3'-minor groove binder-DNA probes increase sequence specificity at PCR extension temperatures.

DNA probes with conjugated minor groove binder (MGB) groups form extremely stable duplexes with single-stranded DNA targets, allowing shorter probes to be used for hybridization based assays. In this paper, sequence specificity of 3'-MGB probes was explored. In comparison with unmodified DNA, MGB probes had higher melting temperature (T(m)) and increased specificity, especially when a mismatch was in the MGB region of the duplex. To exploit these properties, fluorogenic MGB probes were prepared and investigated in the 5'-nuclease PCR assay (real-time PCR assay, TaqMan assay). A 12mer MGB probe had the same T(m)(65 degrees C) as a no-MGB 27mer probe. The fluorogenic MGB probes were more specific for single base mismatches and fluorescence quenching was more efficient, giving increased sensitivity. A/T rich duplexes were stabilized more than G/C rich duplexes, thereby leveling probe T(m)and simplifying design. In summary, MGB probes were more sequence specific than standard DNA probes, especially for single base mismatches at elevated hybridization temperatures.

Linkers designed to intercalate the double helix greatly facilitate DNA alkylation by triplex-forming oligonucleotides carrying a cyclopropapyrroloindole reactive moiety.

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) bind sequence-specifically in the major groove of double-stranded DNA. Cyclopropapyrroloindole (CPI), the electrophilic moiety that comprises the reactive subunit of the antibiotic CC-1065, gives hybridization-triggered alkylation at the N-3 position of adenines when bound in the minor groove of double-stranded DNA. In order to attain TFO-directed targeting of CPI, we designed and tested linkers to 'thread' DNA from the major groove-bound TFO to the minor groove binding site of CPI. Placement of an aromatic ring in the linker significantly enhanced the site-directed reaction, possibly due to a 'threading' mechanism where the aromatic ring is intercalated. All of the linkers containing aromatic rings provided efficient alkylation of the duplex target. The linker containing an acridine ring system, the strongest intercalator in the series, gave a small but clearly detectable amount of non-TFO-specific alkylation. An equivalent-length linker without an aromatic ring was very inefficient in DNA target alkylation.

Antisense oligonucleotides containing modified bases inhibit in vitro translation of Leishmania amazonensis mRNAs by invading the mini-exon hairpin.

Complementary oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) that contain 2-aminoadenine and 2-thiothymine interact weakly with each other but form stable hybrids with unmodified complements. These selectively binding complementary (SBC) agents can invade duplex DNA and hybridize to each strand (Kutyavin, I. V., Rhinehart, R. L., Lukhtanov, E. A., Gorn, V. V., Meyer, R. B., and Gamper, H. B. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 11170-11176). Antisense ODNs with similar properties should be less encumbered by RNA secondary structure. Here we show that SBC ODNs strand invade a hairpin in the mini-exon RNA of Leishmania amazonensis and that the resulting heteroduplexes are substrates for Escherichia coli RNase H. SBC ODNs either with phosphodiester or phosphorothioate backbones form more stable hybrids with RNA than normal base (NB) ODNs. Optimal binding was observed when the entire hairpin sequence was targeted. Translation of L. amazonensis mRNA in a cell-free extract was more efficiently inhibited by SBC ODNs complementary to the mini-exon hairpin than by the corresponding NB ODNs. Nonspecific protein binding in the cell-free extract by phosphorothioate SBC ODNs rendered them ineffective as antisense agents in vitro. SBC phosphorothioate ODNs displayed a modest but significant improvement of leishmanicidal properties compared with NB phosphorothioate ODNs.

Triplex targeting of a native gene in permeabilized intact cells: covalent modification of the gene for the chemokine receptor CCR5.

A 12 nucleotide oligodeoxyribopurine tract in the gene for the chemokine receptor CCR5 has been targeted and covalently modified in intact cells by a 12mer triplex forming oligonucleotide (TFO) bearing a reactive group. A nitrogen mustard placed on the 5'-end of the purine motif TFO modified a guanine on the DNA target with high efficiency and selectivity. A new use of a guanine analog in these TFOs significantly enhanced triplex formation and efficiency of modification, as did the use of the triplex-stabilizing intercalator coralyne. This site-directed modification of a native chromosomal gene in intact human cells under conditions where many limitations of triplex formation have been partially addressed underscores the potential of this approach for gene control via site-directed mutagenesis.

Synthesis and reactivity of aryl nitrogen mustard-oligodeoxyribonucleotide conjugates.

