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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Water Spines And Networks In G-Quadruplex Structures, Kevin Li , '22, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, S. Neidle Jan 2021

Water Spines And Networks In G-Quadruplex Structures, Kevin Li , '22, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, S. Neidle

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

Quadruplex DNAs can fold into a variety of distinct topologies, depending in part on loop types and orientations of individual strands, as shown by high-resolution crystal and NMR structures. Crystal structures also show associated water molecules. We report here on an analysis of the hydration arrangements around selected folded quadruplex DNAs, which has revealed several prominent features that re-occur in related structures. Many of the primary-sphere water molecules are found in the grooves and loop regions of these structures. At least one groove in anti-parallel and hybrid quadruplex structures is long and narrow and contains an extensive spine of linked …


A Procedure For Computing Hydrocarbon Strain Energies Using Computational Group Equivalents, With Application To 66 Molecules, Paul R. Rablen Jan 2020

A Procedure For Computing Hydrocarbon Strain Energies Using Computational Group Equivalents, With Application To 66 Molecules, Paul R. Rablen

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A method is presented for the direct computation of hydrocarbon strain energies using computational group equivalents. Parameters are provided at several high levels of electronic structure theory: W1BD, G-4, CBS-APNO, CBS-QB3, and M062X/6-31+G(2df,p). As an illustration of the procedure, strain energies are computed for 66 hydrocarbons, most of them highly strained.


Biophysical And X-Ray Structural Studies Of The (Gggtt)3ggg G-Quadruplex In Complex With N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin Ix, Linda Yingqi Lin , '20, S. Mccarthy, Barrett M. Powell , '18, Yanti Manurung , '20, Irene M. Xiang , '18, W. L. Dean, B. Chaires, Liliya A. Yatsunyk Jan 2020

Biophysical And X-Ray Structural Studies Of The (Gggtt)3ggg G-Quadruplex In Complex With N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin Ix, Linda Yingqi Lin , '20, S. Mccarthy, Barrett M. Powell , '18, Yanti Manurung , '20, Irene M. Xiang , '18, W. L. Dean, B. Chaires, Liliya A. Yatsunyk

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The G-quadruplex (GQ) is a well-studied non-canonical DNA structure formed by G-rich sequences found at telomeres and gene promoters. Biological studies suggest that GQs may play roles in regulating gene expression, DNA replication, and DNA repair. Small molecule ligands were shown to alter GQ structure and stability and thereby serve as novel therapies, particularly against cancer. In this work, we investigate the interaction of a G-rich sequence, 5’-GGGTTGGGTTGGGTTGGG-3’ (T1), with a water-soluble porphyrin, N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) via biophysical and X-ray crystallographic studies. UV-vis and fluorescence titrations, as well as a Job plot, revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry with an …


G-Quadruplex Dynamics Contribute To Regulation Of Mitochondrial Gene Expression, M. Falabella, J. E. Kolesar, C. Wallace, D. De Jesus, L. Sun, Y. V. Taguichi, C. Wang, T. Wang, Irene M. Xiang , '18, J. K. Alder, R. Maheshan, W. Horne, Joshua R. Turek-Herman , '16, P. J. Pagano, C. M. St. Croix, N. Sondheimer, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, F. B. Johnson, B. A. Kaufman Apr 2019

G-Quadruplex Dynamics Contribute To Regulation Of Mitochondrial Gene Expression, M. Falabella, J. E. Kolesar, C. Wallace, D. De Jesus, L. Sun, Y. V. Taguichi, C. Wang, T. Wang, Irene M. Xiang , '18, J. K. Alder, R. Maheshan, W. Horne, Joshua R. Turek-Herman , '16, P. J. Pagano, C. M. St. Croix, N. Sondheimer, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, F. B. Johnson, B. A. Kaufman

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Single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences rich in guanine (G) can adopt non-canonical structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences that are predicted to form G4 are enriched on the heavy-strand and have been associated with formation of deletion breakpoints. Increasing evidence supports the ability of mtDNA to form G4 in cancer cells; however, the functional roles of G4 structures in regulating mitochondrial nucleic acid homeostasis in non-cancerous cells remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate by live cell imaging that the G4-ligand RHPS4 localizes primarily to mitochondria at low doses. We find that low doses of RHPS4 do not induce …


