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Cupric ion/ascorbate/hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage: DNA-bound copper ion primarily induces base modifications.

The kinetics of frank DNA strand breaks and DNA base modifications produced by Cu(II)/ascorbate/H2O2 were simultaneously determined in purified human genomic DNA in vitro. Modified bases were determined by cleavage with Escherichia coli enzymes Nth protein (modified pyrimidines) and Fpg protein (modified purines). Single-stranded lesion frequency before (frank strand breaks) and after (modified bases) Nth or Fpg protein digestion was quantified by neutral glyoxal gel electrophoresis. Dialysis of EDTA-treated genomic DNA purified by standard proteinase K digestion/phenol extraction was necessary to remove low molecular weight species, probably transition metal ions and metal ion chelators, which supported frank strand breaks in the presence of ascorbate + H2O2 without supplemental copper ions. We then established a kinetic model of the DNA-damaging reactions caused by Cu(II) + ascorbate + H2O2. The principal new assumption in our model was that DNA base modifications were caused exclusively by DNA-bound Cu(I) and frank strand breaks by non-DNA-bound Cu(I). The model was simulated by computer using published rate constants. The computer simulation quantitatively predicted: (1) the rate of H2O2 degradation, which was measured using an H2O2-sensitive electrode, (2) the linearity of accumulation of DNA strand breaks and modified bases over the reaction period, (3) the rate of modified base accumulation, and (4) the dependence of modified base and frank strand production on initial Cu(II) concentration. The simulation significantly overestimated the rate of frank strand break accumulation, suggesting either that the ultimate oxidizing species that attacks the sugar-phosphate backbone is a less-reactive species than the hydroxyl radical used in the model and/or an unidentified hydroxyl radical-scavenging species was present in the reactions. Our experimental data are consistent with a model of copper ion-DNA interaction in which DNA-bound Cu(I) primarily mediates DNA base modifications and nonbound Cu(I) primarily mediates frank strand break production.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Anti-ROS-DNA monoclonal antibody as molecular probe for oxidative DNA damage.

Modification of 400 bp (approximate size) calf thymus DNA with OH radical resulted in lowered Tm, modification of thymine (58.3%), guanine (20%) and single strand breaks. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) generated against ROS-DNA were of IgG1 subclass. The mAb showed strong binding to ROS-DNA and ROS-modified bases and polymers, in particular, of thymine. The mAb, therefore, preferentially recognizes ROS-modified epitopes on nucleic acids. Distinct binding to DNA isolated from aged, but not from normal humans by the monoclonal antibody was observed. The antibody effectively recognized oxidative lesions in DNA from cancer patients. These studies demonstrate the potential application of the mAb as an immunochemical probe to detect oxidative DNA lesions.

Aging↗

Association of herpes simplex virus regulatory protein ICP22 with transcriptional complexes containing EAP, ICP4, RNA polymerase II, and viral DNA requires posttranslational modification by the U(L)13 proteinkinase.

The expression of herpes simplex virus 1 gamma (late) genes requires functional alpha proteins (gamma1 genes) and the onset of viral DNA synthesis (gamma2 genes). We report that late in infection after the onset of viral DNA synthesis, cell nuclei exhibit defined structures which contain two viral regulatory proteins (infected cell proteins 4 and 22) required for gamma gene expression, RNA polymerase II, a host nucleolar protein (EAP or L22) known to be associated with ribosomes and to bind small RNAs, including the Epstein-Barr virus small nuclear RNAs, and newly synthesized progeny DNA. The formation of these complexes required the onset of viral DNA synthesis. The association of infected cell protein 22, a highly posttranslationally processed protein, with these structures did not occur in cells infected with a viral mutant deleted in the genes U(L)13 and U(S)3, each of which specifies a protein kinase known to phosphorylate the protein.

DNA, Viral↗

Improving DNA vaccine potency via modification of professional antigen presenting cells.

DNA vaccines are potentially important immunotherapeutic agents for combating infectious diseases and cancers. Continuing progress in our understanding of how professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) orchestrate immune responses has provided a framework from which to design effective DNA vaccines. Similarly, manipulation of DNA using advances in molecular biology technology has enabled implementation of novel DNA vaccine strategies. This review summarizes recent vaccine strategies that utilize intercellular and intracellular modification of professional APCs, including those involving plasmid delivery, intracellular processing of antigen and enhancement of APC interaction with T-cells.

