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Benzo[a]pyrene, a common environmental pollutant, can be metabolized into reactive anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (anti-BPDE), which predominantly binds to deoxyguanine in DNA and forms four stereoisomeric adducts. To characterize the stereochemistry of these adduct isomers, preparation of single adducted deoxyguanosine (dG) is required for efficient enantiomeric analysis. Here, we demonstrate an improved method for preparation, identification, and analysis of four BPDE-adducted dGs, including (+)-trans-, (-)-trans-, (+)-cis-, and (-)-cis-anti-BPDE-N(2)-dG. These stereoisomerically adducted nucleosides were first synthesized by a direct reaction of (+/-)-anti-BPDE with dG, followed by optimized solid-phase extraction (SPE) and HPLC purification. The reaction of (+/-)-anti-BPDE and dG displayed a yield as high as 45%. The developed preparation method does not require any enzymatic digestion. Based on highly efficient separation achieved by optimization of stationary phase and mobile phase, LC-UV-MS/MS and LC-diode array detection (DAD)-fluorescence detection (FL) methods were established for characterization and analysis of the four stereoisomeric anti-BPDE-dGs. The established LC-DAD-FL method may provide characterization and analysis of four stereoisomeric anti-BPDE-dGs and two interfering anti-BPDE tetrols by taking advantage of their distinct fluorescence quenching.

We describe a novel trifluoroethanol (TFE) or hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFP) mediated substitution reaction of the bay-region C10 acetoxy group in four stereoisomeric 7,8,9,10-tetraacetoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrenes (tetraol tetraacetates, two pairs of cis and trans isomers at the 9,10 positions) by the exocyclic N2-amino group of O6-allyl-3',5'-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (3). The tetraacetates are derived from cis and trans hydrolysis of (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P DE-1) and of (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P DE-2) at C-10 followed by acetylation. Excellent yields and high regioselectivity were observed. Similar cis/trans product ratios were observed for each set of cis and trans tetraol tetraacetates derived from DE-1 ( approximately 75/25) and from DE-2 (approximately 67/33) in HFP. This strongly suggests that the substitution proceeds via an SN1 mechanism involving a carbocation intermediate that is common to the cis and trans tetraacetates. Since it is likely that the cis and trans products from 3 arise from different conformations of the carbocation, its lifetime must be sufficiently long to permit conformational equilibration before its capture by the purine nucleophile. The corresponding reaction of (+/-)-9alpha-bromo-7beta,8alpha,10beta-triacetoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene with 3 in HFP was highly regio- and stereoselective and gave exclusively trans 10beta-adducts. This newly developed substitution reaction provides an attractive alternative synthetic strategy for the preparation of polycyclic hydrocarbon adducted oligonucleotide building blocks.

The two diastereomeric forms (5'S) and (5'R) of 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosine have been synthesized and fully characterized. They have been used as references for the investigation of gamma-irradiation of 2'-deoxyguanosine and photolysis of 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine in aqueous solutions. The observed (5'R)/(5'S) ratio of 8:1 was obtained in both sets of experiments. The mechanism of the cyclization reaction is discussed in some detail, and the diastereomeric outcome is rationalized in terms of favorable hydrogen-bonded structures in the pro-(5'R) conformation.

O6-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (alkyltransferase) provides an important source of resistance to some cancer chemotherapeutic alkylating agents. Folate ester derivatives of O6-benzyl-2'-deoxyguanosine and of O6-[4-(hydroxymethyl)benzyl]guanine were synthesized and tested for their ability to inactivate human alkyltransferase. Inactivation of alkyltransferase by the gamma-folate ester of O6-[4-(hydroxymethyl)benzyl]guanine was similar to that of the parent base. The gamma-folate esters of O6-benzyl-2'-deoxyguanosine were more potent alkyltransferase inactivators than the parent nucleoside. The 3'-ester was considerably more potent than the 5'-ester and was more than an order of magnitude more active than O6-benzylguanine, which is currently in clinical trials to enhance therapy with alkylating agents. They were also able to sensitize human tumor cells to killing by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, with O6-benzyl-3'-O-(gamma-folyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine being most active. These compounds provide a new class of highly water-soluble alkyltransferase inactivators and form the basis to construct more tumor-specific and potent compounds targeting this DNA repair protein.

Methylglyoxal is a highly reactive alpha-ketoaldehyde that is produced endogenously and present in the environment and foods. It can modify DNA and proteins to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Emerging evidence has shown that N2-(1-carboxyethyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (N2-CEdG) is a major marker for AGE-linked DNA adducts. Here, we report, for the first time, the preparation of oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) containing individual diastereomers of N2-CEdG via a postoligomerization synthesis method, which provided authentic substrates for examining the replication and repair of this lesion. In addition, thermodynamic parameters derived from melting temperature data revealed that the two diastereomers of N2-CEdG destabilized significantly the double helix as represented by a 4 kcal/mol increase in Gibbs free energy for duplex formation at 25 degrees C. Primer extension assay results demonstrated that both diastereomers of N2-CEdG could block considerably the replication synthesis mediated by the exonuclease-free Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. Strikingly, the polymerase incorporated incorrect nucleotides, dGMP and dAMP, opposite the lesion more preferentially than the correct nucleotide, dCMP.

Background: Agonists of Toll-like receptor 9 have been shown to induce potent T(H)1-type immune responses and prevent and reverse ovalbumin-induced T(H)2-dominant allergic asthma in mice., Objective: We examined oral administration of a synthetic agonist of Toll-like receptor 9 (immune modulatory oligonucleotide [IMO]) to modulate peanut-induced allergy in mice., Methods: In the prevention model mice were sensitized 3 times by means of oral administration of peanut in the presence or absence of IMO. In a treatment protocol mice were sensitized orally with peanut on days 0 and 14 and treated 4 times with oral administration of IMO starting on day 21., Results: In the prevention study mice that received the combination of IMO/peanut showed decreased IgE and increased IgG2a levels in the serum and intestinal tissue compared with mice sensitized with peanut only. In spleen cell recall experiments, production of IL-5 and IL-13 was inhibited and production of IFN-gamma was increased in mice immunized with the peanut/IMO combination compared with those sensitized with peanut only. In the treatment model IMO-treated mice showed decreased IgE, IL-5, and IL-13 levels and increased IgG2a and IFN-gamma levels in the serum, intestines, and spleen cells compared with PBS-treated mice. A reduction in local inflammation and restoration of normal structure in the intestines was found in the mice that received IMO in both models., Conclusion: These results indicate that IMOs can switch peanut-induced T(H)2 immune responses toward T(H)1 responses accompanied by reduced inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and anaphylaxis in both the prevention and treatment models., Clinical Implications: IMOs might be suitable candidates for the management of peanut-induced allergy.