Ring Expansion Of Alkylidenecarbenes Derived From Lactams, Lactones, And Thiolactones Into Strained Heterocyclic Alkynes: A Theoretical Study, N. N. Thu Le, J. Just, J. M. Pankauski, Paul R. Rablen, D. M. Thamattoor Feb 2019

Ring Expansion Of Alkylidenecarbenes Derived From Lactams, Lactones, And Thiolactones Into Strained Heterocyclic Alkynes: A Theoretical Study, N. N. Thu Le, J. Just, J. M. Pankauski, Paul R. Rablen, D. M. Thamattoor

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Strained cycloalkynes are of considerable interest to theoreticians and experimentalists, and possess much synthetic value as well. Herein, a series of cyclic alkylidenecarbenes—formally obtained by replacing the carbonyl oxygen of four-, five-, and six-membered lactams, lactones, and thiolactones with a divalent carbon—were modeled at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-311+G** and CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//CCSD/6-311+G** levels of theory. The singlet carbenes were found to be more stable than the triplets. The strained heterocyclic alkynes formed by ring expansion of these singlet carbenes were also modeled. Interestingly, the C≡C bonds in the five-membered heterocycles, obtained from the rearrangement of β-lactam- and β-lactone-derived alkylidenecarbenes, displayed lengths intermediate between formal …


N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin Ix As A Highly Selective Light-Up Probe For G-Quadruplex Dna, Ariana Yett , '21, Linda Yingqi Lin , '20, Dana Beseiso , '21, Joanne Miao , '22, Liliya A. Yatsunyk Jan 2019

N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin Ix As A Highly Selective Light-Up Probe For G-Quadruplex Dna, Ariana Yett , '21, Linda Yingqi Lin , '20, Dana Beseiso , '21, Joanne Miao , '22, Liliya A. Yatsunyk

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N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) is a water-soluble, non-symmetric porphyrin with excellent optical properties and unparalleled selectivity for G-quadruplex (GQ) DNA. G-quadruplexes are non-canonical DNA structures formed by guanine-rich sequences. They are implicated in genomic stability, longevity, and cancer. The ability of NMM to selectively recognize GQ structures makes it a valuable scaffold for designing novel GQ binders. In this review, we survey the literature describing the GQ-binding properties of NMM as well as its wide utility in chemistry and biology. We start with the discovery of the GQ-binding properties of NMM and the development of NMM-binding aptamers. We then discuss …


Mechanism For Copper(Ii)-Mediated Disaggregation Of A Porphyrin J-Aggregate, M. Trapani, I. G. Occhiuto, R. Zagami, G. De Luca, M. A. Castriciano, A. Romeo, L. M. Scolaro, Robert F. Pasternack Dec 2018

Mechanism For Copper(Ii)-Mediated Disaggregation Of A Porphyrin J-Aggregate, M. Trapani, I. G. Occhiuto, R. Zagami, G. De Luca, M. A. Castriciano, A. Romeo, L. M. Scolaro, Robert F. Pasternack

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J-aggregates of anionic meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin form at intermediate pH (2.3–3.1) in the presence of NiSO₄ or ZnSO₄ (ionic strength, I.S. = 3.2 M). These aggregates convert to monomeric porphyrin units via metallation with copper(II) ions. The kinetics for the disassembly process, as monitored by UV/vis spectroscopy, exhibits zeroth-order behavior. The observed zeroth-order rate constants show a two-term dependence on copper(II) ion concentrations: linear and second order. Also observed is an inverse dependence on hydrogen ion concentration. Activation parameters have been determined for the disassembly process leading to ΔH^≠ = (+163 ± 15) kJ·mol⁻¹ and ΔS^≠ = (+136 ± 11) J·K⁻¹. A …


Interactions Between Spermine-Derivatized Tentacle Porphyrins And The Human Telomeric Dna G-Quadruplex, Navin C. Sabharwal , '14, Jessica Chen , '17, Joo Hyun Lee , '17, C. M. A. Gangemi, A. D'Urso, Liliya A. Yatsunyk Nov 2018

