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Conformational transitions in thymidine bulge-containing deoxytridecanucleotide duplexes. Role of flanking sequence and temperature in modulating the equilibrium between looped out and stacked thymidine bulge states.

Structural features at extra thymidine bulge sites in DNA duplexes have been elucidated from a two-dimensional NMR analysis of through-bond and through-space connectivities in the otherwise self-complementary d(C-C-G-T-G-A-A-T-T-C-C-G-G) (GTG 13-mer) and d(C-C-G-G-A-A-T-T-C-T-C-G-G) (CTC 13-mer) duplexes in aqueous solution. These studies establish that the extra thymidine flanked by guanosines in the GTG 13-mer duplex is in a conformational equilibrium between looped out and stacked states. The looped-out state is favored at low temperature (0 degrees C), whereas the equilibrium shifts in favor of the stacked state at elevated temperatures (35 degrees C) prior to the onset of the duplex-strand transition. By contrast, the extra thymidine flanked by cytidines in the CTC 13-mer duplex is looped out independent of temperature in the duplex state. Our results demonstrate that temperature and flanking sequence modulate the equilibrium between looped-out and stacked conformations of single base thymidine bulges in DNA oligomer duplexes.

Base Sequence

Determination of DNA sequences essential for FLP-mediated recombination by a novel method.

The yeast 2-micron circle plasmid encodes a protein, FLP, that mediates site-specific recombination across the two FLP-binding sites of the plasmid. We have used a novel technique, "exonuclease-treated substrate analysis," to determine the minimal duplex DNA sequence needed for this recombination event. A linear DNA containing two FLP sites in a direct orientation was treated with the double-strand specific 3'-exonuclease, exonuclease III, to generate molecules with a nested set of single-strand deletions that extended into one of the FLP sites. The DNA was then end-labeled at the sites of the deletions and used as a substrate for recombination in vitro. FLP-mediated recombination between two FLP sites excised a restriction endonuclease cleavage site from the DNA. Comparison of the fragments produced by restriction enzyme digestion of untreated and FLP-treated DNA showed to the nucleotide the duplex DNA sequence required for FLP-mediated recombination. To examine essential sequences in the opposite DNA strand, similar experiments were done using the 5'-exonuclease encoded by phage T7. The minimal essential duplex DNA sequence lies within the region of the FLP site that was previously shown to be protected from nuclease digestion in the presence of FLP. A modified form of this technique can be used to study the minimal sequence requirements of site-specific DNA binding proteins.

Base Sequence

Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 12. Synthesis of a DNA duplex corresponding to a sequence of 23 nucleotide units adjoining the C-C-A end.

In continuing the work on the total synthesis of the gene for an Escherichia coli tyrosine suppressor tRNA (accompanying papers) and as a part of a study of the mechanism of transcription of this gene, a 23-nucleotide unit-long DNA corresponding to the previously determined (Loewen, P., Sekiya, T., and Khorana, H. G. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 217) sequence has been synthesized. The synthesis was carried out by dividing the total duplex into the following five deoxyribooligonucleotide segments, all of which were chemically synthesized: (a) the undecanucleotide, d(A-G-T-G-A-T-G-G-T-G-G); (b)the undecanucleotide, d(T-C-A-C-T-T-T-C-A-A-A); (c) the undecanucleotide, d(G-G-A-C-T-T-T-T-G-A-A); (d) the dodecanucleotide, d(A-G-T-C-C-C-T-G-A-A-C-T); and (e) the heptanucleotide, d(A-G-T-T-C-A-G). All the five synthetic oligonucleotides were characterized by chromatographic and radioactive fingerprinting methods after labeling the 5'-ends with a 32P-phosphate group. Synthesis of the double-stranded DNA duplex was completed by joining 5'-phosphorylated segments 1, 3, and 4 in the presence of segments 2 and 5 using T4-polynucleotide ligase. The DNA duplex was characterized.

Base Sequence

Design of bifunctional oligonucleotide intercalator conjugates as inhibitors of gene expression.

Oligonucleotide-intercalator conjugates have been designed to control gene expression at the translational and transcriptional level. The intercalator provides an additional binding energy when the oligonucleotide binds either to a complementary sequence on a single-stranded nucleic acid or to a homopurine.homopyrimidine sequence on duplex DNA. The oligonucleotide-intercalator conjugate can arrest translation of a mRNA (the "antisense" strategy); it can block transcription of DNA (the "antigene" strategy). Some of the intercalators that we have chosen can induce irreversible reactions in their target sequence. Here we summarize the reactions that can be targeted to specific sequences of duplex DNA. Phenanthroline induces cleavage of the two strands of duplex DNA in the presence of Cu(II) and a reducing agent. Ellipticine derivatives can be used to photo-induce cleavage. Psoralen derivatives can cross-link the two strands of DNA under near UV irradiation. In all cases the chemical or photochemical reactions are targeted to a specific sequence of duplex DNA.