2'-Amino-2'-deoxyguanosine and 3'-amino-3'-deoxyguanosine are valuable probes for investigating the metal ion interactions at the active site of the group I ribozyme. However, these experiments require a thorough understanding of the protonation state of the amino group at a specific pH. Here, we describe the first syntheses of 2'-15N-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine, 2'-15N-amino-2'-deoxyguanosine, and 3'-15N-amino-3'-deoxyguanosine. The 15N-enriched nucleus allows convenient and accurate determination of the amine pKa by 15N NMR.

To get more insight into possible species differences in the bioactivation of estragole, the kinetics for sulfonation of the proximate carcinogen 1'-hydroxyestragole were compared for male rat, male mouse, and mixed gender human liver S9 homogenates. In order to quantify sulfonation, 2'-deoxyguanosine was added to the incubation mixture in which sulfonation of 1'-hydroxyestragole was catalyzed to trap the reactive 1'-sulfooxyestragole. A method was developed with which the formation of the most abundant adduct with 2'-deoxyguanosine could be quantified using isotope dilution LC-ESI-MS/MS. Comparing the kinetics for sulfonation by liver S9 homogenates of male rat, male mouse, and humans revealed that sulfonation was about 30 times more efficient by male rat liver S9 than by human liver S9, whereas the catalytic efficiency by male mouse and human liver S9 was about the same. This indicates, as far as the bioactivation by sulfotransferase is concerned, that when extrapolating the cancer risk from laboratory animals to humans, using data from male rats may overestimate the cancer risk in humans, whereas using data from male mice may provide a better estimate of the cancer risk in humans.

Oxidative stress (OS) and its consequences which promote alterations in biomolecules, to tissue damage and to the development of pathological conditions, continue to attract many investigators. The identification of reliable biomarker is essential for the characterization of OS and possibly for early discovery of OS-associated diseases. The aim of the present study was to offer a new concept in the development of novel probes for OS, based on the design, synthesis, and utilization of exogenous markers, as alternative to the search for endogenous markers. This article describes: (a) the synthesis of such a marker, linoleoyl tyrosine 2-deoxyguanosyl ester (LTG), constructed from three endogenous subunits: linoleic acid, tyrosine, and 2'-deoxyguanosine, representing the three major groups from which the body is composed, unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), proteins, and DNA, respectively, all bound covalently and (b) the development of analytical tools (LC/MS/MS) to enable the identification of the different LTG oxidized products formed under OS by exposure of LTG to different reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as, copper ions and hypochlorous acid.

The synthesis of the C5' tert-butyl ketone of thymidine 1a and 2'-deoxyguanosine 2 is achieved by reaction of 5'-C-cyano derivatives with tert-butyl lithium followed by acid hydrolysis. The 5'R configuration is assigned by X-ray crystal structure determination of an opportunely protected derivative of 1a. The (5'S)-isomers of both nucleosides are not stable, and a complete decomposition occurs in the reaction medium. The photochemistry of 1a and 2 effectively produced the thymidin-5'-yl radical and the 2'-deoxyguanosin-5'-yl radical, respectively. In the thymidine system, the C5' radical is fully quenched in the presence of a physiological concentration of thiols. In the 2'-deoxyguanosine system, the C5' radical undergoes intramolecular attack onto the C8-N7 double bond of guanine leading ultimately to the 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosine derivative. The cyclization of the 2'-deoxyguanosin-5'-yl radical occurs with a rate constant of ca. 1x10(6) s-1 and is highly stereoselective affording only the (5'S)-diastereomer.

2-N-tert-Butylaminoxylpurines (1) and (2) were synthesized from 2'-deoxy-6-chloropurine derivative by lithiation strategy. Effects of motion of 1 and 2 on EPR spectra were studied by EPR measurement in sucrose solution at various temperatures. The single stranded and duplexed 15-mers containing 1 showed the clear difference in the EPR spectra to indicate 1 has the potential to accurately study the dynamics of purine residues.

Synthesis of C8-alkynyl- and alkylamino substituted 2'-deoxyguanosine is described. Protected alkynylamines are coupled with 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine by a Pd(0)-mediate Sonogashira coupling protocol. Hydrogenation of alkynyl derivatives over 10% Pd/C under atmospheric pressure gave 8-alkylamino guanosine derivatives in nearly quantitative yields.

7-Methyl-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, an analogue of the abundant promutagen 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, was incorporated into oligonucleotides and tested for its stability in various base pairs.

Although capsaicin exhibits antitumor activity, carcinogenic potential has also been reported. To clarify the mechanism for expression of potential carcinogenicity of capsaicin, we examined DNA damage induced by capsaicin in the presence of metal ion and various kinds of cytochrome P450 (CYP) using 32P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments. Capsaicin induced Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage efficiently in the presence of CYP1A2 and partially in the presence of 2D6. CYP1A2-treated capsaicin caused double-base lesions at 5'-TG-3', 5'-GC-3' and CG of the 5'-ACG-3' sequence complementary to codon 273, a hotspot of p53 gene. DNA damage was inhibited by catalase and bathocuproine, a Cu(I) chelator, suggesting that reactive species derived from the reaction of H2O2 with Cu(I) participate in DNA damage. Formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine was significantly increased by CYP1A2-treated capsaicin in the presence of Cu(II). Therefore, we conclude that Cu(II)-mediated oxidative DNA damage by CYP-treated capsaicin seems to be relevant for the expression of its carcinogenicity.

Maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone) produced reactive oxygen species as a complex with transition metals. Maltol/iron complex inactivated aconitase the most sensitive enzyme to oxidative stress. The inactivation of aconitase was iron-dependent, and prevented by TEMPOL, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species, suggesting that the maltol/iron-mediated generation of superoxide anion is responsible for the inactivation of aconitase. Addition of maltol effectively enhanced the ascorbate/copper-mediated formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in DNA. Oxidation of ascorbic acid by CuSO(4) was effectively stimulated by addition of maltol, and the enhanced oxidation rate was markedly inhibited by the addition of catalase and superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that maltol can stimulate the copper reduction coupled with the oxidation of ascorbate, resulting in the production of superoxide radical which in turn converts to hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. Cytotoxic effect of maltol can be explained by its prooxidant properties: maltol/transition metal complex generates reactive oxygen species causing the inactivation of aconitase and the production of hydroxyl radical causing the formation of DNA base adduct.

