Polynucleotide Kinase/phosphatase Research Articles

Effects of RNA interference on the porcine NHEJ pathway repair factors on HR efficiency

Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is the predominant DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway in mammalian cells. It inhibits the efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) by competing for DSB targets. To improve the efficiency of HR in porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs), several RNA interference (RNAi) systems were designed to knockdown NHEJ key molecules, such as polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP), DNA ligase IV (LIG4) and NHEJ1. The results show that siRNA significantly knocked down LIG4, PNKP and NHEJ1 expression. Suppression of PNKP dramatically increased the efficiency of single-strand annealing (SSA), double-strand DNA (dsDNA) and single-strand DNA (ssODN) mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) by 55.7%, 37.4% and 73.1% after transfected with the SSA-GFP reporter, HDR-GFP system or ssODN-GFP system, respectively; whereas knockdown of LIG4 and NHEJ1 repair factors significantly increased dsDNA or ssODN-mediated HDR efficiency by 37.5% and 76.9%, respectively.

Tdp1 processes chromate-induced single-strand DNA breaks that collapse replication forks.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] damages DNA and causes cancer, but it is unclear which DNA damage responses (DDRs) most critically protect cells from chromate toxicity. Here, genome-wide quantitative functional profiling, DDR measurements and genetic interaction assays in Schizosaccharomyces pombe reveal a chromate toxicogenomic profile that closely resembles the cancer chemotherapeutic drug camptothecin (CPT), which traps Topoisomerase 1 (Top1)-DNA covalent complex (Top1cc) at the 3’ end of single-stand breaks (SSBs), resulting in replication fork collapse. ATR/Rad3-dependent checkpoints that detect stalled and collapsed replication forks are crucial in Cr(VI)-treated cells, as is Mus81-dependent sister chromatid recombination (SCR) that repairs single-ended double-strand breaks (seDSBs) at broken replication forks. Surprisingly, chromate resistance does not require base excision repair (BER) or interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair, nor does co-elimination of XPA-dependent nucleotide excision repair (NER) and Rad18-mediated post-replication repair (PRR) confer chromate sensitivity in fission yeast. However, co-elimination of Tdp1 tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase and Rad16-Swi10 (XPF-ERCC1) NER endonuclease synergistically enhances chromate toxicity in top1Δ cells. Pnk1 polynucleotide kinase phosphatase (PNKP), which restores 3’-hydroxyl ends to SSBs processed by Tdp1, is also critical for chromate resistance. Loss of Tdp1 ameliorates pnk1Δ chromate sensitivity while enhancing the requirement for Mus81. Thus, Tdp1 and PNKP, which prevent neurodegeneration in humans, repair an important class of Cr-induced SSBs that collapse replication forks.

11 Study of Polynucleotide Kinase/Phosphatase (PNKP) Mutations Found in a Patient with Microcephaly, Seizures, and Developmental Delay (MCSZ) and Glioblastoma

The enzyme polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) plays a key role in DNA repair by resolving the chemistry at DNA strand breaks. Mutations in PNKP (chromosome 19q13.4) are known to cause MCSZ, a serious neurodevelopmental disorder, but to date there has been no link to cancer initiation or progression. However, a child with MCSZ recently presented at Seattle Children's Hospital with a 3-cm glioblastoma. The child was shown to have two germline mutations in PNKP. To study the effects of the PNKP mutations found in this patient, we generated mutant PNKP cDNAs carrying either the individual mutations or the double mutation using site directed mutagenesis. These cDNAs were incorporated into bacterial and mammalian expression vectors. The bacterially expressed mutant proteins as well as the wild type have been purified and are undergoing testing for PNKP DNA kinase and phosphatase activity. The PNKP cDNAs, fused to GFP, were expressed in Hela and HCT116 human cancer cell lines. High-content analysis and micro-irradiation techniques are being used to determine PNKP localization within the cells and recruitment to damaged DNA. Our preliminary results indicate that the mutations alter the ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic PNKP compared to the wild-type protein.