A versatile method is described for preparing aryl nitrogen mustard-oligodeoxyribonucleotide (mustard-ODN) conjugates under anhydrous conditions. The chemistry uses DMSO soluble triethylammonium or tributylammonium salts of the ODNs. A G/A motif triplex forming ODN was chosen for study since it had been shown earlier to bind with high affinity and specificity to a duplex DNA target. A 5'-hexylamine derivative of this ODN was reacted with three different 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl ester derivatives of aryl nitrogen mustards which were designed to have different alkylation rates. An HPLC assay was used to determine reaction rates of these mustard-ODNs under various conditions. The reactivity of the mustard groups depended on chloride concentration and the presence of nucleophiles. Conjugation of mustards to G/A-containing ODNs decreased their aqueous stability. Hydrolysis and alkylation rates of these agents were consistent with reaction via an aziridinium intermediate. Rates of sequence specific alkylation within a triplex were determined by denaturing gel electrophoresis and shown to depend on inherent reactivity of the mustard group. The improved synthesis and chemical characterization of mustard-ODNs should facilitate their use as sequence specific alkylating agents and as probes for nucleic acid structure.

Modulation of Cm/T, G/A, and G/T triplex stability by conjugate groups in the presence and absence of KCl.

Apparent equilibrium association constants were determined by gel mobility shift analysis for triple strand formation between a duplex target containing a 21 base long A-rich homopurine run and several end-modified C(m)/T (pyrimidine motif; C(m) = 5-methylcytosine), G/A (purine motif), and G/T (purine-pyrimidine motif) triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs). Incubations were carried out for 24 h at 37 degrees C in 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.2, 10 mM MgCl2, and 1 mM spermine. The purine motif triplex was the most stable (Ka = 6.2 x 10(8) M-1) even though the TFO self-associated as a linear duplex. Conjugation of a terminal hexanol or cholesterol group to the G/A-containing TFO reduced triplex stability by 1.6- or 13-fold, whereas an aminohexyl group or intercalating agent (acridine or psoralen) increased triplex stability by 1.3- or 13-fold. These end groups produced similar effects in C(m)/T and G/T triplexes, although the magnitude of the effect sometimes differed. Addition of 140 mM KCl to mimic physiological conditions decreased stability of the G/A triplex by 1900-fold, making it less stable than the C(m)/T triplex. The inhibitory effect of KCl on G/A triplex formation could be partially compensated for by conjugating the TFO to an intercalating agent (30-350-fold stabilization) or by adding the triplex selective intercalator coralyne (1000-fold stabilization). Although the G/T triplex responded similarly to these agents, the stability of the C(m)/T triplex was unaffected by the presence of coralyne and was only enhanced 1.4-2.8-fold when the TFO was linked to an intercalating agent. In physiological buffer supplemented with 40 microM coralyne, the G/A triplex (Ka = 3.0 x 10(8) M-1) was more stable than the C(m)/T and G/T triplexes by factors of 300 and 12, respectively.

Factors influencing the extent and selectivity of alkylation within triplexes by reactive G/A motif oligonucleotides.

G/A motif triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) complementary to a 21 base pair homopurine/homopyrimidine run were conjugated at one or both ends to chlorambucil. These TFOs were incubated with several synthetic duplexes containing the targeted homopurine run flanked by different sequences. The extent of mono and interstrand cross-linking was compared with the level of binding at equilibrium. Covalent modification took place within a triple-stranded complex and usually occurred at guanine residues in the flanking double-stranded DNA. The efficiency of alkylation was dependent upon the sequence of the flanking duplex, the solution conditions, and the rate of triplex formation relative to the rate of chlorambucil reaction. Self-association of the TFOs as parallel duplexes was demonstrated and this did not interfere with triple strand formation. With an optimal target, cross-linking of the triplex was very efficient when incubation was carried in a physiological buffer supplemented with the triplex selective intercalator coralyne.

Oligonucleotides with conjugated dihydropyrroloindole tripeptides: base composition and backbone effects on hybridization.

