(2S,5R/2R,5S)-Aminoethylpipecolyl aepip-aegPNA chimera: synthesis and duplex/triplex stability

This article reports the design and facile synthesis of novel chiral six-membered PNA analogues (2S,5R/2R,5S)-1-(N-Boc-aminoethyl)-5-(thymin-1-yl)pipecolic acid, aepipPNA IV that upon incorporation into standard aegPNA sequences effected stabilization of complexes with complementary target DNA. Substitution of aegPNA unit by the designed monomer at the C-terminus was more effective than substitution at N-terminus. The stabilizing behaviour improved with degree of substitution and was found to be dependent on their relative positions in the sequence. The six-membered piperidine ring in the design may freeze the rigid chair conformations and the relative stereochemistry of the substituents may in effect direct the complex formation with DNA/RNA by sequence-specific nucleobase recognition. In the present aepipPNA analogues, the l-trans stereochemical disposition of the substituents seems to lead to the favorable pre-organization of the PNA oligomers for complex formation with DNA. The results reported here further expand the repertoire of cyclic PNA analogues.     

Cyclopropane PNA: observable triplex melting in a PNA constrained with a 3-membered ring

The first peptide nucleic acid (PNA) with a cyclopropane in the backbone has been synthesized, and the effects of the ring on DNA/RNA binding properties of the PNA have been examined. Well-defined triplex to duplex melting transitions of PNA₂ DNA complexes is clearly observed by variable temperature UV absorbance with the cyclopropane-constrained PNA.     

Quantum chemical studies of peptide nucleic acid monomers and role of cyclohexyl modification on backbone flexibility

Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) bind sequence specifically to DNA/RNA and are of major interest for all fields of molecular biology and could form the basis for gene‐targeted drugs. Modifications are introduced in PNA to overcome problems associated with orientational selectivity in binding, to restrict conformational flexibility of backbone, and to discriminate binding for either DNA or RNA. The addition of geometrical isomers (1R,2S and 1S,2R) of cyclohexyl ring in the backbone of PNA could bring rigidification to PNA backbone and may impart specificity toward RNA. Therefore, quantum chemical studies are aimed to explore the conformational space, to find out preferred stable conformations of PNA and modified (1R,2S and 1S,2R) cyclohexyl PNA monomer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Synthesis of hydrazino-peptide nucleic acid monomers and dimers as new PNA backbone building blocks

We describe the synthesis of new hydrazinoPNA (hydPNA) monomers and new hydPNA-containing dimers. For the hydPNA monomers, the primary terminal amino group of the aminoethylglycine unit of classical aegPNA is replaced by a hydrazine moiety. An appropriate choice of two orthogonal protecting groups on the two hydrazine nitrogen atoms makes it possible to drive their coupling with other monomers selectively on one or the other nitrogen atom, thus obtaining two different types of PNA dimers. These dimers represent new building blocks that can be used to generate novel PNA oligomers.     

Synthesis and oligodeoxynucleotide binding properties of pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acids bearing prolyl-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (ACPC) backbones

A series of novel conformationally rigid pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acids (PNA) based on d-prolyl-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (ACPC) backbones has been synthesized. Investigation of the binding properties of four stereoisomeric PNAs possessing different stereochemistry at the ACPC part with DNA revealed that a precise stereochemistry of the backbone is very important in determining the binding properties. Only the PNA containing (1S,2S)-ACPC can form a very stable 1:1 complex with the complementary DNA in a sequence-specific manner.     

Synthesis and nucleic acid binding studies of novel pyrrolidinyl PNA carrying an N-amino-N-methylglycine spacer

Two novel pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acids comprising alternating sequences of thymine-modified d- or l-proline and an N-amino-N-methylglycine spacer were synthesized using solid-phase methodology. UV and CD titrations together with a gel-binding shift assay revealed that neither of the homothymine PNA decamers bind to their complementary DNA or RNA. This was considered to be due to an unfavorable secondary structure which could not be alleviated by the presence of the positively charged protonated amine in the PNA backbone.     

Synthesis of pyrrolidinone PNA: a novel conformationally restricted PNA analogue

To preorganize PNA for duplex formation, a new cyclic pyrrolidinone PNA analogue has been designed. In this analogue the aminoethylglycine backbone and the methylenecarbonyl linker are connected, introducing two chiral centers compared to PNA. The four stereoisomers of the adenine analogue were synthesized, and the hybridization properties of PNA decamers containing one analogue were measured against complementary DNA, RNA, and PNA strands. The (3S,5R) isomer was shown to have the highest affinity toward RNA, and to recognize RNA and PNA better than DNA. The (3S,5R) isomer was used to prepare a fully modified decamer which bound to rU10 with only a small decrease in Tm (delta Tm/mod = 1 degree C) relative to aminoethylglycine PNA.     

