IN VIVO INDUCTION OF 4-THIOURIDINE-CYTIDINE ADDUCTS IN tRNA OF E. COLI B/r BY NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION*

Abstract— Near-ultraviolet (near-UV; 320–405 nm) irradiation of Escherichia coli B/r induces the formation in vivo of ⁴Srd-Cyd adducts in transfer RNA, as evidenced by (1) fluorescence spectrum changes of tRNA extracted from irradiated cells and reduced with NaBH₄, (2) thin-layer chromatography on cellulose of hydrolysates of trichloroacetic acid-precipitable extracts of irradiated cells, and (3) comparison of these findings with adduct formation induced by near-UV irradiation of purified mixed tRNA from E. coli. The kinetics of induction of the ⁴Srd-Cyd adduct in vivo, and the near-UV fluences required, provide strong support for our earlier hypothesis that formation of these adducts is responsible for near-UV-induced growth delay in E. coli.     

Spectroscopic investigation and molecular modeling on porphyrin/PAMAM supramolecular adduct

Noncovalent adducts (TPPC@PAMAM) between meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TPPC) and polyamidoamine PAMAM dendrimer (generation 2.0) have been obtained by simply mixing the two components at different stoichiometric amount. The resulting species are readily soluble and stable in aqueous solution up to millimolar concentration. Electrostatic interactions between the anionic carboxylate groups of TPPC and the protonated amino groups of the PAMAM dendrimer play an important role in the stabilization of these adducts. UV/Vis absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence emission and anisotropy measurements suggest the presence of equilibria involving different species as function of the [PAMAM]/[TPPC] ratio. At low ratios the observed spectroscopic behavior evidence the presence of H-aggregates, while at higher ratios well-defined species containing monomeric TPPC strongly interacting with the charged dendrimer are formed. Docking of the binary supramolecular adduct further supports the experimental results showing a favorable interaction with the porphyrin being completely included in the dendrimer. The interaction of the binary TPPC@PAMAM adduct (1/1 ratio) with calf-thymus DNA has been investigated through spectroscopic and photophysical techniques. All the experimental results point to the formation of a ternary complex between the binary adduct and the DNA backbone.     

UVA and UVB‐Induced 8‐Methoxypsoralen Photoadducts and a Novel Method for their Detection by Surface‐Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF MS)

UVA‐activated psoralens are used to treat hyperproliferative skin conditions due to their ability to form DNA photoadducts, which impair cellular processes and may lead to cell death. Although UVA (320–400 nm) is more commonly used clinically, studies have shown that UVB (280–320 nm) activation of psoralen can also be effective. However, there has been no characterization of UVB‐induced adduct formation in DNA alone. As psoralen derivatives have a greater extinction coefficient in the UVB region (11 800 cm^?1 M^?1 at 300 nm) compared with the UVA region (2016 cm^?1 M^?1 at 365 nm), a greater extent of adduct formation is expected. SELDI‐TOF, a proteomic technique that combines chromatography with mass spectrometry, was used to detect photoadduct formation in an alternating A–T oligonucleotide. 8‐Methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) and DNA solutions were irradiated with either UVA or UVB. An adduct peak was obtained with SELDI‐TOF. For UVB‐activated 8‐MOP, the extent of adducts was three times greater than for UVA. HPLC ESI‐MS analysis showed that UVB irradiation yielded high levels of 3,4‐monoadducts (78% of total adducts). UVA was more effective than UVB at conversion of 4′,5′‐monoadducts to crosslinks (17% vs 4%, respectively). This report presents a method for comparing DNA binding efficiencies of interstrand crosslink inducing agents.     

A NEW BIOLOGICAL TARGET OF FUROCOUMARINS: PHOTOCHEMICAL FORMATION OF COVALENT ADDUCTS WITH UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

Abstract— Furocoumarins, potent skin therapy and tanning agents, form covalent adducts in a photochemical reaction with unsaturated fatty acids. These adducts and the chemical kinetics of their formation have been characterized by chromatography, isotopic tracers, electronic absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Adduct formation does not require oxygen. The quantum yield of adduct formation in ethanol or methanol-water solutions is comparable to the quantum yield for formation of furocoumarin-thymine adducts in DNA.     

