DNA Binding Experiments Research Articles

Valuable Insight into the Anticancer Activity of the Platinum-Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Conjugate, cis-[Pt(NH3)2malSAHA–2H)

cis-[Pt(II)(NH3)2(malSAHA-2H)], a cisplatin adduct conjugated to a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), was previously developed as a potential anticancer agent. This Pt-HDACi conjugate was demonstrated to have comparable cytotoxicity to cisplatin against A2780 ovarian cancer cells but significantly reduced cytotoxicity against a representative normal cell line, NHDF. Thus, with a view to (i) understanding more deeply the effects that may play an important role in the biological (pharmacological) properties of this new conjugate against cancer cells and (ii) developing the next generation of Pt-HDACi conjugates, the cytotoxicity, DNA binding, cellular accumulation and HDAC inhibitory activity of cis-[Pt(II)(NH3)2(malSAHA-2H)] were investigated and are reported herein. cis-[Pt(II)(NH3)2(malSAHA-2H)] was found to have marginally lower cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines as compared to cisplatin and SAHA. cis-[Pt(II)(NH3)2(malSAHA-2H)] was also found to accumulate better in cancer cells but bind DNA less readily as compared to cisplatin. DNA binding experiments indicated that cis-[Pt(II)(NH3)2(malSAHA-2H)] bound DNA more effectively in cellulo as compared to in cell-free media. Activation of the Pt-HDACi conjugate was therefore investigated. The binding of cis-[Pt(II)(NH3)2(malSAHA-2H)] to DNA was found to be enhanced by the presence of thiol-containing molecules such as glutathione and thiourea, and activation occurred in cytosolic but not nuclear extract of human cancer cells. The activity of cis-[Pt(NH3)2(malSAHA-2H)] as a HDAC inhibitor was also examined; the conjugate exhibited no inhibition of HDAC activity in CH1 cells. In light of these results, novel Pt-HDACi conjugates are currently being developed, with particular emphasis, through subtle structural modifications, on enhancing the rate of DNA binding and enhancing HDAC inhibitory activity.

Abstract 929: Repression of CD44 is a key molecular action of a novel Gemini vitamin D BXL0124 to inhibit breast cancer cell invasion induced by HGF/Met signaling

Abstract CD44, a transmembrane glycoprotein, is highly expressed in breast tumors, and the overexpression of CD44 has been associated with poor clinical outcome. CD44 has been known to play a key role in invasive growth of cancer by interacting with extracellular matrix, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and other membrane receptors. In addition, CD44 has been shown to be required for the activation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/Met signaling pathway which is associated with invasive phenotype of human breast cancer. Our previous study demonstrated that a novel Gemini vitamin D BXL0124 repressed the expression of CD44 in MCF10DCIS.com human breast cancer cells and inhibited MCF10DCIS xenograft tumor growth in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the effect of CD44 repression by BXL0124 on HGF/Met mediated invasion in MCF10DCIS cells. The effects of HGF and BXL0124 on the invasive phenotype of MCF10DCIS cells were investigated with invasion assays. To identify key molecules in HGF-induced cancer cell invasion, invasive markers and downstream of HGF/Met signaling pathway were evaluated. The treatment of HGF increased CD44 protein expression and invasive growth of MCF10DCIS cells, which was inhibited by BXL0124 treatment. Stat3 DNA-binding and nuclear translocalization experiments demonstrated that the activation of Stat3, one of the key downstream molecules of HGF/Met signaling pathway, was also significantly decreased by BXL0124 treatment. To further study a specific role of CD44 on breast cancer cell invasion, the effects of CD44 repression were investigated by using MCF10DCIS CD44-knockdown cells in vitro and in vivo. The induction of cancer cell invasion by HGF was blocked when CD44 was knockdown in MCF10DCIS cells. In addition, invasion markers, MMP-9 and uPA, were significantly down-regulated in MCF10DCIS CD44 knockdown cells. For the in vivo study, MCF10DCIS control or CD44-knockdown cells were injected into mammary fat pads in immunodeficient mice. Five weeks later, mammary tumors were collected for evaluating the expression level of invasion markers. The xenograft tumor volume and weight with MCF10DCIS CD44-knockdown cells were significantly smaller by 41% (p<0.01) and 36% (p<0.05), respectively, than those from MCF10DCIS control tumors (n=5). The MCF10DCIS CD44-knockdown tumors also showed markedly decreased protein expression levels of pStat3 and MMP-9. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and uPA were significantly down-regulated in the MCF10DCIS CD44-knockdown tumors. The present study demonstrated the critical role of CD44 in HGF-induced breast cancer cell invasion, suggesting that the repression of CD44 might be a key molecular action of BXL0124 to inhibit breast cancer invasion. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 929. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-929

Structural studies of E73 from a hyperthermophilic archaeal virus identify the "RH3" domain, an elaborated ribbon-helix-helix motif involved in DNA recognition.