2'-Amino-2'-deoxynucleosides and oligonucleotides containing them have proven highly effective for an array of biochemical applications. The guanosine analogue and its phosphoramidite derivatives have been accessed previously from 2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine by transglycosylation, but with limited overall efficiency and convenience. Using simple modifications of known reaction types, we have developed useful protocols to obtain 2'-amino-2'-deoxyguanosine and two of its phosphoramidite derivatives with greater convenience, fewer steps, and higher yields than reported previously. These phosphoramidites provide effective synthons for the incorporation of 2'-amino-2'-deoxyguanosine into oligonucleotides.

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 9-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-chloro-2-fluoro-9H-purine with N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) [15N]phthalimide in the presence of a catalytic amount of CsF at room temperature in DMF efficiently afforded the 6-chloro-2-[15N]phthalimidopurine derivative, which was subsequently converted to the [2-15N]guanosine derivative. The 2'-deoxy[2'-15N]guanosine derivative was also efficiently synthesized through a similar procedure.

The cyclic 1,N(2)-propanodeoxyguanosine (PdG) adducts are Michael addition products from reactions of deoxyguanosine (dG) with enals, including acrolein (Acr), crotonaldehyde (Cro), pentenal (Pen), heptenal (Hep), and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE). Although this is a general reaction, only the PdG adducts derived from Acr, Cro, and HNE have been detected in vivo as endogenous DNA lesions. Our previous in vitro study demonstrated that PdG adducts of Acr, Cro, and Pen are predominantly derived from oxidation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), whereas the long-chain Hep and HNE adducts are from omega-6 PUFAs. PdG adducts are important because they represent a new class of endogenous promutagenic DNA lesions with potential roles in carcinogenesis. Earlier, we developed a (32)P-postlabeling method for detecting PdG adducts from Acr and Cro and a modified method for the long-chain HNE adducts. Both methods require multiple high-performance liquid chromatography steps and, in some cases, time-consuming thin-layer chromatography for purification. There is a lack of a single, versatile, and efficient method for simultaneous detection of all five enal-derived PdG adducts. In this paper, we report an improved (32)P-postlabeling method which permits detection of Acr, Cro, Pen, Hep, and HNE adducts in a single DNA sample. This method relies on solid-phase extraction for adduct enrichment before and after (32)P-labeling; all five PdG adducts were converted to the ring-opened derivatives for confirmation of identities and quantification. The method was validated using the synthetic adducts and enal-modified DNA and was finally applied to rat liver DNA and rat liver DNA samples spiked with different amount of standards. The detection limit was determined to be as low as 0.5 fmol in 80 microg DNA, corresponding to 9 adducts/10(9) dG.

The 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine of 2'-deoxyguanosine (FaPydG) is one of the major DNA lesions found after oxidative stress in cells. To clarify the base pairing and coding potential of this major DNA lesion with the aim to estimate its mutagenic effect, we prepared oligonucleotides containing a cyclopentane based analogue of the DNA lesion (cFaPydG). In addition, oligonucleotides containing the cyclopentane analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine (cdG), and oligonucleotides containing 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) were synthesized. The thermodynamic stability of duplexes containing these building blocks and all canonical counterbases were determined by concentration dependent melting-point measurements (van't Hoff plots). The data reveal that cFaPydG greatly destabilizes a DNA duplex (DeltaDeltaG degrees (298K) approximately 2-4 kcal mol(-1)). The optimal base pairing partner for the cFaPydG lesion is dC. Investigation of duplexes containing dG and cdG shows that the effect of substituting the deoxyribose by a cyclopentane moiety is marginal. The data also provide strong evidence that the FaPydG lesion is unable to form a base pair with dA. Our computational studies indicate that the syn-conformation required for base pairing with dA is energetically unfavorable. This is in contrast to 8-oxodG for which the syn-conformation represents the energetic minimum. Kinetic primer extension studies using S. cerevisiae Pol eta reveal that cFaPydG is replicated in an error-free fashion. dC is inserted 2-3 orders of magnitude more efficiently than dT or dA, showing that FaPydG is a lesion which retains the coding potential of dG. This is also in contrast to 8-oxodG, for which base pairing with dC and dA was established.

The development of O(6)-(3-[(125)I]iodobenzyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine ([(125)I]IBdG), the glycosylated analogue of the O(6)-3-iodobenzylguanine (IBG), as an agent for the in vivo mapping of the DNA repair protein alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) is described. Synthesis of its tin precursor, O(6)-3-trimethylstannylbenzyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (TBdG) was achieved in four steps from deoxyguanosine. Radioiodination of TBdG in a single step gave [(125)I]IBdG in 70-85% isolated radiochemical yield. [(125)I]IBdG bound specifically to pure AGT with an IC(50) of 7.1 microM. From paired-label assays, [(125)I]IBdG showed a 2- to 3-fold higher cellular uptake than [(131)I]IBG in DAOY medulloblastoma, TE-671 rhabdomyosarcoma, SK-Mel-28 melanoma, and HT-29 colon carcinoma human cell lines. Uptake of both labeled compounds in these cell lines decreased with increasing concentrations of unlabeled O(6)-benzylguanine (BG) when BG was present in the medium during incubation with the labeled compounds. Compared to BG, unlabeled IBdG diminished the uptake of [(125)I]IBdG and [(131)I]IBG in DAOY cells more efficiently (IC(50)<1 microM vs >10 microM for BG). There was no significant change in cell-bound activity of [(125)I]IBdG and [(131)I]IBG when BG was removed from the incubation medium before incubating cells with the tracers, suggesting that only a very small portion of radioactivity taken up by the cells is AGT bound. This was corroborated by gel-electrophoresis performed on extracts from cells treated with varying amounts of BG and then incubated with [(125)I]IBdG in the presence of BG. No radiolabeled AGT band was discernable by phosphor-imaging, signifying low cellular AGT binding of the radiotracer. In contrast, when cell extracts were prepared from BG pre-treated cells and aliquots were incubated with [(125)I]IBdG subsequently, the intensity of radiolabeled AGT band decreased linearly as a function of BG concentration. This suggests that the low level of [(125)I]IBdG that binds to AGT does so in a concentration dependent manner. These data suggest that IBdG is transported across the cell membrane to a higher degree than IBG. However, to be a practical tracer for quantifying cellular AGT, considerable localization of such derivatives need to occur within the cell nucleus where AGT is present predominantly.

