methyl-dCTP instead of dCTP are somewhat more prone to false stops than are sequencing reactions using 7-deaza-dGTP instead of dGTP; this difference is more pronounced when sequencing with Sequenase at 37 degrees C than when sequencing with Taq DNA polymerase at 72 degrees C. For the three polymerases investigated, replacement of dCTP by N4-methyl-dCTP does not fundamentally change the characteristic variations in band intensities seen in the C-lane. N4-methyl-dCTP can also be used for sequencing double-stranded DNA and for DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction.

Base Sequence↗

Rapid isolation of DNA from complex biological samples using a novel capture reagent--methidium-spermine-sepharose.

We have synthesized and analyzed the functional properties of a novel DNA capture reagent containing a methidium moiety attached to a sepharose bead by a spermine linker. DNA present in a biological fluid or other complex sample binds to the reagent. The DNA-capture reagent complex is then separated from the sample by centrifugation and the DNA is released from the reagent by brief incubation in 0.1 to 0.5 N NaOH or KOH. Capture of DNA from complex samples is independent of the salt concentration of the sample, and occurs in the presence of high concentrations of EDTA, proteinase K and detergents. Many samples can be processed simultaneously. The following specific applications, in which denatured DNA is quantitated or characterized, are demonstrated: 1). Isolation of hepatitis B virus DNA from serum and quantitation by dot-blot hybridization, 2). Isolation and quantitation of DNA from urine, 3). Isolation of human genomic DNA from one microliter of blood or 100 HeLa cells followed by amplification of a specific gene sequence using the Polymerase Chain Reaction, 4). Isolation of single stranded phage M13 sequencing templates from bacterial cultures. These investigations suggest that a capture reagent containing an intercalating moiety bound to a solid support may be useful for many applications in molecular biology and molecular diagnostics.

Bacteriophages↗

Novel biotinylated nucleotide--analogs for labeling and colorimetric detection of DNA.

A series of dATP and dCTP nucleotide analogs have been synthesized which are modified by attachment of aliphatic linkers containing a functional group to the amino-nitrogen at the hydrogen bonding positions of the bases, that is, at the 6-position of adenine and the 4-position of cytosine. These nucleotides are incorporated into DNA probes by standard nick-translation protocols. DNA probes labeled with biotin derivatives of these nucleotides are effectively hybridized to target DNA sequences and can be detected by a streptavidin and calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase conjugate with a sensitivity (0.25 pg DNA) sufficient for reproducible and rapid detection of single copy genes in a Southern blot of mammalian DNA. Also, a procedure has been developed to allow reprobing of nylon filters that have been hybridized with biotinylated probes and developed with the streptavidin/alkaline phosphatase conjugate and a standard dye system.

Biotin↗

Thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD). Analogues stable to phosphodiesterase hydrolysis.

Thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD), the active metabolite of the oncolytic C-nucleoside tiazofurin (TR), is susceptible to phosphodiesteratic breakdown by a unique phosphodiesterase present at high levels in TR-resistant tumors. Since accumulation of TAD, as regulated by its synthetic and degradative enzymes, appears to be an important determinant for sensitivity to the drug, a series of hydrolytically resistant phosphonate analogues of TAD were synthesized with the intent of producing more stable compounds with an ability to inhibit IMP dehydrogenase equivalent to TAD itself. Isosteric phosphonic acid analogues of TR and adenosine nucleotides were coupled with activated forms of AMP and TR monophosphate to give dinucleotides 2 and 4. Coupling of protected adenosine 5'-(alpha, beta-methylene)diphosphate with isopropylidene-TR in the presence of DCC afforded compound 3 after deprotection. These compounds are more resistant than TAD toward hydrolysis and still retain potent activity against IMP dehydrogenase in vitro. beta-Methylene-TAD (3), the most stable of the TAD phosphonate analogues, produced a depletion of guanine nucleotide pools in an experimentally induced TR-resistant P388 tumor variant that was superior to that obtained with TR in the corresponding sensitive line.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Ribavirin, tiazofurin, and selenazofurin: mononucleotides and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide analogues. Synthesis, structure, and interactions with IMP dehydrogenase.

