Specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced against phosphorothioate and ribo modified DNAs.

A large number of phosphorothioate DNAs and mixed ribo/deoxyribo duplexes were prepared and their immunogenicity was studied in mice. Only those polymers which were nuclease-resistant were immunogenic and in these cases monoclonal antibodies were prepared. The specificity of the antibodies was measured by direct and competitive Solid Phase Radioimmune Assay (SPRIA) and on this basis four types of antibody could be identified. Type I antibodies are specific for the immunizing polymer and show very limited crossreactivity. For example, Jel 384 binds only to poly(dsA).poly(dT); Jel 453 and 462 bind only to poly(dsG).poly(dC) and poly(dsG).poly(dm5C). Type II antibodies bind to most polymers containing the appropriate modification but will not bind to unmodified DNAs. For example, Jel 343 binds to most thio DNAs regardless of sequence; Jel 346 binds well to most ribose-containing polymers and may be a useful reagent for the detection of the 'A' family of conformations. Type III antibodies bind to most nucleic acids whether modified or not. Their specificities are similar to autoimmune antibodies. Type IV antibodies are single strand-specific such as Jel 383 which binds to poly(dT). There were no examples of antibodies which bound specifically to the immunizing DNA and the unmodified polymer. Thus, modified DNAs cannot be used to prepare sequence-specific reagents. Also, the immunogenicity of modified nucleic acids may limit their usefulness in antisense technologies.

The binding of analogues of coralyne and related heterocyclics to DNA triplexes.

Coralyne has been shown previously to bind well to both T.A.T- and C.G.C(+)-containing triplexes. Derivatives of coralyne were prepared and their binding to poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)].poly[d(C+T)] was assessed from thermal denaturation profiles. A tetraethoxy derivative showed only weak binding to both types of triplex. Analogues with extended 8-alkyl chains showed good binding to poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT), but the preference for triplex poly[d(TC)].poly[(GA)].poly[d(C+T)] was decreased compared with the duplex. Sanguinarine, a related alkaloid, bound well to poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) but only weakly to the protonated triplex. It is hypothesized that the position of the protonated nitrogen ring is important for binding to poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)].poly[d(C+T)]. A series of other chromophores was studied and only those with a positive charge bound to triplexes. All of these bound well to poly(dT),poly(dA).poly(dT) but only weakly if at all to the duplex poly(dA).poly(dT). In contrast, most of them did not bind well to the triplex poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)].poly[d(C+T)] and those that did still showed a preference for duplex poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)]. In general, preference for triplex poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) compared with the duplex is a common feature of intercalating drugs. On the other hand, specificity for protonated triplexes may be very difficult to achieve.

Coralyne binds tightly to both T.A.T- and C.G.C(+)-containing DNA triplexes.

Coralyne is a DNA-binding antitumor antibiotic whose structure contains four fused aromatic rings. The interaction of coralyne with the DNA triplexes poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)].poly[d(C+T)] was investigated by using three techniques. First, Tm values were measured by thermal denaturation analysis. Upon binding coralyne, both triplexes showed Tm values that were increased more than those of the corresponding duplexes. A related drug, berberinium, in which one of the aromatic rings is partially saturated, gave much smaller changes in Tm. Second, the fluorescence of coralyne is quenched in the presence of DNA, allowing the measurement of binding parameters by Scatchard analysis. The binding isotherms were biphasic, which was interpreted in terms of strong intercalative binding and much weaker stacking interactions. In the presence of 2 mM Mg2+, the binding constants to poly(dT).poly-(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)].poly[(C+T)] were 3.5 x 10(6) M-1 and 1.5 x 10(6) M-1, respectively, while the affinity to the parent duplexes was at least 2 orders of magnitude lower. In the absence of 2 mM Mg2+, the binding constants to poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)].poly[d(C+T)] and poly-[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)] were 40 x 10(6) M-1 and 15 x 10(6) M-1, respectively. Thus coralyne shows considerable preference for the triplex structure but little sequence specificity, unlike ethidium, which will only bind to poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT). Further evidence for intercalation of coralyne was provided by an increase in the relative fluorescence quantum yield at 260 nm upon binding of coralyne to triplexes as well as an absence of quenching of fluorescence in the presence of Fe[(CN)6]4-.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A cooperative conformational change in duplex DNA induced by Zn2+ and other divalent metal ions.