Oligonucleotides containing 2'-deoxyisoguanosine (1, iG(d)), 7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine (2, c(7)iG(d)), and its 7-halogenated derivatives 3 and 4 were synthesized on solid phase using the phosphoramidite building blocks 5-7. The hybridization properties of oligonucleotides were studied on duplexes with parallel and antiparallel chain orientation. It was found that the 7-halogenated nucleoside analogues 3 and 4 enhance the duplex stability significantly in both parallel (ps) and antiparallel (aps) DNA. Moreover, the halogenated nucleosides shift the tautomeric keto-enol equilibrium strongly toward the keto form, with K(TAUT) [keto]/[enol] approximately 10(4) coming close to that of 2'-deoxyguanosine (10(4)-10(5)), while the nonhalogenated 7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine 2 shows a K(TAUT) of around 2000 and the enol concentration of 1 is 10% in aqueous solution. Consequently, nucleosides 3 and 4 show a much better mismatch discrimination against dT than compound 1 or 2 in antiparallel as well as in parallel DNA. 3 and 4 are expected to increase the selectivity of base incorporation opposite to isoC(d) in the form of triphosphates or in the polymerase-catalyzed reaction in comparison to 1 or 2.

It has been proposed that 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acid [13(S)-HPODE]-mediated formation of 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal arises from a Hock rearrangement. This suggested that a 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal-related molecule, 9,12-dioxo-10(E)-dodecenoic acid (DODE), could also result from the intermediate formation of 9-hydroperoxy-12-oxo-10(E)-dodecenoic acid. A recent report has described the formation of DODE-derived etheno adducts when 13(S)-HPODE was allowed to decompose in the presence of 2'-deoxynucleosides or DNA. However, the regioselectivity of lipid hydroperoxide-derived DODE addition to 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) or other 2'-deoxynucleosides was not determined. The structure of carboxynonanone-etheno-dGuo formed from vitamin C-mediated 13(S)-HPODE decomposition has now been established by a combination of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy studies of its bis-methylated derivative. The site of dGuo methylation was first established as being at N-5 rather than at O-9 from NMR analysis of a methyl derivative of the model compound, heptanone-etheno-dGuo. (1)H,(13)C 2D heteronuclear multiple bond correlations were then used to establish unequivocally that the bis-methyl derivative of carboxynonanone-etheno-dGuo was 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-d-erythropentafuranosyl)imidazo-7-(9' '-carboxymethylnona-2' '-one)-9-oxo-5-N-methyl[1,2-a]purine rather than its 6-(9' '-carboxymethylnona-2"-one)-9-oxo-5-N-methyl[1,2-a]purine regioisomer. Therefore, etheno adduct formation occurred by initial nucleophilic attack of the exocyclic N(2) amino group of dGuo at the C-12 aldehyde of DODE to form an unstable carbinolamine intermediate. This was followed by intramolecular Michael addition of the pyrimidine N1 of dGuo to C-11 of the resulting alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone. Subsequent dehydration gave 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-d-erythropentafuranosyl)imidazo-7-(9' '-carboxynona-2' '-one)-9-oxo-[1,2-a]purine (carboxynonanone-etheno-dGuo). An efficient synthesis of DODE was developed starting from readily available 1,8-octanediol using a furan homologation procedure. This synthetic method allowed multigram quantities of DODE to be readily prepared. Synthetic DODE when reacted with dGuo gave carboxynonanone-etheno-dGuo that was identical with that derived from vitamin C-mediated 13(S)-HPODE decomposition in the presence of dGuo.

Analysis of products from the reaction between 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-(E,Z,Z,Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid and 2'-deoxyguanosine in the presence of FeII, FeIII, or vitamin C by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry revealed the presence of four DNA adducts. Surprisingly, adducts I and II had mass spectral characteristics identical to those for 1,N2-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine and heptanone-1,N2-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine. These adducts have previously been shown to arise from the homolytic decomposition of 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9,11-(Z,E)-octadecadienoic acid. It appears that under the reaction conditions, 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-(E,Z,Z,Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid was subjected to a previously unknown peroxidation reaction to give a bis-hydroperoxide intermediate that underwent a Hock rearrangement to produce 3(Z)-nonenal from the omega-terminus. The 3(Z)-nonenal was then converted to 4-hydroperoxy-2-nonenal, a precursor to the formation of 4-oxo-2-nonenal. 4-Oxo-2-nonenal forms heptanone-1,N2-etheno-adducts with 2'-deoxyguanosine, whereas 4-hydroperoxy-2-nonenal forms 1,N2-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine. Two novel carboxylate adducts were also identified. The structure of the more abundant adduct (III) was characterized as its methyl ester derivative by NMR spectroscopy as 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythropentafuranosyl)imidazo-7-(5' '-carboxypenta-2' '-one)-9-oxo[1,2-alpha]purine (5-carboxy-2-pentanone-1,N2-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine). This etheno adduct was formed by the reaction of 2'-deoxyguanosine with 5,8-dioxo-6(E)-octenoic acid. The bifunctional electrophile is proposed to arise from the alpha-terminus during the Hock rearrangement of bis-hydroperoxide derived from 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-(E,Z,Z,Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid. 5-Carboxy-2-pentanone-1,N2-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine may serve as a biomarker of 5-lipoxygenase-mediated oxidative stress. The less abundant carboxylate adduct IV arose from a quite different pathway and was tentatively characterized as 6-carboxy-3-hydroxy-1-hexene-1,N2-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine.

