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Quadruplex-duplex (Q–D) junctions constitute unique structural motifs in genomic sequences. Through comprehensive calorimetric as well as high-resolution NMR structural studies, Q–D junctions with a hairpin-type snapback loop coaxially stacked onto an outer G-tetrad were identified to be most effective binding sites for various polycyclic quadruplex ligands. The Q–D interface is readily recognized by intercalation of the ligand aromatic core structure between G-tetrad and the neighboring base pair. Based on the thermodynamic and structural data, guidelines for the design of ligands with enhanced selectivity towards a Q–D interface emerge. Whereas intercalation at Q–D junctions mostly outcompete stacking at the quadruplex free outer tetrad or intercalation between duplex base pairs to varying degrees, ligand side chains considerably contribute to the selectivity for a Q–D target over other binding sites. In contrast to common perceptions, an appended side chain that additionally interacts within the duplex minor groove may confer only poor selectivity. Rather, the Q–D selectivity is suggested to benefit from an extension of the side chain towards the exposed part of the G-tetrad at the junction. The presented results will support the design of selective high-affinity binding ligands for targeting Q–D interfaces in medicinal but also technological applications.

Canonical G‐quadruplexes can adopt a variety of different topologies depending on the arrangement of propeller, lateral, or diagonal loops connecting the four G‐columns. A novel intramolecular G‐quadruplex structure is derived through inversion of the last G‐tract of a three‐layered parallel fold, associated with the transition of a single propeller into a lateral loop. The resulting (3+1) hybrid fold features three syn⋅anti⋅anti⋅anti G‐tetrads with a 3’‐terminal all‐syn G‐column. Although the ability of forming a duplex stem‐loop between G‐tracts seems beneficial for a propeller‐to‐lateral loop rearrangement, unmodified G‐rich sequences resist folding into the new (3+1) topology. However, refolding can be driven by the incorporation of syn‐favoring guanosine analogues into positions of the fourth G‐stretch. The presented hybrid‐type G‐quadruplex structure as determined by NMR spectroscopy may provide for an additional scaffold in quadruplex‐based technologies., Starting with a parallel‐stranded DNA G‐quadruplex, refolding into a novel (3+1) hybrid topology with a propeller‐propeller‐lateral loop architecture and an all‐syn 3’‐terminal G‐tract is reported. Although supported by additional stacking of a lateral duplex hairpin onto an outer G‐tetrad, the structural rearrangement must be enforced through the specific incorporation of syn‐favoring 8‐bromoguanosine analogues into the terminal G‐run.

Guanine(G)-rich DNA or RNA sequences can assemble or intramolecularly fold into G-quadruplexes formed through the stacking of planar G·G·G·G tetrads in the presence of monovalent cations. These secondary nucleic acid structures have convincingly been shown to also exist within a cellular environment exerting important regulatory functions in physiological processes. For identifying nucleic acid segments prone to quadruplex formation, a putative quadruplex sequence motif encompassing closely spaced tracts of three or more guanosines is frequently employed for bioinformatic search algorithms. Depending on the number and type of intervening residues as well as on solution conditions, such sequences may fold into various canonical G4 topologies with continuous G-columns. On the other hand, a growing number of sequences capable of quadruplex formation feature G-deficient guanine tracts, escaping the conservative consensus motif. By folding into non-canonical quadruplex structures, they adopt unique topologies depending on their specific sequence context. These include G-columns with only two guanines, bulges, snapback loops, D- and V-shaped loops as well as interlocked structures. This review focuses on G-quadruplex species carrying such distinct structural motifs. It evaluates characteristic features of their non-conventional scaffold and highlights principles of stabilizing interactions that also allow for their folding into stable G-quadruplex structures., G-rich nucleic acid sequences encompassing G-tracts of varying lengths can fold into different non-canonical G-quadruplexes with distinct structural features.

A hybrid-type G-quadruplex is modified with LNA (locked nucleic acid) and 2′-F-riboguanosine in various combinations at the two syn positions of its third antiparallel G-tract. LNA substitution in the central tetrad causes a complete rearrangement to either a V-loop or antiparallel structure, depending on further modifications at the 5′-neighboring site. In the two distinct structural contexts, LNA-induced stabilization is most effective compared to modifications with other G surrogates, highlighting a potential use of LNA residues for designing not only parallel but various more complex G4 structures. For instance, the conventional V-loop is a structural element strongly favored by an LNA modification at the V-loop 3′-end in contrast with an alternative V-loop, clearly distinguishable by altered conformational properties and base-backbone interactions as shown in a detailed analysis of V-loop structures.