Zn2+ and some other divalent metal ions bind to duplex DNA at pHs above 8 and cause a conformational change. This new structure does not bind ethidium, allowing the development of a rapid fluorescence assay. All duplex DNAs, regardless of sequence or G.C content, can form this structure. The rate of formation shows a strong dependence on temperature, pH, and Zn2+ concentration; at 20 degrees C, 1 mM Zn2+, and pH 8.6 the dismutation is half complete in 30 min. Addition of EDTA causes rapid reversion to 'B' DNA, showing that the new conformation retains two strands that are antiparallel. Unlike the ultraviolet or circular dichroism spectra, the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum was informative since the imino protons of both A.T and G.C base pairs are lost upon addition of a stoichiometric amount of Zn2+. The pitch of the helix was estimated from gel electrophoresis of circular DNAs in the presence of Zn2+ and it contains at least 5% fewer base pairs per turn than 'B' DNA. The transformation is cooperative and shows hysteresis, suggesting that this is a distinct structure and not simply a minor variant of 'B' DNA. It is proposed to call this new structure 'M' DNA because of the intimate involvement of metal ions.

Immunofluorescent localization of triplex DNA in polytene chromosomes of Chironomus and Drosophila.

Purine.pyrimidine (pur.pyr) DNA tracts are prevalent in eukaryotic genomes. They can adopt a triplex conformation in vitro under conditions that may exist in vivo, suggesting that triplex (H-) DNA may exist naturally in chromosomes. To explore this possibility and gain insight concerning potential functions, the distribution of triplex DNA was studied in fixed polytene chromosomes of Chironomus tentans and Drosophila melanogaster by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using an anti-triplex DNA monoclonal antibody (Jel 318). Chromosomes stained with this antibody exhibited immunopositive regions corresponding to condensed chromatin bands; interbands were less immunofluorescent. These results imply that there is more triplex DNA in bands than in interbands. In Chironomus, nucleolar organizer regions and Balbiani rings were immunonegative, indicating that triplex DNA is not present in decondensed, transcriptionally active chromatin. A few specific bands in both Chironomus and Drosophila were intensely immunofluorescent. In Drosophila, one such region was 81F on chromosome 3R. Competition during staining with exogenously added sequences corresponding to a constituent 1.672 g/cm3 satellite DNA in region 81F failed to abolish the immunofluorescence, suggesting that the satellite DNA does not fortuitously react with Jel 318 and implying that unidentified pur.pyr sequences forming triplex DNA are also present at this location. Region 81F exhibits ectopic pairing with nonrelated chromosome regions that have also proven to be intensely immunopositive; this suggests that the formation of triplex DNA between common, shared pur.pyr sequences in these otherwise nonhomologous bands might account for the ectopic pairing phenomenon. Together with our previous results, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that triplex DNA may play a role in chromosome organization by participating in regional chromatin condensation.

Ethidium bromide does not fluoresce when intercalated adjacent to 7-deazaguanine in duplex DNA.

Several synthetic DNAs were prepared containing the unusual bases 7-deazaadenine (c7A) and 7-deazaguanine (c7G). As judged from changes in melting temperatures these modified DNAs bound ethidium to a similar extent as the parent polymers. However, duplexes such as poly [d(Tc7G)].poly[d(CA)] and poly[d-(TC)].poly[d(c7GA]) gave no enhancement of ethidium fluorescence in a standard ethidium fluorescence assay. Fluorescence spectra in the range 400-650 nm showed that ethidium bound to poly[d(TC)].poly[d(Gc7A)] gave 70% of the fluorescence of the parent polymer poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)], whereas the fluorescence of poly[d(TC)].poly[d(c7GA)] was essentially 0%. Even the intrinsic fluorescence of ethidium in solution was quenched in the presence of poly[d(TC)].poly[d(c7GA)]. Binding constants were estimated from Scatchard analysis and were 4.8, 3.4, and 2.0 x 10(6) M-1 for poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)], poly[d(TC)].poly[d(Gc7A)], and poly[d(TC)].poly[d(c7GA)], respectively. This reduction in binding constant cannot account for the loss of fluorescence. The UV spectrum of ethidium was measured in the presence of these DNAs, and some significant differences were noted. Presumably the presence of 7-deazaguanine alters the electronic structure of bound ethidium so that it can no longer fluoresce.

Triplex DNA in plasmids and chromosomes.