Interactions Between Spermine-Derivatized Tentacle Porphyrins And The Human Telomeric Dna G-Quadruplex, Navin C. Sabharwal , '14, Jessica Chen , '17, Joo Hyun Lee , '17, C. M. A. Gangemi, A. D'Urso, Liliya A. Yatsunyk

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

G-rich DNA sequences have the potential to fold into non-canonical G-Quadruplex (GQ) structures implicated in aging and human diseases, notably cancers. Because stabilization of GQs at telomeres and oncogene promoters may prevent cancer, there is an interest in developing small molecules that selectively target GQs. Herein, we investigate the interactions of meso-tetrakis-(4-carboxysperminephenyl)porphyrin (TCPPSpm4) and its Zn(II) derivative (ZnTCPPSpm4) with human telomeric DNA (Tel22) via UV-Vis, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopies, resonance light scattering (RLS), and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays. UV-Vis titrations reveal binding constants of 4.7 × 10⁶ and 1.4 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ and binding stoichiometry of …


Quadruplexes In ‘Dicty’: Crystal Structure Of A Four-Quartet G-Quadruplex Formed By G-Rich Motif Found In The Dictyostelium Discoideum Genome, A. Guédin, Linda Yingqi Lin , '20, S. Armane, L. Lacroix, J.-L. Mergny, S. Thore, Liliya A. Yatsunyk Jun 2018

Quadruplexes In ‘Dicty’: Crystal Structure Of A Four-Quartet G-Quadruplex Formed By G-Rich Motif Found In The Dictyostelium Discoideum Genome, A. Guédin, Linda Yingqi Lin , '20, S. Armane, L. Lacroix, J.-L. Mergny, S. Thore, Liliya A. Yatsunyk

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Guanine-rich DNA has the potential to fold into non-canonical G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Analysis of the genome of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum indicates a low number of sequences with G4-forming potential (249–1055). Therefore, D. discoideum is a perfect model organism to investigate the relationship between the presence of G4s and their biological functions. As a first step in this investigation, we crystallized the dGGGGGAGGGGTACAGGGGTACAGGGG sequence from the putative promoter region of two divergent genes in D. discoideum. According to the crystal structure, this sequence folds into a four-quartet intramolecular antiparallel G4 with two lateral and one diagonal loops. The G-quadruplex …


Synthesis And Characterization Of (Pyno−)2gacl: A Redox-Active Gallium Complex, Jacob M. Kirsh , '17, Audra J. Woodside , '19, B. C. Manor, P. J. Carroll, Paul R. Rablen, Christopher R. Graves Jun 2018

Synthesis And Characterization Of (Pyno−)2gacl: A Redox-Active Gallium Complex, Jacob M. Kirsh , '17, Audra J. Woodside , '19, B. C. Manor, P. J. Carroll, Paul R. Rablen, Christopher R. Graves

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

We report the synthesis of a gallium complex incorporating redox-active pyridyl nitroxide ligands. The (pyNO−)2GaCl complex was prepared in 85% yield via a salt metathesis route and was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and theory. UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry were used to access the optical and electrochemical properties of the complex, respectively. Our discussion focuses primarily on a comparison of the gallium complex to the corresponding aluminum derivative and shows that although the complexes are very similar, small differences in the electronic structure of the complexes can be correlated to the identity of the metal.


Amide Neighbouring Group Effects In Peptides: Phenylalanine As Relay Amino Acid In Long‐Distance Electron Transfer, U. Wille, J. Nathanael, L. Gamon, M. Cordes, Paul R. Rablen, T. Bally, K. Fromm, B. Giese Feb 2018

Amide Neighbouring Group Effects In Peptides: Phenylalanine As Relay Amino Acid In Long‐Distance Electron Transfer, U. Wille, J. Nathanael, L. Gamon, M. Cordes, Paul R. Rablen, T. Bally, K. Fromm, B. Giese

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Nature uses proteins as medium for long‐distance electron transfer (ET) to carry out redox reactions in distant compartments. This ET occurs either by a single‐step superexchange or through a multi‐step charge hopping process, which uses side chains of amino acids as stepping stones. In this study we demonstrate that Phe can act as a relay amino acid for long‐distance electron hole transfer through peptides. The considerably increased susceptibility of the aromatic ring to oxidation is caused by the lone pairs of neighbouring amide carbonyl groups, which stabilize the Phe radical cation. This neighbouring amide group effect helps to better understand …