Hyperthermophilic archaeal viruses, including Sulfolobus spindle-shaped viruses (SSVs) such as SSV-1 and SSV-Ragged Hills, exhibit remarkable morphology and genetic diversity. However, they remain poorly understood, in part because their genomes exhibit limited or unrecognizable sequence similarity to genes with known function. Here we report structural and functional studies of E73, a 73-residue homodimeric protein encoded within the SSV-Ragged Hills genome. Despite lacking significant sequence similarity, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure reveals clear similarity to ribbon-helix-helix (RHH) domains present in numerous proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. In vitro double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) binding experiments confirm the ability of E73 to bind dsDNA in a nonspecific manner with micromolar affinity, and characterization of the K11E variant confirms the location of the predicted DNA binding surface. E73 is distinct, however, from known RHH domains. The RHH motif is elaborated upon by the insertion of a third helix that is tightly integrated into the structural domain, giving rise to the "RH3" fold. Within the homodimer, this helix results in the formation of a conserved, symmetric cleft distal to the DNA binding surface, where it may mediate protein-protein interactions or contribute to the high thermal stability of E73. Analysis of backbone amide dynamics by NMR provides evidence of a rigid core, fast picosecond to nanosecond time scale NH bond vector motions for residues located within the antiparallel β-sheet region of the proposed DNA-binding surface, and slower microsecond to millisecond time scale motions for residues in the α1-α2 loop. The roles of E73 and its SSV homologues in the viral life cycle are discussed.

Cellular Response to Antitumor cis-Dichlorido Platinum(II) Complexes of CDK Inhibitor Bohemine and Its Analogues

The cellular and molecular pharmacology of the new class of anticancer drugs, in which the CDK inhibitor bohemine and its analogues are coordinated to Pt(II) to form cisplatin derivatives, was investigated. The results revealed the unique anticancer profile of a cisplatin-derived platinum(II) dichlorido complex involving N(7)-coordinated bohemine (C1). Although the IC(50) values were ∼6-fold higher for C1 than for cisplatin in cisplatin-sensitive tumor cells, the tumor cells in which C1 was also active are those which acquired resistance to cisplatin. In addition, among the novel conjugates of bohemine and its analogues with cisplatin, marked selectivity of C1 for tumor cells relative to the nontumorigenic, normal cells was observed. However, coordination of bohemine to platinum in C1 considerably reduced one of the dual functionalities anticipated to be effective after C1 reaches the nucleus. Further studies performed in the cells with wt p53 status show differences between cisplatin and C1 at the level of cell cycle regulation. Impedance-based real-time monitoring of the effects of C1 and cisplatin on cell growth supported the thesis that critical differences exist in the rate and mechanisms of cell kill caused by the two agents and that C1 was a more potent inducer of apoptosis and/or necrosis than cisplatin. The results also showed that the distinct differences in cell killing observed for C1 and cisplatin might be associated with processes at the DNA level. The DNA binding experiments carried out in a cell-free medium demonstrated that modification reactions resulting in the irreversible coordination of C1 to DNA were slower than that of cisplatin. Transcription mapping experiments and determination of interstrand cross-linking efficiency of C1 suggested that several aspects of DNA binding mode of C1 and cisplatin were similar. It was concluded that C1 remains a promising prototype of compounds for the generation of novel drug candidates with cytotoxicity profiles different from those of the platinum drugs currently in use.

The GtaR protein negatively regulates transcription of the gtaRI operon and modulates gene transfer agent (RcGTA) expression in Rhodobacter capsulatus.