Persistent 3′-phosphate termini and increased cytotoxicity of radiomimetic DNA double-strand breaks in cells lacking polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase despite presence of an alternative 3′-phosphatase

Polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) has been implicated in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). To assess the consequences of PNKP deficiency for NHEJ of 3′-phosphate-ended DSBs, PNKP-deficient derivatives of HCT116 and of HeLa cells were generated using CRISPR/CAS9. For both cell lines, PNKP deficiency conferred sensitivity to ionizing radiation as well as to neocarzinostatin (NCS), which specifically induces DSBs bearing protruding 3′-phosphate termini. Moreover, NCS-induced DSBs, detected as 53BP1 foci, were more persistent in PNKP −/− HCT116 cells compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts. Surprisingly, PNKP-deficient whole-cell and nuclear extracts were biochemically competent in removing both protruding and recessed 3′-phosphates from synthetic DSB substrates, albeit much less efficiently than WT extracts, suggesting an alternative 3′-phosphatase. Measurements by ligation-mediated PCR showed that PNKP-deficient HeLa cells contained significantly more 3′-phosphate-terminated and fewer 3′-hydroxyl-terminated DSBs than parental cells 5–15 min after NCS treatment, but this difference disappeared by 1 h. These results suggest that, despite presence of an alternative 3′-phosphatase, loss of PNKP significantly sensitizes cells to 3′-phosphate-terminated DSBs, due to a 3′-dephosphorylation defect.

Nanoencapsulation of Novel Inhibitors of PNKP for Selective Sensitization to Ionizing Radiation and Irinotecan and Induction of Synthetic Lethality

There is increasing interest in developing and applying DNA repair inhibitors in cancer treatment to augment the efficacy of radiation and conventional genotoxic chemotherapy. However, targeting the inhibitor is required to avoid reducing the repair capacity of normal tissue. The aim of this study was to develop nanodelivery systems for the encapsulation of novel imidopiperidine-based inhibitors of the DNA 3'-phosphatase activity of polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP), a DNA repair enzyme that plays a critical role in rejoining DNA single- and double-strand breaks. For this purpose, newly identified hit compounds with potent PNKP inhibitory activity, imidopiperidines A12B4C50 and A83B4C63 were encapsulated in polymeric micelles of different poly(ethylene oxide)- b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO- b-PCL)-based structures. Our results showed efficient loading of A12B4C50 and A83B4C63 in PEO- b-PCLs with pendent carboxyl and benzyl carboxylate groups, respectively, and relatively slow release over 24 h. Both free and encapsulated inhibitors were able to sensitize HCT116 cells to radiation and the topoisomerase I poison, irinotecan. In addition, the encapsulated inhibitors were capable of inducing synthetic lethalilty in phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)-deficient cells. We also established the validity of the peptide GE11 as a suitable ligand for active targeted delivery of nanoencapsulated drugs to colorectal cancer cells overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Our results show the potential of nanoencapsulated inhibitors of PNKP as either mono or combined therapeutic agents for colorectal cancer.

Genetic assessment and folate receptor autoantibodies in infantile-onset cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndrome

IntroductionCerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndromes are defined as neuro-psychiatric conditions with low CSF folate and attributed to different causes such as autoantibodies against the folate receptor-alpha (FR) protein that can block folate transport across the choroid plexus, FOLR1 gene mutations or mitochondrial disorders. High-dose folinic acid treatment restores many neurologic deficits. Study aims and methodsAmong 36 patients from 33 families the infantile-onset CFD syndrome was diagnosed based on typical clinical features and low CSF folate. All parents were healthy. Three families had 2 affected siblings, while parents from 4 families were first cousins.We analysed serum FR autoantibodies and the FOLR1 and FOLR2 genes. Among three consanguineous families homozygosity mapping attempted to identify a monogenetic cause. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the fourth consanguineous family, where two siblings also suffered from polyneuropathy as an atypical finding. ResultsBoys (72%) outnumbered girls (28%). Most patients (89%) had serum FR autoantibodies fluctuating over 5–6 weeks. Two children had a genetic FOLR1 variant without pathological significance. Homozygosity mapping failed to detect a single autosomal recessive gene. WES revealed an autosomal recessive polynucleotide kinase 3´phosphatase (PNKP) gene abnormality in the siblings with polyneuropathy. DiscussionInfantile-onset CFD was characterized by serum FR autoantibodies as its predominant pathology whereas pathogenic FOLR1 gene mutations were absent. Homozygosity mapping excluded autosomal recessive inheritance of any single responsible gene. WES in one consanguineous family identified a PNKP gene abnormality that explained the polyneuropathy and also its contribution to the infantile CFD syndrome because the PNKP gene plays a dual role in both neurodevelopment and immune-regulatory function. Further research for candidate genes predisposing to FRα-autoimmunity is suggested to include X-chromosomal and non-coding DNA regions.

