[Stimulation of DNA molecules association with amphiphilic derivatives of 1,3-diazaadamantane containing hydrophobic side chanins].

Earlier, a new class of compounds--amphiphilic derivatives of 1,3-diazaadamantanes, capable of facilitating the strand exchange in the system of short oligonucleotides was revealed. Longer hydrophobic side chains of 1,3-diazaadamantanes promoted stronger acceleration of the reaction. In this study, interaction with DNA of two 1,3-diazaadamantane derivatives containing different side chains was investigated by use of optical methods. Concentration of the investigated 1,3-diazaadamantans micelles formation were determined by the means of monitoring fluorescence intensity enhancement of 1-anilinonaphtalene-8-sulphonate probe; as well as the ranges of concentrations where the compounds/water mixtures existed as true solutions. 1,3-diazaadamantanes affinity to DNA was determined with Fluorescent Intercalator Displacement (FID) approach. Significant increase in hydrodynamic volume of short DNA hairpins in the complexes with 1,3-diazaadamantanes was revealed by estimation of the fluorescence polarization of ethidium bromide probe bound to the hairpins. Intermolecular association of DNA hairpins upon binding with 1,3-diazaadamantans was confirmed by Förster resonance energy transfer in system of an equimolar mixture of fluorescently labeled with Cy-3 and Cy-5 hairpins. In this study, the number of positive charges at 1,3-diazaadamantane derivatives containing side chains of different lengths was demonstrated to affect their affinity to DNA, whereas longer length of the hydrophobic side chains ensured more efficient interaction between the DNA duplexes that may facilitate, in particular, DNA strand exchange.

[Complexes of antiparallel telomeric G-quadruplex d(TTAGGG)4 with carboxymethyl tetracationic porphyrins].

Porphyrins comprise a chemical class widely used in drug design. Cationic porphyrins may bind to DNA guanine quadruplexes. We report the parameters of binding of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-carboxymethyl-4-pyridinium)porphyrin (P1) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-etoxy-carbonylmethyl-4-pyridinium)porphyrin (P2) to antiparallel telomeric G-quadruplex formed by d(TTAGGG)4 sequence (TelQ). The binding constants (K(i)) and the number of binding sites (N(i)) were determined from absorption isotherms generated from absorption spectra of complexes of P1 and P2 with TelQ. Compound P1 demonstrated a high affinity to TelQ (K1 = (40 +/- 6) x 10(6) M(-1), N1 = 1; K2 = (5.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(6) M(-1), N = 2). In contrast, the binding constants of P2-TelQ complexes (K1 = (3.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(6) M(-1), N1 = 1; K2 = (1.2 +/- 0.2) x x 10(6) M(-1), N2 = 2) were one order of magnitude smaller than the respective values for P2-TelQ complexes. Measurements of quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime of drug-TelQ complexes revealed two types of binding sites for P1 and P2 on the quadruplex oligonucleotide. The 'strong' complexes can result from interaction of the porphyrinswith TTA loops whereas the weaker complexes are formed with G-quartets. The altered TelQ conformation detected by circular dichroism spectra of P1-TelQ complexes can be explained by a disruption of a G-quartet. We conclude that peripheral carboxy groups contribute tothe high affinity of P1 for the antiparallel telomeric G-quadruplex.

Glutamate decarboxylase: computer studies of enzyme evolution.