The gtaI gene of Rhodobacter capsulatus encodes an N-acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) synthase. Immediately 5' of the gtaI gene is ORF rcc00328 that encodes a potential acyl-HSL receptor protein. A combination of genetic and biochemical approaches showed that rcc00328 (renamed gtaR) modulates the production of a genetic exchange element called the gene transfer agent (RcGTA), and regulates the transcription of gtaI. Although gtaI mutants exhibited decreased levels of RcGTA production, mutagenesis of gtaR did not, whereas a gtaR/gtaI double mutant produced wild-type levels of RcGTA. Because mutagenesis of gtaR suppressed the effect of the gtaI mutation, we suggest that the GtaR protein is a negative transcriptional regulator of RcGTA gene expression. We discovered that the gtaR and gtaI genes are co-transcribed, and also negatively regulated by the GtaR protein in the absence of acyl-HSL. A His-tagged GtaR protein was purified, and DNA-binding experiments revealed a binding site in the promoter region of the gtaRI operon. This GtaR protein did not bind to the RcGTA promoter region, and therefore modulation of RcGTA production appears to require at least one additional factor. We found that RcGTA production was stimulated by spent media from other species, and identified exogenous acyl-HSLs that induce RcGTA.

Phosphonium-Containing Polyelectrolytes for Nonviral Gene Delivery

Nonviral gene therapy focuses intensely on nitrogen-containing macromolecules and lipids to condense and deliver DNA as a therapeutic for genetic human diseases. For the first time, DNA binding and gene transfection experiments compared phosphonium-containing macromolecules with their respective ammonium analogs. Conventional free radical polymerization of quaternized 4-vinylbenzyl chloride monomers afforded phosphonium- and ammonium-containing homopolymers for gene transfection experiments of HeLa cells. Aqueous size exclusion chromatography confirmed similar absolute molecular weights for all polyelectrolytes. DNA gel shift assays and luciferase expression assays revealed phosphonium-containing polymers bound DNA at lower charge ratios and displayed improved luciferase expression relative to the ammonium analogs. The triethyl-based vectors for both cations failed to transfect HeLa cells, whereas tributyl-based vectors successfully transfected HeLa cells similar to Superfect demonstrating the influence of the alkyl substituent lengths on the efficacy of the gene delivery vehicle. Cellular uptake of Cy5-labeled DNA highlighted successful cellular uptake of triethyl-based polyplexes, showing that intracellular mechanisms presumably prevented luciferase expression. Endocytic inhibition studies using genistein, methyl β-cyclodextrin, or amantadine demonstrated the caveolae-mediated pathway as the preferred cellular uptake mechanism for the delivery vehicles examined. Our studies demonstrated that changing the polymeric cation from ammonium to phosphonium enables an unexplored array of synthetic vectors for enhanced DNA binding and transfection that may transform the field of nonviral gene delivery.

POU1F1-Mediated Activation of hGH-N by Deoxyribonuclease I Hypersensitive Site II of the Human Growth Hormone Locus Control Region

The human growth hormone gene (hGH-N) is regulated by a distal locus control region (LCR) composed of five deoxyribonuclease I hypersensitive sites (HSs). The region encompassing HSI and HSII contains the predominant pituitary somatotrope-specific hGH-N activation function of the LCR. This activity was attributed primarily to POU1F1 (Pit-1) elements at HSI, as linkage to HSI was sufficient for properly regulated hGH-N expression in transgenic mice, while HSII alone had no activity. However, the presence of HSII in conjunction with HSI further enhanced hGH-N transgene expression, indicating additional determinants of pituitary hGH-N activation in the HSII region, but limitations of transgenic models and previous ex vivo systems have prevented the characterization of HSII. In the present study, we employ a novel minichromosome model of the hGH-N regulatory domain and show that HSII confers robust POU1F1-dependent activation of hGH-N in this system. This effect was accompanied by POU1F1-dependent histone acetylation and methylation throughout the minichromosome LCR/hGH-N domain. A series of in vitro DNA binding experiments revealed that POU1F1 binds to multiple sites at HSII, consistent with a direct role in HSII function. Remarkably, POU1F1 binding was localized in part to the 3′ untranslated region of a primate-specific LINE-1 (long interspersed nuclear element 1) retrotransposon, suggesting that its insertion during primate evolution may have conferred function to the HSII region in the context of pituitary GH gene regulation. These observations clarify the function of HSII, expanding the role of POU1F1 in hGH LCR activity, and provide insight on the molecular evolution of the LCR.