High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Nmr Structure Of The Kras Proto-Oncogene Promoter Reveals Key Features Of A G-Quadruplex Involved In Transcriptional Regulation, A. Kerkour, J. Marquevielle, S. Ivashchenko, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, J.-L. Mergny, G. F. Salgado May 2017

High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Nmr Structure Of The Kras Proto-Oncogene Promoter Reveals Key Features Of A G-Quadruplex Involved In Transcriptional Regulation, A. Kerkour, J. Marquevielle, S. Ivashchenko, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, J.-L. Mergny, G. F. Salgado

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

Non-canonical base pairing within guanine-rich DNA and RNA sequences can produce G-quartets, whose stacking leads to the formation of a G-quadruplex (G4). G4s can coexist with canonical duplex DNA in the human genome and have been suggested to suppress gene transcription, and much attention has therefore focused on studying G4s in promotor regions of disease-related genes. For example, the human KRAS proto-oncogene contains a nuclease-hypersensitive element located upstream of the major transcription start site. The KRAS nuclease-hypersensitive element (NHE) region contains a G-rich element (22RT; 5′-AGGGCGGTGTGGGAATAGGGAA-3′) and encompasses a Myc-associated zinc finger-binding site that regulates KRAS transcription. The NEH region …


A Complex Stereochemical Relay Approach To The Antimalarial Alkaloid Ocimicide A1. Evidence For A Structural Revision, H. Nikolayevskiy, M. K. M. Tun, Paul R. Rablen, C. B. Mamoun, S. B. Herzon May 2017

A Complex Stereochemical Relay Approach To The Antimalarial Alkaloid Ocimicide A1. Evidence For A Structural Revision, H. Nikolayevskiy, M. K. M. Tun, Paul R. Rablen, C. B. Mamoun, S. B. Herzon

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Ocimicide A1 (1) and the semisynthetic derivative ocimicide A2 (2) are highly potent antimalarial agents efficacious against chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains with IC50 values in the nanomolar and picomolar range, respectively. Members of this family have demonstrated radical cure in rhesus monkeys, without detectable toxicity, but their structure–function relationships and mechanism of action are unknown. Herein we describe a twelve-step synthesis of an advanced N-acylated pentacyclic precursor to the proposed structure of 1 (11% overall yield). Instability and poor P. falciparum growth inhibition of the corresponding free donor–acceptor cyclopropylamine, and large discrepancies between reported and both experimental and …


Effect Of Zinc Cations On The Kinetics Of Supramolecular Assembly And The Chirality Of Porphyrin J-Aggregates, A. Romeo, M. A. Castriciano, R. Zagami, G. Pollicino, L Monsù Scolaro, Robert F. Pasternack Feb 2017

Effect Of Zinc Cations On The Kinetics Of Supramolecular Assembly And The Chirality Of Porphyrin J-Aggregates, A. Romeo, M. A. Castriciano, R. Zagami, G. Pollicino, L Monsù Scolaro, Robert F. Pasternack

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Dilute aqueous solutions of anionic meso-4-sulfonatophenyl-porphyrin (TPPS) extract zinc(ii) ions from glass or quartz surfaces at room temperature and efficiently form the corresponding metal complex (ZnTPPS). The partial or complete formation of ZnTPPS has been probed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and both static and time-resolved fluorescence. The source of zinc(ii) ions has been clearly identified through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The presence of increasing amounts of ZnTPPS slows down the rate of TPPS J-aggregate formation in acid solution. This influences the nucleation step and has a profound impact on the onset of chirality in these species. This evidence indicates …


Rotamer-Restricted Fluorogenicity Of The Bis-Arsenical Reash, A. S. Walker, Paul R. Rablen, A. Schepartz Jun 2016

Rotamer-Restricted Fluorogenicity Of The Bis-Arsenical Reash, A. S. Walker, Paul R. Rablen, A. Schepartz