(2′‐O‐Methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA Chimeras: A New Class of Mixed Backbone Oligonucleotide Analogues with High Binding Affinity to RNA

The automated on‐line synthesis of DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras 1 – 4 and (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras 5 – 8 is described, in which the 3′‐terminal part of the oligonucleotide is linked to the N‐terminal part of the PNA via N‐(ω‐hydroxyalkyl)‐N‐[(thymin‐1‐yl)acetyl]glycine units (alkyl=Et, Ph, Bu, and pentyl). By means of UV thermal denaturation, the binding affinities of all chimeras were directly compared by determining their T_m values in the duplex with complementary DNA and RNA. All investigated DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras and (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras form more‐stable duplexes with complementary DNA and RNA than the corresponding unmodified DNA. Interestingly, a N‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)glycine linker resulted in the highest binding affinity for DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras, whereas the (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras showed optimal binding with the homologous N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)glycine linker. The duplexes of (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras and RNA were significantly more stable than those containing the corresponding DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras. Surprisingly, we found that the charged (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimera with a N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)glycine‐based unit at the junction to the PNA part shows the same binding affinity to RNA as uncharged PNA. Potential applications of (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras include their use as antisense agents acting by a RNase‐independent mechanism of action, a prerequisite for antisense‐oligonucleotide‐mediated correction of aberrant splicing of pre‐mRNA.     

Pyrrolidine PNA: a novel conformationally restricted PNA analogue

[reaction:see text] A new conformationally restricted PNA adenine monomer has been synthesized in 13 steps from cis-4-hydroxy-D-proline. A fully modified adenine decamer displayed improved binding affinity toward complementary DNA and RNA oligonucleotides as compared to that of the parent PNA adenine decamer.     

Influence of the Type of Junction in DNA-3′-Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) Chimeras on Their Binding Affinity to DNA and RNA

The automated on-line synthesis of DNA-3′-PNA (PNA=Polyamide Nucleic Acids) chimeras 1 – 3 is described, in which the 3′-terminal part of the oligonucleotide is linked to the aminoterminal part of the PNA either via a N-(2-mercaptoethyl)- (X=S), a N-(2-hydroxyethyl)- (X=O), or a N-(2-aminoethyl)- (X=NH) N-[(thymin-1-yl)acetyl]glycine unit. Furthermore, the DNA-3′-PNA chimera 4 without a nucleobase at the linking unit was prepared. The binding affinities of all chimeras were directly compared by determining their T_m values in the duplex with complementary DNA, RNA, or DNA containing a mismatch or abasic site opposite to the linker unit. We found that all investigated chimeras with a nucleobase at the junction form more stable duplexes with complementary DNA and RNA than the corresponding unmodified DNA. The influence of X on duplex stabilization was determined to be in the order O>S≈NH, rendering the phosphodiester bridge the most favored linkage at the DNA/PNA junction. The observed strong duplex-destabilizing effects, when base mismatches or non-basic sites were introduced opposite to the nucleobase at the DNA/PNA junction, suggest that the base at the linking unit contributes significantly to duplex stabilization.     

DNA-, RNA- and self-pairing properties of a pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acid with a (2′R,4′S)-prolyl-(1S,2S)-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid backbone

A new pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acid (PNA) comprising of an alternate sequence of 4′-nucleobase-modified proline with (2′R,4′S) configuration and a (1S,2S)-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid [(2′R,4′S)-acpcPNA] backbone was synthesized and its DNA-, RNA- and self-pairing properties studied. T_m and CD studies suggested that the (2′R,4′S)-acpcPNA forms antiparallel hybrids to DNA and RNA with high sequence and direction specificity. The stability of these hybrids is comparable to those of the (2′R,4′R)-acpcPNA hybrids previously reported by our group. On the other hand, experiments with a self-complementary sequence indicated that the new (2′R,4′S)-acpcPNA forms a more stable antiparallel self-hybrid than (2′R,4′R)-acpcPNA.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of new troponyl aromatic amino acid

