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Pyrimidine dimer excision in Escherichia coli strains deficient in exonucleases V and VII and in the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease of DNA polymerase I.

An isogenic series of Escherichia coli strains deficient in various combinations of three 5' leads to 3' exonucleases (exonuclease V, exonuclease VII, and the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease of DNA polymerase I) was constructed and examined for the ability to excise pyrimidine dimers after UV irradiation. Although the recB and recC mutations (deficient in exonuclease V) proved to be incompatible with the polA(Ex) mutation (deficient in the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease of DNA polymerase I), it was possible to reduce the level of the recB,C exonuclease by the use of temperature-sensitive recB270 recC271 mutants. It was found that, by employing strains deficient in exonuclease V, postirradiation DNA degradation could be reduced and dimer excision measurements could be facilitated. Mutants deficient in exonuclease V were found to excise dimers at a rate comparable to that of the wild type. Mutants deficient in exonuclease V and the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease of DNA polymerase I are slightly slower than the wild type at removing dimers accumulated after doses in excess of 40 J/m2. However, although strains with reduced levels of exonuclease VII excised dimers at the same rate as the wild type, the addition of an exonuclease VII deficiency to a strain with reduced levels of exonuclease V and the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease of DNA polymerase I caused a marked decrease in the rate and extent of dimer excision. These observations support previous indications that the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease of DNA polymerase I is important in dimer removal and also suggest a role for exonuclease VII in the excision repair process.

DNA Polymerase I↗

Control of genetic stability in Escherichia coli: the SbcB 3'-5' exonuclease suppresses illegitimate recombination promoted by the RecE 5'-3' exonuclease.

BACKGROUND: The Escherichia coli sbcB gene, which codes for a 3'-5' exonuclease, ExoI, is known to suppress illegitimate recombination. In contrast, the recE gene, which codes for a 5'-3' exonuclease, Exo VIII promotes joining between DNA ends having short stretches of homology. Therefore, it seems likely that the 3'-5' and 5'-3' exonucleases regulate genetic instability that is mediated by illegitimate recombination. However, there has been little evidence to substantiate the involvement of exonuclease activity in the promotion and suppression of illegitimate recombination. RESULTS: Using a plasmid system for the analysis of deletion formation, we first demonstrated that deletion formation is increased by the sbcA mutation, which activates the expression of RecE 5'-3' exonuclease. It is thought that DNA ends having 3'-single stranded overhangs are important for illegitimate recombination. Next, we found that a large supply of SbcB 3'-5' exonuclease suppresses the deletion formation enhanced by the RecE exonuclease. Moreover, the SbcB exonuclease even suppressed deletion formation in cells not expressing RecE exonuclease. CONCLUSION: We conclude that DNA ends with 3'-overhangs produced by 5'-3' dsDNA exonuclease activity are proficient for illegitimate recombination, while blunt DNA ends produced by 3'-5' ssDNA exonuclease activity are deficient for illegitimate recombination. Therefore, both exonucleases may play important roles in genetic stability by controlling end-joining between DNA molecules.

Base Sequence↗

The multiple biological roles of the 3'-->5' exonuclease of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA polymerase delta require switching between the polymerase and exonuclease domains.

Until recently, the only biological function attributed to the 3'-->5' exonuclease activity of DNA polymerases was proofreading of replication errors. Based on genetic and biochemical analysis of the 3'-->5' exonuclease of yeast DNA polymerase delta (Pol delta) we have discerned additional biological roles for this exonuclease in Okazaki fragment maturation and mismatch repair. We asked whether Pol delta exonuclease performs all these biological functions in association with the replicative complex or as an exonuclease separate from the replicating holoenzyme. We have identified yeast Pol delta mutants at Leu523 that are defective in processive DNA synthesis when the rate of misincorporation is high because of a deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) imbalance. Yet the mutants retain robust 3'-->5' exonuclease activity. Based on biochemical studies, the mutant enzymes appear to be impaired in switching of the nascent 3' end between the polymerase and the exonuclease sites, resulting in severely impaired biological functions. Mutation rates and spectra and synergistic interactions of the pol3-L523X mutations with msh2, exo1, and rad27/fen1 defects were indistinguishable from those observed with previously studied exonuclease-defective mutants of the Pol delta. We conclude that the three biological functions of the 3'-->5' exonuclease addressed in this study are performed intramolecularly within the replicating holoenzyme.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Exonuclease activity associated with a multiprotein form of HeLa cell DNA polymerase alpha. Purification and properties of the exonuclease.