The homology of subunit primary sequence of 40 glutamate decarboxylases (GAD) of different origin was analyzed by multiple alignment. A phylogenetic tree was designed on the basis of the resulting data. The following groups are distinguished in the consensus tree: archeans, bacteria, plant eukaryotes, and animal eukaryotes. The latter are clearly divided into two branches according to two enzyme isoforms. Borders of PLP domains in each enzyme were detected. The consensus phylogenetic tree for PLP domains is structurally rather similar to that obtained for subunits. Twenty homologous motifs of from 15 to 87 amino acid residues were revealed in all GAD studied. The results revealed the division of all of the enzymes into groups with characteristic sets of motifs in each and a fixed order of their arrangement along the sequence. Thus, we can show the divergent evolution of the enzyme. The results of multiple alignments during structural analysis of the 40 GAD confirmed and extended our previous data on conserved residues that arrange the position of the coenzyme (PLP) in the enzyme active center. The following residues should be noted: lysine forming a Schiff base with the PLP aldehyde group, an adjacent histidine, and aspartic acid that establishes a link with nitrogen of the PLP pyridine ring. The homology of the primary sequence fragments was also found in the residues in contact with the PLP phosphate group. Comparison of the GAD amino acid sequence with that of another PLP enzyme, aspartate aminotransferase, revealed a binding site for carboxylic group of the substrate--glutamic acid. The structures carrying out a particular catalytic function of all GAD studied were detected, i.e., convergent evolution of the enzyme was revealed.

Structure of glutamate decarboxylase and related PLP-enzymes: computer-graphical studies.

Amino acid sequences of E. coli glutamate decarboxylase (GADa) and those of 36 GAD of different origin were compared by pairwise alignment using computer program CLUSTAL. GADalpha and plant enzymes showed 59.8-67.8% subunit homology, GADalpha and other bacterial GAD--49.8-77.6%, whereas GADalpha and animal enzymes--13.9-58.8%. Two PLP domains exhibited higher homology comparing to that of the whole subunit in the case of GAD67, plant (68.4-73.9%), and bacterial (46.7-83.2%) enzymes. The alignment of PLP-domains of 37 GAD, three group II decarboxylases, and two pyridoxal enzymes with known 3D structures (bacterial ORD and mAAT from chicken heart) allowed us to reveal conserved residues of the active sites. Their functional role is discussed. Modelling of the PLP-binding sites in active centers for GADalpha and human brain GAD67 was done using the Swiss-PdbViewer homology modelling program. Although the homology between GADalpha and GAD67 is rather low, structural similarity of their active sites allows us to consider here a functional convergence. Thus, glutamate decarboxylation by GADalpha may be helpful for understanding general mechanism of this reaction.

[Determination and analysis of the primary structure of a genomic sequence adjacent to the 3'-end of the human tissue plasminogen activator gene]. / Opredelenie i analiz pervichnoi struktury genomnoi posledovatel'nosti, prilegaiushchei k 3'-kontsu gena tkanevogo aktivatora plazminogena cheloveka.

Primary structure was determined for the recently cloned f1/BglII-fragment [19] containing 2102 b.p. of the human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) gene 3' end and adjacent DNA region. Computer analysis has revealed an Alu-repeat 820 b.p. downstream the tPA gene; the sequence proved to have a considerable homology (86-88%) with the Alus from the 3'-untranslated regions (3'UTRs) of cytochrome P-450, lysozyme and p53 protein human mRNAs. The same homology was estimated for this Alu in reversed orientation and Alus from the 3'UTRs of some other human mRNAs. In contrast, the homology between this 3' end tPA gene flanking Alu-repeat and other Alus dispersed throughout the gene introns either direct or reversed, was less than 70%. The polyadenylation signal AATAAA downstream the Alu and two nearby signals CACAG and GTGTT resembling consensus sequences CACAG and YGTGTTYY, respectively, were also detected. The two latter motifs located close to the 3' ends in most mammalian genes are likely to regulate mature mRNA formation. The comparison of the sequenced spaser flank adjacent to the tPA gene with short homologous sequence from the same genomic region primary structure reported previously has revealed discrepancies (substitutions, deletions or insertions) in 21 nucleotide positions. The nucleotide sequence of E. coli uvrB gene fragment (980 b.p.) is also reported. This E. coli gene fragment was cloned accidentally within the f1/BglII-fragment being an artifact of the host-vector system used.

