Quantitative DNA interstrand cross-link formation by coumarin and thymine: structure determination, sequence effect, and fluorescence detection.

Abstract

The coumarin analogues have been widely utilized in medicine, biology, biochemistry, and material sciences. Here, we report a detailed study on the reactivity of coumarins toward DNA. A series of coumarin analogues were synthesized and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides. A photoinduced [2 + 2] cycloaddition occurs between the coumarin moiety and the thymidine upon 350 nm irradiation forming both syn- and anti-cyclobutane adducts (17 and 18), which are photoreversible by 254/350 nm irradiation in DNA. Quantitative DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) formation was observed with the coumarin moieties containing a flexible two-carbon or longer chain. DNA cross-linking by coumarins shows a kinetic preference when flanked by an A:T base pair as opposed to a G:C pair. An efficient photoinduced electron transfer between coumarin and dG slows down ICL formation. ICL formation quenches the fluorescence of coumarin, which, for the first time, enables fast, easy, and real-time monitoring of DNA cross-linking and photoreversibility via fluorescence spectroscopy. It can be used to detect the transversion mutation between pyrimidines and purines. Overall, this work provides new insights into the biochemical properties and possible toxicity of coumarins. A quantitative, fluorescence-detectable, and photoswitchable DNA cross-linking reaction of the coumarin moieties can potentially serve as mechanistic probes and tools for bioresearch without disrupting native biological environment.