The DNase that is associated with a multiprotein form of HeLa cell DNA polymerase alpha (polymerase alpha 2) has two distinct exonuclease activities: the major activity initiates hydrolysis from the 3' terminus and the other from the 5' terminus of single-stranded DNA. The two exonuclease activities show identical rates of thermal inactivation and coincidental migration during chromatofocusing, glycerol gradient centrifugation, and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the DNase. Moreover, the purified DNase shows a single protein band of Mr 69,000 following nondenaturing polyacrylamide and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The 3'----5' exonuclease activity hydrolyzes only single-stranded DNA substrates and the products are 5' mononucleotides. This activity recognizes and excizes mismatched bases at the 3' terminus of double-stranded DNA substrates. The 3'----5' exonuclease does not hydrolyze 3' phosphoryl terminated single-stranded DNA substrates. The 5'----3' exonuclease activity also only hydrolyzes single-stranded DNA substrates. The rate of hydrolysis, however is only about 1/25th the rate of the 3'----5' exonuclease. This exonuclease activity requires a 5' single-stranded terminus in order to initiate hydrolysis and does not proceed into double-stranded regions. The products of hydrolysis by 5'----3' exonuclease are also 5' nucleoside monophosphates.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Differential effect of N-carboxymethylisatoylation on the DNA polymerase activity, the 5' leads to 3'-exonuclease activity and the 3' leads to 5'-exonuclease activity of DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli.

Treatment with native DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli with the acylating agent N-carboxymethylisatoic acid anhydride (NCMIA) results under specific conditions in a rapid loss of polymerase activity, an increase in 5' leads to 3'-exonuclease activity and in unchanged 3' leads to 5'-exonuclease activity. When a nucleoside triphosphate and Mg2+ was present the polymerase activity was completely protected against the effect of NCMIA. Treatment with higher concentration of the acylating agent under these conditions led to a loss of 3' leads to 5'-exonuclease activity without any appreciable loss of polymerase activity. Treatment with NCMIA of the two catalytically active fragments of the enzyme led to very similar results. In this case both the polymerase activity and the 3' leads to 5'-exonuclease activity deteriorated more rapidly on treatment with the acylating reagent. The increase in 5' leads to 3'-exonuclease activity as a result of modification of the native enzyme appeared to be due to a change in the optimum conditions with regard to concentration of the assay buffer used. These changes are very similar to those seen when the polymerase is cleaved by limited proteolysis. From the results obtained it is concluded that NCMIA reacts primarily with a site at or near the triphosphate-Mg2+ complex binding site, leading to an almost complete loss of polymerase activity. The acylating reagent reacts also with another group on the native enzyme resulting in a modification of the 5' leads to 3'-exonuclease activity, and at high concentrations with a group leading to a slow loss of 3' leads to 5'-exonuclease activity.

Acylation↗

A minimal exonuclease domain of WRN forms a hexamer on DNA and possesses both 3'- 5' exonuclease and 5'-protruding strand endonuclease activities.

Werner syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by a premature aging phenotype, genomic instability, and a dramatically increased incidence of cancer and heart disease. Mutations in a single gene encoding a 1432-amino acid helicase/exonuclease (hWRN) have been shown to be responsible for the development of this disease. We have cloned, overexpressed, and purified a minimal, 171-amino acid fragment of hWRN that functions as an exonuclease. This fragment, encompassing residues 70-240 of hWRN (hWRN-N(70-240)), exhibits the same level of 3'-5' exonuclease activity as the previously described exonuclease fragment encompassing residues 1-333 of the full-length protein. The fragment also contains a 5'-protruding DNA strand endonuclease activity at a single-strand-double-strand DNA junction and within single-stranded DNA, as well as a 3'-5' exonuclease activity on single-stranded DNA. We find hWRN-N(70-240) is in a trimer-hexamer equilibrium in the absence of DNA when examined by gel filtration chromatography and atomic force microscopy. Upon addition of DNA substrate, hWRN-N(70-240) forms a hexamer and interacts with the recessed 3'-end of the DNA. Moreover, we find that the interaction of hWRN-N(70-240) with the replication protein PCNA also causes this minimal, 171-amino acid exonuclease region to form a hexamer. Thus, the active form of this minimal exonuclease fragment of human WRN appears to be a hexamer. The implications these results have on our understanding of hWRN's roles in DNA replication and repair are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

5'-exonuclease-2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Purification and features of ribonuclease activity with comparison to 5'-exonuclease-1.