(+)-Episesamin exerts anti-neoplastic effects in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines via suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B and inhibition of MMP-9

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Treatment options, especially in advanced tumor stages, are still limited. Inhibition of signaling cascades involved in the pathogenesis of HCC - such as NF-ĸB - offer a promising therapeutic approach. Aim of this study was to examine anti-neoplastic effects of (+)-episesamin which has been isolated from an anti-fibrotic extract of Lindera obtusiloba on human HCC cells with particular interest in activation of NF-κB. The human HCC cell lines HepG2, Huh-7 and SK-Hep1 were treated with (+)-episesamin. Beside measurement of proliferation, invasion and apoptosis, effects of (+)-episesamin on NF-κB-activity, VEGF secretion and enzymatic MMP-9 activity were determined. Anti-inflammatory effects were assessed by IL-6 ELISA using HCC cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. 10 μM (+)-episesamin reduced the proliferation of HCC cells by ~50%, suppressed invasion and induced apoptosis. DNA-binding ELISA experiments revealed that (+)-episesamin treated HCC cells showed a suppressed basal and TNFα-induced activation of NF-κB and a subsequent suppression of TNFα- and LPS-induced IL-6 production. Further, (+)-episesamin exhibited inhibitory effects on the enzymatic activity of recombinant MMP-9 and the secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF by HCC cells into their supernatants. Our findings show that anti-neoplastic effects of (+)-episesamin are mediated via suppressed activation of NF-κB which entails a decreased release of pro-inflammatory IL-6. In addition, (+)-episesamin inhibits MMP-9, which is strongly expressed in invasive HCC, and the production of proangiogenic VEGF. We conclude that (+)-episesamin has the potential to be further explored as a complementary treatment for HCC.

Novel acenaphthopyrazine derivatives as antitumor agents against MCF-7 cells: molecular synthesis, optical properties, and DNA-binding studies

A series of novel acenaphthopyrazine derivatives was synthesized from acenaphthylene-1,2-dione via three steps, including bromination, cyclization, and SNArH reaction. These new compounds exhibited potential antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells in vitro, and 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethylamino]acenaphtho[1,2-b]pyrazine-8,9-dicarbonitrile exhibited the highest activity (IC 50 = 4.60 μM). DNA-binding experiments suggested that these derivatives bind to DNA through intercalation with intrinsic binding constants K all above 105 M−1. Optical property studies indicated that these compounds have long emission wavelength (λ em > 560 nm), high quantum yields in toluene (Φf = 0.59 for 3-(morpholin-4-yl)acenaphtho[1,2-b]pyrazine-8,9-dicarbonitrile), and large Stokes shift (ΔS > 130 nm).

Structure–activity relationship study of copper(II) complexes with 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde (4′-methylbenzoyl) hydrazone: synthesis, structures, DNA and protein interaction studies, antioxidative and cytotoxic activity

Novel 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde (4'-methylbenzoyl) hydrazone (H(2)L) (1) and its two copper(II) complexes have been synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the structure of the new copper(II) chloride complex, [Cu(H(2)L)Cl(2)]·2H(2)O (2), is square pyramidal and that of the copper(II) nitrate complex, [Cu(HL)NO(3)]·DMF (3), is square planar. In 2, the copper atom is coordinated by the ligand with ONO donor atoms, one chloride ion in the apical position, and the other chloride in the basal plane. In 3, the ligand coordinates as a uninegative tridentate ONO(-) species and with one nitrate ion in the basal plane. DNA binding experiments indicated that the ligand and copper(II) complexes can interact with DNA through intercalation. Bovine serum albumin binding studies revealed that the compounds strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin through a static quenching process. Antioxidative activity tests showed that 1 and its copper(II) complexes have significant radical scavenging activity against free radicals. Cytotoxic activities of the ligand and copper(II) complexes showed that the two copper(II) complexes exhibited more effective cytotoxic activity against HeLa and HEp-2 cells than the corresponding ligand. The entire biological activity results showed that the activity order was 1<2<3.