The reaction of 2'-deoxyguanosine with the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes trans-2-octenal, trans-2-nonenal, trans-2-decenal, trans,trans-2,4-nonadienal, and trans,trans-2,4-decadienal in THF gives rise to three novel adducts: 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentafuranosyl)-7-[3-hydroxy-1-(3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentafuranosyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazo[1,2-a]purin-9-one-7-yl)-propyl]-3,5-dihydro-imidazo[1,2-a]purin-9-one (A7) and 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentafuranosyl)-7-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazo[1,2-a]purin-9-one (A8 and A9), which are not observed in the absence of THF. These adducts were isolated from in vitro reactions by reversed-phase HPLC and fully characterized on the basis of spectroscopic measurements. Adduct A7 consists of two 1,N2-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine (1,N2-epsilon dGuo) residues linked to a hydroxy-carbon side chain; adducts A8 and A9 are interconvertible 1,N2-epsilon dGuo derivatives bearing a THF moiety. The proposed reaction mechanism involves the electrophilic attack on 1,N2-epsilon dGuo by the carbonyl of 4-hydroxy-butanal, generated via ring opening of alpha-hydroxy-THF (THF-OH), yielding adducts A8 and A9. A further combination of these adducts with another 1,N2-epsilon dGuo produces the double adduct A7. These findings demonstrate that reactions of unsaturated aldehydes in the presence of THF produce novel condensation 1,N2-epsilon dGuo-THF adducts. Further studies would indicate the relevance of these adducts in THF toxicity.

We describe the completion of the set of four benzo-fused expanded DNA (xDNA) nucleoside analogues. We previously reported the development of benzo-fused analogues of dA and dT and their inclusion in an exceptionally stable new four-base genetic system, termed xDNA, in which the base pairs were expanded in size. Here we describe the preparation and properties of the second half of this nucleotide set: namely, the previously unknown dxC and dxG nucleosides. The dxC analogue was prepared from the previously reported dxT nucleoside in three steps and 57% yield. The large-sized deoxyguanosine analogue was prepared from an intermediate in the synthesis of dxA, yielding dxG in 14 steps overall (2.4%). Suitably protected versions of the deoxynucleosides were prepared for oligonucleotide synthesis following standard procedures, and they were readily incorporated into DNA by automated synthesizer. "Dangling-end" measurements revealed that the benzo-fused homologues stack considerably more strongly on neighboring DNA sequences than do their natural counterparts. Base pairing experiments with xC or xG bases showed that they pair selectively with their Watson-Crick partners, but with mild destabilization, due apparently to their larger size. Overall, the data suggest that the fluorescent xG and xC bases may be useful probes of steric effects in the study of biological nucleotide recognition mechanisms. In addition, the completion of the xDNA nucleoside set makes it possible in the future to construct full four-base xDNA strands that can target any sequence of natural DNA and RNA.

Glucuronic acid linked prodrugs of O(6)-benzylguanine and O(6)-benzyl-2'-deoxyguanosine were synthesized. The prodrugs were found to be quite stable at physiological pH and were more than 200-fold less active as inactivators of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (alkyltransferase) than either O(6)-benzylguanine or O(6)-benzyl-2'-deoxyguanosine. Beta-glucuronidase from both Escherichia coli and bovine liver cleaved the prodrugs efficiently to release O(6)-benzylguanine and O(6)-benzyl-2'-deoxyguanosine, respectively. In combination with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), the prodrugs were not effective adjuvants for HT29 cell killing. However, as expected, incubation of these prodrugs with beta-glucuronidase in the culture medium led to much more efficient cell killing by BCNU as a result of the liberation of the more potent inactivators, O(6)-benzylguanine and O(6)-benzyl-2'-deoxyguanosine. These prodrugs may be useful for prodrug monotherapy of necrotic tumors that liberate beta-glucuronidase or for antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy with antibodies that can deliver beta-glucuronidase to target tumor cells.

DNA oligomers conjugated pyrrolepolyamide (minor groove binder)-deoxyguanosine hybrid were synthesized as novel gene expression control compounds. From T(m) values and CD spectral analysis, it was found that oligomers conjugated hybrid possess high recognition ability and very high binding ability for the DNA that includes pyrrolepolyamide match site.

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing deoxycytidyl-deoxyguanosine dinucleotides (CpG ODNs) activate the host immune system, leading to innate and acquired immune responses. The immune stimulatory effects of CpG ODNs are being exploited as a novel therapeutic approach to treatment of human diseases, and some CpG ODNs are being evaluated in clinical trials. The cellular recognition of CpG motifs requires the presence of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9, which triggers cell signaling and immune responses. There are three main types of first-generation CpG ODNs, which mimic the immunostimulatory activity of bacterial DNA and are recognized by TLR9, A-, B- and C-Class ODNs. Although all three CpG ODN classes stimulate TLR9-dependent signaling, there are striking differences in the cell types they activate and their dose-dependent immunostimulatory efficacy. Second-generation CpG ODNs, with advanced nucleic acid chemistry and unique modifications to their sequences and structures are being developed. Medicinal chemistry studies suggest that the immunomodulatory activity of CpG ODNs can be altered by site-specific incorporation of modifications in order to develop disease-specific drugs. Both first- and second-generation CpG ODNs have potential for treatment of various human diseases, such as infections, immunodeficiencies, and cancers. This article will focus on the recent advances in developing CpG ODNs as novel anti-cancer therapeutic agents.

2',3'-Didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-9-deazaguanosine (1), its monophosphate prodrug (2), and two analogues, 2',3'-dideoxy-9-deazaguanosine (3) and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-9-deazainosine (4), have been synthesized from benzoylated 9-deazaguanosine (5). Basic hydrolysis of 5, selective protection of the 2-amino and 5'-hydroxy functions with isobutyryl and silyl groups, respectively, followed by reaction with thiocarbonyldiimidazole gave the cyclic thiocarbonate, which, upon reaction with triethyl phosphite, followed by deprotection, afforded 1. Treatment of 1 with phenyl methoxyalaninylphosphochloridate and N-methylimidazole gave 2. Catalytic hydrogenation of 1 gave 3. Hydrodediazoniation of 1 with tert-butyl nitrite and tris(trimethylsilyl)silane gave 4. Compounds 1-4 were found to be inactive against the human immunodeficiency virus and exhibited minimal to no cytotoxic activity against the L1210 leukemia, CCRF-CEM lymphoblastic leukemia, and B16F10 melanoma in vitro.

[structure: see text] After bioactivation, the potent dietary mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ) reacts with DNA to give two regioisomeric adducts of deoxyguanosine. The synthesis of the minor N2-adduct has been achieved utilizing the Buchwald-Hartwig palladium-catalyzed N-arylation reaction as the key step.

[structure: see text] The synthesis and self-assembling properties of 8-aryl-2'-deoxyguanosine derivatives are described. Our studies suggest that a properly placed acetyl group can increase the stability and specificity of the resulting G-quadruplex supramolecules by enhancing noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds and pi-stacking.

