DNA damage in lens epithelium of cataract patients in vivo and ex vivo.

PubMed

Øsnes-Ringen, Oyvind; Azqueta, Amaia O; Moe, Morten C; Zetterström, Charlotta; Røger, Magnus; Nicolaissen, Bjørn; Collins, Andrew R

2013-11-01

DNA damage has been described in the human cataractous lens epithelium, and oxidative stress generated by UV radiation and endogenous metabolic processes has been suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cataract. In this study, the aim was to explore the quality and relative quantity of DNA damage in lens epithelium of cataract patients in vivo and after incubation in a cell culture system. Capsulotomy specimens were analysed, before and after 1 week of ex vivo cultivation, using the comet assay to measure DNA strand breaks, oxidized purine and pyrimidine bases and UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. DNA strand breaks were barely detectable, oxidized pyrimidines and pyrimidine dimers were present at low levels, whereas there was a relatively high level of oxidized purines, which further increased after cultivation. The observed levels of oxidized purines in cataractous lens epithelium may support a theory consistent with light damage and oxidative stress as mediators of molecular damage to the human lens epithelium. Damage commonly associated with UV-B irradiation was relatively low. The levels of oxidized purines increased further in a commonly used culture system. This is of interest considering the importance and versatility of ex vivo systems in studies exploring the pathogenesis of cataract. © 2012 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica © 2012 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.

An extended sequence specificity for UV-induced DNA damage.

PubMed

Chung, Long H; Murray, Vincent

2018-01-01

The sequence specificity of UV-induced DNA damage was determined with a higher precision and accuracy than previously reported. UV light induces two major damage adducts: cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs). Employing capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence and taking advantages of the distinct properties of the CPDs and 6-4PPs, we studied the sequence specificity of UV-induced DNA damage in a purified DNA sequence using two approaches: end-labelling and a polymerase stop/linear amplification assay. A mitochondrial DNA sequence that contained a random nucleotide composition was employed as the target DNA sequence. With previous methodology, the UV sequence specificity was determined at a dinucleotide or trinucleotide level; however, in this paper, we have extended the UV sequence specificity to a hexanucleotide level. With the end-labelling technique (for 6-4PPs), the consensus sequence was found to be 5'-GCTC*AC (where C* is the breakage site); while with the linear amplification procedure, it was 5'-TCTT*AC. With end-labelling, the dinucleotide frequency of occurrence was highest for 5'-TC*, 5'-TT* and 5'-CC*; whereas it was 5'-TT* for linear amplification. The influence of neighbouring nucleotides on the degree of UV-induced DNA damage was also examined. The core sequences consisted of pyrimidine nucleotides 5'-CTC* and 5'-CTT* while an A at position "1" and C at position "2" enhanced UV-induced DNA damage. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of berberine on the yield of pyrimidine dimers in uv-irradiated DNA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klimek, M.; Sevcikova, P.; Pidra, M.

1973-01-01

From international conference on the bases of the biological effects of ultraviolet radiation; Brno, Czechoslovakia (2 Oct The effect of berberine on the yield of thymine dimers produced by uv light in DNA isolated from mouse leukemic cells and in DNA within irradiated cells was investigated. In solutions of isolated DNA the complete inhibition of thynnine dimerization was found at the concentration of berberine equal to 2 x 10/sup -3M/. However, in the cells inhibition of dimerization by berberine was never complete. In L cells a pronounced decrease in the intensity of DNA synthesis was found in cells treated withmore » berberine, dependent on berberine concentration used. But despite the presence of berberine in cell nuclei, no inhibition of pyrimidine dimerization in uv irradiated cells could be established. (auth)« less

Effect of C5-Methylation of Cytosine on the UV-Induced Reactivity of Duplex DNA: Conformational and Electronic Factors.

PubMed

Banyasz, Akos; Esposito, Luciana; Douki, Thierry; Perron, Marion; Lepori, Clément; Improta, Roberto; Markovitsi, Dimitra

2016-05-12

C5-methylation of cytosines is strongly correlated with UV-induced mutations detected in skin cancers. Mutational hot-spots appearing at TCG sites are due to the formation of pyrimidine cyclobutane dimers (CPDs). The present study, performed for the model DNA duplex (TCGTA)3·(TACGA)3 and the constitutive single strands, examines the factors underlying the effect of C5-methylation on pyrimidine dimerization at TCG sites. This effect is quantified for the first time by quantum yields ϕ. They were determined following irradiation at 255, 267, and 282 nm and subsequent photoproduct analysis using HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry. C5-methylation leads to an increase of the CPD quantum yield up to 80% with concomitant decrease of that of pyrimidine(6-4) pyrimidone adducts (64PPs) by at least a factor of 3. The obtained ϕ values cannot be explained only by the change of the cytosine absorption spectrum upon C5-methylation. The conformational and electronic factors that may affect the dimerization reaction are discussed in light of results obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum mechanical calculations. Thus, it appears that the presence of an extra methyl on cytosine affects the sugar puckering, thereby enhancing conformations of the TC step that are prone to CPD formation but less favorable to 64PPs. In addition, C5-methylation diminishes the amplitude of conformational motions in duplexes; in the resulting stiffer structure, ππ* excitations may be transferred from initially populated exciton states to reactive pyrimidines giving rise to CPDs.

Dynamic maps of UV damage formation and repair for the human genome

PubMed Central

Hu, Jinchuan; Adebali, Ogun; Adar, Sheera; Sancar, Aziz

2017-01-01

Formation and repair of UV-induced DNA damage in human cells are affected by cellular context. To study factors influencing damage formation and repair genome-wide, we developed a highly sensitive single-nucleotide resolution damage mapping method [high-sensitivity damage sequencing (HS–Damage-seq)]. Damage maps of both cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts [(6-4)PPs] from UV-irradiated cellular and naked DNA revealed that the effect of transcription factor binding on bulky adducts formation varies, depending on the specific transcription factor, damage type, and strand. We also generated time-resolved UV damage maps of both CPDs and (6-4)PPs by HS–Damage-seq and compared them to the complementary repair maps of the human genome obtained by excision repair sequencing to gain insight into factors that affect UV-induced DNA damage and repair and ultimately UV carcinogenesis. The combination of the two methods revealed that, whereas UV-induced damage is virtually uniform throughout the genome, repair is affected by chromatin states, transcription, and transcription factor binding, in a manner that depends on the type of DNA damage. PMID:28607063

Dynamic maps of UV damage formation and repair for the human genome.

PubMed

Hu, Jinchuan; Adebali, Ogun; Adar, Sheera; Sancar, Aziz

2017-06-27

Formation and repair of UV-induced DNA damage in human cells are affected by cellular context. To study factors influencing damage formation and repair genome-wide, we developed a highly sensitive single-nucleotide resolution damage mapping method [high-sensitivity damage sequencing (HS-Damage-seq)]. Damage maps of both cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts [(6-4)PPs] from UV-irradiated cellular and naked DNA revealed that the effect of transcription factor binding on bulky adducts formation varies, depending on the specific transcription factor, damage type, and strand. We also generated time-resolved UV damage maps of both CPDs and (6-4)PPs by HS-Damage-seq and compared them to the complementary repair maps of the human genome obtained by excision repair sequencing to gain insight into factors that affect UV-induced DNA damage and repair and ultimately UV carcinogenesis. The combination of the two methods revealed that, whereas UV-induced damage is virtually uniform throughout the genome, repair is affected by chromatin states, transcription, and transcription factor binding, in a manner that depends on the type of DNA damage.

Solar UV radiation-induced DNA Bipyrimidine photoproducts: formation and mechanistic insights.

PubMed

Cadet, Jean; Grand, André; Douki, Thierry

2015-01-01

This review chapter presents a critical survey of the main available information on the UVB and UVA bipyrimidine photoproducts which constitute the predominant recipient classes of photo-induced DNA damage. Evidence is provided that UVB irradiation of isolated DNA in aqueous solutions and in cells gives rise to the predominant generation of cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and, to a lesser extent, of pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs), the importance of which is strongly primary sequence dependent. A notable change in the photoproduct distribution is observed when DNA either in the dry or in desiccated microorganisms is exposed to UVC or UVB photons with an overwhelming formation of 5-(α-thymidyl)-5,6-dihydrothymidine, also called spore photoproduct (dSP), at the expense of CPDs and 6-4PPs. UVA irradiation of isolated and cellular DNA gives rise predominantly to bipyrimidine photoproducts with the overwhelming formation of thymine-containing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers at the exclusion of 6-4PPs. UVA photons have been shown to modulate the distribution of UVB dimeric pyrimidine photoproducts by triggering isomerization of the 6-4PPs into related Dewar valence isomers. Mechanistic aspects of the formation of bipyrimidine photoproducts are discussed in the light of recent photophysical and theoretical studies.

Determining the Location of DNA Modification and Mutation Caused by UVB Light in Skin Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

14 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………14 2 Introduction Ultraviolet ( UV ) light damages skin cells by causing the formation of...dimers on adjacent pyrimidines in DNA. The two main forms of damage caused by UV light are cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts (6...caused by UV damage in tumor suppressor genes such as p53 have been found in the majority of skin cancers. Many studies have focused on these and

Chronic low-dose ultraviolet-induced mutagenesis in nucleotide excision repair-deficient cells.

PubMed

Haruta, Nami; Kubota, Yoshino; Hishida, Takashi

2012-09-01

UV radiation induces two major types of DNA lesions, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 pyrimidine-pyrimidine photoproducts, which are both primarily repaired by nucleotide excision repair (NER). Here, we investigated how chronic low-dose UV (CLUV)-induced mutagenesis occurs in rad14Δ NER-deficient yeast cells, which lack the yeast orthologue of human xeroderma pigmentosum A (XPA). The results show that rad14Δ cells have a marked increase in CLUV-induced mutations, most of which are C→T transitions in the template strand for transcription. Unexpectedly, many of the CLUV-induced C→T mutations in rad14Δ cells are dependent on translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerase η, encoded by RAD30, despite its previously established role in error-free TLS. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deamination of cytosine-containing CPDs contributes to CLUV-induced mutagenesis. Taken together, these results uncover a novel role for Polη in the induction of C→T transitions through deamination of cytosine-containing CPDs in CLUV-exposed NER deficient cells. More generally, our data suggest that Polη can act as both an error-free and a mutagenic DNA polymerase, depending on whether the NER pathway is available to efficiently repair damaged templates.

Hypersensitivity of skin fibroblasts from basal cell nevus syndrome patients to killing by ultraviolet B but not by ultraviolet C radiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Applegate, L.A.; Goldberg, L.H.; Ley, R.D.

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder in which the afflicted individuals are extremely susceptible to sunlight-induced skin cancers, particularly basal cell carcinomas. However, the cellular and molecular basis for BCNS is unknown. To ascertain whether there is any relationship between genetic predisposition to skin cancer and increased sensitivity of somatic cells from BCNS patients to killing by UV radiation, we exposed skin fibroblasts established from unexposed skin biopsies of several BCNS and age- and sex-matched normal individuals to either UV-B (280-320 nm) or UV-C (254 nm) radiation and determined their survival. The results indicated thatmore » skin fibroblasts from BCNS patients were hypersensitive to killing by UV-B but not UV-C radiation as compared to skin fibroblasts from normal individuals. DNA repair studies indicated that the increased sensitivity of BCNS skin fibroblasts to killing by UV-B radiation was not due to a defect in the excision repair of pyrimidine dimers. These results indicate that there is an association between hypersensitivity of somatic cells to killing by UV-B radiation and the genetic predisposition to skin cancer in BCNS patients. In addition, these results suggest that DNA lesions (and repair processes) other than the pyrimidine dimer are also involved in the pathogenesis of sunlight-induced skin cancers in BCNS patients. More important, the UV-B sensitivity assay described here may be used as a diagnostic tool to identify presymptomatic individuals with BCNS.« less

Enhanced Repair of UV-Induced DNA Damage by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Skin Is Linked to Pathways that Control Cellular Energy.

PubMed

Rybchyn, Mark Stephen; De Silva, Warusavithana Gunawardena Manori; Sequeira, Vanessa Bernadette; McCarthy, Bianca Yuko; Dilley, Anthony Vincent; Dixon, Katie Marie; Halliday, Gary Mark; Mason, Rebecca Sara

2018-05-01

Inadequately repaired post-UV DNA damage results in skin cancers. DNA repair requires energy but skin cells have limited capacity to produce energy after UV insult. We examined whether energy supply is important for DNA repair after UV exposure, in the presence of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ), which reduces UV-induced DNA damage and photocarcinogenesis in a variety of models. After UV exposure of primary human keratinocytes, the addition of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 increased unscheduled DNA synthesis, a measure of DNA repair. Oxidative phosphorylation was depleted in UV-irradiated keratinocytes to undetectable levels within an hour of UV irradiation. Treatment with 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 but not vehicle increased glycolysis after UV. 2-Deoxyglucose-dependent inhibition of glycolysis abolished the reduction in cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , whereas inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation had no effect. 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 increased autophagy and modulated PINK1/Parkin consistent with enhanced mitophagy. These data confirm that energy availability is limited in keratinocytes after exposure to UV. In the presence of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , glycolysis is enhanced along with energy-conserving processes such as autophagy and mitophagy, resulting in increased repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and decreased oxidative DNA damage. Increased energy availability in the presence of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 is an important contributor to DNA repair in skin after UV exposure. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in barley: differential contribution of light-dependent and dark DNA repair pathways.

PubMed

Manova, Vasilissa; Georgieva, Ralitsa; Borisov, Borislav; Stoilov, Lubomir

2016-10-01

Barley stress response to ultraviolet radiation (UV) has been intensively studied at both the physiological and morphological level. However, the ability of barley genome to repair UV-induced lesions at the DNA level is far less characterized. In this study, we have investigated the relative contribution of light-dependent and dark DNA repair pathways for the efficient elimination of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) from the genomic DNA of barley leaf seedlings. The transcriptional activity of barley CPD photolyase gene in respect to the light-growth conditions and UV-C irradiation of the plants has also been analyzed. Our results show that CPDs induced in the primary barley leaf at frequencies potentially damaging DNA at the single-gene level are removed efficiently and exclusively by photorepair pathway, whereas dark repair is hardly detectable, even at higher CPD frequency. A decrease of initially induced CPDs under dark is observed but only after prolonged incubation, suggesting the activation of light-independent DNA damage repair and/or tolerance mechanisms. The green barley seedlings possess greater capacity for CPD photorepair than the etiolated ones, with efficiency of CPD removal dependent on the intensity and quality of recovering light. The higher repair rate of CPDs measured in the green leaves correlates with the higher transcriptional activity of barley CPD photolyase gene. Visible light and UV-C radiation affect differentially the expression of CPD photolyase gene particularly in the etiolated leaves. We propose that the CPD repair potential of barley young seedlings may influence their response to UV-stress. © 2016 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

Ultraviolet-induced sister chromatid exchanges in V-79 cells with normal and BrdUrd-substituted DNA and the influence of intercalating substances and cysteine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Speit, G.; Mehnert, K.; Wolf, M.

1982-06-01

The influence of intercalating substances (proflavine, ethidium bromide) and of an SH compound (L-cysteine) on uv-induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was investigated in V-79 cells with normal and BrdUrd-substituted DNA. The results are discussed in relation to the primary damages leading to SCE induction produced by uv irradiation. The data indicate that neither the pyrimidine dimers nor DNA single-strand breaks are the primary cause of SCE induction, and that the damages leading to SCEs by uv irradiation differ from those which cause chromosome aberrations.

DNA polymerase ζ cooperates with polymerases κ and ι in translesion DNA synthesis across pyrimidine photodimers in cells from XPV patients

PubMed Central

Ziv, Omer; Geacintov, Nicholas; Nakajima, Satoshi; Yasui, Akira; Livneh, Zvi

2009-01-01

Human cells tolerate UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) by translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), carried out by DNA polymerase η, the POLH gene product. A deficiency in DNA polymerase η due to germ-line mutations in POLH causes the hereditary disease xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV), which is characterized by sunlight sensitivity and extreme predisposition to sunlight-induced skin cancer. XPV cells are UV hypermutable due to the activity of mutagenic TLS across CPD, which explains the cancer predisposition of the patients. However, the identity of the backup polymerase that carries out this mutagenic TLS was unclear. Here, we show that DNA polymerase ζ cooperates with DNA polymerases κ and ι to carry out error-prone TLS across a TT CPD. Moreover, DNA polymerases ζ and κ, but not ι, protect XPV cells against UV cytotoxicity, independently of nucleotide excision repair. This presents an extreme example of benefit-risk balance in the activity of TLS polymerases, which provide protection against UV cytotoxicity at the cost of increased mutagenic load. PMID:19564618

DNA polymerase zeta cooperates with polymerases kappa and iota in translesion DNA synthesis across pyrimidine photodimers in cells from XPV patients.

PubMed

Ziv, Omer; Geacintov, Nicholas; Nakajima, Satoshi; Yasui, Akira; Livneh, Zvi

2009-07-14

Human cells tolerate UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) by translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), carried out by DNA polymerase eta, the POLH gene product. A deficiency in DNA polymerase eta due to germ-line mutations in POLH causes the hereditary disease xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV), which is characterized by sunlight sensitivity and extreme predisposition to sunlight-induced skin cancer. XPV cells are UV hypermutable due to the activity of mutagenic TLS across CPD, which explains the cancer predisposition of the patients. However, the identity of the backup polymerase that carries out this mutagenic TLS was unclear. Here, we show that DNA polymerase zeta cooperates with DNA polymerases kappa and iota to carry out error-prone TLS across a TT CPD. Moreover, DNA polymerases zeta and kappa, but not iota, protect XPV cells against UV cytotoxicity, independently of nucleotide excision repair. This presents an extreme example of benefit-risk balance in the activity of TLS polymerases, which provide protection against UV cytotoxicity at the cost of increased mutagenic load.

Far-UV-induced dimeric photoproducts in short oligonucleotides: sequence effects.

PubMed

Douki, T; Zalizniak, T; Cadet, J

1997-08-01

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone adducts represent the two major classes of far-UV-induced DNA photoproducts. Because of the lack of appropriate detection methods for each individual photoproduct, little is known about the effect of the sequence on their formation. In the present work, the photoproduct distribution obtained upon exposure of a series of dinucleoside monophosphates to 254 nm light was determined. In the latter model compounds, the presence of a cytosine, located at either the 5'- or the 3'-side of a thymine moiety, led to the preferential formation of (6-4) adducts, whereas the cis-syn cyclobutane dimer was the main thymine-thymine photoproduct. In contrast, the yield of dimeric photoproducts, and particularly of (6-4) photoadducts, was very low upon irradiation of the cytosine-cytosine dinucleoside monophosphate. However, substitution of cytosine by uracil led to an increase in the yield of (6-4) photoproduct. It was also shown that the presence of a phosphate group at the 5'- end of a thymine-thymine dinucleoside monophosphate does not modify the photoproduct distribution. As an extension of the studies on dinucleoside monophosphates, the trinucleotide TpdCpT was used as a more relevant DNA model. The yields of formation of the thymine-cytosine and cytosine-thymine (6-4) photoproducts were in a 5:1 ratio, very close to the value obtained upon photolysis of the related dinucleoside monophosphates. The characterization of the two TpdCpT (6-4) adducts was based on 1H NMR, UV and mass spectroscopy analyses. Additional evidence for the structures was inferred from the analysis of the enzymatic digestion products of the (6-4) adducts of TpdCpT with phosphodiesterases. The latter enzymes were shown to induce the quantitative release of the photoproduct as a modified dinucleoside monophosphate in a highly sequence-specific manner.

UV-B-induced DNA damage and repair in the mouse lens.

PubMed

Mesa, Rosana; Bassnett, Steven

2013-10-17

Epidemiologic studies have linked UV-B exposure to development of cortical cataracts, but the underlying molecular mechanism(s) is unresolved. Here, we used a mouse model to examine the nature and distribution of DNA photolesions produced by ocular UV-B irradiation. Anesthetized mice, eye globes, or isolated lenses were exposed to UV-B. Antibodies specific for 6-4 photoproducts (6-4 PPs) or cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) were used to visualize DNA adducts. Illumination of intact globes with UV-B-induced 6-4 PP and CPD formation in cells of the cornea, anterior iris, and central lens epithelium. Photolesions were not detected in retina or lens cells situated in the shadow of the iris. Photolesions in lens epithelial cells were produced with radiant exposures significantly below the minimal erythemal dose. Lens epithelial cells rapidly repaired 6-4 PPs, but CPD levels did not markedly diminish, even over extended postirradiation recovery periods in vitro or in vivo. The repair of 6-4 PPs did not depend on the proliferative activity of the epithelial cells, since the repair rate in the mitotically-active germinative zone (GZ) was indistinguishable from that of quiescent cells in the central epithelium. Even relatively modest exposures to UV-B produced 6-4 PP and CPD photolesions in lens epithelial cells. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer lesions were particularly prevalent and were repaired slowly if at all. Studies on sun-exposed skin have established a causal connection between photolesions and so-called UV-signature mutations. If similar mechanisms apply in the lens, it suggests that somatic mutations in lens epithelial cells may contribute to the development of cortical cataracts.

Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen-dependent Rapid Recruitment of Cdt1 and CRL4Cdt2 at DNA-damaged Sites after UV Irradiation in HeLa Cells*

PubMed Central

Ishii, Takashi; Shiomi, Yasushi; Takami, Toshihiro; Murakami, Yusuke; Ohnishi, Naho; Nishitani, Hideo

2010-01-01

The licensing factor Cdt1 is degraded by CRL4Cdt2 ubiquitin ligase dependent on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) during S phase and when DNA damage is induced in G1 phase. Association of both Cdt2 and PCNA with chromatin was observed in S phase and after UV irradiation. Here we used a micropore UV irradiation assay to examine Cdt2 accumulation at cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer-containing DNA-damaged sites in the process of Cdt1 degradation in HeLa cells. Cdt2, present in the nucleus throughout the cell cycle, accumulated rapidly at damaged DNA sites during G1 phase. The recruitment of Cdt2 is dependent on prior PCNA chromatin binding because Cdt2 association was prevented when PCNA was silenced. Cdt1 was also recruited to damaged sites soon after UV irradiation through its PIP-box. As Cdt1 was degraded, the Cdt2 signal at damaged sites was reduced, but PCNA, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer, and XPA (xeroderma pigmentosum, complementation group A) signals remained at the same levels. These findings suggest that Cdt1 degradation following UV irradiation occurs rapidly at damaged sites due to PCNA chromatin loading and the recruitment of Cdt1 and CRL4Cdt2, before DNA damage repair is completed. PMID:20929861

Apigenin prevents ultraviolet-B radiation induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers formation in human dermal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Britto, S Mary; Shanthakumari, D; Agilan, B; Radhiga, T; Kanimozhi, G; Prasad, N Rajendra

2017-09-01

Exposure to solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation leads to the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). We investigated the protective effect of apigenin against UVB-induced CPDs formation in human dermal fibroblasts cells (HDFa). For this purpose, HDFa cells were treated with apigenin (15μM) prior to UVB irradiation (20mJ/cm 2 ); DNA damage and subsequent molecular end points were observed. Exposure to UVB radiation increased significant CPDs formation in HDFa cells and the frequencies of CPDs were reduced by treatment with apigenin (15μM). UVB-induced CPDs downregulates the expression of nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes such as xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C, B, G and F (XPC, XPB, XPG and XPF), transcription factor II human (TFIIH) and excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) in HDFa cells. Conversely, apigenin treatment restored UVB-induced loss of NER proteins in HDFa cells, which indicates its preventive effect against CPDs formation. Besides, single low dose UVB-exposure induced nuclear fragmentation, apoptotic frequency and apoptotic proteins expression (Bax and Caspase-3) have been prevented by the apigenin pretreatment. Furthermore, apigenin exhibits strong UV absorbance property and showed 10.08 SPF value. Thus, apigenin can protect skin cells against UVB-induced CPDs formation probably through its sunscreen effect. Hence, apigenin can be considered as an effective protective agent against UV induced skin damages. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photodynamic therapy does not induce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in the presence of melanin.

PubMed

Mudambi, Shaila; Pera, Paula; Washington, Deschana; Remenyik, Eva; Fidrus, Eszter; Shafirstein, Gal; Bellnier, David; Paragh, Gyorgy

2018-04-24

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an office-based treatment for precancerous and early cancerous skin changes. PDT induces cell death through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) are the most important DNA changes responsible for ultraviolet (UV) carcinogenesis. Recently ROS induced by UVA were shown to generate CPDs via activating melanin. This raised the possibility that PDT induced ROS may also induce CPDs and mutagenesis in melanin containing cells. Previously the effect of PDT on CPDs in melanin containing cells has not been assessed. Our current work aimed to compare the generation of CPDs in melanin containing cells subjected to UVA treatment and porfimer sodium red light PDT. We used ELISA to detect CPDs. After UVA we found a dose dependent increase in CPDs in melanoma cells (B16-F10, MNT-1) with CPD levels peaking hours after discontinuation of UVA treatment. This indicated the generation of UVA induced dark-CPDs in the model. Nevertheless, PDT in biologically relevant doses was unable to induce CPDs. Our work provides evidence for the lack of CPD generation by PDT in melanin containing cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study of The Non-linear Uv Dosimetry In Simulated Extraterrestrial Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berces, A.; Kerekgyarto, T.; Ronto, G.; Lammer, H.; Kargl, G.; Komle, N. I.

In UV biological dosimetry the UV dose scale is additive starting at a value of zero ac- cording to the definition of CIE (Technical Report TC-6-18). The biological dose can be defined by a measured end-effect. In our dosimeters (phage T7 and uracil dosime- ter) exposed to natural (terrestrial) UV radiation the proportion of pyrimidin photo- products among the total photoproducts is smaller than 10 and the linear correlation between the biological and physical dose is higher than 0.9. According to the experi- mental data this linear relationship is often not valid. We observed that UV radiation did not only induce dimerisation but shorter wavelengths caused monomerisation of pyrimidin dimers. Performing the irradiation in oxygen free environment and using a Deuterium lamp as UV source, we could increase monomerisation against dimerisa- tion thus the DNA-based dosimetrySs additivity rule is not fulfilled in these conditions. In this study we will demonstrate those non-linear experiments which constitute the basis of our biological experiments on the International Space Station.

Resistance of the genome of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes to irradiation evaluated by the induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts using gamma and UV-C radiations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beauchamp, S.; Lacroix, M.

2012-08-01

The effect of gamma and UV-C irradiation on the production of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts (6-4 PPs) in DNA was investigated to compare the natural resistance of the genome of a Gram-positive bacterium and a Gram-negative bacterium against irradiation. Solution of pure DNA and bacterial strains Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were irradiated using gamma and UV-C rays. Extracted DNA from bacteria and pure DNA samples were then analysed by ELISA using anti-CPDs and anti-6-4 PPs monoclonal antibodies. The results show that gamma rays, as well as UV-C rays, induce the formation of CPDs and 6-4 PPs in DNA. During UV-C irradiation, the three samples showed a difference in their sensitivity against formation of CPDs (P≤0.05). Pure DNA was the most sensitive while the genome of L. monocytogenes was the most resistant. Also during UV-C irradiation, the genome of L. monocytogenes was the only one to show a significant resistance against formation of 6-4 PPs (P≤0.05). During gamma irradiation, for both types of lesion, pure DNA and the genome of E. coli did not show significant difference in their sensitivity (P>0.05) while the genome of L. monocytogenes showed a resistance against formation of CPDs and 6-4 PPs.

Ultraviolet mutagenesis studies of [psi], a cytoplasmic determinant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Tuite, M F; Cox, B S

1980-07-01

UV mutagenesis was used to probe the molecular nature of [psi], a nonmitochondrial cytoplasmic determinant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae involved in the control of nonsense suppression. The UV-induced mutation from [psi+] to [psi-] showed characteristics of forward nuclear gene mutation in terms of frequency, induction kinetics, occurrence of whole and sectored mutant clones and the effect of the stage in the growth cycle on mutation frequency. The involvement of pyrimidine dimers in the premutational lesion giving the [psi-] mutation was demonstrated by photoreactivation. UV-induced damage to the [psi] genetic determinant was shown to be repaired by nuclear-coded repair enzymes that are responsible for the repair of nuclear DNA damage. UV-induced damage to mitochondrial DNA appeared to be, at least partly, under the control of different repair processes. The evidence obtained suggests that the [psi] determinant is DNA.

DNA's Encounter with Ultraviolet Light: An Instinct for Self-Preservation?

PubMed

Barlev, Adam; Sen, Dipankar

2018-02-20

Photochemical modification is the major class of environmental damage suffered by DNA, the genetic material of all free-living organisms. Photolyases are enzymes that carry out direct photochemical repair (photoreactivation) of covalent pyrimidine dimers formed in DNA from exposure to ultraviolet light. The discovery of catalytic RNAs in the 1980s led to the "RNA world hypothesis", which posits that early in evolution RNA or a similar polymer served both genetic and catalytic functions. Intrigued by the RNA world hypothesis, we set out to test whether a catalytic RNA (or a surrogate, a catalytic DNA) with photolyase activity could be contemplated. In vitro selection from a random-sequence DNA pool yielded two DNA enzymes (DNAzymes): Sero1C, which requires serotonin as an obligate cofactor, and UV1C, which is cofactor-independent and optimally uses light of 300-310 nm wavelength to repair cyclobutane thymine dimers within a gapped DNA substrate. Both Sero1C and UV1C show multiple turnover kinetics, and UV1C repairs its substrate with a quantum yield of ∼0.05, on the same order as the quantum yields of certain classes of photolyase enzymes. Intensive study of UV1C has revealed that its catalytic core consists of a guanine quadruplex (G-quadruplex) positioned proximally to the bound substrate's thymine dimer. We hypothesize that electron transfer from photoexcited guanines within UV1C's G-quadruplex is responsible for substrate photoreactivation, analogous to electron transfer to pyrimidine dimers within a DNA substrate from photoexcited flavin cofactors located within natural photolyase enzymes. Though the analogy to evolution is necessarily limited, a comparison of the properties of UV1C and Sero1C, which arose out of the same in vitro selection experiment, reveals that although the two DNAzymes comparably accelerate the rate of thymine dimer repair, Sero1C has a substantially broader substrate repertoire, as it can repair many more kinds of pyrimidine dimers than UV1C. Therefore, the co-opting of an amino acid-like cofactor by a nucleic acid enzyme in this case contributes functional versatility rather than a greater rate enhancement. In recent work on UV1C, we have succeeded in shifting its action spectrum from the UVB into the blue region of the spectrum and determined that although it catalyzes both repair and de novo formation of thymine dimers, UV1C is primarily a catalyst for thymine dimer repair. Our work on photolyase DNAzymes has stimulated broader questions about whether analogous, purely nucleotide-based photoreactivation also occurs in double-helical DNA, the dominant form of DNA in living cells. Recently, a number of different groups have reported that this kind of repair is indeed operational in DNA duplexes, i.e., that there exist nucleotide sequences that actively protect, by way of photoreactivation (rather than by simply preventing their formation), pyrimidine dimers located proximal to them. Nucleotide-based photoreactivation thus appears to be a salient, if unanticipated, property of DNA and RNA. The phenomenon also offers pointers in the direction of how in primordial evolution-in an RNA world-early nucleic acids may have protected themselves from structural and functional damage wrought by ultraviolet light.

Chemiexcitation of Melanin Derivatives Induces DNA Photoproducts Long after UV Exposure

PubMed Central

Premi, Sanjay; Wallisch, Silvia; Mano, Camila M.; Weiner, Adam B.; Bacchiocchi, Antonella; Wakamatsu, Kazumasa; Bechara, Etelvino J. H.; Halaban, Ruth; Douki, Thierry; Brash, Douglas E.

2015-01-01

Mutations in sunlight-induced melanoma arise from cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), DNA photoproducts that are typically created picoseconds after an ultraviolet (UV) photon is absorbed at thymine or cytosine. Here we show that in melanocytes, CPD are generated for >3 hours after exposure to UVA, a major component of the radiation in sunlight and in tanning beds. These “dark CPD” constitute the majority of CPD and include the cytosine-containing CPD that initiate UV-signature C→T mutations. Dark CPD arise when UV-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species combine to excite an electron in fragments of the pigment melanin. This creates a quantum triplet state that has the energy of a UV photon but that induces CPD by energy transfer to DNA in a radiation-independent manner. Melanin may thus be carcinogenic as well as protective against cancer. These findings also validate the long-standing suggestion that chemically-generated excited electronic states are relevant to mammalian biology. PMID:25700512

Implication of SUMO E3 ligases in nucleotide excision repair.

PubMed

Tsuge, Maasa; Kaneoka, Hidenori; Masuda, Yusuke; Ito, Hiroki; Miyake, Katsuhide; Iijima, Shinji

2015-08-01

Post-translational modifications alter protein function to mediate complex hierarchical regulatory processes that are crucial to eukaryotic cellular function. The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is an important post-translational modification that affects transcriptional regulation, nuclear localization, and the maintenance of genome stability. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a very versatile DNA repair system that is essential for protection against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The deficiencies in NER function remarkably increase the risk of skin cancer. Recent studies have shown that several NER factors are SUMOylated, which influences repair efficiency. However, how SUMOylation modulates NER has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we performed RNAi knockdown of SUMO E3 ligases and found that, in addition to PIASy, the polycomb protein Pc2 affected the repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. PIAS1 affected both the removal of 6-4 pyrimidine pyrimidone photoproducts and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, whereas other SUMO E3 ligases did not affect the removal of either UV lesion.

Nucleotide Excision Repair and Vitamin D--Relevance for Skin Cancer Therapy.

PubMed

Pawlowska, Elzbieta; Wysokinski, Daniel; Blasiak, Janusz

2016-04-06

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is involved in almost all skin cancer cases, but on the other hand, it stimulates the production of pre-vitamin D3, whose active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD3), plays important physiological functions on binding with its receptor (vitamin D receptor, VDR). UV-induced DNA damages in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers or (6-4)-pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts are frequently found in skin cancer and its precursors. Therefore, removing these lesions is essential for the prevention of skin cancer. As UV-induced DNA damages are repaired by nucleotide excision repair (NER), the interaction of 1,25VD3 with NER components can be important for skin cancer transformation. Several studies show that 1,25VD3 protects DNA against damage induced by UV, but the exact mechanism of this protection is not completely clear. 1,25VD3 was also shown to affect cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in several signaling pathways, so it can be considered as a potential modulator of the cellular DNA damage response, which is crucial for mutagenesis and cancer transformation. 1,25VD3 was shown to affect DNA repair and potentially NER through decreasing nitrosylation of DNA repair enzymes by NO overproduction by UV, but other mechanisms of the interaction between 1,25VD3 and NER machinery also are suggested. Therefore, the array of NER gene functioning could be analyzed and an appropriate amount of 1.25VD3 could be recommended to decrease UV-induced DNA damage important for skin cancer transformation.

UV Radiation–Sensitive Norin 1 Rice Contains Defective Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimer Photolyase

PubMed Central

Hidema, Jun; Kumagai, Tadashi; Sutherland, Betsy M.

2000-01-01

Norin 1, a progenitor of many economically important Japanese rice strains, is highly sensitive to the damaging effects of UVB radiation (wavelengths 290 to 320 nm). Norin 1 seedlings are deficient in photorepair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. However, the molecular origin of this deficiency was not known and, because rice photolyase genes have not been cloned and sequenced, could not be determined by examining photolyase structural genes or upstream regulatory elements for mutations. We therefore used a photoflash approach, which showed that the deficiency in photorepair in vivo resulted from a functionally altered photolyase. These results were confirmed by studies with extracts, which showed that the Norin 1 photolyase–dimer complex was highly thermolabile relative to the wild-type Sasanishiki photolyase. This deficiency results from a structure/function alteration of photolyase rather than of nonspecific repair, photolytic, or regulatory elements. Thus, the molecular origin of this plant DNA repair deficiency, resulting from a spontaneously occurring mutation to UV radiation sensitivity, is defective photolyase. PMID:11006332

The Use of Bacterial Repair Endonucleases in the Comet Assay.

PubMed

Collins, Andrew R

2017-01-01

The comet assay is a sensitive electrophoretic method for measuring DNA breaks at the level of single cells, used widely in genotoxicity experiments, in biomonitoring, and in fundamental research. Its sensitivity and range of application are increased by the incorporation of an extra step, after lysis of agarose-embedded cells, in which the DNA is digested with lesion-specific endonucleases (DNA repair enzymes of bacterial or phage origin). Enzymes with specificity for oxidized purines, oxidized pyrimidines, alkylated bases, UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, and misincorporated uracil have been employed. The additional enzyme-sensitive sites, over and above the strand breaks detected in the standard comet assay, give a quantitative estimate of the number of specific lesions present in the cells.

Specific UV-induced mutation spectrum in the p53 gene of skin tumors from DNA-repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dumaz, N.; Drougard, C.; Sarasin, A.

1993-11-15

The UV component of sunlight is the major carcinogen involved in the etiology of skin cancers. The authors have studied the rare, hereditary syndrome xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), which is characterized by a very high incidence of cutaneous tumors on exposed skin at an early age, probably due to a deficiency in excision repair of UV-induced lesions. It is interesting to determine the UV mutation spectrum in XP skin tumors in order to correlate the absence of repair of specific DNA lesions and the initiation of skin tumors. The p53 gene is frequently mutated in human cancers and represents a goodmore » target for studying mutation spectra since there are >100 potential sites for phenotypic mutations. Using reverse transcription-PCR and single-strand conformation polymorphism to analyze >40 XP skin tumors (mainly basal and squamous cell carcinomas), the authors have found that 40% (17 out of 43) contained at least one point mutation on the p53 gene. All the mutations were located at dipyrimidine sites, essentially at CC sequences, which are hot spots for UV-induced DNA lesions. Sixty-one percent of these mutations were tandem CC [yields] TT mutations considered to be unique to UV-induced lesions; these mutations are not observed in internal human tumors. All the mutations, except two, must be due to translesion synthesis of unrepaired dipyrimidine lesions left on the nontranscribed strand. These results show the existence of preferential repair of UV lesions [either pyrimidine dimers or pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts] on the transcribed strand in human tissues.« less

Mutagenesis during plant responses to UVB radiation.

PubMed

Holá, M; Vágnerová, R; Angelis, K J

2015-08-01

We tested an idea that induced mutagenesis due to unrepaired DNA lesions, here the UV photoproducts, underlies the impact of UVB irradiation on plant phenotype. For this purpose we used protonemal culture of the moss Physcomitrella patens with 50% of apical cells, which mimics actively growing tissue, the most vulnerable stage for the induction of mutations. We measured the UVB mutation rate of various moss lines with defects in DNA repair (pplig4, ppku70, pprad50, ppmre11), and in selected clones resistant to 2-Fluoroadenine, which were mutated in the adenosine phosphotrasferase gene (APT), we analysed induced mutations by sequencing. In parallel we followed DNA break repair and removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers with a half-life τ = 4 h 14 min determined by comet assay combined with UV dimer specific T4 endonuclease V. We show that UVB induces massive, sequence specific, error-prone bypass repair that is responsible for a high mutation rate owing to relatively slow, though error-free, removal of photoproducts by nucleotide excision repair (NER). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Response of biological uv dosimeters to the simulated extraterrestrial uv radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bérces, A.; Rontó, G.; Kerékgyártó, T.; Kovács, G.; Lammer, H.

In the Laboratory polycrystalline uracil thin layer and bacteriophage T7 detectors have been developed for UV dosimetry on the EarthSs surface. Exponential response of the uracil polycrystal has been detected both by absorption spectroscopy and measurements of the refractive index under the influence of terrestrial solar radiation or using UV-C sources. In UV biological dosimetry the UV dose scale is additive starting at a value of zero according to the definition of CIE (Technical Report TC-6-18). The biological dose can be defined by a measured end-effect. In our dosimeters (phage T7 and uracil dosimeter) exposed to natural (terrestrial) UV radiation the proportion of pyrimidin photoproducts among the total photoproducts is smaller than 0.1 and the linear correlation between the biological and physical dose is higher than 0.9. According to the experimental data this linear relationship is often not valid. We observed that UV radiation did not only induce dimerisation but shorter wavelengths caused monomerisation of pyrimidin dimers. Performing the irradiation in oxygen free environment and using a Deuterium lamp as UV source, we could increase monomerisation against dimerisation thus the DNA-based dosimetrySs additivity rule is not fulfilled in these conditions. In this study we will demonstrate those non-linear experiments which constitute the basis of our biological experiments on the International Space Station.

Genetic Effects of Uv Irradiation on Excision-Proficient and -Deficient Yeast during Meiosis

PubMed Central

Resnick, Michael A.; Game, John C.; Stasiewicz, Stanley

1983-01-01

The lethal and recombinational responses to ultraviolet light irradiation (UV) by excision-proficient (RAD+) and deficient strains (rad1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been examined in cells undergoing meiosis. Cells that exhibit high levels of meiotic synchrony were irradiated either at the beginning or at various times during meiosis and allowed to proceed through meiosis. Based on survival responses, the only excision repair mechanism for UV damage available during meiosis is that controlled by the RAD1 pathway. The presence of pyrimidine dimers at the beginning of meiosis does not prevent cells from undergoing meiosis; however, the spore products exhibit much lower survival than cells from earlier stages of meiosis. The reduced survival is probably due to effects of UV on recombination. Meiotic levels of gene conversion are reduced only two to three times in these experiments; however, intergenic recombination is nearly abolished after a dose of 4 J/m 2 to the rad1 strain. Exposure to 25 J/m2 had little effect on the wild-type strain. Since normal meiotic reciprocal recombination is generally considered to involve gene conversion-type intermediates, it appears that unrepaired UV damage dissociates the two processes. These results complement those obtained with the mei-9 mutants of Drosophila which also demonstrate a dissociation between gene conversion and reciprocal recombination. These results are consistent with molecular observations on the UV-irradiated rad1 strain in that there is no excision of pyrimidine dimers or exchange of dimers during meiosis. PMID:6352405

A system for the detection of chromosomal rearrangements using Sordaria macrospora.

PubMed

Arnaise, S; Leblon, G; Lares, L

1984-01-01

A system is described for the detection and diagnosis of induced chromosomal rearrangement using Sordaria macrospora. The system uses the property of the rearrangement to produce defective white ascospores as meiotic progeny from heterozygous crosses. Two reconstruction experiments have shown that this system is able to give reliable quantitative measures of rearrangement frequencies. Evidence for a photoreactivation process was obtained, suggesting that pyrimidine dimers may well be an important lesion in UV-induced chromosomal rearrangement. No evidence of induction of chromosomal rearrangement was obtained in experiments with the powerful chemical mutagen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

Flavonols Protect Against UV Radiation-Induced Thymine Dimer Formation in an Artificial Skin Mimic.

PubMed

Maini, Sabia; Fahlman, Brian M; Krol, Ed S

2015-01-01

Exposure of skin to ultraviolet light has been shown to have a number of deleterious effects including photoaging, photoimmunosuppression and photoinduced DNA damage which can lead to the development of skin cancer. In this paper we present a study on the ability of three flavonols to protect EpiDerm™, an artificial skin mimic, against UV-induced damage. EpiDerm™ samples were treated with flavonol in acetone and exposed to UVA (100 kJ/m(2) at 365 nm) and UVB (9000 J/m(2) at 310 nm) radiation. Secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a) were determined by ELISA, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers were quantified using LC-APCI-MS. EpiDerm™ treated topically with quercetin significantly decreased MMP-1 secretion induced by UVA (100 µM) or UVB (200 µM) and TNF-a secretion was significantly reduced at 100 µM quercetin for both UVA and UVB radiation. In addition, topically applied quercetin was found to be photostable over the duration of the experiment. EpiDerm™ samples were treated topically with quercetin, kaempferol or galangin (52 µM) immediately prior to UVA or UVB exposure, and the cyclobutane thymine dimers (T-T (CPD)) were quantified using an HPLC-APCI MS/MS method. All three flavonols significantly decreased T-T (CPD) formation in UVB irradiated EpiDerm™, however no effect could be observed for the UVA irradiation experiments as thymine dimer formation was below the limit of quantitation. Our results suggest that flavonols can provide protection against UV radiation-induced skin damage through both antioxidant activity and direct photo-absorption. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers are photosensitised by carprofen plus UVA in human HaCaT cells.

PubMed

Robinson, K S; Traynor, N J; Moseley, H; Ferguson, J; Woods, J A

2010-06-01

Every year in the UK about 75,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are registered, and about 9500 people are diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma (CM). The main risk factor for these cancers is exposure to sunlight. The effects of light on skin are wavelength dependent, with wavelengths in the UVB waveband (280-315 nm) being the most carcinogenic. UVB is directly absorbed by DNA, producing dimeric pyrimidine photoproducts including cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimodone photoproducts (6-4PP). However UVA (315-400 nm) can also produce CPD, induce skin tumours in mice, and has been shown to be mutagenic in cell culture. Although the precise role of UVA in human skin cancer remains to be elucidated, it comprises the major portion of solar UV radiation, transmits through window glass and can be delivered in high doses from tanning lamps. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in particular the 2-aryl propionic acid derivatives, are a well-documented group of photosensitising chemicals producing clinical phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. We have used carprofen, a model compound from this group to see if it could amplify the effects of UVA and contribute to the formation of CPD by UVA. Preliminary work has shown that carprofen combined with low doses of UVA (lambda(max): 365 nm; 5 J/cm(2)) can produce both strand breaks (SB) and CPD in human skin or blood cells. CPD were detected indirectly by both an immunofluorescence method and as T4 endonuclease V sensitive sites in the comet assay. These findings show that compounds other than fluoroquinolones and psoralen derivatives may contribute to CPD formation in skin cells in combination with UVA. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanism of Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase Dimerization Inhibition by Novel Pyrimidine Imidazoles*

PubMed Central

Nagpal, Latika; Haque, Mohammad M.; Saha, Amit; Mukherjee, Nirmalya; Ghosh, Arnab; Ranu, Brindaban C.; Stuehr, Dennis J.; Panda, Koustubh

2013-01-01

Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) has been etiologically linked to several inflammatory, immunological, and neurodegenerative diseases. As dimerization of NOS is required for its activity, several dimerization inhibitors, including pyrimidine imidazoles, are being evaluated for therapeutic inhibition of iNOS. However, the precise mechanism of their action is still unclear. Here, we examined the mechanism of iNOS inhibition by a pyrimidine imidazole core compound and its derivative (PID), having low cellular toxicity and high affinity for iNOS, using rapid stopped-flow kinetic, gel filtration, and spectrophotometric analysis. PID bound to iNOS heme to generate an irreversible PID-iNOS monomer complex that could not be converted to active dimers by tetrahydrobiopterin (H4B) and l-arginine (Arg). We utilized the iNOS oxygenase domain (iNOSoxy) and two monomeric mutants whose dimerization could be induced (K82AiNOSoxy) or not induced (D92AiNOSoxy) with H4B to elucidate the kinetics of PID binding to the iNOS monomer and dimer. We observed that the apparent PID affinity for the monomer was 11 times higher than the dimer. PID binding rate was also sensitive to H4B and Arg site occupancy. PID could also interact with nascent iNOS monomers in iNOS-synthesizing RAW cells, to prevent their post-translational dimerization, and it also caused irreversible monomerization of active iNOS dimers thereby accomplishing complete physiological inhibition of iNOS. Thus, our study establishes PID as a versatile iNOS inhibitor and therefore a potential in vivo tool for examining the causal role of iNOS in diseases associated with its overexpression as well as therapeutic control of such diseases. PMID:23696643

Targeted Inactivation of DNA Photolyase Genes in Medaka Fish (Oryzias latipes).

PubMed

Ishikawa-Fujiwara, Tomoko; Shiraishi, Eri; Fujikawa, Yoshihiro; Mori, Toshio; Tsujimura, Tohru; Todo, Takeshi

2017-01-01

Proteins of the cryptochrome/photolyase family (CPF) exhibit sequence and structural conservation, but their functions are divergent. Photolyase is a DNA repair enzyme that catalyzes the light-dependent repair of ultraviolet (UV)-induced photoproducts, whereas cryptochrome acts as a photoreceptor or circadian clock protein. Two types of DNA photolyase exist: CPD photolyase, which repairs cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), and 6-4 photolyase, which repairs 6-4 pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs). Although the Cry-DASH protein is classified as a cryptochrome, it also has light-dependent DNA repair activity. To determine the significance of the three light-dependent repair enzymes in recovering from solar UV-induced DNA damage at the organismal level, we generated mutants in each gene in medaka using the CRISPR genome editing technique. The light-dependent repair activity of the mutants was examined in vitro in cultured cells and in vivo in skin tissue. Light-dependent repair of CPD was lost in the CPD photolyase-deficient mutant, whereas weak repair activity against 6-4PPs persisted in the 6-4 photolyase-deficient mutant. These results suggest the existence of a heretofore unknown 6-4PP repair pathway and thus improve our understanding of the mechanisms of defense against solar UV in vertebrates. © 2016 The Authors. Photochemistry and Photobiology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Photobiology.

Bipyrimidine Signatures as a Photoprotective Genome Strategy in G + C-rich Halophilic Archaea.

PubMed

Jones, Daniel L; Baxter, Bonnie K

2016-09-02

Halophilic archaea experience high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light in their environments and demonstrate resistance to UV irradiation. DNA repair systems and carotenoids provide UV protection but do not account for the high resistance observed. Herein, we consider genomic signatures as an additional photoprotective strategy. The predominant forms of UV-induced DNA damage are cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, most notoriously thymine dimers (T^Ts), which form at adjacent Ts. We tested whether the high G + C content seen in halophilic archaea serves a photoprotective function through limiting T nucleotides, and thus T^T lesions. However, this speculation overlooks the other bipyrimidine sequences, all of which capable of forming photolesions to varying degrees. Therefore, we designed a program to determine the frequencies of the four bipyrimidine pairs (5' to 3': TT, TC, CT, and CC) within genomes of halophilic archaea and four other randomized sample groups for comparison. The outputs for each sampled genome were weighted by the intrinsic photoreactivities of each dinucleotide pair. Statistical methods were employed to investigate intergroup differences. Our findings indicate that the UV-resistance seen in halophilic archaea can be attributed in part to a genomic strategy: high G + C content and the resulting bipyrimidine signature reduces the genomic photoreactivity.

Bipyrimidine Signatures as a Photoprotective Genome Strategy in G + C-rich Halophilic Archaea

PubMed Central

Jones, Daniel L.; Baxter, Bonnie K.