Various genomic DNA sequences including a MYC promoter sequence are amenable to the formation of a G-quadruplex featuring a snap-back loop with the incorporation of a 3'-terminal guanine into the quadruplex core. To evaluate relative stabilities and ligand binding in more detail, optical, microcalorimetric, and NMR structural studies were performed on both a minimal mutant sequence Pu22T that exclusively folds into a snap-back loop quadruplex and a parallel MYC quadruplex proposed to be the most relevant fold of the MYC promoter in a cellular environment. Similar thermal stabilities for Pu22T and MYC suggest the coexistence of both quadruplexes when derived from a sequence able to fold into both topologies. Isothermal titration calorimetry indicates a mostly identical enthalpy-driven strong binding of an indoloquinoline ligand but with a reduced number of high-affinity binding sites in Pu22T in line with a novel modified FRET competitive melting assay. Corroborated by fluorescence titrations using 2-aminopurine as a fluorescent probe, NMR chemical shift footprints show binding of the ligand at the Pu22T 5'-outer tetrad with the formation of a binding pocket. On the other hand, steric restrictions due to the snap-back loop severely restrict ligand stacking on the 3'-outer tetrad of Pu22T.

Mixed 2'-F-riboguanosine and 2'-F-arabinoguanosine disubstitutions of a hybrid-type G-quadruplex are found to induce a refolding into two alternative structures with different types of V-loops upon positional exchange of the two G analogs. While conformational preferences of the incorporated G surrogates fail to fully account for the observed rearrangements, additional hydrogen bonds with a fluorine acceptor are suggested to be critical determinants of the two distinct V-loop conformers imposing different tetrad polarities.

A DNA G‐quadruplex adopting a (3+1) hybrid structure was modified in two adjacent syn positions of the antiparallel strand with anti‐favoring 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐riboguanosine (FrG) analogues. The two substitutions promoted a structural rearrangement to a topology with the 5′‐terminal G residue located in the central tetrad and the two modified residues linked by a V‐shaped zero‐nucleotide loop. Strikingly, whereas a sugar pucker in the preferred north domain is found for both modified nucleotides, the FrG analogue preceding the V‐loop is forced to adopt the unfavored syn conformation in the new quadruplex fold. Apparently, a preferred C3′‐endo sugar pucker within the V‐loop architecture outweighs the propensity of the FrG analogue to adopt an anti glycosidic conformation. Refolding into a V‐loop topology is likewise observed for a sequence modified at corresponding positions with two riboguanosine substitutions. In contrast, 2′‐F‐arabinoguanosine analogues with their favored south‐east sugar conformation do not support formation of the V‐loop topology. Examination of known G‐quadruplexes with a V‐shaped loop highlights the critical role of the sugar conformation for this distinct structural motif., Refolding of a (3+1) hybrid G‐quadruplex into a quadruplex with an interrupted G‐tract and a V‐shaped loop is enforced by two 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐riboguanosine substitutions. The analogues flanking the V‐loop in the rearranged structure adopt syn and anti glycosidic torsion angles and a north‐type sugar pucker, the latter being identified as a critical parameter for V‐loop formation.

Nucleic acids can adopt various secondary structures including double-, triple-, and tetra-stranded helices that differ by the specific hydrogen bond mediated pairing pattern between their nucleobase constituents. Whereas double-helical DNA relies on Watson–Crick base pairing to play a prominent role in storing genetic information, G-quadruplexes are tetra-stranded structures that are formed by the association of guanine bases from G-rich DNA and RNA sequences. During the last few decades, G-quadruplexes have attracted considerable interest after the realization that they form and exert regulatory functions in vivo. In addition, quadruplex architectures have also been recognized as versatile and powerful tools in a growing number of technological applications. To appreciate the astonishing structural diversity of these tetra-stranded structures and to give some insight into basic interactions that govern their folding, this article gives an overview of quadruplex structures and rules associated with the formation of different topologies. A brief discussion will also focus on nonconventional quadruplexes as well as on general principles when targeting quadruplexes with ligands. Graphic abstract

G‐quadruplexes have attracted growing interest in recent years due to their occurrence in vivo and their possible biological functions. In addition to being promising targets for drug design, these four‐stranded nucleic acid structures have also been recognized as versatile tools for various technological applications. Whereas a large number of studies have yielded insight into their remarkable structural diversity, our current knowledge on G‐quadruplex stabilities as a function of sequence and environmental factors only gradually emerges with an expanding collection of thermodynamic data. This minireview provides an overview of general rules that may be used to better evaluate quadruplex thermodynamic stabilities but also discusses present challenges in predicting most stable folds for a given sequence and environment., Biological functions of G‐quadruplexes and their properties as exploited in various technological applications depend on their major fold adopted under specific conditions. The present minireview guides through structural and environmental factors that have been identified to play a major role in the formation and stability of G‐quadruplexes.