The site-specific synthesis of oligonucleotides containing the C8-deoxyguanosine adduct of the highly mutagenic heterocyclic amine 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) has been achieved, and the oligonucleotides were characterized by UV melting temperature analysis, circular dichroism, and UV absorption spectroscopy. Examination of these data indicated that the IQ-adduct is accommodated in dramatically different environments. This sequence-dependent conformational preference is likely to play a key role in the mutagenicity and repair of IQ-modified oligonucleotides.

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (CpG DNAs) prevent development of T-helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses and reverse established allergic responses in mouse models. We recently reported that second-generation immunomodulatory oligonucleotides (IMOs) containing novel structures (immunomers) and a synthetic immunostimulatory CpR (R=2'-deoxy-7-deazguanosine) motif induce the production of distinct cytokine secretion profiles in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated IMOs containing CpG and CpR motifs to modulate allergen-induced Th2 immune responses in prevention and treatment models. Mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were treated with a CpG DNA or an IMO by administration either at the time of OVA sensitization (co-administration; prevention) or after establishment of an allergic response (treatment). Spleens, blood, and lungs were collected and analyzed for immune responses. Spleen-cell cultures harvested from OVA-sensitized mice showed a significant decrease in Th2 cytokine levels with a concomitant increase in Th1 cytokine levels only when CpG DNA or IMOs were co-administered with OVA. The co-administration of CpG DNA or IMOs during OVA sensitization significantly reduced serum OVA-specific and total IgE levels in mice. The mice who received CpG DNA or IMOs co-administered with OVA showed a small reduction in serum OVA-specific and total IgG1 levels and a significant increase in serum OVA-specific and total IgG2a levels. Similar results were found in mice with established allergic responses who received IMO treatment. IMO treatment also resulted in strong inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lungs compared with untreated mice lungs. These data demonstrate that IMOs prevent antigen-induced Th2 immune responses when co-administered to mice during OVA sensitization and that IMOs reverse established allergic responses induced by OVA., (Copyright 2004 Elsevier B.V.)

The (32)P-postlabeling assay is an extremely sensitive technique for detecting carcinogen-DNA adducts. However, for the assignment of DNA adduct structures and the accurate determination of DNA adduct levels by (32)P-postlabeling, authentic adduct standards are needed. For most (32)P-postlabeling applications, such verified synthetic standard compounds are required in the form of their deoxynucleoside 3'-phosphates because they represent substrates for the polynucleotide kinase for transfer of [(32)P]phosphate from [gamma-(32)P]ATP. Three N-(deoxyguanosin)-4-aminobiphenyl 3'-phosphate adducts were prepared and fully characterized by (1)H NMR and mass spectroscopy to serve as standards for the (32)P-postlabeling assay. Apart from the C8- and the N(2)-deoxyguanosine 3'-phosphate adducts of the mutagenic human bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl (dG3'p-C8-4-ABP and dG3'p-N(2)-4-ABP), the C8-deoxyguanosine 3'-phosphate adduct of the nonmutagenic 4'-tert-butyl-4-aminobiphenyl (dG3'p-C8-4'tBu-4-ABP) was included in the study. Both C8-deoxyguanosine 3'-phosphate adducts were prepared by the in situ formation of deoxyguanosine 3'-phosphate and its subsequent reaction with the appropriate electrophilic amination agent (N-acetoxy compound). The N(2)-deoxyguanosine 3'-phosphate adduct was obtained by a modification of a previously described procedure for the synthesis of N(2)-deoxyguanosine adducts of aromatic amines. The three adduct standards were added at different concentrations to calf thymus DNA, and adduct recoveries were determined by the (32)P-postlabeling assay under conditions routinely used in the standard methodology, enhancement by nuclease P1 digestion and enhancement by butanol extraction. The dG3'p-C8-4-ABP adduct was recovered irrespective of the concentration with approximately 30% in both the standard and the butanol extraction version of the assay. Both C8-deoxyguanosine 3'-phosphate adducts were sensitive to nuclease P1 digestion resulting in recoveries of only 1-3%. In contrast, the dG3'p-N(2)-4-ABP adduct was resistant to nuclease P1 digestion; however, recovery in all three versions was poor (1-2%) resulting in a detection limit of one adduct/10(6) nucleotides. These results demonstrate that the (32)P-postlabeling assay underestimates the level of DNA adducts formed by 4-ABP and indicates that there is a need to determine the recovery for each adduct to be analyzed by the (32)P-postlabeling technique.

A tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can scavenge a variety of reactive oxygen species, enhances the yield of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) up to 20-fold in the reaction of 2'-deoxyguanosine with hypochlorous acid (HOCl), compared with the reaction without EGCG. Certain concentrations of EGCG inhibited HOCl-mediated oxidation of 2'-deoxyguanosine to 8-oxo-dG to a limited extent, but efficiently inhibited further oxidation of 8-oxo-dG to spiroiminodihydantoin nucleoside, resulting in the accumulation of 8-oxo-dG in the reaction mixture. Conversely, EGCG inhibited dose-dependently an increase in 8-oxo-dG levels in calf thymus DNA incubated with HOCl. However, addition of HOCl to the DNA preoxidized with an oxidant-generating system (CuCl2, ascorbate, H2O2), led to the extensive loss of 8-oxo-dG due to its further oxidation. EGCG effectively inhibited this HOCl-mediated loss of 8-oxo-dG in the oxidized DNA, resulting in an apparent increase in 8-oxo-dG levels in the oxidized DNA, compared with the levels found without EGCG. The conversion of 8-oxo-dG into other oxidized lesions will inevitably affect recognition by DNA repair enzymes as well as the rates of mutations and DNA synthesis. Thus, our results suggest that as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, not only 8-oxo-dG but also the products of its further oxidation should be analyzed.

Rates of alkylation of guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine with o-quinone alpha-(p-anisyl)methide were measured by flash photolysis in a series of aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions and bicarbonate ion, t-butylhydrogenphosphonate ion, and biphosphate ion buffers. The data so obtained provide rate profiles for these nucleoside plus quinone methide reactions over the range pH = 7-14, which furnish guanosine and deoxyguanosine acidity constants consistent with literature information. These profiles also provide rate constants that show the reaction of o-quinone alpha-(p-anisyl)methide with guanosine and deoxyguanosine to be fairly fast processes, considerably faster than the biologically wasteful reaction of the quinone methide with water, which is the ubiquitous medium in biological systems; that makes the quinone methide a potent guonosine and deoxyguanosine alkylator.