The ability of conjugated minor groove binding (MGB) residues to stabilize nucleic acid duplexes was investigated by synthesis of oligonucleotides bearing a tethered dihydropyrroloindole tripeptide (CDPI3). Duplexes bearing one or more of these conjugated MGBs were varied by base composition (AT- or GC-rich oligonucleotides), backbone modifications (phosphodiester DNA, 2'-O-methyl phosphodiester RNA or phosphorothioate DNA) and site of attachment of the MGB moiety (5'- or 3'-end of either duplex strand). Melting temperatures of the duplexes were determined. The conjugated CDPI3 residue enhanced the stability of virtually all duplexes studied. The extent of stabilization was backbone and sequence dependent and reached a maximum value of 40-49 degrees C for d(pT)8. d(pA)8. Duplexes with a phosphorothioate DNA backbone responded similarly on CDPI3 conjugation, although they were less stable than analogous phosphodiesters. Modest stabilization was obtained for duplexes with a 2'-O-methyl RNA backbone. The conjugated CDPI3 residue stabilized GC-rich DNA duplexes, albeit to a lesser extent than for AT-rich duplexes of the same length.

Efficient priming of PCR with short oligonucleotides conjugated to a minor groove binder.

The tripeptide 1,2-dihydro-(3H)-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole-7-carboxylate (CDPI3) binds to the minor groove of DNA with high affinity. When this minor groove binder (MGB) is conjugated to the 5'-end of short oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), the conjugates form unusually stable hybrids with complementary DNA in which the tethered CDPI3group resides in the minor groove. We show that these conjugates can be used as PCR primers. Due to their unusually high binding affinity, conjugates as short as 8-10mers can be used to amplify DNA with good specificity and efficiency. The reduced length primers described here might be appropriate for the PCR amplification of viral sequences which possess a high degree of variability (e.g., HPV, HIV) or for recent techniques such as gene hunting and differential display which amplify multiple sequences using short primer pairs.

Minor groove DNA alkylation directed by major groove triplex forming oligodeoxyribonucleotides.

We describe sequence-specific alkylation in the minor groove of double-stranded DNA by a hybridization-triggered reactive group conjugated to a triplex forming oligodeoxyribonucleotide (TFO) that binds in the major groove. The 24 nt TFOs (G/A motif) were designed to form triplexes with a homopurine tract within a 65 bp target duplex. They were conjugated to an N 5-methyl-cyclopropapyrroloindole (MCPI) residue, a structural analog of cyclopropapyrroloindole (CPI), the reactive subunit of the potent antibiotic CC-1065. These moieties react in the DNA minor groove, alkylating adenines at their N3 position. In order to optimize alkylation efficiency, linkers between the TFO and the MCPI were varied both in length and composition. Quantitative alkylation of target DNA was achieved when the dihydropyrroloindole (DPI) subunit of CC-1065 was incorporated between an octa(propylene phosphate) linker and MCPI. The required long linker traversed one strand of the target duplex from the major groove-bound TFO to deliver the reactive group to the minor groove. Alkylation was directed by relative positioning of the TFOs. Sites in the minor groove within 4-8 nt from the end of the TFO bearing the reactive group were selectively alkylated.

Direct, solid phase assembly of dihydropyrroloindole peptides with conjugated oligonucleotides.

A new controlled pore glass (CPG) support is described that allows for the direct synthesis of oligonucleotide derivatives carrying a minor groove binding (MGB) agent at the 3'-terminus. The MGB consisted of three repeating 1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[2,3-e]indole-7-carboxylate (DPI) subunits. The DPI trimer (DPI3) was prepared directly on the CPG support using repeated addition of the DPI subunit. The subunit was protected at the N-3-position with tert-butyloxycarbonyl residue and activated at the 7-carboxy residue by esterification with the 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl group. A linker, which provided the starting point for oligonucleotide synthesis, was introduced by reaction of the terminal N-3 with p-nitrophenyl 4-[bis(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethoxy]butyrate. When used as a support for oligonucleotide synthesis, this modified CPG gave the desired 3'-DPI3-octathymidylate [(dTp)8-DPI3] conjugate in good yield. This conjugate formed hyperstabilized complexes with complementary polyribo- (Tmax = 35 degrees C) and polydeoxyriboadenylic (Tmax = 69 degrees C) acids. In contrast to the N-carbamoyl derivative reported earlier by us, it demonstrated higher cooperativity of melting transitions.

Oligonucleotides containing 2-aminoadenine and 2-thiothymine act as selectively binding complementary agents.

A pair of complementary oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) uniformly substituted with 2-amino-adenine (A') in place of adenine and 2-thiothymine (T') in place of thymine did not hybridize to each other but did form very stable hybrids with unmodified complementary ODNs. These unusual properties were a consequence of the hydrogen-bonding properties of the two base analogs. Thermal denaturation studies of short duplexes which contained these bases demonstrated that the A'-T and A-T' doublets formed stable base pairs whereas the A'-T' doublet acted like a mismatch. Complementary ODNs substituted with these base analogs are referred to as SBC or selectively binding complementary ODNs. When used as a pair, these single-stranded ODNs invaded the ends of homologous duplexes and formed stable three-arm junctions under conditions where unmodified ODNs failed to give a product. SBC ODNs have a fundamental thermodynamic advantage in hybridizing to short segments of double-stranded nucleic acid and represent a new approach for the design of oligomeric probes and antisense agents. Many secondary structure features present in long single-stranded nucleic acids should be accessible to these reagents.