Multiple G‐tracts within the promoter region of the c‐myc oncogene may fold into various G‐quadruplexes with the recruitment of different tracts and guanosine residues for the G‐core assembly. Thermodynamic profiles for the folding of wild‐type and representative truncated as well as mutated sequences were extracted by comprehensive DSC experiments. The unique G‐quadruplex involving consecutive G‐tracts II–V with formation of two one‐nucleotide and one central two‐nucleotide propeller loop, previously proposed to be the biologically most relevant species, was found to be the most stable fold in terms of its Gibbs free energy of formation at ambient temperatures. Its stability derives from its short propeller loops but also from the favorable type of loop residues. Whereas quadruplex folds with long propeller loops are significantly disfavored, a snap‐back loop structure formed by incorporating a 3’‐terminal guanosine into the empty position of a tetrad seems highly competitive based on its thermodynamic stability. However, its destabilization by extending the 3’‐terminus questions the significance of such a species under in vivo conditions., Multiple guanosine tracts within the promoter region of the c‐myc oncogene may fold into various G‐quadruplex structures to act as gene regulatory elements. A thermodynamic profiling of quadruplex folding identifies most stable topologies at ambient temperatures.

The ability to control the folding topology of DNA G-quadruplexes allows for rational design of quadruplex-based scaffolds for potential use in various therapeutic and technological applications. By exploiting the distinct conformational properties of some base- and sugar-modified guanosine surrogates, conformational transitions can be induced through their judicious incorporation at specific sites in the quadruplex core. Changes may involve tetrad polarity inversions with conservation of the global fold or complete refolding to new topologies. Reliable predictions relating to low-energy conformers formed upon specific chemical perturbations of the system and the rational design of modified sequences suffer from our still limited understanding of the subtle interplay of various favorable and unfavorable interactions within a particular quadruplex scaffold. However, aided by an increasing number of systematic substitution experiments and high-resolution structures of modified quadruplex variants, critical interactions, in addition to glycosidic bond angle propensities, are starting to emerge as important contributors to modification-driven quadruplex refolding.

A DNA G-quadruplex adopting a (3+1)-hybrid structure was substituted at its 5'-tetrad by riboguanosine (rG) analogs. Incorporation of anti-favoring rG at appropriate syn-positions of the 5'-outer tetrad induced conformational rearrangements to yield a quadruplex featuring a 5'-tetrad with reversed polarity. A high-resolution structure of a disubstituted quadruplex variant as well as direct NMR experimental evidence reveals a non-conventional C-H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bond in a medium groove between the 2'-OH of an rG residue adopting a C2'-endo sugar pucker and H8 of a 3'-neighboring anti-G residue. In contrast, a C3'-endo sugar conformation for another guanine ribonucleotide prevents formation of a corresponding hydrogen bond but relocates its 2'-OH substituent from the quadruplex narrow groove into a medium groove. Both the formation of favorable CHO hydrogen bridges and unfavorable interactions of the 2'-hydroxyl group in a narrow groove will promote RNA folding into a parallel topology featuring all-anti core residues and four grooves of medium size.

A (3+1)-hybrid-type G-quadruplex was substituted within its central tetrad by a single 2'-fluoro-modified guanosine. Driven by the anti-favoring nucleoside analogue, a novel quadruplex fold with inversion of a single G-tract and conversion of a propeller loop into a lateral loop emerges. In addition, scalar couplings across hydrogen bonds demonstrate the formation of intra- and inter-residual F⋅⋅⋅H8-C8 pseudo-hydrogen bonds within the modified quadruplexes. Alternative folding can be rationalized by the impact of fluorine on intermediate species on the basis of a kinetic partitioning mechanism. Apparently, chemical or other environmental perturbations are able to redirect folding of a quadruplex, possibly modulating its regulatory role in physiological processes.

A G-quadruplex adopting a (3 + 1)-hybrid structure was substituted at its 5′-tetrad by 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-arabinoguanosine (FaraG) analogs. Incorporation of anti-favoring FaraG at syn-positions of the 5′-outer tetrad induced a reversal of the tetrad polarity without noticeably compromising the quadruplex stability. This conformational change is shown to be promoted by nonconventional C–H···F hydrogen bonds acting within the anti-FaraG residues.