2016-01-01

Halophilic archaea experience high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light in their environments and demonstrate resistance to UV irradiation. DNA repair systems and carotenoids provide UV protection but do not account for the high resistance observed. Herein, we consider genomic signatures as an additional photoprotective strategy. The predominant forms of UV-induced DNA damage are cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, most notoriously thymine dimers (T^Ts), which form at adjacent Ts. We tested whether the high G + C content seen in halophilic archaea serves a photoprotective function through limiting T nucleotides, and thus T^T lesions. However, this speculation overlooks the other bipyrimidine sequences, all of which capable of forming photolesions to varying degrees. Therefore, we designed a program to determine the frequencies of the four bipyrimidine pairs (5’ to 3’: TT, TC, CT, and CC) within genomes of halophilic archaea and four other randomized sample groups for comparison. The outputs for each sampled genome were weighted by the intrinsic photoreactivities of each dinucleotide pair. Statistical methods were employed to investigate intergroup differences. Our findings indicate that the UV-resistance seen in halophilic archaea can be attributed in part to a genomic strategy: high G + C content and the resulting bipyrimidine signature reduces the genomic photoreactivity. PMID:27598206

Octyl Methoxycinnamate Modulates Gene Expression and Prevents Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimer Formation but not Oxidative DNA Damage in UV-Exposed Human Cell Lines

PubMed Central

Duale, Nur; Olsen, Ann-Karin; Christensen, Terje; Butt, Shamas T.; Brunborg, Gunnar

2010-01-01

Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) is one of the most widely used sunscreen ingredients. To analyze biological effects of OMC, an in vitro approach was used implying ultraviolet (UV) exposure of two human cell lines, a primary skin fibroblast (GM00498) and a breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. End points include cell viability assessment, assay of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and oxidated DNA lesions using alkaline elution and lesion-specific enzymes, and gene expression analysis of a panel of 17 DNA damage–responsive genes. We observed that OMC provided protection against CPDs, and the degree of protection correlated with the OMC-mediated reduction in UV dose. No such protection was found with respect to oxidative DNA lesions. Upon UV exposure in the presence of OMC, the gene expression studies showed significant differential changes in some of the genes studied and the expression of p53 protein was also changed. For some genes, the change in expression seemed to be delayed in time by OMC. The experimental approach applied in this study, using a panel of 17 genes in an in vitro cellular system together with genotoxicity assays, may be useful in the initial screening of active ingredients in sunscreens. PMID:20071424

Dose dependence of the excision of ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers from nuclear deoxyribonucleic acids of haploid and diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed Central

Waters, R; Moustacchi, E

1975-01-01

The yield of ultraviolet-induced dimers is similar for a fixed dose in both haploid and diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The excision of these photo-products from the nuclear deoxyribonucleic acids of cells of both ploidies after ultraviolet incident doses of 2 times 10-3 to 4 times 10-3 ergs/mm2 decreased with the corresponding increasing dose. Postirradiation incubation in saline followed by a further incubation in nutrient medium increases the excision as compared to that seen in either nutrient medium or saline alone. Previous data regarding both pyrimidine dimer removal and the survival of haploid and diploid cells after ultraviolet irradiation and either immediate or delayed plating are discussed. PMID:1090608

Selective inhibition by harmane of the apurinic apyrimidinic endonuclease activity of phage T4-induced UV endonuclease.

PubMed

Warner, H R; Persson, M L; Bensen, R J; Mosbaugh, D W; Linn, S

1981-11-25

1-Methyl-9H-pyrido-[3,4-b]indole (harmane) inhibits the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease activity of the UV endonuclease induced by phage T4, whereas it stimulates the pyrimidine dimer-DNA glycosylase activity of that enzyme. E. coli endonuclease IV, E. coli endonuclease VI (the AP endonuclease activity associated with E. coli exonuclease III), and E. coli uracil-DNA glycosylase were not inhibited by harmane. Human fibroblast AP endonucleases I and II also were only slightly inhibited. Therefore, harmane is neither a general inhibitor of AP endonucleases, nor a general inhibitor of Class I AP endonucleases which incise DNA on the 3'-side of AP sites. However, E. coli endonuclease III and its associated dihydroxythymine-DNA glycosylase activity were both inhibited by harmane. This observation suggests that harmane may inhibit only AP endonucleases which have associated glycosylase activities.

Selective inhibition by harmane of the apurinic apyrimidinic endonuclease activity of phage T4-induced UV endonuclease.

PubMed Central

Warner, H R; Persson, M L; Bensen, R J; Mosbaugh, D W; Linn, S

1981-01-01

1-Methyl-9H-pyrido-[3,4-b]indole (harmane) inhibits the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease activity of the UV endonuclease induced by phage T4, whereas it stimulates the pyrimidine dimer-DNA glycosylase activity of that enzyme. E. coli endonuclease IV, E. coli endonuclease VI (the AP endonuclease activity associated with E. coli exonuclease III), and E. coli uracil-DNA glycosylase were not inhibited by harmane. Human fibroblast AP endonucleases I and II also were only slightly inhibited. Therefore, harmane is neither a general inhibitor of AP endonucleases, nor a general inhibitor of Class I AP endonucleases which incise DNA on the 3'-side of AP sites. However, E. coli endonuclease III and its associated dihydroxythymine-DNA glycosylase activity were both inhibited by harmane. This observation suggests that harmane may inhibit only AP endonucleases which have associated glycosylase activities. PMID:6273822

Ultraviolet irradiation of herpes simplex virus (type 1): delayed transcription and comparative sensitivites of virus functions.

PubMed

Eglin, R P; Gugerli, P; Wildy, P

1980-07-01

The delay in the replication of herpes simplex virus surviving u.v. irradiation occurs after the uncoating of virus, as judged by sensitivity to DNase. It occurs before translation, judged by the kinetics of appearance of various virus-specific proteins, and before transcription, judged by the detection of virus-specific RNA by in situ hybridization. Since the delays in both transcription and translation are reversed by photoreactivation, the simplest hypothesis is that pyrimidine dimers directly obstruct transcription;unless these are broken by photoreactivating enzymes, there will be transcriptional delay until reactivating processes have repaired the lesion. The u.v. sensitivities of the abilities to induce various enzymes (thymidine kinase, DNase and DNA polymerase) were only about four times less than that of infectivity. The The ability to induce the three enzymes was three times less sensitive than that of the structural antigen (Band II).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Komura, Jun-ichiro, E-mail: junkom@med.tohoku.ac.jp; Ikehata, Hironobu; Mori, Toshio

During mitosis, chromatin is highly condensed, and activities such as transcription and semiconservative replication do not occur. Consequently, the condensed condition of mitotic chromatin is assumed to inhibit DNA metabolism by impeding the access of DNA-transacting proteins. However, about 40 years ago, several researchers observed unscheduled DNA synthesis in UV-irradiated mitotic chromosomes, suggesting the presence of excision repair. We re-examined this subject by directly measuring the removal of UV-induced DNA lesions by an ELISA and by a Southern-based technique in HeLa cells arrested at mitosis. We observed that the removal of (6-4) photoproducts from the overall genome in mitotic cellsmore » was as efficient as in interphase cells. This suggests that global genome repair of (6-4) photoproducts is fully functional during mitosis, and that the DNA in mitotic chromatin is accessible to proteins involved in this mode of DNA repair. Nevertheless, not all modes of DNA repair seem fully functional during mitosis. We also observed that the removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers from the dihydrofolate reductase and c-MYC genes in mitotic cells was very slow. This suggests that transcription-coupled repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers is compromised or non-functional during mitosis, which is probably the consequence of mitotic transcriptional repression. -- Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Global genome repair of (6-4) photoproducts is fully active in mitotic cells. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer DNA in condensed mitotic chromatin does not seem inaccessible or inert. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Mitotic transcriptional repression may impair transcription-coupled repair.« less

Flavin Charge Transfer Transitions Assist DNA Photolyase Electron Transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skourtis, Spiros S.; Prytkova, Tatiana; Beratan, David N.

2007-12-01

This contribution describes molecular dynamics, semi-empirical and ab-initio studies of the primary photo-induced electron transfer reaction in DNA photolyase. DNA photolyases are FADH--containing proteins that repair UV-damaged DNA by photo-induced electron transfer. A DNA photolyase recognizes and binds to cyclobutatne pyrimidine dimer lesions of DNA. The protein repairs a bound lesion by transferring an electron to the lesion from FADH-, upon photo-excitation of FADH- with 350-450 nm light. We compute the lowest singlet excited states of FADH- in DNA photolyase using INDO/S configuration interaction, time-dependent density-functional, and time-dependent Hartree-Fock methods. The calculations identify the lowest singlet excited state of FADH- that is populated after photo-excitation and that acts as the electron donor. For this donor state we compute conformationally-averaged tunneling matrix elements to empty electron-acceptor states of a thymine dimer bound to photolyase. The conformational averaging involves different FADH--thymine dimer confromations obtained from molecular dynamics simulations of the solvated protein with a thymine dimer docked in its active site. The tunneling matrix element computations use INDO/S-level Green's function, energy splitting, and Generalized Mulliken-Hush methods. These calculations indicate that photo-excitation of FADH- causes a π→π* charge-transfer transition that shifts electron density to the side of the flavin isoalloxazine ring that is adjacent to the docked thymine dimer. This shift in electron density enhances the FADH--to-dimer electronic coupling, thus inducing rapid electron transfer.

NDR1 modulates the UV-induced DNA-damage checkpoint and nucleotide excision repair

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, Jeong-Min; Choi, Ji Ye; Yi, Joo Mi

2015-06-05

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the sole mechanism of UV-induced DNA lesion repair in mammals. A single round of NER requires multiple components including seven core NER factors, xeroderma pigmentosum A–G (XPA–XPG), and many auxiliary effector proteins including ATR serine/threonine kinase. The XPA protein helps to verify DNA damage and thus plays a rate-limiting role in NER. Hence, the regulation of XPA is important for the entire NER kinetic. We found that NDR1, a novel XPA-interacting protein, modulates NER by modulating the UV-induced DNA-damage checkpoint. In quiescent cells, NDR1 localized mainly in the cytoplasm. After UV irradiation, NDR1 accumulated inmore » the nucleus. The siRNA knockdown of NDR1 delayed the repair of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in both normal cells and cancer cells. It did not, however, alter the expression levels or the chromatin association levels of the core NER factors following UV irradiation. Instead, the NDR1-depleted cells displayed reduced activity of ATR for some set of its substrates including CHK1 and p53, suggesting that NDR1 modulates NER indirectly via the ATR pathway. - Highlights: • NDR1 is a novel XPA-interacting protein. • NDR1 accumulates in the nucleus in response to UV irradiation. • NDR1 modulates NER (nucleotide excision repair) by modulating the UV-induced DNA-damage checkpoint response.« less

Electron Transfer Mechanisms of DNA Repair by Photolyase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Dongping

2015-04-01

Photolyase is a flavin photoenzyme that repairs two DNA base damage products induced by ultraviolet (UV) light: cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts. With femtosecond spectroscopy and site-directed mutagenesis, investigators have recently made significant advances in our understanding of UV-damaged DNA repair, and the entire enzymatic dynamics can now be mapped out in real time. For dimer repair, six elementary steps have been characterized, including three electron transfer reactions and two bond-breaking processes, and their reaction times have been determined. A unique electron-tunneling pathway was identified, and the critical residues in modulating the repair function at the active site were determined. The dynamic synergy between the elementary reactions for maintaining high repair efficiency was elucidated, and the biological nature of the flavin active state was uncovered. For 6-4 photoproduct repair, a proton-coupled electron transfer repair mechanism has been revealed. The elucidation of electron transfer mechanisms and two repair photocycles is significant and provides a molecular basis for future practical applications, such as in rational drug design for curing skin cancer.

Strand-specific Recognition of DNA Damages by XPD Provides Insights into Nucleotide Excision Repair Substrate Versatility*

PubMed Central

Buechner, Claudia N.; Heil, Korbinian; Michels, Gudrun; Carell, Thomas; Kisker, Caroline; Tessmer, Ingrid

2014-01-01

Recognition and removal of DNA damages is essential for cellular and organismal viability. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the sole mechanism in humans for the repair of carcinogenic UV irradiation-induced photoproducts in the DNA, such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. The broad substrate versatility of NER further includes, among others, various bulky DNA adducts. It has been proposed that the 5′-3′ helicase XPD (xeroderma pigmentosum group D) protein plays a decisive role in damage verification. However, despite recent advances such as the identification of a DNA-binding channel and central pore in the protein, through which the DNA is threaded, as well as a dedicated lesion recognition pocket near the pore, the exact process of target site recognition and verification in eukaryotic NER still remained elusive. Our single molecule analysis by atomic force microscopy reveals for the first time that XPD utilizes different recognition strategies to verify structurally diverse lesions. Bulky fluorescein damage is preferentially detected on the translocated strand, whereas the opposite strand preference is observed for a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer lesion. Both states, however, lead to similar conformational changes in the resulting specific complexes, indicating a merge to a “final” verification state, which may then trigger the recruitment of further NER proteins. PMID:24338567

Differential responses to high- and low-dose ultraviolet-B stress in tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cells

PubMed Central

Takahashi, Shinya; Kojo, Kei H.; Kutsuna, Natsumaro; Endo, Masaki; Toki, Seiichi; Isoda, Hiroko; Hasezawa, Seiichiro

2015-01-01

Ultraviolet (UV)-B irradiation leads to DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, growth inhibition, and cell death. To evaluate the UV-B stress–induced changes in plant cells, we developed a model system based on tobacco Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) cells. Both low-dose UV-B (low UV-B: 740 J m−2) and high-dose UV-B (high UV-B: 2960 J m−2) inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell death; these effects were more pronounced at high UV-B. Flow cytometry showed cell cycle arrest within 1 day after UV-B irradiation; neither low- nor high-UV-B–irradiated cells entered mitosis within 12 h. Cell cycle progression was gradually restored in low-UV-B–irradiated cells but not in high-UV-B–irradiated cells. UV-A irradiation, which activates cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyase, reduced inhibition of cell proliferation by low but not high UV-B and suppressed high-UV-B–induced cell death. UV-B induced CPD formation in a dose-dependent manner. The amounts of CPDs decreased gradually within 3 days in low-UV-B–irradiated cells, but remained elevated after 3 days in high-UV-B–irradiated cells. Low UV-B slightly increased the number of DNA single-strand breaks detected by the comet assay at 1 day after irradiation, and then decreased at 2 and 3 days after irradiation. High UV-B increased DNA fragmentation detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay 1 and 3 days after irradiation. Caffeine, an inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) checkpoint kinases, reduced the rate of cell death in high-UV-B–irradiated cells. Our data suggest that low-UV-B–induced CPDs and/or DNA strand-breaks inhibit DNA replication and proliferation of BY-2 cells, whereas larger contents of high-UV-B–induced CPDs and/or DNA strand-breaks lead to cell death. PMID:25954287

Molecular and sensory mechanisms to mitigate sunlight-induced DNA damage in treefrog tadpoles.

PubMed

Schuch, André P; Lipinski, Victor M; Santos, Mauricio B; Santos, Caroline P; Jardim, Sinara S; Cechin, Sonia Z; Loreto, Elgion L S

2015-10-01

The increased incidence of solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation has been proposed as an environmental stressor, which may help to explain the enigmatic decline of amphibian populations worldwide. Despite growing knowledge regarding the UV-induced biological effects in several amphibian models, little is known about the efficacy of DNA repair pathways. In addition, little attention has been given to the interplay between these molecular mechanisms with other physiological strategies that avoid the damage induced by sunlight. Here, DNA lesions induced by environmental doses of solar UVB and UVA radiation were detected in genomic DNA samples of treefrog tadpoles (Hypsiboas pulchellus) and their DNA repair activity was evaluated. These data were complemented by monitoring the induction of apoptosis in blood cells and tadpole survival. Furthermore, the tadpoles' ability to perceive and escape from UV wavelengths was evaluated as an additional strategy of photoprotection. The results show that tadpoles are very sensitive to UVB light, which could be explained by the slow DNA repair rates for both cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6,4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6,4PPs). However, they were resistant to UVA, probably as a result of the activation of photolyases during UVA irradiation. Surprisingly, a sensory mechanism that triggers their escape from UVB and UVA light avoids the generation of DNA damage and helps to maintain the genomic integrity. This work demonstrates the genotoxic impact of both UVB and UVA radiation on tadpoles and emphasizes the importance of the interplay between molecular and sensory mechanisms to minimize the damage caused by sunlight. © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

2016 Arte Poster Competition First Place Winner: Circadian Rhythm and UV-Induced Skin Damage: An In Vivo Study.

PubMed

Guan, Linna; Suggs, Amanda; Ahsanuddin, Sayeeda; Tarrillion, Madeline; Selph, Jacqueline; Lam, Minh; Baron, Elma

2016-09-01

Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation causes many detrimental effects through mechanisms related to oxidative stress and DNA damage. Excessive oxidative stress can cause apoptosis and cellular dysfunction of epidermal cells leading to cellular senescence and connective tissue degradation. Direct and indirect damage to DNA predisposes the skin to cancer formation. Chronic UV exposure also leads to skin aging manifested as wrinkling, loss of skin tone, and decreased resilience. Fortunately, human skin has several natural mechanisms for combating UV-induced damage. The mechanisms operate on a diurnal rhythm, a cycle that repeats approximately every 24 hours. It is known that the circadian rhythm is involved in many skin physiologic processes, including water regulation and epidermal stem cell function. This study evaluated whether UV damage and the skin's natural mechanisms of inflammation and repair are also affected by circadian rhythm. We looked at UV-induced erythema on seven human subjects irradiated with simulated solar radiation in the morning (at 08:00 h) versus in the afternoon (at 16:00 h). Our data suggest that the same dose of UV radiation induces significantly more inflammation in the morning than in the afternoon. Changes in protein expression relevant to DNA damage, such as xeroderma pigmentosum, complementation group A (XPA), and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) from skin biopsies correlated with our clinical results. Both XPA and CPD levels were higher after the morning UV exposure compared with the afternoon exposure.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(9):1124-1130.

Nicotinamide Enhances Repair of Arsenic and Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in HaCaT Keratinocytes and Ex Vivo Human Skin

PubMed Central

Thompson, Benjamin C.; Halliday, Gary M.; Damian, Diona L.

2015-01-01

Arsenic-induced skin cancer is a significant global health burden. In areas with arsenic contamination of water sources, such as China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Cambodia and especially Bangladesh and West Bengal, large populations are at risk of arsenic-induced skin cancer. Arsenic acts as a co-carcinogen with ultraviolet (UV) radiation and affects DNA damage and repair. Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) reduces premalignant keratoses in sun-damaged skin, likely by prevention of UV-induced cellular energy depletion and enhancement of DNA repair. We investigated whether nicotinamide modifies DNA repair following exposure to UV radiation and sodium arsenite. HaCaT keratinocytes and ex vivo human skin were exposed to 2μM sodium arsenite and low dose (2J/cm2) solar-simulated UV, with and without nicotinamide supplementation. DNA photolesions in the form of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers were detected by immunofluorescence. Arsenic exposure significantly increased levels of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine in irradiated cells. Nicotinamide reduced both types of photolesions in HaCaT keratinocytes and in ex vivo human skin, likely by enhancing DNA repair. These results demonstrate a reduction of two different photolesions over time in two different models in UV and arsenic exposed cells. Nicotinamide is a nontoxic, inexpensive agent with potential for chemoprevention of arsenic induced skin cancer. PMID:25658450

Topically Applied Carvedilol Attenuates Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Induced Skin Carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Huang, Kevin M; Liang, Sherry; Yeung, Steven; Oiyemhonlan, Etuajie; Cleveland, Kristan H; Parsa, Cyrus; Orlando, Robert; Meyskens, Frank L; Andresen, Bradley T; Huang, Ying

2017-10-01

In previous studies, the β-blocker carvedilol inhibited EGF-induced epidermal cell transformation and chemical carcinogen-induced mouse skin hyperplasia. As exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation leads to skin cancer, the present study examined whether carvedilol can prevent UV-induced carcinogenesis. Carvedilol absorbs UV like a sunscreen; thus, to separate pharmacological from sunscreen effects, 4-hydroxycarbazole (4-OHC), which absorbs UV to the same degree as carvedilol, served as control. JB6 P + cells, an established epidermal model for studying tumor promotion, were used for evaluating the effect of carvedilol on UV-induced neoplastic transformation. Both carvedilol and 4-OHC (1 μmol/L) blocked transformation induced by chronic UV (15 mJ/cm 2 ) exposure for 8 weeks. However, EGF-mediated transformation was inhibited by only carvedilol but not by 4-OHC. Carvedilol (1 and 5 μmol/L), but not 4-OHC, attenuated UV-induced AP-1 and NF-κB luciferase reporter activity, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory activity. In a single-dose UV (200 mJ/cm 2 )-induced skin inflammation mouse model, carvedilol (10 μmol/L), applied topically after UV exposure, reduced skin hyperplasia and the levels of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, IL1β, IL6, and COX-2 in skin. In SKH-1 mice exposed to gradually increasing levels of UV (50-150 mJ/cm 2 ) three times a week for 25 weeks, topical administration of carvedilol (10 μmol/L) after UV exposure increased tumor latency compared with control (week 18 vs. 15), decreased incidence and multiplicity of squamous cell carcinomas, while 4-OHC had no effect. These data suggest that carvedilol has a novel chemopreventive activity and topical carvedilol following UV exposure may be repurposed for preventing skin inflammation and cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 10(10); 598-606. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Is UV-induced DNA damage greater at higher elevation?

PubMed

Wang, Qing-Wei; Hidema, Jun; Hikosaka, Kouki

2014-05-01

• Although ultraviolet radiation (UV) is known to have negative effects on plant growth, there has been no direct evidence that plants growing at higher elevations are more severely affected by ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, which is known to increase with elevation. We examined damage to DNA, a primary target of UV-B, in the widespread species Polygonum sachalinense (Fallopia sachalinensis) and Plantago asiatica at two elevations.• We sampled leaves of both species at 300 and 1700 m above sea level every 2 h for 11 d across the growing season and determined the level of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD), a major product of UV damage to DNA.• The CPD level was significantly influenced by the time of day, date, elevation, and their interactions in both species. The CPD level tended to be higher at noon or on sunny days. DNA damage was more severe at 1700 m than at 300 m: on average, 8.7% greater at high elevation in P. asiatica and 7.8% greater in P. sachalinense Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the CPD level was explained mainly by UV-B and had no significant relationship with other environmental factors such as temperature and photosynthetically active radiation.• UV-induced DNA damage in plants is greater at higher elevations. © 2014 Botanical Society of America, Inc.

Molecular Mechanisms of Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced DNA Damage and Repair

PubMed Central

Rastogi, Rajesh P.; Richa; Kumar, Ashok; Tyagi, Madhu B.; Sinha, Rajeshwar P.

2010-01-01

DNA is one of the prime molecules, and its stability is of utmost importance for proper functioning and existence of all living systems. Genotoxic chemicals and radiations exert adverse effects on genome stability. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) (mainly UV-B: 280–315 nm) is one of the powerful agents that can alter the normal state of life by inducing a variety of mutagenic and cytotoxic DNA lesions such as cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PPs), and their Dewar valence isomers as well as DNA strand breaks by interfering the genome integrity. To counteract these lesions, organisms have developed a number of highly conserved repair mechanisms such as photoreactivation, base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), and mismatch repair (MMR). Additionally, double-strand break repair (by homologous recombination and nonhomologous end joining), SOS response, cell-cycle checkpoints, and programmed cell death (apoptosis) are also operative in various organisms with the expense of specific gene products. This review deals with UV-induced alterations in DNA and its maintenance by various repair mechanisms. PMID:21209706

Characterization of a Y-Family DNA Polymerase eta from the Eukaryotic Thermophile Alvinella pompejana

DOE PAGES

Kashiwagi, Sayo; Kuraoka, Isao; Fujiwara, Yoshie; ...

2010-01-01

Humore » man DNA polymerase η (HsPol η ) plays an important role in translesion synthesis (TLS), which allows for replication past DNA damage such as UV-induced cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Here, we characterized ApPol η from the thermophilic worm Alvinella pompejana , which inhabits deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimneys. ApPol η shares sequence homology with HsPol η and contains domains for binding ubiquitin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Sun-induced UV does not penetrate Alvinella's environment; however, this novel DNA polymerase catalyzed efficient and accurate TLS past CPD, as well as 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine and isomers of thymine glycol induced by reactive oxygen species. In addition, we found that ApPol η is more thermostable than HsPol η , as expected from its habitat temperature. Moreover, the activity of this enzyme was retained in the presence of a higher concentration of organic solvents. Therefore, ApPol η provides a robust, human-like Pol η that is more active after exposure to high temperatures and organic solvents.« less

Characterization of a Y-Family DNA Polymerase eta from the Eukaryotic Thermophile Alvinella pompejana

PubMed Central

Kashiwagi, Sayo; Kuraoka, Isao; Fujiwara, Yoshie; Hitomi, Kenichi; Cheng, Quen J.; Fuss, Jill O.; Shin, David S.; Masutani, Chikahide; Tainer, John A.; Hanaoka, Fumio; Iwai, Shigenori

2010-01-01

Human DNA polymerase η (HsPolη) plays an important role in translesion synthesis (TLS), which allows for replication past DNA damage such as UV-induced cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Here, we characterized ApPolη from the thermophilic worm Alvinella pompejana, which inhabits deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimneys. ApPolη shares sequence homology with HsPolη and contains domains for binding ubiquitin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Sun-induced UV does not penetrate Alvinella's environment; however, this novel DNA polymerase catalyzed efficient and accurate TLS past CPD, as well as 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine and isomers of thymine glycol induced by reactive oxygen species. In addition, we found that ApPolη is more thermostable than HsPolη, as expected from its habitat temperature. Moreover, the activity of this enzyme was retained in the presence of a higher concentration of organic solvents. Therefore, ApPolη provides a robust, human-like Polη that is more active after exposure to high temperatures and organic solvents. PMID:20936172

Nuclear DNA damage-triggered NLRP3 inflammasome activation promotes UVB-induced inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hasegawa, Tatsuya, E-mail: tatsuya.hasegawa@to.shiseido.co.jp; Nakashima, Masaya; Suzuki, Yoshiharu

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight can result in DNA damage and an inflammatory reaction of the skin commonly known as sunburn, which in turn can lead to cutaneous tissue disorders. However, little has been known about how UV-induced DNA damage mediates the release of inflammatory mediators from keratinocytes. Here, we show that UVB radiation intensity-dependently increases NLRP3 gene expression and IL-1β production in human keratinocytes. Knockdown of NLRP3 with siRNA suppresses UVB-induced production of not only IL-1β, but also other inflammatory mediators, including IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE{sub 2}. In addition, inhibition of DNA damage repair by knockdown of XPA,more » which is a major component of the nucleotide excision repair system, causes accumulation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. In vivo immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that NLRP3 expression is also elevated in UV-irradiated human epidermis. Overall, our findings indicate that UVB-induced DNA damage initiates NLRP3 inflammasome activation, leading to release of various inflammatory mediators from human keratinocytes. - Highlights: • UVB radiation induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human keratinocytes. • NLRP3 knockdown suppresses production of UVB-induced inflammatory mediators. • UVB-induced DNA damage triggers NLRP3 inflammasome activation. • NLRP3 expression in human epidermis is elevated in response to UV radiation.« less

Epidermal Rac1 regulates the DNA damage response and protects from UV-light-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and skin carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Deshmukh, Jayesh; Pofahl, Ruth; Haase, Ingo

2017-01-01

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common type of cancer. Increased expression and activity of Rac1, a small Rho GTPase, has been shown previously in NMSC and other human cancers; suggesting that Rac1 may function as an oncogene in skin. DMBA/TPA skin carcinogenesis studies in mice have shown that Rac1 is required for chemically induced skin papilloma formation. However, UVB radiation by the sun, which causes DNA damage, is the most relevant cause for NMSC. A potential role of Rac1 in UV-light-induced skin carcinogenesis has not been investigated so far. To investigate this, we irradiated mice with epidermal Rac1 deficiency (Rac1-EKO) and their controls using a well-established protocol for long-term UV-irradiation. Most of the Rac1-EKO mice developed severe skin erosions upon long-term UV-irradiation, unlike their controls. These skin erosions in Rac1-EKO mice healed subsequently. Surprisingly, we observed development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) within the UV-irradiation fields. This shows that the presence of Rac1 in the epidermis protects from UV-light-induced skin carcinogenesis. Short-term UV-irradiation experiments revealed increased UV-light-induced apoptosis of Rac1-deficient epidermal keratinocytes in vitro as well as in vivo. Further investigations using cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolyase transgenic mice revealed that the observed increase in UV-light-induced keratinocyte apoptosis in Rac1-EKO mice is DNA damage dependent and correlates with caspase-8 activation. Furthermore, Rac1-deficient keratinocytes showed reduced levels of p53, γ-H2AX and p-Chk1 suggesting an attenuated DNA damage response upon UV-irradiation. Taken together, our data provide direct evidence for a protective role of Rac1 in UV-light-induced skin carcinogenesis and keratinocyte apoptosis probably through regulating mechanisms of the DNA damage response and repair pathways. PMID:28277539

Epidermal Rac1 regulates the DNA damage response and protects from UV-light-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and skin carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Deshmukh, Jayesh; Pofahl, Ruth; Haase, Ingo

2017-03-09

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common type of cancer. Increased expression and activity of Rac1, a small Rho GTPase, has been shown previously in NMSC and other human cancers; suggesting that Rac1 may function as an oncogene in skin. DMBA/TPA skin carcinogenesis studies in mice have shown that Rac1 is required for chemically induced skin papilloma formation. However, UVB radiation by the sun, which causes DNA damage, is the most relevant cause for NMSC. A potential role of Rac1 in UV-light-induced skin carcinogenesis has not been investigated so far. To investigate this, we irradiated mice with epidermal Rac1 deficiency (Rac1-EKO) and their controls using a well-established protocol for long-term UV-irradiation. Most of the Rac1-EKO mice developed severe skin erosions upon long-term UV-irradiation, unlike their controls. These skin erosions in Rac1-EKO mice healed subsequently. Surprisingly, we observed development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) within the UV-irradiation fields. This shows that the presence of Rac1 in the epidermis protects from UV-light-induced skin carcinogenesis. Short-term UV-irradiation experiments revealed increased UV-light-induced apoptosis of Rac1-deficient epidermal keratinocytes in vitro as well as in vivo. Further investigations using cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolyase transgenic mice revealed that the observed increase in UV-light-induced keratinocyte apoptosis in Rac1-EKO mice is DNA damage dependent and correlates with caspase-8 activation. Furthermore, Rac1-deficient keratinocytes showed reduced levels of p53, γ-H2AX and p-Chk1 suggesting an attenuated DNA damage response upon UV-irradiation. Taken together, our data provide direct evidence for a protective role of Rac1 in UV-light-induced skin carcinogenesis and keratinocyte apoptosis probably through regulating mechanisms of the DNA damage response and repair pathways.

Human DNA polymerase η accommodates RNA for strand extension.

PubMed

Su, Yan; Egli, Martin; Guengerich, F Peter

2017-11-03

Ribonucleotides are the natural analogs of deoxyribonucleotides, which can be misinserted by DNA polymerases, leading to the most abundant DNA lesions in genomes. During replication, DNA polymerases tolerate patches of ribonucleotides on the parental strands to different extents. The majority of human DNA polymerases have been reported to misinsert ribonucleotides into genomes. However, only PrimPol, DNA polymerase α, telomerase, and the mitochondrial human DNA polymerase (hpol) γ have been shown to tolerate an entire RNA strand. Y-family hpol η is known for translesion synthesis opposite the UV-induced DNA lesion cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer and was recently found to incorporate ribonucleotides into DNA. Here, we report that hpol η is able to bind DNA/DNA, RNA/DNA, and DNA/RNA duplexes with similar affinities. In addition, hpol η, as well as another Y-family DNA polymerase, hpol κ, accommodates RNA as one of the two strands during primer extension, mainly by inserting dNMPs opposite unmodified templates or DNA lesions, such as 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine or cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer, even in the presence of an equal amount of the DNA/DNA substrate. The discovery of this RNA-accommodating ability of hpol η redefines the traditional concept of human DNA polymerases and indicates potential new functions of hpol η in vivo . © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

WRNIP1 functions upstream of DNA polymerase η in the UV-induced DNA damage response

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yoshimura, Akari, E-mail: akari_yo@stu.musashino-u.ac.jp; Kobayashi, Yume; Tada, Shusuke

2014-09-12

Highlights: • The UV sensitivity of POLH{sup −/−} cells was suppressed by disruption of WRNIP1. • In WRNIP1{sup −/−/−}/POLH{sup −/−} cells, mutation frequencies and SCE after irradiation reduced. • WRNIP1 defect recovered rate of fork progression after irradiation in POLH{sup −/−} cells. • WRNIP1 functions upstream of Polη in the translesion DNA synthesis pathway. - Abstract: WRNIP1 (WRN-interacting protein 1) was first identified as a factor that interacts with WRN, the protein that is defective in Werner syndrome (WS). WRNIP1 associates with DNA polymerase η (Polη), but the biological significance of this interaction remains unknown. In this study, we analyzedmore » the functional interaction between WRNIP1 and Polη by generating knockouts of both genes in DT40 chicken cells. Disruption of WRNIP1 in Polη-disrupted (POLH{sup −/−}) cells suppressed the phenotypes associated with the loss of Polη: sensitivity to ultraviolet light (UV), delayed repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), elevated frequency of mutation, elevated levels of UV-induced sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and reduced rate of fork progression after UV irradiation. These results suggest that WRNIP1 functions upstream of Polη in the response to UV irradiation.« less

Antagonizing Effects and Mechanisms of Afzelin against UVB-Induced Cell Damage

PubMed Central

Shin, Seoung Woo; Jung, Eunsun; Kim, Seungbeom; Kim, Jang-Hyun; Kim, Eui-Gyun; Lee, Jongsung; Park, Deokhoon

2013-01-01

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes in human keratinocytes, resulting in skin inflammation, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis. Adequate protection of skin against the harmful effects of UV irradiation is essential. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the protective effects of afzelin, one of the flavonoids, against UV irradiation in human keratinocytes and epidermal equivalent models. Spectrophotometric measurements revealed that the afzelin extinction maxima were in the UVB and UVA range, and UV transmission below 376 nm was <10%, indicating UV-absorbing activity of afzelin. In the phototoxicity assay using the 3T3 NRU phototoxicity test (3T3-NRU-PT), afzelin presented a tendency to no phototoxic potential. In addition, in order to investigate cellular functions of afzelin itself, cells were treated with afzelin after UVB irradiation. In human keratinocyte, afzelin effectively inhibited the UVB-mediated increase in lipid peroxidation and the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Afzelin also inhibited UVB-induced cell death in human keratinocytes by inhibiting intrinsic apoptotic signaling. Furthermore, afzelin showed inhibitory effects on UVB-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and prostaglandin-E2 in human keratinocytes by interfering with the p38 kinase pathway. Using an epidermal equivalent model exposed to UVB radiation, anti-apoptotic activity of afzelin was also confirmed together with a photoprotective effect at the morphological level. Taken together, our results suggest that afzelin has several cellular activities such as DNA-protective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory as well as UV-absorbing activity and may protect human skin from UVB-induced damage by a combination of UV-absorbing and cellular activities. PMID:23626759

Residues at a Single Site Differentiate Animal Cryptochromes from Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimer Photolyases by Affecting the Proteins' Preferences for Reduced FAD.

PubMed

Xu, Lei; Wen, Bin; Wang, Yuan; Tian, Changqing; Wu, Mingcai; Zhu, Guoping

2017-06-19

Cryptochromes (CRYs) and photolyases belong to the cryptochrome/photolyase family (CPF). Reduced FAD is essential for photolyases to photorepair UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) or 6-4 photoproducts in DNA. In Drosophila CRY (dCRY, a type I animal CRY), FAD is converted to the anionic radical but not to the reduced state upon illumination, which might induce a conformational change in the protein to relay the light signal downstream. To explore the foundation of these differences, multiple sequence alignment of 650 CPF protein sequences was performed. We identified a site facing FAD (Ala377 in Escherichia coli CPD photolyase and Val415 in dCRY), hereafter referred to as "site 377", that was distinctly conserved across these sequences: CPD photolyases often had Ala, Ser, or Asn at this site, whereas animal CRYs had Ile, Leu, or Val. The binding affinity for reduced FAD, but not the photorepair activity of E. coli photolyase, was dramatically impaired when replacing Ala377 with any of the three CRY residues. Conversely, in V415S and V415N mutants of dCRY, FAD was photoreduced to its fully reduced state after prolonged illumination, and light-dependent conformational changes of these mutants were severely inhibited. We speculate that the residues at site 377 play a key role in the different preferences of CPF proteins for reduced FAD, which differentiate animal CRYs from CPD photolyases. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Inactivation of carotenoid-producing and albino strains of Neurospora crassa by visible light, blacklight, and ultraviolet radiation.

PubMed Central

Blanc, P L; Tuveson, R W; Sargent, M L

1976-01-01

Suspensions of Neurospora crassa conidia were inactivated by blacklight (BL) radiation (300 to 425 nm) in the absence of exogenous photosensitizing compounds. Carotenoid-containing wild-type conidia were less sensitive to BL radiation than albino conidia, showing a dose enhancement factor (DEF) of 1.2 for dose levels resulting in less than 10% survival. The same strains were about equally sensitive to shortwave ultraviolet (UV) inactivation. The kinetics of BL inactivation are similar to those of photodynamic inactivation by visible light in the presence of a photosensitizing dye (methylene blue). Only limited inactivation by visible light in the absence of exogenous photosensitizers was observed. BL and UV inactivations are probably caused by different mechanisms since wild-type conidia are only slightly more resistant to BL radiation (DEF = 1.2 at 1.0% survival) than are conidia from a UV-sensitive strain (upr-1, uvs-3). The BL-induced lethal lesions are probably no cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers since BL-inactivated Haemophilus influenzae transforming deoxyribonucleic acid is not photoreactivated by N. crassa wild-type enzyme extracts, whereas UV-inactivated transforming deoxyribonucleic acid is photoreactivable with this treatment. PMID:128556

The timing of UV mutagenesis in yeast: a pedigree analysis of induced recessive mutation.

PubMed

James, A P; Kilbey, B J

1977-10-01

The mechanism of UV-induced mutation in eukaryotes was studied in individual yeast cells by a procedure that combined pedigree analysis and tetrad analysis. The technique involved the induction of recessive lethals and semilethals in G1 diploid cells. Induced frequencies were 25 and 61 percent at survival levels of 90 and 77 percent, respectively. No evidence of gross chromosome aberrations was detected. Recessive mutations that affect only one strand or that affect both strands of the DNA molecule are induced much at random among a population of cells, and both types can occur within the same cell. However, the data confirm that two-strand mutations are in the majority after a low level of irradiation. The simplest explanation involves a mechanism whereby most mutations are fixed in both strands prior to the first round of post-irradiation DNA replication. The recessive mutational consequences of irradiation are exhausted at the conclusion of the first post-irradiation cell division, although dominant-lethal sectoring continues at a high level through the second post-irradiation division. It is concluded that pyrimidine dimers that persist to the second round of DNA replication are rare or ineffective.

DNA Polymerase Eta and Chemotherapeutic Agents

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Abstract The discovery of human DNA polymerase eta (pol η) has a major impact on the fields of DNA replication/repair fields. Since the discovery of human pol η, a number of new DNA polymerases with the ability to bypass various DNA lesions have been discovered. Among these polymerases, pol η is the most extensively studied lesion bypass polymerase with a defined major biological function, that is, to replicate across the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers introduced by UV irradiation. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer is a major DNA lesion that causes distortion of DNA structure and block the replicative DNA polymerases during DNA replication process. Genetic defects in the pol η gene, Rad30, results in a disease called xeroderma pigmentosum variant. This review focuses on the overall properties of pol η and the mechanism that involved in regulating its activity in cells. In addition, the role of pol η in the action of DNA-targeting anticancer compounds is also discussed. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 14, 2521–2529. PMID:21050139

The fate of mitochondrial loci in rho minus mutants induced by ultraviolet irradiation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: effects of different post-irradiation treatments.

PubMed

Heude, M; Moustacchi, E

1979-09-01

Three main features regarding the loss of mitochondrial genetic markers among rho- mutants induced by ultraviolet irradiation are reported: (a) the frequency of loss of six loci examined increases with UV dose; (b) preferential loss of one region of the mitochondrial genome observed in spontaneous rho- mutants is enhanced by UV; and (c) the loss of each marker results from large deletions. Marker loss in rho- mutants was also investigated under conditions that modulate rho- induction. Liquid holding of irradiated exponential or stationary phase cells, as well as a split-dose regime applied to stationary phase cells, results in rho- mutants in which the loss of markers is correlated with rho- induction: the more sensitive the cells are to rho- induction, the more frequent are the marker losses among rho- clones derived from these cells. This correlation is not found in exponential-phase cells submitted to a split-dose treatment, suggesting that a different mechanism is involved in the latter case. It is known that UV-induced pyrimidine dimers are not excised in a controlled manner in mitochondrial DNA. However, our studies indicate that an accurate repair mechanism (of the recombinational type ?) can lead to the restoration of mitochondrial genetic information in growing cells.

Silymarin Protects Epidermal Keratinocytes from Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Apoptosis and DNA Damage by Nucleotide Excision Repair Mechanism

PubMed Central

Katiyar, Santosh K.; Mantena, Sudheer K.; Meeran, Syed M.

2011-01-01

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a well recognized epidemiologic risk factor for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. This observation has been linked to the accumulation of UVB radiation-induced DNA lesions in cells, and that finally lead to the development of skin cancers. Earlier, we have shown that topical treatment of skin with silymarin, a plant flavanoid from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), inhibits photocarcinogenesis in mice; however it is less understood whether chemopreventive effect of silymarin is mediated through the repair of DNA lesions in skin cells and that protect the cells from apoptosis. Here, we show that treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) with silymarin blocks UVB-induced apoptosis of NHEK in vitro. Silymarin reduces the amount of UVB radiation-induced DNA damage as demonstrated by reduced amounts of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and as measured by comet assay, and that ultimately may lead to reduced apoptosis of NHEK. The reduction of UV radiation-induced DNA damage by silymarin appears to be related with induction of nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes, because UV radiation-induced apoptosis was not blocked by silymarin in NER-deficient human fibroblasts. Cytostaining and dot-blot analysis revealed that silymarin repaired UV-induced CPDs in NER-proficient fibroblasts from a healthy individual but did not repair UV-induced CPD-positive cells in NER-deficient fibroblasts from patients suffering from xeroderma pigmentosum complementation-A disease. Similarly, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that silymarin did not reduce the number of UVB-induced sunburn/apoptotic cells in the skin of NER-deficient mice, but reduced the number of sunburn cells in their wild-type counterparts. Together, these results suggest that silymarin exert the capacity to reduce UV radiation-induced DNA damage and, thus, prevent the harmful effects of UV radiation on the genomic stability of epidermal cells. PMID:21731736

Cell Cycle Inhibitors as Breast Cancer Prevention Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-09-01

September 2004 2 . REPORT TYPE Revised Final 3. DATES COVERED 1 September 2003- 31 August 2004 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Cell Cycle Inhibitors as...induced adducts, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts [(6-4) PDs). DNA breaks were analyzed by...with methylated H3-K9 (Bannis- ter et al., 2001; Jenuwein and Allis, 2001 ). However, in ’Correspondence: rherrera@mdanderson.org 2 Presenl address

An ultraviolet simulator for the incident Martian surface radiation and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolb, C.; Abart, R.; Bérces, A.; Garry, J. R. C.; Hansen, A. A.; Hohenau, W.; Kargl, G.; Lammer, H.; Patel, M. R.; Rettberg, P.; Stan-Lotter, H.

2005-10-01

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can act on putative organic/biological matter at the Martian surface in several ways. Only absorbed, but not transmitted or reflected, radiation energy can be photo-chemically effective. The most important biological UV effects are due to photochemical reactions in nucleic acids, DNA or RNA, which constitute the genetic material of all cellular organisms and viruses. Protein or lipid effects generally play a minor role, but they are also relevant in some cases. UV radiation can induce wavelengths-specific types of DNA damage. At the same time it can also induce the photo-reversion reaction of a UV induced DNA photoproduct of nucleic acid bases, the pyrimidine dimers. Intense UVB and UVC radiation, experienced on early Earth and present-day Mars, has been revealed to be harmful to all organisms, including extremophile bacteria and spores. Moreover, the formation of oxidants, catalytically produced in the Martian environment through UV irradiation, may be responsible for the destruction of organic matter on Mars. Following this, more laboratory simulations are vital in order to investigate and understand UV effects on organic matter in the case of Mars. We have designed a radiation apparatus that simulates the anticipated Martian UV surface spectrum between 200 and 400 nm (UVC UVA). The system comprises a UV enhanced xenon arc lamp, special filter-sets and mirrors to simulate the effects of the Martian atmospheric column and dust loading. We describe the technical setup and performance of the system and discuss its uses for different applications. The design is focused on portability, therefore, the Mars-UV simulator represents a device for several different Mars simulation facilities with specific emphasis on Mars research topics.

Genetics of human sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cleaver, James E.

1994-07-01

the major human health effects of solar and artificial UV light occur from the UVB and UVC wavelength ranges and involve a variety of short-term and long-term deleterious changes to the skin and eyes. the more important initial damage to cellular macromolecules involves dimerization of adjacent pyrimidines in DNA to produce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimes, (6-4) pyrimidine- pyrimidone, and (6-4) dewar photoproducts. these photoproducts can be repaired by a genetically regulated enzyme system (nucleotide excision repair) which removes oligonucleotides 29-30 nucleotides long that contain the photoproducts, and synthesizes replacement patches. At least a dozen gene products are involved in the process of recognizing photoproducts in DNA, altering local DNA helicity and cleaving the polynucleotide chain at defined positions either side of a photoproduct. Hereditary mutations in many of these genes are recognized in the human genetic disorders xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne syndrome (CS), and trichothiodystrophy (TTD). Several of the gene products have other functions involving the regulation of gene transcription which accounts for the complex clinical presentation of repair deficient diseases that involve sensitivity of the skin and eyes to UV light, increased solar carcinogenesis (in XP), demyelination, and ganglial calcification (in CS), hair abnormalities (in TTD), and developmental and neurological abnormalities

Antagonist effects of veratric acid against UVB-induced cell damages.

PubMed

Shin, Seoung Woo; Jung, Eunsun; Kim, Seungbeom; Lee, Kyung-Eun; Youm, Jong-Kyung; Park, Deokhoon

2013-05-10

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes in human epidermis, resulting in inflammation, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis. Adequate protection of skin against the harmful effect of UV irradiation is essential. In recent years naturally occurring herbal compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and high molecular weight polyphenols have gained considerable attention as beneficial protective agents. The simple phenolic veratric acid (VA, 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid) is one of the major benzoic acid derivatives from vegetables and fruits and it also occurs naturally in medicinal mushrooms which have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. However, it has rarely been applied in skin care. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the possible roles of veratric acid in protection against UVB-induced damage in HaCaT cells. Results showed that veratric acid can attenuate cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formation, glutathione (GSH) depletion and apoptosis induced by UVB. Furthermore, veratric acid had inhibitory effects on the UVB-induced release of the inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2. We also confirmed the safety and clinical efficacy of veratric acid on human skin. Overall, results demonstrated significant benefits of veratric acid on the protection of keratinocyte against UVB-induced injuries and suggested its potential use in skin photoprotection.

Nuclear organization of nucleotide excision repair is mediated by RING1B dependent H2A-ubiquitylation

PubMed Central

Chitale, Shalaka; Richly, Holger

2017-01-01

One of the major cellular DNA repair pathways is nucleotide excision repair (NER). It is the primary pathway for repair of various DNA lesions caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts. Although lesion-containing DNA associates with the nuclear matrix after UV irradiation it is still not understood how nuclear organization affects NER. Analyzing unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) indicates that NER preferentially occurs in specific nuclear areas, viz the nucleolus. Upon inducing localized damage, we observe migration of damaged DNA towards the nucleolus. Employing a LacR-based tethering system we demonstrate that H2A-ubiquitylation via the UV-RING1B complex localizes chromatin close to the nucleolus. We further show that the H2A-ubiquitin binding protein ZRF1 resides in the nucleolus, and that it anchors ubiquitylated chromatin along with XPC. Our data thus provide insight into the sub-nuclear organization of NER and reveal a novel role for histone H2A-ubiquitylation. PMID:28416769

Ultraviolet-B-induced DNA damage and ultraviolet-B tolerance mechanisms in species with different functional groups coexisting in subalpine moorlands.

PubMed

Wang, Qing-Wei; Kamiyama, Chiho; Hidema, Jun; Hikosaka, Kouki

2016-08-01

High doses of ultraviolet-B (UV-B; 280-315 nm) radiation can have detrimental effects on plants, and especially damage their DNA. Plants have DNA repair and protection mechanisms to prevent UV-B damage. However, it remains unclear how DNA damage and tolerance mechanisms vary among field species. We studied DNA damage and tolerance mechanisms in 26 species with different functional groups coexisting in two moorlands at two elevations. We collected current-year leaves in July and August, and determined accumulation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) as UV-B damage and photorepair activity (PRA) and concentrations of UV-absorbing compounds (UACs) and carotenoids (CARs) as UV-B tolerance mechanisms. DNA damage was greater in dicot than in monocot species, and higher in herbaceous than in woody species. Evergreen species accumulated more CPDs than deciduous species. PRA was higher in Poaceae than in species of other families. UACs were significantly higher in woody than in herbaceous species. The CPD level was not explained by the mechanisms across species, but was significantly related to PRA and UACs when we ignored species with low CPD, PRA and UACs, implying the presence of another effective tolerance mechanism. UACs were correlated negatively with PRA and positively with CARs. Our results revealed that UV-induced DNA damage significantly varies among native species, and this variation is related to functional groups. DNA repair, rather than UV-B protection, dominates in UV-B tolerance in the field. Our findings also suggest that UV-B tolerance mechanisms vary among species under evolutionary trade-off and synergism.

DNA strand breaks signal the induction of DNA double-strand break repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Singh, Rakesh Kumar; Krishna, Malini

2005-12-01

Genotoxic stress induces a checkpoint signaling cascade to generate a stress response. Saccharomyces cerevisiae shows an altered radiation response under different type of stress. Although the induction of repair has been implicated in enhanced survival after exposure to the challenging stress, the nature of the signal remains poorly understood. This study demonstrates that low doses of gamma radiation and bleomycin induce RAD52-dependent recombination repair pathway in the wild-type strain D-261. Prior exposure of cells to DNA-damaging agents (gamma radiation or bleomycin) equips them better for the subsequent damage caused by challenging doses. However, exposure to UV light, which does not cause strand breaks, was ineffective. This was confirmed by PFGE studies. This indicates that the strand breaks probably serve as the signal for induction of the recombination repair pathway while pyrimidine dimers do not. The nature of the induced repair was investigated by mutation scoring in special strain D-7, which showed that the induced repair is essentially error free.

Effect of chemical peeling on the skin in relation to UV irradiation.

PubMed

Funasaka, Yoko; Abdel-Daim, Mohamed; Kawana, Seiji; Nishigori, Chikako

2012-07-01

Chemical peeling is one of the dermatological treatments available for certain cutaneous diseases and conditions or improvement of cosmetic appearance of photoaged skin. However, it needs to be clarified whether the repetitive procedure of chemical peeling on photodamaged skin is safe and whether the different chemicals used for peeling results in similar outcomes or not. In this article, we reviewed the effect of peeling or peeling agents on the skin in relation to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The pretreatment of peeling agents usually enhance UV sensitivity by inducing increased sunburn cell formation, lowering minimum erythematous dose and increasing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. However, this sensitivity is reversible and recovers to normal after 1-week discontinuation. Using animals, the chronic effect of peeling and peeling agents was shown to prevent photocarcinogenesis. There is also an in vitro study using culture cells to know the detailed mechanisms of peeling agents, especially on cell proliferation and apoptotic changes via activating signalling cascades and oxidative stress. It is important to understand the effect of peeling agents on photoaged skin and to know how to deal with UV irradiation during the application of peeling agents and treatment of chemical peeling in daily life. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

The residual repair capacity of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C fibroblasts is highly specific for transcriptionally active DNA.