PHOTOADDITION OF p-AMINOBENZOIC ACID TO THYMINE AND THYMIDINE

Several studies in the literature have shown that DNA is damaged after UV irradiation in the presence of the sunscreen agent p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), both in vivo and in vitro. One type of damage has been shown to be the result of increased yields of pyrimidine cyclobutane dimer formation. However, it has been suggested that other types of lesions are produced as well. We have studied the photochemistry of the thymine-PABA and thymidine-PABA systems and report here the isolation and characterization of thymine-PABA and thymidine-PABA photoadducts. These products have been identified, respectively, as 5-(2-amino-5-carboxyphenyl)-5,6-dihydrothymine and isomeric forms of 5-(2-amino-5-carboxyphenyl)-5,6-dihydrothymine. The quantum yields for the formation of these adducts in deaerated aqueous solutions at pH 7.0 have been determined to be 9.5 x 10(-4) and 4.3 x 10(-3) for the thymine and thymidine based adducts respectively. A pH profile for the thymine-PABA system indicated a maximum quantum yield for adduct formation at pH 6.5, although it could be detected over the whole pH range studied (pH 3.5-11.0).     

STUDIES ON THYMINE-DERIVED UV PHOTOPRODUCTS IN DNA—I. FORMATION AND BIOLOGICAL ROLE OF PYRIMIDINE ADDUCTS IN DNA

Abstract— Pyrimidine (Pyr) adducts constitute a significant fraction of the photoproducts formed in DNA exposed to far UV light. The primary and secondary DNA structure affects the rate of Pyr adduct formation; for example, it increases with decreasing (Ade + Thy)/(Gua + Cyt) of the DNA and with increasing dehydration, and it is greater in double-stranded than in single-stranded DNA. Pyrimidine adducts do not appear to be involved in inter-strand cross-links, and 313 nm-induced photolysis of Pyr adducts does not cause strand breakage. The action spectrum for Pyr adduct formation is qualitatively similar to that for Pyr < > Pyr formation; the calculated quantum yields for its formation is essentially wavelength independent over the range 254 nm to 280 nm, but decreased somewhat at shorter wavelengths (240 nm). The biological role of Pyr adducts is still not clear. The data suggest that either Pyr adducts and their photolysis products are not lethal, or that both are lethal but can be repaired under certain conditions.     

ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT IRRADIATION OF DEFINED-SEQUENCE DNA UNDER CONDITIONS OF CHEMICAL PHOTOSENSITIZATION

Abstract— The formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and UV light-induced (6-4) products was examined under conditions of triplet state photosensitization. DNA fragments of defined sequence were irradiated with 313 nm light in the presence of either acetone qr silver ion. UV irradiation in the presence of both silver ion and acetone enhanced the formation of TT cyclobutane dimers, yet no (6-4) photoproducts were formed at appreciable levels. When photoproduct formation was also measured in pyrimidine dinucleotides, only cyclobutane dimers were formed when the dinucleotides were exposed to 313 nm light in the presence of photosensitizer. The relative distribution of each type of cyclobutane dimer formed was compared for DNA fragments that were irradiated with 254, 313, or 313 nm UV light in the presence of acetone. The dimer distribution for DNA irradiated with 254 and 313 nm UV light were very similar, whereas the distribution for DNA irradiated with 313 nm light in the presence of acetone favored TT dimers. Alkaline labile lesions at guanine sites were also seen when DNA was irradiated with 313 nm light in the presence of acetone.     

Molecular beacon probes of oligonucleotides photodamaged by psoralen

Ultraviolet A (UVA)-irradiated 4'-hydroxymethyl-4,5',8-trimethyl psoralen (HMT) in the presence of a poly-dT(17) and dA(7) TTA(8) oligonucleotides produces HMT-dT(17) and HMT-dA(7) TTA(8) adducts in aqueous solution. In this article, we determine whether these HMT-dT(17) and HMT-dA(7) TTA(8) adducts can be detected with a molecular beacon (MB) probe. We measure the degree of damage in dT(17) and dA(7) TTA(8) solutions containing UVA-activated HMT via monitoring the decrease in MB fluorescence. Photoproduct formation is confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-fight mass spectrometry measurements) and absorption spectroscopy. The MB fluorescence decreases upon UVA irradiation in the presence of HMT with a single-exponential time constants of 114.2 ± 6.5 min for HMT-dT(17) adducts and 677.8 ± 181.8 min for HMT-dA(7) TTA(8) adducts. Our results show that fluorescent MB probes are a selective, robust and accurate tool for detecting UVA-activated HMT-induced DNA damage.     