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Fluorogenic dyes such as FlAsH and ReAsH are used widely to localize, monitor, and characterize proteins and their assemblies in live cells. These bis-arsenical dyes can become fluorescent when bound to a protein containing four proximal Cys thiols—a tetracysteine (Cys4) motif. Yet the mechanism by which bis-arsenicals become fluorescent upon binding a Cys4 motif is unknown, and this nescience limits more widespread application of this tool. Here we probe the origins of ReAsH fluorogenicity using both computation and experiment. Our results support a model in which ReAsH fluorescence depends on the relative orientation of the aryl chromophore and the appended …


Investigation Of The Interactions Between Pt(Ii) And Pd(Ii) Derivatives Of 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis (N-Methyl-4-Pyridyl) Porphyrin And G-Quadruplex Dna, Navin C. Sabharwal , '14, O. Mendoza, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, Thomas Ruan , '16, J.-L. Mergny, Liliya A. Yatsunyk Apr 2016

Investigation Of The Interactions Between Pt(Ii) And Pd(Ii) Derivatives Of 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis (N-Methyl-4-Pyridyl) Porphyrin And G-Quadruplex Dna, Navin C. Sabharwal , '14, O. Mendoza, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, Thomas Ruan , '16, J.-L. Mergny, Liliya A. Yatsunyk

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

G-quadruplexes are non-canonical DNA structures formed by guanine-rich DNA sequences that are implicated in cancer and aging. Understanding how small molecule ligands interact with quadruplexes is essential both to the development of novel anticancer therapeutics and to the design of new quadruplex-selective probes needed for elucidation of quadruplex biological functions. In this work, UV–visible, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopies, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting assays, and resonance light scattering were used to investigate how the Pt(II) and Pd(II) derivatives of the well-studied 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP4) interact with quadruplexes formed by the human telomeric DNA, Tel22, and by the G-rich sequences …


Association Of G-Quadruplex Forming Sequences With Human Mtdna Deletion Breakpoints, D. W. Dong, F. Pereira, Steven Paul Barrett , '13, J. E. Kolesar, K. Cao, J. Damas, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, F. B. Johnson, B. A. Kaufman Dec 2014

Association Of G-Quadruplex Forming Sequences With Human Mtdna Deletion Breakpoints, D. W. Dong, F. Pereira, Steven Paul Barrett , '13, J. E. Kolesar, K. Cao, J. Damas, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, F. B. Johnson, B. A. Kaufman

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

Background: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions cause disease and accumulate during aging, yet our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying their formation remains rudimentary. Guanine-quadruplex (GQ) DNA structures are associated with nuclear DNA instability in cancer; recent evidence indicates they can also form in mitochondrial nucleic acids, suggesting that these non-B DNA structures could be associated with mtDNA deletions. Currently, the multiple types of GQ sequences and their association with human mtDNA stability are unknown. Results: Here, we show an association between human mtDNA deletion breakpoint locations (sites where DNA ends rejoin after deletion of a section) and sequences with G-quadruplex …


N-Methylimidazole Promotes The Reaction Of Homophthalic Anhydride With Imines, J. Liu, Z. Wang, A. Levin, T. J. Emge, Paul R. Rablen, D. M. Floyd, S. Knapp Aug 2014

N-Methylimidazole Promotes The Reaction Of Homophthalic Anhydride With Imines, J. Liu, Z. Wang, A. Levin, T. J. Emge, Paul R. Rablen, D. M. Floyd, S. Knapp

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The addition of N-methylimidazole (NMI) to the reaction of homophthalic anhydride with imines such as pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde-N-trifluoroethylimine (9) reduces the amount of elimination byproduct and improves the yield of the formal cycloadduct, tetrahydroisoquinolonic carboxylate 10. Carboxanilides of such compounds are of interest as potential antimalarial agents. A mechanism that rationalizes the role of NMI is proposed, and a gram-scale procedure for the synthesis and resolution of 10 is also described.