Synthetic peptides are in huge demand in expansion of potential peptide mimics, which may have improved or comparable function as natural one. With these concerns, phenyl bearing aromatic amino acids and peptides has extensively explored, because phenyl residue has high probability in forming stable secondary structure, owing to the presence of an extra stabilizing factor as π–π non-covalent interactions. Apart from phenyl bearing benzenoid aromatic amino acids, a few non-benzenoid aromatic derivatives such as tropolone and related compounds are also occurred in nature, but troponyl containing amino acids and peptides are very poorly understood. Tropolonyl derivatives also contain carbonyl functional group, which may play an important role to provide stable conformation in peptide. Herein we report the synthesis, and conformational analysis of rationally designed new unnatural δ-amino acid, troponyl aminoethylglycine (Tr-aeg), which contains troponyl residue as side chain in flexible aminoethylglycine (aeg) amino acid backbone. We also demonstrate the role of troponyl carbonyl of Tr-aeg residue in hydrogen bonding with adjacent amide NH of their hybrid di/tri-peptides with NMR methods and DFT calculations. In future, Tr-aeg amino acid would be a potential building block in development of promisable peptide mimics.     

Cyclobutyl-carbonyl substituted PNA: synthesis and study of a novel PNA derivative

A new, optically active, cyclobutyl-carbonyl substituted PNA monomer has been synthesized stereoselectively from a chiral amino acid prepared from (+)-α-pinene. A conformational search shows a lack of conformational bias for the monomer and incorporation of the monomer into a standard oligomer is tolerated without changing the binding affinity towards sequence complementary RNA, DNA or PNA targets.     

Synthesis and evaluation of (1S,2R/1R,2S)-aminocyclohexylglycyl PNAs as conformationally preorganized PNA analogues for DNA/RNA recognition

Conformationally constrained cis-aminocyclohexylglycyl PNAs have been designed on the basis of stereospecific imposition of 1,2-cis-cyclohexyl moieties on the aminoethyl segment of aminoethylglycyl PNA (aegPNA). The introduction of the cis-cyclohexyl ring may allow the restriction of the torsion angle beta in the ethylenediamine segment to 60-70 degrees that is prevalent in PNA(2):DNA and PNA:RNA complexes. The synthesis of the optically pure monomers (10a and 10b) is achieved by stereoselective enzymatic hydrolysis of an intermediate ester 2. The chiral PNA oligomers were synthesized with (1S,2R/1R,2S)-aminocyclohexylglycyl thymine monomers in the center and N-terminus of aegPNA. Differential gel shift retardation with one or more units of modified monomer units was observed as a result of hybridization of PNA sequences with complementary DNA sequences. Hybridization studies with complementary DNA and RNA sequences using UV-T(m) measurements indicate that PNA with (1S,2R)-cyclohexyl stereochemistry enhances selective binding with RNA over DNA as compared to control aegPNA and PNA with the other (1R,2S) isomer.     

(1S,2R/1R,2S)-cis-cyclopentyl PNAs (cpPNAs) as constrained PNA analogues: synthesis and evaluation of aeg-cpPNA chimera and stereopreferences in hybridization with DNA/RNA

Conformationally constrained chiral PNA analogues were designed on the basis of stereospecific imposition of a 1,2-cis-cyclopentyl moiety on an aminoethyl segment of aegPNA. It is known that the cyclopentane ring is a relatively flexible system in which the characteristic puckering dictates the pseudoaxial/pseudoequatorial dispositions of substituents. Hence, favorable torsional adjustments are possible to attain the necessary hybridization-competent conformations when the moiety is imposed on the conventional PNA backbone. The synthesis of the enantiomerically pure 1,2-cis-cyclopentyl PNA monomers (10a and 10b) was achieved by stereoselective enzymatic hydrolysis of a key intermediate ester 2. The chiral (1S,2R/1R,2S)-aminocyclopentylglycyl thymine monomers were incorporated into PNA oligomers at defined positions and through the entire sequence. Hybridization studies with complementary DNA and RNA sequences using UV-Tm measurements indicate that aeg-cpPNA chimera form thermally more stable complexes than aegPNA with stereochemistry-dependent selective binding of cDNA/RNA. Differential gel shift retardation was observed on hybridization of aeg-cpPNAs with complementary DNA.     