Biomarkers of vitamin B 12 status respond to therapy in Gaucher disease

Cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndromes are defined as neuro-psychiatric conditions with low CSF folate and attributed to different causes such as autoantibodies against the folate receptor-alpha (FR) protein that can block folate transport across the choroid plexus, FOLR1 gene mutations or mitochondrial disorders. High-dose folinic acid treatment restores many neurologic deficits.Among 36 patients from 33 families the infantile-onset CFD syndrome was diagnosed based on typical clinical features and low CSF folate. All parents were healthy. Three families had 2 affected siblings, while parents from 4 families were first cousins.We analysed serum FR autoantibodies and the FOLR1 and FOLR2 genes. Among three consanguineous families homozygosity mapping attempted to identify a monogenetic cause. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the fourth consanguineous family, where two siblings also suffered from polyneuropathy as an atypical finding.Boys (72%) outnumbered girls (28%). Most patients (89%) had serum FR autoantibodies fluctuating over 5–6 weeks. Two children had a genetic FOLR1 variant without pathological significance. Homozygosity mapping failed to detect a single autosomal recessive gene. WES revealed an autosomal recessive polynucleotide kinase 3´phosphatase (PNKP) gene abnormality in the siblings with polyneuropathy.Infantile-onset CFD was characterized by serum FR autoantibodies as its predominant pathology whereas pathogenic FOLR1 gene mutations were absent. Homozygosity mapping excluded autosomal recessive inheritance of any single responsible gene. WES in one consanguineous family identified a PNKP gene abnormality that explained the polyneuropathy and also its contribution to the infantile CFD syndrome because the PNKP gene plays a dual role in both neurodevelopment and immune-regulatory function. Further research for candidate genes predisposing to FRα-autoimmunity is suggested to include X-chromosomal and non-coding DNA regions.

Clinical and neurophysiological assessments of an infant with acute neurovisceral acid sphingomyelinase deficiency

Cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndromes are defined as neuro-psychiatric conditions with low CSF folate and attributed to different causes such as autoantibodies against the folate receptor-alpha (FR) protein that can block folate transport across the choroid plexus, FOLR1 gene mutations or mitochondrial disorders. High-dose folinic acid treatment restores many neurologic deficits.Among 36 patients from 33 families the infantile-onset CFD syndrome was diagnosed based on typical clinical features and low CSF folate. All parents were healthy. Three families had 2 affected siblings, while parents from 4 families were first cousins.We analysed serum FR autoantibodies and the FOLR1 and FOLR2 genes. Among three consanguineous families homozygosity mapping attempted to identify a monogenetic cause. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the fourth consanguineous family, where two siblings also suffered from polyneuropathy as an atypical finding.Boys (72%) outnumbered girls (28%). Most patients (89%) had serum FR autoantibodies fluctuating over 5–6 weeks. Two children had a genetic FOLR1 variant without pathological significance. Homozygosity mapping failed to detect a single autosomal recessive gene. WES revealed an autosomal recessive polynucleotide kinase 3´phosphatase (PNKP) gene abnormality in the siblings with polyneuropathy.Infantile-onset CFD was characterized by serum FR autoantibodies as its predominant pathology whereas pathogenic FOLR1 gene mutations were absent. Homozygosity mapping excluded autosomal recessive inheritance of any single responsible gene. WES in one consanguineous family identified a PNKP gene abnormality that explained the polyneuropathy and also its contribution to the infantile CFD syndrome because the PNKP gene plays a dual role in both neurodevelopment and immune-regulatory function. Further research for candidate genes predisposing to FRα-autoimmunity is suggested to include X-chromosomal and non-coding DNA regions.