A human telomere sequence that folds into an intramolecular (3 + 1)-hybrid G-quadruplex was modified by the incorporation of 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxyriboguanosines (FG) into syn positions of its outer tetrad. A circular dichroism and NMR spectral analysis reveals a nearly quantitative switch of the G-tetrad polarity with concerted syn↔anti transitions of all four G residues. These observations follow findings on a FG-substituted (3 + 1)-hybrid quadruplex with a different fold, suggesting a more general propensity of hybrid-type quadruplexes to undergo a tetrad polarity reversal. Two out of the three FG analogs in both modified quadruplexes adopt an S-type sugar pucker, challenging a sole contribution of N-type sugars in enforcing an anti glycosidic torsion angle associated with the tetrad flip. NMR restrained three-dimensional structures of the two substituted quadruplexes reveal a largely conserved overall fold but significant rearrangements of the overhang and loop nucleotides capping the flipped tetrad. Suga...

The oligomer d(GCGTG3 TCAG3 TG3 TG3 ACGC) with short complementary flanking sequences at the 5'- and 3'-ends was shown to fold into three different DNA G-quadruplex species. In contrast, a corresponding oligomer that lacks base complementarity between the two overhang sequences folds into a single parallel G-quadruplex. The three coexisting quadruplex structures were unambiguously identified and structurally characterized through detailed spectral comparisons with well-defined G-quadruplexes formed upon the deliberate incorporation of syn-favoring 8-bromoguanosine analogues into specific positions of the G-core. Two (3+1) hybrid structures coexist with the parallel fold and feature a novel lateral-propeller-propeller loop architecture that has not yet been confirmed experimentally. Both hybrid quadruplexes adopt the same topology and only differ in their pattern of anti→syn transitions and tetrad stackings.

Indoloquinoline alkaloids isolated from natural sources are known for their broad spectrum of biological activities. The cytotoxic action of some derivatives is thought to arise from their interaction with genomic DNA driven by favorable stacking interactions of the intercalated indoloquinoline skeleton with the DNA base pairs. In addition to double-helical DNA, indoloquinoline derivatives have also been found to bind DNA triplexes as well as G-quadruplexes with high affinity, opening interesting perspectives towards the development of indoloquinoline-based DNA binding ligands with numerous potential applications in therapeutics, diagnostics and microbiology. The present paper presents an overview of studies dealing primarily with the binding of indoloquinoline analogs to double-helical, triple-helical or quadruplex targets. Available thermodynamic and structural data that also include few experimentally determined three-dimensional structures of DNA-drug complexes highlight key elements for an improved binding affinity but also important structural aspects for the design of structure-selective analogs, prerequisite for many potential applications.

DNA G-quadruplexes were systematically modified by single riboguanosine (rG) substitutions at anti-dG positions. Circular dichroism and NMR experiments confirmed the conservation of the native quadruplex topology for most of the DNA–RNA hybrid structures. Changes in the C8 NMR chemical shift of guanosines following rG substitution at their 3′-side within the quadruplex core strongly suggest the presence of C8−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen-bonding interactions with the O2′ position of the C2′-endo ribonucleotide. A geometric analysis of reported high-resolution structures indicates that such interactions are a more general feature in RNA quadruplexes and may contribute to the observed preference for parallel topologies.

Base pairs formed by the inosine nucleoside (I) play an important role in many physiological processes as well as in various DNA technologies. Relative stabilities and favored base pair geometries of free inosine wobble base pairs in aprotic solvents have been determined through (1)H NMR measurements at room temperature and at very low temperatures in a freonic solvent. As indicated by its significantly deshielded imino proton, the Watson-Crick-type I·C base pair forms a remarkably strong NHN hydrogen bond. For the thermodynamically less stable I·A wobble base pair, two configurations of similar population coexist at 133 K in the slow hydrogen bond exchange regime, namely a Watson-Crick(I)-Watson-Crick(A) geometry and a Watson-Crick(I)-Hoogsteen(A) geometry. I·U base pairs are stabilized by two rather weak hydrogen bonds and are significantly disfavored over inosine self-associates in a low-temperature Freon solution.

Phenyl-substituted indoloquinolines were studied for their biological activity and their DNA binding affinity. Water-soluble aminoalkyl derivatives were prepared and have shown significant in vitro anticancer activity. Unlike previous reports on the potential role of duplex DNA as target for various indoloquinoline based drugs, duplex UV melting experiments and fluorescence titrations suggest only weak and moderately strong binding of the phenyl-substituted indoloquinolines at 120 mM and 20 mM Na+ concentrations, respectively. Binding is suggested by ethidium displacement and circular dichroism experiments to be associated with drug intercalation between base pairs.