[reaction: see text] A convertible nucleoside was synthesized and used to prepare the 2'-deoxynucleoside of 5-guanidino-4-nitroimidazole, a putative in vivo product of the reaction of peroxynitrite with guanine. The convertible nucleoside was incorporated into an oligodeoxynucleotide by the phosphoramidite method and converted postsynthetically to yield an oligodeoxynucleotide containing 5-guanidino-4-nitroimidazole at a specific site. The oligodeoxynucleotide was inserted into a viral genome. Melting temperature analysis revealed that duplexes containing 5-guanidino-4-nitroimidazole were greatly destabilized relative to unmodified duplexes.

A pyrrolepolyamide-deoxyguanosine hybrid using the 3-aminopropyl linker (GAP) was designed and synthesized on the basis of previously reported results of a pyrrolepolyamide-adenosine hybrid (Apy) and a pyrrolepolyamide-deoxyguanoside hybrid using the 3-aminopropionyl linker (GBP). An evaluation of the DNA binding sequence selectivity of GAP was performed by analysis of CD spectra and Tm values using three DNA duplexes. It was shown that GAP possessed greater binding specificity than distamycin A, netropsin, Apy and GBP.

Nucleophilic substitution of 9-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-chloro-2-fluoro-9H-purine, prepared from guanosine, with N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl[(15)N]-phthalimide in the presence of a catalytic amount of CsF at room temperature in DMF efficiently afforded the 6-chloro-2-[(15)N]phthalimidopurine derivative. Treatment of this with sodium 2-cyanoethoxide yielded the [2-(15)N]guanosine derivative. The 2'-deoxy[2-(15)N]guanosine derivative was also efficiently synthesized through a similar procedure.

The base pairing properties of oligonucleotide duplexes containing 8-aza-7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine, its 7-bromo or its 7-iodo derivative are described. The nucleosides were synthesized on a convergent route, protected and converted into phosphoramidites. Oligonucleotides were prepared on a solid-phase and were hybridized to yield duplexes with parallel (ps) or antiparallel (aps) chain orientation. The 8-aza-7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine-containing duplexes show almost identical base pairing stability as those containing 2'-deoxyisoguanosine, while the 7-substituted derivatives induce a significant duplex stabilization both in ps and aps DNA. Self-complementary duplexes with parallel chain orientation are exceptionally stable due to the presence of 5'-overhangs. The bulky halogen substituents were found to be well accommodated in the grooves both of aps and ps DNA.

The first synthesis of 5-amino-3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-one (1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine) is described. The compound was converted from the known AICA-deoxyriboside. The tautomeric structure of the base moiety was determined by theoretical calculation to be a hydroxyl form. Although the analog was found to be labile to acidic conditions, 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine was successfully converted into a phosphoramidite derivative, which was incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides by the standard phosphoramidite method. Thermal stabilities of oligodeoxynucleotides containing 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine were investigated by thermal denaturing experiments. Also, a triphosphate analog of 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine was synthesized for polymerase extension reactions. Single nucleotide insertion reactions using a template containing 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine, as well as 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine triphosphate, were performed using the Klenow fragment (exonuclease minus) polymerase and other polymerases. No hydrogen bonded base pairs, even a 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine:cytidine base pair, were indicated by thermal denaturing studies. However, though less selective and less effective than the natural guanosine counterpart, the polymerase extension reactions suggested the formation of a base pair of 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine with cytidine during the insertion reactions.

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a rodent and human carcinogen. While several epoxides formed during BD metabolism are mutagenic and may contribute to BD carcinogenicity, another proposed metabolite, hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), could also be involved. A significant quantity of HMVK is likely to be formed since it is a proposed intermediate in the metabolism of 3-butene-1,2-diol (BD-diol) to 1,2-dihydroxy-4-(N-acetylcysteinyl)butane, the major mercapturic acid metabolite of BD in humans. In addition, BD-diol is a major BD metabolite in liver perfusion experiments in rodents. By analogy with other alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls, HMVK is likely to be mutagenic via formation of promutagenic 1,N(2)-propanodeoxyguanosine adducts. The objective of the current study was to investigate the formation of such adducts in vitro. The reaction between HMVK and dGuo yielded two major products shown to be identical by positive ion electrospray-MS, having protonated molecular ions with m/z consistent with HMVK-derived 1,N(2)-propanodeoxyguanosine (HMVK-dGuo). Rechromatography of each fraction yielded two fractions with retention times identical to those initially isolated, suggesting equilibration between two diastereomers. Two partially resolved sets of (1)H NMR signals were consistent with a 1:1 mixture of diastereomeric C-6-substituted adducts equilibrating slowly on an NMR time-scale. Following deglycosylation, C-6 substitution was verified by two-dimensional correlation NMR spectroscopy, indicating that the initial adducts were formed by Michael addition of dGuo-N1 to the terminal vinyl carbon followed by cyclization to the 1,N(2)-propano structure. Reactions with calf thymus DNA under physiological conditions yielded two sets of products. The first set had HPLC retention times and mass spectra identical to those of the previously characterized C-6-substituted HMVK-dGuo diastereomers. The second set had a molecular ion and fragmentation pattern identical to the C-6-substituted adducts and on this basis were assigned as the diastereomeric C-8 adducts. In addition to detecting HMVK-dGuo in treated DNA, the adducts were also present in control DNA. Overall, our research demonstrates that HMVK can form promutagenic DNA adducts and it therefore has the potential to play a role in BD-associated mutagenicity.

We have previously reported the use of a 13C tag at the C2 of 15N-multilabeled purine nucleosides to distinguish the adjacent-labeled 15N atoms from those in an untagged nucleoside. We now introduce the use of an indirect tag at the C8 of 15N7-labeled purine nucleosides. This tag allows unambiguous differentiation between a pair of 15N7-labeled purines in which only one is 13C8 labeled. Although the very small C8-N7 coupling (<1 Hz) precludes its direct detection in 1D 15N spectra, 2D 1H-15N NMR experiments display the large C8-H8 coupling (>200 Hz) because H8 is coupled to both N7 and C8. The 13C8 atom is introduced by means of a ring closure of the exocyclic amino groups of a pyrimidinone using [13C]sodium ethyl xanthate. Here, we present methods for the syntheses of [8-13C-1,7,NH2-15N3]adenosine, -guanosine, and their deoxy analogues.