PubMed Central

Venema, J; van Hoffen, A; Natarajan, A T; van Zeeland, A A; Mullenders, L H

1990-01-01

We have measured removal of pyrimidine dimers in defined DNA sequences in confluent and actively growing normal human and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XP-C) fibroblasts exposed to 10 J/m2 UV-irradiation. In normal fibroblasts 45% and 90% of the dimers are removed from the transcriptionally active adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene within 4 and 24 hours after irradiation respectively. Equal repair efficiencies are found in fragments located entirely within the transcription unit or partly in the 3' flanking region of the ADA gene. The rate and extent of dimer removal from the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene is very similar to that of the ADA gene. Repair of the transcriptionally inactive 754 locus is less efficient: 18% and 52% of the dimers are removed within 4 and 24 hours respectively. In spite of the limited overall repair capacity, confluent XP-C fibroblasts efficiently remove dimers from the ADA and DHFR genes: about 90% and 50% within 24 hours respectively. The 3' end of the ADA gene is repaired as efficiently as in normal human fibroblasts, but less efficient repair occurs in DNA fragments located in the DHFR gene and at the 5' end of the ADA gene. Repair of the inactive 754 locus does not exceed the very slow rate of dimer removal from the genome overall. Confluent and actively growing XP-C cells show similar efficiencies of repair of the ADA, DHFR and 754 genes. Our findings suggest the existence of two independently operating pathways directed towards repair of pyrimidine dimers in either active or inactive chromatin. XP-C cells have lost the capacity to repair inactive chromatin, but are still able to repair active chromatin. Images PMID:2308842

Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy of the Homogenous 2-Hydroxypyridine Dimer Electron Induced Proton Transfer System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlk, Alexandra; Stokes, Sarah; Wang, Yi; Hicks, Zachary; Zhang, Xinxing; Blando, Nicolas; Frock, Andrew; Marquez, Sara; Bowen, Kit; Bowen Lab JHU Team

Anion photoelectron spectroscopic (PES) and density functional theory (DFT) studies on the dimer anion of (2-hydroxypyridine)2-are reported. The experimentally measured vertical detachment energy (VDE) of 1.21eV compares well with the theoretically predicted values. The 2-hydroxypyridine anionic dimer system was investigated because of its resemblance to the nitrogenous heterocyclic pyrimidine nucleobases. Experimental and theoretical results show electron induced proton transfer (EIPT) in both the lactim and lactam homogeneous dimers. Upon electron attachment, the anion can serve as the intermediate between the two neutral dimers. A possible double proton transfer process can occur from the neutral (2-hydroxypyridine)2 to (2-pyridone)2 through the dimer anion. This potentially suggests an electron catalyzed double proton transfer mechanism of tautomerization. Research supported by the NSF Grant No. CHE-1360692.

Increased UV resistance of a xeroderma pigmentosum revertant cell line is correlated with selective repair of the transcribed strand of an expressed gene

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lommel, L.; Hanawalt, P.C.

1993-02-01

People that suffer from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) are sun sensitive and experience elevated incidences of cancer, particularly skin cancers on sun-light exposed parts of their bodies. Cultured cells from XP patients are found to be subtantially more sensitive to lethal and mutagenic effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation than are cells from unaffected individuals. Using the cells from XP individuals, researchers study the roles that cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts play in UV resistance. The results demonstrate that overall repair measurements can be misleading, and they support the hypothesis that removal of CPDs form the transcribed strands of expressedmore » genes is essential for UV resistance. 36 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.« less

The effects of grape seeds polyphenols on SKH-1 mice skin irradiated with multiple doses of UV-B.

PubMed

Filip, Adriana; Daicoviciu, Doina; Clichici, Simona; Bolfa, Pompei; Catoi, Cornel; Baldea, Ioana; Bolojan, Laura; Olteanu, Diana; Muresan, Adriana; Postescu, I D

2011-11-03

The study investigated the protective activity of red grape seeds (Vitis vinifera L, Burgund Mare variety) (BM) extracts in vivo on multiple doses of ultraviolet radiation (UV)-B-induced deleterious effects in SKH-1 mice skin. Eighty 8-weeks-old female SKH-1 mice were divided into 8 groups: control, vehicle, UV-B irradiated, vehicle+UV-B irradiated, BM 2.5mg polyphenols (PF)/cm(2)+UV-B irradiated, BM 4 mg PF/cm(2)+UV-B irradiated, UV-B+BM 2.5mg PF/cm(2), UV-B+BM 4 mg PF/cm(2). The extract was applied topically before or after each UV-B exposure (240 mJ/cm(2)), for 10 days consecutively. The antioxidant activity of BM extract is higher than gallic acid (k(BM)=0.017, k(gallic acid)=0.013). Multiple doses of UV-B generated the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and sunburn cells, increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities respectively glutathione (GSH) and IL-1β levels in skin. In group treated with 2.5mg PF/cm(2) before UV-B irradiation BM extract inhibited UV-B-induced sunburn cells, restored the superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity, increased insignificantly CAT and GPx activities and reduced IL-1β level. The BM 4.0 mg PF/cm(2) treatment decreased GSH level and reduced the percentage of CPDs positive cells in skin. Both doses of BM extract administered after UV-B irradiation increased the MnSOD and GPx activities and reduced the formation of sunburn cells in skin. Our results suggest that BM extract might be a potential chemo-preventive candidate in reducing the oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by multiple doses of UV-B in skin. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vibrational analysis of carbonyl modes in different stages of light-induced cyclopyrimidine dimer repair reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitz, Matthias; Tavan, Paul; Nonella, Marco

2001-11-01

The formation of cyclopyrimidine dimers is a DNA defect, which is repaired by the enzyme DNA photolyase in a light-induced reaction. Radical anions of the dimers have been suggested to occur as short-lived intermediates during repair. For their identification time-resolved Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy will be a method of choice. To support and guide such spectroscopic studies we have calculated the vibrational spectra of various pyrimidine compounds using density functional methods. Our results suggest that the carbonyl vibrations of these molecules can serve as marker modes to identify and distinguish intermediates of the repair reaction.

Epidermal PPARγ influences subcutaneous tumor growth and acts through TNF-α to regulate contact hypersensitivity and the acute photoresponse

PubMed Central

Konger, Raymond L.; Derr-Yellin, Ethel; Travers, Jeffrey B.; Ocana, Jesus A.; Sahu, Ravi P.

2017-01-01

It is known that ultraviolet B (UVB) induces PPARγ ligand formation while loss of murine epidermal PPARγ (Pparg-/-epi) promotes UVB-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. PPARγ is known to suppress tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production. TNF-α is also known to promote UVB-induced inflammation, apoptosis, and immunosuppression. We show that Pparg-/-epi mice exhibit increased baseline TNF-α expression. Neutralizing Abs to TNF-α block the increased photo-inflammation and photo-toxicity that is observed in Pparg-/-epi mouse skin. Interestingly, the increase in UVB-induced apoptosis in Pparg-/-epi mice is not accompanied by a change in cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer clearance or in mutation burden. This suggests that loss of epidermal PPARγ does not result in a significant alteration in DNA repair capacity. However, loss of epidermal PPARγ results in marked immunosuppression using a contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model. This impaired CHS response was significantly alleviated using neutralizing TNF-α antibodies or loss of germline Tnf. In addition, the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone reversed UVB-induced systemic immunosuppression (UV-IS) as well as UV-induced growth of B16F10 melanoma tumor cells in syngeneic mice. Finally, increased B16F10 tumor growth was observed when injected subcutaneously into Pparg-/-epi mice. Thus, we provide novel evidence that epidermal PPARγ is important for cutaneous immune function and the acute photoresponse. PMID:29228682

Protein complexes formed during the incision reaction catalyzed by the Escherichia coli UvrABC endonuclease.

PubMed Central

Yeung, A T; Mattes, W B; Grossman, L

1986-01-01

An examination has been made into the nature of the nucleoprotein complexes formed during the incision reaction catalyzed by the Escherichia coli UvrABC endonuclease when acting on a pyrimidine dimer-containing fd RF-I DNA species. The complexes of proteins and DNA form in unique stages. The first stage of binding involves an ATP-stimulated interaction of the UvrA protein with duplex DNA containing pyrimidine dimer sites. The UvrB protein significantly stabilizes the UvrA-pyrimidine dimer containing DNA complex which, in turn, provides a foundation for the binding of UvrC to activate the UvrABC endonuclease. The binding of one molecule of UvrC to each UvrAB-damaged DNA complex is needed to catalyze incision in the vicinity of pyrimidine dimer sites. The UvrABC-DNA complex persists after the incision event suggesting that the lack of UvrABC turnover may be linked to other activities in the excision-repair pathway beyond the initial incision reaction. PMID:3960727

Ursolic Acid-Regulated Energy Metabolism—Reliever or Propeller of Ultraviolet-Induced Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage?

PubMed Central

Lee, Yuan-Hao; Sun, Youping; Glickman, Randolph D.

2014-01-01

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a leading cause of diseases, such as skin cancers and cataracts. A main process mediating UV-induced pathogenesis is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS levels induce the formation of DNA adducts (e.g., pyrimidine dimers) and result in stalled DNA replication forks. In addition, ROS promotes phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase-coupled hormone receptors and alters downstream energy metabolism. With respect to the risk of UV-induced photocarcinogenesis and photodamage, the antitumoral and antioxidant functions of natural compounds become important for reducing UV-induced adverse effects. One important question in the field is what determines the differential sensitivity of various types of cells to UV light and how exogenous molecules, such as phytochemicals, protect normal cells from UV-inflicted damage while potentiating tumor cell death, presumably via interaction with intracellular target molecules and signaling pathways. Several endogenous molecules have emerged as possible players mediating UV-triggered DNA damage responses. Specifically, UV activates the PIKK (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase) family members, which include DNA-PKcs, ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), whose signaling can be affected by energy metabolism; however, it remains unclear to what extent the activation of hormone receptors regulates PIKKs and whether this crosstalk occurs in all types of cells in response to UV. This review focuses on proteomic descriptions of the relationships between cellular photosensitivity and the phenotypic expression of the insulin/insulin-like growth receptor. It covers the cAMP-dependent pathways, which have recently been shown to regulate the DNA repair machinery through interactions with the PIKK family members. Finally, this review provides a strategic illustration of how UV-induced mitogenic activity is modulated by the insulin sensitizer, ursolic acid (UA), which results in the metabolic adaptation of normal cells against UV-induced ROS, and the metabolic switch of tumor cells subject to UV-induced damage. The multifaceted natural compound, UA, specifically inhibits photo-oxidative DNA damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells while enhancing that in skin melanoma. Considering the UA-mediated differential effects on cell bioenergetics, this article reviews the disparities in glucose metabolism between tumor and normal cells, along with (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α)-dependent mitochondrial metabolism and redox (reduction-oxidation) control to demonstrate UA-induced synthetic lethality in tumor cells. PMID:28250388

Photoreactivation in Paramecium tetraurelia under conditions of various degrees of ozone layer depletion.

PubMed

Takahashi, Akihisa; Kumatani, Toshihiro; Usui, Saori; Tsujimura, Ryoko; Seki, Takaharu; Morimoto, Kouichi; Ohnishi, Takeo

2005-01-01

Photoreactivation (PR) is an efficient survival mechanism that helps protect cells against the harmful effects of solar-ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The PR mechanism involves photolyase, just one enzyme, and can repair DNA damage, such as cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPD) induced by near-UV/blue light, a component of sunlight. Although the balance of near-UV/blue light and far-UV light reaching the Earth's surface could be altered by the atmospheric ozone layer's depletion, experiments simulating this environmental change and its possible effects on life have not yet been performed. To quantify the strength of UVB in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, we measured the number of CPD generated in plasmid DNA after UVB irradiation or exposure to sunlight. To simulate the increase of solar-UV radiation resulting from the ozone layer depletion, Paramecium tetraurelia was exposed to UVB and/or sunlight in clear summer weather. PR recovery after exposure to sunlight was complete at a low dose rate of 0.2 J/m2 x s, but was less efficient when the dose rate was increased by a factor of 2.5 to 0.5 J/m2 x s. It is suggested that solar-UV radiation would not influence the cell growth of P. tetraurelia for the reason of high PR activity even when the ozone concentration was decreased 30% from the present levels.

The mechanism of untargeted mutagenesis in UV-irradiated yeast.

PubMed

Lawrence, C W; Christensen, R B

1982-01-01

The SOS error-prone repair hypothesis proposes that untargeted and targeted mutations in E. coli both result from the inhibition of polymerase functions that normally maintain fidelity, and that this is a necessary precondition for translesion synthesis. Using mating experiments with excision deficient strains of Bakers' yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we find that up to 40% of cycl-91 revertants induced by UV are untargeted, showing that a reduction in fidelity is also found in irradiated cells of this organism. We are, however, unable to detect the induction or activation of any diffusible factor capable of inhibiting fidelity, and therefore suggest that untargeted and targeted mutations are the consequence of largely different processes. We propose that these observations are best explained in terms of a limited fidelity model. Untargeted mutations are thought to result from the limited capacity of processes which normally maintain fidelity, which are active during replication on both irradiated and unirradiated templates. Even moderate UV fluences saturate this capacity, leading to competition for the limited resource. Targeted mutations are believed to result from the limited, though far from negligible, capacity of lesions like pyrimidine dimers to form Watson-Crick base pairs.

Effect of the cyclobutane cytidine dimer on the properties of Escherichia coli DNA photolyase.

PubMed

Murphy, Anar K; Tammaro, Margaret; Cortazar, Frank; Gindt, Yvonne M; Schelvis, Johannes P M

2008-11-27

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyases are structure specific DNA-repair enzymes that specialize in the repair of CPDs, the major photoproducts that are formed upon irradiation of DNA with ultraviolet light. The purified enzyme binds a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which is in the neutral radical semiquinone (FADH(*)) form. The CPDs are repaired by a light-driven, electron transfer from the anionic hydroquinone (FADH(-)) singlet excited state to the CPD, which is followed by reductive cleavage of the cyclobutane ring and subsequent monomerization of the pyrimidine bases. CPDs formed between two adjacent thymidine bases (T< >T) are repaired with greater efficiency than those formed between two adjacent cytidine bases (C< >C). In this paper, we investigate the changes in Escherichia coli photolyase that are induced upon binding to DNA containing C< >C lesions using resonance Raman, UV-vis absorption, and transient absorption spectroscopies, spectroelectrochemistry, and computational chemistry. The binding of photolyase to a C< >C lesion modifies the energy levels of FADH(*), the rate of charge recombination between FADH(-) and Trp(306)(*), and protein-FADH(*) interactions differently than binding to a T< >T lesion. However, the reduction potential of the FADH(-)/FADH(*) couple is modified in the same way with both substrates. Our calculations show that the permanent electric dipole moment of C< >C is stronger (12.1 D) and oriented differently than that of T< >T (8.7 D). The possible role of the electric dipole moment of the CPD in modifying the physicochemical properties of photolyase as well as in affecting CPD repair will be discussed.

Ultraviolet absorbing compounds provide a rapid response mechanism for UV protection in some reef fish.

PubMed

Braun, C; Reef, R; Siebeck, U E

2016-07-01

The external mucus surface of reef fish contains ultraviolet absorbing compounds (UVAC), most prominently Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs). MAAs in the external mucus of reef fish are thought to act as sunscreens by preventing the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), however, direct evidence for their protective role has been missing. We tested the protective function of UVAC's by exposing fish with naturally low, Pomacentrus amboinensis, and high, Thalassoma lunare, mucus absorption properties to a high dose of UVR (UVB: 13.4W∗m(-2), UVA: 6.1W∗m(-2)) and measuring the resulting DNA damage in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). For both species, the amount of UV induced DNA damage sustained following the exposure to a 1h pulse of high UVR was negatively correlated with mucus absorbance, a proxy for MAA concentration. Furthermore, a rapid and significant increase in UVAC concentration was observed in P. amboinensis following UV exposure, directly after capture and after ten days in captivity. No such increase was observed in T. lunare, which maintained relatively high levels of UV absorbance at all times. P. amboinensis, in contrast to T. lunare, uses UV communication and thus must maintain UV transparent mucus to be able to display its UV patterns. The ability to rapidly alter the transparency of mucus could be an important adaptation in the trade off between protection from harmful UVR and UV communication. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanistic considerations on the wavelength-dependent variations of UVR genotoxicity and mutagenesis in skin: the discrimination of UVA-signature from UV-signature mutation.

PubMed

Ikehata, Hironobu

2018-05-31

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) predominantly induces UV-signature mutations, C → T and CC → TT base substitutions at dipyrimidine sites, in the cellular and skin genome. I observed in our in vivo mutation studies of mouse skin that these UVR-specific mutations show a wavelength-dependent variation in their sequence-context preference. The C → T mutation occurs most frequently in the 5'-TCG-3' sequence regardless of the UVR wavelength, but is recovered more preferentially there as the wavelength increases, resulting in prominent occurrences exclusively in the TCG sequence in the UVA wavelength range, which I will designate as a "UVA signature" in this review. The preference of the UVB-induced C → T mutation for the sequence contexts shows a mixed pattern of UVC- and UVA-induced mutations, and a similar pattern is also observed for natural sunlight, in which UVB is the most genotoxic component. In addition, the CC → TT mutation hardly occurs at UVA1 wavelengths, although it is detected rarely but constantly in the UVC and UVB ranges. This wavelength-dependent variation in the sequence-context preference of the UVR-specific mutations could be explained by two different photochemical mechanisms of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation. The UV-signature mutations observed in the UVC and UVB ranges are known to be caused mainly by CPDs produced through the conventional singlet/triplet excitation of pyrimidine bases after the direct absorption of the UVC/UVB photon energy in those bases. On the other hand, a novel photochemical mechanism through the direct absorption of the UVR energy to double-stranded DNA, which is called "collective excitation", has been proposed for the UVA-induced CPD formation. The UVA photons directly absorbed by DNA produce CPDs with a sequence context preference different from that observed for CPDs caused by the UVC/UVB-mediated singlet/triplet excitation, causing CPD formation preferentially at thymine-containing dipyrimidine sites and probably also preferably at methyl CpG-associated dipyrimidine sites, which include the TCG sequence. In this review, I present a mechanistic consideration on the wavelength-dependent variation of the sequence context preference of the UVR-specific mutations and rationalize the proposition of the UVA-signature mutation, in addition to the UV-signature mutation.

Bioactive grape proanthocyanidins enhance immune reactivity in UV-irradiated skin through functional activation of dendritic cells in mice

PubMed Central

Vaid, Mudit; Singh, Tripti; Prasad, Ram; Elmets, Craig A.; Xu, Hui; Katiyar, Santosh K.

2013-01-01

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced immunosuppression has been implicated in skin carcinogenesis. Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) have anti-skin carcinogenic effects in mice and GSPs-fed mice exhibit a reduction in UV-induced suppression of allergic contact hypersensitivity (CHS), a prototypic T cell-mediated response. Here, we report that dietary GSPs did not inhibit UVB-induced suppression of CHS in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA)-deficient mice, which lack nucleotide excision repair mechanisms. GSPs enhanced repair of UVB-induced DNA damage (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) in wild-type, but not XPA-deficient, dendritic cells (DCs). Co-culture of CD4+ T cells with DCs from UVB-irradiated wild-type mice resulted in suppression of T-cell proliferation and secretion of Th-1 type cytokines that was ameliorated when the DCs were obtained from GSPs-fed mice; whereas, DCs obtained from GSPs-fed XPA-KO mice failed to restore T-cell proliferation. In adoptive transfer experiments, donor DCs were positively selected from the draining lymph nodes of UVB-exposed donor mice that were sensitized to 2,4, dinitrofluorobenzene were transferred into naïve recipient mice and the CHS response assessed. Naïve recipients that received DCs from UVB-exposed wild-type donors that had been fed GSPs exhibited a full CHS response, whereas no significant CHS was observed in mice that received DCs from XPA-KO mice fed GSPs. These results suggest that GSPs prevent UVB-induced immunosuppression through DNA repair-dependent functional activation of dendritic cells in mice. PMID:23321928

Silymarin inhibits ultraviolet radiation-induced immune suppression through DNA repair-dependent activation of dendritic cells and stimulation of effector T cells

PubMed Central

Vaid, Mudit; Prasad, Ram; Singh, Tripti; Elmets, Craig A.; Xu, Hui; Katiyar, Santosh K.

2013-01-01

Silymarin inhibits UVB-induced immunosuppression in mouse skin. To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect, we used an adoptive transfer approach in which dendritic cells (DCs) from the draining lymph nodes of donor mice that had been UVB-exposed and sensitized to 2,4,-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) were transferred into naïve recipient mice. The contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response of the recipient mice to DNFB was then measured. When DCs were obtained from UVB-exposed donor mice that were not treated with silymarin, the CHS response was suppressed confirming the role of DCs in the UVB-induced immunosuppression. Silymarin treatment of UVB-exposed donor mice relieved this suppression of the CHS response in the recipients. Silymarin treatment was associated with rapid repair of UVB-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in DCs and silymarin treatment did not prevent UV-induced immunosuppression in XPA-deficient mice which are unable to repair UV-induced DNA damage. The CHS response in mice receiving DCs from silymarin-treated UV-exposed donor mice also was associated with enhanced secretion of Th1-type cytokines and stimulation of T cells. Adoptive transfer of T cells revealed that transfer of either CD8+ or CD4+ cells from silymarin-treated, UVB-exposed donors resulted in enhancement of the CHS response. Cell culture study showed enhanced secretion of IL-2 and IFNγ by CD8+ T cells, and reduced secretion of Th2 cytokines by CD4+ cells, obtained from silymarin-treated UVB-exposed mice. These data suggest that DNA repair-dependent functional activation of DCs, a reduction in CD4+ regulatory T-cell activity, and stimulation of CD8+ effector T cells contribute to silymarin-mediated inhibition of UVB-induced immunosuppression. PMID:23395695

Method development and validation of potent pyrimidine derivative by UV-VIS spectrophotometer.

PubMed

Chaudhary, Anshu; Singh, Anoop; Verma, Prabhakar Kumar

2014-12-01

A rapid and sensitive ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopic method was developed for the estimation of pyrimidine derivative 6-Bromo-3-(6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(morpolinomethylamino) pyrimidine4-yl) -2H-chromen-2-one (BT10M) in bulk form. Pyrimidine derivative was monitored at 275 nm with UV detection, and there is no interference of diluents at 275 nm. The method was found to be linear in the range of 50 to 150 μg/ml. The accuracy and precision were determined and validated statistically. The method was validated as a guideline. The results showed that the proposed method is suitable for the accurate, precise, and rapid determination of pyrimidine derivative. Graphical Abstract Method development and validation of potent pyrimidine derivative by UV spectroscopy.

In vitro Repair of Oxidative DNA Damage by Human Nucleotide Excision Repair System: Possible Explanation for Neurodegeneration in Xeroderma Pigmentosum Patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reardon, Joyce T.; Bessho, Tadayoshi; Kung, Hsiang Chuan; Bolton, Philip H.; Sancar, Aziz

1997-08-01

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients fail to remove pyrimidine dimers caused by sunlight and, as a consequence, develop multiple cancers in areas exposed to light. The second most common sign, present in 20-30% of XP patients, is a set of neurological abnormalities caused by neuronal death in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Neural tissue is shielded from sunlight-induced DNA damage, so the cause of neurodegeneration in XP patients remains unexplained. In this study, we show that two major oxidative DNA lesions, 8-oxoguanine and thymine glycol, are excised from DNA in vitro by the same enzyme system responsible for removing pyrimidine dimers and other bulky DNA adducts. Our results suggest that XP neurological disease may be caused by defective repair of lesions that are produced in nerve cells by reactive oxygen species generated as by-products of an active oxidative metabolism.

Carcinogenic damage to deoxyribonucleic acid is induced by near-infrared laser pulses in multiphoton microscopy via combination of two- and three-photon absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadiarnykh, Oleg; Thomas, Giju; Van Voskuilen, Johan; Sterenborg, Henricus J. C. M.; Gerritsen, Hans C.

2012-11-01

Nonlinear optical imaging modalities (multiphoton excited fluorescence, second and third harmonic generation) applied in vivo are increasingly promising for clinical diagnostics and the monitoring of cancer and other disorders, as they can probe tissue with high diffraction-limited resolution at near-infrared (IR) wavelengths. However, high peak intensity of femtosecond laser pulses required for two-photon processes causes formation of cyclobutane-pyrimidine-dimers (CPDs) in cellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) similar to damage from exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) light. Inaccurate repair of subsequent mutations increases the risk of carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigate CPD damage that results in Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro from imaging them with two-photon excited autofluorescence. The CPD levels are quantified by immunofluorescent staining. We further evaluate the extent of CPD damage with respect to varied wavelength, pulse width at focal plane, and pixel dwell time as compared with more pronounced damage from UV sources. While CPD damage has been expected to result from three-photon absorption, our results reveal that CPDs are induced by competing two- and three-photon absorption processes, where the former accesses UVA absorption band. This finding is independently confirmed by nonlinear dependencies of damage on laser power, wavelength, and pulse width.

DNA Dosimetry Assessment for Sunscreen Genotoxic Photoprotection

PubMed Central

Schuch, André Passaglia; Lago, Juliana Carvalhães; Yagura, Teiti; Menck, Carlos Frederico Martins

2012-01-01

Background Due to the increase of solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) incidence over the last few decades, the use of sunscreen has been widely adopted for skin protection. However, considering the high efficiency of sunlight-induced DNA lesions, it is critical to improve upon the current approaches that are used to evaluate protection factors. An alternative approach to evaluate the photoprotection provided by sunscreens against daily UV radiation-induced DNA damage is provided by the systematic use of a DNA dosimeter. Methodology/Principal Findings The Sun Protection Factor for DNA (DNA-SPF) is calculated by using specific DNA repair enzymes, and it is defined as the capacity for inhibiting the generation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and oxidised DNA bases compared with unprotected control samples. Five different commercial brands of sunscreen were initially evaluated, and further studies extended the analysis to include 17 other products representing various formulations and Sun Protection Factors (SPF). Overall, all of the commercial brands of SPF 30 sunscreens provided sufficient protection against simulated sunlight genotoxicity. In addition, this DNA biosensor was useful for rapidly screening the biological protection properties of the various sunscreen formulations. Conclusions/Significance The application of the DNA dosimeter is demonstrated as an alternative, complementary, and reliable method for the quantification of sunscreen photoprotection at the level of DNA damage. PMID:22768281

Chemical Excitation of Electrons: A Dark Path to Melanoma

PubMed Central

Premi, Sanjay; Brash, Douglas E.

2016-01-01

Sunlight’s ultraviolet wavelengths induce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), which then cause mutations that lead to melanoma or to cancers of skin keratinocytes. In pigmented melanocytes, we found that CPDs arise both instantaneously and for hours after UV exposure ends. Remarkably, the CPDs arising in the dark originate by a novel pathway that resembles bioluminescence but does not end in light: First, UV activates the enzymes nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and NADPH oxidase (NOX), which generate the radicals nitric oxide (NO•) and superoxide (O2•−); these combine to form the powerful oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO−). A fragment of the skin pigment melanin is then oxidized, exciting an electron to an energy level so high that it is rarely seen in biology. This process of chemically exciting electrons, termed “chemiexcitation”, is used by fireflies to generate light but it had never been seen in mammalian cells. In melanocytes, the energy transfers radiationlessly to DNA, inducing CPDs. Chemiexcitation is a new source of genome instability, and it calls attention to endogenous mechanisms of genome maintenance that prevent electronic excitation or dissipate the energy of excited states. Chemiexcitation may also trigger pathogenesis in internal tissues because the same chemistry should arise wherever superoxide and nitric oxide arise near cells that contain melanin. PMID:27262612

Chemical excitation of electrons: A dark path to melanoma.

PubMed

Premi, Sanjay; Brash, Douglas E

2016-08-01

Sunlight's ultraviolet wavelengths induce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), which then cause mutations that lead to melanoma or to cancers of skin keratinocytes. In pigmented melanocytes, we found that CPDs arise both instantaneously and for hours after UV exposure ends. Remarkably, the CPDs arising in the dark originate by a novel pathway that resembles bioluminescence but does not end in light: First, UV activates the enzymes nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and NADPH oxidase (NOX), which generate the radicals nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2(-)); these combine to form the powerful oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). A fragment of the skin pigment melanin is then oxidized, exciting an electron to an energy level so high that it is rarely seen in biology. This process of chemically exciting electrons, termed "chemiexcitation", is used by fireflies to generate light but it had never been seen in mammalian cells. In melanocytes, the energy transfers radiationlessly to DNA, inducing CPDs. Chemiexcitation is a new source of genome instability, and it calls attention to endogenous mechanisms of genome maintenance that prevent electronic excitation or dissipate the energy of excited states. Chemiexcitation may also trigger pathogenesis in internal tissues because the same chemistry should arise wherever superoxide and nitric oxide arise near cells that contain melanin. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structures of 2-[(4,6-di-amino-pyrimidin-2-yl)sulfan-yl]-N-(naphthalen-1-yl)acetamide and 2-[(4,6-di-amino-pyrimidin-2-yl)sulfan-yl]-N-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)acetamide.

PubMed

Subasri, S; Kumar, Timiri Ajay; Sinha, Barij Nayan; Jayaprakash, Venkatesan; Viswanathan, Vijayan; Velmurugan, Devadasan

2017-02-01

The title compounds, C 16 H 15 N 5 OS, (I), and C 12 H 12 FN 5 OS, (II), are [(di-amino-pyrimidine)-sulfan-yl]acetamide derivatives. In (I), the pyrimidine ring is inclined to the naphthalene ring system by 55.5 (1)°, while in (II), the pyrimidine ring is inclined to the benzene ring by 58.93 (8)°. In (II), there is an intra-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bond and a short C-H⋯O contact. In the crystals of (I) and (II), mol-ecules are linked by pairs of N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with R 2 2 (8) ring motifs. In the crystal of (I), the dimers are linked by bifurcated N-H⋯(O,O) and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to (100). In the crystal of (II), the dimers are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, also forming layers parallel to (100). The layers are linked by C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional architecture.

Bioactive grape proanthocyanidins enhance immune reactivity in UV-irradiated skin through functional activation of dendritic cells in mice.

PubMed

Vaid, Mudit; Singh, Tripti; Prasad, Ram; Elmets, Craig A; Xu, Hui; Katiyar, Santosh K

2013-03-01

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced immunosuppression has been implicated in skin carcinogenesis. Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) have anti-skin carcinogenic effects in mice and GSPs-fed mice exhibit a reduction in UV-induced suppression of allergic contact hypersensitivity (CHS), a prototypic T-cell-mediated response. Here, we report that dietary GSPs did not inhibit UVB-induced suppression of CHS in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA)-deficient mice, which lack nucleotide excision repair mechanisms. GSPs enhanced repair of UVB-induced DNA damage (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) in wild-type, but not XPA-deficient, dendritic cells (DC). Co-culture of CD4(+) T cells with DCs from UVB-irradiated wild-type mice resulted in suppression of T-cell proliferation and secretion of T-helper (TH) 1-type cytokines that was ameliorated when the DCs were obtained from GSP-fed mice, whereas DCs obtained from GSP-fed XPA-KO mice failed to restore T-cell proliferation. In adoptive transfer experiments, donor DCs were positively selected from the draining lymph nodes of UVB-exposed donor mice that were sensitized to 2,4,-dinitrofluorobenzene were transferred into naïve recipient mice and the CHS response assessed. Naïve recipients that received DCs from UVB-exposed wild-type donors that had been fed GSPs exhibited a full CHS response, whereas no significant CHS was observed in mice that received DCs from XPA-KO mice fed GSPs. These results suggest that GSPs prevent UVB-induced immunosuppression through DNA repair-dependent functional activation of dendritic cells in mice. Cancer Prev Res; 6(3); 242-52. ©2013 AACR. ©2013 AACR.

Differential DNA lesion formation and repair in heterochromatin and euchromatin

PubMed Central

Han, Chunhua; Srivastava, Amit Kumar; Cui, Tiantian; Wang, Qi-En; Wani, Altaf A.

2016-01-01

Discretely orchestrated chromatin condensation is important for chromosome protection from DNA damage. However, it is still unclear how different chromatin states affect the formation and repair of nucleotide excision repair (NER) substrates, e.g. ultraviolet (UV)-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and the pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PP), as well as cisplatin-induced intrastrand crosslinks (Pt-GG). Here, by using immunofluorescence and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we have demonstrated that CPD, which cause minor distortion of DNA double helix, can be detected in both euchromatic and heterochromatic regions, while 6-4PP and Pt-GG, which cause major distortion of DNA helix, can exclusively be detected in euchromatin, indicating that the condensed chromatin environment specifically interferes with the formation of these DNA lesions. Mechanistic investigation revealed that the class III histone deacetylase SIRT1 is responsible for restricting the formation of 6-4PP and Pt-GG in cells, probably by facilitating the maintenance of highly condensed heterochromatin. In addition, we also showed that the repair of CPD in heterochromatin is slower than that in euchromatin, and DNA damage binding protein 2 (DDB2) can promote the removal of CPD from heterochromatic region. In summary, our data provide evidence for differential formation and repair of DNA lesions that are substrates of NER. Both the sensitivity of DNA to damage and the kinetics of repair can be affected by the underlying level of chromatin compaction. PMID:26717995

Structure of the replication fork in ultraviolet light-irradiated human cells.

PubMed Central

Cordeiro-Stone, M; Schumacher, R I; Meneghini, R

1979-01-01

The DNA extracted from xeroderma pigmentosum human fibroblasts previously irradiated with 12.5 J/m2 of UV light and pulse-labeled for 45 min with radioactive and (or) heavy precursors, was used to determine the structural characteristics of the replication fork. Density equilibrium centrifugation experiments showed that a fork moved 6 micrometer in 45 min and bypassed 3 pyrimidine dimers in both strands. The same length was covered in 15-20 min in control cells. The delay in irradiated cells was apparently due to pyrimidine dimers acting as temporary blocks to the fork movement. Evidence for this interpretation comes from kinetics of incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA, which show that the time necessary to attain a new stable level of DNA synthesis in irradiated cells is equivalent to that required for the replication fork to cover the interdimer distance in one strand. On the other hand, the action of S1 nuclease on DNA synthesized soon after irradiation gives rise to a bimodal distribution in neutral sucrose gradients, one peak corresponding to 43 X 10(6) daltons and the other to 3 X 10(6) daltons. These two DNA species are generated by the attack of the S1 nuclease on single-stranded regions associated with the replication fork. A possible explanation for these results is given by a model according to which there is a delayed bypass of the dimer in the leading strand and the appearance of gaps opposite pyrimidine dimers in the lagging strand, as a direct consequence of the discontinuous mode of DNA replication. In terms of the model, the DNA of 43 X 10(6) daltons corresponds to the leading strand, linked to the unreplicated branch of the forks, whereas the piece of 3 X 10(6) daltons is the intergap DNA coming from the lagging strand. Pulse and chase experiments reveal that the low molecular weight DNA grows in a pattern that suggests that more than one gap may be formed per replication fork. PMID:233582

Structure of the replication fork in ultraviolet light-irradiated human cells.

PubMed

Cordeiro-Stone, M; Schumacher, R I; Meneghini, R

1979-08-01

The DNA extracted from xeroderma pigmentosum human fibroblasts previously irradiated with 12.5 J/m2 of UV light and pulse-labeled for 45 min with radioactive and (or) heavy precursors, was used to determine the structural characteristics of the replication fork. Density equilibrium centrifugation experiments showed that a fork moved 6 micrometer in 45 min and bypassed 3 pyrimidine dimers in both strands. The same length was covered in 15-20 min in control cells. The delay in irradiated cells was apparently due to pyrimidine dimers acting as temporary blocks to the fork movement. Evidence for this interpretation comes from kinetics of incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA, which show that the time necessary to attain a new stable level of DNA synthesis in irradiated cells is equivalent to that required for the replication fork to cover the interdimer distance in one strand. On the other hand, the action of S1 nuclease on DNA synthesized soon after irradiation gives rise to a bimodal distribution in neutral sucrose gradients, one peak corresponding to 43 X 10(6) daltons and the other to 3 X 10(6) daltons. These two DNA species are generated by the attack of the S1 nuclease on single-stranded regions associated with the replication fork. A possible explanation for these results is given by a model according to which there is a delayed bypass of the dimer in the leading strand and the appearance of gaps opposite pyrimidine dimers in the lagging strand, as a direct consequence of the discontinuous mode of DNA replication. In terms of the model, the DNA of 43 X 10(6) daltons corresponds to the leading strand, linked to the unreplicated branch of the forks, whereas the piece of 3 X 10(6) daltons is the intergap DNA coming from the lagging strand. Pulse and chase experiments reveal that the low molecular weight DNA grows in a pattern that suggests that more than one gap may be formed per replication fork.

Germicidal Efficacy and Mammalian Skin Safety of 222-nm UV Light

PubMed Central

Buonanno, Manuela; Ponnaiya, Brian; Welch, David; Stanislauskas, Milda; Randers-Pehrson, Gerhard; Smilenov, Lubomir; Lowy, Franklin D.; Owens, David M.; Brenner, David J.

2017-01-01

We have previously shown that 207-nm ultraviolet (UV) light has similar antimicrobial properties as typical germicidal UV light (254 nm), but without inducing mammalian skin damage. The biophysical rationale is based on the limited penetration distance of 207-nm light in biological samples (e.g. stratum corneum) compared with that of 254-nm light. Here we extended our previous studies to 222-nm light and tested the hypothesis that there exists a narrow wavelength window in the far-UVC region, from around 200–222 nm, which is significantly harmful to bacteria, but without damaging cells in tissues. We used a krypton-chlorine (Kr-Cl) excimer lamp that produces 222-nm UV light with a bandpass filter to remove the lower- and higher-wavelength components. Relative to respective controls, we measured: 1. in vitro killing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a function of UV fluence; 2. yields of the main UV-associated premutagenic DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) in a 3D human skin tissue model in vitro; 3. eight cellular and molecular skin damage endpoints in exposed hairless mice in vivo. Comparisons were made with results from a conventional 254-nm UV germicidal lamp used as positive control. We found that 222-nm light kills MRSA efficiently but, unlike conventional germicidal UV lamps (254 nm), it produces almost no premutagenic UV-associated DNA lesions in a 3D human skin model and it is not cytotoxic to exposed mammalian skin. As predicted by biophysical considerations and in agreement with our previous findings, far-UVC light in the range of 200–222 nm kills bacteria efficiently regardless of their drug-resistant proficiency, but without the skin damaging effects associated with conventional germicidal UV exposure. PMID:28225654

Germicidal Efficacy and Mammalian Skin Safety of 222-nm UV Light.

PubMed

Buonanno, Manuela; Ponnaiya, Brian; Welch, David; Stanislauskas, Milda; Randers-Pehrson, Gerhard; Smilenov, Lubomir; Lowy, Franklin D; Owens, David M; Brenner, David J

2017-04-01

We have previously shown that 207-nm ultraviolet (UV) light has similar antimicrobial properties as typical germicidal UV light (254 nm), but without inducing mammalian skin damage. The biophysical rationale is based on the limited penetration distance of 207-nm light in biological samples (e.g. stratum corneum) compared with that of 254-nm light. Here we extended our previous studies to 222-nm light and tested the hypothesis that there exists a narrow wavelength window in the far-UVC region, from around 200-222 nm, which is significantly harmful to bacteria, but without damaging cells in tissues. We used a krypton-chlorine (Kr-Cl) excimer lamp that produces 222-nm UV light with a bandpass filter to remove the lower- and higher-wavelength components. Relative to respective controls, we measured: 1. in vitro killing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a function of UV fluence; 2. yields of the main UV-associated premutagenic DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) in a 3D human skin tissue model in vitro; 3. eight cellular and molecular skin damage endpoints in exposed hairless mice in vivo. Comparisons were made with results from a conventional 254-nm UV germicidal lamp used as positive control. We found that 222-nm light kills MRSA efficiently but, unlike conventional germicidal UV lamps (254 nm), it produces almost no premutagenic UV-associated DNA lesions in a 3D human skin model and it is not cytotoxic to exposed mammalian skin. As predicted by biophysical considerations and in agreement with our previous findings, far-UVC light in the range of 200-222 nm kills bacteria efficiently regardless of their drug-resistant proficiency, but without the skin damaging effects associated with conventional germicidal UV exposure.

Silver nanoparticles protect human keratinocytes against UVB radiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis: potential for prevention of skin carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Arora, Sumit; Tyagi, Nikhil; Bhardwaj, Arun; Rusu, Lilia; Palanki, Rohan; Vig, Komal; Singh, Shree R.; Singh, Ajay P.; Palanki, Srinivas; Miller, Michael E.; Carter, James E.; Singh, Seema

2015-01-01

Ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation from the sun is an established etiological cause of skin cancer, which afflicts more than a million lives each year in the United States alone. Here, we tested the chemopreventive efficacy of silver-nanoparticles (AgNPs) against UVB-irradiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT). AgNPs were synthesized by reduction-chemistry and characterized for their physicochemical properties. AgNPs were well tolerated by HaCaT cells and their pretreatment protected them from UVB-irradiation-induced apoptosis along with significant reduction in cyclobutane-pyrimidine-dimer formation. Moreover, AgNPs pre-treatment led to G1-phase cell-cycle arrest in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. AgNPs were efficiently internalized in UVB-irradiated cells and localized into cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Furthermore, we observed an altered expression of various genes involved in cell-cycle, apoptosis and nucleotide-excision repair in HaCaT cells treated with AgNPs prior to UVB-irradiation. Together, these findings provide support for potential utility of AgNPs as novel chemopreventive agents against UVB-irradiation-induced skin carcinogenesis. PMID:25804413

UV-Light Exposure of Insulin: Pharmaceutical Implications upon Covalent Insulin Dityrosine Dimerization and Disulphide Bond Photolysis

PubMed Central

Correia, Manuel; Neves-Petersen, Maria Teresa; Jeppesen, Per Bendix; Gregersen, Søren; Petersen, Steffen B.

2012-01-01

In this work we report the effects of continuous UV-light (276 nm, ∼2.20 W.m−2) excitation of human insulin on its absorption and fluorescence properties, structure and functionality. Continuous UV-excitation of the peptide hormone in solution leads to the progressive formation of tyrosine photo-product dityrosine, formed upon tyrosine radical cross-linkage. Absorbance, fluorescence emission and excitation data confirm dityrosine formation, leading to covalent insulin dimerization. Furthermore, UV-excitation of insulin induces disulphide bridge breakage. Near- and far-UV-CD spectroscopy shows that UV-excitation of insulin induces secondary and tertiary structure losses. In native insulin, the A and B chains are held together by two disulphide bridges. Disruption of either of these bonds is likely to affect insulin’s structure. The UV-light induced structural changes impair its antibody binding capability and in vitro hormonal function. After 1.5 and 3.5 h of 276 nm excitation there is a 33.7% and 62.1% decrease in concentration of insulin recognized by guinea pig anti-insulin antibodies, respectively. Glucose uptake by human skeletal muscle cells decreases 61.7% when the cells are incubated with pre UV-illuminated insulin during 1.5 h. The observations presented in this work highlight the importance of protecting insulin and other drugs from UV-light exposure, which is of outmost relevance to the pharmaceutical industry. Several drug formulations containing insulin in hexameric, dimeric and monomeric forms can be exposed to natural and artificial UV-light during their production, packaging, storage or administration phases. We can estimate that direct long-term exposure of insulin to sunlight and common light sources for indoors lighting and UV-sterilization in industries can be sufficient to induce irreversible changes to human insulin structure. Routine fluorescence and absorption measurements in laboratory experiments may also induce changes in protein structure. Structural damage includes insulin dimerization via dityrosine cross-linking or disulphide bond disruption, which affects the hormone’s structure and bioactivity. PMID:23227203

UV-light exposure of insulin: pharmaceutical implications upon covalent insulin dityrosine dimerization and disulphide bond photolysis.

PubMed

Correia, Manuel; Neves-Petersen, Maria Teresa; Jeppesen, Per Bendix; Gregersen, Søren; Petersen, Steffen B

2012-01-01

In this work we report the effects of continuous UV-light (276 nm, ~2.20 W.m(-2)) excitation of human insulin on its absorption and fluorescence properties, structure and functionality. Continuous UV-excitation of the peptide hormone in solution leads to the progressive formation of tyrosine photo-product dityrosine, formed upon tyrosine radical cross-linkage. Absorbance, fluorescence emission and excitation data confirm dityrosine formation, leading to covalent insulin dimerization. Furthermore, UV-excitation of insulin induces disulphide bridge breakage. Near- and far-UV-CD spectroscopy shows that UV-excitation of insulin induces secondary and tertiary structure losses. In native insulin, the A and B chains are held together by two disulphide bridges. Disruption of either of these bonds is likely to affect insulin's structure. The UV-light induced structural changes impair its antibody binding capability and in vitro hormonal function. After 1.5 and 3.5 h of 276 nm excitation there is a 33.7% and 62.1% decrease in concentration of insulin recognized by guinea pig anti-insulin antibodies, respectively. Glucose uptake by human skeletal muscle cells decreases 61.7% when the cells are incubated with pre UV-illuminated insulin during 1.5 h. The observations presented in this work highlight the importance of protecting insulin and other drugs from UV-light exposure, which is of outmost relevance to the pharmaceutical industry. Several drug formulations containing insulin in hexameric, dimeric and monomeric forms can be exposed to natural and artificial UV-light during their production, packaging, storage or administration phases. We can estimate that direct long-term exposure of insulin to sunlight and common light sources for indoors lighting and UV-sterilization in industries can be sufficient to induce irreversible changes to human insulin structure. Routine fluorescence and absorption measurements in laboratory experiments may also induce changes in protein structure. Structural damage includes insulin dimerization via dityrosine cross-linking or disulphide bond disruption, which affects the hormone's structure and bioactivity.

Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group E and UV-damaged DNA-binding protein

PubMed Central

Tang, Jean; Chu, Gilbert

2010-01-01

UV-damaged DNA-binding protein (UV-DDB) is composed of two subunits, DDB1 (p127) and DDB2 (p48). Mutations in the DDB2 gene inactivate UV-DDB in individuals from complementation group E of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-E), an autosomal recessive disease characterized by sun sensitivity, severe risk for skin cancer and defective nucleotide excision repair. UV-DDB is also deficient in many rodent tissues, exposing a shortcoming in rodent models for cancer. In vitro, UV-DDB binds to cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), 6–4 photoproducts and other DNA lesions, stimulating the excision of CPDs, and to a lesser extent, of 6–4 photoproducts. In vivo, UV-DDB plays an important role in the p53-dependent response of mammalian cells to DNA damage. When cells are exposed to UV, the resulting accumulation of p53 activates DDB2 transcription, which leads to increased levels of UV-DDB. Binding of UV-DDB to CPDs targets these lesions for global genomic repair, suppressing mutations without affecting UV survival. Apparently, cells are able to survive with unrepaired CPDs because of the activity of bypass DNA polymerases. Finally, there is evidence that UV-DDB may have roles in the cell that are distinct from DNA repair. PMID:12509284

207-nm UV light - a promising tool for safe low-cost reduction of surgical site infections. I: in vitro studies.

PubMed

Buonanno, Manuela; Randers-Pehrson, Gerhard; Bigelow, Alan W; Trivedi, Sheetal; Lowy, Franklin D; Spotnitz, Henry M; Hammer, Scott M; Brenner, David J

2013-01-01

0.5% to 10% of clean surgeries result in surgical-site infections, and attempts to reduce this rate have had limited success. Germicidal UV lamps, with a broad wavelength spectrum from 200 to 400 nm are an effective bactericidal option against drug-resistant and drug-sensitive bacteria, but represent a health hazard to patient and staff. By contrast, because of its limited penetration, ~200 nm far-UVC light is predicted to be effective in killing bacteria, but without the human health hazards to skin and eyes associated with conventional germicidal UV exposure. The aim of this work was to test the biophysically-based hypothesis that ~200 nm UV light is significantly cytotoxic to bacteria, but minimally cytotoxic or mutagenic to human cells either isolated or within tissues. A Kr-Br excimer lamp was used, which produces 207-nm UV light, with a filter to remove higher-wavelength components. Comparisons were made with results from a conventional broad spectrum 254-nm UV germicidal lamp. First, cell inactivation vs. UV fluence data were generated for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteria and also for normal human fibroblasts. Second, yields of the main UV-associated pre-mutagenic DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) were measured, for both UV radiations incident on 3-D human skin tissue. We found that 207-nm UV light kills MRSA efficiently but, unlike conventional germicidal UV lamps, produces little cell killing in human cells. In a 3-D human skin model, 207-nm UV light produced almost no pre-mutagenic UV-associated DNA lesions, in contrast to significant yields induced by a conventional germicidal UV lamp. As predicted based on biophysical considerations, 207-nm light kills bacteria efficiently but does not appear to be significantly cytotoxic or mutagenic to human cells. Used appropriately, 207-nm light may have the potential for safely and inexpensively reducing surgical-site infection rates, including those of drug-resistant origin.

Shedding light on proteins, nucleic acids, cells, humans and fish

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Setlow, Richard B.

2002-01-01

I was trained as a physicist in graduate school. Hence, when I decided to go into the field of biophysics, it was natural that I concentrated on the effects of light on relatively simple biological systems, such as proteins. The wavelengths absorbed by the amino acid subunits of proteins are in the ultraviolet (UV). The wavelengths that affect the biological activities, the action spectra, also are in the UV, but are not necessarily parallel to the absorption spectra. Understanding these differences led me to investigate the action spectra for affecting nucleic acids, and the effects of UV on viruses and cells. The latter studies led me to the discovery of the important molecular nature of the damages affecting DNA (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) and to the discovery of nucleotide excision repair. Individuals with the genetic disease xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) are extraordinarily sensitive to sunlight-induced skin cancer. The finding, by James Cleaver, that their skin cells were defective in DNA repair strongly suggested that DNA damage was a key step in carcinogenesis. Such information was important for estimating the wavelengths in sunlight responsible for human skin cancer and for predicting the effects of ozone depletion on the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer. It took experiments with backcross hybrid fish to call attention to the probable role of the longer UV wavelengths not absorbed by DNA in the induction of melanoma. These reflections trace the biophysicist's path from molecules to melanoma.

Properties of uvrE mutants of Escherichia coli K12. Part 1. Effects of uv irradiation on DNA metabolism

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vansluis, C.A.; Mattern, I.E.; Paterson, M.C.

1974-01-01

Escherichia coli K12 uvrE is a mutator strain which is highly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. In an attempt to determine the underlying molecular basis for the UV sensitivity, a mutant and an isogenic wild type strain were compared with regard to several metabolic responses to 254 nm radiation. The introduction of single strand breaks into intracellular DNA after irradiation is normal; however, the rate of excision of pyrimidine dimers as well as of DNA degradation and final rejoining of the strand breaks is lower in the mutant as compared to the repair proficient strain. These data suggest that the uvrEmore » gene product may be involved in a reaction between the incision and excision steps in the excision repair process. (Author) (GRA)« less

Ubiquitin-specific Protease 7 Regulates Nucleotide Excision Repair through Deubiquitinating XPC Protein and Preventing XPC Protein from Undergoing Ultraviolet Light-induced and VCP/p97 Protein-regulated Proteolysis*

PubMed Central

He, Jinshan; Zhu, Qianzheng; Wani, Gulzar; Sharma, Nidhi; Han, Chunhua; Qian, Jiang; Pentz, Kyle; Wang, Qi-en; Wani, Altaf A.