Several triplex-forming 9-mer oligonucleotide (TFO) conjugates with a methyl- or methoxy-substituted 5-phenyl-6H-indolo[3,2-b]quinoline (PIQ) attached at the 5'-terminus or 3'-terminus or at an internal C5 thymine position were synthesized and tested for their ability to form and stabilize a triple helix with a double-helical DNA target employing UV melting experiments, fluorescence titrations, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). A considerable thermal stabilization by up to 14 degrees C at pH 6.0 was observed for the 5'- and 3'-conjugates with little influence on the type of substituent but also for a conjugate with the ligand tethered by a short linker to the interior of the 9-mer TFO. A detailed thermodynamic characterization of the unmodified TFO and its 5'-conjugate with a methyl-substituted ligand by ITC experiments yielded a DeltaDeltaG degrees of -1.8 kcal mol(-1) at pH 6.0 for the TFO-attached PIQ-triplex interaction and also revealed a favorable entropic contribution as the major determinant for the free energy of PIQ binding in the conjugate. The pH dependence of triplex thermal stability highlights the importance of ring protonation of the triplex-bound ligand for its effective interaction and triplex stabilization near physiological conditions.

DNA binding of two hybrid ligands composed of an alkylating pyrrolo[2,1- c ][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) moiety tethered to either a naphthalimide or a phenyl benzimidazole chromophore was studied by DNA melting experiments, UV and fluorescence titrations, CD spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Binding of both hybrids results in a remarkable thermal stabilization with an increase of DNA melting temperatures by up to 40 °C for duplexes that allow for a covalent attachment of the PBD moiety to guanine bases in their minor groove. CD spectroscopic measurements suggest that the naphthalimide moiety of the drug interacts through intercalation. In contrast, the PBD-benzimidazole hybrid binds in the DNA minor groove with a preference for (A,T) 4 G sequences. Whereas the binding of both ligands is enthalpy-driven and associated with a negative entropy, the benzimidazole hybrid exhibits a less favourable binding enthalpy that is counterbalanced by a more favourable entropic term when compared to the naphthalimide hybrid.

The interaction of phenyl-substituted indolo[3,2-b]quinolines with DNA G-quadruplexes of different topology were studied by using a combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric methodologies. N5-Methylated indoloquinoline derivatives ((Me) PIQ) with an aminoalkyl side chain exhibit high affinities for the parallel-stranded MYC quadruplex and a (3+1)-hybrid structure combined with an excellent discrimination against the antiparallel thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) and the human telomeric (HT) quadruplexes. Dissociation constants for the binding of the ligand to the MYC quadruplex are in the submicromolar range, being below the corresponding dissociation constants for the antiparallel-stranded quadruplexes by about one order of magnitude. Competition experiments with double-helical DNA reveal the impact of indoloquinoline structural features on the selectivity for the parallel quadruplex relative to duplex DNA. Based on a calorimetric analysis binding to MYC is shown to be equally driven by favorable enthalpic and entropic contributions with no significant impact on the type of cation present.

The interactions of a dicarbocyanine dye 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine, DiSC2(5), with DNA G-quadruplexes were studied by means of a combination of various spectroscopic techniques. Aggregation of excess dye as a result of its positive charge is promoted by the presence of the polyanionic quadruplex structure. Specific high-affinity binding to the parallel quadruplex of the MYC promoter sequence involves stacking of DiSC2(5) on the external G-tetrads; the 5'-terminal tetrad is the favored binding site. Significant energy transfer between DNA and the dye in the UV spectral region is observed upon DiSC2(5) binding. The transfer efficiency strongly depends on the DNA secondary structure as well as on the G-quadruplex topology. These photophysical features enable the selective detection of DNA quadruplexes through sensitized DiSC2(5) fluorescence in the visible region.

An urocanamide nucleoside designed and previously tested as its protected ribose derivative in aprotic solvents for binding a cytosine–guanine (CG) Watson–Crick base pair was successfully incorporated into a triplex forming oligonucleotide. Binding affinity and specificity of this nonnatural nucleoside were studied in a triple helix with duplex targets containing all four possible Watson–Crick base pairs opposite the nucleoside analog in the third strand. UV melting experiments indicate the formation of a well-defined triplex with specific binding of the urocanamide analog to a CG inversion of the homopurine–homopyrimidine target. However, binding affinities in the triplex are weak and much lower when compared to the canonical base triads.

Employing NMR spectroscopic methods preferred binding sites of a triplex-selective indoloquinoline drug were examined with three DNA triplex targets. To directly derive and evaluate number and type of the different sites of interaction, studies were performed on short triple-helical constructs specifically labeled with 3-(15)N thymidine probes. The detection and assignment of several coexisting species was enabled through the observation of slow exchange on the chemical shift timescale between complexes and free triplex. In general, the 5'-triplex-duplex junction constitutes the most favorable intercalation site, in particular when flanked by a TAT base triad. NMR data also revealed two different orientations for the intercalating indoloquinoline drug. Binding affinity significantly decreases with a C(+)GC triad bordering the junction but junction binding is still preferred over intercalation between TAT base triads within the triplex stem. In addition to the intercalation between two uncharged TAT triplets, intercalation between a TAT and a 3'-terminal C(+)GC triplet was also observed, indicating a non-protonated third strand cytosine at the triplex end position.