Animals↗

Evidence for salt-associated restriction pattern modifications in the archaeobacterium Haloferax mediterranei.

DNA restriction pattern modifications were detected when Haloferax mediterranei was grown in low (10%) salt concentrations. After cells were grown again in optimal (25%) salt concentrations, the original pattern was recovered. These salt-associated DNA modifications were revealed with 5% of the 160 DNA fragments cloned and used as probes in hybridization experiments. Patterns obtained when genomic DNA was digested with different restriction enzymes showed that these modifications are related not to insertions or deletions in genome but to modifications of some specific sequences.

Archaea↗

Base modification and strand breakage in isolated calf thymus DNA and in DNA from human skin epidermal keratinocytes exposed to peroxynitrite or 3-morpholinosydnonimine.

Exposure of isolated calf thymus DNA and human skin epidermal keratinocytes to peroxynitrite or the peroxynitrite generator, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), led to extensive DNA base modification. Large increases in xanthine and hypoxanthine, possible deamination products of guanine and adenine, respectively, and in 8-nitroguanine were observed, but only small changes in some oxidized base products were seen. This pattern of damage suggests that hydroxyl radicals were not major contributors to base modification caused by peroxynitrite, as OH is known to cause multiple oxidative modifications to all four DNA bases. Instead, it seems that reactive nitrogen species play a much greater role in the mechanism of base damage, producing both nitration and deamination of purine bases when DNA or whole cells are exposed to peroxynitrite. If this pattern of damage is unique to peroxynitrite, it might act as a marker of cellular damage by this species in vivo.

Animals↗

Influence of phage T3 and T7 gene functions on a type III(EcoP1) DNA restriction-modification system in vivo.

The ocr+ gene function (gp 0.3) of bacteriophages T3 and T7 not only counteracts type I (EcoB, EcoK) but also type III restriction endonucleases (EcoP1). Despite the presence of recognition sites, phage DNA as well as simultaneously introduced plasmid DNA are protected by ocr+ expression against both the endonucleolytic and the methylating activities of the EcoP1 enzyme. Nevertheless, the EcoP1 protein causes the exclusion of T3 and T7 in P1-lysogenic cells, apparently by exerting a repressor-like effect on phage gene expression. T3 which induces an S-adenosylmethionine hydrolase is less susceptible to the repressor effect of the SAM-stimulated EcoP1 enzyme. The abundance of EcoP1 recognition sites in the T7 genome is explained by their near identity with the T7 DNA primase recognition site.

DNA Replication↗

Specific histone tail modification and not DNA methylation is a determinant of herpes simplex virus type 1 latent gene expression.

During herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latency, gene expression is tightly repressed except for the latency-associated transcript (LAT). The mechanistic basis for this repression is unknown, but its global nature suggests regulation by an epigenetic mechanism such as DNA methylation. Previous work demonstrated that latent HSV-1 genomes are not extensively methylated, but these studies lacked the resolution to examine methylation of individual CpGs that could repress transcription from individual promoters during latency. To address this point, we employed established models to predict genomic regions with the highest probability of being methylated and, using bisulfite sequencing, analyzed the methylation profiles of these regions. We found no significant methylation of latent DNA isolated from mouse dorsal root ganglia in any of the regions examined, including the ICP4 and LAT promoters. This analysis indicates that methylation is unlikely to play a major role in regulating HSV-1 latent gene expression. Subsequently we focused on differential histone modification as another epigenetic mechanism that could regulate latent transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of the latent HSV-1 DNA repeat regions demonstrated that a portion of the LAT region is associated with histone H3 acetylated at lysines 9 and 14, consistent with a euchromatic and nonrepressed structure. In contrast, the chromatin associated with the HSV-1 DNA polymerase gene located in the unique long segment was not enriched in H3 acetylated at lysines 9 and 14, suggesting a transcriptionally inactive structure. These data suggest that histone composition may be a major regulatory determinant of HSV latency.

Acetylation↗

Molecular enzymology of mammalian DNA methyltransferases.