[A triple-stranded "clip" from the oligonucleotide 3'-(dA)10-pO(Ch2Ch2O)3p-(dT)10-pO(CH2CH2O)3-p-(dT)10(-5)]. / Trekhtsepochechnaia "skrepka" iz oligonukleotida 3'-(dA)10-pO(CH2CH2O)3p-(dT)10-pO(CH2CH2O)3p-(dT)10(-5).

The temperature dependence of the UV- and CD-spectra of the oligonucleotides 3'-d(A)10-L-(T)10-5' [anti(AT)], 3'-d(A)10-L-d(T)10-3' [par(AT)] and 3'-d(A)10-L-(dT)10-L-(dT)10-5' [tripl(ATT)] (L = -PO(CH2CH2O) 3p-) in the phosphate buffer at pH 7 under different concentrations of NaCL and in the presence or absence of 0.01 M MgCl2 was studied. All registered structural changes are the result of intramolecular processes if the concentrations of the oligonucleotides is low (about 2.2.10(-5) M). Par(AT) and anti(AT) exist in the only two forms, transforming into each other: under low temperatures they exist as hairpins with the parallel or antiparallel orientation of chains accordingly which transform into unfolded chains when the temperature increased. In contrast trip(ATT) exists in the three different forms depending on the temperature and ion conditions. They are: the three- stranded clip, the two-stranded hairpin with a single stranded "tail" and completely unfolded chain. For the first time this work presents thermodynamic parameters of the triplex formation from deoxyoligonucleotides depending on NaCl concentration. We have registered the CD spectra to one-, two-, and three-stranded forms. Ethidium bromide binding to three-stranded "clip" was investigated, and it was established that molecules of the dye may intercalate into the "clip" with formation of stable complexes (the constant of association 10(6) M-1). It is maximum three molecules of ethidium bromid which may bound to one molecule of the three-stranded clip. It has been shown that the suggested synthetic model (three oligonucleotide blocks combined by hydroxyalkyl chains) is the most convenient for physico-chemical investigations of triplexes today.

[Parallel DNA helices. Conformational analysis of regular poly(dG).poly(dC) helices with different variants of base binding]. / Parallel'nye spirali DNK. Konformatsionnyi analiz reguliarnykh spiralei poli(dG).poli(dC) s razlichnymi variantami sviazyvaniia osnovanii.

We have performed a conformational analysis of DNA double helices with parallel directed backbone strands. The calculations were made for homopolymers poly(dG).poly(dC). All possible models of base binding were checked. By the potential energy optimization the dihedral angles and helices parameters of stable conformations of parallel double polynucleotides were calculated. The dependences of conformational energy on the base pair structure were studied. Possible structure of parallel helices with various nucleotide composition are discussed.

[Structure of d(GT)n repeating sequences with parallel and antiparallel chains]. / Struktura povtoriaiushchikhsia posledovatel'nostei d(GT)n s parallel'nymi i antiparallel'nymi tsepiami.

The ability of oligonucleotides 3'-d(GT)5pO(CH2)5Opd(GT)5-5' (anti[d(GT)]) and 3'-d(GT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(GT)5-3' (par[d(GT)]) to form hairpins and higher associates is studied. Optical methods of thermal denaturation and circular dichroism as well as the fluorescence of ethidium bromide and acridine orange bound to oligonucleotides were used. At room temperatures the formation of hairpin structure with parallel and antiparallel strands is possible. Thermodynamic parameters of par[d(GT)] and anti[d(GT)] are similar and equal to delta H = -15 kcal/mol, delta S = -50 cal/mol. deg. In the temperature range 3-10 degrees C par[d(GT)] and anti[d(GT)] form four-stranded structures with parallel chains, in which layers of four G-residues alternate with unpaired T-residues being bulged out easily. On comparison of occurrence of alternating (GT)n, (GC)n and (G)n sequences in genome it can be stated that (GT)n biological functions could be connected with conformational possibilities of the four-stranded parallel structures with unpaired T-residues.

Four-stranded DNA helices: conformational analysis of regular poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dA).poly(dT) helices with various types of base binding.