Charge dependent behavior of PNA/DNA/PNA triplexes in the gas phase

Intact noncovalent complexes were studied in the gas phase using negative ion nano-ESI mass spectrometry. Among various noncovalent systems studied in the gas phase, the interaction of DNA strands with peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) presents a strong interest as biologically relevant systems. PNAs originally described by Nielsen are used as DNA mimics as possible medical agents by imprisoning DNA single strands into stable noncovalent complexes. Two types of PNAs were investigated in the PNA/DNA multiplex: the original Nielsen's PNA and a modified backbone PNA by the introduction of syn- and anti-(aminoethyl)thiazolidine rings. We first investigated the stoichiometry of PNA/DNA multiplexes formed in solution and observed them in the gas phase via qualitative kinetics of complementary strand associations. It resulted in observing PNA2/DNA triplexes (ts) as the multiply deprotonated species, most stable in both the solution and gas phase. Second, charge-dependant decompositions of these species were undertaken under low-energy collision conditions. It appears that covalent bond cleavages (base releasing or skeleton cleavage) occur from lower ts charge states rather than ts unzipping, which takes place from higher charge states. This behavior can be explained by considering the presence of zwitterions depending on the charge state. They result in strong salt-bridge interactions between the positively charged PNA side chain and the negatively charged DNA backbone. We propose a general model to clearly display the involved patterns in the noncovalent triplex decompositions. Third, the relative stability of three PNA2/DNA complexes was scrutinized in the gas phase by acquiring the breakdown curves of their ts(6-) form, corresponding to the ts unzipping. The chemical structures of the studied PNAs were chosen in order to evidence the possible influence of backbone stereochemistry on the rigidity of PNA2/DNA complexes. It provided significantly different stabilities via V(m) measurements. The relative gas-phase stability order obtained was compared to that found in solution by Chassaing et al., and shows qualitative agreement.     

Pyrrolidine nucleic acids: DNA/PNA oligomers with 2-hydroxy/aminomethyl- 4-(thymin-1-yl)pyrrolidine-N-acetic acid

Synthesis of pyrrolidine-based chiral positively charged DNA analogues is reported. The synthesis of (2S,4S) and (2R,4R) thymin-1-ylpyrrolidine-N-acetic acid, its site specific incorporation in PNA:DNA chimera and PNA, and the study of their binding properties with complementary DNA/RNA sequences is presented.     

Expanding the repertoire of pyrrolidyl PNA analogues for DNA/RNA hybridization selectivity: aminoethylpyrrolidinone PNA (aepone-PNA)

New PNA analogues derived from aminoethylpyrrolidin-5-one backbone show stabilization of aepone-PNA:DNA hybrids and destabilization of the corresponding RNA hybrids compared to unmodified PNA.     

MD simulations of homomorphous PNA, DNA, and RNA single strands: characterization and comparison of conformations and dynamics

MD simulations of homomorphous single-stranded PNA, DNA, and RNA with the same base sequence have been performed in aqueous solvent. For each strand two separate simulations were performed starting from a (i) helical conformation and (ii) random coiled state. Comparisons of the simulations with the single-stranded helices (case i) show that the differences in the covalent nature of the backbones cause significant differences in the structural and dynamical properties of the strands. It is found that the PNA strand maintains its nice base-stacked initial helical structure throughout the 1.5-ns MD simulation at 300 K, while DNA/RNA show relatively larger fluctuations in the structures with a few local unstacking events during -ns MD simulation each. It seems that the weak physical coupling between the bases and the backbone in PNA causes a loss of correlation between the dynamics of the bases and the backbone compared to the DNA/RNA and helps maintain the base-stacked helical conformation. The global flexibility of a single-stranded PNA helix was also found to be lowest, while RNA appears to be the most flexible single-stranded helix. The sugar pucker of several nucleotides in single-stranded DNA and RNA was found to adopt both C2'-endo and C3'-endo conformations for significant times. This effect is more pronounced for single strands in completely coiled states. The simulations with single-stranded coils as the initial structure also indicate that a PNA can adopt a more compact globular structure, while DNA/RNA of the same size adopts a more extended coil structure. This allows even a short PNA in the coiled state to form a significantly stable nonsequentially base-stacked globular structure in solution. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the PNA backbone, it interacts with surrounding water rather weakly compared to DNA/RNA.     

Synthesis of a C-linked glycosylated thymine-based PNA monomer and its incorporation into a PNA oligomer

Backbone modification of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) by glycosylation has been shown to enhance selective biodistribution and cellular targeting of PNA oligomers based on sugar and cell surface lectin interactions. Here we report the synthesis of a new backbone-glycosylated thymine-based PNA monomer (T(gal)). The sugar residue was attached to the backbone of PNA via a stable carbon-carbon linkage between the sugar and the PNA monomers. Also, incorporation of the modified monomer into a PNA decamer (H-Ala(gal)-G-G-G-T(gal)-C-A-G-C-T(gal)-T-Lys-NH2) was successfully performed. Melting temperature (UV-Tm) of the modified PNA against the complementary DNA was only slightly lower than unmodified PNA.