2014-01-01

Ubiquitin specific protease 7 (USP7) is a known deubiquitinating enzyme for tumor suppressor p53 and its downstream regulator, E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2. Here we report that USP7 regulates nucleotide excision repair (NER) via deubiquitinating xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) protein, a critical damage recognition factor that binds to helix-distorting DNA lesions and initiates NER. XPC is ubiquitinated during the early stage of NER of UV light-induced DNA lesions. We demonstrate that transiently compromising cellular USP7 by siRNA and chemical inhibition leads to accumulation of ubiquitinated forms of XPC, whereas complete USP7 deficiency leads to rapid ubiquitin-mediated XPC degradation upon UV irradiation. We show that USP7 physically interacts with XPC in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of wild-type USP7, but not its catalytically inactive or interaction-defective mutants, reduces the ubiquitinated forms of XPC. Importantly, USP7 efficiently deubiquitinates XPC-ubiquitin conjugates in deubiquitination assays in vitro. We further show that valosin-containing protein (VCP)/p97 is involved in UV light-induced XPC degradation in USP7-deficient cells. VCP/p97 is readily recruited to DNA damage sites and colocalizes with XPC. Chemical inhibition of the activity of VCP/p97 ATPase causes an increase in ubiquitinated XPC on DNA-damaged chromatin. Moreover, USP7 deficiency severely impairs the repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and, to a lesser extent, affects the repair of 6-4 photoproducts. Taken together, our findings uncovered an important role of USP7 in regulating NER via deubiquitinating XPC and by preventing its VCP/p97-regulated proteolysis. PMID:25118285

The Response of Human Skin Commensal Bacteria as a Reflection of UV Radiation: UV-B Decreases Porphyrin Production

PubMed Central

Wang, Yanhan; Zhu, Wenhong; Shu, Muya; Jiang, Yong; Gallo, Richard L.; Liu, Yu-Tsueng; Huang, Chun-Ming

2012-01-01

Recent global radiation fears reflect the urgent need for a new modality that can simply determine if people are in a radiation risk of developing cancer and other illnesses. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been thought to be the major risk factor for most skin cancers. Although various biomarkers derived from the responses of human cells have been revealed, detection of these biomarkers is cumbersome, probably requires taking live human tissues, and varies significantly depending on human immune status. Here we hypothesize that the reaction of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a human resident skin commensal, to UV radiation can serve as early surrogate markers for radiation risk because the bacteria are immediately responsive to radiation. In addition, the bacteria can be readily accessible and exposed to the same field of radiation as human body. To test our hypothesis, P. acnes was exposed to UV-B radiation. The production of porphyrins in P. acnes was significantly reduced with increasing doses of UV-B. The porphyrin reduction can be detected in both P. acnes and human skin bacterial isolates. Exposure of UV-B to P. acnes- inoculated mice led to a significant decrease in porphyrin production in a single colony of P. acnes and simultaneously induced the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in the epidermal layers of mouse skin. Mass spectrometric analysis via a linear trap quadrupole (LTQ)-Orbitrap XL showed that five peptides including an internal peptide (THLPTGIVVSCQNER) of a peptide chain release factor 2 (RF2) were oxidized by UV-B. Seven peptides including three internal peptides of 60 kDa chaperonin 1 were de-oxidized by UV-B. When compared to UV-B, gamma radiation also decreased the porphyrin production of P. acnes in a dose-dependent manner, but induced a different signature of protein oxidation/de-oxidation. We highlight that uncovering response of skin microbiome to radiation will facilitate the development of pre-symptomatic diagnosis of radiation risk in a battlefield exposure, nuclear accidents, terrorist attacks, or cancer imaging/therapy. PMID:23133525

The response of human skin commensal bacteria as a reflection of UV radiation: UV-B decreases porphyrin production.

PubMed

Wang, Yanhan; Zhu, Wenhong; Shu, Muya; Jiang, Yong; Gallo, Richard L; Liu, Yu-Tsueng; Huang, Chun-Ming

2012-01-01

Recent global radiation fears reflect the urgent need for a new modality that can simply determine if people are in a radiation risk of developing cancer and other illnesses. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been thought to be the major risk factor for most skin cancers. Although various biomarkers derived from the responses of human cells have been revealed, detection of these biomarkers is cumbersome, probably requires taking live human tissues, and varies significantly depending on human immune status. Here we hypothesize that the reaction of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a human resident skin commensal, to UV radiation can serve as early surrogate markers for radiation risk because the bacteria are immediately responsive to radiation. In addition, the bacteria can be readily accessible and exposed to the same field of radiation as human body. To test our hypothesis, P. acnes was exposed to UV-B radiation. The production of porphyrins in P. acnes was significantly reduced with increasing doses of UV-B. The porphyrin reduction can be detected in both P. acnes and human skin bacterial isolates. Exposure of UV-B to P. acnes- inoculated mice led to a significant decrease in porphyrin production in a single colony of P. acnes and simultaneously induced the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in the epidermal layers of mouse skin. Mass spectrometric analysis via a linear trap quadrupole (LTQ)-Orbitrap XL showed that five peptides including an internal peptide (THLPTGIVVSCQNER) of a peptide chain release factor 2 (RF2) were oxidized by UV-B. Seven peptides including three internal peptides of 60 kDa chaperonin 1 were de-oxidized by UV-B. When compared to UV-B, gamma radiation also decreased the porphyrin production of P. acnes in a dose-dependent manner, but induced a different signature of protein oxidation/de-oxidation. We highlight that uncovering response of skin microbiome to radiation will facilitate the development of pre-symptomatic diagnosis of radiation risk in a battlefield exposure, nuclear accidents, terrorist attacks, or cancer imaging/therapy.

Fowlpox Virus Encodes a Novel DNA Repair Enzyme, CPD-Photolyase, That Restores Infectivity of UV Light-Damaged Virus

PubMed Central

Srinivasan, Viswanathan; Schnitzlein, William M.; Tripathy, Deoki N.

2001-01-01

Fowlpox virus (FPV), a pathogen of poultry, can persist in desiccated scabs shed from infected hosts. Although the mechanisms which ensure virus survival are unknown, it is likely that some type of remedial action against environmentally induced damage is required. In this regard, we have identified an open reading frame (ORF) coding for a putative class II cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD)-photolyase in the genome of FPV. This enzyme repairs the UV light-induced formation of CPDs in DNA by using blue light as an energy source and thus could enhance the viability of FPV during its exposure to sunlight. Based on transcriptional analyses, the photolyase gene was found to be expressed late during the FPV replicative cycle. That the resultant protein retained DNA repair activity was demonstrated by the ability of the corresponding FPV ORF to complement functionally a photolyase-deficient Escherichia coli strain. Interestingly, insertional inactivation of the FPV photolyase gene did not impair the replication of such a genetically altered virus in cultured cells. However, greater sensitivity of this mutant than of the parental virus to UV light irradiation was evident when both were subsequently photoreactivated in the absence of host participation. Therefore, FPV appears to incorporate its photolyase into mature virions where the enzyme can promote their survival in the environment. Although expression of a homologous protein has been predicted for some chordopoxviruses, this report is the first to demonstrate that a poxvirus can utilize light to repair damage to its genome. PMID:11160666

Response of the extremely halophilic Halococcus dombrowskii strain H4 to UV radiation and space conditions in the EXPOSE -ADAPT project on the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fendrihan, Sergiu; Grosbacher, Michael; Stan-Lotter, Helga

2010-05-01

The international project ADAPT focuses on the response of different microorganisms to outer space conditions. In 2007, the European Space Agency (ESA) has installed the Columbus laboratory and the exposure facility EXPOSE-E on the International Space Station (ISS). One of the microorganisms that were exposed for 18 months on the ISS is Halococcus dombrowskii strain H4, an extremely halophilic archaeon which was isolated from about 250 million years old alpine salt deposits (1). Ground experiments with Hcc. dombrowskii included irradiation with different wavelengths and doses of UV, using a Hg low pressure lamp, a solar simulator SOL2 (both at the DLR, Cologne) and a Mars UV simulation lamp (2). Cells were embedded in halite crystals which were formed on quartz discs by evaporation of high salt buffers. Methods for analyzing the effects of exposure on Hcc. dombrowskii include the estimation of colony forming units (CFUs), staining for viability with the BacLight LIVE/DEAD kit (2), establishing long term liquid cultures and determination of the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) with specific antibodies (3). Counting of viable (green) and dead (red) cells showed an apparent preservation of viability following exposure to about 21 kJ/m2 in ground experiments, but the calculated D37 (dose of 37 % survival) for Hcc. dombrowskii was about 400 kJ/m2 in salt crystals (2). CPDs were detected in about 6-8% of cells of Hcc. dombrowskii following exposure to a dose of 3000 kJ/m2 (200-400 nm). Preliminary results with the samples of Hcc. dombrowskii from the ISS suggested preservation of cellular morphology and stainability with the fluorescent dyes of the LIVE/DEAD kit, as well as formation of CPDs in about 2-3 % of the cells. The determination of the survival of cells by measuring proliferation requires months of incubation; data can be expected in May or June 2010. (1) Stan-Lotter H, Pfaffenhuemer M, Legat A, Busse H-J, Radax C, Gruber C (2002) Halococcus dombrowskii sp. nov., an archaeal isolate from a Permian alpine salt deposit. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 52, 1807-1814. (2) Fendrihan S, Bérces A, Lammer H, Musso M, Rontó G, Polacsek TK, Holzinger A, Kolb C, Stan-Lotter H (2009) Investigating the effects of simulated Martian ultraviolet radiation on Halococcus dombrowskii and other extremely halophilic archaebacteria. Astrobiology 9, 104-112. (3) Peccia J, Hernandez M (2002) Rapid immunoassays for detection of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in whole bacterial cells. Appl Environ Microbiol 68, 2542-2549.

Prevention of UVB Radiation-induced Epidermal Damage by Expression of Heat Shock Protein 70*

PubMed Central

Matsuda, Minoru; Hoshino, Tatsuya; Yamashita, Yasuhiro; Tanaka, Ken-ichiro; Maji, Daisuke; Sato, Keizo; Adachi, Hiroaki; Sobue, Gen; Ihn, Hironobu; Funasaka, Yoko; Mizushima, Tohru

2010-01-01

Irradiation with UV light, especially UVB, causes epidermal damage via the induction of apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and DNA damage. Various stressors, including UV light, induce heat shock proteins (HSPs) and the induction, particularly that of HSP70, provides cellular resistance to such stressors. The anti-inflammatory activity of HSP70, such as its inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), was recently revealed. These in vitro results suggest that HSP70 protects against UVB-induced epidermal damage. Here we tested this idea by using transgenic mice expressing HSP70 and cultured keratinocytes. Irradiation of wild-type mice with UVB caused epidermal damage such as induction of apoptosis, which was suppressed in transgenic mice expressing HSP70. UVB-induced apoptosis in cultured keratinocytes was suppressed by overexpression of HSP70. Irradiation of wild-type mice with UVB decreased the cutaneous level of IκB-α (an inhibitor of NF-κB) and increased the infiltration of leukocytes and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the epidermis. These inflammatory responses were suppressed in transgenic mice expressing HSP70. In vitro, the overexpression of HSP70 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and increased the level of IκB-α in keratinocytes irradiated with UVB. UVB induced an increase in cutaneous levels of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, both of which were suppressed in transgenic mice expressing HSP70. This study provides genetic evidence that HSP70 protects the epidermis from UVB-induced radiation damage. The findings here also suggest that the protective action of HSP70 is mediated by anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-DNA damage effects. PMID:20018843

Rapid Reversion from Monomer to Dimer Regenerates the Ultraviolet-B Photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 in Intact Arabidopsis Plants1[W][OA

PubMed Central

Heilmann, Monika; Jenkins, Gareth I.

2013-01-01

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) is a photoreceptor that specifically mediates photomorphogenic responses to ultraviolet (UV)-B in plants. UV-B photoreception induces the conversion of the UVR8 dimer into a monomer that interacts with the CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1) protein to regulate gene expression. However, it is not known how the dimeric photoreceptor is regenerated in plants. Here, we show, by using inhibitors of protein synthesis and degradation via the proteasome, that the UVR8 dimer is not regenerated by rapid de novo synthesis following destruction of the monomer. Rather, regeneration occurs by reversion from the monomer to the dimer. However, regeneration of dimeric UVR8 in darkness following UV-B exposure occurs much more rapidly in vivo than in vitro with illuminated plant extracts or purified UVR8, indicating that rapid regeneration requires intact cells. Rapid dimer regeneration in vivo requires protein synthesis, the presence of a carboxyl-terminal 27-amino acid region of UVR8, and the presence of COP1, which is known to interact with the carboxyl-terminal region. However, none of these factors can account fully for the difference in regeneration kinetics in vivo and in vitro, indicating that additional proteins or processes are involved in UVR8 dimer regeneration in vivo. PMID:23129206

Genoprotective effect of Phyllanthus orbicularis extract against UVA, UVB and solar radiation.

PubMed

Vernhes Tamayo, Marioly; Schuch, André Passaglia; Yagura, Teiti; Baly Gil, Luis; Menck, Carlos Frederico Martins; Sánchez-Lamar, Angel

2018-05-16

One approach to protect the human skin against harmful effects of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is to use natural products as photoprotectors. In this work, the extract from specie Phyllanthus orbicularis K was evaluated as a protective agent against the photodamage by UVB, UVA artificial lamps and environmental sunlight exposure. The plasmid DNA solutions were exposed to radiations using the DNA-dosimeter system in presence of plant extract. The DNA repair enzymes, E. coli Formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and T4 bacteriophage endonuclease V (T4-endo V), were employed to discriminate oxidized DNA damage and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) respectively. The supercoiled and relaxed forms of DNA were separated through electrophoretic migration in agarose gels. These DNA forms were quantified to determine strands break, representing the types of lesion levels. The results showed that, in presence of P. orbicularis extract, the CPD and oxidative damage were reduced in irradiated DNA samples. The photoprotective effect of extract was more evident for UVB and sunlight radiation than for UVA. This work documents the UV absorbing properties of P. orbicularis aqueous extract and opens up new vistas in its characterization as protective agent against DNA damage induced by environmental sunlight radiation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Defective removal of ribonucleotides from DNA promotes systemic autoimmunity

PubMed Central

Günther, Claudia; Kind, Barbara; Reijns, Martin A.M.; Berndt, Nicole; Martinez-Bueno, Manuel; Wolf, Christine; Tüngler, Victoria; Chara, Osvaldo; Lee, Young Ae; Hübner, Norbert; Bicknell, Louise; Blum, Sophia; Krug, Claudia; Schmidt, Franziska; Kretschmer, Stefanie; Koss, Sarah; Astell, Katy R.; Ramantani, Georgia; Bauerfeind, Anja; Morris, David L.; Cunninghame Graham, Deborah S.; Bubeck, Doryen; Leitch, Andrea; Ralston, Stuart H.; Blackburn, Elizabeth A.; Gahr, Manfred; Witte, Torsten; Vyse, Timothy J.; Melchers, Inga; Mangold, Elisabeth; Nöthen, Markus M.; Aringer, Martin; Kuhn, Annegret; Lüthke, Kirsten; Unger, Leonore; Bley, Annette; Lorenzi, Alice; Isaacs, John D.; Alexopoulou, Dimitra; Conrad, Karsten; Dahl, Andreas; Roers, Axel; Alarcon-Riquelme, Marta E.; Jackson, Andrew P.; Lee-Kirsch, Min Ae

2014-01-01

Genome integrity is continuously challenged by the DNA damage that arises during normal cell metabolism. Biallelic mutations in the genes encoding the genome surveillance enzyme ribonuclease H2 (RNase H2) cause Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), a pediatric disorder that shares features with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here we determined that heterozygous parents of AGS patients exhibit an intermediate autoimmune phenotype and demonstrated a genetic association between rare RNASEH2 sequence variants and SLE. Evaluation of patient cells revealed that SLE- and AGS-associated mutations impair RNase H2 function and result in accumulation of ribonucleotides in genomic DNA. The ensuing chronic low level of DNA damage triggered a DNA damage response characterized by constitutive p53 phosphorylation and senescence. Patient fibroblasts exhibited constitutive upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes and an enhanced type I IFN response to the immunostimulatory nucleic acid polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and UV light irradiation, linking RNase H2 deficiency to potentiation of innate immune signaling. Moreover, UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation was markedly enhanced in ribonucleotide-containing DNA, providing a mechanism for photosensitivity in RNase H2–associated SLE. Collectively, our findings implicate RNase H2 in the pathogenesis of SLE and suggest a role of DNA damage–associated pathways in the initiation of autoimmunity. PMID:25500883

Synthesis of monomeric and dimeric steroids containing [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines.

PubMed

Arenas-González, Ailed; Mendez-Delgado, Luis Antonio; Merino-Montiel, Penélope; Padrón, José M; Montiel-Smith, Sara; Vega-Báez, José Luis; Meza-Reyes, Socorro

2016-12-01

The synthesis of several monomeric and dimeric steroidal [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines (TPs) derived from steroids are described. These derivatives were prepared from α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds through a Claisen Schmidt condensation and rearrangement of the spiro moiety followed by a cycloaddition with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. The antiproliferative activity of compounds 7, 13-15 was tested against human cancer cells; several IG 50 values were below 10μM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Protective Effect of Tropical Highland Blackberry Juice (Rubus adenotrichos Schltdl.) Against UVB-Mediated Damage in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes and in a Reconstituted Skin Equivalent Model

PubMed Central

Calvo-Castro, Laura; Syed, Deeba N.; Chamcheu, Jean C.; Vilela, Fernanda M. P.; Pérez, Ana M.; Vaillant, Fabrice; Rojas, Miguel; Mukhtar, Hasan

2014-01-01

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly its UVB (280–320 nm) spectrum, is the primary environmental stimulus leading to skin carcinogenesis. Several botanical species with antioxidant properties have shown photochemopreventive effects against UVB damage. Costa Rica’s tropical highland blackberry (Rubus adenotrichos) contains important levels of phenolic compounds, mainly ellagitannins and anthocyanins, with strong antioxidant properties. In this study, we examined the photochemopreventive effect of R. adenotrichos blackberry juice (BBJ) on UVB-mediated responses in human epidermal keratinocytes and in a three-dimensional (3D) reconstituted normal human skin equivalent (SE). Pretreatment (2 h) and posttreatment (24 h) of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) with BBJ reduced UVB (25 mJ cm−2)-mediated (1) cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (2) 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) formation. Furthermore, treatment of NHEKs with BBJ increased UVB-mediated (1) poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and (2) activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9. Thus, BBJ seems to alleviate UVB-induced effects by reducing DNA damage and increasing apoptosis of damaged cells. To establish the in vivo significance of these findings to human skin, immunohistochemistry studies were performed in a 3D SE model, where BBJ was also found to decrease CPDs formation. These data suggest that BBJ may be developed as an agent to ameliorate UV-induced skin damage. PMID:23711186

Protective effect of tropical highland blackberry juice (Rubus adenotrichos Schltdl.) against UVB-mediated damage in human epidermal keratinocytes and in a reconstituted skin equivalent model.

PubMed

Calvo-Castro, Laura; Syed, Deeba N; Chamcheu, Jean C; Vilela, Fernanda M P; Pérez, Ana M; Vaillant, Fabrice; Rojas, Miguel; Mukhtar, Hasan

2013-01-01

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly its UVB (280-320 nm) spectrum, is the primary environmental stimulus leading to skin carcinogenesis. Several botanical species with antioxidant properties have shown photochemopreventive effects against UVB damage. Costa Rica's tropical highland blackberry (Rubus adenotrichos) contains important levels of phenolic compounds, mainly ellagitannins and anthocyanins, with strong antioxidant properties. In this study, we examined the photochemopreventive effect of R. adenotrichos blackberry juice (BBJ) on UVB-mediated responses in human epidermal keratinocytes and in a three-dimensional (3D) reconstituted normal human skin equivalent (SE). Pretreatment (2 h) and posttreatment (24 h) of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) with BBJ reduced UVB (25 mJ cm(-2))-mediated (1) cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (2) 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) formation. Furthermore, treatment of NHEKs with BBJ increased UVB-mediated (1) poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and (2) activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9. Thus, BBJ seems to alleviate UVB-induced effects by reducing DNA damage and increasing apoptosis of damaged cells. To establish the in vivo significance of these findings to human skin, immunohistochemistry studies were performed in a 3D SE model, where BBJ was also found to decrease CPDs formation. These data suggest that BBJ may be developed as an agent to ameliorate UV-induced skin damage. © 2013 The American Society of Photobiology.

Molecular response of nasal mucosa to therapeutic exposure to broad-band ultraviolet radiation

PubMed Central

Mitchell, David; Paniker, Lakshmi; Sanchez, Guillermo; Bella, Zsolt; Garaczi, Edina; Szell, Marta; Hamid, Qutayba; Kemeny, Lajos; Koreck, Andrea

2010-01-01

Abstract Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) phototherapy is a promising new treatment for inflammatory airway diseases. However, the potential carcinogenic risks associated with this treatment are not well understood. UV-specific DNA photoproducts were used as biomarkers to address this issue. Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6–4) photoproducts in DNA purified from two milieus: nasal mucosa samples from subjects exposed to intranasal phototherapy and human airway (EpiAirway™) and human skin (EpiDerm™) tissue models. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CPD formation and persistence in human nasal biopsies and human tissue models. In subjects exposed to broadband ultraviolet radiation, DNA damage frequencies were determined prior to as well as immediately after treatment and at increasing times post-treatment. We observed significant levels of DNA damage immediately after treatment and efficient removal of the damage within a few days. No residual damage was observed in human subjects exposed to multiple UVB treatments several weeks after the last treatment. To better understand the molecular response of the nasal epithelium to DNA damage, parallel experiments were conducted in EpiAirway and EpiDerm model systems. Repair rates in these two tissues were very similar and comparable to that observed in human skin. The data suggest that the UV-induced DNA damage response of respiratory epithelia is very similar to that of the human epidermis and that nasal mucosa is able to efficiently repair UVB induced DNA damage. PMID:18671762

Dynamic crystallography reveals early signalling events in ultraviolet photoreceptor UVR8

DOE PAGES

Zeng, Xiaoli; Ren, Zhong; Wu, Qi; ...

2015-01-08

Arabidopsis thaliana UVR8 (AtUVR8) is a long-sought-after photoreceptor that undergoes dimer dissociation in response to UV-B light. Crystallographic and mutational studies have identified two crucial tryptophan residues for UV-B responses in AtUVR8. However, the mechanism of UV-B perception and structural events leading up to dimer dissociation remain elusive at the molecular level. We applied dynamic crystallography to capture light-induced structural events in photoactive AtUVR8 crystals. Here we report two intermediate structures at 1.67Å resolution. At the epicenter of UV-B signaling, concerted motions associated with Trp285/Trp233 lead to ejection of a water molecule, which weakens an intricate network of hydrogen bondsmore » and salt bridges at the dimer interface. Partial opening of the β-propeller structure due to thermal relaxation of conformational strains originating in the epicenter further disrupts the dimer interface and leads to dimer dissociation. Ultimately, these dynamic crystallographic observations provide structural insights into the photo-perception and signaling mechanism of UVR8.« less

Human papilloma virus type16 E6 deregulates CHK1 and sensitizes human fibroblasts to environmental carcinogens independently of its effect on p53

PubMed Central

Chen, Bo; Simpson, Dennis A.; Zhou, Yingchun; Mitra, Amritava; Mitchell, David L.; Cordeiro-Stone, Marila; Kaufmann, William K.

2015-01-01

After treatment with ultraviolet radiation (UV), human fibroblasts that express the HPV type 16 E6 oncoprotein display defects in repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, hypersensitivity to inactivation of clonogenic survival and an inability to sustain DNA replication. To determine whether these effects are specific to depletion of p53 or inactivation of its function, fibroblast lines were constructed with ectopic expression of a dominant-negative p53 allele (p53-H179Q) to inactivate function or a short-hairpin RNA (p53-RNAi) to deplete expression of p53. Only the expression of HPV16E6 sensitized fibroblasts to UV or the chemical carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide I (BPDE). Carcinogen-treated cells expressing p53-H179Q or p53-RNAi were resistant to inactivation of colony formation and did not suffer replication arrest. CHK1 is a key checkpoint kinase in the response to carcinogen-induced DNA damage. Control and p53-RNAi-expressing fibroblasts displayed phosphorylation of Ser345 on CHK1 45–120 min after carcinogen treatment with a return to near baseline phosphorylation by 6 h after treatment. HPV16E6-expressing fibroblasts displayed enhanced and sustained phosphorylation of CHK1. This was associated with enhanced phosphorylation of Thr68 on CHK2 and Ser139 on H2AX, both markers of severe replication stress and DNA double strand breaks. Incubation with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid produced more phosphorylation of CHK1 in UV-treated HPV16E6-expressing cells than in p53-H179Q-expressing cells suggesting that HPV16E6 may interfere with the recovery of coupled DNA replication at replication forks that are stalled at [6-4]pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts and BPDE-DNA adducts. The results indicate that HPV16E6 targets a protein or proteins other than p53 to deregulate the activity of CHK1 in carcinogen-damaged cells. PMID:19411857

Nucleotide excision repair by dual incisions in plants.

PubMed

Canturk, Fazile; Karaman, Muhammet; Selby, Christopher P; Kemp, Michael G; Kulaksiz-Erkmen, Gulnihal; Hu, Jinchuan; Li, Wentao; Lindsey-Boltz, Laura A; Sancar, Aziz

2016-04-26

Plants use light for photosynthesis and for various signaling purposes. The UV wavelengths in sunlight also introduce DNA damage in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts [(6-4)PPs] that must be repaired for the survival of the plant. Genome sequencing has revealed the presence of genes for both CPD and (6-4)PP photolyases, as well as genes for nucleotide excision repair in plants, such as Arabidopsis and rice. Plant photolyases have been purified, characterized, and have been shown to play an important role in plant survival. In contrast, even though nucleotide excision repair gene homologs have been found in plants, the mechanism of nucleotide excision repair has not been investigated. Here we used the in vivo excision repair assay developed in our laboratory to demonstrate that Arabidopsis removes CPDs and (6-4)PPs by a dual-incision mechanism that is essentially identical to the mechanism of dual incisions in humans and other eukaryotes, in which oligonucleotides with a mean length of 26-27 nucleotides are removed by incising ∼20 phosphodiester bonds 5' and 5 phosphodiester bonds 3' to the photoproduct.

Ultraviolet-Induced Decrease in Integration of Haemophilus influenzae Transforming Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Sensitive and Resistant Cells

PubMed Central

Muhammed, Amir; Setlow, Jane K.

1970-01-01

The decrease in integration of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) caused by ultraviolet irradiation of the DNA was found to be independent of the presence or absence of excision repair in the recipient cell. Much of the ultraviolet-induced inhibition of integration resulted from the presence in the transforming DNA of pyrimidine dimers, as judged by the photoreactivability of the inhibition with yeast photoreactivating enzyme. The inhibition of integration made only a small contribution to the inactivation of transforming ability of the DNA by ultraviolet radiation. PMID:5308769

207-nm UV Light - A Promising Tool for Safe Low-Cost Reduction of Surgical Site Infections. I: In Vitro Studies

PubMed Central

Buonanno, Manuela; Randers-Pehrson, Gerhard; Bigelow, Alan W.; Trivedi, Sheetal; Lowy, Franklin D.; Spotnitz, Henry M.; Hammer, Scott M.; Brenner, David J.

2013-01-01

Background 0.5% to 10% of clean surgeries result in surgical-site infections, and attempts to reduce this rate have had limited success. Germicidal UV lamps, with a broad wavelength spectrum from 200 to 400 nm are an effective bactericidal option against drug-resistant and drug-sensitive bacteria, but represent a health hazard to patient and staff. By contrast, because of its limited penetration, ∼200 nm far-UVC light is predicted to be effective in killing bacteria, but without the human health hazards to skin and eyes associated with conventional germicidal UV exposure. Aims The aim of this work was to test the biophysically-based hypothesis that ∼200 nm UV light is significantly cytotoxic to bacteria, but minimally cytotoxic or mutagenic to human cells either isolated or within tissues. Methods A Kr-Br excimer lamp was used, which produces 207-nm UV light, with a filter to remove higher-wavelength components. Comparisons were made with results from a conventional broad spectrum 254-nm UV germicidal lamp. First, cell inactivation vs. UV fluence data were generated for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteria and also for normal human fibroblasts. Second, yields of the main UV-associated pre-mutagenic DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) were measured, for both UV radiations incident on 3-D human skin tissue. Results We found that 207-nm UV light kills MRSA efficiently but, unlike conventional germicidal UV lamps, produces little cell killing in human cells. In a 3-D human skin model, 207-nm UV light produced almost no pre-mutagenic UV-associated DNA lesions, in contrast to significant yields induced by a conventional germicidal UV lamp. Conclusions As predicted based on biophysical considerations, 207-nm light kills bacteria efficiently but does not appear to be significantly cytotoxic or mutagenic to human cells. Used appropriately, 207-nm light may have the potential for safely and inexpensively reducing surgical-site infection rates, including those of drug-resistant origin. PMID:24146947

Solar Ultraviolet-B Radiation Affects Seedling Emergence, DNA Integrity, Plant Morphology, Growth Rate, and Attractiveness to Herbivore Insects in Datura ferox.

PubMed Central

Ballare, C. L.; Scopel, A. L.; Stapleton, A. E.; Yanovsky, M. J.

1996-01-01

To study functional relationships between the effects of solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) on different aspects of the physiology of a wild plant, we carried out exclusion experiments in the field with the summer annual Datura ferox L. Solar UV-B incident over Buenos Aires reduced daytime seedling emergence, inhibited stem elongation and leaf expansion, and tended to reduce biomass accumulation during early growth. However, UV-B had no effect on calculated net assimilation rate. Using a monoclonal antibody specific to the cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimer (CPD), we found that plants receiving full sunlight had more CPDs per unit of DNA than plants shielded from solar UV-B, but the positive correlation between UV-B and CPD burden tended to level off at high (near solar) UV-B levels. At our field site, Datura plants were consumed by leaf beetles (Coleoptera), and the proportion of plants attacked by insects declined with the amount of UV-B received during growth. Field experiments showed that plant exposure to solar UV-B reduced the likelihood of leaf beetle attack by one-half. Our results highlight the complexities associated with scaling plant responses to solar UV-B, because they show: (a) a lack of correspondence between UV-B effects on net assimilation rate and whole-plant growth rate, (b) nonlinear UV-B dose-response curves, and (c) UV-B effects of plant attractiveness to natural herbivores. PMID:12226382

Examining the base stacking interaction in a dinucleotide context via reversible cyclobutane dimer analogue formation under UV irradiation.

PubMed

Liu, Degang; Li, Lei

2013-11-14

Substituted tolyl groups are considered as close isosteres of the thymine (T) residue. They can be recognized by DNA polymerases as if they were thymine. Although these toluene derivatives are relatively inert toward radical additions, our recent finding suggests that the dinucleotide analogue TpTo (To = 2'-deoxy-1-(3-tolyl)-β-D-ribofuranose) supports an ortho photocycloaddition reaction upon UV irradiation, producing two cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) analogues 2 and 3 . Our report here further shows that formation of these CPD species is reversible under UVC irradiation, resembling the photochemical property of the CPD species formed between two Ts. Analyzing the stability of these CPD analogues suggests that one ( 2 ) is more stable than the other ( 3 ). The TpTo conformer responsible for 2 formation is also more stable than that responsible for 3 formation, as indicated by the Gibbs free energy change calculated from the constructed Bordwell thermodynamic cycle. These different stabilities are not due to the varying photochemical properties, as proved by quantum yields determined from the corresponding photoreactions. Instead, they are ascribed to the different stacking interaction between the T and the To rings both in the TpTo dinucleotide as well as in the formed CPD analogues. Factors contributing to the ring stacking interactions are also discussed. Our proof-of-concept approach suggests that a carefully designed Bordwell cycle coupled with reversible CPD formations under UV irradiation can be very useful in studying DNA base interactions.

Examining the base stacking interaction in a dinucleotide context via reversible cyclobutane dimer analogue formation under UV irradiation

PubMed Central

Liu, Degang; Li, Lei

2013-01-01

Substituted tolyl groups are considered as close isosteres of the thymine (T) residue. They can be recognized by DNA polymerases as if they were thymine. Although these toluene derivatives are relatively inert toward radical additions, our recent finding suggests that the dinucleotide analogue TpTo (To = 2'-deoxy-1-(3-tolyl)-β-D-ribofuranose) supports an ortho photocycloaddition reaction upon UV irradiation, producing two cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) analogues 2 and 3. Our report here further shows that formation of these CPD species is reversible under UVC irradiation, resembling the photochemical property of the CPD species formed between two Ts. Analyzing the stability of these CPD analogues suggests that one (2) is more stable than the other (3). The TpTo conformer responsible for 2 formation is also more stable than that responsible for 3 formation, as indicated by the Gibbs free energy change calculated from the constructed Bordwell thermodynamic cycle. These different stabilities are not due to the varying photochemical properties, as proved by quantum yields determined from the corresponding photoreactions. Instead, they are ascribed to the different stacking interaction between the T and the To rings both in the TpTo dinucleotide as well as in the formed CPD analogues. Factors contributing to the ring stacking interactions are also discussed. Our proof-of-concept approach suggests that a carefully designed Bordwell cycle coupled with reversible CPD formations under UV irradiation can be very useful in studying DNA base interactions. PMID:24223299

Measurement of pyrimidine (6-4) photoproducts in DNA by a mild acidic hydrolysis-HPLC fluorescence detection assay.

PubMed

Douki, T; Voituriez, L; Cadet, J

1995-03-01

Pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts constitute one of the major classes of DNA lesions induced by far-UV irradiation. However, their biological role remains difficult to assess partly because of the lack of a specific and sensitive assay for monitoring their formation in DNA. Here is presented a measurement method based on the release of the (6-4) base adducts from DNA followed by an HPLC separation associated with a sensitive and specific fluorescence detection. The quantitative and mechanistic aspects of the chemical hydrolysis, based on the use of hydrogen fluoride stabilized in pyridine, were investigated, using dinucleoside monophosphate (6-4) photoproducts as model compounds. The final hydrolysis products were isolated and characterized by UV, fluorescence, mass, and 1H NMR spectroscopies. Application of the assay to far-UV irradiated calf thymus DNA provided information on the sequence effect on the rate of formation of three of the four possible bipyrimidine (6-4) photoproducts.

Affinity of yeast nucleotide excision repair factor 2, consisting of the Rad4 and Rad23 proteins, for ultraviolet damaged DNA.

PubMed

Guzder, S N; Sung, P; Prakash, L; Prakash, S

1998-11-20

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad4 and Rad23 proteins are required for the nucleotide excision repair of UV light-damaged DNA. Previous studies have indicated that these two DNA repair proteins are associated in a tight complex, which we refer to as nucleotide excision repair factor 2 (NEF2). In a reconstituted nucleotide excision repair reaction, incision of UV-damaged DNA is dependent on NEF2, indicating a role of NEF2 in an early step of the repair process. NEF2 does not, however, possess an enzymatic activity, and its function in the damage-specific incision reaction has not yet been defined. Here we use a DNA mobility shift assay to demonstrate that NEF2 binds specifically to UV-damaged DNA. Elimination of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers from the UV-damaged DNA by enzymatic photoreactivation has little effect on the affinity of NEF2 for the DNA, suggesting that NEF2 recognizes the 6-(1, 2)-dihydro-2-oxo-4-pyrimidinyl)-5-methyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione photoproducts in the damaged DNA. These results highlight the intricacy of the DNA damage-demarcation reaction during nucleotide excision repair in eukaryotes.

Analysis of DNA repair and protection in the Tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus and Hypsibius dujardini after exposure to UVC radiation.

PubMed

Horikawa, Daiki D; Cumbers, John; Sakakibara, Iori; Rogoff, Dana; Leuko, Stefan; Harnoto, Raechel; Arakawa, Kazuharu; Katayama, Toshiaki; Kunieda, Takekazu; Toyoda, Atsushi; Fujiyama, Asao; Rothschild, Lynn J

2013-01-01

Tardigrades inhabiting terrestrial environments exhibit extraordinary resistance to ionizing radiation and UV radiation although little is known about the mechanisms underlying the resistance. We found that the terrestrial tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus is able to tolerate massive doses of UVC irradiation by both being protected from forming UVC-induced thymine dimers in DNA in a desiccated, anhydrobiotic state as well as repairing the dimers that do form in the hydrated animals. In R. varieornatus accumulation of thymine dimers in DNA induced by irradiation with 2.5 kJ/m(2) of UVC radiation disappeared 18 h after the exposure when the animals were exposed to fluorescent light but not in the dark. Much higher UV radiation tolerance was observed in desiccated anhydrobiotic R. varieornatus compared to hydrated specimens of this species. On the other hand, the freshwater tardigrade species Hypsibius dujardini that was used as control, showed much weaker tolerance to UVC radiation than R. varieornatus, and it did not contain a putative phrA gene sequence. The anhydrobiotes of R. varieornatus accumulated much less UVC-induced thymine dimers in DNA than hydrated one. It suggests that anhydrobiosis efficiently avoids DNA damage accumulation in R. varieornatus and confers better UV radiation tolerance on this species. Thus we propose that UV radiation tolerance in tardigrades is due to the both high capacities of DNA damage repair and DNA protection, a two-pronged survival strategy.

Analysis of DNA Repair and Protection in the Tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus and Hypsibius dujardini after Exposure to UVC Radiation

PubMed Central

Horikawa, Daiki D.; Cumbers, John; Sakakibara, Iori; Rogoff, Dana; Leuko, Stefan; Harnoto, Raechel; Arakawa, Kazuharu; Katayama, Toshiaki; Kunieda, Takekazu; Toyoda, Atsushi; Fujiyama, Asao; Rothschild, Lynn J.

2013-01-01

Tardigrades inhabiting terrestrial environments exhibit extraordinary resistance to ionizing radiation and UV radiation although little is known about the mechanisms underlying the resistance. We found that the terrestrial tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus is able to tolerate massive doses of UVC irradiation by both being protected from forming UVC-induced thymine dimers in DNA in a desiccated, anhydrobiotic state as well as repairing the dimers that do form in the hydrated animals. In R. varieornatus accumulation of thymine dimers in DNA induced by irradiation with 2.5 kJ/m2 of UVC radiation disappeared 18 h after the exposure when the animals were exposed to fluorescent light but not in the dark. Much higher UV radiation tolerance was observed in desiccated anhydrobiotic R. varieornatus compared to hydrated specimens of this species. On the other hand, the freshwater tardigrade species Hypsibius dujardini that was used as control, showed much weaker tolerance to UVC radiation than R. varieornatus, and it did not contain a putative phrA gene sequence. The anhydrobiotes of R. varieornatus accumulated much less UVC-induced thymine dimers in DNA than hydrated one. It suggests that anhydrobiosis efficiently avoids DNA damage accumulation in R. varieornatus and confers better UV radiation tolerance on this species. Thus we propose that UV radiation tolerance in tardigrades is due to the both high capacities of DNA damage repair and DNA protection, a two-pronged survival strategy. PMID:23762256

The mechanism of ureido-pyrimidinone:2,7-diamido-naphthyridine complexation and the presence of kinetically controlled pathways in multicomponent hydrogen-bonded systems.

PubMed

de Greef, Tom F A; Ligthart, G B W L; Lutz, Martin; Spek, Anthony L; Meijer, E W; Sijbesma, Rint P

2008-04-23

The kinetics of association of ureido-pyrimidinone (U) dimers, present either in the 4[1H]-keto form or in the pyrimidin-4-ol form, with 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridine (N) into a complementary heterodimer have been investigated. The formation of heterodimers with 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridine from pyrimidin-4-ol dimers is much faster than from 4[1H]-pyrimidinone dimers. Using a combination of simple measurements and simulations, evidence for a bimolecular tautomerization step is presented. Finally, the acquired kinetic knowledge of the different pathways leading from ureido-pyrimidinone homodimers to ureido-pyrimidinone:diamido-naphthyridine (U:N) heterodimers allows the prediction and observation of kinetically determined ureido-pyrimidinone heterodimers which slowly convert back to the corresponding homodimers.

Isolation of a novel UVB-tolerant rice mutant obtained by exposure to carbon-ion beams

PubMed Central

Takano, Nao; Takahashi, Yuko; Yamamoto, Mitsuru; Teranishi, Mika; Yamaguchi, Hiroko; Sakamoto, Ayako N.; Hase, Yoshihiro; Fujisawa, Hiroko; Wu, Jianzhong; Matsumoto, Takashi; Toki, Seiichi; Hidema, Jun

2013-01-01

UVB radiation suppresses photosynthesis and protein biosynthesis in plants, which in turn decreases growth and productivity. Here, an ultraviolet-B (UVB)-tolerant rice mutant, utr319 (UV Tolerant Rice 319), was isolated from a mutagenized population derived from 2500 M1 seeds (of the UVB-resistant cultivar ‘Sasanishiki’) that were exposed to carbon ions. The utr319 mutant was more tolerant to UVB than the wild type. Neither the levels of UVB-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) or (6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photodimers [(6-4) photoproducts], nor the repair of CPDs or (6-4) photoproducts, was altered in the utr319 mutant. Thus, the utr319 mutant may be impaired in the production of a previously unidentified factor that confers UVB tolerance. To identify the mutated region in the utr319 mutant, microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization analysis was performed. Two adjacent genes on chromosome 7, Os07g0264900 and Os07g0265100, were predicted to represent the mutant allele. Sequence analysis of the chromosome region in utr319 revealed a deletion of 45 419 bp. RNAi analysis indicated that Os07g0265100 is most likely the mutated gene. Database analysis indicated that the Os07g0265100 gene, UTR319, encodes a putative protein with unknown characteristics or function. In addition, the homologs of UTR319 are conserved only among land plants. Therefore, utr319 is a novel UVB-tolerant rice mutant and UTR319 may be crucial for the determination of UVB sensitivity in rice, although the function of UTR319 has not yet been determined. PMID:23381954

Isolation of a novel UVB-tolerant rice mutant obtained by exposure to carbon-ion beams.

PubMed

Takano, Nao; Takahashi, Yuko; Yamamoto, Mitsuru; Teranishi, Mika; Yamaguchi, Hiroko; Sakamoto, Ayako N; Hase, Yoshihiro; Fujisawa, Hiroko; Wu, Jianzhong; Matsumoto, Takashi; Toki, Seiichi; Hidema, Jun

2013-07-01

UVB radiation suppresses photosynthesis and protein biosynthesis in plants, which in turn decreases growth and productivity. Here, an ultraviolet-B (UVB)-tolerant rice mutant, utr319 (UV Tolerant Rice 319), was isolated from a mutagenized population derived from 2500 M1 seeds (of the UVB-resistant cultivar 'Sasanishiki') that were exposed to carbon ions. The utr319 mutant was more tolerant to UVB than the wild type. Neither the levels of UVB-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) or (6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photodimers [(6-4) photoproducts], nor the repair of CPDs or (6-4) photoproducts, was altered in the utr319 mutant. Thus, the utr319 mutant may be impaired in the production of a previously unidentified factor that confers UVB tolerance. To identify the mutated region in the utr319 mutant, microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization analysis was performed. Two adjacent genes on chromosome 7, Os07g0264900 and Os07g0265100, were predicted to represent the mutant allele. Sequence analysis of the chromosome region in utr319 revealed a deletion of 45 419 bp. RNAi analysis indicated that Os07g0265100 is most likely the mutated gene. Database analysis indicated that the Os07g0265100 gene, UTR319, encodes a putative protein with unknown characteristics or function. In addition, the homologs of UTR319 are conserved only among land plants. Therefore, utr319 is a novel UVB-tolerant rice mutant and UTR319 may be crucial for the determination of UVB sensitivity in rice, although the function of UTR319 has not yet been determined.

[Genetic control of mitotic crossing-over in yeasts. III. Induction by 8-methoxypsoralen and long-wave UV irradiation (lambda=365 nm)].

PubMed

Fedorova, I V; Marfin, S V

1982-02-01

The lethal effect of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) plus 365 nm light has been studied in haploid radiosensitive strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The diploid of wild type and the diploid homozygous for the rad2 mutation (this mutation blocks the excision of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers) were more resistant to the lethal effect of 8-MOP plus 365 nm light than the haploid of wild type and rad2 haploid, respectively. The diploid homozygous for rad54 mutation (the mutation blocks the repair of double-strand breaks in DNA) was more sensitive than haploid rad54. The method of repeated irradiation allowed to study the capacity of radiosensitive diploids to remove monoadducts induced by 8-MOP in DNA. This process was very effective in diploids of wild type and in the rad54 rad54 diploid, while the rad2 rad2 diploid was characterized by nearly complete absence of monoadduct excision. The study of mitotic crossing over and mitotic segregation in yeast diploids, containing a pair of complementing alleles of the ade2 gene (red/pink) has shown a very high recombinogenic effect of 8-MOP plus 365 nm light. The rad2 mutation slightly increased the frequency of mitotic segregation and mitotic crossing over. The rad54 mutation decreased the frequency of mitotic segregation and entirely suppressed mitotic crossing over. The method of repeated irradiation showed that the cross-links, but not monoadducts, are the main cause of high recombinogenic effect of 8-MOP plus 365 nm light. The possible participation of different repair systems in recombinational processes induced by 8-MOP in yeast cells is discussed.

Pathophysiology of ocular surface squamous neoplasia

PubMed Central

Gichuhi, Stephen; Ohnuma, Shin-ichi; Sagoo, Mandeep S.; Burton, Matthew J.

2014-01-01

The incidence of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is strongly associated with solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, HIV and human papilloma virus (HPV). Africa has the highest incidence rates in the world. Most lesions occur at the limbus within the interpalpebral fissure particularly the nasal sector. The nasal limbus receives the highest intensity of sunlight. Limbal epithelial crypts are concentrated nasally and contain niches of limbal epithelial stem cells in the basal layer. It is possible that these are the progenitor cells in OSSN. OSSN arises in the basal epithelial cells spreading towards the surface which resembles the movement of corneo-limbal stem cell progeny before it later invades through the basement membrane below. UV radiation damages DNA producing pyrimidine dimers in the DNA chain. Specific CC → TT base pair dimer transformations of the p53 tumour-suppressor gene occur in OSSN allowing cells with damaged DNA past the G1-S cell cycle checkpoint. UV radiation also causes local and systemic photoimmunosuppression and reactivates latent viruses such as HPV. The E7 proteins of HPV promote proliferation of infected epithelial cells via the retinoblastoma gene while E6 proteins prevent the p53 tumour suppressor gene from effecting cell-cycle arrest of DNA-damaged and infected cells. Immunosuppression from UV radiation, HIV and vitamin A deficiency impairs tumour immune surveillance allowing survival of aberrant cells. Tumour growth and metastases are enhanced by; telomerase reactivation which increases the number of cell divisions a cell can undergo; vascular endothelial growth factor for angiogenesis and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that destroy the intercellular matrix between cells. Despite these potential triggers, the disease is usually unilateral. It is unclear how HPV reaches the conjunctiva. PMID:25447808

Ethyl 4-(4-hydroxy­phen­yl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetra­hydro­pyrimidine-5-carboxyl­ate monohydrate

PubMed Central

Das, Ushati; Chheda, Shardul B.; Pednekar, Suhas R.; Karambelkar, Narendra P; Guru Row, T. N.

2008-01-01

There are three formula units in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C14H16N2O4·H2O. Mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into dimers with the common R 2 2(8) graph-set motif. Between dimers, single N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are formed between the other N—H group of each pyrimidine ring and the hydroxyl groups. The water mol­ecules accept O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds from the hydroxyl groups and donate hydrogen bonds to the ester groups. PMID:21581452

5-Nitro-N 4,N 6-diphenyl­pyrimidine-4,6-diamine: polarized mol­ecules linked into π-stacked chains via three-centre C—H⋯(O)2 hydrogen bonds

PubMed Central

Rodríguez, Ricaurte; Nogueras, Manuel; Cobo, Justo; Glidewell, Christopher

2009-01-01

Mol­ecules of the title compound, C16H13N5O2, have no inter­nal symmetry despite the symmetric pattern of substitution in the pyrimidine ring. The intra­molecular distances indicate polarization of the electronic structure. There are two intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and mol­ecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers by pairs of three-centre C—H⋯(O)2 hydrogen bonds. These dimers are linked into chains by means of a π–π stacking inter­action. PMID:19726856

Formation of Nucleobases from the UV Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Interstellar Ice Analogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milam, Stefanie N.; Nuevo, Michel; Sandford, Scott A.; Elsila, Jamie E.; Dworkin, Jason P.

2010-01-01

Previous laboratory simulations showed that complex molecules, including prebiotic compounds/can be formed under interstellar conditions from the vacuum UV irradiation of interstellar ice analogs containing H2O, CO, NH3 etc. Although some complex prebiotic species have not been confirmed In the interstellar medium, they are known to be present in meteorites. Nucleobases, the building blocks of DNA and RNA, have also been detected in meteorites. Here, we present a study of the formation of pyrimidine-based compounds from the UV irradiation of pyrimidine in H2O- and/or NH3-ices at 20-30 K, Our results show that various derivatives, induding the nucleobases uracil and cytosine, are formed under these conditions.

N-(2-{[5-Bromo-2-(morpholin-4-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfan­yl}-4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-4-chloro­benzene­sulfonamide

PubMed Central

Kumar, Mohan; Mallesha, L.; Sridhar, M. A.; Kapoor, Kamini; Gupta, Vivek K.; Kant, Rajni

2012-01-01

In the title compound, C21H20BrClN4O4S2, the benzene rings bridged by the sulfonamide group are tilted relative to each other by a dihedral angle of 70.2 (1)° and the dihedral angle between the sulfur-bridged pyrimidine and benzene rings is 69.5 (1)°. The mol­ecular conformation is stabilized by a weak intra­molecular π–π stacking inter­action between the pyrimidine and the 4-chloro­benzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.978 (2) Å]. The morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into inversion dimers by pairs of C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and these dimers are further connected by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a tape along the a axis. PMID:22969673

N-(2-{[5-Bromo-2-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfan­yl}-4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-2,4,6-trimethyl­benzene­sulfonamide

PubMed Central

Kumar, Mohan; Mallesha, L.; Sridhar, M. A.; Kapoor, Kamini; Gupta, Vivek K.; Kant, Rajni

2012-01-01

In the title compound, C25H29BrN4O3S2, the benzene rings bridged by the sulfonamide group are tilted relative to each other by 63.9 (1)° and the dihedral angle between the sulfur-bridged pyrimidine and benzene rings is 64.9 (1)°. The mol­ecular conformation is stabilized by a weak intra­molecular π–π stacking inter­action between the pyrimidine and the 2,4,6-trimethyl­benzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.766 (2) Å]. The piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into inversion dimers by pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and these dimers are further linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains propagating along [010]. PMID:22969648

Crystal structure of 6-chloro-5-iso-propyl-pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione.