5'-Exonuclease-2 has been purified 17,000-fold from whole cell extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A 116-kDa polypeptide parallels the enzyme activity when the purified protein is examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. Amino-terminal sequencing of the 116-kDa protein shows that the sequence agrees with that encoded by the HKE1 gene, previously reported to encode exonuclease-2. A 45-kDa polypeptide also parallels the enzyme activity upon purification, and Sephacryl S-200 molecular sieve chromatography of the purified enzyme shows a parallel elution of most of the 116- and 45-kDa polypeptides, suggesting a close association of the two. Enzyme instability has precluded a more detailed analysis of their associative properties. The enzyme hydrolyzes RNA substrates to 5'-mononucleotides in a processive manner. Measurements of its substrate specificity and mode of action are compared with 5'-exonuclease-1. Restriction cut single-stranded T7 DNA is hydrolyzed at approximately 5-7% of the rate of 18 S rRNA of yeast by both enzymes. That 5'-exonuclease-2 hydrolyzes in a processive manner and lacks endonuclease activity is shown by the finding that [5'-32P]GMP is the only product of its hydrolysis of [alpha-32P]GTP-labeled synthetic RNAs. That 5'-exonuclease-2 hydrolyzes by a 5'-->3' mode is shown by: 1) its poor hydrolysis of both 5'-capped and triphosphate-ended RNA substrates; 2) the products of its hydrolysis of [5'-32P,3H](pA)4; and 3) the accumulation of 3'-stall fragments when a strong artificial RNA secondary structure is present in synthetic RNAs. 5'-Exonuclease-1 hydrolyzes the synthetic RNAs and (pA)4 in an identical manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biochemical characterization of an exonuclease from Arabidopsis thaliana reveals similarities to the DNA exonuclease of the human Werner syndrome protein.

The human Werner syndrome protein (hWRN-p) possessing DNA helicase and exonuclease activities is essential for genome stability. Plants have no homologue of this bifunctional protein, but surprisingly the Arabidopsis genome contains a small open reading frame (ORF) (AtWRNexo) with homology to the exonuclease domain of hWRN-p. Expression of this ORF in Escherichia coli revealed an exonuclease activity for AtWRN-exo-p with similarities but also some significant differences to hWRN-p. The protein digests recessed strands of DNA duplexes in the 3' --> 5' direction but hardly single-stranded DNA or blunt-ended duplexes. In contrast to the Werner exonuclease, AtWRNexo-p is also able to digest 3'-protruding strands. DNA with recessed 3'-PO4 and 3'-OH termini is degraded to a similar extent. AtWRNexo-p hydrolyzes the 3'-recessed strand termini of duplexes containing mismatched bases. AtWRNexo-p needs the divalent cation Mg2+ for activity, which can be replaced by Mn2+. Apurinic sites, cholesterol adducts, and oxidative DNA damage (such as 8-oxoadenine and 8-oxoguanine) inhibit or block the enzyme. Other DNA modifications, including uracil, hypoxanthine and ethenoadenine, did not inhibit AtWRNexo-p. A mutation of a conserved residue within the exonuclease domain (E135A) completely abolished the exonucleolytic activity. Our results indicate that a type of WRN-like exonuclease activity seems to be a common feature of the DNA metabolism of animals and plants.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Deoxyribonucleic acid repair in Escherichia coli mutants deficient in the 5'----3' exonuclease activity of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase I and exonuclease VII.

A series of Escherichia coli strains deficient in the 5'----3' exonuclease activity associated with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase I (exonuclease VI) and exonuclease VII has been constructed. Both of these enzymes are capable of pyrimidine dimer excision in vitro. These strains were examined for conditional lethality, sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) and X-irradiation, postirradiation DNA degradation, and ability to excise pyrimidine dimers. It was found that strains deficient in both exonuclease VI (polAex-) and exonuclease VII (xseA-) are significantly reduced in their ability to survive incubation at elevated temperature (43 degrees C) beyond the reduction previously observed for the polAex single mutants. The UV and X-ray sensitivity of the exonuclease VI-deficient strains was not increased by the addition of the xseA7 mutation. Mutants deficient in both enzymes are about as efficient as wild-type strains at excising dimers produced by up to 40 J/m2 UV. At higher doses strains containing only polAex- mutations show reduced ability to excise dimers; however, the interpretation of dimer excision data at these doses is complicated by extreme postirradiation DNA degradation in these strains. The additional deficiency in the polAex xseA7 double-mutant strains has no significant effect on either postirradiation DNA degradation or the apparent deficiency in dimer excision at high UV doses observed in polAex single mutants.