DNA methylation is an essential modification of DNA in mammals that is involved in gene regulation, development, genome defence and disease. In mammals 3 families of DNA methyltransferases (MTases) comprising (so far) 4 members have been found: Dnmt1, Dnmt2, Dnmt3A and Dnmt3B. In addition, Dnmt3L has been identified as a stimulator of the Dnmt3A and Dnmt3B enzymes. In this review the enzymology of the mammalian DNA MTases is described, starting with a depiction of the catalytic mechanism that involves covalent catalysis and base flipping. Subsequently, important mechanistic features of the mammalian enzyme are discussed including the specificity of Dnmt1 for hemimethylated target sites, the target sequence specificity of Dnmt3A, Dnmt3B and Dnmt2 and the flanking sequence preferences of Dnmt3A and Dnmt3B. In addition, the processivity of the methylation reaction by Dnmt1, Dnmt3A and Dnmt3B is reviewed. Finally, the control of the catalytic activity of mammalian MTases is described that includes the regulation of the activity of Dnmtl by its N-terminal domain and the interaction of Dnmt3A and Dnmt3B with Dnmt3L. The allosteric activation of Dnmt1 for methylation at unmodified sites is described. Wherever possible, correlations between the biochemical properties of the enzymes and their physiological functions in the cell are indicated.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Reactivity of parallel-stranded DNA to chemical modification reagents.

Four 25-nt long oligonucleotides containing dA and dT (D1, D2, D3, and D4) which are capable of forming parallel-stranded (ps) or antiparallel-stranded (aps) duplexes have been synthesized [Rippe, K., Ramsing, N. B., & Jovin, T. M. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 9536-9541]. In the present study, the OsO4-pyridine complex (Os,py), diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), KMnO4, and the 1,10-phenanthroline-cuprous complex [(OP)2Cu+] were used to investigate the conformation-dependent reactivity of ps, aps, and single-stranded (ss) oligonucleotides. The products were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with single-nucleotide resolution. The results confirm the duplex nature of the ps combinations of oligonucleotides and reveal structural differences in comparison with the aps molecules. Under conditions in which ss-DNA is substantially sensitive to Os,py, both the ps and aps duplexes are very unreactive. A similar result was observed with KMnO4 and DEPC, although with the latter reagent the modification pattern of the labeled strands D1* and D4* was slightly different for the parallel than for the antiparallel duplex. The (OP)2Cu+ complex efficiently cleaves the aps but not the ps duplex and shows a preference for TAT steps. We also tested the effect of monovalent and divalent cation concentrations on the chemical reactivity of the ps, aps, and ss species. Elevated NaCl concentration leads to a dramatic increase in the Os,py and KMnO4 modification of ss molecules and the ps, but not the aps, duplex. We attribute the apparent reaction with ps-DNA to a destabilization of this conformation under the conditions of reaction. In contrast, all reactions with DEPC are somewhat depressed at high salt concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

Sexual dimorphism of the chromatographic profiles of I-compounds (endogenous deoxyribonucleic acid modifications) in rat liver.

DNA of all tissues studied thus far in untreated mammals contains as yet structurally unidentified, covalent modifications termed I (indigenous)-compounds, which are detectable by the 32P postlabeling assay for DNA adducts and increase with age. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sex, gonadectomy, and androgen administration on I-compound profiles and levels in order to gain insight into the factors involved in the biosynthesis of these DNA modifications. Liver DNA from various groups of 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats (untreated or gonadectomized males and females; animals with or without gonadectomy treated with testosterone propionate) was analyzed by a nuclease P1-enhanced version of the 32P postlabeling assay. Hepatic I-compound profiles of untreated animals exhibited pronounced sexual dimorphism. In addition to a number of I-compounds that differed quantitatively between sexes, 7 female-specific and 1 male-specific I-compounds were observed. In female rats, the total level amounted to 112 I-compounds in 10(9) DNA nucleotides and exceeded the level in males by 3-fold. Castration feminized and ovariectomy masculinized I-compound profiles and levels. Neonatal testosterone propionate failed to restore the male pattern of I-compounds lost by neonatal castration, so that an androgen-imprinting mechanism did not appear to be involved in the maintenance of the male I-compound phenotype and the suppression of the female pattern. Testosterone propionate administered to intact female animals lowered total I-compound levels significantly. The results indicate that estrogens play a dominant role in regulating sex-dependent formation of I-compounds in rat liver. The dependence of I-compound formation on both age and sex hormones suggests that the levels of these DNA modifications are developmentally controlled.

Animals↗