A set of 21 oligodeoxynucleotides were designed to fold into intramolecular triple helices of the pyrimidine motif under appropriate conditions. UV melting experiments on the triplexes which only differ in the number and distribution of third strand cytosines reveal the influence of sequence and pH on triplex stability and can be summarized as follows: (1) increasing the cytosine content in the third strand results in a higher thermal stability of the triplex at acidic pH but lowers the triplex to duplex melting temperature at neutral pH; (2) cytosines at terminal positions destabilize the triple helical structure as compared to non-terminal positions; (3) contiguous cytosines lead to a pH dependent destabilization of the triplex, the destabilizing effect being more pronounced at higher pH. Analysis of these effects in terms of the various interactions within a triple helical complex indicate that the sequence-dependent stabilities are largely determined by the extent of protonation for individual third strand cytosines.

To investigate cytosine protonation and its influence on the sequence-dependent thermal stability of DNA triplexes in detail, we have employed homo- and heteronuclear NMR experiments on specifically (15)N-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides that were designed to fold into intramolecular triple helices of the pyrimidine motif under appropriate conditions. These experiments reveal that cytosines in central positions of the triplex are significantly protonated even at neutral pH. However, semiprotonation points for individual cytosine bases as determined from pH-dependent measurements show considerable differences depending on their position. Thus, protonation is disfavored for adjacent cytosines or for cytosines at the triplex termini, resulting in a smaller contribution to the overall free energy of the triple helical system. In contrast, protonation of the base upon substitution of 5-methylcytosine for cytosine in the triplex third strand is only affected to a minor extent, and triplex stabilization by the methyl substituent is shown to primarily arise from stacking energies and/or hydrophobic effects.

A 2-fluoro-substituted pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) dimer with a 1,4-di-n-propyl piperazine linker was studied with respect to its binding and crosslinking capability towards double-helical DNA targets. Duplex thermal stabilizations upon drug binding as measured by UV melting experiments suggest that two guanine bases separated by four AT base pairs constitute the favorable binding site for the PBD dimer. Large stabilizations were observed for the self-complementary duplex d(AACAATTGTT)(2) as well as for the non-self-complementary duplex d(AAGAATTGTT)·d(AACAATTCTT) with both guanines located on the same strand. Formation of interstrand and intrastrand crosslinks by the covalent binding of both PBD moieties of the dimer to the exocyclic 2-amino group of the two guanine bases within the duplex minor groove was confirmed by NMR structural studies. In both the symmetric and non-symmetric DNA-PBD adducts the newly created stereogenic center at C11 of the tricyclic PBD subunits favors an S configuration. Different orientations of the PBD aromatic A-ring with respect to the covalently modified guanine as observed in the non-symmetric complex are shown to result in characteristic changes of PBD H11 and H11a proton chemical shifts. Based on a compilation of available NMR data on various PBD complexes, these differences may be used as valuable probes for the identification of PBD orientational preferences in DNA-PBD adducts.

An 11-phenyl-indolo[3,2-b]quinoline (PIQ) was tethered through an aminoalkyl linker to the 5'-end of four pyrimidine oligonucleotides with T/C scrambled sequences at their two 5'-terminal positions. Binding to different double-helical DNA targets formed parallel triple helices with a PIQ-mediated stabilization that strongly depends on pH and the terminal base triad at the 5'-triplex-duplex junction. The most effective stabilization was observed with a TAT triplet at the 5'-junction under low pH conditions, pointing to a protonated ligand with a high triplex binding affinity and unfavorable charge repulsions in the case of a terminal C(+)GC triplet at the junction. The latter preference of the PIQ ligand for TAT over CGC is alleviated yet still preserved at higher pH. Intercalation of PIQ at the 5'-triplex-duplex junction as suggested by the triplex melting experiments was confirmed by homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR structural studies on a specifically isotope-labeled triplex. The NMR analysis revealed two coexisting species that only differ by a 180° rotation of the indoloquinoline within the intercalation pocket. NOE-derived molecular models indicate extensive stacking interactions of the indoloquinoline moiety with the TAT base triplet and CG base pair at the junction and a phenyl substituent that is positioned in the major groove and oriented almost perpendicular to the plane of the indoloquinoline.

