Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Optimization Of Non-Natural Nucleotides For Selective Incorporation Opposite Damaged Dna, Diana Vineyard, Xuemei Zhang, Alison Donnelley, Irene Lee, Anthony J. Berdis

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The promutagenic process known as translesion DNA synthesis reflects the ability of a DNA polymerase to misinsert a nucleotide opposite a damaged DNA template. To study the underlying mechanism of nucleotide selection during this process, we quantified the incorporation of various non-natural nucleotide analogs opposite an abasic site, a non-templating DNA lesion. Our kinetic studies using the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase reveal that the π-electron surface area of the incoming nucleotide substantially contributes to the efficiency of incorporation opposite an abasic site. A remaining question is whether the selective insertion of these non-hydrogen-bonding analogs can be achieved through optimization of …

Ovarian Cancer G Protein–Coupled Receptor 1, A New Metastasis Suppressor Gene In Prostate Cancer, Lisam Shanjukumar Singh, Michael Berk, Rhonda Oates, Zhenwen Zhao, Haiyan Tan, Ying Jiang, Aimin Zhou, Kashif Kirmani, Rosemary Steinmetz, Daniel Lindner, Yan Xu

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Background

Metastasis is a process by which tumors spread from primary organs to other sites in the body and is the major cause of death for cancer patients. The ovarian cancer G protein–coupled receptor 1 (OGR1) gene has been shown to be expressed at lower levels in metastatic compared with primary prostate cancer tissues.

Methods

We used an orthotopic mouse metastasis model, in which we injected PC3 metastatic human prostate cancer cells stably transfected with empty vector (vector-PC3) or OGR1-expressing vector (OGR1-PC3) into the prostate lobes of athymic or NOD/SCID mice (n = 3–8 mice per group). Migration of PC3 …

Aromatase And Cox In Breast Cancer: Enzyme Inhibitors And Beyond, Robert W. Brueggemeier, Bin Su, Yasuro Sugimoto, Edgar S. Diaz-Cruz, Danyetta D. Davis

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Aromatase expression and enzyme activity in breast cancer patients is greater in or near the tumor tissue compared with the normal breast tissue. Complex regulation of aromatase expression in human tissues involves alternative promoter sites that provide tissue-specific control. Previous studies in our laboratories suggested a strong association between aromatase (CYP19) gene expression and the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) genes. Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX selective inhibitors can suppress CYP19 gene expression and decrease aromatase activity. Our current hypothesis is that pharmacological regulation of aromatase and/or cyclooxygenases can act locally to decrease the biosynthesis of estrogen and may …

The Use Of Non-Natural Nucleotides To Probe Template-Independent Dna Synthesis, Anthony J. Berdis, David Mccutcheon

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The vast majority of DNA polymerases use the complementary templating strand of DNA to guide each nucleotide incorporation. There are instances, however, in which polymerases can efficiently incorporate nucleotides in the absence of templating information. This process, known as translesion DNA synthesis, can alter the proper genetic code of an organism. To further elucidate the mechanism of template-independent DNA synthesis, we monitored the incorporation of various nucleotides at the “blunt-end” of duplex DNA by the high-fidelity bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase. Although natural nucleotides are not incorporated at the blunt-end, a limited subset of non-natural indolyl analogues containing extensive π-electron surface …

1,4-Di-9-Anthrylbutane, Mustafa Arslan, Erol Asker, John Masnovi, Ronald J. Baker

Chemistry Faculty Publications

In the title compound, C₃₂H₂₆, the molecule has an inversion centre at the mid-point of the central C—C bond. Weak intermolecular C—H...π interactions help to stabilize the crystal structure.

1,3-Bi-9-Anthrylpropane, Mustafa Arslan, Erol Asker, John Masnovi, Ronald J. Baker

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The title compound, C₃₁H₂₄, with three molecules in the asymmetric unit. The crystal packing is mainly stabilized by weak C—H⋯π inter­actions in addition to van der Waals forces.

Interaction Energy Decomposition In Protein–Protein Association: A Quantum Mechanical Study Of Barnase–Barstar Complex, Abdessamad Ababou, Arjan Van Der Vaart, Valentin Gogonea, Kenneth M. Merz Jr.

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Protein–protein interactions are very important in the function of a cell. Computational studies of these interactions have been of interest, but often they have utilized classical modelling techniques. In recent years, quantum mechanical (QM) treatment of entire proteins has emerged as a powerful approach to study biomolecular systems. Herein, we apply a semi-empirical divide and conquer (DC) methodology coupled with a dielectric continuum model for the solvent, to explore the contribution of electrostatics, polarization and charge transfer to the interaction energy between barnase and barstar in their complex form. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation was performed to account for the dynamic …

Role Of 2-5a-Dependent Rnase-L In Senescence And Longevity, J. B. Andersen, X. L. Li, C. S. Judge, Aimin Zhou, B. K. Jha, S. Shelby, L. Zhou, Robert H. Silverman, B. A. Hassel

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Senescence is a permanent growth arrest that restricts the lifespan of primary cells in culture, and represents an in vitro model for aging. Senescence functions as a tumor suppressor mechanism that can be induced independent of replicative crisis by diverse stress stimuli. RNase-L mediates antiproliferative activities and functions as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer, therefore, we examined a role for RNase-L in cellular senescence and aging. Ectopic expression of RNase-L induced a senescent morphology, a decrease in DNA synthesis, an increase in senescence-associated -galactosidase activity, and accelerated replicative senescence. In contrast, senescence was retarded in RNase-L-null fibroblasts compared with …

Tumour Suppressor Function Of Rnase L In A Mouse Model, Wendy Liu, Shu Ling Liang, Hongli Liu, Robert Silverman, Aimin Zhou

Chemistry Faculty Publications

RNase L is one of the key enzymes involved in the molecular mechanisms of interferon (IFN) actions. Upon binding with its activator, 5′-phosphorylated, 2′-5′ oligoadenylates (2-5A), RNase L plays an important role in the antiviral and anti-proliferative functions of IFN, and exerts proapoptotic activity independent of IFN. In this study, we have found that RNase L retards proliferation in an IFN-dependent and independent fashion. To directly measure the effect of RNase L on tumour growth in the absence of other IFN-induced proteins, human RNase L cDNA was stably expressed in P-57 cells, an aggressive mouse fibrosarcoma cell line. Three clonal …

Reactivation Pathway Of The Hydrogenase H-Cluster: Density Functional Theory Study, Stefan Motiu, Daniela Dogaru, Valentin Gogonea

Chemistry Faculty Publications

This work puts forth a reaction pathway for the reactivation of exogenous ligand inhibited H-cluster, the active site of Fe-only hydrogenases. The H-cluster is a dimetal complex, Fe–Fe, with the metal centers bridged by di(thiomethyl)amine. Exogenous ligands, H2O, and OH−, are bound to the distal iron (Fed). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the native and ruthenium-modified H-cluster have been performed using the B3LYP functional with 6-31+G** and 6-311+G** basis sets. We have ascertained that there is a thermodynamically favorable pathway for the reactivation of the OH− inhibited H-cluster, which proceeds by an initial protonation of the Fed–OH− complex. The …