PubMed

Haress, Nadia G; Ghabbour, Hazem A; El-Emam, Ali A; Chidan Kumar, C S; Fun, Hoong-Kun

2014-11-01

In the mol-ecule of the title compound, C7H9ClN2O2, the conformation is determined by intra-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, which generate S(6) and S(5) ring motifs. The isopropyl group is almost perpendicular to the pyrimidine ring with torsion angles of -70.8 (3) and 56.0 (3)°. In the crystal, two inversion-related mol-ecules are linked via a pair of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into R 2 (2)(8) dimers; these dimers are connected into chains extending along the bc plane via an additional N-H⋯O hydrogen bond and weaker C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is further stabilized by a weak π-π inter-action [3.6465 (10) Å] between adjacent pyrimidine-dione rings arranged in a head-to-tail fashion, producing a three-dimensional network.

Detrimental Effects of UV-B Radiation in a Xeroderma Pigmentosum-Variant Cell Line

PubMed Central

Herman, Kimberly N.; Toffton, Shannon; McCulloch, Scott D.

2014-01-01

DNA polymerase η (pol η), of the Y-family, is well known for its in vitro DNA lesion bypass ability. The most well-characterized lesion bypassed by this polymerase is the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. Historically, cellular and whole-animal models for this area of research have been conducted using UV-C (λ = 100–280 nm) owing to its ability to generate large quantities of CPDs and also the more structurally distorting 6-4 photoproduct. Although UV-C is useful as a laboratory tool, exposure to these wavelengths is generally very low owing to being filtered by stratospheric ozone. We are interested in the more environmentally relevant wavelength range of UV-B (λ = 280–315 nm) for its role in causing cytotoxicity and mutagenesis. We evaluated these endpoints in both a normal human fibroblast control line and a Xeroderma pigmentosum variant cell line in which the POLH gene contains a truncating point mutation, leading to a nonfunctional polymerase. We demonstrate that UV-B has similar but less striking effects compared to UV-C in both its cytotoxic and its mutagenic effects. Analysis of the mutation spectra after a single dose of UV-B shows that a majority of mutations can be attributed to mutagenic bypass of dipyrimidine sequences. However, we do note additional types of mutations with UV-B that are not previously reported after UV-C exposure. We speculate that these differences are attributed to a change in the spectra of photoproduct lesions rather than other lesions caused by oxidative stress. PMID:24549972

Archaeal replicative primases can perform translesion DNA synthesis.

PubMed

Jozwiakowski, Stanislaw K; Borazjani Gholami, Farimah; Doherty, Aidan J

2015-02-17

DNA replicases routinely stall at lesions encountered on the template strand, and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is used to rescue progression of stalled replisomes. This process requires specialized polymerases that perform translesion DNA synthesis. Although prokaryotes and eukaryotes possess canonical TLS polymerases (Y-family Pols) capable of traversing blocking DNA lesions, most archaea lack these enzymes. Here, we report that archaeal replicative primases (Pri S, primase small subunit) can also perform TLS. Archaeal Pri S can bypass common oxidative DNA lesions, such as 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosines and UV light-induced DNA damage, faithfully bypassing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Although it is well documented that archaeal replicases specifically arrest at deoxyuracils (dUs) due to recognition and binding to the lesions, a replication restart mechanism has not been identified. Here, we report that Pri S efficiently replicates past dUs, even in the presence of stalled replicase complexes, thus providing a mechanism for maintaining replication bypass of these DNA lesions. Together, these findings establish that some replicative primases, previously considered to be solely involved in priming replication, are also TLS proficient and therefore may play important roles in damage tolerance at replication forks.

New one-pot synthesis of spiro[furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6,5'-pyrimidine]pentaones and their sulfur analogues.

PubMed

Jalilzadeh, Mohammad; Noroozi Pesyan, Nader; Rezaee, Fereshteh; Rastgar, Saeed; Hosseini, Yaser; Sahin, Ertan

2011-08-01

Reaction of barbituric acid (BA), 1,3-dimethyl barbituric acid (DMBA) and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) with cyanogen bromide and various aldehydes in presence of triethylamine afforded a new class of heterocyclic stable 5-alkyl and/or 5-aryl-1H, 1'H-spiro[furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6,5'-pyrimidine]2,2',4,4',6'(3H,3'H,5H)-pentaones which are dimeric forms of barbiturate (uracil and thiouracil derivatives) at 0 °C to ambient temperatures. Structure elucidation is proved by X-ray crystallography, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FT-IR, CHN and mass analyses techniques. Mechanisms of the formations are discussed.

Structure and mechanism of human DNA polymerase [eta

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Biertümpfel, Christian; Zhao, Ye; Kondo, Yuji

2010-11-03

The variant form of the human syndrome xeroderma pigmentosum (XPV) is caused by a deficiency in DNA polymerase {eta} (Pol{eta}), a DNA polymerase that enables replication through ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers. Here we report high-resolution crystal structures of human Pol{eta} at four consecutive steps during DNA synthesis through cis-syn cyclobutane thymine dimers. Pol{eta} acts like a 'molecular splint' to stabilize damaged DNA in a normal B-form conformation. An enlarged active site accommodates the thymine dimer with excellent stereochemistry for two-metal ion catalysis. Two residues conserved among Pol{eta} orthologues form specific hydrogen bonds with the lesion and the incoming nucleotide to assistmore » translesion synthesis. On the basis of the structures, eight Pol{eta} missense mutations causing XPV can be rationalized as undermining the molecular splint or perturbing the active-site alignment. The structures also provide an insight into the role of Pol{eta} in replicating through D loop and DNA fragile sites.« less

The repair of low dose UV light-induced damage to human skin DNA in condition of trace amount Mg 2+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Fang; Guo, Zhouyi; Zheng, Changchun; Wang, Rui; Liu, Zhiming; Meng, Pei; Zhai, Juan

2008-12-01

Ultraviolet light-induced damage to human skin DNA was widely investigated. The primary mechanism of this damage contributed to form cyclobutane pyrimidine dimmers (CPDs). Although the distribution of UV light-induced CPDs within a defined sequence is similar, the damage in cellular environment which shields the nuclear DNA was higher than that in organism in apparent dose. So we use low UVB light as main study agent. Low dose UV-irradiated HDF-a cells (Human Dermal Fibroblasts-adult cells) which is weaker than epidermic cells were cultured with DMEM at different trace amount of Mg2+ (0mmol/L , 0.1mmol/L , 0.2mmol/L, 0.4mmol/L, 0.8mmol/L, 1.2mmol/L) free-serum DMEM and the repair of DNA strands injured were observed. Treat these cells with DNA strand breaks detection, photoproducts detection and the repair of photoproducts detection. Then quantitate the role of trace amount Mg2+ in repair of UV light-induced damage to human skin. The experiment results indicated that epidermic cells have capability of resistance to UV-radiation at a certain extent. And Mg2+ can regulate the UV-induced damage repair and relative vitality. It can offer a rationale and experiment data to relieve UV light-induced skin disease.

Photosensitized 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine-induced mitochondrial apoptosis via Smac/DIABLO in human skin cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goyal, Shruti; Amar, Saroj Kumar; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research

The popularity of hair dyes use has been increasing regularly throughout the world as per the demand of hair coloring fashion trends and other cosmetic products. 2-Amino-3-hydroxypyridine (A132) is widely used as a hair dye ingredient around the world. We are reporting first time the phototoxicity mechanism of A132 under ambient environmental UV-B radiation. It showed maximum absorption in UV-B region (317 nm) and forms a photoproduct within an hour exposure of UV-B irradiation. Photocytotoxicity of A132 in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) was measured by mitochondrial (MTT), lysosomal (NRU) and LDH assays which illustrated the significant reduction in cell viability. Themore » role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation for A132 phototoxicity was established photo- chemically as well as intracellularly. Noteworthy, formation of tail DNA (comet assay), micronuclei and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) (immunocytochemistry) formation confirmed the photogenotoxic potential of dye. Cell cycle study (sub-G1peak) and staining with EB/AO revealed the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Further, mitochondrial mediated apoptosis was corroborated by reduced MMP, release of cytochrome c and upregulation of caspase-3. Release of mitochondrial Smac/DIABLO in cytoplasm demonstrated the caspase dependent apoptotic cell death by photolabile A132 dye. In-addition increased Bax/Bcl2 ratio again proved the apoptosis. Thus, study suggests that A132 induces photogenotoxicity, phototoxicity and apoptotic cell death through the involvement of Smac/DIABLO in mitochondrial apoptosis via caspase dependent manner. Therefore, the long term use of A132 dye and sunlight exposure jointly increased the oxidative stress in skin which causes premature hair loss, damage to progenitor cells of hair follicles. - Highlights: • Photodegradation of A132 and formation of novel photoproduct • Involvement of ROS in A132 phototoxicity • Role of ROS in DNA damage, CPD and micronuclei formation • Release of Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria during apoptosis • Caspase 3 dependent apoptotic cell death.« less

Photolysis of the herbicide bispyribac sodium in aqueous medium under the influence of UV and sunlight in presence or absence of sensitizers.

PubMed

Kanrar, Bappaditya; Bhattacharyya, Anjan

2009-11-01

The photolysis of a rice herbicide Bispyribac sodium (Sodium 2, 6-bis [(4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl) oxy] benzoate) has been studied in different aqueous medium (distilled water, pond water and Irrigation water) under the influence of UV (lambda max > or = 250 nm) and sunlight in presence or absence of sensitizers (TiO(2) and KNO(3)). The study was conducted under laboratory simulated condition which made it possible to evaluate the contribution of different factors viz. source of irradiation, solvent and sensitizers towards the photolysis of bispyribac sodium. The photodegradation proceeds via first order reaction Kinetics in all the cases. Five photo metabolites (M(1)-M(5)) were isolated in pure form by column chromatographic method from the irradiation system under UV influenced and TiO(2) as sensitizer. From the different spectral data (IR, NMR, UV-VIS, Mass) the structure of these five metabolites were assigned as M(1) (Phenol), M(2) [2, 6-Dihydroxy benzoic acid], M(3) [2, 6-bis [(4, 6 dimethoxypyrimidin-2yl) oxy] benzoic acid], M(4) [2-(3-Hydroxy-phenoxy)-pyrimidine-4, 6-diol] and M(5) as [2,4-Dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxy-6-(4-methoxy pyrimidine-2-yloxy)-benzoic acid]. Moreover, another six photometabolites (M(6)-M(11)) were identified from the different irradiation system on the basis of Micromass analysis. On the basis of MS/MS data analysis, the structure of these six photometabolites were assigned as M(6) [2-(4, 6-Dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-6-hydroxy-benzoic acid], M(7) [2-Hydroxy-6-(4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-benzoic acid], M(8) [4, 6-Dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-ol], M(9) [6-Methoxy-pyrimidine-2, 4-diol], M(10) [2-Hydroxy-6-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-benzoic acid] and M(11) [2, 4, 6-Trimethoxy-pyrimidine]. The plausible Photodegradation pathways of bispyribac sodium in the present investigation were portrayed which proceeds via hydrolysis, hydrolytic cleavage, O-dealkylation, decarboxylation, dehydroxylation, O-alkylation and hydroxylation.

Structural basis for the suppression of skin cancers by DNA polymerase [eta

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Silverstein, Timothy D.; Johnson, Robert E.; Jain, Rinku

2010-09-13

DNA polymerase {eta} (Pol{eta}) is unique among eukaryotic polymerases in its proficient ability for error-free replication through ultraviolet-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, and inactivation of Pol{eta} (also known as POLH) in humans causes the variant form of xeroderma pigmentosum (XPV). We present the crystal structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol{eta} (also known as RAD30) in ternary complex with a cis-syn thymine-thymine (T-T) dimer and with undamaged DNA. The structures reveal that the ability of Pol{eta} to replicate efficiently through the ultraviolet-induced lesion derives from a simple and yet elegant mechanism, wherein the two Ts of the T-T dimer are accommodated in anmore » active site cleft that is much more open than in other polymerases. We also show by structural, biochemical and genetic analysis that the two Ts are maintained in a stable configuration in the active site via interactions with Gln55, Arg73 and Met74. Together, these features define the basis for Pol{eta}'s action on ultraviolet-damaged DNA that is crucial in suppressing the mutagenic and carcinogenic consequences of sun exposure, thereby reducing the incidence of skin cancers in humans.« less

A novel XPD mutation in a compound heterozygote; the mutation in the second allele is present in three homozygous patients with mild sun sensitivity.

PubMed

Falik-Zaccai, Tzipora C; Erel-Segal, Reut; Horev, Liran; Bitterman-Deutsch, Ora; Koka, Sivan; Chaim, Sara; Keren, Zohar; Kalfon, Limor; Gross, Bella; Segal, Zvi; Orgal, Shlomi; Shoval, Yishay; Slor, Hanoch; Spivak, Graciela; Hanawalt, Philip C

2012-08-01

The XPD protein plays a pivotal role in basal transcription and in nucleotide excision repair (NER) as one of the ten known components of the transcription factor TFIIH. Mutations in XPD can result in the DNA repair-deficient diseases xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), trichothiodystrophy (TTD), cerebro-oculo-facial-skeletal syndrome, and in combined phenotypes such as XP/Cockayne syndrome and XP/TTD. We describe here an 18-year-old individual with mild sun sensitivity, no neurological abnormalities and no tumors, who carries a p.R683Q mutation in one allele, and the novel p.R616Q mutation in the other allele of the XPD gene. We also describe four patients from one family, homozygous for the identical p.R683Q mutation in XPD, who exhibit mild skin pigmentation and loss of tendon reflexes. Three homozygous patients presented with late-onset skin tumors, and two with features of premature aging and moderate cognitive decline. Cells from the compound heterozygous individual and from one of the patients homozygous for p.R683Q exhibited similar responses to UV irradiation: reduced viability and defective overall removal of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, implying deficient global genomic NER. Cells from the compound heterozygous subject also failed to recover RNA synthesis after UV, indicating defective transcription-coupled NER. Mutations affecting codon 616 in XPD generally result in functionally null proteins; we hypothesize that the phenotype of the heterozygous patient results solely from expression of the p.R683Q allele. This study illustrates the importance of detailed follow up with sun sensitive individuals, to ensure appropriate prophylaxis and to understand the mechanistic basis of the implicated hereditary disease. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Simultaneous detection of ultraviolet B-induced DNA damage using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence.

PubMed

Guthrie, Jeffrey W; Limmer, Robert T; Brooks, Eric A; Wisnewski, Chelsea C; Loggins-Davis, Nnekia D; Bouzid, Abderraouf

2015-01-01

An immunoassay based on CE-LIF was developed for the simultaneous detection of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine 6-4 pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs) in genomic DNA irradiated with UVB or natural sunlight. Human cells were first exposed to varying amounts of UVB or natural sunlight to induce DNA damage. Genomic DNA was extracted and incubated with anti-CPD and anti-6-4PP primary antibodies attached to secondary antibodies with a fluorescent quantum dot (QD) reporter that emitted either red or yellow fluorescence. CE was used to separate the unbound antibodies from those bound to the photoproducts, and LIF with appropriate optical filters was used to separate the fluorescence signals from each QD to individual photomultiplier tubes for simultaneous photoproduct detection. Using this strategy, photoproducts were detected from ∼6 ng (200 ng μL(-1)) of DNA under a low UVB fluence of 65 J m(-2) for CPDs or 195 J m(-2) for 6-4PPs. This assay was also the first to demonstrate the detection of CPDs in human cells after only 15 min of irradiation under natural sunlight. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photoprotective Properties of Isothiocyanate and Nitrile Glucosinolate Derivatives From Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) Against UVB Irradiation in Human Skin Equivalent

PubMed Central

Carpenter, Evan L.; Le, Mai N.; Miranda, Cristobal L.; Reed, Ralph L.; Stevens, Jan F.; Indra, Arup K.; Ganguli-Indra, Gitali

2018-01-01

Exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation of the skin leads to numerous dermatological concerns including skin cancer and accelerated aging. Natural product glucosinolate derivatives, like sulforaphane, have been shown to exhibit chemopreventive and photoprotective properties. In this study, we examined meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) glucosinolate derivatives, 3-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate (MBITC) and 3-methoxyphenyl acetonitrile (MPACN), for their activity in protecting against the consequences of UV exposure. To that end, we have exposed human primary epidermal keratinocytes (HPEKs) and 3D human skin reconstructed in vitro (EpiDermTM FT-400) to UVB insult and investigated whether MBITC and MPACN treatment ameliorated the harmful effects of UVB damage. Activity was determined by the compounds’ efficacy in counteracting UVB-induced DNA damage, matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and proliferation. We found that in monolayer cultures of HPEK, MBITC and MPACN did not protect against a UVB-induced loss in proliferation and MBITC itself inhibited cell proliferation. However, in human reconstructed skin-equivalents, MBITC and MPACN decrease epidermal cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and significantly reduce total phosphorylated γH2A.X levels. Both MBITC and MPACN inhibit UVB-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression indicating their role to prevent photoaging. Both compounds, and MPACN in particular, showed activity against UVB-induced proliferation as indicated by fewer epidermal PCNA+ cells and prevented UVB-induced hyperplasia as determined by a reduction in reconstructed skin epidermal thickness (ET). These data demonstrate that MBITC and MPACN exhibit promising anti-photocarcinogenic and anti-photoaging properties in the skin microenvironment and could be used for therapeutic interventions. PMID:29867483

Photoprotective Properties of Isothiocyanate and Nitrile Glucosinolate Derivatives From Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) Against UVB Irradiation in Human Skin Equivalent.

PubMed

Carpenter, Evan L; Le, Mai N; Miranda, Cristobal L; Reed, Ralph L; Stevens, Jan F; Indra, Arup K; Ganguli-Indra, Gitali

2018-01-01

Exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation of the skin leads to numerous dermatological concerns including skin cancer and accelerated aging. Natural product glucosinolate derivatives, like sulforaphane, have been shown to exhibit chemopreventive and photoprotective properties. In this study, we examined meadowfoam ( Limnanthes alba ) glucosinolate derivatives, 3-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate (MBITC) and 3-methoxyphenyl acetonitrile (MPACN), for their activity in protecting against the consequences of UV exposure. To that end, we have exposed human primary epidermal keratinocytes (HPEKs) and 3D human skin reconstructed in vitro (EpiDerm TM FT-400) to UVB insult and investigated whether MBITC and MPACN treatment ameliorated the harmful effects of UVB damage. Activity was determined by the compounds' efficacy in counteracting UVB-induced DNA damage, matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and proliferation. We found that in monolayer cultures of HPEK, MBITC and MPACN did not protect against a UVB-induced loss in proliferation and MBITC itself inhibited cell proliferation. However, in human reconstructed skin-equivalents, MBITC and MPACN decrease epidermal cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and significantly reduce total phosphorylated γH2A.X levels. Both MBITC and MPACN inhibit UVB-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression indicating their role to prevent photoaging. Both compounds, and MPACN in particular, showed activity against UVB-induced proliferation as indicated by fewer epidermal PCNA+ cells and prevented UVB-induced hyperplasia as determined by a reduction in reconstructed skin epidermal thickness (ET). These data demonstrate that MBITC and MPACN exhibit promising anti-photocarcinogenic and anti-photoaging properties in the skin microenvironment and could be used for therapeutic interventions.

Nucleobases and Other Prebiotic Species from the UV Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Astrophysical Ices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandford, Scott; Materese, Christopher; Nuevo, Michel

2012-01-01

Nucleobases are aromatic N-heterocycles that constitute the informational subunits of DNA and RNA and are divided into two families: pyrimidine bases (uracil, cytosine, and thymine) and purine bases (adenine and guanine). Nucleobases have been detected in meteorites and their extraterrestrial origin confirmed by isotope measurement. Although no N-heterocycles have been individually identified in the ISM, the 6.2-micron interstellar emission feature seen towards many astronomical objects suggests a population of such molecules is likely present. We report on a study of the formation of pyrimidine-based molecules, including nucleobases and other species of prebiotic interest, from the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of pyrimidine in low temperature ices containing H2O, NH3, C3OH, and CH4, to simulate the astrophysical conditions under which prebiotic species may be formed in the Solar System.

Molecular effects of 1-naphthyl-methylcarbamate and solar radiation exposures on human melanocytes.

PubMed

Ferrucio, Bianca; Tiago, Manoela; Fannin, Richard D; Liu, Liwen; Gerrish, Kevin; Maria-Engler, Silvya Stuchi; Paules, Richard S; Barros, Silvia Berlanga de Moraes

2017-02-01

Carbaryl (1-naphthyl-methylcarbamate), a broad-spectrum insecticide, has recently been associated with the development of cutaneous melanoma in an epidemiological cohort study with U.S. farm workers also exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the main etiologic factor for skin carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that carbaryl exposure may increase deleterious effects of UV solar radiation on skin melanocytes. This study aimed to characterize human melanocytes after individual or combined exposure to carbaryl (100μM) and solar radiation (375mJ/cm 2 ). In a microarray analysis, carbaryl, but not solar radiation, induced an oxidative stress response, evidenced by the upregulation of antioxidant genes, such as Hemeoxygenase-1 (HMOX1), and downregulation of Microphtalmia-associated Transcription Factor (MITF), the main regulator of melanocytic activity; results were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Carbaryl and solar radiation induced a gene response suggestive of DNA damage and cell cycle alteration. The expression of CDKN1A, BRCA1/2 and MDM2 genes was notably more intense in the combined treatment group, in a synergistic manner. Flow cytometry assays demonstrated S-phase cell cycle arrest, reduced apoptosis levels and faster induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) lesions in carbaryl treated groups. Our data suggests that carbaryl is genotoxic to human melanocytes, especially when associated with solar radiation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Photochemistry of Pyrimidine in Pure H2O Ice Subjected to Different Radiation Environments and the Formation of Uracil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nuevo, M.; Chen, Y.-J.; Materese. C. K..; Hu, W.-J.; Qiu, J.-M.; Wu, S.-R.; Fung, H.-S.; Sandford, S. A.; Chu, C.-C.; Yih, T.-S.;

A cyclobutane thymine–N4-methylcytosine dimer is resistant to hydrolysis but strongly blocks DNA synthesis

PubMed Central

Yamamoto, Junpei; Oyama, Tomoko; Kunishi, Tomohiro; Masutani, Chikahide; Hanaoka, Fumio; Iwai, Shigenori

2014-01-01

Exposure of DNA to ultraviolet light produces harmful crosslinks between adjacent pyrimidine bases, to form cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine(6–4)pyrimidone photoproducts. The CPD is frequently formed, and its repair mechanisms have been exclusively studied by using a CPD formed at a TT site. On the other hand, biochemical analyses using CPDs formed within cytosine-containing sequence contexts are practically difficult, because saturated cytosine easily undergoes hydrolytic deamination. Here, we found that N-alkylation of the exocyclic amino group of 2′-deoxycytidine prevents hydrolysis in CPD formation, and an N-methylated cytosine-containing CPD was stable enough to be derivatized into its phosphoramidite building block and incorporated into oligonucleotides. Kinetic studies of the CPD-containing oligonucleotide indicated that its lifetime under physiological conditions is relatively long (∼7 days). In biochemical analyses using human DNA polymerase η, incorporation of TMP opposite the N-methylcytosine moiety of the CPD was clearly detected, in addition to dGMP incorporation, and the incorrect TMP incorporation blocked DNA synthesis. The thermodynamic parameters confirmed the formation of this unusual base pair. PMID:24185703

Nucleotide Excision Repair Proteins Rapidly Accumulate but Fail to Persist in Human XP-E (DDB2 Mutant) Cells

PubMed Central

Oh, Kyu-Seon; Imoto, Kyoko; Emmert, Steffen; Tamura, Deborah; DiGiovanna, John J.; Kraemer, Kenneth. H.

2011-01-01

The XP-E DNA damage binding protein (DDB2) is involved in early recognition of global genome DNA damage during DNA nucleotide excision repair (NER). We found that skin fibroblasts from 4 newly reported XP-E patients with numerous skin cancers and DDB2 mutations had slow repair of 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PP) and markedly reduced repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD). NER proteins (XPC, XPB, XPG, XPA, and XPF) co-localized to CPD and 6-4PP positive regions immediately (< 0.1h) after localized UV irradiation in cells from the XP-E patients and normal controls. While these proteins persist in normal cells, surprisingly, within 0.5h these repair proteins were no longer detectable at the sites of DNA damage in XP-E cells. Our results indicate that DDB2 is not required for the rapid recruitment of NER proteins to sites of UV photoproducts or for partial repair of 6-4PP but is essential for normal persistence of these proteins for CPD photoproduct removal. PMID:21388382

A 5-4 pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproduct produced from mixtures of thymine and 4-thiouridine irradiated with 334 nm light.

PubMed

Blazek, E R; Alderfer, J L; Tabaczynski, W A; Stamoudis, V C; Churchill, M E; Peak, J G; Peak, M J

1993-02-01

The nucleoside 4-thiouridine, present in some bacterial tRNA species, is known to be a chromophore and a target for near-UV light-induced growth delay and also mediates both photoprotection and near-UV cell killing in various bacterial strains. To investigate the photoreaction of 4-thiouridine with DNA or its precursors, we irradiated aqueous mixtures of thymine and 4-thiouridine with 334 nm light and then separated photoproducts using two or more stages of reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The two equally abundant major photoproducts were analyzed by UV absorbance spectrophotometry, fast-atom bombardment and electron-impact mass spectrometry, and 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and have been identified as two diastereomers of 6-hydroxy-5-[1-(beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-4'-pyrimidin-2'- one]dihydrothymine (O6hThy[5-4]Pdo), of molecular weight = 370.32. These two diastereomers, although stable at room temperature or below, are interconvertible by heating (90 degrees C for 5 min) in aqueous solution. The possible biological significance of this photoproduct is discussed, and an application as a crosslinker for oligonucleotides to selectively block replication is suggested.

The photochemistry of pyrimidine in realistic astrophysical ices and the production of nucleobases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nuevo, Michel; Materese, Christopher K.; Sandford, Scott A., E-mail: michel.nuevo-1@nasa.gov

2014-10-01

Nucleobases, together with deoxyribose/ribose and phosphoric acid, are the building blocks of DNA and RNA for all known life. The presence of nucleobase-like compounds in carbonaceous chondrites delivered to the Earth raises the question of an extraterrestrial origin for the molecules that triggered life on our planet. Whether these molecules are formed in interstellar/protostellar environments, in small parent bodies in the solar system, or both, is currently unclear. Recent experiments show that the UV irradiation of pyrimidine (C{sub 4}H{sub 4}N{sub 2}) in H{sub 2}O-rich ice mixtures that contain NH{sub 3}, CH{sub 3}OH, or CH{sub 4} leads to the formation ofmore » the pyrimidine-based nucleobases uracil, cytosine, and thymine. In this work, we discuss the low-temperature UV irradiation of pyrimidine in realistic astrophysical ice mixtures containing H{sub 2}O, CH{sub 3}OH, and NH{sub 3}, with or without CH{sub 4}, to search for the production of nucleobases and other prebiotic compounds. These experiments show the presence of uracil, urea, glycerol, hexamethylenetetramine, small amino acids, and small carboxylic acids in all samples. Cytosine was only found in one sample produced from ices irradiated with a higher UV dose, while thymine was not found in any sample, even after irradiation with a higher UV dose. Results are discussed to evaluate the role of the photochemistry of pyrimidine in the inventory of organic molecules detected in meteorites and their astrophysical/astrobiological implications.« less

Reversible Hydrolysis Reaction with the Spore Photoproduct under Alkaline Conditions.

PubMed

Adhikari, Surya; Lin, Gengjie; Li, Lei

2016-09-16

DNA lesions may reduce the electron density at the nucleobases, making them prone to further modifications upon the alkaline treatment. The dominant DNA photolesion found in UV-irradiated bacterial endospores is a thymine dimer, 5-thyminyl-5,6-dihydrothymine, i.e., the spore photoproduct (SP). Here we report a stepwise addition/elimination reaction in the SP hydrolysis product under strong basic conditions where a ureido group is added to the carboxyl moiety to form a cyclic amide, regenerating SP after eliminating a hydroxide ion. Direct amidation of carboxylic acids by reaction with amines in the presence of a catalyst is well documented; however, it is very rare for an amidation reaction to occur without activation. This uncatalyzed SP reverse reaction in aqueous solution is even more surprising because the carboxyl moiety is not a good electrophile due to the negative charge it carries. Examination of the base-catalyzed hydrolyses of two other saturated pyrimidine lesions, 5,6-dihydro-2'-deoxyuridine and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproduct, reveals that neither reaction is reversible even though all three hydrolysis reactions may share the same gem-diol intermediate. Therefore, the SP structure where the two thymine residues maintain a stacked conformation likely provides the needed framework enabling this highly unusual carboxyl addition/elimination reaction.

Adenylyl cyclase G is activated by an intramolecular osmosensor.

PubMed

Saran, Shweta; Schaap, Pauline

2004-03-01

Adenylyl cyclase G (ACG) is activated by high osmolality and mediates inhibition of spore germination by this stress factor. The catalytic domains of all eukaryote cyclases are active as dimers and dimerization often mediates activation. To investigate the role of dimerization in ACG activation, we coexpressed ACG with an ACG construct that lacked the catalytic domain (ACGDeltacat) and was driven by a UV-inducible promoter. After UV induction of ACGDeltacat, cAMP production by ACG was strongly inhibited, but osmostimulation was not reduced. Size fractionation of native ACG showed that dimers were formed between ACG molecules and between ACG and ACGDeltacat. However, high osmolality did not alter the dimer/monomer ratio. This indicates that ACG activity requires dimerization via a region outside the catalytic domain but that dimer formation does not mediate activation by high osmolality. To establish whether ACG required auxiliary sensors for osmostimulation, we expressed ACG cDNA in a yeast adenylyl cyclase null mutant. In yeast, cAMP production by ACG was similarly activated by high osmolality as in Dictyostelium. This strongly suggests that the ACG osmosensor is intramolecular, which would define ACG as the first characterized primary osmosensor in eukaryotes.

Ultraviolet Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Interstellar Ice Analogs: Formation and Photo-Stability of Nucleobases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nuevo, Michel; Milam, Stefanie N.; Sandford, Scott A.; Elsila, Jamie E.; Dworkin, Jason P.

2010-01-01

Astrochemistry laboratory experiments recently showed that molecules of prebiotic interest can potentially form in space, as supported by the detection of amino acids in organic residues formed by the UV photolysis of ices simulating interstellar and cometary environments (H2O, CO, CO2, CH3OH, NH3, etc.). Although the presence of amino acids in the interstellar medium (ISM) is still under debate, experiments and the detection of amino acids in meteorites both support a scenario in which prebiotic molecules could be of extraterrestrial origin, before they are delivered to planets by comets, asteroids, and interplanetary dust particles. Nucleobases, the informational subunits of DNA and RNA, have also been detected in meteorites, although they have not yet been observed in the ISM. Thus, these molecules constitute another family of prebiotic compounds that can possibly form via abiotical processes in astrophysical environments. Nucleobases are nitrogen-bearing cyclic aromatic species with various functional groups attached, which are divided into two classes: pyrimidines (uracil, cytosine, and thymine) and purines (adenine and guanine). In this work, we study how UV irradiation affects pyrimidine mixed in interstellar ice analogs (H2O, NH3, CH3OH). In particular, we show that the UV irradiation of H2O:pyrimidine mixtures leads to the production of oxidized compounds including uracil, and show that both uracil and cytosine are formed upon irradiation of H2O:NH3:pyrimidine mixtures. We also study the photostability of pyrimidine and its photoproducts formed during these experiments.

The relationship between UV-irradiance, photoprotective compounds and DNA damage in two intertidal invertebrates with contrasting mobility characteristics.

PubMed

Cubillos, Victor Mauricio; Burritt, David J; Lamare, Miles D; Peake, Barrie M

2015-08-01

The photoprotective role of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAA) against the generation of DNA cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) was studied in the sessile intertidal anemone Actinia tenebrosa and the mobile intertidal gastropod Diloma aethiops through 27months at a mid-latitude New Zealand location. MAA were sequestered by A. tenebrosa and D. aethiops from their diet, although maximum total MAA levels in both species were not correlated with seasonal variation in maximum ambient UV-B levels recorded at the collection site. Temporal changes in total MAA in A. tenebrosa showed a six months lag-time in their concentration regarding to the environmental UV-B levels. This lag period corresponded to an observed increase in CPD production from spring to summer; suggesting that MAA do not completely protect the anemone from UV-B during summer. For D. aethiops, total MAA concentrations did not change significantly during the study, although qualitative changes in MAA were apparent. A month lag-time in MAA concentration in D. aethiops and possibly the physical barrier that the shell confers to the animal, can explain reduced CPD levels in comparative terms with A. tenebrosa. Although MAA are used by invertebrates for photoprotection, contrasting mobility characteristics and the presence of physical adaptations can confer them important protection levels during temporal changes of UV-B at mid-latitude places of the Southern Hemisphere. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of the RhoA GTPase Activity Increases Sensitivity of Melanoma Cells to UV Radiation Effects

PubMed Central

Espinha, Gisele; Osaki, Juliana Harumi; Costa, Erico Tosoni; Forti, Fabio Luis

2016-01-01

Ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of DNA damage to melanocytes and development of melanoma, one of the most lethal human cancers, which leads to metastasis due to uncontrolled cell proliferation and migration. These phenotypes are mediated by RhoA, a GTPase overexpressed or overactivated in highly aggressive metastatic tumors that plays regulatory roles in cell cycle progression and cytoskeleton remodeling. This work explores whether the effects of UV on DNA damage, motility, proliferation, and survival of human metastatic melanoma cells are mediated by the RhoA pathway. Mutant cells expressing dominant-negative (MeWo-RhoA-N19) or constitutively active RhoA (MeWo-RhoA-V14) were generated and subjected to UV radiation. A slight reduction in migration and invasion was observed in MeWo and MeWo-RhoA-V14 cells but not in MeWo-RhoA-N19 cells, which presented inefficient motility and invasiveness associated with stress fibers fragmentation. Proliferation and survival of RhoA-deficient cells were drastically reduced by UV compared to cells displaying normal or high RhoA activity, suggesting increased sensitivity to UV. Loss of RhoA activity also caused less efficient DNA repair, with elevated levels of DNA lesions such as strand breaks and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Thus, RhoA mediates genomic stability and represents a potential target for sensitizing metastatic tumors to genotoxic agents. PMID:26823948

The Role of Inducible DNA Repair in W-Reactivation and Related Phenomena.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-14

unexcised dimers in X DNA. This was consistent with the finding of Tomilin and Mosevitskaya (1975) which showed that the UV-endonuclease from Micrococcus ...of DNA in vitro with UV-endonuclease from Micrococcus luteus. Mutat. Res. 27, 147-156 (1975) Tomizawa, J., Ogawa, T.: Effect of ultraviolet irradiation

Sunlight damage to cellular DNA: Focus on oxidatively generated lesions.

PubMed

Schuch, André Passaglia; Moreno, Natália Cestari; Schuch, Natielen Jacques; Menck, Carlos Frederico Martins; Garcia, Camila Carrião Machado

2017-06-01

The routine and often unavoidable exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation makes it one of the most significant environmental DNA-damaging agents to which humans are exposed. Sunlight, specifically UVB and UVA, triggers various types of DNA damage. Although sunlight, mainly UVB, is necessary for the production of vitamin D, which is necessary for human health, DNA damage may have several deleterious consequences, such as cell death, mutagenesis, photoaging and cancer. UVA and UVB photons can be directly absorbed not only by DNA, which results in lesions, but also by the chromophores that are present in skin cells. This process leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species, which may indirectly cause DNA damage. Despite many decades of investigation, the discrimination among the consequences of these different types of lesions is not clear. However, human cells have complex systems to avoid the deleterious effects of the reactive species produced by sunlight. These systems include antioxidants, that protect DNA, and mechanisms of DNA damage repair and tolerance. Genetic defects in these mechanisms that have clear harmful effects in the exposed skin are found in several human syndromes. The best known of these is xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), whose patients are defective in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) and translesion synthesis (TLS) pathways. These patients are mainly affected due to UV-induced pyrimidine dimers, but there is growing evidence that XP cells are also defective in the protection against other types of lesions, including oxidized DNA bases. This raises a question regarding the relative roles of the various forms of sunlight-induced DNA damage on skin carcinogenesis and photoaging. Therefore, knowledge of what occurs in XP patients may still bring important contributions to the understanding of the biological impact of sunlight-induced deleterious effects on the skin cells. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

N-H.N hydrogen bonding in 4,6-diphenyl-2-pyrimidinylamine isolated from the plant Justicia secunda (Acanthaceae).

PubMed

Gallagher, John F; Goswami, Shyamaprosad; Chatterjee, Baidyanath; Jana, Subrata; Dutta, Kalyani

2004-04-01

The title compound, C(16)H(13)N(3), isolated from Justicia secunda (Acanthaceae), comprises two molecules (which differ slightly in conformation) in the asymmetric unit of space group P-1. Intermolecular N(amino)-H.N(pyrm) interactions (N(pyrm) is a pyrimidine ring N atom) involve only one of the two donor amino H atoms and pyrimidine N atoms per molecule, forming dimeric units via R(2)(2)(8) rings, with N.N distances of 3.058 (2) and 3.106 (3) A, and N-H.N angles of 172.7 (18) and 175.8 (17) degrees. The dimers are linked by C-H.pi(arene) contacts, with an H.centroid distance of 2.77 A and a C-H.centroid angle of 141 degrees.

Degradation of sulfamethoxazole by UV, UV/H2O2 and UV/persulfate (PDS): Formation of oxidation products and effect of bicarbonate.

PubMed

Yang, Yi; Lu, Xinglin; Jiang, Jin; Ma, Jun; Liu, Guanqi; Cao, Ying; Liu, Weili; Li, Juan; Pang, Suyan; Kong, Xiujuan; Luo, Congwei

2017-07-01

The frequent detection of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in wastewater and surface waters gives rise of concerns about their ecotoxicological effects and potential risks to induce antibacterial resistant genes. UV/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H 2 O 2 ) and UV/persulfate (UV/PDS) advanced oxidation processes have been demonstrated to be effective for the elimination of SMX, but there is still a need for a deeper understanding of product formations. In this study, we identified and compared the transformation products of SMX in UV, UV/H 2 O 2 and UV/PDS processes. Because of the electrophilic nature of SO 4 - , the second-order rate constant for the reaction of sulfate radical (SO 4 - ) with the anionic form of SMX was higher than that with the neutral form, while hydroxyl radical (OH) exhibited comparable reactivity to both forms. The direct photolysis of SMX predominately occurred through cleavage of the NS bond, rearrangement of the isoxazole ring, and hydroxylation mechanisms. Hydroxylation was the dominant pathway for the reaction of OH with SMX. SO 4 - favored attack on NH 2 group of SMX to generate a nitro derivative and dimeric products. The presence of bicarbonate in UV/H 2 O 2 inhibited the formation of hydroxylated products, but promoted the formation of the nitro derivative and the dimeric products. In UV/PDS, bicarbonate increased the formation of the nitro derivative and the dimeric products, but decreased the formation of the hydroxylated dimeric products. The different effect of bicarbonate on transformation products in UV/H 2 O 2 vs. UV/PDS suggested that carbonate radical (CO 3 - ) oxidized SMX through the electron transfer mechanism similar to SO 4 - but with less oxidation capacity. Additionally, SO 4 - and CO 3 - exhibited higher reactivity to the oxazole ring than the isoxazole ring of SMX. Ecotoxicity of transformation products was estimated by ECOSAR program based on the quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis as well as by experiments using Vibrio fischeri, and these results indicated that the oxidation of SO 4 - or CO 3 - with SMX generated more toxic products than those of OH. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure of Plasmodium falciparum orotate phosphoribosyltransferase with autologous inhibitory protein–protein interactions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Shiva; Krishnamoorthy, Kalyanaraman; Mudeppa, Devaraja G.

P. falciparum orotate phosphoribosyltransferase, a potential target for antimalarial drugs and a conduit for prodrugs, crystallized as a structure with eight molecules per asymmetric unit that included some unique parasite-specific auto-inhibitory interactions between catalytic dimers. The most severe form of malaria is caused by the obligate parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRTase) is the fifth enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine-synthesis pathway in the parasite, which lacks salvage pathways. Among all of the malaria de novo pyrimidine-biosynthesis enzymes, the structure of P. falciparum OPRTase (PfOPRTase) was the only one unavailable until now. PfOPRTase that could be crystallized was obtained aftermore » some low-complexity sequences were removed. Four catalytic dimers were seen in the asymmetic unit (a total of eight polypeptides). In addition to revealing unique amino acids in the PfOPRTase active sites, asymmetric dimers in the larger structure pointed to novel parasite-specific protein–protein interactions that occlude the catalytic active sites. The latter could potentially modulate PfOPRTase activity in parasites and possibly provide new insights for blocking PfOPRTase functions.« less

The use of suction blisters to measure sunscreen protection against UVR-induced DNA damage.

PubMed

Josse, Gwendal; Douki, Thierry; Le Digabel, Jimmy; Gravier, Eleonore; Questel, Emmanuel

2018-02-01

The formation of DNA photoproducts caused by solar UVR exposure needs to be investigated in-vivo and in particular in order to assess sunscreens' level of protection against solar genotoxicity. The study's purposes were: i) to evaluate if the roof of suction blisters is an appropriate sampling method for measuring photoproducts, and ii) to measure in-vivo sunscreen protection against cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Skin areas on the interior forearms of eight healthy volunteers were exposed in-vivo to 2 MED of simulated solar radiation (SSR) and to 15 MED on a sunscreen protected area. After irradiation, six suction blisters were induced and the blister roofs were collected. Analysis of SSR-induced CPDs was performed by two independent methods: a chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS/MS) approach and a 3D-imaging of CPD immunostaining by multiphoton microscopy on floating epidermal sheets. HPLC-MS/MS analyses showed that SSR-unexposed skin presented no CPD dimers, whereas 2 MED SSR-exposed skin showed a significant number of TT-CPD. The sunscreen covered skin exposed to 15 MED appeared highly protected from DNA damage, as the amount of CPD-dimers remained below the detection limit. The multiphoton-immunostaining analysis consistently showed that no CPD staining was observed on the non-SSR-exposed skin. A significant increase of CPD staining intensity and number of CPD-positive cells were observed on the 2 MED SSR-exposed skin. Sunscreen protected skin presented a very low staining intensity and the number of CPD-positive cells remained very close to non-SSR-exposed skin. This study showed that suction blister samples are very appropriate for measuring CPD dimers in-vivo, and that sunscreens provide high protection against UVR-induced DNA damage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Excision repair of UV radiation-induced DNA damage in Caenorhabditis elegans

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hartman, P.S.; Hevelone, J.; Dwarakanath, V.

1989-06-01

Radioimmunoassays were used to monitor the removal of antibody-binding sites associated with the two major UV radiation-induced DNA photoproducts (cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts). Unlike with cultured human cells, where (6-4) photoproducts are removed more rapidly than cyclobutane dimers, the kinetics of repair were similar for both lesions. Repair capacity in wild type diminished throughout development. The radioimmunoassays were also employed to confirm the absence of photoreactivation in C. elegans. In addition, three radiation-sensitive mutants (rad-1, rad-2, rad-7) displayed normal repair capacities. An excision defect was much more pronounced in larvae than embryos in the fourth mutant tested (rad-3). Thismore » correlates with the hypersensitivity pattern of this mutant and suggests that DNA repair may be developmentally regulated in C. elegans. The mechanism of DNA repair in C. elegans as well as the relationship between the repair of specific photoproducts and UV radiation sensitivity during development are discussed.« less

In vitro characterization of pol I*, an SOS inducible, error-prone from of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hodes, C.S.

E. coli strains carrying mutations in the SOS regulon were screened for the presence of pol I*. Use of pol I* in assays of polymerase fidelity and selectivity has been limited by the low concentration and purity of the enzyme. Therefore, attempts were made to further concentrate and purify pol I*. The template selectivity of pol I* was compared to that of pol I using three models of damaged DNA. UV-irradiated M13 DNA was used in a two-stage termination reaction to determine if pol I* could bypass putative pyrimidine dimers to a greater extent than pol I. In the gelmore » system no reproducibly significant bypass could be detected by either pol I* or pol I. However, the degree of replication by pol I* utilizing UV-irradiated M13 DNA template, was up to 5-fold greater than for pol I. OsO{sub 4}-oxidized M13 DNA was used as a model substrate for oxidative DNA damage. Opposite this substrate incorporation by pol I* is less inhibited than incorporation by pol I. However, in a test of nucleotide selectivity neither pol I*, pol I, nor terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase will incorporate ({alpha}-{sup 32}P)thymine glycol deoxyribonucleotide. The activity of pol I* was compared to that of pol I on the synthetic templates, poly (dA) and poly((dA)+2-AP). Pol I* misincorporated both dCMP and dGMP to a greater extent than pol I when utilizing templates containing 2-aminopurine deoxyribonucleotide.« less

Solar UVB-induced DNA damage and photoenzymatic DNA repair in antarctic zooplankton

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Malloy, K.D.; Holman, M.A.; Mitchell, D.

The detrimental effects of elevated intensities of mid-UV radiation (UVB), a result of stratospheric ozone depletion during the austral spring, on the primary producers of the Antarctic marine ecosystem have been well documented. Here we report that natural populations of Antarctic zooplankton also sustain significant DNA damage [measured as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs)] during periods of increased UVB flux. This is the first direct evidence that increased solar UVB may result in damage to marine organisms other than primary producers in Antarctica. The extent of DNA damage in pelagic icefish eggs correlated with daily incident UVB irradiance, reflecting the differencemore » between acquisition and repair of CPDs. Patterns of DNA damage in fish larvae did not correlated with daily UVB flux, possibly due to different depth distributions and/or different capacities for DNA repair. Clearance of CPDs by Antarctic fish and krill was mediated primarily by the photoenzymatic repair system. Although repair rates were large for all species evaluated, they were apparently inadequate to prevent the transient accumulation of substantial CPD burdens. The capacity for DNA repair in Antarctic organisms was highest in those species whose early life history stages occupy the water column during periods of ozone depletion (austral spring) and lowest in fish species whose eggs and larvae are abundant during winter. Although the potential reduction in fitness of Antarctic zooplankton resulting from DNA damage is unknown, we suggest that increased solar UV may reduce recruitment and adversely affect trophic transfer of productivity by affecting heterotrophic species as well as primary producers. 54 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Induction of pure and sectored mutant clones in excision-proficient and deficient strains of yeast.

PubMed

Eckardt, F; Haynes, R H

1977-06-01

We have found that UV-induced mutation frequency in a forward non-selective assay system (scoring white adex ade2 double auxotroph mutants among the red pigmented ade2 clones) increases linearly with dose up to a maximum frequency of about 3 X 10(-3) mutants per survivor and then declines in both RAD wild-type and rad2 excision deficient strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutation frequencies of the RAD and the rad2 strains plotted against survival are nearly identical over the entire survival range. On this basis we conclude that unexcised pyrimidine dimers are the predominant type of pre-mutational lesions in both strains. In the RAD wild-type strain pure mutant clones outnumber sectors in a 10:1 ratio at all doses used; in rad2 this ratio varies from 1:1 at low doses up to 10:1 at high doses. As others have concluded for wild-type strains we find also in the rad2 strain that pure clone formation cannot be accounted for quantitatively by lethal sectoring events alone. We conclude that heteroduplex repair is a crucial step in pure mutant clone formation and we examine the plausibility of certain macromolecular mechanisms according to which heteroduplex repair may be coupled with replication, repair and sister strand exchange in yeast mutagenesis.

Functional identification of a novel 14-3-3 epsilon splicing variant suggests dimerization is not necessary for 14-3-3 epsilon to inhibit UV-induced apoptosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Han, Dingding; Ye, Guangming; Liu, Tingting

2010-05-28

14-3-3 proteins function as a dimer and have been identified to involve in diverse signaling pathways. Here we reported the identification of a novel splicing variant of human 14-3-3 epsilon (14-3-3 epsilon sv), which is derived from a novel exon 1' insertion. The insertion contains a stop codon and leads to a truncated splicing variant of 14-3-3 epsilon. The splicing variant is translated from the exon 2 and results in the deletion of an N-terminal {alpha}-helix which is crucial for the dimerization. Therefore, the 14-3-3 epsilon sv could not form a dimer with 14-3-3 zeta. However, after UV irradiation 14-3-3more » epsilon sv could also support cell survival, suggesting monomer of 14-3-3 epsilon is sufficient to protect cell from apoptosis.« less

Nucleotide excision repair-dependent DNA double-strand break formation and ATM signaling activation in mammalian quiescent cells.

PubMed

Wakasugi, Mitsuo; Sasaki, Takuma; Matsumoto, Megumi; Nagaoka, Miyuki; Inoue, Keiko; Inobe, Manabu; Horibata, Katsuyoshi; Tanaka, Kiyoji; Matsunaga, Tsukasa

2014-10-10

Histone H2A variant H2AX is phosphorylated at Ser(139) in response to DNA double-strand break (DSB) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) formation. UV light dominantly induces pyrimidine photodimers, which are removed from the mammalian genome by nucleotide excision repair (NER). We previously reported that in quiescent G0 phase cells, UV induces ATR-mediated H2AX phosphorylation plausibly caused by persistent ssDNA gap intermediates during NER. In this study, we have found that DSB is also generated following UV irradiation in an NER-dependent manner and contributes to an earlier fraction of UV-induced H2AX phosphorylation. The NER-dependent DSB formation activates ATM kinase and triggers the accumulation of its downstream factors, MRE11, NBS1, and MDC1, at UV-damaged sites. Importantly, ATM-deficient cells exhibited enhanced UV sensitivity under quiescent conditions compared with asynchronously growing conditions. Finally, we show that the NER-dependent H2AX phosphorylation is also observed in murine peripheral T lymphocytes, typical nonproliferating quiescent cells in vivo. These results suggest that in vivo quiescent cells may suffer from NER-mediated secondary DNA damage including ssDNA and DSB. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Photodamage of a Mn(III/IV)-oxo mixed-valence compound and photosystem II: evidence that a high-valent manganese species is responsible for UV-induced photodamage of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II.