A series of dinucleotides, analogous to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide but containing the five-membered base nucleosides tiazofurin (1a), selenazofurin (1b), ribavirin (2), and AICAR (3) in place of nicotinamide ribonucleoside, were prepared in greater than 50% yield by reacting the corresponding nucleotide imidazolidates (6a-d) with adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP). The symmetric dinucleotides of tiazofurin (TTD, 8e) and selenazofurin (SSD, 8f) were also prepared by a similar methodology. These dinucleotides were characterized by 1H NMR and fast atom bombardment MS and were evaluated for their inhibitory potency against a partially purified preparation of tumoral inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPD) from P388 cells. The order of potency found was SAD (8b) greater than TAD (8a) much greater than SSD (8f) congruent to TTD (8e) congruent to RAD (8c) much much greater than ZAD (8d). On kinetic analysis none of the dinucleotides produced competitive inhibition of IMPD with NAD as a variable substrate. In addition to their superior IMPD inhibitory activity, SAD and TAD appear to be the only dinucleotides, besides NAD, that are formed naturally by the NAD pyrophosphorylase from P388 lymphoblasts.

Animals↗

Studies on the mechanism of action of tiazofurin metabolism to an analog of NAD with potent IMP dehydrogenase-inhibitory activity.

Following the parenteral administration of tiazofurin, 2-beta D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide (thiazole nucleoside, TR), a potent but reversible inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase is generated in subcutaneous nodules of the P388 leukemia. The compound responsible for this effect has been isolated from homogenates of the tumor by ion-exchange HPLC, and its presence monitored by enzyme-inhibition assay. The inhibitor has also been prepared by incubation of tiazofurin with P388 cells in culture. Chromatographically, the inhibitory principle exhibits a moderately strong set negative charge at pH 3, and elutes in the general vicinity of the nucleoside-5'-diphosphates; its absorption maximum in aqueous solution (pH 7) lies at 252 nm. Exposure of the molecule to snake-venom phosphodiesterase or to nucleotide pyrophosphatase destroys its inhibitory potency, whereas other phosphodiesterases are either less effective or inert. Since these results suggested that the anabolite might be a dinucleotide with a phosphodiester linkage of the kind found in NAD, attempts were made to synthesize such an analogue from the 5'-monophosphate of thiazole nucleoside and ATP-Mg2+, using a purified preparation of NAD pyrophosphorylase; modest yields were obtained of a compound with chromatographic, spectral and enzyme-inhibitory properties identical to those of the material isolated from P388 tumor nodules. This enzyme-synthesized material was radioactive when [3H]ATP was used as cosubstrate, and yielded both AMP and thiazole nucleoside-5'-monophosphate on treatment with phosphodiesterase. It resisted attack by NAD glycohydrolase. An apparently identical dinucleotide was also synthesized chemically by means of the Khorana condensation. Mass spectral analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance studies with homogeneous preparations of both the enzymically and chemically synthesized compound were compatible with its being a dinucleotide in which the nicotinamide of NAD has been replaced by thiazole-4-carboxamide. Versus IMP dehydrogenase, the dinucleotide exhibited a K1 of approximately 2 X 10(-7) M and was non-competitive with NAD as the variable substrate. Other NAD utilizing enzymes, including representative dehydrogenases and poly ADP ribose polymerase, were, by comparison to mammalian IMPD, resistant to inhibition by TAD. The properties of this novel dinucleotide are compared and contrasted with those of analogs of NAD containing modifications in the pyridine, adenine or ribofuranose rings, as well as in the pyrophosphate bridge.

Animals↗

Synthesis of thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide. A powerful inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase.

The chemical synthesis of thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD), previously identified as the active anabolite of the oncolytic 2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide (TR), has been achieved by three different approaches: (1) incubation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) and 2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide 5'-monophosphate (TRMP) with excess DCC in aqueous pyridine, (2) reaction of adenosine 5'-phosphoromorpholidate with TRMP in pyridine, and (3) reaction of adenosine-5'-phosphoric di-n-butylphosphinothioic anhydride with TRMP in the presence of AgNO3. While the first approach produced only traces of TAD, the last two afforded 31 and 16% yields, respectively, of isolated TAD. The synthetic material was indistinguishable from biosynthesized TAD as judged by its HPLC behavior, NMR, UV and mass spectra, enzymatic resistance to alkaline phosphatase and susceptibility to venom phosphodiesterase, IMP dehydrogenase inhibitory activity, and cytotoxicity. TAD and TR were equally effective against murine P388 leukemia when employed at equimolar doses.

Adenine Nucleotides↗