Infusion-related reactions in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II on idursulfase enrolled in the Hunter Outcome Survey (HOS)

Cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndromes are defined as neuro-psychiatric conditions with low CSF folate and attributed to different causes such as autoantibodies against the folate receptor-alpha (FR) protein that can block folate transport across the choroid plexus, FOLR1 gene mutations or mitochondrial disorders. High-dose folinic acid treatment restores many neurologic deficits.Among 36 patients from 33 families the infantile-onset CFD syndrome was diagnosed based on typical clinical features and low CSF folate. All parents were healthy. Three families had 2 affected siblings, while parents from 4 families were first cousins.We analysed serum FR autoantibodies and the FOLR1 and FOLR2 genes. Among three consanguineous families homozygosity mapping attempted to identify a monogenetic cause. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the fourth consanguineous family, where two siblings also suffered from polyneuropathy as an atypical finding.Boys (72%) outnumbered girls (28%). Most patients (89%) had serum FR autoantibodies fluctuating over 5–6 weeks. Two children had a genetic FOLR1 variant without pathological significance. Homozygosity mapping failed to detect a single autosomal recessive gene. WES revealed an autosomal recessive polynucleotide kinase 3´phosphatase (PNKP) gene abnormality in the siblings with polyneuropathy.Infantile-onset CFD was characterized by serum FR autoantibodies as its predominant pathology whereas pathogenic FOLR1 gene mutations were absent. Homozygosity mapping excluded autosomal recessive inheritance of any single responsible gene. WES in one consanguineous family identified a PNKP gene abnormality that explained the polyneuropathy and also its contribution to the infantile CFD syndrome because the PNKP gene plays a dual role in both neurodevelopment and immune-regulatory function. Further research for candidate genes predisposing to FRα-autoimmunity is suggested to include X-chromosomal and non-coding DNA regions.

Targeting DNA repair with PNKP inhibition sensitizes radioresistant prostate cancer cells to high LET radiation.

High linear energy transfer (LET) radiation or heavy ion such as carbon ion radiation is used as a method for advanced radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer. It has many advantages over the conventional photon based radiotherapy using Co-60 gamma or high energy X-rays from a Linear Accelerator. However, charged particle therapy is very costly. One way to reduce the cost as well as irradiation effects on normal cells is to reduce the dose of radiation by enhancing the radiation sensitivity through the use of a radiomodulator. PNKP (polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase) is an enzyme which plays important role in the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway. It is expected that inhibition of PNKP activity may enhance the efficacy of the charged particle irradiation in the radioresistant prostate cancer cell line PC-3. To test this hypothesis, we investigated cellular radiosensitivity by clonogenic cell survival assay in PC-3 cells.12Carbon ion beam of62 MeVenergy (equivalent 5.16 MeV/nucleon) and with an entrance LET of 287 kev/μm was used for the present study. Apoptotic parameters such as nuclear fragmentation and caspase-3 activity were measured by DAPI staining, nuclear ladder assay and colorimetric caspase-3method. Cell cycle arrest was determined by FACS analysis. Cell death was enhanced when carbon ion irradiation is combined with PNKPi (PNKP inhibitor) to treat cells as compared to that seen for PNKPi untreated cells. A low concentration (10μM) of PNKPi effectively radiosensitized the PC-3 cells in terms of reduction of dose in achieving the same survival fraction. PC-3 cells underwent significant apoptosis and cell cycle arrest too was enhanced at G2/M phase when carbon ion irradiation was combined with PNKPi treatment. Our findings suggest that combined treatment of carbon ion irradiation and PNKP inhibition could enhance cellular radiosensitivity in a radioresistant prostate cancer cell line PC-3. The synergistic effect of PNKPi and carbon ion irradiation could be used as a promising method for carbon-ion therapy in radioresistant cells.

Lingering single-strand breaks trigger Rad51-independent homology-directed repair of collapsed replication forks in the polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase mutant of fission yeast.

The DNA repair enzyme polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) protects genome integrity by restoring ligatable 5’-phosphate and 3’-hydroxyl termini at single-strand breaks (SSBs). In humans, PNKP mutations underlie the neurological disease known as MCSZ, but these individuals are not predisposed for cancer, implying effective alternative repair pathways in dividing cells. Homology-directed repair (HDR) of collapsed replication forks was proposed to repair SSBs in PNKP-deficient cells, but the critical HDR protein Rad51 is not required in PNKP-null (pnk1Δ) cells of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Here, we report that pnk1Δ cells have enhanced requirements for Rad3 (ATR/Mec1) and Chk1 checkpoint kinases, and the multi-BRCT domain protein Brc1 that binds phospho-histone H2A (γH2A) at damaged replication forks. The viability of pnk1Δ cells depends on Mre11 and Ctp1 (CtIP/Sae2) double-strand break (DSB) resection proteins, Rad52 DNA strand annealing protein, Mus81-Eme1 Holliday junction resolvase, and Rqh1 (BLM/WRN/Sgs1) DNA helicase. Coupled with increased sister chromatid recombination and Rad52 repair foci in pnk1Δ cells, these findings indicate that lingering SSBs in pnk1Δ cells trigger Rad51-independent homology-directed repair of collapsed replication forks. From these data, we propose models for HDR-mediated tolerance of persistent SSBs with 3’ phosphate in pnk1Δ cells.