PubMed

Wei, Zi; Cady, Clyde W; Brudvig, Gary W; Hou, Harvey J M

2011-01-01

The Mn cluster in photosystem II (PS II) is believed to play an important role in the UV photoinhibition of green plants, but the mechanism is still not clear at a molecular level. In this work, the photochemical stability of [Mn(III)(O)(2)Mn(IV)(H(2)O)(2)(Terpy)(2)](NO(3))(3) (Terpy=2,2':6',2''-terpyridine), designated as Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer, a well characterized functional model of the oxygen-evolving complex in PS II, was examined in aqueous solution by exposing the complex to excess light irradiation at six different wavelengths in the range of 250 to 700 nm. The photodamage of the Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer was confirmed by the decrease of its oxygen-evolution activity measured in the presence of the chemical oxidant oxone. Ultraviolet light irradiation induced a new absorption peak at around 400-440 nm of the Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer. Visible light did not have the same effect on the Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer. We speculate that the spectral change may be caused by conversion of the Mn(III)O(2)Mn(IV) dimer into a new structure--Mn(IV)O(2)Mn(IV). In the processes, the appearance of a 514 nm fluorescence peak was observed in the solution and may be linked to the hydration or protonation of Terpy ligand in the Mn-oxo dimer. In comparing the response of the PS II functional model compound and the PS II complex to excess light radiation, our results support the idea that UV photoinhibition is triggered at the Mn(4)Ca center of the oxygen-evolution complex in PS II by forming a modified structure, possibly a Mn(IV) species, and that the reaction of Mn ions is likely the initial step. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Synthetic, XRD, non-covalent interactions and solvent dependent nonlinear optical studies of Sulfadiazine-Ortho-Vanillin Schiff base: (E)-4-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxy- benzylidene) amino)-N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzene-sulfonamide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahid, Muhammad; Salim, Muhammad; Khalid, Muhammad; Tahir, Muhammad Nawaz; Khan, Muhammad Usman; Braga, Ataualpa Albert Carmo

2018-06-01

In this study, Sulfadiazine-Ortho-Vanillin Schiff base namely (E)-4-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)sbnd N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzene-sulfonamide (BS) was synthesized. Chemical characterization and computational studies using different techniques like XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis, NBO, FMO, and MEP have been employed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed at M06-2X/6-311 + G(d,p) level of theory to obtain optimized geometry and vibrational wave numbers for (E)-4-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)sbnd N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzene-sulfonamide (BS). The DFT optimized geometry supports the experimental XRD parameters. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) energies and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces have been executed at M06-2X/6-311 + G(d,p) level of theory. NBO analysis has been carried out at M06-2X/6-311 + G(d,p) level which not only discovered the hyper conjugative interactions and stability in title molecule but also reconfirmed the existence of Nsbnd H⋯N hydrogen bonds between the dimer. The findings of small EHOMO-ELUMO gap shows less hardness and larger softness values which suggested the bioactiveness of the title molecule. Finally, the effect of solvent on nonlinear optical (NLO) properties has been executed using M06-2X level of theory and 6-311 + G (d,p) basis set. The solvent polarity enhanced the NLO response from 3.62 × 10-30 esu to 4.66 × 10-30 esu indicating the considerable NLO character hence in general may have potential applications in the development of non-linear optical materials.

Fluoride anion sensing mechanism of 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone quadruple hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assembly: photoinduced electron transfer and partial configuration change.

PubMed

Chen, Jun-Sheng; Zhou, Pan-Wang; Li, Guang-Yue; Chu, Tian-Shu; He, Guo-Zhong

2013-05-02

The fluoride anion sensing mechanism of 6-methyl-5-(9-methylene-anthracene)-(2-butylureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone) (AnUP) has been investigated using the DFT/TDDFT method. The theoretical results indicate that the proton of the N3-H3 group in pyrimidine moiety is captured by the added fluoride anion and then deprotonated. The calculated vertical excitation energies of AnUP-dimer and its deprotonated form agree well with the experimental results. The molecular orbital analysis demonstrates that the first excited state (S1) of AnUP-dimer is a local excited state with a π-π* transition, whereas for the deprotonated form, S1 is a completely charge-separation state and is responsible for the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. The PET process from anthracene to the pyrimidine moiety leads to the fluorescence quenching.

Femtosecond UV-laser pulses to unveil protein-protein interactions in living cells.

PubMed

Itri, Francesco; Monti, Daria M; Della Ventura, Bartolomeo; Vinciguerra, Roberto; Chino, Marco; Gesuele, Felice; Lombardi, Angelina; Velotta, Raffaele; Altucci, Carlo; Birolo, Leila; Piccoli, Renata; Arciello, Angela

2016-02-01

A hallmark to decipher bioprocesses is to characterize protein-protein interactions in living cells. To do this, the development of innovative methodologies, which do not alter proteins and their natural environment, is particularly needed. Here, we report a method (LUCK, Laser UV Cross-linKing) to in vivo cross-link proteins by UV-laser irradiation of living cells. Upon irradiation of HeLa cells under controlled conditions, cross-linked products of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were detected, whose yield was found to be a linear function of the total irradiation energy. We demonstrated that stable dimers of GAPDH were formed through intersubunit cross-linking, as also observed when the pure protein was irradiated by UV-laser in vitro. We proposed a defined patch of aromatic residues located at the enzyme subunit interface as the cross-linking sites involved in dimer formation. Hence, by this technique, UV-laser is able to photofix protein surfaces that come in direct contact. Due to the ultra-short time scale of UV-laser-induced cross-linking, this technique could be extended to weld even transient protein interactions in their native context.

Near ultraviolet spectroscopic studies of 2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine-3-oxide (minoxidil) and 2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine (desoxyminoxidil)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thamann, Thomas J.

The near u.v. spectra of 2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine (desoxyminoxidil) and 2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine-3-oxide (minoxidil) can be viewed as perturbed pyrimidine spectra. The u.v. properties of pyrimidine and a series of aminopyrimidines, specifically 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine, are examined to obtain u.v. spectral assignments for desoxyminoxidil and minoxidil. Minoxidil and its desoxy counterpart have C s symmetry, and all π → π* absorptions are allowed 1A' ← 1A' transitions. The two lowest energy π →- π* absorptions observed in minoxidil (262 nm, 292 nm) are tentatively assigned as very mild oxygen → pyrimidine ring charge-transfer transitions. Intensity decreases in protic solvents, and the results of simple Hückel molecular orbital calculations indicate that the 292 nm transition has more charge-transfer character than the 262 nm absorption. The protonated species of desoxyminoxidil and minoxidil have very similar u.v. spectra. This is due to the lack of oxygen-related charge transfer in protonated minoxidil, and the high probability that the positive charge resides in similar environments in the minoxidil and desoxyminoxidil molecular frameworks.

Nucleobases and other Prebiotic Species from the Ultraviolet Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Astrophysical Ices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandford, S. A.; Nuevo, M.; Materese, C. K.; Milam, S. N.

2012-01-01

Nucleobases are N-heterocycles that are the informational subunits of DNA and RNA, and are divided into two families: pyrimidine bases (uracil, cytosine, and thymine) and purine bases (adenine and guanine). Nucleobases have been detected in meteorites and their extraterrestrial origin confirmed by isotope measurement. Although no Nheterocycles have ever been observed in the ISM, the positions of the 6.2-m interstellar emission features suggest a population of such molecules is likely to be present. In this work we study the formation of pyrimidine-based molecules, including nucleobases, as well as other species of prebiotic interest, from the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of pyrimidine in combinations of H2O, NH3, CH3OH, and CH4 ices at low temperature, in order to simulate the astrophysical conditions under which prebiotic species may be formed in the interstellar medium and icy bodies of the Solar System. Experimental: Gas mixtures are prepared in a glass mixing line (background pressure approx. 10(exp -6)-10(exp -5) mbar). Relative proportions between mixture components are determined by their partial pressures. Gas mixtures are then deposited on an aluminum foil attached to a cold finger (15-20 K) and simultaneously irradiated with an H2 lamp emitting UV photons (Lyman and a continuum at approx.160 nm). After irradiation samples are warmed to room temperature, at which time the remaining residues are recovered to be analyzed with liquid and gas chromatographies. Results: These experiments showed that the UV irradiation of pyrimidine mixed in these ices at low temperature leads to the formation of several photoproducts derived from pyrimidine, including the nucleobases uracil and cytosine, as well as their precursors 4(3H)-pyrimidone and 4-aminopyrimidine (Fig. 1). Theoretical quantum calculations on the formation of 4(3H)-pyrimidone and uracil from the irradiation of pyrimidine in pure H2O ices are in agreement with their experimental formation pathways. In those residues, other species of prebiotic interest such as urea and the amino acids glycine and alanine could also be identified. However, no pyrimidine derivatives containing CH3 groups, including the third nucleobase thymine, could be identified, suggesting that the addition of methyl groups to pyrimidine is not an efficient process.

Protection of Nitrate-Reducing Fe(II)-Oxidizing Bacteria from UV Radiation by Biogenic Fe(III) Minerals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gauger, Tina; Konhauser, Kurt; Kappler, Andreas

2016-04-01

Due to the lack of an ozone layer in the Archean, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) reached early Earth's surface almost unattenuated; as a consequence, a terrestrial biosphere in the form of biological soil crusts would have been highly susceptible to lethal doses of irradiation. However, a self-produced external screen in the form of nanoparticular Fe(III) minerals could have effectively protected those early microorganisms. In this study, we use viability studies by quantifying colony-forming units (CFUs), as well as Fe(II) oxidation and nitrate reduction rates, to show that encrustation in biogenic and abiogenic Fe(III) minerals can protect a common soil bacteria such as the nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms Acidovorax sp. strain BoFeN1 and strain 2AN from harmful UVC radiation. Analysis of DNA damage by quantifying cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) confirmed the protecting effect by Fe(III) minerals. This study suggests that Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms, as would have grown in association with mafic and ultramafic soils/outcrops, would have been able to produce their own UV screen, enabling them to live in terrestrial habitats on early Earth.

Protection of Nitrate-Reducing Fe(II)-Oxidizing Bacteria from UV Radiation by Biogenic Fe(III) Minerals.

PubMed

Gauger, Tina; Konhauser, Kurt; Kappler, Andreas

2016-04-01

Due to the lack of an ozone layer in the Archean, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) reached early Earth's surface almost unattenuated; as a consequence, a terrestrial biosphere in the form of biological soil crusts would have been highly susceptible to lethal doses of irradiation. However, a self-produced external screen in the form of nanoparticular Fe(III) minerals could have effectively protected those early microorganisms. In this study, we use viability studies by quantifying colony-forming units (CFUs), as well as Fe(II) oxidation and nitrate reduction rates, to show that encrustation in biogenic and abiogenic Fe(III) minerals can protect a common soil bacteria such as the nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms Acidovorax sp. strain BoFeN1 and strain 2AN from harmful UVC radiation. Analysis of DNA damage by quantifying cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) confirmed the protecting effect by Fe(III) minerals. This study suggests that Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms, as would have grown in association with mafic and ultramafic soils/outcrops, would have been able to produce their own UV screen, enabling them to live in terrestrial habitats on early Earth.

Transcription-coupled repair of UV damage in the halophilic archaea.

PubMed

Stantial, Nicole; Dumpe, Jarrod; Pietrosimone, Kathryn; Baltazar, Felicia; Crowley, David J

2016-05-01

Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) is a subpathway of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in which excision repair proteins are targeted to RNA polymerase-arresting lesions located in the transcribed strand of active genes. TCR has been documented in a variety of bacterial and eukaryotic organisms but has yet to be observed in the Archaea. We used Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 and Haloferax volcanii to determine if TCR occurs in the halophilic archaea. Following UV irradiation of exponentially growing cultures, we quantified the rate of repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in the two strands of the rpoB2B1A1A2 and the trpDFEG operons of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 and the pts operon of H. volcanii through the use of a Southern blot assay and strand-specific probes. TCR was observed in all three operons and was dependent on the NER gene uvrA in Halobacterium sp. NRC-1, but not in H. volcanii. The halophilic archaea likely employ a novel mechanism for TCR in which an as yet unknown coupling factor recognizes the arrested archaeal RNA polymerase complex and recruits certain NER proteins to complete the process. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Exact exchange and Wilson-Levy correlation: a pragmatic device for studying complex weakly-bonded systems.

PubMed

Walsh, T R

2005-02-07

The Wilson-Levy (WL) correlation functional is used together with Hartree-Fock (HF) theory to evaluate interaction energies at intermediate separations (i.e. around equilibrium separation) for several weakly-bonded systems. The HF+WL approach reproduces binding trends for all complexes studied: selected rare-gas dimers, isomers of the methane dimer, benzene dimer and naphthalene dimer, and base-pair stacking structures for pyrimidine, cytosine, uracil and guanine dimers. These HF+WL data are contrasted against results obtained from some popular functionals (including B3LYP and PBE), as well as two newly-developed functionals, X3LYP and xPBE. The utility of HF+WL, with reference to exact-exchange (EXX) density-functional theory, is discussed in terms of a suggested EXXWL exchange-correlation functional.

Photochemistry of Pyrimidine in Astrophysical Ices: Formation of Nucleobases and Other Prebiotic Species

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nuevo, Michel; Sandford, Scott A.; Materese, Christopher K.; Milam, Stefanie N.

2012-01-01

Nucleobases are N-heterocycles that are the informational subunits of DNA and RNA. They are divided into two molecular groups: pyrimidine bases (uracil, cytosine, and thymine) and purine bases (adenine and guanine). Nucleobases have been detected in meteorites, and their extraterrestrial origin confirmed by isotopic measurements. Although no N-heterocycles have ever been observed in the ISM, the positions of the 6.2- m interstellar emission features suggest a population of such molecules is likely to be present. However, laboratory experiments have shown that the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of pyrimidine in ices of astrophysical relevance such as H2O, NH3, CH3OH, CH4, CO, or combinations of these at low temperature (less than or equal to 20 K) leads to the formation of several pyrimidine derivatives including the nucleobases uracil and cytosine, as well as precursors such as 4(3H)-pyrimidone and 4-aminopyrimidine. Quantum calculations on the formation of 4(3H)-pyrimidone and uracil from the irradiation of pyrimidine in pure H2O ices are in agreement with their experimental formation pathways.10 In those residues, other species of prebiotic interest such as urea as well as the amino acids glycine and alanine could also be identified. However, only very small amounts of pyrimidine derivatives containing CH3 groups could be detected, suggesting that the addition of methyl groups to pyrimidine is not an efficient process. For this reason, the nucleobase thymine was not observed in any of the samples. In this work, we study the formation of nucleobases and other photo-products of prebiotic interest from the UV irradiation of pyrimidine in ices containing H2O, NH3, CH3OH, and CO, mixed in astrophysical proportions.

Photoactivated UVR8-COP1 Module Determines Photomorphogenic UV-B Signaling Output in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Ouyang, Xinhao; Chen, Liangbi; Deng, Xing Wang

2014-01-01

In Arabidopsis, ultraviolet (UV)-B-induced photomorphogenesis is initiated by a unique photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) which utilizes its tryptophan residues as internal chromophore to sense UV-B. As a result of UV-B light perception, the UVR8 homodimer shaped by its arginine residues undergoes a conformational switch of monomerization. Then UVR8 associates with the CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1-SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA (COP1-SPA) core complex(es) that is released from the CULLIN 4-DAMAGED DNA BINDING PROTEIN 1 (CUL4-DDB1) E3 apparatus. This association, in turn, causes COP1 to convert from a repressor to a promoter of photomorphogenesis. It is not fully understood, however, regarding the biological significance of light-absorbing and dimer-stabilizing residues for UVR8 activity in photomorphogenic UV-B signaling. Here, we take advantage of transgenic UVR8 variants to demonstrate that two light-absorbing tryptophans, W233 and W285, and two dimer-stabilizing arginines, R286 and R338, play pivotal roles in UV-B-induced photomorphogenesis. Mutation of each residue results in alterations in UV-B light perception, UVR8 monomerization and UVR8-COP1 association in response to photomorphogenic UV-B. We also identify and functionally characterize two constitutively active UVR8 variants, UVR8W285A and UVR8R338A, whose photobiological activities are enhanced by the repression of CUL4, a negative regulator in this pathway. Based on our molecular and biochemical evidence, we propose that the UVR8-COP1 affinity in plants critically determines the photomorphogenic UV-B signal transduction coupling with UVR8-mediated UV-B light perception. PMID:24651064

Diverse Responses to UV-B Radiation and Repair Mechanisms of Bacteria Isolated from High-Altitude Aquatic Environments▿

PubMed Central

Fernández Zenoff, V.; Siñeriz, F.; Farías, M. E.

2006-01-01

Acinetobacter johnsonii A2 isolated from the natural community of Laguna Azul (Andean Mountains at 4,560 m above sea level), Serratia marcescens MF42, Pseudomonas sp. strain MF8 isolated from the planktonic community, and Cytophaga sp. strain MF7 isolated from the benthic community from Laguna Pozuelos (Andean Puna at 3,600 m above sea level) were subjected to UV-B (3,931 J m−2) irradiation. In addition, a marine Pseudomonas putida strain, 2IDINH, and a second Acinetobacter johnsonii strain, ATCC 17909, were used as external controls. Resistance to UV-B and kinetic rates of light-dependent (UV-A [315 to 400 nm] and cool white light [400 to 700 nm]) and -independent reactivation following exposure were determined by measuring the survival (expressed as CFU) and accumulation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD). Significant differences in survival after UV-B irradiation were observed: Acinetobacter johnsonii A2, 48%; Acinetobacter johnsonii ATCC 17909, 20%; Pseudomonas sp. strain MF8, 40%; marine Pseudomonas putida strain 2IDINH, 12%; Cytophaga sp. strain MF7, 20%; and Serratia marcescens, 21%. Most bacteria exhibited little DNA damage (between 40 and 80 CPD/Mb), except for the benthic isolate Cytophaga sp. strain MF7 (400 CPD/Mb) and Acinetobacter johnsonii ATCC 17909 (160 CPD/Mb). The recovery strategies through dark and light repair were different in all strains. The most efficient in recovering were both Acinetobacter johnsonii A2 and Cytophaga sp. strain MF7; Serratia marcescens MF42 showed intermediate recovery, and in both Pseudomonas strains, recovery was essentially zero. The UV-B responses and recovery abilities of the different bacteria were consistent with the irradiation levels in their native environment. PMID:17056692

Formation of Nucleobases from the UV Photo-Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Astrophysical Ice Analogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milam, S. N.; Nuevo, M.; Sandford, S. A.; Elsila, J. E.; Dworkin, J. P.

2010-01-01

Astrochemistry laboratory simulations have shown that complex organic molecules including compounds of astrobiological interest can be formed under interstellarl/circumstellar conditions from the vacuum UV irradiation of astrophysical ice analogs containing H2O, CO, CO2, CH3OH, NH13, etc. Of all prebiotic compounds, the formation of amino acids under such experimental conditions has been the most extensively studied. Although the presence of amino acids in the interstellar medium (ISM) has yet to be confirmed, they have been detected in meteorites, indicating that biomolecules and/or their precursors can be formed under extraterrestrial, abiotic conditions. Nucleobases, the building blocks of DNA and RNA, as well as other 1V-heterocycles, have also been detected in meteorites, but like amino acids, they have yet to be observed in the ISM. In this work, we present an experimental study of the formation of pyrimidine-based compounds from the UV photo-irradiation of pyrimidine in ice mixtures containing H2O, NH3, and/or CH3OH at low temperature and pressure.

The Formation of Nucleobases from the UV Irradiation of Astrophysical Ice Analogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Materese, C. K.; Nuevo, M.; Sandford, S. A.

2017-01-01

Nucleobases are the fundamental information bearing components of both RNA and DNA. They are central to all known terrestrial life and they are generally conserved between species. Biological nucleobases can be divided into two groups based on the N-heterocyclic molecules pyrimidine (uracil, cytosine, and thymine) and purine (adenine and guanine) respectively. Do date, no experimental conditions have been determined that could produce both pyrimidines and purines together, abiotically, in a ter-restrial environment or an early terrestrial analog. Organic materials produced in extraterrestrial envi-ronments may have been delivered to the primitive earth by comets and meteorites and may have contrib-uted to the emergence of life. To date, some, but not all nucleobases have been detected in meteorites and their isotopic signatures may be consistent with an extraterrestrial origin. Earlier work in our lab demonstrated that it is possible to produce all of the pyrimidine group nucleobases from the UV-irradiation of pyrimidine in astrophysically relevant ice analogs. Here we report our most recent work, which studied the formation of the purine group nucleobases under similar conditions.

The interplay of UV and cutaneous papillomavirus infection in skin cancer development

PubMed Central

Stephan, Sonja; Braspenning-Wesch, Ilona; Mikulec, Julita; Niebler, Martina; Gröne, Hermann-Josef; Flechtenmacher, Christa; Akgül, Baki

2017-01-01

Cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are considered as cofactors for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development, especially in association with UVB. Extensively studied transgenic mouse models failed to mimic all aspects of virus-host interactions starting from primary infection to the appearance of a tumor. Using the natural model Mastomys coucha, which reflects the human situation in many aspects, we provide the first evidence that only UVB and Mastomys natalensis papillomavirus (MnPV) infection strongly promote NMSC formation. Using UVB exposures that correspond to UV indices of different geographical regions, irradiated animals developed either well-differentiated keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), still supporting productive infections with high viral loads and transcriptional activity, or poorly differentiated non-keratinizing SCCs almost lacking MnPV DNA and in turn, early and late viral transcription. Intriguingly, animals with the latter phenotype, however, still showed strong seropositivity, clearly verifying a preceding MnPV infection. Of note, the mere presence of MnPV could induce γH2AX foci, indicating that viral infection without prior UVB exposure can already perturb genome stability of the host cell. Moreover, as shown both under in vitro and in vivo conditions, MnPV E6/E7 expression also attenuates the excision repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers upon UVB irradiation, suggesting a viral impact on the DNA damage response. While mutations of Ras family members (e.g. Hras, Kras, and Nras) were absent, the majority of SCCs harbored—like in humans—Trp53 mutations especially at two hot-spots in the DNA-binding domain, resulting in a loss of function that favored tumor dedifferentiation, counter-selective for viral maintenance. Such a constellation provides a reasonable explanation for making continuous viral presence dispensable during skin carcinogenesis as observed in patients with NMSC. PMID:29190285

Ultraviolet Radiations: Skin Defense-Damage Mechanism.

PubMed

Mohania, Dheeraj; Chandel, Shikha; Kumar, Parveen; Verma, Vivek; Digvijay, Kumar; Tripathi, Deepika; Choudhury, Khushboo; Mitten, Sandeep Kumar; Shah, Dilip

2017-01-01

UV-radiations are the invisible part of light spectra having a wavelength between visible rays and X-rays. Based on wavelength, UV rays are subdivided into UV-A (320-400 nm), UV-B (280-320 nm) and UV-C (200-280 nm). Ultraviolet rays can have both harmful and beneficial effects. UV-C has the property of ionization thus acting as a strong mutagen, which can cause immune-mediated disease and cancer in adverse cases. Numbers of genetic factors have been identified in human involved in inducing skin cancer from UV-radiations. Certain heredity diseases have been found susceptible to UV-induced skin cancer. UV radiations activate the cutaneous immune system, which led to an inflammatory response by different mechanisms. The first line of defense mechanism against UV radiation is melanin (an epidermal pigment), and UV absorbing pigment of skin, which dissipate UV radiation as heat. Cell surface death receptor (e.g. Fas) of keratinocytes responds to UV-induced injury and elicits apoptosis to avoid malignant transformation. In addition to the formation of photo-dimers in the genome, UV also can induce mutation by generating ROS and nucleotides are highly susceptible to these free radical injuries. Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) has been known to be implicated in different UV-induced damages such as pigmentation, adaptive tanning, and skin cancer. UV-B induces the formation of pre-vitamin D3 in the epidermal layer of skin. UV-induced tans act as a photoprotection by providing a sun protection factor (SPF) of 3-4 and epidermal hyperplasia. There is a need to prevent the harmful effects and harness the useful effects of UV radiations.

The frequency and accuracy of replication past a thymine-thymine cyclobutane dimer are very different in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Gibbs, P E; Kilbey, B J; Banerjee, S K; Lawrence, C W

1993-05-01

We have compared the mutagenic properties of a T-T cyclobutane dimer in baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with those in Escherichia coli by transforming each of these species with the same single-stranded shuttle vector carrying either the cis-syn or the trans-syn isomer of this UV photoproduct at a unique site. The mutagenic properties investigated were the frequency of replicational bypass of the photoproduct, the error rate of bypass, and the mutation spectrum. In SOS-induced E. coli, the cis-syn dimer was bypassed in approximately 16% of the vector molecules, and 7.6% of the bypass products had targeted mutations. In S. cerevisiae, however, bypass occurred in about 80% of these molecules, and the bypass was at least 19-fold more accurate (approximately 0.4% targeted mutations). Each of these yeast mutations was a single unique event, and none were like those in E. coli, suggesting that in fact the difference in error rate is much greater. Bypass of the trans-syn dimer occurred in about 17% of the vector molecules in both species, but with this isomer the error rate was higher in S. cerevisiae (21 to 36% targeted mutations) than in E. coli (13%). However, the spectra of mutations induced by the latter photoproduct were virtually identical in the two organisms. We conclude that bypass and error frequencies are determined both by the structure of the photoproduct-containing template and by the particular replication proteins concerned but that the types of mutations induced depend predominantly on the structure of the template. Unlike E. coli, bypass in S. cerevisiae did not require UV-induced functions.

The steady-state level and stability of TLS polymerase eta are cell cycle dependent in the yeast S. cerevisiae.

PubMed

Plachta, Michal; Halas, Agnieszka; McIntyre, Justyna; Sledziewska-Gojska, Ewa

2015-05-01

Polymerase eta (Pol eta) is a ubiquitous translesion DNA polymerase that is capable of bypassing UV-induced pyrimidine dimers in an error-free manner. However, this specialized polymerase is error prone when synthesizing through an undamaged DNA template. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, both depletion and overproduction of Pol eta result in mutator phenotypes. Therefore, regulation of the cellular abundance of this enzyme is of particular interest. However, based on the investigation of variously tagged forms of Pol eta, mutually contradictory conclusions have been reached regarding the stability of this polymerase in yeast. Here, we optimized a protocol for the detection of untagged yeast Pol eta and established that the half-life of the native enzyme is 80 ± 14 min in asynchronously growing cultures. Experiments with synchronized cells indicated that the cellular abundance of this translesion polymerase changes throughout the cell cycle. Accordingly, we show that the stability of Pol eta, but not its mRNA level, is cell cycle stage dependent. The half-life of the polymerase is more than fourfold shorter in G1-arrested cells than in those at G2/M. Our results, in concert with previous data for Rev1, indicate that cell cycle regulation is a general property of Y family TLS polymerases in S. cerevisiae. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

FF483–484 motif of human Polη mediates its interaction with the POLD2 subunit of Polδ and contributes to DNA damage tolerance

PubMed Central

Baldeck, Nadège; Janel-Bintz, Régine; Wagner, Jérome; Tissier, Agnès; Fuchs, Robert P.; Burkovics, Peter; Haracska, Lajos; Despras, Emmanuelle; Bichara, Marc; Chatton, Bruno; Cordonnier, Agnès M.

2015-01-01

Switching between replicative and translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases are crucial events for the completion of genomic DNA synthesis when the replication machinery encounters lesions in the DNA template. In eukaryotes, the translesional DNA polymerase η (Polη) plays a central role for accurate bypass of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, the predominant DNA lesions induced by ultraviolet irradiation. Polη deficiency is responsible for a variant form of the Xeroderma pigmentosum (XPV) syndrome, characterized by a predisposition to skin cancer. Here, we show that the FF483–484 amino acids in the human Polη (designated F1 motif) are necessary for the interaction of this TLS polymerase with POLD2, the B subunit of the replicative DNA polymerase δ, both in vitro and in vivo. Mutating this motif impairs Polη function in the bypass of both an N-2-acetylaminofluorene adduct and a TT-CPD lesion in cellular extracts. By complementing XPV cells with different forms of Polη, we show that the F1 motif contributes to the progression of DNA synthesis and to the cell survival after UV irradiation. We propose that the integrity of the F1 motif of Polη, necessary for the Polη/POLD2 interaction, is required for the establishment of an efficient TLS complex. PMID:25662213

Structural Insight into the Core of CAD, the Multifunctional Protein Leading De Novo Pyrimidine Biosynthesis.

PubMed

Moreno-Morcillo, María; Grande-García, Araceli; Ruiz-Ramos, Alba; Del Caño-Ochoa, Francisco; Boskovic, Jasminka; Ramón-Maiques, Santiago

2017-06-06

CAD, the multifunctional protein initiating and controlling de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines in animals, self-assembles into ∼1.5 MDa hexamers. The structures of the dihydroorotase (DHO) and aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATC) domains of human CAD have been previously determined, but we lack information on how these domains associate and interact with the rest of CAD forming a multienzymatic unit. Here, we prove that a construct covering human DHO and ATC oligomerizes as a dimer of trimers and that this arrangement is conserved in CAD-like from fungi, which holds an inactive DHO-like domain. The crystal structures of the ATC trimer and DHO-like dimer from the fungus Chaetomium thermophilum confirm the similarity with the human CAD homologs. These results demonstrate that, despite being inactive, the fungal DHO-like domain has a conserved structural function. We propose a model that sets the DHO and ATC complex as the central element in the architecture of CAD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DNA Repair by DNA: The UV1C DNAzyme Catalyzes Photoreactivation of Cyclobutane Thymine Dimers in DNA More Effectively than Their de Novo Formation.

PubMed

Barlev, Adam; Sekhon, Gurpreet S; Bennet, Andrew J; Sen, Dipankar

2016-11-01

UV1C, a 42-nt DNA oligonucleotide, is a deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme) that optimally uses 305 nm wavelength light to catalyze photoreactivation of a cyclobutane thymine dimer placed within a gapped, unnatural DNA substrate, TDP. Herein we show that UV1C is also capable of photoreactivating thymine dimers within an authentic single-stranded DNA substrate, LDP. This bona fide UV1C substrate enables, for the first time, investigation of whether UV1C catalyzes only photoreactivation or also the de novo formation of thymine dimers. Single-turnover experiments carried out with LDP and UV1C, relative to control experiments with LDP alone in single-stranded and double-stranded contexts, show that while UV1C does modestly promote thymine dimer formation, its major activity is indeed photoreactivation. Distinct photostationary states are reached for LDP in its three contexts: as a single strand, as a constituent of a double-helix, and as a 1:1 complex with UV1C. The above results on the cofactor-independent photoreactivation capabilities of a catalytic DNA reinforce a series of recent, unexpected reports that purely nucleotide-based photoreactivation is also operational within conventional double-helical DNA.

N-(2-{[5-Bromo-2-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfan­yl}-4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-4-methyl­benzene­sulfonamide

PubMed Central

Kumar, Mohan; Mallesha, L.; Sridhar, M. A.; Kapoor, Kamini; Gupta, Vivek K.; Kant, Rajni

2012-01-01

In the title compound, C23H25BrN4O3S2, the benzene rings bridged by the sulfonamide group are tilted relative to each other by 69.7 (1)° and the dihedral angle between the sulfur-bridged pyrimidine and benzene rings is 70.4 (1)°. The mol­ecular conformation is stabilized by a weak intra­molecular π–π stacking inter­action between the pyrimidine and the 4-methyl benzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.633 (2) Å]. The piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into inversion dimers by pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. PMID:23125637

First characterisation of a CPD-class I photolyase from a UV-resistant extremophile isolated from High-Altitude Andean Lakes.

PubMed

Albarracín, Virginia Helena; Simon, Julian; Pathak, Gopal P; Valle, Lorena; Douki, Thierry; Cadet, Jean; Borsarelli, Claudio Darío; Farias, María Eugenia; Gärtner, Wolfgang

2014-05-01

UV-resistant Acinetobacter sp. Ver3 isolated from High-Altitude Andean Lakes (HAAL) in Argentinean Puna, one of the highest UV exposed ecosystems on Earth, showed efficient DNA photorepairing ability, coupled to highly efficient antioxidant enzyme activities in response to UV-B stress. We herein present the cloning, expression, and functional characterization of a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD)-class I photolyase (Ver3Phr) from this extremophile to prove its involvement in the previously noted survival capability. Spectroscopy of the overexpressed and purified protein identified flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) as chromophore and antenna molecules, respectively. All functional analyses were performed in parallel with the ortholog E. coli photolyase. Whereas the E. coli enzyme showed the FAD chromophore as a mixture of oxidised and reduced states, the Ver3 chromophore always remained partly (including the semiquinone state) or fully reduced under all experimental conditions tested. Functional complementation of Ver3Phr in Phr(-)-RecA E. coli strains was assessed by traditional UFC counting and measurement of DNA bipyrimidine photoproducts by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) detection. The results identified strong photoreactivation ability in vivo of Ver3Phr while its nonphotoreactivation function, probably related with the stimulation of nucleotide excision repair (NER), was not as manifest as for EcPhr. Whether this is a question of the approach using an exogenous photolyase incorporated in a non-genuine host or a fundamental different behaviour of a novel enzyme from an exotic environment will need further studies.

Divergence in DNA photorepair efficiency among genotypes from contrasting UV radiation environments in nature.

PubMed

Miner, Brooks E; Kulling, Paige M; Beer, Karlyn D; Kerr, Benjamin

2015-12-01

Populations of organisms routinely face abiotic selection pressures, and a central goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of adaptive phenotypes. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is one of earth's most pervasive environmental stressors, potentially damaging DNA in any organism exposed to solar radiation. We explored mechanisms underlying differential survival following UVR exposure in genotypes of the water flea Daphnia melanica derived from natural ponds of differing UVR intensity. The UVR tolerance of a D. melanica genotype from a high-UVR habitat depended on the presence of visible and UV-A light wavelengths necessary for photoenzymatic repair of DNA damage, a repair pathway widely shared across the tree of life. We then measured the acquisition and repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, the primary form of UVR-caused DNA damage, in D. melanica DNA following experimental UVR exposure. We demonstrate that genotypes from high-UVR habitats repair DNA damage faster than genotypes from low-UVR habitats in the presence of visible and UV-A radiation necessary for photoenzymatic repair, but not in dark treatments. Because differences in repair rate only occurred in the presence of visible and UV-A radiation, we conclude that differing rates of DNA repair, and therefore differential UVR tolerance, are a consequence of variation in photoenzymatic repair efficiency. We then rule out a simple gene expression hypothesis for the molecular basis of differing repair efficiency, as expression of the CPD photolyase gene photorepair did not differ among D. melanica lineages, in both the presence and absence of UVR. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Increase in urinary purines and pyrimidines in patients with methylmalonic aciduria combined with homocystinuria.

PubMed

Porcu, Simona; Corda, Marcella; Lilliu, Franco; Contini, Liliana; Era, Benedetta; Traldi, Pietro; Fais, Antonella

2010-06-03

Methylmalonic aciduria combined with homocystinuria (MMA-HC) is the biochemical trait of a metabolic disorder resulting from impaired conversion of dietary cobalamin (cbl, or vitamin B12) to its two metabolically active forms. Effects on urinary purine and pyrimidine levels have not been described for this condition. Urine samples were collected from three patients with methylmalonic aciduria combined with homocystinuria and from 70 healthy subjects. Urinary purine and pyrimidine levels were quantitated by the use of LC/UV-Vis and LC/ESI/MS. Higher urine levels of pyrimidines were detected with both methods in patients compared to controls. Methylmalonic aciduria with homocystinuria is due to deficiency of the enzyme, cobalamin reductase. The enzyme defect leads to altered hepatic metabolism, which appears to modify circulating pyrimidine levels. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Protection from UV light is an evolutionarily conserved feature of the haematopoietic niche

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kapp, Friedrich G.; Perlin, Julie R.; Hagedorn, Elliott J.; Gansner, John M.; Schwarz, Daniel E.; O'Connell, Lauren A.; Johnson, Nicholas; Amemiya, Chris; Fisher, David E.; Wolfle, Ute; Trompouki, Eirini; Niemeyer, Charlotte M.; Driever, Wolfgang; Zon, Leonard I.

2018-01-01

Haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) require a specific microenvironment, the haematopoietic niche, which regulates HSPC behaviour. The location of this niche varies across species, but the evolutionary pressures that drive HSPCs to different microenvironments remain unknown. The niche is located in the bone marrow in adult mammals, whereas it is found in other locations in non-mammalian vertebrates, for example, in the kidney marrow in teleost fish. Here we show that a melanocyte umbrella above the kidney marrow protects HSPCs against ultraviolet light in zebrafish. Because mutants that lack melanocytes have normal steady-state haematopoiesis under standard laboratory conditions, we hypothesized that melanocytes above the stem cell niche protect HSPCs against ultraviolet-light-induced DNA damage. Indeed, after ultraviolet-light irradiation, unpigmented larvae show higher levels of DNA damage in HSPCs, as indicated by staining of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and have reduced numbers of HSPCs, as shown by cmyb (also known as myb) expression. The umbrella of melanocytes associated with the haematopoietic niche is highly evolutionarily conserved in aquatic animals, including the sea lamprey, a basal vertebrate. During the transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial environment, HSPCs relocated into the bone marrow, which is protected from ultraviolet light by the cortical bone around the marrow. Our studies reveal that melanocytes above the haematopoietic niche protect HSPCs from ultraviolet-light-induced DNA damage in aquatic vertebrates and suggest that during the transition to terrestrial life, ultraviolet light was an evolutionary pressure affecting the location of the haematopoietic niche.

Protection from UV light is an evolutionarily conserved feature of the haematopoietic niche.

PubMed

Kapp, Friedrich G; Perlin, Julie R; Hagedorn, Elliott J; Gansner, John M; Schwarz, Daniel E; O'Connell, Lauren A; Johnson, Nicholas S; Amemiya, Chris; Fisher, David E; Wölfle, Ute; Trompouki, Eirini; Niemeyer, Charlotte M; Driever, Wolfgang; Zon, Leonard I

2018-06-01

Haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) require a specific microenvironment, the haematopoietic niche, which regulates HSPC behaviour 1,2 . The location of this niche varies across species, but the evolutionary pressures that drive HSPCs to different microenvironments remain unknown. The niche is located in the bone marrow in adult mammals, whereas it is found in other locations in non-mammalian vertebrates, for example, in the kidney marrow in teleost fish. Here we show that a melanocyte umbrella above the kidney marrow protects HSPCs against ultraviolet light in zebrafish. Because mutants that lack melanocytes have normal steady-state haematopoiesis under standard laboratory conditions, we hypothesized that melanocytes above the stem cell niche protect HSPCs against ultraviolet-light-induced DNA damage. Indeed, after ultraviolet-light irradiation, unpigmented larvae show higher levels of DNA damage in HSPCs, as indicated by staining of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and have reduced numbers of HSPCs, as shown by cmyb (also known as myb) expression. The umbrella of melanocytes associated with the haematopoietic niche is highly evolutionarily conserved in aquatic animals, including the sea lamprey, a basal vertebrate. During the transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial environment, HSPCs relocated into the bone marrow, which is protected from ultraviolet light by the cortical bone around the marrow. Our studies reveal that melanocytes above the haematopoietic niche protect HSPCs from ultraviolet-light-induced DNA damage in aquatic vertebrates and suggest that during the transition to terrestrial life, ultraviolet light was an evolutionary pressure affecting the location of the haematopoietic niche.

Formation of Nucleobases from the UV Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Astrophysical Ice Analogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandford, Scott A.; Nuevo, Michel; Materese, Christopher K.

2014-01-01

Nucleobases are the informational subunits of DNA and RNA. They consist of Nheterocycles that belong to either the pyrimidine-base group (uracil, cytosine, and thymine) or the purinebase group (adenine and guanine). Several nucleobases, mostly purine bases, have been detected in meteorites [1-3], with isotopic signatures consistent with an extraterrestrial origin [4]. Uracil is the only pyrimidine-base compound formally reported in meteorites [2], though the presence of cytosine cannot be ruled out [5,6]. However, the actual process by which the uracil was made and the reasons for the non-detection of thymine in meteorites have yet to be fully explained. Although no N-heterocycles have ever been observed in the ISM [7,8], the positions of the 6.2-µm interstellar emission features suggest a population of such molecules is likely to be present [9]. In this work we study the formation of pyrimidine-based molecules, including the three nucleobases uracil, cytosine, and thymine from the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of pyrimidine in ices consisting of several combinations of H(sub2)O, NH(sub3), CH(sub3)OH, and CH(sub4) at low temperature, in order to simulate the astrophysical conditions under which prebiotic species may be formed in the interstellar medium, in the protosolar nebula, and on icy bodies of the Solar System.

L-carnitine mitigates UVA-induced skin tissue injury in rats through downregulation of oxidative stress, p38/c-Fos signaling, and the proinflammatory cytokines.

PubMed

Salama, Samir A; Arab, Hany H; Omar, Hany A; Gad, Hesham S; Abd-Allah, Gamil M; Maghrabi, Ibrahim A; Al Robaian, Majed M

2018-04-01

UVA comprises more than 90% of the solar UV radiation reaching the Earth. Artificial lightening lamps have also been reported to emit significant amounts of UVA. Exposure to UVA has been associated with dermatological disorders including skin cancer. At the molecular level, UVA damages different cellular biomolecules and triggers inflammatory responses. The current study was devoted to investigate the potential protective effect of L-carnitine against UVA-induced skin tissue injury using rats as a mammalian model. Rats were distributed into normal control group (NC), L-carnitine control group (LC), UVA-Exposed group (UVA), and UVA-Exposed and L-carnitine-treated group (UVA-LC). L-carnitine significantly attenuated UVA-induced elevation of the DNA damage markers 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) as well as decreased DNA fragmentation and the activity of the apoptotic marker caspase-3. In addition, L-carnitine substantially reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) and protein oxidation marker (PCC) and significantly elevated the levels of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) in the skin tissues. Interestingly, L-carnitine upregulated the level of the DNA repair protein proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Besides it mitigated the UVA-induced activation of the oxidative stress-sensitive signaling protein p38 and its downstream target c-Fos. Moreover, L-carnitine significantly downregulated the levels of the early response proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Collectively, our results highlight, for the first time, the potential attenuating effects of L-carnitine on UVA-induced skin tissue injury in rats that is potentially mediated through suppression of UVA-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Protective effect of pomegranate derived products on UVB-mediated damage in human reconstituted skin

PubMed Central

Afaq, Farrukh; Zaid, Mohammad Abu; Khan, Naghma; Dreher, Mark; Mukhtar, Hasan

2010-01-01

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly its UVB (290-320 nm) component, is the primary cause of many adverse biological effects including photoaging and skin cancer. UVB radiation causes DNA damage, protein oxidation and induces matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Photochemoprevention via the use of botanical antioxidants in affording protection to human skin against UVB damage is receiving increasing attention. Pomegranate, from the tree Punica granatum contains anthocyanins and hydrolyzable tannins and possesses strong anti-oxidant and anti-tumor promoting properties. In this study, we determined the effect of pomegranate derived products POMx juice, POMx extract and pomegranate oil (POMo) against UVB-mediated damage using reconstituted human skin (EpiDerm™ FT-200). EpiDerm was treated with POMx juice (1-2 μl/0.1 ml/well), POMx extract (5-10 μg/0.1 ml/well), and POMo (1-2 μl/0.1 ml/well) for 1 h prior to UVB (60 mJ/cm2) irradiation and was harvested 12 h post-UVB to assess protein oxidation, markers of DNA damage and photoaging by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Pretreatment of Epiderm with pomegranate derived products resulted in inhibition of UVB-induced (i) cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, (ii) 8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine, (iii) protein oxidation, and (iv) PCNA protein expression. We also found that pretreatment of Epiderm with pomegranate derived products resulted in inhibition of UVB-induced (i) collagenase (MMP-1), (ii) gelatinase (MMP-2, MMP-9), (iii) stromelysin (MMP-3), (iv) marilysin (MMP-7), (v) elastase (MMP-12), and (vi) tropoelastin. Gelatin zymography revealed that pomegranate derived products inhibited UVB-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities. Pomegranate derived products also caused a decrease in UVB-induced protein expression of c-Fos and phosphorylation of c-Jun. Collectively, these results suggest that all three pomegranate derived products may be useful against UVB-induced damage to human skin. PMID:19320737

N-(2-{[5-Bromo-2-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfan­yl}-4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)benzene­sulfonamide

PubMed Central

Kumar, Mohan; Mallesha, L.; Sridhar, M. A.; Kapoor, Kamini; Gupta, Vivek K.; Kant, Rajni

2012-01-01

The title compound, C22H23BrN4O3S2, crystallizes with two mol­ecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit. In one of these, the meth­oxy group is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.565 (9):0.435 (9) ratio. The benzene rings bridged by the sulfonamide group are tilted relative to each other by 37.4 (1) and 56.1 (1)° in mol­ecules A and B, respectively, while the dihedral angles between the sulfur-bridged pyrimidine and benzene rings are 72.4 (1) and 70.2 (1)° for A and B, respectively. The piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation in both mol­ecules. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds occur for both A and B; the dimers are linked into [010] chains by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure also features inversion-generated aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions between the pyrimidine rings for both mol­ecules [centroid–centroid distances = 3.412 (2) (mol­ecule A) and 3.396 (2) Å (mol­ecule B)]. PMID:23284517

A photocleavable rapamycin conjugate for spatiotemporal control of small GTPase activity.

PubMed

Umeda, Nobuhiro; Ueno, Tasuku; Pohlmeyer, Christopher; Nagano, Tetsuo; Inoue, Takanari

2011-01-12

We developed a novel method to spatiotemporally control the activity of signaling molecules. A newly synthesized photocaged rapamycin derivative induced rapid dimerization of FKBP (FK-506 binding protein) and FRB (FKBP-rapamycin binding protein) upon UV irradiation. With this system and the spatially confined UV irradiation, we achieved subcellularly localized activation of Rac, a member of small GTPases. Our technique offers a powerful approach to studies of dynamic intracellular signaling events.

The Two Cryptochrome/Photolyase Family Proteins Fulfill Distinct Roles in DNA Photorepair and Regulation of Conidiation in the Gray Mold Fungus Botrytis cinerea

PubMed Central

Cohrs, Kim C.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The plant-pathogenic leotiomycete Botrytis cinerea is known for the strict regulation of its asexual differentiation programs by environmental light conditions. Sclerotia are formed in constant darkness; black/near-UV (NUV) light induces conidiation; and blue light represses both differentiation programs. Sensing of black/NUV light is attributed to proteins of the cryptochrome/photolyase family (CPF). To elucidate the molecular basis of the photoinduction of conidiation, we functionally characterized the two CPF proteins encoded in the genome of B. cinerea as putative positive-acting components. B. cinerea CRY1 (BcCRY1), a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyase, acts as the major enzyme of light-driven DNA repair (photoreactivation) and has no obvious role in signaling. In contrast, BcCRY2, belonging to the cry-DASH proteins, is dispensable for photorepair but performs regulatory functions by repressing conidiation in white and especially black/NUV light. The transcription of bccry1 and bccry2 is induced by light in a White Collar complex (WCC)-dependent manner, but neither light nor the WCC is essential for the repression of conidiation through BcCRY2 when bccry2 is constitutively expressed. Further, BcCRY2 affects the transcript levels of both WCC-induced and WCC-repressed genes, suggesting a signaling function downstream of the WCC. Since both CPF proteins are dispensable for photoinduction by black/NUV light, the origin of this effect remains elusive and may be connected to a yet unknown UV-light-responsive system. IMPORTANCE Botrytis cinerea is an economically important plant pathogen that causes gray mold diseases in a wide variety of plant species, including high-value crops and ornamental flowers. The spread of disease in the field relies on the formation of conidia, a process that is regulated by different light qualities. While this feature has been known for a long time, we are just starting to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. Conidiation in B. cinerea is induced by black/near-UV light, whose sensing is attributed to the action of cryptochrome/photolyase family (CPF) proteins. Here we report on the distinct functions of two CPF proteins in the photoresponse of B. cinerea. While BcCRY1 acts as the major photolyase in photoprotection, BcCRY2 acts as a cryptochrome with a signaling function in regulating photomorphogenesis (repression of conidiation). PMID:28667107

Proton magnetic resonance studies of ultraviolet-irradiated apurinic acid

PubMed Central

Rahn, Ronald O.; Schleich, Thomas

1974-01-01

In apurinic acid, a single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide easily obtained upon depurination of DNA, the proton resonances arising from thymine and cytosine are readily observable in aqueous solution of 25°C. Two methyl thymine resonances, centered at 1.88 ppm and separated by 0.045 ppm, are observed. We attribute the downfield methyl resonance to thymines with no pyrimidine nearest neighbors and the upfield methyl resonance to thymines having pyrimidine neighbors in the 3′ and/or 5′ positions. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, the upfield methyl and thymine H-6 resonances decrease in amplitude and two methyl resoances appear at 1.63 and 1.52 ppm, corresponding, respectively, to cytosine-thymine and thymine-thymine cyclobutane dimers. Photoreversal eliminates these two minor methyl resonances from the pmr spectrum. We conclude that apurinic acid provides a suitable model system for pmr studies of chemically modified pyrimidine bases in DNA. PMID:10793730

Poly(ADP-ribose) Contributes to an Association between Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1 and Xeroderma Pigmentosum Complementation Group A in Nucleotide Excision Repair*

PubMed Central

King, Brenee S.; Cooper, Karen L.; Liu, Ke Jian; Hudson, Laurie G.

2012-01-01

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) promotes the formation of UVR-induced, DNA helix distorting photolesions such as (6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Effective repair of such lesions by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway is required to prevent DNA mutations and chromosome aberrations. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a zinc finger protein with well documented involvement in base excision repair. PARP-1 is activated in response to DNA damage and catalyzes the formation of poly(ADP-ribose) subunits that assist in the assembly of DNA repair proteins at sites of damage. In this study, we present evidence for PARP-1 contributions to NER, extending the knowledge of PARP-1 function in DNA repair beyond the established role in base excision repair. Silencing the PARP-1 protein or inhibiting PARP activity leads to retention of UVR-induced photolesions. PARP activation following UVR exposure promotes association between PARP-1 and XPA, a central protein in NER. Administration of PARP inhibitors confirms that poly(ADP-ribose) facilitates PARP-1 association with XPA in whole cell extracts, in isolated chromatin complexes, and in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of PARP activity decreases UVR-stimulated XPA chromatin association, illustrating that these relationships occur in a meaningful context for NER. These results provide a mechanistic link for PARP activity in the repair of UVR-induced photoproducts. PMID:23038248

Redundancy of mammalian Y family DNA polymerases in cellular responses to genomic DNA lesions induced by ultraviolet light

PubMed Central

Jansen, Jacob G.; Temviriyanukul, Piya; Wit, Niek; Delbos, Frédéric; Reynaud, Claude-Agnès; Jacobs, Heinz; de Wind, Niels

2014-01-01

Short-wave ultraviolet light induces both mildly helix-distorting cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and severely distorting (6–4) pyrimidine pyrimidone photoproducts ((6–4)PPs). The only DNA polymerase (Pol) that is known to replicate efficiently across CPDs is Polη, a member of the Y family of translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases. Phenotypes of Polη deficiency are transient, suggesting redundancy with other DNA damage tolerance pathways. Here we performed a comprehensive analysis of the temporal requirements of Y-family Pols ι and κ as backups for Polη in (i) bypassing genomic CPD and (6–4)PP lesions in vivo, (ii) suppressing DNA damage signaling, (iii) maintaining cell cycle progression and (iv) promoting cell survival, by using mouse embryonic fibroblast lines with single and combined disruptions in these Pols. The contribution of Polι is restricted to TLS at a subset of the photolesions. Polκ plays a dominant role in rescuing stalled replication forks in Polη-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts, both at CPDs and (6–4)PPs. This dampens DNA damage signaling and cell cycle arrest, and results in increased survival. The role of relatively error-prone Pols ι and κ as backups for Polη contributes to the understanding of the mutator phenotype of xeroderma pigmentosum variant, a syndrome caused by Polη defects. PMID:25170086

Use of biological fluids for the rapid diagnosis of potentially lethal inherited disorders of human purine and pyrimidine metabolism.