Spontaneous Transfer Of Chirality In An Atropisomerically Enriched Two-Axis System, K. T. Barrett, A. J. Metrano, Paul R. Rablen, S. J. Miller May 2014

Spontaneous Transfer Of Chirality In An Atropisomerically Enriched Two-Axis System, K. T. Barrett, A. J. Metrano, Paul R. Rablen, S. J. Miller

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One of the most well-recognized stereogenic elements in a chiral molecule is an sp(3)-hybridized carbon atom that is connected to four different substituents. Axes of chirality can also exist about bonds with hindered barriers of rotation; molecules containing such axes are known as atropisomers(1). Understanding the dynamics of these systems can be useful, for example, in the design of single-atropisomer drugs(2) or molecular switches and motors(3). For molecules that exhibit a single axis of chirality, rotation about that axis leads to racemization as the system reaches equilibrium. Here we report a two-axis system for which an enantioselective reaction produces four …


N-Methylmesoporphyrin Ix Fluorescence As A Reporter Of Strand Orientation In Guanine Quadruplexes, Navin C. Sabharwal , '14, V. Savikhin, Joshua R. Turek-Herman , '16, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, V. A. Szalai, Liliya A. Yatsunyk Apr 2014

N-Methylmesoporphyrin Ix Fluorescence As A Reporter Of Strand Orientation In Guanine Quadruplexes, Navin C. Sabharwal , '14, V. Savikhin, Joshua R. Turek-Herman , '16, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, V. A. Szalai, Liliya A. Yatsunyk

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

Guanine quadruplexes (GQ) are four-stranded DNA structures formed by guanine-rich DNA sequences. The formation of GQs inhibits cancer cell growth, although the detection of GQs invivo has proven difficult, in part because of their structural diversity. The development of GQ-selective fluorescent reporters would enhance our ability to quantify the number and location of GQs, ultimately advancing biological studies of quadruplex relevance and function. N-methylmesoporphyrin IX (NMM) interacts selectively with parallel-stranded GQs; in addition, its fluorescence is sensitive to the presence of DNA, making this ligand a possible candidate for a quadruplex probe. In the present study, we investigated the effect …


Thioflavin T As A Fluorescence Light-Up Probe For G4 Formation, A. R. De La Faverie, A. Guédin, A. Bedrat, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, J.-L. Mergny Apr 2014

Thioflavin T As A Fluorescence Light-Up Probe For G4 Formation, A. R. De La Faverie, A. Guédin, A. Bedrat, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, J.-L. Mergny

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Thioflavin T (ThT) becomes fluorescent in the presence of the G-quadruplex structure such as that formed by the human telomeric motif. In this report, we extend and generalize these observations and show that this dye may be used as a convenient and specific quadruplex probe. In the presence of most, but not all, G4-forming sequences, we observed a large increase in ThT fluorescence emission, whereas the presence of control duplexes and single strands had a more limited effect on emission. This differential behavior allowed us to design a high-throughput assay to detect G4 formation. Hundreds of different oligonucleotides may be …


G-Ruption: The Third International Meeting On G-Quadruplex And G-Assembly, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, T. M. Bryan, F. B. Johnson Dec 2012

G-Ruption: The Third International Meeting On G-Quadruplex And G-Assembly, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, T. M. Bryan, F. B. Johnson

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A three and a half day conference focusing on nucleic acid structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) and other guanine-based assemblies was held in Sorrento. Italy (June 28-July 1, 2011) and featured 35 invited talks and over 89 posters. The G-quadruplex field continues to expand at an explosive rate with the emergence of new connections to biology, chemistry, physics, and nanotechnology. Following the trend established by the previous two international G4 meetings, the conference touched upon all these areas and facilitated productive exchanges of ideas between researchers from all over the world.


Interaction Of Human Telomeric Dna With N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin Ix, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, Steven Paul Barrett , '13, J.-L. Mergny, Liliya A. Yatsunyk Jul 2012

Interaction Of Human Telomeric Dna With N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin Ix, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, Steven Paul Barrett , '13, J.-L. Mergny, Liliya A. Yatsunyk

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The remarkable selectivity of N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) for G-quadruplexes (GQs) is long known, however its ability to stabilize and bind GQs has not been investigated in detail. Through the use of circular dichroism, UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting assay we have shown that NMM stabilizes human telomeric DNA dAG(3)(TTAG(3))(3) (Tel22) and is selective for its parallel conformation to which it binds in 1:1 stoichiometry with a binding constant of similar to 1.0 x 10(5) M-1. NMM does not interact with an antiparallel conformation of Tel22 in sodium buffer and is the second example in the …