Animals

Sequence-dependent oligonucleotide-target duplex stabilities: rules from empirical studies with a set of twenty-mers.

We were interested in developing a better method to predict the thermal stability of specific oligonucleotide-target duplexes. Recognizing that the base sequence can have important effects, we investigated the use of a simple parameter based on nearest-neighbor stacking interactions, the mean stacking temperature. We took values for doublet stabilities from the literature and used a computer program to calculate mean stacking temperatures for all oligonucleotides of specified length and G + C content in the M13 phage genome. As expected, the program predicted a fairly broad range of stabilities for different sequences of equal G + C content. We selected 20-mer sequences representing the highest and lowest mean stacking temperatures at 25%, 50% and 75% G + C and synthesized them for use as probes against M13 DNA immobilized on filters. By hybridizing and washing at different temperatures, we demonstrated that mean stacking temperatures correlate well with observed stabilities. Relative stabilities of the six oligos were predicted correctly in every case. We used conditions appropriate to oligonucleotide probing and polymerase chain reaction and we were able to derive simple linear equations relating the empirical data and mean stacking temperature for both. These observations should be useful in planning experiments with oligonucleotides.

Base Sequence

Parallel DNA: generation of a duplex between two Drosophila sequences in vitro.

We have observed the existence of a parallel complementary region between two Drosophila DNA sequences, fragments of the suffix [(1986) EMBO J, 5, 2341-2347] and a 5'-non-coding sequence of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene [(1983) Cell 33, 125-133]. The region includes approximately 40 bp, 76% of which are complementary in the same polarity. Synthetic complementary 16 bp oligonucleotides corresponding to this region which were bound by the 5'-ends through a 1.6-hexanediol bridge form a duplex which displays both melting and annealing as judged by UV absorbance. Anti parallel complementary 16 bp long oligonucleotides bound by the 5'-3' ends through the same bridge and a single-strand sequence were used as controls. The Hoechst 33,258 drug binds to this parallel duplex of DNA; however, the properties of such a complex testify against the B-form of the duplex.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Homologous pairing and the formation of nascent synaptic intermediates between regions of duplex DNA by RecA protein.

The RecA protein from E. coli gains access to duplex DNA, by nucleation from a short single-stranded gap, to form a spiral nucleoprotein filament that is capable of interaction with homologous duplex DNA. The observations described here demonstrate that any part of the nucleoprotein filament, whether it contains single- or double-stranded DNA, is capable of pairing with homologous duplex DNA. Homologous contacts between regions of duplex DNA lead to an increase in the initial rate and final extent of joint molecule formation. The experiments indicate that pairing is facilitated by the formation of nascent synaptic intermediates between duplex DNA sequences. Using chimeric form I DNA, which is incapable of forming an inter-wound or plectonemic joint with the gapped DNA due to the presence of flanking heterologous sequences, we show that these duplex-duplex pairing reactions involve extensive underwinding of the double helix.

Bacterial Proteins

Synthesis of bovine prolactin in Escherichia coli.

Transformation of Escherichia coli cells with a recombinant plasmid (pESP4) containing a modified bovine prolactin cDNA clone in a pEMBL vector resulted in efficient expression of prolactin. The cDNA was modified by removal of a 5' nontranslated sequence as well as the sequence that specified the signal peptide of preprolactin. To achieve a high level of synthesis, a sequence of 30 nucleotides in the cDNA, which included the ATG initiation codon and the first 7 codons of mature bovine prolactin, was replaced by a chemically synthesized oligonucleotide duplex. The sequence of this duplex was chosen from the consensus sequence around the initiation codon of E. coli genes and by the amino acid sequence of the protein. Prolactin, a single-chain polypeptide of molecular weight 24,000, was identified by Coomassie Blue staining of NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gels of total protein from transformed E. coli cells, and by reaction with specific antibody. Increased levels of expression of the hormone, corresponding to the form secreted from the pituitary, were observed in the presence of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG).

Animals

Minimal length of the lactose operator sequence for the specific recognition by the lactose repressor.