PubMed

Morris, G S; Simmonds, H A; Davies, P M

1986-06-01

Inherited purine and pyrimidine disorders may be associated with serious, sometimes life-threatening consequences. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential. Difficulties encountered when using existing high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods led to the development of an improved method based on prior fractionation of urine. The advantages are as follows. 1. Production of fingerprints demonstrating altered urinary excretion patterns characteristic of any one of ten different disorders, in 30 minutes. 2. Positive identification and quantification by comparison with established methods (using conventional chromatography, electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometry) in addition to specific retention times and characteristic UV absorbance ratios at two separate wavelengths (245 and 280 nm) by HPLC. 3. Direct analysis of all the purines and pyrimidines normally found in human body fluids as well as identification of abnormal compounds. 4. Short time between successive analyses while maintaining excellent resolution between compounds of interest and column longevity. 5. Improved separation of the different adenine-based compounds encountered in some disorders, plus demonstration of potential interference by dietary or drug metabolites. 6. Applicability to the monitoring of therapy involving a variety of different purine and pyrimidine analogues. Particular attention should be paid to sample preparation. Plasma profiles will confirm the diagnosis in some, but not all, of these disorders.

p48 Activates a UV-Damaged-DNA Binding Factor and Is Defective in Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group E Cells That Lack Binding Activity

PubMed Central

Hwang, Byung Joon; Toering, Stephanie; Francke, Uta; Chu, Gilbert

1998-01-01

A subset of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) group E cells lack a factor that binds to DNA damaged by UV radiation. This factor can be purified to homogeneity as p125, a 125-kDa polypeptide. However, when cDNA encoding p125 is translated in vitro, only a small fraction binds to UV-damaged DNA, suggesting that a second factor is required for the activation of p125. We discovered that most hamster cell lines expressed inactive p125, which was activated in somatic cell hybrids containing human chromosome region 11p11.2-11cen. This region excluded p125 but included p48, which encodes a 48-kDa polypeptide known to copurify with p125 under some conditions. Expression of human p48 activated p125 binding in hamster cells and increased p125 binding in human cells. No such effects were observed from expression of p48 containing single amino acid substitutions from XP group E cells that lacked binding activity, demonstrating that the p48 gene is defective in those cells. Activation of p125 occurred by a “hit-and-run” mechanism, since the presence of p48 was not required for subsequent binding. Nevertheless, p48 was capable of forming a complex with p125 either bound to UV-damaged DNA or in free solution. It is notable that hamster cells fail to efficiently repair cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in nontranscribed DNA and fail to express p48, which contains a WD motif with homology to proteins that reorganize chromatin. We propose that p48 plays a role in repairing lesions that would otherwise remain inaccessible in nontranscribed chromatin. PMID:9632823

Size is an essential parameter in governing the UVB-protective efficacy of silver nanoparticles in human keratinocytes.

PubMed

Palanki, Rohan; Arora, Sumit; Tyagi, Nikhil; Rusu, Lilia; Singh, Ajay P; Palanki, Srinivas; Carter, James E; Singh, Seema

2015-09-15

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun, particularly its UVB component (290-320 nm), is considered the major etiological cause of skin cancer that impacts over 2 million lives in the United States alone. Recently, we reported that polydisperse colloidal suspension of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) protected the human keratinocytes (HaCaT) against UVB-induced damage, thus indicating their potential for prevention of skin carcinogenesis. Here we sought out to investigate if size controlled the chemopreventive efficacy of AgNPs against UVB-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Percent cell viability was examined by WST-1 assay after treating the cells with various doses (1-10 μg/mL) of AgNPs of different sizes (10, 20, 40, 60 and 100 nm) for 12 and 24 h. For protection studies, cells were treated with AgNPs of different sizes at a uniform concentration of 1 μg/mL. After 3 h, cells were irradiated with UVB (40 mJ/cm(2)) and dot-blot analysis was performed to detect cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) as an indication of DNA damage. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry after staining the cells with 7-Amino-Actinomycin (7-AAD) and PE Annexin V. Immunoblot analysis was accomplished by processing the cells for protein extraction and Western blotting using specific antibodies against various proteins. The data show that the pretreatment of HaCaT cells with AgNPs in the size range of 10-40 nm were effective in protecting the skin cells from UVB radiation-induced DNA damage as validated by reduced amounts of CPDs, whereas no protection was observed with AgNPs of larger sizes (60 and 100 nm). Similarly, only smaller size AgNPs (10-40 nm) were effective in protecting the skin cells from UV radiation-induced apoptosis. At the molecular level, UVB -irradiation of HaCaT cells led to marked increase in expression of pro-apoptotic protein (Bax) and decrease in anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL), while it remained largely unaffected in skin cells pretreated with smaller size AgNPs (10-40 nm). Altogether, these findings suggest that size is a critical determinant of the UVB-protective efficacy of AgNPs in human keratinocytes.

UV-induced bond modifications in thymine and thymine dideoxynucleotide: structural elucidation of isomers by differential mobility mass spectrometry.

PubMed

St-Jacques, Antony; Anichina, Janna; Schneider, Bradley B; Covey, Thomas R; Bohme, Diethard K

2010-07-15

Differential mobility spectrometry has been applied to reveal the occurrence of isomerization of thymine nucleobase and of thymine dideoxynucleotide d(5'-TT-3') due to bond redisposition induced by UV irradiation at 254 nm of frozen aqueous solutions of these molecules. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of electrosprayed photoproducts of the thymine solution suggest the presence of two isomers (the so-called cyclobutane and 6,4-photoproducts) in addition to the proton-bound thymine dimer, and these were separated using differential mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry (DMS/MS) techniques with water as the modifier. Similar experiments with d(5'-TT-3') revealed the formation of a new isomer of deprotonated thymine dideoxynucleotide upon UV irradiation that was easily distinguished using DMS/MS with isopropanol as the modifier. The results reinforce the usefulness of DMS/MS in isomer separation.

Effect of 60-Hz magnetic fields on ultraviolet light-induced mutation and mitotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Ager, D D; Radul, J A

1992-12-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields on the induction of genetic damage. In general, mutational studies involving ELF magnetic fields have proven negative. However, studies examining sister-chromatid exchange and chromosome aberrations have yielded conflicting results. In this study, we have examined whether 60-Hz magnetic fields are capable of inducing mutation or mitotic recombination in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition we determined whether magnetic fields were capable of altering the genetic response of S. cerevisiae to UV (254 nm). We measured the frequencies of induced mutation, gene conversion and reciprocal mitotic crossing-over for exposures to magnetic fields alone (1 mT) or in combination with various UV exposures (2-50 J/m2). These experiments were performed using a repair-proficient strain (RAD+), as well as a strain of yeast (rad3) which is incapable of excising UV-induced thymine dimers. Magnetic field exposures did not induce mutation, gene conversion or reciprocal mitotic crossing-over in either of these strains, nor did the fields influence the frequencies of UV-induced genetic events.

Cell survival after UV radiation stress in the unicellular chlorophyte Dunaliella tertiolecta is mediated by DNA repair and MAPK phosphorylation.

PubMed

García-Gómez, Candela; Parages, María L; Jiménez, Carlos; Palma, Armando; Mata, M Teresa; Segovia, María

2012-09-01

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induces damage in a variety of organisms, and cells may adapt by developing repair or tolerance mechanisms to counteract such damage; otherwise, the cellular fate is cell death. Here, the effect of UVR-induced cell damage and the associated signalling and repair mechanisms by which cells are able to survive was studied in Dunaliella tertiolecta. UVR did not cause cell death, as shown by the absence of SYTOX Green-positive labelling cells. Ultrastructure analysis by transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the cells were alive but were subjected to morphological changes such as starch accumulation, chromatin disaggregation, and chloroplast degradation. This behaviour paralleled a decrease in F(v)/F(m) and the formation of cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers, showing a 10-fold increase at the end of the time course. There was a high accumulation of the repressor of transcriptional gene silencing (ROS1), as well as the cell proliferation nuclear antigen (PCNA) in UVR-treated cells, revealing activation of DNA repair mechanisms. The degree of phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38-like mitogen-activated protein kinases was higher in UVR-exposed cells; however, the opposite occurred with the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). This confirmed that both JNK and p38 need to be phosphorylated to trigger the stress response, as well as the fact that cell division is arrested when an ERK is dephosphorylated. In parallel, both DEVDase and WEHDase caspase-like enzymatic activities were active even though the cells were not dead, suggesting that these proteases must be considered within a wider frame of stress proteins, rather than specifically being involved in cell death in these organisms.

Dissecting transcription-coupled and global genomic repair in the chromatin of yeast GAL1-10 genes.

PubMed

Li, Shisheng; Smerdon, Michael J

2004-04-02

Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) and global genomic repair (GGR) of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers were investigated in the yeast GAL1-10 genes. Both Rpb9- and Rad26-mediated TCR are confined to the transcribed strands, initiating at upstream sites approximately 100 nucleotides from the upstream activating sequence shared by the two genes. However, TCR initiation sites do not correlate with either transcription start sites or TATA boxes. Rad16-mediated GGR tightly correlates with nucleosome positioning when the genes are repressed and are slow in the nucleosome core and fast in linker DNA. Induction of transcription enhanced GGR in nucleosome core DNA, especially in the nucleosomes around and upstream of the transcription start sites. Furthermore, when the genes were induced, GGR was slower in the transcribed regions than in the upstream regions. Finally, simultaneous deletion of RAD16, RAD26, and RPB9 resulted in no detectable repair in all sites along the region analyzed. Our results suggest that (a). TCR may be initiated by a transcription activator, presumably through the loading of RNA polymerase II, rather than by transcription initiation or elongation per se; (b). TCR and nucleosome disruption-enhanced GGR are the major causes of rapid repair in regions around and upstream of transcription start sites; (c). transcription machinery may hinder access of NER factors to a DNA lesion in the absence of a transcription-repair coupling factor; and (d). other than GGR mediated by Rad16 and TCR mediated by Rad26 and Rpb9, no other nucleotide excision repair pathway exists in these RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes.

Discovery of 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines and 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines as potent apoptosis inducers.

PubMed

Kemnitzer, William; Sirisoma, Nilantha; May, Chris; Tseng, Ben; Drewe, John; Cai, Sui Xiong

2009-07-01

We report the discovery of N-((benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)methyl)-6-phenylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-amine (2a) as an apoptosis inducer using our proprietary cell- and caspase-based ASAP HTS assay, and SAR study of HTS hit 2a which led to the discovery of 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines and 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines as potent apoptosis inducers. Compounds 5d and 5e were the most potent with EC(50) values of 0.008 and 0.004microM in T47D human breast cancer cells, respectively. Compound 5d was found to be highly active in the MX-1 breast cancer model. Functionally, compounds 5d and 5e both induced apoptosis through inhibition of tubulin polymerization.

A spectroscopic study of the molecular interactions of harmane with pyrimidine and other diazines.

PubMed

Muñoz, M A; Guardado, P; Galán, M; Carmona, C; Balón, M

2000-01-17

FTIR, UV-vis, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements show that harmane (1-methyl-9H-pyrido/3,4-b/indole) interacts with pyrimidine and its isomers pyrazine and pyridazine in its ground and lowest singlet states. The mechanisms of interaction are dependent on both the structure of the diazine and the nature of the solvent. Thus, in a low polar solvent such as toluene, harmane forms ground state 1:1 hydrogen-bonded complexes with all the diazines. These complexes quench the fluorescence of harmane and diminish its fluorescence lifetime. Conversely, in buffered (pH 8.7) aqueous solutions, pyrimidine behaves differently from the other diazines. Thus, whereas pyrimidine only interacts with harmane in its ground state, pyrazine and pyridazine also interact in the excited state. The harmane-pyrimidine ground state interaction is an entropic controlled process. Therefore, we propose the formation of pi-pi stacked 1:1 complexes between these substrates. Association constants for the different types of complexes and quenching parameters are reported.

Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Pure H2O Ice with High-Energy Ultraviolet Photons

PubMed Central

Chen, Yu-Jung; Hu, Wei-Jie; Qiu, Jun-Ming; Wu, Shang-Ruei; Fung, Hok-Sum; Chu, Ching-Chi; Yih, Tai-Sone; Ip, Wing-Huen; Wu, C.-Y. Robert

2014-01-01

Abstract The detection of nucleobases, the informational subunits of DNA and RNA, in several meteorites suggests that these compounds of biological interest were formed via astrophysical, abiotic processes. This hypothesis is in agreement with recent laboratory studies of irradiation of pyrimidine in H2O-rich ices with vacuum UV photons emitted by an H2-discharge lamp in the 6.9–11.3 eV (110–180 nm) range at low temperature, shown to lead to the abiotic formation of several compounds including the nucleobases uracil, cytosine, and thymine. In this work, we irradiated H2O:pyrimidine ice mixtures under astrophysically relevant conditions (14 K, ≤10−9 torr) with high-energy UV photons provided by a synchrotron source in three different ranges: the 0th order light (4.1–49.6 eV, 25–300 nm), the He i line (21.2 eV, 58.4 nm), and the He ii line (40.8 eV, 30.4 nm). The photodestruction of pyrimidine was monitored with IR spectroscopy, and the samples recovered at room temperature were analyzed with liquid and gas chromatographies. Uracil and its precursor 4(3H)-pyrimidone were found in all samples, with absolute and relative abundances varying significantly from one sample to another. These results support a scenario in which compounds of biological interest can be formed and survive in environments subjected to high-energy UV radiation fields. Key Words: Pyrimidine—Nucleobases—Interstellar ices—Cometary ices—High-energy photons—Molecular processes—Prebiotic chemistry. Astrobiology 14, 119–131. PMID:24512484

Density functional theory and Ab initio studies of vibrational spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman and UV) first order hyperpolarizabilities, NBO, HOMO-LUMO and TD-DFT analysis of the 1,2-Dihydropyrazolo (4,3-E) Pyrimidin-4-one

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramachandran, G.; Muthu, S.; Uma Maheswari, J.

2013-02-01

Fourier transform Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectra of 1,2-Dihydropyrazolo (4,3-E) Pyrimidin-4-one were recorded in the regions 3500-100 cm-1 and 4000-400 cm-1 respectively in the solid phase. 1,2-Dihydropyrazolo (4, 3-E) Pyrimidin-4-one is used to treat hyperuricemia and its complication including chronic gout. The equilibrium geometry harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities and Raman intensities were calculated by Hartee Fock and density functional B3LYP methods with 6-31G (d, p) basis set, using Gaussian 03W program package on a Pentium IV/1.6 GHz personal computer. The thermodynamic functions of the title compound were also performed at the above methods and basis set. A detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of 1,2-Dihydropyrazolo (4,3-E) Pyrimidin-4-one is reported. Stability of the molecule arising from hyper conjugative interactions, charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. UV-vis of the compound was recorded. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies show that chemical activity of the molecule. The first order hyperpolarizability (β) of this novel molecular system and related properties of 1,2-Dihydropyrazolo (4,3-E) Pyrimidin-4-one are calculated using HF/6-31G (d, p) method on the finite field approach. The experimental spectra also coincide satisfactorily with those of theoretically constructed spectra.

THE ROLE OF THE RETINOBLASTOMA/E2F1 TUMOR SUPPRESSOR PATHWAY IN THE LESION RECOGNITION STEP OF NUCLEOTIDE EXCISION REPAIR

PubMed Central

Lin, Patrick S.; McPherson, Lisa A.; Chen, Aubrey Y.; Sage, Julien; Ford, James M.

2009-01-01

The retinoblastoma Rb/E2F tumor suppressor pathway plays a major role in the regulation of mammalian cell cycle progression. The pRb protein, along with closely related proteins p107 and p130, exerts its anti-proliferative effects by binding to the E2F family of transcription factors known to regulate essential genes throughout the cell cycle. We sought to investigate the role of the Rb/E2F1 pathway in the lesion recognition step of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Rb−/−;p107−/−;p130−/− MEFs repaired both cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PPs) at higher efficiency than did wildtype cells following UV-C irradiation. The expression of damaged DNA binding gene DDB2 involved in the DNA lesion recognition step was elevated in the Rb family-deficient MEFs. To determine if the enhanced DNA repair in the absence of the Rb gene family is due to the derepression of E2F1, we assayed the ability of E2F1-deficient cells to repair damaged DNA and demonstrated that E2F1−/− MEFs are impaired for the removal of both CPDs and 6-4PPs. Furthermore, wildtype cells induced a higher expression of DDB2 and xeroderma pigmentosum gene XPC transcript levels than did E2F1−/− cells following UV-C irradiation. Using an E2F SiteScan algorithm, we uncovered a putative E2F-responsive element in the XPC promoter upstream of the transcription start site. We showed with chromatin immunoprecipitation assays the binding of E2F1 to the XPC promoter in a UV-dependent manner, suggesting that E2F1 is a transcriptional regulator of XPC. Our study identifies a novel E2F1 gene target and further supports the growing body of evidence that the Rb/E2F1 tumor suppressor pathway is involved in the regulation of the DNA lesion recognition step of nucleotide excision repair. PMID:19376752

Multiple two-polymerase mechanisms in mammalian translesion DNA synthesis.

PubMed

Livneh, Zvi; Ziv, Omer; Shachar, Sigal

2010-02-15

The encounter of replication forks with DNA lesions may lead to fork arrest and/or the formation of single-stranded gaps. A major strategy to cope with these replication irregularities is translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), in which specialized error-prone DNA polymerases bypass the blocking lesions. Recent studies suggest that TLS across a particular DNA lesion may involve as many as four different TLS polymerases, acting in two-polymerase reactions in which insertion by a particular polymerase is followed by extension by another polymerase. Insertion determines the accuracy and mutagenic specificity of the TLS reaction, and is carried out by one of several polymerases such as poleta, polkappa or poliota. In contrast, extension is carried out primarily by polzeta. In cells from XPV patients, which are deficient in TLS across cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) due to a deficiency in poleta, TLS is carried out by at least two backup reactions each involving two polymerases: One reaction involves polkappa and polzeta, and the other poliota and polzeta. These mechanisms may also assist poleta in normal cells under an excessive amount of UV lesions.

DFT-assisted spectroscopic characterization of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl: FT-Raman, FTIR and UV-vis studies of a sulfonyl urea herbicide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monicka, J. Clemy; James, C.

2014-10-01

Raman and IR spectra of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl have been reported here, and it is shown that the spectra has been fully interpreted in terms of assigning normal modes to the various spectral features by using density functional theory calculations. The Raman bands observed for PY in solid phase are characteristic for the carbonyl group, Csbnd C, Csbnd H and Nsbnd H stretching and deformation vibrations. The dimer structure of PY was optimized, including the Nsbnd H…N and Csbnd H…O intermolecular interactions. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions leading to its bioactivity and charge delocalization have been analyzed using natural bond orbital analysis. Spectral analysis reveals the substantial effect of non-bonding interaction, conjugation and induction effects in the molecule which in turn influences the bioactivity of the compound. Red shifting of (∼94 cm-1) Nsbnd H stretching band substantiates the presence of strong Nsbnd H…N intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the molecule. The aromatic behavior of pyrimidine and pyrazole ring has been calculated using the HOMA method.

Feasibility of Ionization-Mediated Pathway for Ultraviolet-Induced Melanin Damage.

PubMed

Mandal, Mukunda; Das, Tamal; Grewal, Baljinder K; Ghosh, Debashree

2015-10-22

Melanin is the pigment found in human skin that is responsible for both photoprotection and photodamage. Recently there have been reports that greater photodamage of DNA occurs when cells containing melanin are irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thus suggesting that the photoproducts of melanin cause DNA damage. Photoionization processes have also been implicated in the photodegradation of melanin. However, not much is known about the oxidation potential of melanin and its monomers. In this work we calculate the ionization energies of monomers, dimers, and few oligomers of eumelanin to estimate the threshold energy required for the ionization of eumelanin. We find that this threshold is within the UV-B region for eumelanin. We also look at the charge and spin distributions of the various ionized states of the monomers that are formed to understand which of the ionization channels might favor monomerization from a covalent dimer.

Tryptophan-to-Tryptophan Energy Transfer in UV-B photoreceptor UVR8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiankun; Zhong, Dongping

UVR8 (UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8) protein is a UV-B photoreceptor in high plants. UVR8 is a homodimer that dissociates into monomers upon UV-B irradiation (280 nm to 315 nm), which triggers various protective mechanisms against UV damages. Uniquely, UVR8 does not contain any external chromophores and utilizes the UV-absorbing natural amino acid tryptophan (Trp) to perceive UV-B. Each UVR8 monomer has 14 tryptophan residues. However, only 2 epicenter Trp (W285 W233) are critical to the light induced dimer-to-monomer transformation. Here, we revealed, using site-directed mutagenesis and spectroscopy, a striking energy flow network, in which other tryptophan chromophores serve as antenna to transfer excitation energy to epicenter Trp, greatly enhancing UVR8 light-harvesting efficiency. Furthermore, Trp-to-Trp energy transfer rates were measured and agree well with theoretical values.

Total Defense + Repair: A Novel Concept in Solar Protection and Skin Rejuvenation.

PubMed

McDaniel, David H; Hamzavi, Iltefat H; Zeichner, Joshua A; Fabi, Sabrina G; Bucay, Vivian W; Harper, Julie C; Comstock, Jody A; Makino, Elizabeth T; Mehta, Rahul C; Vega, Virginia L

2015-07-01

For more than a century, solar radiation has been known to contribute significantly to the extrinsic aging of skin. Until recently, this was almost exclusively attributed to the photodamage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. However, a growing body of evidence now indicates that both infrared (IR) and visible light may also contribute to extrinsic skin aging. Infrared radiation, comprised of IR-A, IR-B, and IR-C, accounts for 54.3% of the total solar radiation reaching the skin. Studies have shown that IR radiation is also responsible for skin aging. Thus, IR-A radiation regulates hundreds of genes in skin, with roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis regulation, apoptosis, cell growth, and stress responses. IR-B and IR-C radiation are primarily responsible for the increase in skin temperature associated with solar exposure, and are implicated in heat-related skin destruction of collagen and elastin, which is characterized by an increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The contribution of visible light to photoaging is less well understood; however, some preliminary indication associates visible light with the upregulation of MMPs' expression, DNA damage, and keratinocyte proliferation. Interestingly, the common denominator that links skin damage to the different solar wavelengths is the enhanced production of reactive molecule species (RMS) and therewith increased oxidative stress. SkinMedica® Total Defense + Repair (TD+R; SkinMedica Inc., an Allergan company, Irvine, CA) is a "superscreen," which combines broad spectrum UV protection with a unique blend of antioxidants (SOL-IR Advanced Antioxidant Complex™) that provide protection from IR radiation while promoting skin repair. Preclinical studies have indicated that TD+R SPF34 prevents the formation of UV-induced sunburn cells and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers while preserving or improving the expression of ECM genes. In addition, it prevents IR-A-triggered fragmentation of elastin fibers and expression of MMP-1. Initial clinical studies indicate that TDR+R SPF34 reduces the increase in surface temperature seen with IR radiation. A significant improvement in the appearance of lines and wrinkles was reported as early as week 2 in patients using TDR+R SPF34. In summary, we observed that the unique blend of antioxidants present in TD+R acts in harmony with SPF active ingredients, expanding solar protection beyond UV radiation and counterbalancing the deleterious effects of free radicals on skin cells by promoting endogenous repair.

Ultraviolet Shadowing of RNA Can Cause Significant Chemical Damage in Seconds

PubMed Central

Kladwang, Wipapat; Hum, Justine; Das, Rhiju

2012-01-01

Chemical purity of RNA samples is important for high-precision studies of RNA folding and catalytic behavior, but photodamage accrued during ultraviolet (UV) shadowing steps of sample preparation can reduce this purity. Here, we report the quantitation of UV-induced damage by using reverse transcription and single-nucleotide-resolution capillary electrophoresis. We found photolesions in a dozen natural and artificial RNAs; across multiple sequence contexts, dominantly at but not limited to pyrimidine doublets; and from multiple lamps recommended for UV shadowing. Irradiation time-courses revealed detectable damage within a few seconds of exposure for 254 nm lamps held at a distance of 5 to 10 cm from 0.5-mm thickness gels. Under these conditions, 200-nucleotide RNAs subjected to 20 seconds of UV shadowing incurred damage to 16-27% of molecules; and, due to a ‘skin effect’, the molecule-by-molecule distribution of lesions gave 4-fold higher variance than a Poisson distribution. Thicker gels, longer wavelength lamps, and shorter exposure times reduced but did not eliminate damage. These results suggest that RNA biophysical studies should report precautions taken to avoid artifactual heterogeneity from UV shadowing. PMID:22816040

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ai Yuejie; Zhang Feng; Theoretical Chemistry, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology, S-10691 Stockholm

2-aminopyridine dimer has frequently been used as a model system for studying photochemistry of DNA base pairs. We examine here the relevance of 2-aminopyridine dimer for a Watson-Crick adenine-thymine base pair by studying UV-light induced photodynamics along two main hydrogen bridges after the excitation to the localized {sup 1}{pi}{pi}* excited-state. The respective two-dimensional potential-energy surfaces have been determined by time-dependent density functional theory with Coulomb-attenuated hybrid exchange-correlation functional (CAM-B3LYP). Different mechanistic aspects of the deactivation pathway have been analyzed and compared in detail for both systems, while the related reaction rates have also be obtained from Monte Carlo kinetic simulations.more » The limitations of the 2-aminopyridine dimer as a model system for the adenine-thymine base pair are discussed.« less

Peroxynitrite induces destruction of the tetrahydrobiopterin and heme in endothelial nitric oxide synthase: transition from reversible to irreversible enzyme inhibition†

PubMed Central

Chen, Weiguo; Druhan, Lawrence J.; Chen, Chun-An; Hemann, Craig; Chen, Yeong-Renn; Berka, Vladimir; Tsai, Ah-Lim; Zweier, Jay L.

2010-01-01

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is an important regulator of vascular and cardiac function. Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) inactivates eNOS, but questions remain regarding the mechanisms of this process. It has been reported that inactivation is due to oxidation of the eNOS zinc-thiolate cluster, rather than the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4); however, this remains highly controversial. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms of ONOO−-induced eNOS dysfunction and their dose-dependence. Exposure of human eNOS to ONOO− resulted in a dose-dependent loss of activity with a marked destabilization of the eNOS dimer. HPLC analysis indicated that both free and eNOS-bound BH4 were oxidized during exposure to ONOO−; however, full oxidation of protein bound biopterin required higher ONOO− levels. Additionally, ONOO− triggered changes in UV/Visible spectrum and heme content of the enzyme. Pre-incubation of eNOS with BH4 decreased dimer destabilization and heme alteration. Addition of BH4 to the ONOO−-destabilized eNOS dimer only partially rescued enzyme function. In contrast to ONOO− treatment, incubation with the zinc chelator TPEN with removal of enzyme-bound zinc did not change the eNOS activity or stability of the SDS-resistant eNOS dimer, demonstrating that the dimer stabilization induced by BH4 does not require zinc occupancy of the zinc-thiolate cluster. While ONOO− treatment was observed to induce loss of Zn-binding this can not account for the loss of enzyme activity. Therefore, ONOO−-induced eNOS inactivation is primarily due to oxidation of BH4 and irreversible destruction of the heme/heme-center. PMID:20184376

Proton-bound dimers of nitrogen heterocyclic molecules: Substituent effects on the structures and binding energies of homodimers of diazine, triazine, and fluoropyridine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Attah, Isaac K.; Platt, Sean P.; Meot-Ner, Michael

2014-03-21

The bonding energies of proton-bound homodimers BH{sup +}B were measured by ion mobility equilibrium studies and calculated at the DFT B3LYP/6-311++G{sup **} level, for a series of nitrogen heterocyclic molecules (B) with electron-withdrawing in-ring N and on-ring F substituents. The binding energies (ΔH°{sub dissoc}) of the proton-bound dimers (BH{sup +}B) vary significantly, from 29.7 to 18.1 kcal/mol, decreasing linearly with decreasing the proton affinity of the monomer (B). This trend differs significantly from the constant binding energies of most homodimers of other organic nitrogen and oxygen bases. The experimentally measured ΔH°{sub dissoc} for (1,3-diazine){sub 2}H{sup +}, i.e., (pyrimidine){sub 2}H{sup +}more » and (3-F-pyridine){sub 2}H{sup +} are 22.7 and 23.0 kcal/mol, respectively. The measured ΔH°{sub dissoc} for the pyrimidine{sup ·+}(3-F-pyridine) radical cation dimer (19.2 kcal/mol) is signifcantly lower than that of the proton-bound homodimers of pyrimidine and 3-F-pyridine, reflecting the stronger interaction in the ionic H-bond of the protonated dimers. The calculated binding energies for (1,2-diazine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (pyridine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (2-F-pyridine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (3-F-pyridine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (2,6-di-F-pyridine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (4-F-pyridine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (1,3-diazine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (1,4-diazine){sub 2}H{sup +}, (1,3,5-triazine){sub 2}H{sup +}, and (pentafluoropyridine){sub 2}H{sup +} are 29.7, 24.9, 24.8, 23.3, 23.2, 23.0, 22.4, 21.9, 19.3, and 18.1 kcal/mol, respectively. The electron-withdrawing substituents form internal dipoles whose electrostatic interactions contribute to both the decreased proton affinities of (B) and the decreased binding energies of the protonated dimers BH{sup +}B. The bonding energies also vary with rotation about the hydrogen bond, and they decrease in rotamers where the internal dipoles of the components are aligned efficiently for inter-ring repulsion. For compounds substituted at the 3 or 4 (meta or para) positions, the lowest energy rotamers are T-shaped with the planes of the two rings rotated by 90° about the hydrogen bond, while the planar rotamers are weakened by repulsion between the ortho hydrogen atoms of the two rings. Conversely, in ortho-substituted (1,2-diazine){sub 2}H{sup +} and (2-F-pyridine){sub 2}H{sup +}, attractive interactions between the ortho (C–H) hydrogen atoms of one ring and the electronegative ortho atoms (N or F) of the other ring are stabilizing, and increase the protonated dimer binding energies by up to 4 kcal/mol. In all of the dimers, rotation about the hydrogen bond can involve a 2–4 kcal/mol barrier due to the relative energies of the rotamers.« less

Naked eye detection of mutagenic DNA photodimers using gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Kim, Joong Hyun; Chung, Bong Hyun

2011-01-15

We developed a method to detect mutagenic DNA photodimers by the naked eye using gold nanoparticles. The stability of gold nanoparticles in a high ionic strength solution is maintained by straight ssDNA adsorbed physically on the AuNPs. However, we found that UV-irradiated DNA was less adsorptive onto gold nanoparticles because of a conformational change of UV-irradiated DNA. The accumulated deformation of the DNA structure by multiple-dimer formation triggered aggregation of the gold nanoparticles mixed with the UV-irradiated DNA and thus red to purple color changes of the mixture, which allowed colorimetric detection of the DNA photodimers by the naked eye. No fragmented mass and reactive oxygen species production under the UVB irradiation confirmed that the aggregation of gold nanoparticles was solely attributed to the accumulated deformation of the UV irradiated DNA. The degree of gold nanoparticles-aggregation was dependent on the UVB irradiated time and base compositions of the UV-irradiated oligonucleotides. In addition, we successfully demonstrated how to visually qualify the photosensitizing effect of chemical compounds in parallel within only 10 min by applying this new method. Since our method does not require any chemical or biochemical treatments or special instruments for purifying and qualifying the DNA photolesions, it should provide a feasible tool for the studies of the UV-induced mutagenic or carcinogenic DNA dimers and accelerate screening of a large number of drug candidates. Crown Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

UV Photofragmentation Dynamics of Protonated Cystine: Disulfide Bond Rupture.

PubMed

Soorkia, Satchin; Dehon, Christophe; Kumar, S Sunil; Pedrazzani, Mélanie; Frantzen, Emilie; Lucas, Bruno; Barat, Michel; Fayeton, Jacqueline A; Jouvet, Christophe

2014-04-03

Disulfide bonds (S-S) play a central role in stabilizing the native structure of proteins against denaturation. Experimentally, identification of these linkages in peptide and protein structure characterization remains challenging. UV photodissociation (UVPD) can be a valuable tool in identifying disulfide linkages. Here, the S-S bond acts as a UV chromophore and absorption of one UV photon corresponds to a σ-σ* transition. We have investigated the photodissociation dynamics of protonated cystine, which is a dimer of two cysteines linked by a disulfide bridge, at 263 nm (4.7 eV) using a multicoincidence technique in which fragments coming from the same fragmentation event are detected. Two types of bond cleavages are observed corresponding to the disulfide (S-S) and adjacent C-S bond ruptures. We show that the S-S cleavage leads to three different fragment ions via three different fragmentation mechanisms. The UVPD results are compared to collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron-induced dissociation (EID) studies.

Tualang honey protects keratinocytes from ultraviolet radiation-induced inflammation and DNA damage.

PubMed

Ahmad, Israr; Jimenez, Hugo; Yaacob, Nik Soriani; Yusuf, Nabiha

2012-01-01

Malaysian tualang honey possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we evaluated the effect of tualang honey on early biomarkers of photocarcinogenesis employing PAM212 mouse keratinocyte cell line. Keratinocytes were treated with tualang honey (1.0%, v/v) before a single UVB (150 mJ cm(-2) ) irradiation. We found that the treatment of tualang honey inhibited UVB-induced DNA damage, and enhanced repair of UVB-mediated formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine. Treatment of tualang honey inhibited UVB-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκBα in murine keratinocyte cell line. The treatment of tualang honey also inhibited UVB-induced inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression. Furthermore, the treatment of tualang honey inhibited UVB-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production. Taken together, we provide evidence that the treatment of tualang honey to keratinocytes affords substantial protection from the adverse effects of UVB radiation via modulation in early biomarkers of photocarcinogenesis and provide suggestion for its photochemopreventive potential. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Photochemistry and Photobiology © 2012 The American Society of Photobiology.

Fundamental mechanisms of DNA radiosensitization: damage induced by low-energy electrons in brominated oligonucleotide trimers.

PubMed

Park, Yeunsoo; Polska, Katarzyna; Rak, Janusz; Wagner, J Richard; Sanche, Léon

2012-08-16

The replacement of nucleobases with brominated analogs enhances DNA radiosensitivity. We examine the chemistry of low-energy electrons (LEEs) in this sensitization process by experiments with thin films of the oligonucleotide trimers TBrXT, where BrX = 5-BrU (5-bromouracil), 5-BrC (5-bromocytosine), 8-BrA (8-bromoadenine), or 8-BrG (8-bromoguanine). The products induced from irradiation of thin (∼ 2.5 nm) oligonucleotide films, with 10 eV electrons, under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) are analyzed by HPLC-UV. The number of damaged brominated trimers ranges from about 12 to 15 × 10(-3) molecules per incident electron, whereas under the identical conditions, these numbers drop to 4-7 × 10(-3) for the same, but nonbrominated oligonucleotides. The results of HPLC analysis show that the main degradation pathway of trinucleotides containing brominated bases involve debromination (i.e., loss of the bromine atom and its replacement with a hydrogen atom). The electron-induced sum of products upon bromination increases by factors of 2.1 for the pyrimidines and 3.2 for the purines. Thus, substitution of any native nucleobase with a brominated one in simple models of DNA increases LEE-induced damage to DNA and hence its radiosensitivity. Furthermore, besides the brominated pyrimidines that have already been tested in clinical trials, brominated purines not only appear to be promising sensitizers for radiotherapy, but could provide a higher degree of radiosensitization.

Binding Mode and Selectivity of a Scorpiand-Like Polyamine Ligand to Single- and Double-Stranded DNA and RNA: Metal- and pH-Driven Modulation.

PubMed

Inclán, Mario; Guijarro, Lluis; Pont, Isabel; Frías, Juan C; Rotger, Carmen; Orvay, Francisca; Costa, Antoni; García-España, Enrique; Albelda, M Teresa

2017-11-13

The interaction of a polyazacyclophane ligand having an ethylamine pendant arm functionalized with an anthryl group (L), with the single-stranded polynucleotides polyA, polyG, polyU, and polyC as well as with the double-stranded polynucleotides polyA-polyU, poly(dAT) 2 , and poly(dGC) 2 has been followed by UV/Vis titration, steady state fluorescence spectroscopy, and thermal denaturation measurements. In the case of the single-stranded polynucleotides, the UV/Vis and fluorescence titrations permit to distinguish between sequences containing purine and pyrimidine bases. For the double-stranded polynucleotides the UV/Vis measurements show for all of them hypochromicity and bathochromic shifts. However, the fluorescence studies reveal that both polyA-polyU and poly(dAT) 2 induce a twofold increase in the fluorescence, whereas interaction of poly(dGC) 2 with the ligand L induces a quenching of the fluorescence. Cu 2+ modulates the interaction with the double-stranded polynucleotides due to the conformation changes that its coordination induces in compound L. In general, the spectroscopic studies show that intercalation seems to be blocked by the formation of the metal complex. All these features suggest the possibility of using compound L as a sequence-selective fluorescence probe. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pyridine-pyrimidine amides that prevent HGF-induced epithelial scattering by two distinct mechanisms.

PubMed

Siddiqui-Jain, Adam; Hoj, Jacob P; Hargiss, J Blade; Hoj, Taylor H; Payne, Carter J; Ritchie, Collin A; Herron, Steven R; Quinn, Colette; Schuler, Jeffrey T; Hansen, Marc D H

2017-09-01

Stimulation of cultured epithelial cells with scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) results in individual cells detaching and assuming a migratory and invasive phenotype. Epithelial scattering recapitulates cancer progression and studies have implicated HGF signaling as a driver of cancer metastasis. Inhibitors of HGF signaling have been proposed to act as anti-cancer agents. We previously screened a small molecule library for compounds that block HGF-induced epithelial scattering. Most hits identified in this screen exhibit anti-mitotic properties. Here we assess the biological mechanism of a compound that blocks HGF-induced scattering with limited anti-mitotic activity. Analogs of this compound have one of two distinct activities: inhibiting either cell migration or cell proliferation with cell cycle arrest in G2/M. Each activity bears unique structure-activity relationships. The mechanism of action of anti-mitotic compounds is by inhibition of microtubule polymerization; these compounds entropically and enthalpically bind tubulin in the colchicine binding site, generating a conformational change in the tubulin dimer. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure of Full-length Drosophila Cryptochrome

PubMed Central

Zoltowski, Brian D.; Vaidya, Anand T.; Top, Deniz; Widom, Joanne; Young, Michael W.; Crane, Brian R.

2011-01-01

The Cryptochrome/Photolyase (CRY/PL) family of photoreceptors mediates adaptive responses to UV and blue light exposure in all kingdoms of life 1; 2; 3; 4; 5. Whereas PLs function predominantly in DNA repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs)and 6-4 photolesions caused by UV radiation, CRYs transduce signals important for growth, development, magnetosensitivity and circadian clocks1; 2; 3; 4; 5. Despite these diverse functions, PLs/CRYs preserve a common structural fold, a dependence on flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and an internal photoactivation mechanism3; 6. However, members of the CRY/PL family differ in the substrates recognized (protein or DNA), photochemical reactions catalyzed and involvement of an antenna cofactor. It is largely unknown how the animal CRYs that regulate circadian rhythms act on their substrates. CRYs contain a variable C-terminal tail that appends the conserved PL homology domain (PHD) and is important for function 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12. Herein, we report a 2.3 Å resolution crystal structure of Drosophila CRY with an intact C-terminus. The C-terminal helix docks in the analogous groove that binds DNA substrates in PLs. Conserved Trp536 juts into the CRY catalytic center to mimic PL recognition of DNA photolesions. The FAD anionic semiquinone found in the crystals assumes a conformation to facilitate restructuring of the tail helix. These results help reconcile the diverse functions of the CRY/PL family by demonstrating how conserved protein architecture, and photochemistry can be elaborated into a range of light-driven functions. PMID:22080955

Pyrimidine Nucleobase Radical Reactivity in DNA and RNA.

PubMed

Greenberg, Marc M

2016-11-01

Nucleobase radicals are major products of the reactions between nucleic acids and hydroxyl radical, which is produced via the indirect effect of ionizing radiation. The nucleobase radicals also result from hydration of cation radicals that are produced via the direct effect of ionizing radiation. The role that nucleobase radicals play in strand scission has been investigated indirectly using ionizing radiation to generate them. More recently, the reactivity of nucleobase radicals resulting from formal hydrogen atom or hydroxyl radical addition to pyrimidines has been studied by independently generating the reactive intermediates via UV-photolysis of synthetic precursors. This approach has provided control over where the reactive intermediates are produced within biopolymers and facilitated studying their reactivity. The contributions to our understanding of pyrimidine nucleobase radical reactivity by this approach are summarized.

Pyrimidine nucleobase radical reactivity in DNA and RNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenberg, Marc M.

2016-11-01

Nucleobase radicals are major products of the reactions between nucleic acids and hydroxyl radical, which is produced via the indirect effect of ionizing radiation. The nucleobase radicals also result from hydration of cation radicals that are produced via the direct effect of ionizing radiation. The role that nucleobase radicals play in strand scission has been investigated indirectly using ionizing radiation to generate them. More recently, the reactivity of nucleobase radicals resulting from formal hydrogen atom or hydroxyl radical addition to pyrimidines has been studied by independently generating the reactive intermediates via UV-photolysis of synthetic precursors. This approach has provided control over where the reactive intermediates are produced within biopolymers and facilitated studying their reactivity. The contributions to our understanding of pyrimidine nucleobase radical reactivity by this approach are summarized.

Excited-state hydrogen atom abstraction initiates the photochemistry of β-2′-deoxycytidine† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Including relevant preliminary results as well as illustrations and geometrical parameters of selected structures. See DOI: 10.1039/c4sc03761h Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Campos, Jesús; Šponer, Judit E.; Šponer, Jiří

2015-01-01

Understanding the effects of ultraviolet radiation on nucleotides in solution is an important step towards a comprehensive description of the photochemistry of nucleic acids and their constituents. Apart from having implications for mutagenesis and DNA photoprotection mechanisms, the photochemistry of cytidines is a central element in UV-assisted syntheses of pyrimidine nucleotides under prebiotically plausible conditions. In this contribution, we present UV-irradiation experiments of β-2′-deoxycytidine in aqueous solution involving H–D exchange followed by NMR spectroscopic analysis of the photoproducts. We further elucidate the outcome of these experiments by means of high-level quantum chemical calculations. In particular, we show that prolonged UV-irradiation of cytidine may lead to H–C1′ hydrogen atom abstraction by the carbonyl oxygen atom of cytosine. This process may enable photoanomerisation and nucleobase loss, two previously unexplained photoreactions observed in pyrimidine nucleotides. PMID:27182431

Replication-Dependent Sister Chromatid Recombination in Rad1 Mutants of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

PubMed Central

Kadyk, L. C.; Hartwell, L. H.

1993-01-01

Homolog recombination and unequal sister chromatid recombination were monitored in rad1-1/rad1-1 diploid yeast cells deficient for excision repair, and in control cells, RAD1/rad1-1, after exposure to UV irradiation. In a rad1-1/rad1-1 diploid, UV irradiation stimulated much more sister chromatid recombination relative to homolog recombination when cells were irradiated in the G(1) or the G(2) phases of the cell cycle than was observed in RAD1/rad1-1 cells. Since sister chromatids are not present during G(1), this result suggested that unexcised lesions can stimulate sister chromatid recombination events during or subsequent to DNA replication. The results of mating rescue experiments suggest that unexcised UV dimers do not stimulate sister chromatid recombination during the G(2) phase, but only when they are present during DNA replication. We propose that there are two types of sister chromatid recombination in yeast. In the first type, unexcised UV dimers and other bulky lesions induce sister chromatid recombination during DNA replication as a mechanism to bypass lesions obstructing the passage of DNA polymerase, and this type is analogous to the type of sister chromatid exchange commonly observed cytologically in mammalian cells. In the second type, strand scissions created by X-irradiation or the excision of damaged bases create recombinogenic sites that result in sister chromatid recombination directly in G(2). Further support for the existence of two types of sister chromatid recombination is the fact that events induced in rad1-1/rad1-1 were due almost entirely to gene conversion, whereas those in RAD1/rad1-1 cells were due to a mixture of gene conversion and reciprocal recombination. PMID:8454200

True Lies: The Double Life of the Nucleotide Excision Repair Factors in Transcription and DNA Repair

PubMed Central

Le May, Nicolas; Egly, Jean-Marc; Coin, Frédéric

2010-01-01

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a major DNA repair pathway in eukaryotic cells. NER removes structurally diverse lesions such as pyrimidine dimers, arising upon UV irradiation or bulky chemical adducts, arising upon exposure to carcinogens and some chemotherapeutic drugs. NER defects lead to three genetic disorders that result in predisposition to cancers, accelerated aging, neurological and developmental defects. During NER, more than 30 polypeptides cooperate to recognize, incise, and excise a damaged oligonucleotide from the genomic DNA. Recent papers reveal an additional and unexpected role for the NER factors. In the absence of a genotoxic attack, the promoters of RNA polymerases I- and II-dependent genes recruit XPA, XPC, XPG, and XPF to initiate gene expression. A model that includes the growth arrest and DNA damage 45α protein (Gadd45α) and the NER factors, in order to maintain the promoter of active genes under a hypomethylated state, has been proposed but remains controversial. This paper focuses on the double life of the NER factors in DNA repair and transcription and describes the possible roles of these factors in the RNA synthesis process. PMID:20725631

Diurnal variation in bacterioplankton composition and DNA damage in the microbial community from an Andean oligotrophic lake.

PubMed

Fernández-Zenoff, María V; Estévez, María C; Farías, María E

2014-01-01

Laguna Azul is an oligotrophic lake situated at 4,560 m above sea level and subject to a high level of solar radiation. Bacterioplankton community composition (BCC) was analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and the impact of solar ultraviolet radiation was assessed by measuring cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD). Furthermore, pure cultures of Acinetobacter johnsonii A2 and Rhodococcus sp. A5 were exposed simultaneously and CPD accumulation was studied. Gel analyses generated a total of 7 sequences belonging to Alpha-proteobacteria (1 band), Beta-proteobacteria (1 band), Bacteroidetes (2 bands), Actinobacteria (1 band), and Firmicutes (1 band). DGGE profiles showed minimal changes in BCC and no CPD was detected even though a high level of damage was found in biodosimeters. A. johnsonii A2 showed low level of DNA damage while Rhodococcus sp. A5 exhibited high resistance since no CPD were detected under natural UV-B exposure, suggesting that the bacterial community is well adapted to this highly solar irradiated environment. Copyright © 2014 Asociación Argentina de Microbiología. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Protective effects of a new phloretin derivative against UVB-induced damage in skin cell model and human volunteers.

PubMed

Shin, Seoungwoo; Kum, Hyunwoo; Ryu, Dehun; Kim, Minkyung; Jung, Eunsun; Park, Deokhoon

2014-10-20

The phenolic compound phloretin is a prominent member of the chemical class of dihydrochalcones. Phloretin is specifically found in apple and apple juice and known for its biological properties. We were particularly interested in its potential dermo-cosmetic applications. However, practical limitations of phloretin do exist due to its poor water-solubility. Phloretin was sulfonated with sulfuric acid (98%, wt) and mixed with saturated salt water to produce phloretin 3',3-disulfonate in order to increase its water-solubility. Here we reported the photoprotective effect of phloretin 3',3-disulfonate (PS), a new semi-synthetic derivative of phloretin. Results showed that PS attenuated cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPDs) formation, glutathione (GSH) depletion and apoptosis induced by ultraviolet B (UVB). The photoprotective effect of PS is tightly correlated to the enhancement of nucleotide excision repair (NER) gene expression. Furthemore, PS had inhibitory effects on UVB-induced release of the inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2. We also confirmed the safety and clinical efficacy of PS on human skin. Overall, the results demonstrated significant benefits of PS on the protection of keratinocytes against UVB-induced injuries and suggested its potential use in skin photoprotection.

Protective Effects of a New Phloretin Derivative against UVB-Induced Damage in Skin Cell Model and Human Volunteers

PubMed Central

Shin, Seoungwoo; Kum, Hyunwoo; Ryu, Dehun; Kim, Minkyung; Jung, Eunsun; Park, Deokhoon

2014-01-01

The phenolic compound phloretin is a prominent member of the chemical class of dihydrochalcones. Phloretin is specifically found in apple and apple juice and known for its biological properties. We were particularly interested in its potential dermo-cosmetic applications. However, practical limitations of phloretin do exist due to its poor water-solubility. Phloretin was sulfonated with sulfuric acid (98%, wt) and mixed with saturated salt water to produce phloretin 3',3-disulfonate in order to increase its water-solubility. Here we reported the photoprotective effect of phloretin 3',3-disulfonate (PS), a new semi-synthetic derivative of phloretin. Results showed that PS attenuated cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPDs) formation, glutathione (GSH) depletion and apoptosis induced by ultraviolet B (UVB). The photoprotective effect of PS is tightly correlated to the enhancement of nucleotide excision repair (NER) gene expression. Furthemore, PS had inhibitory effects on UVB-induced release of the inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2. We also confirmed the safety and clinical efficacy of PS on human skin. Overall, the results demonstrated significant benefits of PS on the protection of keratinocytes against UVB-induced injuries and suggested its potential use in skin photoprotection. PMID:25334063

Spectral and in vitro antimicrobial properties of 2-oxo-4-phenyl-6-styryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid transition metal complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhankar, Raksha P.; Rahatgaonkar, Anjali M.; Chorghade, Mukund S.; Tiwari, Ashutosh

2-oxo-4-phenyl-6-styryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (ADP) was complexed with acetates of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). The structures of the ligand and its metal complexes were characterized by microanalysis, IR, NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and TGA-DTA analyses. Octahedral and square planar geometries were suggested for the complexes in which the central metal ion coordinated with sbnd O donors of ligand and acetate ions. Each ligand binds the metal using carboxylate oxygens. The ligand and complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against different species of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The present novel pyrimidine containing complexes could constitute a new group of antibacterial and antifungal agents.

Xeroderma pigmentosum cells contain low levels of photoreactivating enzyme.

PubMed Central

Sutherland, B M; Rice, M; Wagner, E K

1975-01-01

Fibroblasts from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum contain low levels of photoreactivating enzyme in comparison to normal cells. Levels vary from 0 (line 1199) to 50 (line 1259) percent of normal. The depressed enzyme levels are not an artifact of low growth rate, age of cell donor, cell culture conditions, assay conditions, the presence of inhibitors, or mycoplasma contamination. We show that human fibroblasts can monomerize pyrimidine dimers in vivo. PMID:1054487

Light-driven enzymatic catalysis of DNA repair: a review of recent biophysical studies on photolyase.

PubMed

Weber, Stefan

2005-02-25

More than 50 years ago, initial experiments on enzymatic photorepair of ultraviolet (UV)-damaged DNA were reported [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 35 (1949) 73]. Soon after this discovery, it was recognized that one enzyme, photolyase, is able to repair UV-induced DNA lesions by effectively reversing their formation using blue light. The enzymatic process named DNA photoreactivation depends on a non-covalently bound cofactor, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Flavins are ubiquitous redox-active catalysts in one- and two-electron transfer reactions of numerous biological processes. However, in the case of photolyase, not only the ground-state redox properties of the FAD cofactor are exploited but also, and perhaps more importantly, its excited-state properties. In the catalytically active, fully reduced redox form, the FAD absorbs in the blue and near-UV ranges of visible light. Although there is no direct experimental evidence, it appears generally accepted that starting from the excited singlet state, the chromophore initiates a reductive cleavage of the two major DNA photodamages, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6-4) photoproducts, by short-distance electron transfer to the DNA lesion. Back electron transfer from the repaired DNA segment is believed to eventually restore the initial redox states of the cofactor and the DNA nucleobases, resulting in an overall reaction with net-zero exchanged electrons. Thus, the entire process represents a true catalytic cycle. Many biochemical and biophysical studies have been carried out to unravel the fundamentals of this unique mode of action. The work has culminated in the elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme in 1995 that revealed remarkable details, such as the FAD-cofactor arrangement in an unusual U-shaped configuration. With the crystal structure of the enzyme at hand, research on photolyases did not come to an end but, for good reason, intensified: the geometrical structure of the enzyme alone is not sufficient to fully understand the enzyme's action on UV-damaged DNA. Much effort has therefore been invested to learn more about, for example, the geometry of the enzyme-substrate complex, and the mechanism and pathways of intra-enzyme and enzyme <-->DNA electron transfer. Many of the key results from biochemical and molecular biology characterizations of the enzyme or the enzyme-substrate complex have been summarized in a number of reviews. Complementary to these articles, this review focuses on recent biophysical studies of photoreactivation comprising work performed from the early 1990s until the present.