The DNA binding of a naphthalimide drug conjugated through a piperazine containing linker with a pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) to d(AACAATTGTT)(2) was studied by a combination of high-resolution (1)H and (31)P 2D NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics calculations in explicit solvent. The bifunctional hybrid binds with its PBD moiety covalently linked within the minor groove to a guanine with an S stereochemistry at its covalent linkage site at C11 and a 5'-orientation of its A-ring carrying the linker with the naphthalimide ligand. The latter inserts from the minor groove between an A-A.T-T base pair step resulting in an opposite buckling of the base pairs at the intercalation site and duplex unwinding at adjacent internucleotide steps. There is NMR spectroscopic evidence that the naphthalimide undergoes a ring-flip motion with exchange rates slow to intermediate on the chemical shift time scale at ambient temperatures.

Two self-complementary dinucleotide analogues T(Si)A and A(Si)T with a nonionic diisopropylsilyl-modified backbone were synthesized, and their association in a nonaqueous aprotic environment was studied by NMR spectroscopy. Using a CDClF(2)/CDF(3) solvent mixture, measurements at temperatures as low as 113 K allowed the observation and structural characterization of individual complexes in the slow exchange regime. The A(Si)T analogue associates to exclusively form a dinucleotide antiparallel duplex with regular Watson-Crick base pairing, but both A and T nucleosides exhibit a predominant C3'-endo sugar pucker reminiscent of an A-type conformation. In contrast to A(Si)T, the T(Si)A dinucleotide is found to exhibit significant variability and flexibility. Thus, different secondary structures with weaker hydrogen bonds for all T(Si)A structures are observed at low temperatures. Although a B-like Watson-Crick antiparallel dinucleotide duplex with a preferred C2'-endo sugar pucker largely predominates at temperatures above 153 K, two additional species, namely a dinucleotide Hoogsteen duplex with a syn glycosidic torsion angle of the adenosine nucleoside and a presumably intramolecularly folded structure, are increasingly populated upon further cooling. By adding typical DNA intercalators like anthracene or benz[c]acridine derivatives to the A(Si)T dinucleotide duplex in the aprotic solvent environment, no binding of the polycyclic aromatic molecules can be detected even at lower temperatures. Obviously, van der Waals and stacking interactions are insufficient to compensate for the other unfavorable contributions to the overall free energy of binding, and only in the presence of additional hydrophobic effects in an aqueous environment does binding occur.

A pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-benzimidazole hybrid (PBD-BIMZ) derived from the tricyclic anticancer PBD antibiotics can covalently bind to a guanine base at its exocyclic 2-amino group in double-helical DNA. Through the formation of stable DNA adducts, these hybrids have previously been shown to have significant anticancer activity in a number of cell lines. Here, the three-dimensional solution structure of the complex formed between the self-complementary DNA decamer 5'-AACAATTGTT-3' and PBD-BIMZ has been investigated by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and NOE distance restraint molecular dynamics simulations. Refinements using an explicit solvation model yielded a complex structure that is in good agreement with the NMR structural data. Successful convergence is indicated by an average mutual root-mean-square deviation of1 A for three final representative structures selected by clustering methods from the molecular dynamics trajectories at 300 K. The ligand binds in an (11S,11aS) configuration to one of the two symmetrically located guanine bases of the duplex and is oriented with its benzimidazole moiety toward the 5'-end of the modified guanine. It is accommodated within the minor groove covering the centrally located 6 bp. Conformational and helical parameters of the DNA adduct are typical of a B-like duplex, and more significant helical distortions by the covalent binding of PBD-BIMZ are mostly confined to the covalent binding site and the junction between complexed and noncomplexed DNA segments. In contrast to the overall well-determined conformation of the bound hybrid, its terminal N-methylpiperazine ring appears to adopt various conformations associated with increased flexibility.

A benzoannulated delta-carboline with a phenyl substituent has been covalently tethered to the 3'-end of a triplex-forming oligonucleotide and its ability to bind and stabilize DNA triple helices has been examined by various spectroscopic methods. UV thermal melting experiments were conducted with different hairpin duplexes and with a complementary single-stranded oligonucleotide as targets for the conjugate. The delta-carboline ligand preferentially binds triplexes over duplexes and leads to a temperature increase of the triplex-to-duplex transition by up to 23 degrees C. The results obtained from UV, CD and fluorescence measurements suggest that the delta-carboline ligand exhibits specific interactions with a triplex and favors binding by intercalation at the triplex-duplex junction.

A δ-carboline derivative was covalently coupled to a 7 mer oligonucleotide at its 5′- or 3′-end. The stability of triplexes formed from the conjugates and a double-helical target was studied by UV melting experiments. Compared to the unmodified control triple helices, triplexes with the conjugate exhibit a significantly higher stability. However, the degree of stabilization depends on the particular triplex structure formed.

