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Glutaredoxins (Grxs) have been identified across taxa as important mediators in various physiological functions. A chloroplastic monothiol glutaredoxin, AtGRXS16 from Arabidopsis thaliana, comprises two distinct functional domains, an N-terminal domain (NTD) with GlyIleTyr-TyrIleGly (GIY-YIG) endonuclease motif and a C-terminal Grx module, to coordinate redox regulation and DNA cleavage in chloroplasts. Structural determination of AtGRXS16-NTD showed that it possesses a GIY-YIG endonuclease fold, but the critical residues for the nuclease activity are different from typical GIY-YIG endonucleases. AtGRXS16-NTD was able to cleave λDNA and chloroplast genomic DNA, and the nuclease activity was significantly reduced in AtGRXS16. Functional analysis indicated that AtGRXS16-NTD could inhibit the ability of AtGRXS16 to suppress the sensitivity of yeast grx5 cells to oxidative stress; however, the C-terminal Grx domain itself and AtGRXS16 with a Cys123Ser mutation were active in these cells and able to functionally complement a Grx5 deficiency in yeast. Furthermore, the two functional domains were shown to be negatively regulated through the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond. These findings unravel a manner of regulation for Grxs and provide insights into the mechanistic link between redox regulation and DNA metabolism in chloroplasts.

Two new ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)2(mitatp)](ClO4)2 1 and [Ru(bpy)2(nitatp)](ClO4)2 2 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, mitatp = 5-methoxy-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene, nitatp = 5-nitro-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Spectroscopic and viscosity measurements proved that the two Ru(II) complexes intercalate DNA with larger binding constants than that of [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]2+ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) and possess the excited lifetime of microsecond scale upon binding to DNA. Both complexes can efficiently photocleave pBR322 DNA in vitro under irradiation. Singlet oxygen (1O2) was proved to contribute to the DNA photocleavage process, the 1O2 quantum yields was determined to be 0.43 and 0.36 for 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism was also found to be involved in the DNA cleavage process.

A series of enantiomeric polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes Delta- and Lambda-[Ru(bpy)2CNOIP](PF6)2 (Delta-1 and Lambda-1; BPY=2,2'-bipyridine, CNOIP=2-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), Delta- and Lambda-[Ru(bpy)2HPIP](PF6)2 (Delta-2 and Lambda-2; HPIP=2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), Delta- and Lambda-[Ru(bpy)2DPPZ](PF6)2 (Delta-3 and Lambda-3; DPPZ=dipyrido[3,2:a-2',3':c]-phenazine), Delta- and Lambda-[Ru(bpy)2TAPTP](PF6)2 (Delta-4 and Lambda-4; TAPTP=4,5,9,18-tetraazaphenanthreno[9,10-b] triphenylene) have been synthesized. Binding of these chiral complexes to calf thymus DNA has been studied by spectroscopic methods, viscosity, and equilibrium dialysis. The experimental results indicated that all the enantiomers of these complexes bound to DNA through an intercalative mode, but the binding affinity of each chiral complex to DNA was different due to the different shape and planarity of the intercalative ligand. After binding to DNA, the luminescence property of complex 1 was distinctly different from complexes 2 to 4. Upon irradiation at 302 nm, complexes 2-4 were found to promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from supercoiled form I to nicked form II, and obvious enantioselectively was observed on DNA cleavage for the enantiomers of complexes 2 and 4. The mechanisms for DNA cleavage by these enantiomeric complexes were also proposed.

To investigate the feasibility and possibility of application of fetal DNA from maternal plasma for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex, plasma DNAs in blood samples of 73 pregnant women at the gestational period of 26 to 41 weeks were extracted by column separation and nested polymerase chain reaction were employed to amplify the SRY gene. A comparison was made between the amplification results and the real sex of the fetus after their delivery. The concordance rate of SRY gene amplification results of plasma free DNA with real fetal sex was 91.78% (67/73), the sensitivity rate was 97.37% (37/38), and the specific rate was 85.71% (30/35). The cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood can be one of the valuable material sources for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis and the method of nested PCR could be useful for fetal sex determination. The specific rate of the test was 91.78%. It is of significance to prevent sex-linked inheritant diseases.

The ligand ODHIP (3,4-dihydroxyl-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) and its cobalt(III) complex [Co(bpy)(2)(ODHIP)](3+) were synthesized and characterized. Binding of this complex with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity. The experimental results indicated that the complex bound to DNA by intercalation. In Tris buffer, the complex could emit relatively weak luminescence. After binding to DNA, the notable enhancement was observed. However, when the Cu(2+) was further added, the luminescence decreased gradually and disappeared after the equimolar concentrations of Cu(2+) was added, which exhibited the "off-on-off" properties of molecular light switch.

The ligand 2-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline(CNOIP) and its complexes [Co(bpy)(2)(CNOIP)](3+) (1) and [Co(phen)(2)(CNOIP)](3+) (2) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; phen=1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized. Binding of the two complexes with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by spectroscopic methods, cyclic voltammetry, viscosity, and electrophoresis measurements. The experimental results indicate that both complexes bind to DNA through an intercalative mode. In comparison with their parent complexes containing PIP ligand (PIP=2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), the introduction of NO(2) and Cl groups to the PIP ligand decreased the binding affinity of complexes 1 and 2 to CT DNA. Both complexes have also been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA, the hydroxyl radical (OH*) is suggested to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage.