Novel biologically active nitro and amino substituted benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolines

This manuscript described the synthesis and biological activity of novel nitro substituted E-2-styryl-benzimidazoles and E-2-(2-benzimidazolyl)-3-phenylacrylonitriles and nitro and amino substituted benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolines (4–5, 6–11, 17–20, and 21–32). All of the compounds showed significant growth inhibitory effect towards five tumor cell lines, whereby the IC50 concentrations of 11, 20, 28, 29, 30, 32 are in the low micromolar range (IC50=2–19μM). The DNA binding experiments did not show significant affinity of two selected compounds towards ct-DNA. The flow cytometry analysis of potential cell cycle perturbations after the treatment with compounds 9, 11, 25, and 29 demonstrated that all of the compounds (5μM≈IC50) significantly delayed the progression through G1 phase, as demonstrated by the accumulation of cells in G1 phase, accompanied with the reduction of the cell number in the cells in S phase, which does not point to DNA damage as the main mechanism of action. Also, fluorescence microscopy study showed cytoplasmic distribution of the compounds, demonstrating that DNA is not the primary target of compounds. Thus, considerable antiproliferative effects of studied compounds are due to interactions with other biological targets within cells.

The priB Gene of Klebsiella pneumoniae Encodes a 104-Amino Acid Protein That Is Similar in Structure and Function to Escherichia coli PriB

Primosome protein PriB is a single-stranded DNA-binding protein that serves as an accessory factor for PriA helicase-catalyzed origin-independent reinitiation of DNA replication in bacteria. A recent report describes the identification of a novel PriB protein in Klebsiella pneumoniae that is significantly shorter than most sequenced PriB homologs. The K. pneumoniae PriB protein is proposed to comprise 55 amino acid residues, in contrast to E. coli PriB which comprises 104 amino acid residues and has a length that is typical of most sequenced PriB homologs. Here, we report results of a sequence analysis that suggests that the priB gene of K. pneumoniae encodes a 104-amino acid PriB protein, akin to its E. coli counterpart. Furthermore, we have cloned the K. pneumoniae priB gene and purified the 104-amino acid K. pneumoniae PriB protein. Gel filtration experiments reveal that the K. pneumoniae PriB protein is a dimer, and equilibrium DNA binding experiments demonstrate that K. pneumoniae PriB's single-stranded DNA-binding activity is similar to that of E. coli PriB. These results indicate that the PriB homolog of K. pneumoniae is similar in structure and in function to that of E. coli.

Basal transcription of the human TBX3 gene, a key developmental regulator which is overexpressed in several cancers, requires functional NF-Y and Sp1 sites

TBX3 is a member of the T-box family of genes that encode developmentally important transcription factors. Mutations resulting in decreased levels of functional TBX3 lead to Ulnar-Mammary Syndrome and increased levels of TBX3 have been linked to several cancers. To understand the mechanisms regulating TBX3 expression we have previously cloned the 5′-flanking region of the human TBX3 gene and here we describe cis-elements required for its basal transcription. Using site-directed mutagenesis, luciferase reporter assays and in vitro and in vivo DNA binding experiments we identify a Sp1 element and two CCAAT boxes to be essential for basal TBX3 promoter activity. Our results are consistent with reports that these sites are necessary for efficient basal transcription in genes which lack TATA boxes or an Initiator which we show to be the case for TBX3.

Characterization of monomeric DNA-binding protein Histone H1 inLeishmania braziliensis

Histone H1 in Leishmania presents relevant differences compared to higher eukaryote counterparts, such as the lack of a DNA-binding central globular domain. Despite that, it is apparently fully functional since its differential expression levels have been related to changes in chromatin condensation and infectivity, among other features. The localization and the aggregation state of L. braziliensis H1 has been determined by immunolocalization, mass spectrometry, cross-linking and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Analysis of H1 sequences from the Leishmania Genome Database revealed that our protein is included in a very divergent group of histones H1 that is present only in L. braziliensis. An antibody raised against recombinant L. braziliensis H1 recognized specifically that protein by immunoblot in L. braziliensis extracts, but not in other Leishmania species, a consequence of the sequence divergences observed among Leishmania species. Mass spectrometry analysis and in vitro DNA-binding experiments have also proven that L. braziliensis H1 is monomeric in solution, but oligomerizes upon binding to DNA. Finally, despite the lack of a globular domain, L. braziliensis H1 is able to form complexes with DNA in vitro, with higher affinity for supercoiled compared to linear DNA.