Circular plasmids containing pyrimidine purine tracts can form both inter-and intramolecular triplexes. Addition of poly(dTC) to plasmid pTC45, which contains a (TC)45.(GA)45 insert, results in intermolecular triplex formation. Agarose-gel electrophoresis gives rise to many well-resolved bands, which correspond to 1, 2, 3, 4... plasmid molecules attached to the added pyrimidine strand. In the electron microscope these complexes appear as a rosette of petals. The mobility of these triplex-containing complexes can be retarded by the addition of a triplex-specific monoclonal antibody, Jel318. Intramolecular triplex formation can be demonstrated at pH 5 in pTC45 and also in pT463-I, a plasmid containing a segment of a crab satellite DNA with both (G)n.(C)n and (TCC)n.(GGA)n inserts. However, although the intermolecular triplex remains stable for some time at pH 8, intramolecular triplex formation only occurs at low pH. Triplexes can also be detected by an immunoblotting procedure with Jel318. This unfamiliar structure is readily demonstrated in eukaryotic extracts, but not in cell extracts from Escherichia coli. Triplexes may thus be an inherent feature of eukaryotic chromosome structure.

Detection of unusual nucleic acids with monoclonal antibodies specific for triplexes, poly(ADP-ribose), DNA-RNA hybrids, and Z-DNA.

Monoclonal antibodies which are specific for several unusual nucleic acids are now available. These include Jel 318 which is specific for triplexes, ADP-1 specific for poly(ADP-ribose), Jel 99 specific for RNA-DNA duplexes, and Jel 150 specific for Z-DNA. With the aid of these antibodies and an immunoblotting procedure, unusual nucleic acids can be detected and the amount estimated from a variety of sources. The method involves binding the nucleic acid to either nitrocellulose or Zeta Probe (a cationic nylon membrane), probing with the appropriate monoclonal antibody, followed by addition of an 125I-labeled anti-mouse second antibody. The blot is then developed by autoradiography. The technique is extremely sensitive and can be used to estimate unusual nucleic acids from crude cell extracts.

Synthetic repeating sequence DNAs containing phosphorothioates: nuclease sensitivity and triplex formation.

More than twenty repeating sequence DNAs containing phosphorothioates were prepared from the appropriate dXTPs with DNA polymerase I. The Tms of the modified DNAs were all lower than the parent polymers. A phosphorothioate group 5' to a pyrimidine gave rise to a large decrease than 5' to a purine, e.g., poly(dA).poly(dT) = 50 degrees; poly(dsA).poly(dT) = 44 degrees; poly(dA).poly(dsT) = 33 degrees; and poly(dsA).poly(dsT) = 26 degrees. The presence of phosphorothioate groups had a dramatic effect on triplex formation; poly[d(TC)].poly[d(sGsA)] spontaneously dismutases to a triplex at pH 8 whereas triplex formation in poly[d(sTsC)].poly[d(GA)] was inhibited. Surprisingly poly(dsG).poly(dC) had a Tm which initially decreased with increasing ionic strength. Resistance to digestion with pancreatic DNAse I did not correlate with phosphorothioate content. Poly[d(AsT)], poly[d(TsC)].poly[d(sGA)] and poly[d(sTG)].poly[d(sCA)] were resistant whereas poly[d(sAT)] and poly[d(sTsTG)].poly[d(CsAsA)] were rapidly degraded. Thus phosphorothioate groups cause small conformational changes and may reveal new families of conformational polymorphisms.

Immunofluorescent staining of mammalian nuclei and chromosomes with a monoclonal antibody to triplex DNA.

Triplex DNA is an unusual conformation of DNA formed when two pyrimidine nucleotide strands share a common purine strand. A monoclonal antibody, demonstrated by numerous criteria to be specific for triplex DNA, was used to investigate the presence and distribution of this unique DNA configuration in nuclei and chromosomes of mouse LM cells and human lymphocytes. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that constitutive heterochromatin in acetic-methanol fixed mouse nuclei was usually, but not always immunofluorescent, suggesting possible cell cycle related variations in the amount of triplex DNA or its accessibility in this condensed chromatin. In fixed mouse and human chromosomes, there was a positive correlation between immunofluorescent staining patterns, Hoechst 33258 banding, and G- and/or C-banding patterns. Unfixed, isolated mouse chromosomes also reacted positively with the antibody, particularly when they were gently decondensed by exposure to low ionic conditions at neutral pH. This result indicates that fixation is not mandatory for antibody staining, suggesting that some mammalian chromosomal DNA may be naturally organized in a triplex configuration. However, there is a possibility that fixation may facilitate the formation of additional triplex DNA complexes in potential sequences or expose previously inaccessible triplex DNA. The precise correspondence between the immunofluorescent patterns produced by anti-triplex DNA antibodies and G- and C-bands known to represent regions of chromatin condensation, suggests a potential role of triplex DNA in chromosome structure and regional chromatin condensation.