Riboflavin and UV-Light Based Pathogen Reduction: Extent and Consequence of DNA Damage at the Molecular Level

We are developing a technology based on the combined application of riboflavin (RB) and light for inactivating pathogens in blood products while retaining the biological functions of the treated cells and proteins. Virus and bacteria reduction measured by tissue culture infectivity or colony formation with UV light alone and in combination with RB yield equivalent results. The effects of RB as a sensitizing agent on DNA in white cells, bacteria and viruses in combination with UV light exposure have been evaluated. UV-mediated DNA degradation in Jurkat T cells and leukocytes in plasma as measured by the FlowTACS assay was significantly increased in the presence of RB. Agarose gel electrophoretic analysis of DNA in Escherichia coli and leukocytes in plasma demonstrated enhanced DNA degradation in the presence of RB. UV light in combination with RB prevented the reactivation of lambda phage compared with samples irradiated in the absence of RB. UV-mediated oxidative damage in calf thymus DNA was also enhanced in the presence of RB. These observations clearly demonstrate that the presence of RB and UV light selectively enhances damage to the guanine bases in DNA. These data also suggest that the type and extent of damage to DNA for virus in the presence of RB and light make it less likely to be repaired by normal repair pathways available in host cells.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL DAMAGE TO DNA TREATED WITH CHLORPROMAZINE AND NEAR UV RADIATION UNDER AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS

Double stranded salmon sperm DNA in a chlorpromazine (CPZ) solution is damaged when irradiated with near UV light. The damage of irradiated DNA can be estimated by measuring the increase in extinction at 260 nm following incubation at 60°C of the DNA with formaldehyde. Moreover, DNA irradiated in the presence of CPZ or kept in the dark separate quite differently in an aqueous polymer two-phase system. DNA irradiated in the presence of CPZ seemed to be susceptible to digestion by endonuclease S1, while the endonuclease of Neurospora crassa could not digest this DNA. Irradiation under aerobic conditions seemed to be less disastrous for DNA than under anaerobic conditions.     

激光诱导游离色氨酸对血红蛋白反应动力学影响及机理

血红蛋白活性中心铁卟啉具有环状共轭结构,类似于叶绿素,可以吸收特定波长光,光会诱导铁卟啉发生氧化还原反应。研究中发现,紫外区波长光照射血红蛋白的氧化还原反应情况优于铁卟啉特征吸收波长(406 nm)光照射情况。无游离色氨酸(Trp)时,266 nm激光激发后高铁血红蛋白(metHb)、脱氧血红蛋白(deoxyHb)、氧合血红蛋白(HbO₂)和碳氧血红蛋白(HbCO)均被激发至各自相应的激发态,其Soret带谱峰衰减至基态的时间大致相同;加入游离Trp后,激发态Trp会转移能量到铁卟啉,在直接和间接光能量双重作用叠加下,激发态铁卟啉衰减时间发生变化。metHb、deoxyHb、和HbCO衰减时间明显延长,但对HbO₂影响相对较小。根据瞬态吸收光谱、动力学曲线和紫外-可见吸收光谱综合分析可知,在加入游离Trp前后,4种形态血红蛋白在被入射光激发后,铁卟啉均反应至具有(或近似具有)一空位的铁六配位平面卟啉结构状态。     

High-performance liquid chromatography with photochemical fluorimetric detection of tryptophan based on 4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa- 1,3-diazole : Total protein amino acid analysis

The simultaneous determination of amino acids including trytophan is described. The NBD- F forms a single adduct with tryptophan as with other amino acids, but the adduct lacks intrinsic fluorescence. After ultraviolet irradiation, the adduct fluoresces (pale-green); the fluorescence intensity increases with increasing irradiation time at pH 2-10, Under the same conditions, the other amino acid adducts are slowly decomposed. When the tryptophan adduct, separated on a Nucleosil ODS column (150×4.6 mm, 6 μm), is irradiated in an on-line photochemical reactor (310 nm), its fluorescence peak appears between those of the phenylalanine and lysine adducts. The detection limit for tryptophan by the proposed method is 3 pmol; the limits for other amino acids are 10–100 fmol.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL STUDIES ON HUMAN RETINAL LIPOFUSCIN

