Base sequence effects on interactions of aromatic mutagens with DNA

Abstract

Within this period, we have completed our investigations on the thermodynamic characteristics and base sequence dependence of duplex formation of benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE) DNA adducts. Different 11-mer oligonucleotides containing covalently bound BPDE moieties at the exocyclic amino group of a single guanine base were utilized in these studies. Last year, in the three-year progress report, some preliminary data were discussed. A final account is provided here. New techniques were developed for assessing the preferred orientations of the enantiomers of (+)-BPDE and ({minus})-BPDE relative to the 5in {r arrow} 3in polarity of DNA strands; these investigations were prompted by predictions derived from our computer modeling studies. Significant progress was made towards synthesizing BPDE-adenine adducts in base sequence-specific oligonucleotides. We failed, on the other hand, to synthesize nitrosopyrene-oligonucleotide adducts because of intrinsic low reactivities of the nitrenium derivative ions with oligonucleotides. Nature was against us in this effort. Therefore, this particular goal to be abandoned. 14 refs., 8 figs., 4 tabs.