Configurational and Conformational Equilibria of N6-(2-Deoxy-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-2,6-diamino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-5- N-methylformamidopyrimidine (MeFapy-dG) Lesion in DNA.

The most common lesion in DNA occurring due to clinical treatment with Temozolomide or cellular exposures to other methylating agents is 7-methylguanine (N7-Me-dG). It can undergo a secondary reaction to form N6-(2-deoxy-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-2,6-diamino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-5- N-methylformamidopyrimidine (MeFapy-dG). MeFapy-dG undergoes epimerization in DNA to produce either α or ß deoxyribose anomers. Additionally, conformational rotation around the formyl bond, C5- N5 bond, and glycosidic bond may occur. To characterize and quantitate the mixture of these isomers in DNA, a 13C-MeFapy-dG lesion, in which the CH3 group of the MeFapy-dG was isotopically labeled, was incorporated into the trimer 5'-TXT-3' and the dodecamer 5'-CATXATGACGCT-3' (X = 13C-MeFapy-dG). NMR spectroscopy of both the trimer and dodecamer revealed that the MeFapy-dG lesion exists in single strand DNA as ten configurationally and conformationally discrete species, eight of which may be unequivocally assigned. In the duplex dodecamer, the MeFapy-dG lesion exists as six configurationally and conformationally discrete species. Analyses of NMR data in the single strand trimer confirm that for each deoxyribose anomer, atropisomerism occurs around the C5- N5 bond to produce R a and S a atropisomers. Each atropisomer exhibits geometrical isomerism about the formyl bond yielding E and Z conformations. 1H NMR experiments allow the relative abundances of the species to be determined. For the single strand trimer, the α and ß anomers exist in a 3:7 ratio, favoring the ß anomer. For the ß anomer, with respect to the C5- N5 bond, the R a and S a atropisomers are equally populated. However, the Z geometrical isomer of the formyl moiety is preferred. For the α anomer, the E- S a isomer is present at 12%, whereas all other isomers are present at 5-7%. DNA processing enzymes may differentially recognize different isomers of the MeFapy-dG lesion. Moreover, DNA sequence-specific differences in the populations of configurational and conformational species may modulate biological responses to the MeFapy-dG lesion.

Structural Basis for Error-Free Bypass of the 5-N-Methylformamidopyrimidine-dG Lesion by Human DNA Polymerase η and Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 Polymerase IV.

N(6)-(2-Deoxy-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-2,6-diamino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-5-N-methylformamidopyrimidine (MeFapy-dG) arises from N7-methylation of deoxyguanosine followed by imidazole ring opening. The lesion has been reported to persist in animal tissues. Previous in vitro replication bypass investigations of the MeFapy-dG adduct revealed predominant insertion of C opposite the lesion, dependent on the identity of the DNA polymerase (Pol) and the local sequence context. Here we report crystal structures of ternary Pol·DNA·dNTP complexes between MeFapy-dG-adducted DNA template:primer duplexes and the Y-family polymerases human Pol η and P2 Pol IV (Dpo4) from Sulfolobus solfataricus. The structures of the hPol η and Dpo4 complexes at the insertion and extension stages, respectively, are representative of error-free replication, with MeFapy-dG in the anti conformation and forming Watson-Crick pairs with dCTP or dC.

Synthesis of G-N2-(CH2)3-N2-G Trimethylene DNA Interstrand Cross-Links.

The synthesis of G-N(2)-(CH(2))(3)-N(2)-G trimethylene DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) in a 5'-CG-3' and 5'-GC-3' sequence from oligodeoxynucleotides containing N(2)-(3-aminopropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and 2-fluoro-O(6)-(trimethylsilylethyl)inosine is presented. Automated solid-phase DNA synthesis was used for unmodified bases and modified nucleotides were incorporated via their corresponding phosphoramidite reagent by a manual coupling protocol. The preparation of the phosphoramidite reagents for incorporation of N(2)-(3-aminopropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine is reported. The high-purity trimethylene DNA interstrand cross-link product is obtained through a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction between the N(2)-(3-aminopropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine- and 2-fluoro-O(6)-(trimethylsilylethyl)inosine-containing oligodeoxynucleotides.