The paper presents results obtained in conformational analysis of homopolymeric four-stranded poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dA).poly(dT) DNA helices in which the pairs of strands with identical bases are parallel and have a two-fold symmetry axis. All possible models of base binding to yield a symmetric complex have been considered. The dihedral angles of sugar-phosphate backbones and helix parameters, which are consistent with the minima of conformational energy for four-stranded DNAs, have been determined using the results of optimization of conformational energy calculated at atom-atom approximation. Potential energy is shown to depend on the structure of base complexes and on the mutual orientation of unlike strands. Possible biological functions of four-stranded helices are discussed.

[Four-stranded DNA. Conformational analysis of regular spirals of poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dA).poly(dT) with different base binding variations]. / Chetyrekhtsepochechnye spirali DNK. Konformatsionnyi analiz reguliarnykh spiralei poli(dT).poli(dA).poli(dA).poli(dT) s razlichnymi variantami sviazyvaniia osnovanii.

Conformational analysis of four stranded DNA helices poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dA).poly(dT) with parallel arrangement of the identical sugar-phosphate chains connected by twofold symmetry has been performed. All possible models of symmetrical base binding were checked. By the potential energy optimization the dihedral angles and helices parameters of stable conformations of four stranded polynucleotides were calculated. The dependences of conformational energy on the base complex structure and mutual orientation of the poly(dA).and poly(dT) chains were studied. Possible biological functions of four stranded helices are discussed.

[Parallel double helix and tertiary structure of nucleic acids]. / Parallel'nye dvoinye spirali i tretichnaia struktura nukleinovykh kislot.

The thermal denaturation of four oligonucleotides, viz. 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(AT)5-3' (parAT), 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)5Opd(AT)5-5' (antiAT), 3'-d(A)10pO(CH2)6Op(T)10-3' (parA-T) and 3'd(A)10pOX X (CH2)6Opd(T)10-5' (antiA-T) in 0.01 M phosphate buffer at pH 7 in presence 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 M NaCl have been studied. It was shown that at lower temperature (0-20 degrees C) all oligomeres exist as complexes of two (canonic duplex) or four (eight) molecules of oligonucleotides, but at higher temperature (30-70 degrees C)- as hairpins with parallel (parAT and parA-T) of antiparallel (antiAT and antiA-T) orientation of chains. Thermodinamic parameters of separated strands-hairpins and hairpins--"low temperature complexes" transition were computated from the melting curves [A260 (T)] by nonlinear regression. AntiA-T was shown by ethidium bromide binding to exist at low strength (0.01 M phosphate buffer without NaCl) as four-stranded complex from two antiparallel double stranded helices parallely oriented and bonded by satisfy hydrogen-bond of groups not involved in WC-pairing. At higher ionic strength the two of such tetramers was conjugated by hydrophobic interaction into octamers. We speculate that four-stranded complexes serves to bring together, and zipper up two antiparallel double stranded helices at replication of DNA, cross-over of gomologues chromosomes and other biochemically important processes.

[Interaction of oligophosphates of pyridoxal with certain enzymes of polynucleotide synthesis]. / Vzaimodeistvie oligofosfatov piridoksalia s polinukleotidsinteziruiushchimi fermentami.

The interaction of pyridoxal, pyridoxal-5'-mono-, di- and triphosphate with certain enzymes of polynucleotide synthesis (DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, DNA-dependent DNA polymerase I and polynucleotide phosphorylase from Escherichia coli and terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase from calf thymus) was studied. All compounds tested was found to be reversible and competitive inhibitors of these enzymes. The reduction of the enzyme-inhibitor complex with NaBH4 gives rise to the complete irreversible inhibition of the enzymes under study. The comparison of the inhibition constants for pyridoxal and its phosphorylated derivatives with those for mono-, di- and triphosphates of nucleosides was carried out for the enzymes. The results obtained suggest that the modified epsilon-amino-group of lysine residue should be localized at the catalytic site in the vicinity of the pyrophosphate binding area of an enzyme.