Effective Homogeneous Hydrolysis of Phosphodiester and DNA Cleavage by Chitosan-copper Complex

We aimed to explore the role of chitosan-based metal complexes in catalyzing the hydrolysis of phosphodiesters. To this end, we performed detailed studies on the kinetics of the chitosan copper complex (CSCu)-catalyzed hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenol) phosphate (BNPP) in Tris-H+ buffer and in an organic solvent. A significant enhancement in the rate of reaction (up to 3×105-fold acceleration) was observed at pH 8.0 (25°C). The pH dependence of BNPP hydrolysis at pH 5.5–9.5 and the UV spectra revealed that the copper-bounded water molecules underwent deprotonation to form the active catalytic species CSCu-OH. The kinetic behavior of BNPP catalytic hydrolysis in the Tris-H+ buffer was consistent with that predicted by the Michaelis-Menten kinetics model. An intramolecular nucleophilic attack by the copper-bonded hydroxide group on the same activated phosphodiester substrate was proposed as the catalytic mechanism for CSCu-catalyzed reaction system. The results of DNA binding and cleavage experiments indicated electrostatic binding mode of CSCu to DNA as well as the strong capability of CSCu to disturb the supercoiled strand of DNA and cleave it to nicked circular form.

Isolation, Characterization, and DNA Binding Kinetics of Three Dirhodium(II,II) Carboxyamidate Complexes: Rh2(μ-L)(HNOCCF3)3 where L= [OOCCH3]−, [OOCCF3]−, or [HNOCCF3]−

Several transition metal compounds are effective antitumor drugs whose biological activity can be attributed to their ability to bind deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In this study, DNA-binding experiments reveal that changing one bridging ligand on compounds with the general formula Rh(2)(μ-L)(HNOCCF(3))(3) alters the rate of DNA-binding by greater than 100-fold with μ-L = trifluoroacetate ≫ acetate > trifluoroacetamidate. These three dirhodium compounds are isolated as the major products of the reaction between Rh(2)(OOCCH(3))(4) and trifluoroacetamide in either refluxing chlorobenzene or molten trifluoroacetamide and have been characterized by NMR and LC/MS. By using (15)N-enriched trifluoroacetamide, NMR spectroscopy was used to assign the cis-(2,1) orientations of Rh(2)(μ-L)(HNOCCF(3))(3) compounds where μ-L = trifluoroacetate or acetate. This is the first report of Rh(2)(OOCCF(3))(HNOCCF(3))(3), a novel compound that may play a significant role in the biological and/or catalytic activity of compound mixtures commonly isolated as "Rh(2)(HNOCCF(3))(4)".

Yeast Nej1 Is a Key Participant in the Initial End Binding and Final Ligation Steps of Nonhomologous End Joining

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the key components of the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway that repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are yeast Ku (yKu), Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2, Dnl4-Lif1, and Nej1. Here, we examined the role of Nej1 in NHEJ by a combination of molecular genetic and biochemical approaches. As expected, the recruitment of Nej1 to in vivo DSBs is dependent upon yKu. Surprisingly, Nej1 is required for the stable binding of yKu to in vivo DSBs, in addition to Dnl4-Lif1. Thus, Nej1 and Dnl4-Lif1 are independently recruited by yKu to in vivo DSBs, forming a stable ternary complex that channels DSBs into the NHEJ pathway. In accord with these results, purified Nej1 interacts with yKu and preferentially binds to DNA ends bound by yKu. Furthermore, the binding of a mixture of Nej1 and Dnl4-Lif1 to DNA ends bound by yKu is greater than the sum of the binding of the individual proteins, indicating that pairwise interactions among yKu, Nej1, and Dnl4-Lif1 contribute to complex assembly at DNA ends. Nej1 stimulates intermolecular ligation by Dnl4-Lif1, but, more interestingly, the addition of Nej1 results in more than one intermolecular ligation per Dnl4 molecule. Thus, Nej1 not only plays an important role in determining repair pathway choice by participating in the initial NHEJ complex formed at DSBs but also contributes to the reactivation of Dnl4-Lif1 after repair is complete, thereby increasing the capacity of the NHEJ repair pathway.