A number of specific duplex DNA sequences which correspond to varying lengths of the lactose operator region have been synthesized by a combination of chemical and enzymatic methods. Repressor binding studies on these synthetic duplex operator molecules show that all the nucleotides essential for full lactose operator-repressor interactions are included in a 17-nucleotide-long duplex DNA that constitutes the minimal recognition sequence for this DNA-protein interaction.

Base Sequence

Sequence specificity in triple-helix formation: experimental and theoretical studies of the effect of mismatches on triplex stability.

The specificity of a homopyrimidine oligonucleotide binding to a homopurine-homopyrimidine sequence on double-stranded DNA was investigated by both molecular modeling and thermal dissociation experiments. The presence of a single mismatched triplet at the center of the triplex was shown to destabilize the triple helix, leading to a lower melting temperature and a less favorable energy of interaction. A terminal mismatch was less destabilizing than a central mismatch. The extent of destabilization was shown to be dependent on the nature of the mismatch. Both single base-pair substitution and deletion in the duplex DNA target were investigated. When a homopurine stretch was interrupted by one thymine, guanine was the least destabilizing base on the third strand. However, G in the third strand did not discriminate between a C.G and an A.T base pair. If the stretch of purines was interrupted by a cytosine, the presence of pyrimidines (C or T) in the third strand yielded a less destabilizing effect than purines. This study shows that oligonucleotides forming triple helices can discriminate between duplex DNA sequences that differ by one base pair. It provides a basis for the choice of antigene oligonucleotide sequences targeted to selected sequences on duplex DNA.

Base Composition

Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 8. Enzymatic joining of the chemically synthesized segments to form DNA duplexes corresponding to nucleotide sequences 23-60 and 23-66.

Polynucleotide ligase-catalyzed joining of the eight chemically synthesized deoxyribopolynucleotide segments (Fig. 1) comprising the nucleotide sequence 23-66 of the DNA corresponding to the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA precursor has been systematically investigated. Joining was studied using all possible combinations of 3, 4, and 5 and larger numbers of segments at a time. The extent of joining varied widely (0 to about 90%) in three component systems. The "self-structure" of some of the components evidently inhibited the joining. Addition of a fourth segment in general enhanced the extent of joining and optimal yields were obtained in systems containing six or more segments. A comparison of the T4-induced ligase and the E. coli polynucleotide ligase for joining of the chemically synthesized segments showed the E. coli enzyme to be inferior to the T4-induced ligase. Satisfactory syntheses of the duplexes [IIa] and [IIb] comprising, respectively, eight and seven segments were achieved in single steps. Of the two terminal segments carrying 5'-OH groups in the duplexes, only one (segment 7) was used in the prephosphorylated form. The duplexes were isolated pure and characterized by enzymatic degradations and by electrophoresis.

Base Sequence

Enzymatic aminoacylation of sequence-specific RNA minihelices and hybrid duplexes with methionine.

RNA hairpin helices whose sequences are based on the acceptor stems of alanine and histidine tRNAs are specifically aminoacylated with their cognate amino acids. In these examples, major determinants for the identities of the respective tRNAs reside in the acceptor stem; the anticodon and other parts of the tRNA are dispensable for aminoacylation. In contrast, the anticodon is a major determinant for the identity of a methionine tRNA. RNA hairpin helices and hybrid duplexes that reconstruct the acceptor-T psi C stem and the acceptor stem, respectively, of methionine tRNA were investigated here for aminoacylation with methionine. Direct visualization of the aminoacylated RNA product on an acidic polyacrylamide gel by phosphor imaging demonstrated specific aminoacylation with substrates that contained as few as 7 base pairs. No aminoacylation with methionine was detected with several analogous RNA substrates whose sequences were based on noncognate tRNAs. While the efficiency of aminoacylation is reduced by orders of magnitude relative to methionine tRNA, the results establish that specific aminoacylation with methionine of small duplex substrates can be achieved without the anticodon or other domains of the tRNA. The results, combined with earlier studies, suggest a highly specific adaptation of the structures of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to the acceptor stems of their cognate tRNAs, resulting in a relationship between the nucleotide sequences/structures of small RNA duplexes and specific amino acids.

Base Sequence

Recombinant mouse prolactin: expression in Escherichia coli, purification and biological activity.