The present studies examined the impact of a processed garlic powder on the in vivo occurrence of DNA adducts caused by N-nitroso compounds (NOC) in rats. Addition of 2% garlic powder to diets containing aminopyrine and sodium nitrite (each at 600 mg/kg) reduced the occurrence of both 7-N-methyldeoxyguanosine (7-N-mG) and 6-O-methyldeoxyguanosine (6-O-mG) adducts to rat liver DNA by approximately 55%; and over 80% when 4% garlic was provided. Dietary supplementation with garlic powder (2 and 4%) also reduced the occurrence of 7-N-mG and 6-O-mG adducts by approximately 40 and 60% respectively, in rats intubated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (150 mg/kg body wt). The quantity of 7-N-mG and 6-O-mG adducts in mammary tissue of rats given intravenous N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (50 mg/kg body wt) was reduced over 50% in rats fed 2% garlic compared to controls. The depression in the occurrence of these adducts was approximately 70% when dietary garlic was increased to 4%. These experiments suggest the reduction in DNA adducts caused by processed garlic powder likely reflects a depression in the formation of NOC from precursors and changes in the bioactivation and/or denitrosation of NOC.

The present studies determined the impact of age, dietary selenium and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) dosage on the occurrence of DMBA-DNA adducts in rat mammary tissue. Diets formulated to contain selenium, as sodium selenite, at 0.1 (control) or 2.0 mg/kg were fed for 2 wk before DMBA treatment. Food intake and weight gain were not influenced by selenium intake. Anti- and syn-dihydrodiol epoxide adducts reached maximum binding by 24 and 36 h, respectively, after treatment with DMBA. Consumption of the diet containing 2.0 mg Se/kg inhibited the appearance of both anti- and syn-adducts by approximately 50% compared with controls. The occurrence of DMBA-DNA adducts correlated with a dosage of DMBA from 5 to 50 mg/kg body wt (r greater than or equal to 0.95). The ability of supplemental selenite to lower DMBA binding to mammary cell DNA increased as the quantity of the carcinogen administered increased. DMBA-DNA binding was found to increase with the increasing age of the rat. Nevertheless, dietary selenium supplementation was effective in reducing DMBA binding to DNA in all ages examined. These data confirmed the ability of dietary selenium to inhibit the in vivo metabolism of DMBA under a variety of conditions.

The present studies were designed to examine the influence of dietary selenite supplementation on the initiation phase of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis and to correlate selenite-induced changes in the binding of DMBA metabolites to rat mammary cell DNA with the ultimate tumor incidence. Diets formulated to contain selenium, as sodium selenite at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 micrograms/g were fed for 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks following treatment with DMBA (5 mg/kg body weight). Food intake and weight gain did not differ among treatments. Tumor incidence correlated inversely to the quantity of selenium consumed (r = -0.99). Final tumor incidences were 52, 32, 24, 14, and 10% for rats fed 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 4 micrograms selenium/g, respectively. In a separate group of rats fed a diet containing 4 micrograms selenium/g during both the initiation and promotion stages the final tumor incidence was 4.8%. Selenite supplementation for 2 weeks markedly depressed the occurrence of individual and total DMBA-DNA adducts. The final mammary tumor incidence correlated positively with total DMBA-DNA adducts (r = 0.99). These studies clearly demonstrate that selenite can inhibit the initiation stage of mammary carcinogenesis. This reduction in tumor incidence is likely due to a reduction in carcinogen metabolism and ultimately adduct formation.

The binding between indirubin and calf thymus DNA in vitro has been verified by means of the isotope labelling method, spectrophotometric method and thermal denaturation measurements. The lambda max 207 nm of indirubin shifted toward longer wave length with decrease of absorbance after the incubation of indirubin with DNA. The escalation of Tm value of DNA induced by indirubin was about 2.4 degrees C and it was reproducible. The binding force between them was rather weak, as indirubin molecules were easily released during the precipitation with alcohol or the gel filtration. The binding was not affected by sodium chloride even at high concentration but greatly decreased (to 20-30% of the control) in the presence of 8 M urea. These results showed that the binding between indirubin and DNA might be of hydrogen bond rather than ionic. The amount of bound 3H-indirubin was directly proportional to the concentration of indirubin. However, it increased abruptly when the concentration of indirubin reached 1.5 x 10(-4) M. This suggested another binding force in the latter instance. By using spectrophotometric analysis and Scatchard plot it was found that calf thymus DNA bound 46 indirubin molecules/1000 nucleotides. The association constant (K) was 5.7 x 10(6).

The human fetal gamma chains are produced by closely linked G gamma and A gamma genes, and unequal crossing over between them leads to gamma gene deletions and triplications. Nine gamma gene triplications from seven ethnic groups were analyzed for G gamma and hemoglobin F (Hb F) values of heterozygotes and for the presence of polymorphic XmnI restriction sites 5' to the gamma genes. Four categories of triplication were found: I had low G gamma and low Hb F values and lacked XmnI sites 5' to the three gamma genes [---]. II had high G gamma and slightly elevated Hb F values but was also [---]. III was similar to II, except that XmnI was [+--]. IV had very high G gamma and slightly elevated Hb F values, and XmnI was [++-]. One case each of triplications I and IV were cloned into Charon 35. For both, the two 5' gamma gene code for G gamma chain, while the 3' gamma gene codes for A gamma chain. DNA sequencing showed that the unequal crossover occurred between 472 and 398 base pairs (bp) 5' to the gamma gene Cap sites (-472 and -398) for the type IV triplication and between -271 and codon 136 for the type I triplication. In addition, type I had a 4-bp deletion of AGCA from -225 to -222. The high G gamma values of the type IV triplication are explained by its -G gamma-G gamma-A gamma-gene arrangement and the XmnI sites 5' to the G gamma genes. We hypothesize that the low G gamma value of the type I triplication, which is also -G gamma-G gamma-A gamma-, is due to inactivation of the middle G gamma gene by the AGCA deletion at -225 to -222.