DNA↗

The RAD2 domain of human exonuclease 1 exhibits 5' to 3' exonuclease and flap structure-specific endonuclease activities.

The RAD2 family of nucleases includes human XPG (Class I), FEN1 (Class II), and HEX1/hEXO1 (Class III) products gene. These proteins exhibit a blend of substrate specific exo- and endonuclease activities and contribute to repair, recombination, and/or replication. To date, the substrate preferences of the EXO1-like Class III proteins have not been thoroughly defined. We report here that the RAD2 domain of human exonuclease 1 (HEX1-N2) exhibits both a robust 5' to 3' exonuclease activity on single- and double-stranded DNA substrates as well as a flap structure-specific endonuclease activity but does not show specific endonuclease activity at 10-base pair bubble-like structures, G:T mismatches, or uracil residues. Both the 5' to 3' exonuclease and flap endonuclease activities require a divalent metal cofactor, with Mg(2+) being the preferred metal ion. HEX1-N2 is approximately 3-fold less active in Mn(2+)-containing buffers and exhibits <5% activity in the presence of Co(2+), Zn(2+), or Ca(2+). The optimal pH range for the nuclease activities of HEX1-N2 is 7.2-8.2. The specific activity of its 5' to 3' exonuclease function is 2.5-7-fold higher on blunt end and 5'-recessed double-stranded DNA substrates compared with duplex 5'-overhang or single-stranded DNAs. The flap endonuclease activity of HEX1-N2 is similar to that of human flap endonuclease-1, both in terms of turnover efficiency (k(cat)) and site of incision, and is as efficient (k(cat)/K(m)) as its exonuclease function. The nuclease activities of HEX1-N2 described here indicate functions for the EXO1-like proteins in replication, repair, and/or recombination that may overlap with human flap endonuclease-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of features of the RNase activity of 5'-exonuclease-1 and 5'-exonuclease-2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Features of the catalytic specificities of 5'-exonuclease-1 (Xrn1) and 5'-exonuclease-2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been compared. For analysis of in vitro properties, 5'-exonuclease-2 has been highly purified, and data show that it is present in yeast cells at about 5-10% of the level of Xrn1. The basic features of the exonuclease activity of the two enzymes, i.e., their activities with RNA and ssDNA and their mode of action, are similar. We have initiated an analysis of structural elements (artificial and natural) that stall the exonucleolytic hydrolysis by the enzymes. A (G)18 artificial sequence in MFA2 mRNA stalls the hydrolysis by both enzymes, yielding a 3' stall fragment. The specific structural element(s) involved is being investigated. To access a similar in vivo specificity of the two enzymes, the effect of overexpression of the essential HKE1 gene encoding exonuclease-2 on several of the phenotypes of xrn1 cells has been examined. The results show that the slow growth rate is partially overcome and that the level of accumulation of specific cytoplasmic RNAs (fragments of the internal transcribed spacer 1 of pre-rRNA and poly (A)-deficient mRNAs) is reduced to 30-40% of the value found in the xrn1 cells.

Exoribonucleases↗

Comparison of sequence preference of tomaymycin- and anthramycin-DNA bonding by exonuclease III and lambda exonuclease digestion and UvrABC nuclease incision analysis.