Relating Dynamic Protein Interactions Of Metallochaperones With Metal Transfer At The Single-Molecule Level, J. J. Benítez, A. M. Keller, D. L. Huffman, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, A. C. Rosenzweig, P. Chen Dec 2011

Relating Dynamic Protein Interactions Of Metallochaperones With Metal Transfer At The Single-Molecule Level, J. J. Benítez, A. M. Keller, D. L. Huffman, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, A. C. Rosenzweig, P. Chen

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Metallochaperones undertake specific interactions with their target proteins to deliver metal ions inside cells. Understanding how these protein interactions are coupled with the underlying metal transfer process is important, but challenging because they are weak and dynamic. Here we use a nanovesicle trapping scheme to enable single-molecule FRET measurements of the weak, dynamic interactions between the copper chaperone Hahl and the fourth metal binding domain (MBD4) of WDP. By monitoring the behaviors of single interacting pairs, we visualize their interactions in real time in both the absence and the presence of various equivalents of Cu(1+). Regardless of the proteins' metallation …


Reactive Quenching Of Od A (2)Σ(+) By H-2: Translational Energy Distributions For H- And D-Atom Product Channels, J. H. Lehman, Jesse Lyle Bertrand , '11, Thomas Alex Stephenson, M. I. Lester Oct 2011

Reactive Quenching Of Od A (2)Σ(+) By H-2: Translational Energy Distributions For H- And D-Atom Product Channels, J. H. Lehman, Jesse Lyle Bertrand , '11, Thomas Alex Stephenson, M. I. Lester

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The H- and D-atom products from collisional quenching of OD A (2)Sigma(+) by H-2 are characterized through Doppler spectroscopy using two-photon (2 S-2 <-<- 1 S-2) laser-induced fluorescence. Partial deuteration enables separation of the channel forming H + HOD products, which accounts for 75% of reactive quenching events, from the D + H2O product channel. The Doppler profiles, along with those reported previously for other isotopic variants, are transformed into product translational energy distributions using a robust fitting procedure based on discrete velocity basis functions. The product translational energy distribution for the H- atom channel is strongly peaked at low energy (below 0.5 eV) with a long tail extending to the energetic limit. By contrast, the D-atom channel exhibits a small peak at low translational energy with a distinctive secondary peak at higher translational energy (approximately 1.8 eV) before falling off to higher energy. In both cases, most of the available energy flows into internal excitation of the water products. Similar distributions are obtained upon reanalysis of D- and H- atom Doppler profiles, respectively, from reactive quenching of OH A (2)Sigma(+) by D-2. The sum of the translational energy distributions for H- and D- atom channels is remarkably similar to that obtained for OH A (2)Sigma(+) + H-2, where the two channels cannot be distinguished from one another. The product translational energy distributions from reactive quenching are compared with those obtained from a previous experiment performed at higher collision energy, quasiclassical trajectory calculations of the post-quenching dynamics, and a statistical model. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3644763]


Experimental Characterization Of The Weakly Anisotropic Cn X(2)Σ(+) + Ne Potential From Ir-Uv Double Resonance Studies Of The Cn-Ne Complex, J. M. Beames, B. A. O'Donnell, M. Ting, M. I. Lester, Thomas Alex Stephenson May 2011

Experimental Characterization Of The Weakly Anisotropic Cn X(2)Σ(+) + Ne Potential From Ir-Uv Double Resonance Studies Of The Cn-Ne Complex, J. M. Beames, B. A. O'Donnell, M. Ting, M. I. Lester, Thomas Alex Stephenson

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

IR-UV double resonance spectroscopy has been used to characterize hindered internal rotor states (n(K) = 0(0), 1(1), and 1(0)) of the CN-Ne complex in its ground electronic state with various degrees of CN stretch (nu(CN)) excitation. Rotationally resolved infrared overtone spectra of the CN-Ne complex exhibit perturbations arising from Coriolis coupling between the closely spaced hindered rotor states (1(1) and 1(0)) with two quanta of CN stretch (nu(CN) = 2). A deperturbation analysis is used to obtain accurate rotational constants and associated average CN center-of-mass to Ne separation distances as well as the coupling strength. The energetic ordering and spacings …