The sodium hydride mediated cyclization of arylacetonitriles with oxalic acid bis(imidoyl) dichlorides, aza-analogues of oxalyl chloride, afforded functionalized 2-alkylidene-3-iminoindoles with very good regio- and E/Z selectivity. Excellent chemoselectivities were observed for functionalized substrates. Based on these results a domino "cyclization-lactamization" reaction of bis(imidoyl) chlorides with methyl 2-(cyanomethyl)benzoate was developed. This process allowed a convenient one-pot synthesis of indolo[1,2-b]isoquinolin-5-ones related to tryptanthrin. A new and convenient synthesis of delta-carbolines by intramolecular electrocyclization-elimination reactions of 2-alkylidene-3-iminoindoles was developed. It was shown that delta-carbolines selectively bind to triplex or duplex DNA (intercalation). Indirubine analogues were prepared by deprotection and lactonization of functionalized 2-alkylidene-3-iminoindoles.

Oligodeoxynucleotides designed to form intramolecular triple helices are widely used as model systems in thermodynamic and structural studies. We now report results from UV, Raman and NMR experiments demonstrating that the strand polarity, which also determines the orientation of the connecting loops, has a considerable impact on the formation and stability of pyr x pur x pyr triple helices. There are two types of monomolecular triplexes that can be defined by the location of their purine tract at either the 5'- or 3'-end of the sequence. We have examined four pairs of oligonucleotides with the same base composition but with reversed polarity that can fold into intramolecular triple helices with seven base triplets and two T4 loops under appropriate conditions. UV spectroscopic monitoring of thermal denaturation indicates a consistently higher thermal stability for the 5'-sequences at pH 5.0 in the absence of Mg2+ ions. Raman spectra provide evidence for the formation of triple helices at pH 5 for oligomers with purine tracts located at either the 5'- or 3'-end of the sequence. However, NMR measurements reveal considerable differences in the secondary structures formed by the two types of oligonucleotides. Thus, at acidic pH significant structural heterogeneity is observed for the 3'-sequences. Employing selectively 15N-labeled oligomers, NMR experiments indicate a folding pattern for the competing structures that at least partially changes both Hoogsteen and Watson-Crick base-base interactions.

The solution structure of the DNA decamer d(CATTTGCATC)-d(GATGCAAATG), comprising the octamer motif of immunoglobulin genes, is determined by restrained molecular dynamics (rMD) simulations. The restraint data set includes interproton distances and torsion angles for the deoxyribose sugar ring which were previously obtained by a complete relaxation matrix analysis of the two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (2D NOE) intensities and by the quantitative simulation of cross-peaks in double-quantum-filtered correlated (2QF-COSY) spectra. The influence of torsion angles and the number of experimental distance restraints on the structural refinement has been systematically examined. Omitting part of the experimental NOE-derived distances results in reduced restraint violations and lower R factors but impairs structural convergence in the rMD refinement. Eight separate restrained molecular dynamics simulations were carried out for 20 ps each, starting from either energy-minimized A- or B-DNA. Mutual atomic root-mean-square (rms) differences among the refined structures are well below 1 A and comparable to the rms fluctuations of the atoms about their average position, indicating convergence to essentially identical structures. The average refined structure was subjected to an additional 100 ps of rMD simulations and analyzed in terms of average torsion angles and helical parameters. The B-type duplex exhibits clear sequence-dependent variations in its geometry with a narrow minor groove at the T3.A3 tract and a large positive roll at the subsequent TG.CA step. This is accompanied by a noticeable bend of the global helix axis into the major groove. There is also evidence of significant flexibility of the sugar-phosphate backbone with rapid interconversion among different conformers.

Phase-sensitive two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (2D NOE) and double-quantum-filtered correlated (2QF-COSY) spectra were recorded at 500 MHz for the DNA duplex d(CATTTGCATC).d(GATGCAAATG), which contains the octamer element of immunoglobulin genes. Exchangeable and nonexchangeable proton resonances including those of the H5' and H5" protons were assigned. Overall, the decamer duplex adopts a B-type DNA conformation. Scalar coupling constants for the sugar protons were determined by quantitative simulations of 2QF-COSY cross-peaks. These couplings are consistent with a two-state dynamic equilibrium between a minor N- and a major S-type conformer for all residues. The pseudorotation phase angle P of the major conformer is in the range 117-135 degrees for nonterminal pyrimidine nucleotides and 153-162 degrees for nonterminal purine nucleotides. Except for the terminal residues, the minor conformer comprises less than 25% of the population. Distance constraints obtained by a complete relaxation matrix analysis of the 2D NOE intensities with the MARDIGRAS algorithm confirm the dependence of the sugar pucker on pyrimidine and purine bases. Averaging by fast local motions has at most small effects on the NOE-derived interproton distances.