The DNA bonding sites of two pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine derivatives--tomaymycin (Tma) and anthramycin (Atm)--were identified by exonuclease III (exo III) digestion, lambda exonuclease (lambda exo) digestion, and UvrABC nuclease incision analysis. exo III digestion stalls 4-5 bases 3' to a drug-DNA adduct. While this method can recognize most of the Atm-and Tma-DNA modification sites, it is complicated in that exo III digestion is also stalled by certain unmodified sequences and by drug bound to the opposite strand. lambda exo digestion stalls 1-2 bases 5' to a drug-DNA adduct. The lambda exo method also recognizes most of the drug-DNA bonding sites and renders a cleaner background; however, it is also affected by opposite-strand drug bonding. Due to their intrinsic digestion polarities, these two exonucleases tend to be stalled by the drug-DNA adduct at one end of the DNA molecule. Purified UvrA, UvrB, and UvrC proteins acting together make dual incisions 6-8 bases 5' and 4 bases 3' to a Atm- or Tma-DNA adduct. This nuclease complex recognizes all the Tma- and Atm-DNA bonding sites identified by exonuclease digestion methods, and all the UvrABC incisions can be attributed to drug modifications in the incised DNA strand. The degree of UvrABC nuclease incision increases with increasing drug concentrations for DNA modification. Using the UvrABC incision method, we have identified the sequence preference of Tma- and Atm-DNA adduct formation in three DNA fragments, and we have found that these two drugs have different preferred sites for adduction. Both Tma- and Atm-DNA bonding is strongly influenced by the 5' and 3' neighboring bases; the orders of preferred 5' and 3' bases for Tma are A > G, T > C, and A, C > G, T, and for Atm the orders are A > G > T > C and A > G > T, C. The preferred triplets for Tma bonding are -AGA- > -GGC-, -TGC-, and AGC- and for Atm are -AGA-, -AGG- > -GGA-, -GGG-.

Anthramycin↗

The 3'-->5' exonucleases of DNA polymerases delta and epsilon and the 5'-->3' exonuclease Exo1 have major roles in postreplication mutation avoidance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Replication fidelity is controlled by DNA polymerase proofreading and postreplication mismatch repair. We have genetically characterized the roles of the 5'-->3' Exo1 and the 3'-->5' DNA polymerase exonucleases in mismatch repair in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using various genetic backgrounds and highly sensitive mutation detection systems that are based on long and short homonucleotide runs. Genetic interactions were examined among DNA polymerase epsilon (pol2-4) and delta (pol3-01) mutants defective in 3'-->5' proofreading exonuclease, mutants defective in the 5'-->3' exonuclease Exo1, and mismatch repair mutants (msh2, msh3, or msh6). These three exonucleases play an important role in mutation avoidance. Surprisingly, the mutation rate in an exo1 pol3-01 mutant was comparable to that in an msh2 pol3-01 mutant, suggesting that they participate directly in postreplication mismatch repair as well as in other DNA metabolic processes.

DNA Polymerase II↗

A nuclear 3'-5' exonuclease proofreads for the exonuclease-deficient DNA polymerase alpha.

DNA replication is a highly accurate process designed to duplicate the entire genome of a cell during each cell division. The accuracy of DNA replication is derived from the balance between three important components: base selectivity by the replicative DNA polymerases (pols), exonucleolytic proofreading, and post-replicative mismatch repair. Previously we identified a human 3'-5' exonuclease (exoN) whose properties suggested it may function as a proofreader for the exonuclease-deficient replicative DNA pol alpha. Purified exoN has no associated pol activity and catalyzes removal of mispaired nucleotides from DNA duplexes. Consistent with previous reports, it was found that mammalian pol alpha is inefficient at extending from mispaired DNA terminals. However, in similar reactions that included exoN, there was a 4.4-15.7-fold increase in pol alpha-catalyzed elongation from mispaired base pairs. In contrast, exoN did not have a dramatic impact on the ability of exonuclease-deficient variants of Klenow (K-) and T7 polymerase to catalyze extension from mispaired DNA. Continuous DNA replication catalyzed by either pol alpha or K- generated base substitutions at a frequency of 24.3x10(-4) and 38x10(-4), respectively. ExoN restored error-free DNA replication in reactions with pol alpha whereas it did not significantly improve the accuracy of K-. These results are consistent with a functional interaction between exoN and pol alpha to ensure accurate DNA replication.

Animals↗

Venom exonuclease. IV. Intrinsic fluorescence of the exonuclease from Crotalus adamanteus venom.