Shared idiotypes on anti-DNA and anti-poly (ADP-ribose) antibodies.

Hed 10 is a ssDNA-specific mAb derived from an NZB/W autoimmune mouse. ADP 1 is a poly(ADP-ribose)-specific mAb derived from a C57BL/6 mouse. Rabbit anti-idiotypic sera were raised against Hed 10 and ADP 1. By affinity chromatography it was shown that at least 20 to 30% of DNA-binding antibodies contained these idiotypes. The sera were also used to evaluate idiotypic cross-reactivity among 26 diverse, predominantly anti-nucleic acid, murine mAb. Each serum bound directly to several mAb and in addition inhibited the binding of several antibodies to their appropriate Ag. The anti-Hed 10 serum detected an idiotype which was restricted to antibodies that bound to poly(dT) and/or poly(ADP-ribose). The anti-ADP 1 serum detected a more widely distributed idiotype contained in antibodies which bound to a variety of nucleic acids. Although both sera bound directly to Hed 10, only the anti-Hed 10 serum could compete for the binding of Hed 10 to poly(dT). On the other hand, both sera could compete for the binding of ADP 1 to poly(ADP-ribose) as well as bind directly to ADP 1. In addition anti-ADP 1 serum appeared to enhance, rather than inhibit, the binding of one mAb to native calf thymus DNA and poly[d(AT)] but had no effect on the binding to several ssDNA. These results demonstrate that many antibodies which recognize DNA and poly(ADP-ribose) have shared idiotypes. This may be of relevance to the development of autoimmunity because poly(ADP-ribose) is ubiquitous and immunogenic.

The alternating conformation of analogues of poly[d(AT)].

Synthetic DNAs were prepared containing 6-methyl adenine (m6A) in place of adenine and 5-ethyl uracil (Et5U) or 5-methoxymethyl uracil (Mm5U) in place of thymine. All three modifications destabilized duplex DNAs to varying degrees. The binding of ethidium was studied to analogues of poly[d(AT)]. There was no evidence of cooperative binding and the "neighbour exclusion rule" was obeyed in all cases although the binding constant to poly[d(m6AT)] was approximately 6 fold higher than to poly[d(AT)]. 31P NMR spectra were recorded in increasing concentrations of CsF. Poly[d(AEt5U)] showed two well-resolved signals separated by 0.55 ppm in 1 M CsF compared to 0.32 ppm for poly[d(AT)] under identical conditions. In contrast, poly[d(AMm5U)] and poly[d(m6AT)] showed two signals separated by 0.28 ppm and 0.15 ppm respectively, only when the concentration of CsF was raised to 2 M. The signals for poly[d(AT)] in 2 M CsF were better resolved and were separated by 0.41 ppm. These results suggest that minor modifications to the bases may have conformational effects which could be recognized by DNA-binding proteins.

A monoclonal antibody to triplex DNA binds to eucaryotic chromosomes.

A monoclonal antibody (Jel 318) was produced by immunizing mice with poly[d(TmC)].poly[d(GA)].poly[d(mCT) which forms a stable triplex at neutral pH. Jel 318 did not bind to calf thymus DNA or other non pyrimidine.purine DNAs such as poly[d(TG)].poly[d(CA)]. In addition the antibody did not recognize pyrimidine.purine DNAs containing mA (e.g. poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GmA)]) which cannot form a triplex since the methyl group blocks Hoogsteen base-pairing. The binding of Jel 318 to chromosomes was assessed by immunofluorescent microscopy of mouse myeloma cells which had been fixed in methanol/acetic acid. An antibody specific for duplex DNA (Jel 239) served as a control. The fluorescence due to Jel 318 was much weaker than that of Jel 239 but binding to metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei was observed. The staining by Jel 318 was unaffected by addition of E. coli DNA but it was obliterated in the presence of triplex. Since an acid pH favours triplex formation, nuclei were also prepared from mouse melanoma cells by fixation in cold acetone. Again Jel 318 showed weak but consistent staining of the nuclei. Therefore it seems likely that triplexes are an inherent feature of the structure of eucaryotic DNA.

A monoclonal antibody specific for the duplex DNA poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)].