[reaction: see text] Synthesis of N(2) 2'-deoxyguanosine adducts formed by the ubiquitous carcinogen, 1-nitropyrene, is reported. Various conditions of Buchwald-Hartwig palladium-catalyzed amination are examined. The most convenient synthetic approach involved a straightforward coupling between protected 2'-deoxyguanosine and bromonitropyrenes, which, upon reductive deprotection, provided excellent yield of the two 1-nitropyrene adducts.

Chloroethylene oxide and chloroacetaldehyde, reactive intermediates derived from vinyl chloride, and the epoxy-hydroxy-alkanals, produced endogenously in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids, react with nucleic acid bases in DNA to form exocyclic etheno derivatives of 2'-deoxyadenosine, 2'-deoxyguanosine, and 2'-deoxycytidine. This paper describes an efficient method for the synthesis of the exocyclic 1,N(2)-etheno adduct of 2'-deoxyguanosine and its incorporation into DNA oligomers using automated synthesis techniques. The synthesis was initiated by a high-yield alkylation of N(2)-protected 2'-deoxyguanosine at the 1-position with 1,2-diacetoxy-3-bromopropane. The product was converted to the 5'-O-dimethoxytrityl-3'-O-phosphoramidite using published techniques and incorporated site specifically into DNA oligomers with 99% coupling efficiency. Ring closure to yield the 6-hydroxyethano derivative was accomplished by oxidation with sodium periodate, and facile dehydration then afforded DNA oligomers containing 1,N(2)-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine. All oligomers were characterized fully by physicochemical methods.

Nucleoside deoxyribosyltransferase-II (NdRT-II) of Lactobacillus helveticus, which catalyzes the transfer of a glycosyl residue from a donor deoxyribonucleoside to an acceptor base, has a broad specificity for the acceptor bases. Six-substituted purines were found to be substrates as acceptor bases for NdRT-II. Using this property of the enzyme, we established a practical procedure for enzymatic synthesis of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo), consisting of the transglycosylation from thymidine to 6-substituted purine (2-amino-6-chloropurine; ACP) instead of natural guanine and the conversion of 2-amino-6-chloropurine-2'-deoxyriboside (ACPdR) to dGuo with bacterial adenosine deaminase. Through the successive reactions, dGuo was synthesized in high yield.

Acrolein, a known mutagen, undergoes reaction in vitro under physiological conditions with both 2(')-deoxyguanosine and native DNA to give rise to exocyclic adducts of the 5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrimido[1,2-a]purine-10(3H)-one class having an hydroxy group at either the 6 or the 8 position. Previously we have shown that the 8-hydroxy derivative in a bacterial system has very low mutagenicity probably because in double-stranded DNA this residue exists in the open-chain aldehydic form [N(2)-(3-oxopropyl)-2(')-deoxyguanosine] (3). To continue our investigation in this area, we needed ample supplies of the 6-hydroxy isomers. This current paper describes high-yield simple methods for the synthesis in bulk of the 6-hydroxy adduct 1 and its incorporation into DNA oligomers. The basic methods for the synthesis of the adduct 1, involve 1-substitution of dG derivatives with a 3-butenyl group, dihydroxylation of the olefin with osmium tetroxide and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, then diol cleavage with periodate ion after incorporation of the 1-(3,4-diacetoxybutyl)-2(')-deoxyguanosine into oligomeric DNA.

Recently, we found a small Ca(2+)-dependent deoxyribozyme (unmodified), d(GCCTGGCAG(1)G(2)C(3)T(4)A(5)C(6)A(7)A(8)C(9)G(10)A(11)GTCCCT), with cleavage activity for its RNA substrate, r(AGGGACA downward arrow UGCCAGGC) ( downward arrow denotes the RNA cleavage site), in the presence of Ca(2+) and developed a functional SPR sensor chip with this deoxyribozyme [Okumoto, Y., Ohmichi, T., and Sugimoto, N. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 2769-2773]. In the study presented here, to clarify the factors contributing to the efficient catalytic activity of the unmodified deoxyribozyme, RNA cleavage reactions were carried out using 24 mutant deoxyribozymes containing one unnatural DNA nucleotide, such as dI (2'-deoxyinosine), 7-deaza-dG, 2-aminopurine, 7-deaza-dA, 2-amino-dA, dm(5)C (5-methyl-2'-deoxycytosine), or d(P)C (5-propynyl-2'-deoxycytosine). The K(m) values (Michaelis constants) with the mutants that lacked N7 and O6 of G(1) and O6 of G(2) were 4.5 and 6.6 times that of the unmodified one, respectively. The k(cat) value (cleavage rate constant) with the mutants that lacked O6 of G(10) was 0.025 times that of the unmodified one. The results of UV melting curves, SPR kinetics, and CD spectra supported the quantitative idea that the catalytic activity of the unmodified form was achieved using Ca(2+). On the basis of these results, a preliminary model for two G(1) x A(8) and G(2) x A(7) mismatched base pairs such as G(anti) x A(anti) formed in the catalytic loop is proposed. The factor of 10 increase in the k(cat)/K(m) value of the mutant deoxyribozyme, which has C(9) substituted with d(P)C, suggests that the base stacking interaction between the substituted propynyl group in dC and the nearest-neighbor base grew stronger. Thus, substituting d(P)C for dC in the catalytic loop would be one of the best ways to increase the catalytic activity of the deoxyribozyme.

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are mutagenic compounds present in cooked meat and fish, and some of them are known to be carcinogenic. DNA adduct formation is now believed to be the initial critical step for carcinogenesis. HCAs are metabolically activated to form predominantly 2'-deoxyguanosine-C8 adducts (dG-C8 adduct) where the exocyclic N atom of activated compounds are covalently bound to the C8 position of dG. In order to prepare a high yield of dG-C8 adducts with HCAs, we tried to adapt the Buchwald-Hartwig arylamination reaction using 8-bromo-dG derivatives and HCAs. With the combined use of xantphos and Cs2CO3, we successfully obtained coupling compound derived from a carcinogenic HCA, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at a 97% yield. Subsequent deprotection may lead to authentic dG-C8 adducts of several HCAs.

[reaction: see text] C8-Amine and acetylamine adducts of 2'-deoxyguanosine were synthesized. Our approach provides solutions for the coupling of aromatic amines to a protected 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine derivative, for the selective acetylation of the coupled adduct at N(8) and for a protecting group scheme preserving the integrity of the base-labile N(8) acetyl group during DNA synthesis.