The Rev1 interacting region (RIR) motif in the scaffold protein XRCC1 mediates a low-affinity interaction with polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) during DNA single-strand break repair

The scaffold protein X-ray repair cross-complementing 1 (XRCC1) interacts with multiple enzymes involved in DNA base excision repair and single-strand break repair (SSBR) and is important for genetic integrity and normal neurological function. One of the most important interactions of XRCC1 is that with polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP), a dual-function DNA kinase/phosphatase that processes damaged DNA termini and that, if mutated, results in ataxia with oculomotor apraxia 4 (AOA4) and microcephaly with early-onset seizures and developmental delay (MCSZ). XRCC1 and PNKP interact via a high-affinity phosphorylation-dependent interaction site in XRCC1 and a forkhead-associated domain in PNKP. Here, we identified using biochemical and biophysical approaches a second PNKP interaction site in XRCC1 that binds PNKP with lower affinity and independently of XRCC1 phosphorylation. However, this interaction nevertheless stimulated PNKP activity and promoted SSBR and cell survival. The low-affinity interaction site required the highly conserved Rev1-interacting region (RIR) motif in XRCC1 and included three critical and evolutionarily invariant phenylalanine residues. We propose a bipartite interaction model in which the previously identified high-affinity interaction acts as a molecular tether, holding XRCC1 and PNKP together and thereby promoting the low-affinity interaction identified here, which then stimulates PNKP directly.

Structural and functional characterization of the PNKP-XRCC4-LigIV DNA repair complex.

Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repairs DNA double strand breaks in non-cycling eukaryotic cells. NHEJ relies on polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP), which generates 5΄-phosphate/3΄-hydroxyl DNA termini that are critical for ligation by the NHEJ DNA ligase, LigIV. PNKP and LigIV require the NHEJ scaffolding protein, XRCC4. The PNKP FHA domain binds to the CK2-phosphorylated XRCC4 C-terminal tail, while LigIV uses its tandem BRCT repeats to bind the XRCC4 coiled-coil. Yet, the assembled PNKP-XRCC4–LigIV complex remains uncharacterized. Here, we report purification and characterization of a recombinant PNKP–XRCC4–LigIV complex. We show that the stable binding of PNKP in this complex requires XRCC4 phosphorylation and that only one PNKP protomer binds per XRCC4 dimer. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveals a flexible multi-state complex that suggests that both the PNKP FHA and catalytic domains contact the XRCC4 coiled-coil and LigIV BRCT repeats. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange indicates protection of a surface on the PNKP phosphatase domain that may contact XRCC4–LigIV. A mutation on this surface (E326K) causes the hereditary neuro-developmental disorder, MCSZ. This mutation impairs PNKP recruitment to damaged DNA in human cells and provides a possible disease mechanism. Together, this work unveils multipoint contacts between PNKP and XRCC4–LigIV that regulate PNKP recruitment and activity within NHEJ.

Characterization of DNA Substrate Binding to the Phosphatase Domain of the DNA Repair Enzyme Polynucleotide Kinase/Phosphatase.

Polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) is a DNA strand break repair enzyme that uses separate 5' kinase and 3' phosphatase active sites to convert damaged 5'-hydroxyl/3'-phosphate strand termini to ligatable 5'-phosphate/3'-hydroxyl ends. The phosphatase active site has received particular attention as a target of inhibition in cancer therapy development. The phosphatase domain dephosphorylates a range of single- and double-stranded substrates; however, structural studies have shown that the phosphatase catalytic cleft can bind only single-stranded substrates. Here we use a catalytically inactive but structurally intact phosphatase mutant to probe interactions between PNKP and a variety of single- and double-stranded DNA substrates using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. This work indicates that the phosphatase domain binds 3'-phosphorylated single-stranded DNAs in a manner that is highly dependent on the presence of the 3'-phosphate. Double-stranded substrate binding, in contrast, is not as dependent on the 3'-phosphate. Experiments comparing blunt-end, 3'-overhanging, and frayed-end substrates indicate that the predicted loss of energy due to base pair disruption upon binding of the phosphatase active site is likely balanced by favorable interactions between the liberated complementary strand and PNKP. Comparison of the effects on substrate binding of mutations within the phosphatase active site cleft with mutations in surrounding positively charged surfaces suggests that the surrounding surfaces are important for binding to double-stranded substrates. We further show that while fluorescence polarization methods can detect specific binding of single-stranded DNAs with the phosphatase domain, this method does not detect specific interactions between the PNKP phosphatase and double-stranded substrates.

Label-free fluorescent assay of T4 polynucleotide kinase phosphatase activity based on G-quadruplexe−thioflavin T complex

T4 polynucleotide kinase phosphatase (T4 PNKP) is a bifunctional tool enzyme with 5′-kinase and 3′-phosphatase activities. Considering its important roles in the repair of strand breaks, assay of T4 PNKP activity is of great importance. In this work, we proposed a novel label-free sensing strategy for T4 PNKP activity based on G-quadruplexe−thioflavin T fluorescent indicator. In the assay, we used a single stranded oligonucleotide with 3′-phosphoryl and 5′-phosphoryl ends as enzyme substrate. Upon the addition of T4 PNKP, the 3′-PO3 of the substrate was changed to 3′-OH which initiated the polymerization in the presence of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and G-rich dNTP substrates. The resultant elongated DNA can form G-quadruplex in the inducement of K+, resulting in strong fluorescence signal when using thioflavin T as a G-quadruplex−specific light-up fluorescent probe. The detection limit of this method is as low as 0.2U/mL. Additionally, the inhibition of T4 PNKP activity by the inhibitor heparin is demonstrated. This method is easy and convenient to operate in homogeneous solution, and the whole assay process can be completed in a single tube.

Label-free colorimetric assay for T4 polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase activity and its inhibitors based on G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme

Here we report a new approach for label-free colorimetric assay of T4 polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) activity based on G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme. In the presence of T4 PNKP, the DNA primer with a 3’-phosphate can be dephosphorylated into a 3’-hydroxyl and initiate a primer elongation reaction to open the hairpin probe, and leading to releasing the G-quartets. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method exhibited a considerable performance with a detection limit of 0.01 U/mL. Furthermore, the present assay can be used to study the potential T4 PNKP inhibitor screening, making it promise to be applied in the fields of drug discovery.

Multicomponent Hetero-[4 + 2] Cycloaddition/Allylboration Reaction: From Natural Product Synthesis to Drug Discovery.