Although most duplex DNAs are not immunogenic some synthetic DNAs such as poly[d(Tm5C)].poly[d(GA)] are weakly immunogenic allowing the production of monoclonal antibodies. The specificity of one of these antibodies, Jel 172, was investigated in detail by a competitive solid-phase radioimmune assay. Jel 172 bound well to poly[d(TC)].poly[d(GA)] but not to other duplex DNAs such as poly[d(TTC)].poly[d(GAA)] and poly[d(TCC)].poly[d(GGA)]. The binding to poly[d(Br5UC)].poly[d(GA)] was enhanced while that to poly[d(TC)].poly[d(IA)] was decreased compared to poly[d(TC)].poly[D(GA)]. Thus, not only is the antibody very specific for a sequence of duplex DNA but it also appears to recognize functional groups in both grooves of the helix.

Poly(pyrimidine) . poly(purine) synthetic DNAs containing 5-methylcytosine form stable triplexes at neutral pH.

Poly(pyrimidine) . poly(purine) tracts have been discovered in the 5'-flanking regions of many eucaryotic genes. They may be involved in the regulation of expression since they can be mapped to the nuclease-sensitive sites of active chromatin. We have found that poly(pyrimidine) . poly(purine) DNAs which contain 5-methylcytosine (e.g. poly[d(Tm5C)] . poly[d(GA)]) will form a triplex at a pH below 8. In contrast, the unmethylated analogue, poly[d(TC)] . poly[d(GA)] only forms a triplex at pHs below 6. Synthetic DNAs containing repeating trinucleotides and poly[d(Um5C)] . poly[d(GA)] behave in a similar manner. Thus the stability of a triplex can be controlled by methylation of cytosine. This suggests a model for the regulation of expression based upon specific triplex formation on the 5'-side of eucaryotic genes.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for poly(dG) X poly(dC) and poly(dG) X poly(dm5C).

Most duplex DNAs that are in the "B" conformation are not immunogenic. One important exception is poly(dG) X poly(dC), which produces a good immune response even though, by many criteria, it adopts a conventional right-handed helix. In order to investigate what features are being recognized, monoclonal antibodies were prepared against poly(dG) X poly(dC) and the related polymer poly(dG) X poly(dm5C). Jel 72, which is an immunoglobulin G, binds only to poly(dG) X poly(dC), while Jel 68, which is an immunoglobulin M, binds approximately 10-fold more strongly to poly(dG) X poly(dm5C) than to poly(dG) X poly(dC). For both antibodies, no significant interaction could be detected with any other synthetic DNA duplexes including poly[d(Gm5C)] X poly[d(Gm5C)] in both the "B" and "Z" forms, poly[d(Tm5Cm5C)] X poly[d(GGA)], and poly[d(TCC)] X poly[d(GGA)], poly(dI) X poly(dC), or poly(dI) X poly(dm5C). The binding to poly(dG) X poly(dC) was inhibited by ethidium and by disruption of the DNA duplex, confirming that the antibodies were not recognizing single-stranded or multistranded structures. Furthermore, Jel 68 binds significantly to phage XP-12 DNA, which contains only m5C residues and will precipitate this DNA in the absence of a second antibody. The results suggest that (dG)n X (dm5C)n sequences in natural DNA exist in recognizably distinct conformations.

Functional groups on 'Z' DNA recognized by monoclonal antibodies.

Both brominated poly[d(GC)] and poly[d( Gm5C )] form stable left-handed Z-DNA structures at physiological ionic strengths. These two antigens were used to prepare monoclonal antibodies from immunized mice. The specificity of the antibodies was studied in detail with a solid-phase radioimmune assay as well as by means of competition experiments. Both immunogens produced several relatively non-specific antibodies but two types of very specific antibody were also distinguished. The first binds poly[d( Gm5C )] but not brominated poly[d(GC)] while the other has the opposite specificity and will only bind the brominated polymer.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for isopentenyl adenosine derivatives occurring in transfer RNA.

A family of isopentenyl adenosine derivatives are naturally occurring components of transfer RNA and are involved in several different functional roles in the cell. To facilitate the study of the biochemistry of these modified nucleosides we have raised monoclonal antibodies to N6-(delta 2-isopentenyl)adenosine and N6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl)adenosine. The antibodies show considerable specificity and three characteristic types are distinguishable. The first type have the hydroxylated derivative as the preferred antigen, the second type have isopentenyl adenosine as the preferred antigen and a third type show a specificity for all isopentenyl-containing derivatives.