Transformation of Escherichia coli cells with a recombinant plasmid containing modified mouse prolactin (mPRL) cDNA and a pKK223-3 vector resulted in efficient expression of mPRL protein. Cloned mPRL cDNA was modified by removing the 5' non-translating sequence as well as the sequence which encoded the signal peptide of preprolactin for recombination. In addition, approximately 100 nucleotides of the 5'-terminal region of the cDNA, which include the ATG initiation codon and the following 31 codons of mature mPRL, were replaced by a chemically synthesized oligonucleotide duplex. The sequence of this duplex was chosen to be rich in AT without changing the amino acid sequence of the protein. The modified cDNA was finally inserted into the multicopy plasmid, pUC19, before high-level expression of mPRL in E. coli cells was obtained. Western blotting analysis of total protein from transformed E. coli cells showed that both 23 and 16 kDa peptides were recognized by specific mPRL antisera. The purified and refolded 23 kDa protein exhibited a growth-stimulating effect on rat Nb 2 Node lymphoma cells, and was very similar to that of natural pituitary PRL.

Amino Acid Sequence

Unwinding of duplex DNA from the SV40 origin of replication by T antigen.

The T antigen specified by SV40 virus is the only viral-encoded protein required for replication of SV40 DNA. T antigen has two activities that appear to be essential for viral DNA replication: specific binding to duplex DNA at the origin of replication and helicase activity that unwinds the two DNA strands. As judged by electron microscopy, DNA unwinding is initiated at the origin of replication and proceeds bidirectionally. Either linear or circular DNA molecules containing the origin of replication are effective substrates; with closed circular DNA, a topoisomerase capable of removing positive superhelical turns is required for an efficient reaction. Presence of an origin sequence on duplex DNA and a single-strand DNA-binding protein appear to be the only requirements for T antigen to catalyze unwinding. This reaction mediated by T antigen defines a likely pathway to precise initiation of DNA replication: (i) the sequence-specific binding activity locates the origin sequence, (ii) the duplex DNA is unwound at this site, and (iii) the DNA polymerase and primase begin DNA replication. A similar pathway has been inferred for the localized initiation of DNA replication by bacteriophage lambda and by Escherichia coli in which a sequence-specific binding protein locates the origin and directs the DnaB helicase to this site. Observations with the SV40 system indicate that localized initiation of duplex DNA replication may be similar for prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming

The synthesis of a DNA duplex corresponding to the icosanucleotide sequence at the 5' end of messenger RNA from the gene N of bacteriophage lambda.

In connection with work on the nucleotide sequence of the promoter for the gene N of bacteriophage lambda as well as a study of the mechanism of transcription, a 20-unit long DNA duplex corresponding to the known sequence at the 5' end of the above gene transcript has been synthesized. For synthesis, the required duplex was divided into the following deoxyribooligonucleotides: a) the dodecanucleotide, d-A-T-C-A-G-C-A-G-G-A-C-G (II); b) the octanucleotide, d-C-A-C-T-G-A-C-C- (IV); c) the hexanucleotide, d-G-C-T-G-A-rU (I); and d) dodecanucleotide, d-T-C-A-G-T-G-C-G-T-C-C-T (III). All of the four olignucleotides were chemically synthesized and characterized by extensive chromatographic and fingerprinting methods (after labeling the 5' ends with[32P]phosphate group). Longer polynucleotides (an icosa- and an octadecanucleotide) were prepared by polynucleotide ligase-catalyzed joining of segments I and III and by joining segments II and IV. The use of the octadecanucleotide, d-T-C-A-G-T-G-C-G-T-C-C-T-G-C-T-G-A-rU, in work on the sequence analysis of the promoter is described in the accompanying paper. The octadecanucleotide and icosanucleotide were hybridized together to give the double-stranded duplex.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Predicting DNA duplex stability from the base sequence.

We report the complete thermodynamic library of all 10 Watson-Crick DNA nearest-neighbor interactions. We obtained the relevant thermodynamic data from calorimetric studies on 19 DNA oligomers and 9 DNA polymers. We show how these thermodynamic data can be used to calculate the stability and predict the temperature-dependent behavior of any DNA duplex structure from knowledge of its base sequence. We illustrate our method of calculation by using the nearest-neighbor data to predict transition enthalpies and free energies for a series of DNA oligomers. These predicted values are in excellent agreement with the corresponding values determined experimentally. This agreement demonstrates that a DNA duplex structure thermodynamically can be considered to be the sum of its nearest-neighbor interactions. Armed with this knowledge and the nearest-neighbor thermodynamic data reported here, scientists now will be able to predict the stability (delta G degree) and the melting behavior (delta H degree) of any DNA duplex structure from inspection of its primary sequence. This capability should prove valuable in numerous applications, such as predicting the stability of a probe-gene complex; selecting optimal conditions for a hybridization experiment; deciding on the minimum length of a probe; predicting the influence of a specific transversion or transition on the stability of an affected DNA region; and predicting the relative stabilities of local domains within a DNA duplex.

Base Composition