Rudimentary G-Quadruplex-Based Telomere Capping In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, J. S. Smith, Q. Chen, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, M. S. Garcia, R. Kranaster, S. Balasubramanian, D. Monchaud, M.-P. Teulade-Fichou, L. Abramowitz, D. C. Schultz, F. B. Johnson Apr 2011

Rudimentary G-Quadruplex-Based Telomere Capping In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, J. S. Smith, Q. Chen, Liliya A. Yatsunyk, John Michael Nicoludis , '12, M. S. Garcia, R. Kranaster, S. Balasubramanian, D. Monchaud, M.-P. Teulade-Fichou, L. Abramowitz, D. C. Schultz, F. B. Johnson

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

Telomere capping conceals chromosome ends from exonucleases and checkpoints, but the full range of capping mechanisms is not well defined. Telomeres have the potential to form G-quadruplex (G4) DNA, although evidence for telomere G4 DNA function in vivo is limited. In budding yeast, capping requires the Cdc13 protein and is lost at nonpermissive temperatures in cdc13-1 mutants. Here, we use several independent G4 DNA-stabilizing treatments to suppress cdc13-1 capping defects. These include overexpression of three different G4 DNA binding proteins, loss of the G4 DNA unwinding helicase Sgs1, or treatment with small molecule G4 DNA ligands. In vitro, we show …


Oga Inhibition By Glcnac-Selenazoline, E. J. Kim, D. C. Love, E. Darout, M. Abdo, B. Rempel, S. G. Withers, Paul R. Rablen, J. A. Hanover, S. Knapp Oct 2010

Oga Inhibition By Glcnac-Selenazoline, E. J. Kim, D. C. Love, E. Darout, M. Abdo, B. Rempel, S. G. Withers, Paul R. Rablen, J. A. Hanover, S. Knapp

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

The title compound, which differs from the powerful O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitor GlcNAc-thiazoline only at the chalcogen atom (Se for S), is a much weaker inhibitor in a direct OGA assay. In human cells, however, the selenazoline shows comparable ability to induce hyper-O-GlcNAc-ylation, and the two show similar reduction of insulin-stimulated translocation of glucose transporter 4 in differentiated 3T3 adipocytes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


Conformations Of A Model Protein Revealed By An Aggregating Cuᴵᴵ Porphyrin: Sensing The Difference, G. De Luca, A. Romeo, L. M. Scolaro, Robert F. Pasternack Jan 2010

Conformations Of A Model Protein Revealed By An Aggregating Cuᴵᴵ Porphyrin: Sensing The Difference, G. De Luca, A. Romeo, L. M. Scolaro, Robert F. Pasternack

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

Aggregated t-CuP binds to poly-L-glutamate through supramolecular interactions, revealing itself to be an extremely sensitive probe for the major conformations of the polymeric scaffold.


Theoretical And Experimental Studies Of Collision-Induced Electronic Energy Transfer From V=0-3 Of The E(0g+) Ion-Pair State Of Br2: Collisions With He And Ar, J. M. Hutchison, Robin R. O'Hern, Thomas Alex Stephenson, Y. V. Suleimanov, A. A. Buchachenko May 2008

Theoretical And Experimental Studies Of Collision-Induced Electronic Energy Transfer From V=0-3 Of The E(0g+) Ion-Pair State Of Br2: Collisions With He And Ar, J. M. Hutchison, Robin R. O'Hern, Thomas Alex Stephenson, Y. V. Suleimanov, A. A. Buchachenko

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

Collisions of Br(2), prepared in the E(0(g)(+)) ion-pair (IP) electronic state, with He or Ar result in electronic energy transfer to the D, D('), and beta IP states. These events have been examined in experimental and theoretical investigations. Experimentally, analysis of the wavelength resolved emission spectra reveals the distribution of population in the vibrational levels of the final electronic states and the relative efficiencies of He and Ar collisions in promoting a specific electronic energy transfer channel. Theoretically, semiempirical rare gas-Br(2) potential energy surfaces and diabatic couplings are used in quantum scattering calculations of the state-to-state rate constants for electronic …