Sequence-specific arrest of primer extension on single-stranded DNA by an oligonucleotide-minor groove binder conjugate.

A minor groove binder (MGB) derivative (N-3-carbamoyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole-7-carboxylate tripeptide; CDPI3) was covalently linked to the 5' or 3' end of several oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) totally complementary or possessing a single mismatch to M13mp19 single-stranded DNA. Absorption thermal denaturation and slot-blot hybridization studies showed that conjugation of CDPI3 to these ODNs increased both the specificity and the strength with which they hybridized. Primer extension of the same phage DNA by a modified form of phage T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase) was physically blocked when a complementary 16-mer with a conjugated 5'-CDPI3 moiety was hybridized to a downstream site. Approximately 50% of the replicating complexes were arrested when the blocking ODN was equimolar to the phage DNA. Inhibition was unaffected by 3'-capping of the ODN with a hexanol group or by elimination of a preannealing step. Blockage was abolished when a single mismatch was introduced into the ODN or when the MGB was either removed or replaced by a 5'-acridine group. A 16-mer with a 3'-CDPI3 moiety failed to arrest primer extension, as did an unmodified 32-mer. We attribute the exceptional stability of hybrids formed by ODNs conjugated to a CDPI3 to the tethered tripeptide binding in the minor groove of the hybrid. When that group is linked to the 5' end of a hybridized ODN, it probably blocks DNA synthesis by inhibiting strand displacement. These ODNs conjugated to CDPI3 offer attractive features as diagnostic probes and antigene agents.

Rapid and efficient hybridization-triggered crosslinking within a DNA duplex by an oligodeoxyribonucleotide bearing a conjugated cyclopropapyrroloindole.

The antitumor antibiotic CC-1065 binds in the minor groove of double-stranded DNA, and the cyclopropapyrroloindole (CPI) subunit of the drug alkylates adjacent adenines at their N-3 position. We have attached racemic CPI to oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) via a terminal phosphorothioate at either the 3'- or 5'-end of the ODNs. These conjugates were remarkably stable in aqueous solution at neutral pH even in the presence of strong nucleophiles. When a 3'-CPI-ODN conjugate was hybridized to a complementary DNA strand at 37 degrees C, the CPI moiety alkylated nearby adenine bases of the complement efficiently and rapidly, with a half-life of a few minutes. The 4'-CPR- ODN conjugate showed very little reactivity within the duplex. CPI-ODN conjugates should be highly effective sequence-specific inhibitors of single-stranded viral DNA replication or gene selective inhibitors of transcription initiation.

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides with conjugated dihydropyrroloindole oligopeptides: preparation and hybridization properties.

Synthesis of a new class of conjugates between oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) and minor groove binders (MGBs) is described. The MGBs are analogs of the potent antibiotic CC-1065 and consist of repeating 1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole-7-carboxylate (DPI) subunits with N-3 carbamoyl or tert-butyloxycarbonyl groups (CDPI or BocDPI subunits, respectively). The ODN-MGB conjugates were obtained by postsynthetic modification of 5'- or 3'-amino-tailed ODNs with the 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl (TFP) esters of CDPI1-3 or BocDPI1-2 or by ODN synthesis using a CDPI3-modified controlled pore glass (CPG) support. The hybridization properties of MGB-tailed octathymidylates were determined; they varied with respect to the site of conjugation (3' or 5'), the nature of the linker, the length of the DPI oligopeptide, and the type of N-3 substitution. Optical melting studies showed that the linkage of CDPI1-3 residues to (dTp)8 significantly increased the stability of hybrids formed by the latter with poly(dA). The extent of stabilization increased with the length of the peptide. When CDPI3 was conjugated to either end of (dTp)8, the melting temperature (Tm) of the hybrid formed with poly(dA) was increased by 43-44 degrees C. Free CDPI3 stabilized the (dTp)8-poly(dA) hybrid by only 2 degrees C, thus demonstrating the importance of conjugation. (dTp)8-CDPI1-3 conjugates also formed stabilized duplexes with poly(rA). The extent of stabilization was half that observed with poly(dA).