The intrinsic fluorescence of the exonuclease isolated from Crotalus adamanteus venom, was studied. The position of its maximum at 335 nm and half-width of the emission band 55 nm (lambda exc. 295 nm) suggested the existence of at least two types of tryptophan residues in the enzyme molecule. Differential analysis of the fluorescence spectra obtained by excitation at 280 and 295 nm revealed about 12.5% contribution of the tyrosine fluorescence in the overall emission excited at 280 nm. The environment of the tryptophan residues in the exonuclease was studied by quenching of their fluorescence with various ionic (NO3-, NO2-, I-, Br- and Cs+) and non-ionic agents (acrylamide, chloroform-methanol). On this basis, fractions of inner (non-polar) and surface tryptophan residues located in charged and neutral regions of the enzyme molecule were evaluated. More than half of the residues (60%) was found in the inner part of the exonuclease while most of its surface tryptophans--in a neutral region(s).

Acrylamide↗

Venom exonuclease. II. Amino acid composition and carbohydrate, metal ion and lipid content in the Crotalus adamanteus venom exonuclease.

Exonuclease from Crotalus adamanteus venom has only threonine as N-terminimal amono acid residue. It was examined for its amino acid composition, -SH and S-S groups. It has no free -SH groups and seven S-S bonds. The analysis of the carbohydrate residues in the enzyme proves that it is a glycoprotein. It contains neutral sugars (9.2%), amino sugars (1.9%) and ten sialic acid residues per molecule. The venom exonuclease is a metalloenzyme. This is proven by the existence of Mg2+, Zn2+ and Ca2+ and their specific role in the catalytic reactions. The enzyme contains also triacylglycerols (1.54%) and cholesterol esters (1.43%). The influence of the non-protein moieties of the exonuclease on its catalytic ability has been discussed.

Amino Acids↗

Properties of overexpressed phage T5 D15 exonuclease. Similarities with Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I 5'-3' exonuclease.

The D15 gene of the bacteriophage T5, thought to encode an exonuclease, was cloned into an M13 phage on a 1344-base pair fragment. The deduced amino acid sequence of 291 residues (Kaliman, A. V., Krutilina, A. I., Kryukov, V. M., and Bayev, A. A. (1986) FEBS Lett. 195, 61-64) shows a high degree of homology with the first 320 amino acid residues of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, the region containing the enzyme's 5'-3' exonuclease activity. Recombinant M13 phage DNA was manipulated by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to enable subcloning into a high efficiency expression vector, allowing the production of large amounts of enzyme for physical characterization and crystallization trials. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme is active on both native and heat-denatured DNA and shows no endonuclease activity on either double-stranded closed-circular or nicked DNA. The enzyme is also able to degrade some oligonucleotides in a manner which depends not only on the nucleotide sequence but also on the state of hybridization of the potential substrate. The mode of action of this enzyme is similar to, although not identical to that of the 5'-3' exonuclease activity of E. coli DNA polymerase I.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I: inherent exonuclease activities differentiate between monofunctional and bifunctional adducts of DNA and cis- or trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). An exonuclease investigation of the kinetics of the adduct formation.

[3H]dGMP-3'-labelled, activated salmon testis DNA and [32P]dGMP-5'-labelled open circular M13 DNA were reacted with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), cis-diamminechloroaquaplatinum(II), cis-diamminediaquaplatinum(II) or trans-diamminechloroaquaplatinum(II). The reaction was arrested after arbitrary times by adjustment to slightly alkaline solution conditions. The platinum-containing DNA was digested with Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. The progress of nucleotide release was measured by acid precipitation of undigested DNA. Solubilized nucleotides and adducts were analyzed by HPLC. The 3'-5'-exonuclease activity liberated single-coordinated dGMP-platinum(II) adducts from both cis- and trans-platinum(II) treated salmon testis DNA and a small fraction of adducts of cis-platinum(II) that coordinated two molecules of dGMP. The bisadduct was derived from non-neighboring guanine residues probably located at or close to 3'-termini. This nuclease activity neither cut between nor after neighboring guanine residues crosslinked by cis-platinum(II). No bisadduct was liberated for trans-platinum(II). The 5'-3'-exonuclease activity did not liberate any nucleotide adducts from cis-platinum(II)-treated DNa. However, it removed single-coordinated guanine adducts of trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). From the kinetics of the appearance of dGMP monoadducts and the inhibition of digestion, a reaction scheme is formulated for the reaction of platinum(II) complexes with DNA that confirms and extends the previously published one [W. Schaller, H. Reisner & E. Holler (1987) Biochemistry 26, 943-950]. The longevity of the dGMP monoadduct intermediate is discussed in the context of the efficiency of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) as an antitumor drug.

Animals↗