Fluorescent material generated in the human retina accumulates within lipofuscin granules of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during aging. Its presence has been suggested to contributed to various diseases including age-related macular degeneration. Because this material absorbs light at wave lengths as long as 550 nm, photophysical studies were performed to determine whether lipofuscin could contribute to light damage and to determine if its composition is similar to a synthetically prepared lipofuscin. Time-resolved experiments were performed to monitor (1) fluorescence decay, (2) the UV-visible absorption of longer-lived excited states and (3) the formation and decay of singlet oxygen at 1270 nm. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence studies indicate that human and synthetic lipofuscin have fluorophores in common. Time-resolved absorption experiments on human retinal lipofuscin and synthetic lipofuscin showed the presence of at least two transient species, one absorbing at 430 nm (lifetime caμs) and a second absorbing at 580 nm, which decays via second order kinetics. In addition, there is a third absorbing species stable to several hundred milliseconds. The transient species at 430 nm is quenched by oxygen, suggesting that it is a triplet state. Subsequent studies showed the formation of singlet oxygen, which was monitored by its phosphorescence decay at 1270 nm. These studies demonstrate that lipofuscin can act as a sensitizer for the generation of reactive oxygen species that may contribute to the age-related decline of RPE function and blue light damage.     

4',5'-SUBSTITUTED METHYLANGELICINS: PHOTOCYCLOADDUCTS WITH PYRIMIDINE BASES OF DNA

The isolation and characterization of photocycloadducts with pyrimidine bases from DNA samples irradiated (365 nm) in the presence of four 4',5'-substituted methylangelicins was performed. All these furocoumarins yielded mainly the cis-syn furan-side cycloadduct with thymine. For 4',5'-dimethyl-, 5,4',5'-trimethyl- and 6,4',5'-trimethylangelicin this adduct was accompanied by two pyrone-side adducts ( cis-syn and cis-anti ), whereas the 4,4',5'-trimethyl derivative gave the furan-side adduct with cytosine.
The characterization of the regio- and stereochemistry of the adducts was accomplished by ¹H NOE (nuclear Overhauser effect) and ¹H-¹³C HMBC (heteronuclear multiple-bond connectivity) spectroscopies.
The formation of different cycloadducts in DNA by the various derivatives highlights the role of the methyl groups in determining the regio- and stereochemistry of the cycloaddition.     

DNA-binding properties studies and spectra of a novel fluorescent Zn(II) complex with a new chromone derivative

A new chromone derivative (6-ethoxy chromone-3-carbaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone) ligand (L) and its two transition metal complexes [Zn(II) complex and Ni(II) complex] have been prepared and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, mass spectra, UV–vis spectra and IR spectra. The Zn(II) complex exhibits light blue fluorescence under UV light, and the fluorescent properties of Zn(II) complex and the ligand in solid state and in different solutions (MeOH, DMF, THF and H₂O) were investigated. In addition, the interactions of the Zn(II) complex and the ligand with calf thymus DNA were investigated using UV–vis absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroic spectral methods and viscosity measurement. It was founded that both two compounds, especially the Zn(II) complex, strongly bind with calf thymus DNA, presumably via an intercalation mechanism.     

农药异丙威与小牛胸腺DNA的作用研究

在生理酸度条件下,采用紫外光谱和荧光光谱法研究异丙威与小牛胸腺DNA的作用表明:DNA对异丙威的荧光有明显的猝灭作用,属于静态猝灭方式;K4[Fe(CN)6]猝灭试验发现DNA对异丙威有明显的保护作用,离子强度的改变对异丙威和异丙威-DNA体系的荧光均无明显影响;异丙威的加入使DNA的熔点升高,并且异丙威能够竞争置换EB与DNA的结合位点。上述实验也表明,异丙威以嵌插方式作用于DNA的结合位点,有可能通过形成DNA加合物的形式造成DNA损伤,从而最终导致基因突变。     

PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF THE BISBENZIMIDAZOLE DYE 33258 HOECHST WITH BROMODEOXYURIDINE AND ITS BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON BrdUrd-SUBSTITUTED ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract— Exposure of BrdUrd-substituted E. coli cells to 360 nm light in the presence of the bisbenzimi-dazole dye 33258 Hoechst increases their sensitivity dramatically. Mutant cells deficient in excision repair of DNA damage ( uur B) are more sensitive than wild type cells, indicating that the cells are able to repair this type of damage. However, they perform only a limited amount of liquid holding recovery (LHR). Exposure of the dye with BrdUrd to near UV light in solution results in the appearance of two BrdUrd derived photoproducts. One appears to be deoxyuridine, and the other — an adduct of BrdUrd-dye. The adduct is acid labile and as a result only uracil is observed in acid-hydrolyzates of DNA after exposure of BrdUrd-substituted cells to 360 nm light in the presence of 33258 Hoechst. The production of uracil is linearly dependent on light exposure. Cells in which 85% of thymidine was replaced by BrdUrd are unable to remove more than 5–10% of uracil from their DNA during postirradiation incubation. However, when only 4% of thymidine is replaced, about 50% of the uracil is removed during 30min incubation after exposure. The results are consistent with our previous work, indicating that BrdUrd interferes with repair via excision-resynthesis. A working hypothesis is suggested to explain this interference.     

Terbium fluorescence as a sensitive,inexpensive probe for UV-induced damage in nucleic acids

Much effort has been focused on developing methods for detecting damaged nucleic acids. However, almost all of the proposed methods consist of multi-step procedures, are limited, require expensive instruments, or suffer from a high level of interferences. In this paper, we present a novel simple, inexpensive, mix-and-read assay that is generally applicable to nucleic acid damage and uses the enhanced luminescence due to energy transfer from nucleic acids to terbium(III) (Tb³⁺). Single-stranded oligonucleotides greatly enhance the Tb³⁺ emission, but duplex DNA does not. With the use of a DNA hairpin probe complementary to the oligonucleotide of interest, the Tb³⁺/hairpin probe is applied to detect ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA damage. The hairpin probe hybridizes only with the undamaged DNA. However, the damaged DNA remains single-stranded and enhances the intrinsic fluorescence of Tb³⁺, producing a detectable signal directly proportional to the amount of DNA damage. This allows the Tb³⁺/hairpin probe to be used for sensitive quantification of UV-induced DNA damage. The Tb³⁺/hairpin probe showed superior selectivity to DNA damage compared to conventional molecular beacons probes (MBs) and its sensitivity is more than 2.5 times higher than MBs with a limit of detection of 4.36 ± 1.2 nM. In addition, this probe is easier to synthesize and more than eight times cheaper than MBs, which makes its use recommended for high-throughput, quantitative analysis of DNA damage.     

激光诱导游离色氨酸对血红蛋白反应动力学影响及机理

血红蛋白活性中心铁卟啉具有环状共轭结构,类似于叶绿素,可以吸收特定波长光,光会诱导铁卟啉发生氧化还原反应。研究中发现,紫外区波长光照射血红蛋白的氧化还原反应情况优于铁卟啉特征吸收波长(406 nm)光照射情况。无游离色氨酸(Trp)时,266 nm激光激发后高铁血红蛋白(metHb)、脱氧血红蛋白(deoxy Hb)、氧合血红蛋白(HbO_2)和碳氧血红蛋白(HbCO)均被激发至各自相应的激发态,其Soret带谱峰衰减至基态的时间大致相同;加入游离Trp后,激发态Trp会转移能量到铁卟啉,在直接和间接光能量双重作用叠加下,激发态铁卟啉衰减时间发生变化。metHb、deoxy Hb和HbCO衰减时间明显延长,但对HbO_2影响相对较小。根据瞬态吸收光谱、动力学曲线和紫外-可见吸收光谱综合分析可知,在加入游离Trp前后,4种形态血红蛋白在被入射光激发后,铁卟啉均反应至具有(或近似具有)一空位的铁六配位平面卟啉结构状态。     

Molecular Engineering of DNA: Molecular Beacons

Molecular beacons (MBs) are specifically designed DNA hairpin structures that are widely used as fluorescent probes. Applications of MBs range from genetic screening, biosensor development, biochip construction, and the detection of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms to mRNA monitoring in living cells. The inherent signal‐transduction mechanism of MBs enables the analysis of target oligonucleotides without the separation of unbound probes. The MB stem–loop structure holds the fluorescence‐donor and fluorescence‐acceptor moieties in close proximity to one another, which results in resonant energy transfer. A spontaneous conformation change occurs upon hybridization to separate the two moieties and restore the fluorescence of the donor. Recent research has focused on the improvement of probe composition, intracellular gene quantitation, protein–DNA interaction studies, and protein recognition.