Towards the Kinetic Mechanism of S. cerevisiae MutLλ DNA Mismatch Repair Protein

Mismatch repair (MMR) is essential for correcting base-pairing errors in DNA. The MMR mechanism is most well understood in E. coli, where MutS initially binds a mismatched base-pair and recruits MutL, which in turn activates MutH, an endonuclease that nicks DNA to initiate excision and resynthesis. In eukaryotes, the MutL homologue itself has endonuclease activity, and its role and mechanism of action in MMR are under active investigation. Since MutL is a critical connecting link between mismatch recognition and initiation of repair, we are interested in understanding its mechanism of action. To this end, we are currently characterizing S. cerevisiae MutLα over-produced in E. coli, with the aid of chaperonins, and purified by 3-column ion exchange chromatograpy; initial analysis has demonstrated that the recombinant protein is an active endonuclease. In addition we are developing assays for transient kinetic analysis of MutLα. Specifically, we are using a PCR-based strategy to synthesize large quantities of a 200 bp DNA substrate that contains a mismatched base-pair, with an adjacent 2-Aminopurine to detect MutSα binding, is of sufficient length to support MutLα binding, and has a pre-existing nick to stimulate MutLα endonuclease activity. We plan stopped-flow and quench-flow DNA binding, ATPase, and endonuclease experiments with these reagents to directly observe the events in the pathway between mismatch recognition and initiation of DNA repair.

Synthesis, carbohydrate- and DNA-binding studies of cationic 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridineplatinum(ii) complexes containing N- and S-donor boronic acid ligands

A series of platinum(II) complexes of the type [Pt(trpy)L](NO(3))(n) (L = 3- or 4-pyridineboronic acid (3- or 4-pyB, respectively), n = 2; HL = 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (HmpB), n = 1; trpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) and [{Pt(trpy)}(2)(μ-pzB)](NO(3))(3) (HpzB = 4-pyrazoleboronic acid) were synthesized and fully characterized by means of multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, (11)B, and (195)Pt) 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The triflate derivatives [Pt(trpy)(4-pyB)](OTf)(2) and [{Pt(trpy)}(2)(μ-pzB)](OTf)(3) were also prepared, and their molecular structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Variable pH (1)H NMR spectroscopy showed that hydroxylation of the boronic acid group occurs in aqueous solution at pH > 5 and the pK(a) values for the complexes were determined. In buffered aqueous solution (pH 7.4), the complexes bind strongly to simple diols such as catechol and monosaccharides including D-fructose, D-ribose, D-sorbitol and D-mannitol, as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The equilibrium binding constants for these reactions were determined and were found to exceed those of organic boronic acids such as phenylboronic acid by an order of magnitude or greater, an effect that can be directly attributed to the cationic charge of the complexes. 2D-NMR methods (HSQC and HMBC) were used to elucidate the structures of the carbohydrate adducts [Pt(trpy)(3-pyB)]·D-fructose·NO(3) and [Pt(trpy)(4-pyB)]·D-fructose·NO(3) in aqueous solution. DNA-binding experiments with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) indicate an avid DNA-binding interaction by the mononuclear complexes, as determined using thermal melting methods and ITC, but the behaviour of the dinuclear species [{Pt(trpy)}(2)(μ-pzB)](NO(3))(3) is complicated and could not be modeled adequately; higher ionic strength solutions and lower temperatures resulted in a similar DNA binding interaction to the mononuclear complexes. The presence of excess d-fructose did not significantly affect the binding of the platinum(II)-trpy complexes to CT-DNA.

Hnf1α (MODY3) Regulates β-Cell-Enriched MafA Transcription Factor Expression

The expression pattern of genes important for pancreatic islet cell function requires the actions of cell-enriched transcription factors. Musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma homolog A (MafA) is a β-cell-specific transcriptional activator critical to adult islet β-cell function, with MafA mutant mice manifesting symptoms associated with human type 2 diabetes. Here, we describe that MafA expression is controlled by hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-α (Hnf1α), the transcription factor gene mutated in the most common monoallelic form of maturity onset diabetes of the young. There are six conserved sequence domains in the 5'-flanking MafA promoter, of which one, region 3 (R3) [base pair (bp) -8118/-7750] is principally involved in controlling the unique developmental and adult islet β-cell-specific expression pattern. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that Hnf1α bound specifically within R3. Furthermore, in vitro DNA-binding experiments localized an Hnf1α regulatory element between bp -7822 and -7793, an area previously associated with stimulation by the islet developmental regulator, Islet1. However, site-directed mutational studies showed that Hnf1α was essential to R3-driven reporter activation through bp -7816/-7811. Significantly, MafA levels were dramatically reduced in the insulin(+) cell population remaining in embryonic and adult Hnf1α(-/-) pancreata. Our results demonstrate that Hnf1α regulates MafA in β-cells and suggests that compromised MafA expression contributes to β-cell dysfunction in maturity onset diabetes of the young.