Multicomponent reactions (MCR), transformations employing three or more simple substrates in a single and highly atom-economical operation, are very attractive in both natural product synthesis and diversity-oriented synthesis of druglike molecules. Several popular multicomponent reactions were designed by combining two well-established individual reactions that utilize mutually compatible substrates. In this regard, it is not surprising that the merging of two reactions deemed as workhorses of stereoselective synthesis, the Diels-Alder cycloaddition and carbonyl allylboration, would produce a powerful and highly versatile tandem MCR process. The idea of using 1,3-dienylboronates in [4 + 2] cycloadditions as a means to produce cyclic allylic boronates was first reported by Vaultier and Hoffmann in 1987. In their seminal study, a 1-boronodiene was reacted with electron-poor alkenes, and the intermediate cycloadducts were isolated and added to aldehydes in a separate step leading to α-hydroxyalkylated carbocycles via a highly diastereoselective allylboration reaction. The one-pot three-component variant was realized in 1999 by Lallemand and co-workers, and soon after groups led by Hall and Carboni reported heterocyclic variants of the tandem [4 + 2] cycloaddition/allylboration to prepare α-hydroxyalkylated piperidine and pyran containing compounds, respectively. These classes of heterocycles are ubiquitous in Nature and are important components of pharmaceuticals. This Account summarizes the development and evolution of this powerful multicomponent reaction for accessing nonaromatic heterocycles and its many applications in natural products synthesis and drug discovery. The aza[4 + 2]cycloaddition/allylboration MCR was first optimized in our laboratory using 4-boronylhydrazonobutadienes and N-substituted maleimides, and it was exploited in the preparation of combinatorial libraries of polysubstituted imidopiperidines that feature as many as four elements of chemical diversity. Biological screening of these druglike imidopiperidine libraries unveiled promising bioactive agents such as A12B4C3, the first reported inhibitor of the human DNA repair enzyme, polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase (hPNKP). Related applications of this MCR in target-oriented synthesis also led to total syntheses of palustrine alkaloids. The inverse electron-demand oxa[4 + 2] cycloaddition/allyboration variant can take advantage of Jacobsen's chiral Cr(III)salen catalyst, affording a rare example of catalytic enantioselective MCR, one that provides a rapid access to α-hydroxyalkyl dihydropyrans in high enantio- and diastereoselectivity. This process exploits 3-boronoacrolein pinacolate as the heterodiene with ethyl vinyl ether or various 2-substituted enol ethers, along with a wide variety of aldehydes in the allylation stage. This versatile methodology was deployed in total syntheses of thiomarinol antibiotics, goniodiol and its derivatives, and the complex anticancer macrolide palmerolide A. More recent work from our laboratory centered on the regio- and stereoselective Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of the dihydropyranyl boronates, thus providing a glimpse of the potential for new multicomponent variants that merge hetero[4 + 2] cycloadditions of 1-borylated heterodienes with transition metal-catalyzed transformations. This stereoselective MCR strategy holds great promise for provoking continuing applications in complex molecule synthesis and drug discovery, and is likely to inspire new and innovative MCR-based approaches to nonaromatic heterocycles.

Polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase (PNKP) mutations and neurologic disease

A variety of human neurologic diseases are caused by inherited defects in DNA repair. In many cases, these syndromes almost exclusively impact the nervous system, underscoring the critical requirement for genome stability in this tissue. A striking example of this is defective enzymatic activity of polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase (PNKP), leading to microcephaly or neurodegeneration. Notably, the broad neural impact of mutations in PNKP can result in markedly different disease entities, even when the inherited mutation is the same. For example microcephaly with seizures (MCSZ) results from various hypomorphic PNKP mutations, as does ataxia with oculomotor apraxia 4 (AOA4). Thus, other contributing factors influence the neural phenotype when PNKP is disabled. Here we consider the role for PNKP in maintaining brain function and how perturbation in its activity can account for the varied pathology of neurodegeneration or microcephaly present in MCSZ and AOA4 respectively.

Electrochemical detection of DNA 3′-phosphatases based on surface-extended DNA nanotail strategy

Determination of DNA dephosphorylation is of great value due to its vital role in many cellular processes. Here we report a surface-extended DNA nanotail strategy for simple and ultrasensitive detection of DNA 3′-phosphatases by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated signal amplification. In this work, DNA probes labeled with thiols at their 5′ terminals and phosphoryls at 3′ terminals are immobilized on gold electrode and are used as substrates for DNA 3′-phosphatases, taking T4 polynucleotide kinase phosphatase (T4PNKP) as an example. T4PNKP can catalyze the dephosphorylation reaction of the substrate DNA, followed by the formation of a long DNA strand by TdT on its 3′ terminal hydroxyl, leading to an evident chronocoulometry signal enhancement. The proposal presents a considerable analytical performance with low detection limit and wide linear range, making it promise to be applied in the fields of DNA dephosphorylation related processes, drug discovery, and clinical diagnostics.

Expanding the ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 4 phenotype.

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 4 (AOA4) is an autosomal recessive (AR) disorder recently delineated in a Portuguese cohort and caused by mutations in the PNKP (polynucleotide kinase 3'-phosphatase) gene.(1) AOA4 is a progressive, complex movement disorder that includes hyperkinetic features, eye movement abnormalities, polyneuropathy, varying degrees of cognitive impairment, and obesity. PNKP mutations were initially discovered to be the cause of the severe nonprogressive syndrome microcephaly, early-onset intractable seizures, and developmental delay (MCSZ).(2) Here we describe a patient with compound heterozygous PNKP mutations presenting with an AOA4 phenotype. New features that we report include both mutations, presence of chorea, absence of oculomotor apraxia (OMA), and slow disease progression.