Structure of three-way DNA junctions. 2. Effects of extra bases and mismatches.

The structure of three-way DNA junctions, containing two linear double helices (arms) and a hairpin as a third arm, was studied by means of a cyclization technique. In addition to branched molecules containing perfect base-pairing in helical parts, three-way junctions with mismatches and extra non-complementary nucleotides (bulges) at junction points were studied. Molecules thus designed were ligated at identical conditions and their geometry was compared through the analysis of the efficiency of circle formation. The analysis showed that irregularities in base pairing listed above dramatically change the static and dynamic structural characteristics of the three-way junctions. All mismatches facilitate the kink between linear arms, but quantitatively, the effect depends on the position of the mismatch. The effect is maximal for GG-mismatch placed at the hairpin junction point. The results for bulges are of different kind, and they lead us to conclude that the three-way DNA junction with unpaired nucleotides adopts a T-like geometry with an angle around 90 degrees between arms containing the bulge and two other arms coaxially stacked. Broad distribution of circles indicates that this T-form geometry of bulge-containing junction is more flexible than initial pyramidal structure predominantly due to high mobility of the third arm.

Structure of three-way DNA junctions. 1. Non-planar DNA geometry.

Three-way junctions were obtained by annealing two synthetic DNA-oligomers. One of the strands contains a short palindrome sequence, leading to the formation of a hairpin with four base pairs in the stem and four bases in the loop. Another strand is complementary to the linear arms of the first hairpin-containing strand. Both strands were annealed to form a three-way branched structure with sticky ends on the linear arms. The branched molecules were ligated, and the ligation mixture was analysed on a two-dimensional gel in conditions which separated linear and circular molecules. Analysis of 2D-electrophoresis data shows that circular molecules with high mobility are formed. Formation of circular molecules is indicative of bends between linear arms. We estimate the magnitude of the angle between linear arms from the predominant size of the circular molecules formed. When the junction-to-junction distance is 20-21 bp, trimers and tetramers are formed predominately, giving an angle between linear arms as small as 60-90 degrees. Rotation of the hairpin position in the three-way junction allowed us to measure angles between other arms, yielding similar values. These results led us to conclude that the three-way DNA junction possesses a non-planar pyramidal geometry with 60-90 degrees between the arms. Computer modeling of the three-way junction with 60 degrees pyramidal geometry showed a predominantly B-form structure with local distortions at the junction points that diminish towards the ends of the helices. The size distributions of circular molecules are rather broad indicating a dynamic flexibility of three-way DNA junctions.

Synthesis and high stability of complementary complexes of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenazinium derivatives of oligonucleotides.

Two simple methods for the synthesis of oligonucleotides bearing a N-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenazinium (Phn) residue at the 5'- and/or 3'-terminal phosphate groups are proposed. By forming complexes between a dodecanucleotide d(pApApCpCpTpGpTpTpTpGpGpC), a heptanucleotide d(pCpCpApApApCpA), and Phn derivatives of the latter, it is shown that the introduction of a dye at the end of an oligonucleotide chain strongly stabilizes its complementary complexes. The Tmax and the thermodynamic parameters (delta H, delta S, delta G) of complex formation were determined. According to these data, coupling of a dye with the 5'-terminal phosphate group is the most advantageous: delta G(37 degrees C) is increased by 3.59 +/- 0.04 kcal/mol compared to 2.06 +/- 0.04 kcal/mol for 3'-Phn derivatives. The elongation of the linker, which connects the dye to the oligonucleotide, from a dimethylene up to a heptamethylene usually leads to destabilization of the oligonucleotide complex. The complementary complex formed by the 3',5'-di-Phn derivative of the heptanucleotide was found to be the most stable among all duplexes investigated. Relative to the unmodified complex the increase in free energy was 4.96 +/- 0.04 kcal/mol. The association constant of this modified complex at 37 degrees C is 9.5 x 10(6) M-1, whereas the analogous value for the unmodified complex is only 3 x 10(3) M-1.

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenazinium derivatives of oligonucleotides as effectors of the sequence-specific modification of nucleic acids with reactive oligonucleotide derivatives.

It has been found that mono- and especially diphenazinium derivatives of oligonucleotides complementary to the DNA sequence adjacent to the target sequence of the addressed alkylation of DNA, significantly enhance the extent and specificity of alkylation with p-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)benzylamide derivatives of the addressing oligonucleotides, thus playing the role of effector of the sequence-specific (complementary addressed) modification.