Isolation of Purines and Pyrimidines from the Murchison Meteorite Using Sublimation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glavin, D. P.; Bada, J. L.

2004-01-01

The origin of life on Earth, and possibly on other planets such as Mars, would have required the presence of liquid water and a continuous supply of prebiotic organic compounds. The exogenous delivery of organic matter by asteroids, comets, and carbonaceous meteorites could have contributed to the early Earth s prebiotic inventory by seeding the planet with biologically important organic compounds. A wide variety of prebiotic organic compounds have previously been detected in the Murchison CM type carbonaceous chondrite including amino acids, purines and pyrimidines. These compounds dominate terrestrial biochemistry and are integral components of proteins, DNA and RNA. Several purines including adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine, as well as the pyrimidine uracil, have previously been detected in water or formic acid extracts of Murchison using ion-exclusion chromatography and ultraviolet spectroscopy. However, even after purification of these extracts, the accurate identification and quantification of nucleobases is difficult due to interfering UV absorbing compounds. In order to reduce these effects, we have developed an extraction technique using sublimation to isolate purines and pyrimidines from other non-volatile organic compounds in Murchison acid extracts.

5-Fluoro pyrimidines: labels to probe DNA and RNA secondary structures by 1D 19F NMR spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Puffer, Barbara; Kreutz, Christoph; Rieder, Ulrike; Ebert, Marc-Olivier; Konrat, Robert; Micura, Ronald

2009-01-01

19F NMR spectroscopy has proved to be a valuable tool to monitor functionally important conformational transitions of nucleic acids. Here, we present a systematic investigation on the application of 5-fluoro pyrimidines to probe DNA and RNA secondary structures. Oligonucleotides with the propensity to adapt secondary structure equilibria were chosen as model systems and analyzed by 1D 19F and 1H NMR spectroscopy. A comparison with the unmodified analogs revealed that the equilibrium characteristics of the bistable DNA and RNA oligonucleotides were hardly affected upon fluorine substitution at C5 of pyrimidines. This observation was in accordance with UV spectroscopic melting experiments which demonstrated that single 5-fluoro substitutions in double helices lead to comparable thermodynamic stabilities. Thus, 5-fluoro pyrimidine labeling of DNA and RNA can be reliably applied for NMR based nucleic acid secondary structure evaluation. Furthermore, we developed a facile synthetic route towards 5-fluoro cytidine phosphoramidites that enables their convenient site-specific incorporation into oligonucleotides by solid-phase synthesis. PMID:19843610

5-Fluoro pyrimidines: labels to probe DNA and RNA secondary structures by 1D 19F NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Puffer, Barbara; Kreutz, Christoph; Rieder, Ulrike; Ebert, Marc-Olivier; Konrat, Robert; Micura, Ronald

2009-12-01

(19)F NMR spectroscopy has proved to be a valuable tool to monitor functionally important conformational transitions of nucleic acids. Here, we present a systematic investigation on the application of 5-fluoro pyrimidines to probe DNA and RNA secondary structures. Oligonucleotides with the propensity to adapt secondary structure equilibria were chosen as model systems and analyzed by 1D (19)F and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. A comparison with the unmodified analogs revealed that the equilibrium characteristics of the bistable DNA and RNA oligonucleotides were hardly affected upon fluorine substitution at C5 of pyrimidines. This observation was in accordance with UV spectroscopic melting experiments which demonstrated that single 5-fluoro substitutions in double helices lead to comparable thermodynamic stabilities. Thus, 5-fluoro pyrimidine labeling of DNA and RNA can be reliably applied for NMR based nucleic acid secondary structure evaluation. Furthermore, we developed a facile synthetic route towards 5-fluoro cytidine phosphoramidites that enables their convenient site-specific incorporation into oligonucleotides by solid-phase synthesis.

Prediction of the association state of insulin using spectral parameters.

PubMed

Uversky, Vladimir N; Garriques, Liza Nielsen; Millett, Ian S; Frokjaer, Sven; Brange, Jens; Doniach, Sebastian; Fink, Anthony L

2003-04-01

Human insulin exists in different association states, from monomer to hexamer, depending on the conditions. In the presence of zinc the "normal" state is a hexamer. The structural properties of 20 variants of human insulin were studied by near-UV circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The mutants showed different degrees of association (monomer, dimers, tetramers, and hexamers) at neutral pH. A correlation was shown between the accessibility of tyrosines to acrylamide quenching and the degree of association of the insulin mutants. The near-UV CD spectra of the insulins were affected by protein association and by mutation-induced structural perturbations. However, the shape and intensity of difference CD spectra, obtained by subtraction of the spectra measured in 20% acetic acid (where all insulin species were monomeric) from the corresponding spectra measured at neutral pH, correlate well with the degree of insulin association. In fact, the near-UV CD difference spectra for monomeric, dimeric, tetrameric, and hexameric insulin are very distinctive, both in terms of intensity and shape. The results show that the spectral properties of the insulins reflect their state of association, and can be used to predict their oligomeric state. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 92:847-858, 2003

Nucleobases and Prebiotic Molecules in Organic Residues Produced from the Ultraviolet Photo-Irradiation of Pyrimidine in NH3 and H2O+NH3 Ices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nuevo, Michel; Milam, Stefanie N.; Sandford, Scott

2012-01-01

Although not yet identified in the interstellar medium (ISM), N-heterocycles including nucleobases the information subunits of DNA and RNA are present in carbonaceous chondrites, which indicates that molecules of biological interest can be formed in non-terrestrial environments via abiotic pathways. Recent laboratory experiments and ab-initio calculations have already shown that the irradiation of pyrimidine in pure H2O ices leads to the formation of a suite of oxidized pyrimidine derivatives, including the nucleobase uracil. In the present work, NH3:pyrimidine and H2O:NH3:pyrimidine ice mixtures with different relative proportions were irradiated with UV photons under astrophysically relevant conditions. Liquid- and gas-chromatography analysis of the resulting organic residues has led to the detection of the nucleobases uracil and cytosine, as well as other species of prebiotic interest such as urea and small amino acids. The presence of these molecules in organic residues formed under abiotic conditions supports scenarios in which extraterrestrial organics that formed in space and were subsequently delivered to telluric planets via comets and meteorites could have contributed to the inventory of molecules that triggered the first biological reactions on their surfaces.

DNA polymerase θ (POLQ) can extend from mismatches and from bases opposite a (6–4) photoproduct

PubMed Central

Seki, Mineaki; Wood, Richard D.

2007-01-01

DNA polymerase θ (pol θ) is a nuclear A-family DNA polymerase encoded by the POLQ gene in vertebrate cells. The biochemical properties of pol θ and of Polq-defective mice have suggested that pol θ participates in DNA damage tolerance. For example, pol θ was previously found to be proficient not only in incorporation of a nucleotide opposite a thymine glycol or an abasic site, but also extends a polynucleotide chain efficiently from the base opposite the lesion. We carried out experiments to determine whether this ability to extend from non-standard termini is a more general property of the enzyme. Pol θ extended relatively efficiently from matched termini as well as termini with A:G, A:T, and A:C mismatches, with less descrimination than a well-studied A family DNA polymerase, exonuclease-free pol I from E. coli. Although pol θ was unable to, by itself, bypass a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer or a (6–4) photoproduct, it could perform some extension from primers with bases placed across from these lesions. When pol θ was combined with DNA polymerase ι , an enzyme that can insert a base opposite a UV-induced (6–4) photoproduct, complete bypass of a (6–4) photoproduct was possible. These data show that in addition to its ability to insert nucleotides opposite some DNA lesions, pol θ is proficient at extension of unpaired termini. These results show the potential of pol θ to act as an extender after incorporation of nucleotides by other DNA polymerases, and aid in understanding the role of pol θ in somatic mutagenesis and genome instability. PMID:17920341

DNA polymerase theta (POLQ) can extend from mismatches and from bases opposite a (6-4) photoproduct.

PubMed

Seki, Mineaki; Wood, Richard D

2008-01-01

DNA polymerase theta (pol theta) is a nuclear A-family DNA polymerase encoded by the POLQ gene in vertebrate cells. The biochemical properties of pol theta and of Polq-defective mice have suggested that pol theta participates in DNA damage tolerance. For example, pol theta was previously found to be proficient not only in incorporation of a nucleotide opposite a thymine glycol or an abasic site, but also extends a polynucleotide chain efficiently from the base opposite the lesion. We carried out experiments to determine whether this ability to extend from non-standard termini is a more general property of the enzyme. Pol theta extended relatively efficiently from matched termini as well as termini with A:G, A:T and A:C mismatches, with less descrimination than a well-studied A-family DNA polymerase, exonuclease-free pol I from E. coli. Although pol theta was unable to, by itself, bypass a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer or a (6-4) photoproduct, it could perform some extension from primers with bases placed across from these lesions. When pol theta was combined with DNA polymerase iota, an enzyme that can insert a base opposite a UV-induced (6-4) photoproduct, complete bypass of a (6-4) photoproduct was possible. These data show that in addition to its ability to insert nucleotides opposite some DNA lesions, pol theta is proficient at extension of unpaired termini. These results show the potential of pol theta to act as an extender after incorporation of nucleotides by other DNA polymerases, and aid in understanding the role of pol theta in somatic mutagenesis and genome instability.

Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy of Benzene, Phenol, and Their Dimer: An Efficient First-Principles Simulation Protocol.

PubMed

Nenov, Artur; Mukamel, Shaul; Garavelli, Marco; Rivalta, Ivan

2015-08-11

First-principles simulations of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy in the ultraviolet region (2DUV) require computationally demanding multiconfigurational approaches that can resolve doubly excited and charge transfer states, the spectroscopic fingerprints of coupled UV-active chromophores. Here, we propose an efficient approach to reduce the computational cost of accurate simulations of 2DUV spectra of benzene, phenol, and their dimer (i.e., the minimal models for studying electronic coupling of UV-chromophores in proteins). We first establish the multiconfigurational recipe with the highest accuracy by comparison with experimental data, providing reference gas-phase transition energies and dipole moments that can be used to construct exciton Hamiltonians involving high-lying excited states. We show that by reducing the active spaces and the number of configuration state functions within restricted active space schemes, the computational cost can be significantly decreased without loss of accuracy in predicting 2DUV spectra. The proposed recipe has been successfully tested on a realistic model proteic system in water. Accounting for line broadening due to thermal and solvent-induced fluctuations allows for direct comparison with experiments.

Dimer excision in Escherichia coli in the presence of caffeine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rothman, R.H.

1980-07-01

The observation that polA1 and recL152 mutations result in both slow pyrimidine dimer excision and large repair patch size leads to the hypothesis that patch size is directly related to the rate of excision. In this study caffeine, a known inhibitor of excision repair, was used to examine the extent of correlation between excision rate and patch size by measuring patch size in the presence of several concentrations of caffeine. Both the rate of excision and the resistance to ultraviolet radiation were reduced with increasing concentrations of caffeine after irradiation. Caffeine also inhibited the rate at which incisions were mademore » and prolonged the time required to rejoin the discontinuities. Patch size, however, was unaffected by caffeine treatment.« less

Growth and sporulation of a pyrimidine spore color mutant of Sordaria fimicola.

PubMed

el-Ani, A S

1967-04-07

A nonautonomous spore color mutant of Sordaria fimicola is a pyrimidine auxotroph that produces hyaline nonviable ascospores. Uracil, uridine, and cytidine are more effective growth factors than cytosine and thymine and, in high concentrations, render the mutant self-fertile by inducing the ascospores to resume development and maturation. Crosses with the unlinked arginine non-autonomus spore color mutant st-59 yielded the double mutant st-59 pyr that requires both arginine and a pyrimidine for growth, which indicates a lack of suppression of the pyrimidine requirement by the arginine locus.

Binding of urea and thiourea with a barbiturate derivative: experimental and theoretical approach.

PubMed

Dixit, Namrata; Shukla, P K; Mishra, P C; Mishra, Lallan; Roesky, Herbert W

2010-01-14

A barbiturate derivative [1,5-dihydro-5-[5-pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dionyl]-2H-chromeno[2,3-d] pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione)] (L1) possesses functionalities complementary to amide and thioamide. Hence its binding with urea and thiourea, is monitored using UV-vis and fluorescence titrations as well as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) study. Theoretical studies on hydrogen-bonded complexes of L1-urea and L1-thiourea in the gas phase, aqueous, and DMSO medium are carried out using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. The theoretical calculations support the experimental results.

Determining the Location of DNA Modification and Mutation Caused by UVB Light in Skin Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

Award Number: W81XWH-12-1-0333 TITLE: Determining the Location of DNA Modification and Mutation Caused by UVB Light in Skin Cancer PRINCIPAL...COVERED 15 Aug 2012 – 14 Aug 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER W81XWH-12-1-0333 Determining the Location of DNA Modification and Mutation ...sequencing libraries generated for both yeast and human cells show pyrimidine bias on the 5’ end, indicating that we are sequencing the dimers

Identification and Characterization of uvrA, a DNA Repair Gene of Deinococcus radiodurans

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-01-01

and Classificalion I 2 . TheCellWall 4 3. Intracellular Molecules 7 4. Genetics _ _ _ _ _.. 8 a. DNA COntent. 8 b. Chromosomes 8 c. Plasmids 10 d...Summary 11 B. DNA Damaging Agenls 12 I. Visible Light and Low-Frequency UV Radiation 12 2 . High-frequency UV Radiation 13 a. Pyrimidine DiIners 13 b. The...23 a. Photoreactivation Repair 23 b. Repair of Spore Pholoproducts 27 2 . Repair by Methods Involving Single Proteins 27 a. Repair of

Comparative molecular dynamics studies of heterozygous open reading frames of DNA polymerase eta (η) in pathogenic yeast Candida albicans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satpati, Suresh; Manohar, Kodavati; Acharya, Narottam; Dixit, Anshuman

2017-01-01

Genomic instability in Candida albicans is believed to play a crucial role in fungal pathogenesis. DNA polymerases contribute significantly to stability of any genome. Although Candida Genome database predicts presence of S. cerevisiae DNA polymerase orthologs; functional and structural characterizations of Candida DNA polymerases are still unexplored. DNA polymerase eta (Polη) is unique as it promotes efficient bypass of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Interestingly, C. albicans is heterozygous in carrying two Polη genes and the nucleotide substitutions were found only in the ORFs. As allelic differences often result in functional differences of the encoded proteins, comparative analyses of structural models and molecular dynamic simulations were performed to characterize these orthologs of DNA Polη. Overall structures of both the ORFs remain conserved except subtle differences in the palm and PAD domains. The complementation analysis showed that both the ORFs equally suppressed UV sensitivity of yeast rad30 deletion strain. Our study has predicted two novel molecular interactions, a highly conserved molecular tetrad of salt bridges and a series of π-π interactions spanning from thumb to PAD. This study suggests these ORFs as the homologues of yeast Polη, and due to its heterogeneity in C. albicans they may play a significant role in pathogenicity.

The (α-4) photoconjugates of 5-methylcytosine, 1,5-dimethylcytosine, 1-methylthymine and thymidine.

PubMed

Shetlar, Martin D; Chung, Janet

2012-01-01

The pyrimidine nucleobases contained in DNA undergo a variety of photoinduced reactions in which two moieties become joined to form a product (e.g. formation of cyclobutane dimers and [6-4] adducts). Herein, we describe a new type of photoconjugation reaction that has been shown to occur for 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC), 1,5-dimethylcytosine (1,5-diMeC), 1-methylthymine and thymidine; in this reaction the 5-methyl group of one nucleobase (or nucleoside) becomes attached to the 4-position of the second moiety. For example, 5-MeC forms α-4'-(5'-methylpyrimidin-2'-one)-5-methylcytosine. The various (α-4) conjugates are produced upon irradiation of the parent compound in frozen aqueous solution at -78.5°C. The UV spectra of these compounds display a characteristic "double humped" profile, similar to that expected from overlaying the spectrum of parent nucleobase with that of a 2'-pyrimidone moiety. Preliminary results suggest that thymine and 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine (5-MedCyd) form analogous photoproducts. A variety of other previously unreported photoproducts are described as well for the 5-MeC, 1,5-diMeC and 5-MedCyd systems. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Photochemistry and Photobiology © 2011 The American Society of Photobiology.

The role of pyrimidine and water as underlying molecular constituents for describing radiation damage in living tissue: A comparative study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fuss, M. C.; Ellis-Gibbings, L.; Jones, D. B.

Water is often used as the medium for characterizing the effects of radiation on living tissue. However, in this study, charged-particle track simulations are employed to quantify the induced physicochemical and potential biological implications when a primary ionising particle with energy 10 keV strikes a medium made up entirely of water or pyrimidine. Note that pyrimidine was chosen as the DNA/RNA bases cytosine, thymine, and uracil can be considered pyrimidine derivatives. This study aims to assess the influence of the choice of medium on the charged-particle transport, and identify how appropriate it is to use water as the default medium tomore » describe the effects of ionising radiation on living tissue. Based on the respective electron interaction cross sections, we provide a model, which allows the study of radiation effects not only in terms of energy deposition (absorbed dose and stopping power) but also in terms of the number of induced molecular processes. Results of these parameters for water and pyrimidine are presented and compared.« less

NMR structure of the DNA decamer duplex containing double T*G mismatches of cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer: implications for DNA damage recognition by the XPC-hHR23B complex.

PubMed

Lee, Joon-Hwa; Park, Chin-Ju; Shin, Jae-Sun; Ikegami, Takahisa; Akutsu, Hideo; Choi, Byong-Seok

2004-01-01

The cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) is a cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic DNA photoproduct and is repaired by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway in mammalian cells. The XPC-hHR23B complex as the initiator of global genomic NER binds to sites of certain kinds of DNA damage. Although CPDs are rarely recognized by the XPC-hHR23B complex, the presence of mismatched bases opposite a CPD significantly increased the binding affinity of the XPC-hHR23B complex to the CPD. In order to decipher the properties of the DNA structures that determine the binding affinity for XPC-hHR23B to DNA, we carried out structural analyses of the various types of CPDs by NMR spectroscopy. The DNA duplex which contains a single 3' T*G wobble pair in a CPD (CPD/GA duplex) induces little conformational distortion. However, severe distortion of the helical conformation occurs when a CPD contains double T*G wobble pairs (CPD/GG duplex) even though the T residues of the CPD form stable hydrogen bonds with the opposite G residues. The helical bending angle of the CPD/GG duplex was larger than those of the CPD/GA duplex and properly matched CPD/AA duplex. The fluctuation of the backbone conformation and significant changes in the widths of the major and minor grooves at the double T*G wobble paired site were also observed in the CPD/GG duplex. These structural features were also found in a duplex that contains the (6-4) adduct, which is efficiently recognized by the XPC-hHR23B complex. Thus, we suggest that the unique structural features of the DNA double helix (that is, helical bending, flexible backbone conformation, and significant changes of the major and/or minor grooves) might be important factors in determining the binding affinity of the XPC-hHR23B complex to DNA.

Super Water-Repellent Fractal Surfaces of a Photochromic Diarylethene Induced by UV Light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izumi, Norikazu; Minami, Takayuki; Mayama, Hiroyuki; Takata, Atsushi; Nakamura, Shinichiro; Yokojima, Satoshi; Tsujii, Kaoru; Uchida, Kingo

2008-09-01

Photochromic diarylethene forms super water-repellent surfaces upon irradiation with UV light. Microfibril-like crystals grow on the solid diarylethene surface after UV irradiation, and the contact angle of water on the surface becomes larger with increasing surface roughness with time. The fractal analysis was made by the box-counting method for the rough surfaces. There are three regions in the roughness size having the fractal dimension of ca. 2.4 (size of roughness smaller than 5 µm), of ca. 2.2 (size of roughness between 5-40 µm), and of ca. 2.0 (size of roughness larger than 40 µm). The fractal dimension of ca. 2.4 was due to the fibril-like structures generated gradually by UV irradiation on diarylethene surfaces accompanied with an increase in the contact angle. The surface structure with larger fractal dimension mainly contributes to realizing the super water-repellency of the diarylethene surfaces. This mechanism of spontaneous formation of fractal surfaces is similar to that for triglyceride and alkylketene dimer waxes.

Effect of pH and temperature on the stability of UV-induced repairable pyrimidine hydrates in DNA.

PubMed

O'Donnell, R E; Boorstein, R J; Cunningham, R P; Teebor, G W

1994-08-23

UV irradiation of cytosine yields 6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrocytosine (cytosine hydrate) whether the cytosine is in solution as base, nucleoside, or nucleotide or on the DNA backbone. Cytosine hydrate decomposes by elimination of water, yielding cytosine, or by irreversible deamination, yielding uracil hydrate, which, in turn, decomposes by dehydration yielding uracil. To determine how pH and temperature affect these decomposition reactions, alternating poly(dG-[3H]dC) copolymer was irradiated at 254 nm and incubated under different conditions of pH and temperature. The cytosine hydrate and uracil hydrate content of the DNA was determined by the use of Escherichia coli endonuclease III, which releases pyrimidine hydrates from DNA by virtue of its DNA glycosylase activity. Uracil content was determined by using uracil-DNA glycosylase. The rate of decomposition of cytosine hydrate to cytosine was determined at 4 temperatures at pH 3.1, 5.4, and 7.4. The Ea was determined from the rates by using the Arrhenius equation and proved to be the same at pH 5.4 and 7.4, although the decomposition rate at pH 5.4 was faster at all temperatures. At pH 3.1, the Ea was reduced. These results suggest that the dehydration reaction is affected by two discrete protonations, most probably of the N-3 and the OH group of C-6 of cytosine hydrate. The deamination of cytosine hydrate to uracil hydrate was maximal at pH 3.1 at all temperatures. The doubly protonated cytosine hydrate probably is the common intermediate for both competing decomposition reactions, explaining why cytosine hydrate is prone to deamination at acid pH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

C-terminal region of the UV-B photoreceptor UVR8 initiates signaling through interaction with the COP1 protein

PubMed Central

Cloix, Catherine; Kaiserli, Eirini; Heilmann, Monika; Baxter, Katherine J.; Brown, Bobby A.; O’Hara, Andrew; Smith, Brian O.; Christie, John M.; Jenkins, Gareth I.

2012-01-01

UV-B light initiates photomorphogenic responses in plants. Arabidopsis UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) specifically mediates these responses by functioning as a UV-B photoreceptor. UV-B exposure converts UVR8 from a dimer to a monomer, stimulates the rapid accumulation of UVR8 in the nucleus, where it binds to chromatin, and induces interaction of UVR8 with CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1), which functions with UVR8 to control photomorphogenic UV-B responses. Although the crystal structure of UVR8 reveals the basis of photoreception, it does not show how UVR8 initiates signaling through interaction with COP1. Here we report that a region of 27 amino acids from the C terminus of UVR8 (C27) mediates the interaction with COP1. The C27 region is necessary for UVR8 function in the regulation of gene expression and hypocotyl growth suppression in Arabidopsis. However, UVR8 lacking C27 still undergoes UV-B–induced monomerization in both yeast and plant protein extracts, accumulates in the nucleus in response to UV-B, and interacts with chromatin at the UVR8-regulated ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) gene. The UV-B–dependent interaction of UVR8 and COP1 is reproduced in yeast cells and we show that C27 is both necessary and sufficient for the interaction of UVR8 with the WD40 domain of COP1. Furthermore, we show that C27 interacts in yeast with the REPRESSOR OF UV-B PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS proteins, RUP1 and RUP2, which are negative regulators of UVR8 function. Hence the C27 region has a key role in UVR8 function. PMID:22988111

Conjugation of (E)-5-[2-(Methoxycarbonyl)ethenyl]cytidine to hydrophilic microspheres: development of a mobile microscale UV light actinometer.

PubMed

Fang, Shiyue; Guan, Yousheng; Blatchley, Ernest R; Shen, Chengyue; Bergstrom, Donald E

2008-03-01

( E)-5-[2-(Methoxycarbonyl)ethenyl]cytidine was biotinylated through a diisopropylsilylacetal linkage and attached to the surface of hydrophilic streptavidin-coated microspheres through the high-affinity noncovalent interaction between biotin and streptavidin. The functionalized microspheres form a stable suspension in water. Upon UV irradiation, the nonfluorescent ( E)-5-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethenyl]cytidine on the microspheres undergoes photocyclization to produce highly fluorescent 3-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2,7-dioxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine. The fluorescence intensity of the microspheres can be correlated to the particle-specific UV doses applied at different suspension concentrations. The microspheres allow one to measure the UV dose (fluence) distribution in high-throughput water disinfection systems.

Impact of UVA pre-radiation on UVC disinfection performance: Inactivation, repair and mechanism study.

PubMed

Xiao, Y; Chu, X N; He, M; Liu, X C; Hu, J Y

2018-05-15

Ultraviolet (UV) light emission diode (LED), which is mercury free and theoretically more energy efficient, has now become an alternative to conventional UV lamps in water disinfection industry. In this research, the disinfection performance of a novel sequential process, UVA 365nm LED followed by UVC 265nm LED (UVA-UVC), was evaluated. The results revealed that the responses of different bacterial strains to UVA-UVC varied. Coupled with appropriate dosages of UVC, a 20 min UVA pre-radiation provided higher inactivations (log inactivation) of E. coli ATCC 11229, 15597 and 700891 by 1.2, 1.4 and 1.2 times, respectively than the sum of inactivations by UVA alone and UVC alone. On the contrary, the inactivation of E. coli ATCC 25922, the most UVC sensitive strain, decreased from 3 log to 1.8 log after UVA pre-radiation. A 30 min UVA pre-radiation did not affect the photo repair capacity of the four strains (n = 23, p > 0.1), but their dark repair ability was significantly inhibited (n = 14, p < 0.05). Mechanism study was conducted for two representative strains, E. coli ATCC 15597 and 25922 to understand the observed effect. The hypothesis that UVA pre-radiation promoted the yield of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was rejected. ELISA results indicated that 18% more cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) were formed in E. coli ATCC 15597 with UVA pre-radiation (n = 3, p < 0.01), however, the CPD levels of E. coli ATCC 25922 was the same with or without UVA pre-radiation (n = 3, p > 0.01). Considering the results of both dark repair and CPD formation, it was concluded that the increased UV sensitivity of E. coli 15597 was originated from the increased CPD. For E. coli ATCC 25922, the enhanced UV resistance was attributed to the strain's adoption of a survival strategy, translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), when triggered by UVA pre-radiation. The study on UmuD protein, which is a key protein during TLS, confirmed this hypothesis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A unique structural domain in Methanococcoides burtonii ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) acts as a small subunit mimic

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The catalytic inefficiencies of the CO2-fixing enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) often limit plant productivity. Strategies to engineer more efficient plant Rubiscos have been hampered by evolutionary constraints, prompting interest in Rubisco isoforms from non-photosynthetic organisms. The methanogenic archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii contains a Rubisco isoform that functions to scavenge the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by-product of purine/pyrimidine metabolism. The crystal structure of M. burtonii Rubisco (MbR) presented here at 2.6 Å resolution is composed of catalytic large subunits (LSu) assembled into pentamers of dimers, (L2)5, and differs from Rubiscos from higher plants where LSus are glued together by small subunits (SSu) into hexadecameric L8S8 enzymes. MbR contains a unique 29-amino acid insertion near the C terminus, which folds as a separate domain in the structure. This domain, which is visualized for the first time in this study, is located in a similar position to SSus in L8S8 enzymes between LSus of adjacent L2 dimers, where negatively charged residues coordinate around a Mg2+ ion in a fashion that suggests this domain may be important for the assembly process. The Rubisco assembly domain is thus an inbuilt SSu mimic that concentrates L2 dimers. MbR assembly is ligand-stimulated, and we show that only 6-carbon molecules with a particular stereochemistry at the C3 carbon can induce oligomerization. Based on MbR structure, subunit arrangement, sequence, phylogenetic distribution, and function, MbR and a subset of Rubiscos from the Methanosarcinales order are proposed to belong to a new Rubisco subgroup, named form IIIB. PMID:28154188

A unique structural domain in Methanococcoides burtonii ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) acts as a small subunit mimic.

PubMed

Gunn, Laura H; Valegård, Karin; Andersson, Inger

2017-04-21

The catalytic inefficiencies of the CO 2 -fixing enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) often limit plant productivity. Strategies to engineer more efficient plant Rubiscos have been hampered by evolutionary constraints, prompting interest in Rubisco isoforms from non-photosynthetic organisms. The methanogenic archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii contains a Rubisco isoform that functions to scavenge the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by-product of purine/pyrimidine metabolism. The crystal structure of M. burtonii Rubisco (MbR) presented here at 2.6 Å resolution is composed of catalytic large subunits (LSu) assembled into pentamers of dimers, (L 2 ) 5 , and differs from Rubiscos from higher plants where LSus are glued together by small subunits (SSu) into hexadecameric L 8 S 8 enzymes. MbR contains a unique 29-amino acid insertion near the C terminus, which folds as a separate domain in the structure. This domain, which is visualized for the first time in this study, is located in a similar position to SSus in L 8 S 8 enzymes between LSus of adjacent L 2 dimers, where negatively charged residues coordinate around a Mg 2+ ion in a fashion that suggests this domain may be important for the assembly process. The Rubisco assembly domain is thus an inbuilt SSu mimic that concentrates L 2 dimers. MbR assembly is ligand-stimulated, and we show that only 6-carbon molecules with a particular stereochemistry at the C 3 carbon can induce oligomerization. Based on MbR structure, subunit arrangement, sequence, phylogenetic distribution, and function, MbR and a subset of Rubiscos from the Methanosarcinales order are proposed to belong to a new Rubisco subgroup, named form IIIB. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

UVA photoactivation of DNA containing halogenated thiopyrimidines induces cytotoxic DNA lesions

PubMed Central

Brem, Reto; Zhang, Xiaohui; Xu, Yao-Zhong; Karran, Peter

2015-01-01

Photochemotherapy, the combination of a photosensitiser and ultraviolet (UV) or visible light, is an effective treatment for skin conditions including cancer. The high mutagenicity and non-selectivity of photochemotherapy regimes warrants the development of alternative approaches. We demonstrate that the thiopyrimidine nucleosides 5-bromo-4-thiodeoxyuridine (SBrdU) and 5-iodo-4-thiodeoxyuridine (SIdU) are incorporated into the DNA of cultured human and mouse cells where they synergistically sensitise killing by low doses of UVA radiation. The DNA halothiopyrimidine/UVA combinations induce DNA interstrand crosslinks, DNA-protein crosslinks, DNA strand breaks, nucleobase damage and lesions that resemble UV-induced pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts. These are potentially lethal DNA lesions and cells defective in their repair are hypersensitive to killing by SBrdU/UVA and SIdU/UVA. DNA SIdU and SBrdU generate lethal DNA photodamage by partially distinct mechanisms that reflect the different photolabilities of their C–I and C–Br bonds. Although singlet oxygen is involved in photolesion formation, DNA SBrdU and SIdU photoactivation does not detectably increase DNA 8-oxoguanine levels. The absence of significant collateral damage to normal guanine suggests that UVA activation of DNA SIdU or SBrdU might offer a strategy to target hyperproliferative skin conditions that avoids the extensive formation of a known mutagenic DNA lesion. PMID:25747491

Photochemical dimerization and functionalization of alkanes, ethers, primary alcohols and silanes

DOEpatents

Crabtree, Robert H.; Brown, Stephen H.

1988-01-01

The space-time yield and/or the selectivity of the photochemical dimerization of alkanes, ethers, primary alcohols and tertiary silanes with Hg and U.V. light is enhanced by refluxing the substrate in the irradiated reaction zone at a temperature at which the dimer product condenses and remains condensed promptly upon its formation. Cross-dimerization of the alkanes, ethers and silanes with primary alcohols is disclosed, as is the functionalization to aldehydes of the alkanes with carbon monoxide.

Photochemical dimerization and functionalization of alkanes, ethers, primary alcohols and silanes

DOEpatents

Crabtree, R.H.; Brown, S.H.

1988-02-16

The space-time yield and/or the selectivity of the photochemical dimerization of alkanes, ethers, primary alcohols and tertiary silanes with Hg and U.V. light is enhanced by refluxing the substrate in the irradiated reaction zone at a temperature at which the dimer product condenses and remains condensed promptly upon its formation. Cross-dimerization of the alkanes, ethers and silanes with primary alcohols is disclosed, as is the functionalization to aldehydes of the alkanes with carbon monoxide.

Purification and characterization of an endonuclease from calf thymus acting on irradiated DNA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bacchetti, S.; Benne, R.

1974-01-01

An endonuclease acting on DNA exposed to ultraviolet light or gamma-rays was extensively purified from calf thymus. The enzyme has a pH optimum at pH 7.0 to 7.5, acts with equal efficiency in the presence of EDTA or divalent cations (Mg 2+ or Ca 2+), is inhibited by NaC1 and tRNA and is inactivated by incubation at 50 C. Its molecular weight, determined by Sephadex chromatography or SDS-gel electrophoresis, is + or - 30,000. The enzyme catalyzes the formation of single-strand breaks with 5'-phosphate termini in double-stranded DNA irradiated with ultraviolet or gamma-rays. It does not act on unirradiated DNAmore » or denatured DNA. The enzymatic activity on ultraviolet- and gamma-irradiated DNA is associated with the same protein. The site of action of the enzyme in ultraviolet-irradiated DNA is a photoproduct other than pyrimidine dimers, and can also be induced by irradiation of the DNA in vivo. (Author) (GRA)« less

Diagnosis of Xeroderma pigmentosum variant in a young patient with two novel mutations in the POLH gene.

PubMed

De Palma, Armando; Morren, Marie-Anne; Ged, Cécile; Pouvelle, Caroline; Taïeb, Alain; Aoufouchi, Said; Sarasin, Alain

2017-09-01

We describe the characterization of Xeroderma Pigmentosum variant (XPV) in a young Caucasian patient with phototype I, who exhibited a high sensitivity to sunburn and multiple cutaneous tumors at the age of 15 years. Two novel mutations in the POLH gene, which encodes the translesion DNA polymerase η, with loss of function due to two independent exon skippings, are reported to be associated as a compound heterozygous state in the patient. Western blot analysis performed on proteins from dermal fibroblasts derived from the patient and analysis of the mutation spectrum on immunoglobulin genes produced during the somatic hypermutation process in his memory B cells, show the total absence of translesion polymerase η activity in the patient. The total lack of Polη activity, necessary to bypass in an error-free manner UVR-induced pyrimidine dimers following sun exposure, explains the early unusual clinical appearance of this patient. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

ULTRAVIOLET PROTECTIVE PIGMENTS AND DNA DIMER INDUCTION AS RESPONSES TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

EPA Science Inventory

Life on Earth has evolved adaptations to many environmental stresses over the epochs. One consistent stress has been exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The most basic effect of UV radiation on biological systems is damage to DNA. In response to UV radiation organisms have ad...

Original Chemical Series of Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Inhibitors That Boost the Antiviral Interferon Response

PubMed Central

Lucas-Hourani, Marianne; Dauzonne, Daniel; Munier-Lehmann, Hélène; Khiar, Samira; Nisole, Sébastien; Dairou, Julien; Helynck, Olivier; Afonso, Philippe V.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT De novo pyrimidine biosynthesis is a key metabolic pathway involved in multiple biosynthetic processes. Here, we identified an original series of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4-one derivatives as a new class of pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitors formed by two edge-fused polycyclic moieties. We show that identified compounds exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity and immunostimulatory properties, in line with recent reports linking de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis with innate defense mechanisms against viruses. Most importantly, we establish that pyrimidine deprivation can amplify the production of both type I and type III interferons by cells stimulated with retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I) ligands. Altogether, our results further expand the current panel of pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitors and illustrate how the production of antiviral interferons is tightly coupled to this metabolic pathway. Functional and structural similarities between this new chemical series and dicoumarol, which was reported before to inhibit pyrimidine biosynthesis at the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) step, are discussed. PMID:28807907

Original Chemical Series of Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Inhibitors That Boost the Antiviral Interferon Response.

PubMed

Lucas-Hourani, Marianne; Dauzonne, Daniel; Munier-Lehmann, Hélène; Khiar, Samira; Nisole, Sébastien; Dairou, Julien; Helynck, Olivier; Afonso, Philippe V; Tangy, Frédéric; Vidalain, Pierre-Olivier

2017-10-01

De novo pyrimidine biosynthesis is a key metabolic pathway involved in multiple biosynthetic processes. Here, we identified an original series of 3-(1 H -indol-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4 H -furo[3,2- c ]chromen-4-one derivatives as a new class of pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitors formed by two edge-fused polycyclic moieties. We show that identified compounds exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity and immunostimulatory properties, in line with recent reports linking de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis with innate defense mechanisms against viruses. Most importantly, we establish that pyrimidine deprivation can amplify the production of both type I and type III interferons by cells stimulated with retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I) ligands. Altogether, our results further expand the current panel of pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitors and illustrate how the production of antiviral interferons is tightly coupled to this metabolic pathway. Functional and structural similarities between this new chemical series and dicoumarol, which was reported before to inhibit pyrimidine biosynthesis at the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) step, are discussed. Copyright © 2017 Lucas-Hourani et al.

Laser desorption single-conformation UV and IR spectroscopy of the sulfonamide drug sulfanilamide, the sulfanilamide-water complex, and the sulfanilamide dimer.

PubMed

Uhlemann, Thomas; Seidel, Sebastian; Müller, Christian W

2017-06-07

We have studied the conformational preferences of the sulfonamide drug sulfanilamide, its dimer, and its monohydrated complex through laser desorption single-conformation UV and IR spectroscopy in a molecular beam. Based on potential energy curves for the inversion of the anilinic and the sulfonamide NH 2 groups calculated at DFT level, we suggest that the zero-point level wave function of the sulfanilamide monomer is appreciably delocalized over all four conformer wells. The sulfanilamide dimer, and the monohydrated complex each exhibit a single isomer in the molecular beam. The isomeric structures of the sulfanilamide dimer and the monohydrated sulfanilamide complex were assigned based on their conformer-specific IR spectra in the NH and OH stretch region. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) analysis of the calculated electron density in the water complex suggests that the water molecule is bound side-on in a hydrogen bonding pocket, donating one O-HO[double bond, length as m-dash]S hydrogen bond and accepting two hydrogen bonds, a NHO and a CHO hydrogen bond. QTAIM analysis of the dimer electron density suggests that the C i symmetry dimer structure exhibits two dominating N-HO[double bond, length as m-dash]S hydrogen bonds, and three weaker types of interactions: two CHO bonds, two CHN bonds, and a chalcogen OO interaction. Most interestingly, the molecular beam dimer structure closely resembles the R dimer unit - the dimer unit with the greatest interaction energy - of the α, γ, and δ crystal polymorphs. Interacting Quantum Atoms analysis provides evidence that the total intermolecular interaction in the dimer is dominated by the short-range exchange-correlation contribution.

Photochemical dimerization and functionalization of alkanes, ethers, primary and secondary alcohols, phosphine oxides and silanes

DOEpatents

Crabtree, Robert H.; Brown, Stephen H.

1989-01-01

The space-time yield and/or the selectivity of the photochemical dimerization of alkanes, ethers, primary and secondary alcohols, phosphine oxides and primary, secondary and tertiary silanes with Hg and U.V. light is enhanced by refluxing the substrate in the irradiated reaction zone at a temperature at which the dimer product condenses and remains condensed promptly upon its formation. Cross-dimerization of the alkanes, ethers and silanes with primary alcohols is disclosed, as is the functionalization to aldehydes of the alkanes with carbon monoxide.

Photochemical dimerization and functionalization of alkanes, ethers, primary and secondary alcohols, phosphine oxides and silanes

DOEpatents

Crabtree, R.H.; Brown, S.H.

1989-10-17

The space-time yield and/or the selectivity of the photochemical dimerization of alkanes, ethers, primary and secondary alcohols, phosphine oxides and primary, secondary and tertiary silanes with Hg and U.V. light is enhanced by refluxing the substrate in the irradiated reaction zone at a temperature at which the dimer product condenses and remains condensed promptly upon its formation. Cross-dimerization of the alkanes, ethers and silanes with primary alcohols is disclosed, as is the functionalization to aldehydes of the alkanes with carbon monoxide.

Cytotoxic effects of inhibitors of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis upon Plasmodium falciparum.

PubMed

Seymour, K K; Lyons, S D; Phillips, L; Rieckmann, K H; Christopherson, R I

1994-05-03

The malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum can only synthesize pyrimidine nucleotides via the de novo pathway which is therefore a suitable target for development of antimalarial drugs. New assay procedures have been developed using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) which enable concurrent measurement of pyrimidine intermediates in malaria. Synchronized parasites growing in erythrocytes were pulse-labeled with [14C]bicarbonate at 6-h intervals around the 48-h asexual life cycle. Analysis of malarial extracts by HPLC showed tht incorporation of [14C]bicarbonate into pyrimidine nucleotides was maximal during the transition from trophozoites to schizonts. The reaction, N-carbamyl-L-aspartate-->L-dihydroorotate (CA-asp-->DHO) catalyzed by malarial dihydroorotase is inhibited by L-6-thiodihydroorotate (TDHO) in vitro (Ki = 6.5 microM), and TDHO, as the free acid or methyl ester, induces a major accumulation of CA-asp in malaria. Atovaquone, a naphthoquinone, is a moderate inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase in vitro (Ki = 27 microM) but induces major accumulations of CA-asp and DHO. Pyrazofurin induces accumulation of orotate and orotidine in malaria, consistent with inhibition of orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP) decarboxylase with subsequent dephosphorylation of the OMP accumulated. Although TDHO, atovaquone, and pyrazofurin arrest the growth of P. falciparum, only moderate decreases in UTP, CTP, and dTTP were observed. 5-Fluoroorotate also arrests the growth of P. falciparum with major accumulations of 5-fluorouridine mono-, di-, and triphosphates and the most significant inhibition of de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides.

A novel perspective for burn-induced myopathy: Membrane repair defect

PubMed Central

Wang, Chao; Wang, Hongyu; Wu, Dan; Hu, Jianhong; Wu, Wei; Zhang, Yong; Peng, Xi

2016-01-01

Myopathy is a common complication of severe burn patients. One potential cause of this myopathy could be failure of the plasma membrane to undergo repair following injuries generated from toxin or exercise. The aim of this study is to assess systemic effect on muscle membrane repair deficiency in burn injury. Skeletal muscle fibers isolated from burn-injured mice were damaged with a UV laser and dye influx imaged confocally to evaluate membrane repair capacity. Membrane repair failure was also tested in burn-injured mice subjected to myotoxin or treadmill exercise. We further used C2C12 myotubules and animal models to investigate the role of MG53 in development of burn-induced membrane repair defect. We demonstrated that skeletal muscle myofibers in burn-injured mice showed significantly more dye uptake after laser damage than controls, indicating a membrane repair deficiency. Myotoxin or treadmill exercise also resulted in a higher-grade repair defect in burn-injured mice. Furthermore, we observed that burn injury induced a significant decrease in MG53 levels and its dimerization in skeletal muscles. Our findings highlight a new mechanism that implicates membrane repair failure as an underlying cause of burn-induced myopathy. And, the disorders in MG53 expression and MG53 dimerization are involved in this cellular pathology. PMID:27545095

Two new dimeric naphthoquinones with neuraminidase inhibitory activity from Lithospermum erythrorhizon.

PubMed

Yang, Yanqin; Zhao, Dapeng; Yuan, Kailong; Zhou, Guojun; Wang, Yu; Xiao, Yanmeng; Wang, Chenxu; Xu, Jingwei; Yang, Wei

2015-01-01

The crude methanol extract of roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon was subjected to successive chromatographic fractionation which afforded two new dimeric naphthoquinone derivatives shikometabolin E (2) and shikometabolin F (3) as well as one known compound shikometabolin A (1). The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated by using UV, MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. The two new dimeric naphthoquinone derivatives showed significant neuraminidase inhibitory activities.

Thermal stability of G-rich anti-parallel DNA triplexes upon insertion of LNA and α-L-LNA.

PubMed

Kosbar, Tamer R; Sofan, Mamdouh A; Abou-Zeid, Laila; Pedersen, Erik B

2015-05-14

G-rich anti-parallel DNA triplexes were modified with LNA or α-L-LNA in their Watson-Crick and TFO strands. The triplexes were formed by targeting a pyrimidine strand to a putative hairpin formed by Hoogsteen base pairing in order to use the UV melting method to evaluate the stability of the triplexes. Their thermal stability was reduced when the TFO strand was modified with LNA or α-L-LNA. The same trend was observed when the TFO strand and the purine Watson-Crick strand both were modified with LNA. When all triad components were modified with α-L-LNA and LNA in the middle of the triplex, the thermal melting was increased. When the pyrimidine sequence was modified with a single insertion of LNA or α-L-LNA the ΔTm increased. Moreover, increasing the number of α-L-LNA in the pyrimidine target sequence to six insertions, leads to a high increase in the thermal stability. The conformational S-type structure of α-L-LNA in anti-parallel triplexes is preferable for triplex stability.

A cryptochrome-like protein is involved in the regulation of photosynthesis genes in Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

PubMed

Hendrischk, Anne-Kathrin; Frühwirth, Sebastian Walter; Moldt, Julia; Pokorny, Richard; Metz, Sebastian; Kaiser, Gebhard; Jäger, Andreas; Batschauer, Alfred; Klug, Gabriele

2009-11-01

Blue light receptors belonging to the cryptochrome/photolyase family are found in all kingdoms of life. The functions of photolyases in repair of UV-damaged DNA as well as of cryptochromes in the light-dependent regulation of photomorphogenetic processes and in the circadian clock in plants and animals are well analysed. In prokaryotes, the only role of members of this protein family that could be demonstrated is DNA repair. Recently, we identified a gene for a cryptochrome-like protein (CryB) in the alpha-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The protein lacks the typical C-terminal extension of cryptochromes, and is not related to the Cry DASH family. Here we demonstrate that CryB binds flavin adenine dinucleotide that can be photoreduced by blue light. CryB binds single-stranded DNA with very high affinity (K(d) approximately 10(-8) M) but double-stranded DNA and single-stranded RNA with far lower affinity (K(d) approximately 10(-6) M). Despite of that, no in vitro repair activity for pyrimidine dimers in single-stranded DNA could be detected. However, we show that CryB clearly affects the expression of genes for pigment-binding proteins and consequently the amount of photosynthetic complexes in R. sphaeroides. Thus, for the first time a role of a bacterial cryptochrome in gene regulation together with a biological function is demonstrated.

Electron- and proton-induced ionization of pyrimidine

DOE PAGES

Champion, Christophe; Quinto, Michele; Weck, Philippe F

2015-03-27

This present work describes a quantum-mechanically based model of the electron- and proton-induced ionization of isolated pyrimidine molecules. The impact energies range from the target ionization threshold up to ~1 keV for electrons and from 10 keV up to 10 MeV for protons. The cross-section calculations are performed within the 1st Born approximation in which the ejected electron is described by a Coulomb wave whereas the incident and the scattered projectiles are both described by plane waves. The pyrimidine target is described using the Gaussian 09 software package. Furthermore, our theoretical predictions obtained are in good agreement with experimental absolutemore » total cross sections, while large discrepancies are observed between existing semi-empirical models and the present calculations.« less

Relaxation mechanisms of UV-photoexcited DNA and RNA nucleobases

PubMed Central

Barbatti, Mario; Aquino, Adélia J. A.; Szymczak, Jaroslaw J.; Nachtigallová, Dana; Hobza, Pavel; Lischka, Hans

2010-01-01

A comprehensive effort in photodynamical ab initio simulations of the ultrafast deactivation pathways for all five nucleobases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil is reported. These simulations are based on a complete nonadiabatic surface-hopping approach using extended multiconfigurational wave functions. Even though all five nucleobases share the basic internal conversion mechanisms, the calculations show a distinct grouping into purine and pyrimidine bases as concerns the complexity of the photodynamics. The purine bases adenine and guanine represent the most simple photodeactivation mechanism with the dynamics leading along a diabatic ππ* path directly and without barrier to the conical intersection seam with the ground state. In the case of the pyrimidine bases, the dynamics starts off in much flatter regions of the ππ* energy surface due to coupling of several states. This fact prohibits a clear formation of a single reaction path. Thus, the photodynamics of the pyrimidine bases is much richer and includes also nπ* states with varying importance, depending on the actual nucleobase considered. Trapping in local minima may occur and, therefore, the deactivation time to the ground state is also much longer in these cases. Implications of these findings are discussed (i) for identifying structural possibilities where singlet/triplet transitions can occur because of sufficient retention time during the singlet dynamics and (ii) concerning the flexibility of finding other deactivation pathways in substituted pyrimidines serving as candidates for alternative nucleobases. PMID:21115845

Biochemical analysis of DNA polymerase η fidelity in the presence of replication protein A.

PubMed

Suarez, Samuel C; Toffton, Shannon M; McCulloch, Scott D

2014-01-01

DNA polymerase η (pol η) synthesizes across from damaged DNA templates in order to prevent deleterious consequences like replication fork collapse and double-strand breaks. This process, termed translesion synthesis (TLS), is an overall positive for the cell, as cells deficient in pol η display higher mutation rates. This outcome occurs despite the fact that the in vitro fidelity of bypass by pol η alone is moderate to low, depending on the lesion being copied. One possible means of increasing the fidelity of pol η is interaction with replication accessory proteins present at the replication fork. We have previously utilized a bacteriophage based screening system to measure the fidelity of bypass using purified proteins. Here we report on the fidelity effects of a single stranded binding protein, replication protein A (RPA), when copying the oxidative lesion 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-guanine(8-oxoG) and the UV-induced cis-syn thymine-thymine cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (T-T CPD). We observed no change in fidelity dependent on RPA when copying these damaged templates. This result is consistent in multiple position contexts. We previously identified single amino acid substitution mutants of pol η that have specific effects on fidelity when copying both damaged and undamaged templates. In order to confirm our results, we examined the Q38A and Y52E mutants in the same full-length construct. We again observed no difference when RPA was added to the bypass reaction, with the mutant forms of pol η displaying similar fidelity regardless of RPA status. We do, however, observe some slight effects when copying undamaged DNA, similar to those we have described previously. Our results indicate that RPA by itself does not affect pol η dependent lesion bypass fidelity when copying either 8-oxoG or T-T CPD lesions.

The H2A.Z/H2B dimer is unstable compared to the dimer containing the major H2A isoform.

PubMed

Placek, Brandon J; Harrison, L Nicole; Villers, Brooke M; Gloss, Lisa M

2005-02-01

The nucleosome, the basic fundamental repeating unit of chromatin, contains two H2A/H2B dimers and an H3/H4 tetramer. Modulation of the structure and dynamics of the nucleosome is an important regulation mechanism of DNA-based chemistries in the eukaryotic cell, such as transcription and replication. One means of altering the properties of the nucleosome is by incorporation of histone variants. To provide insights into how histone variants may impact the thermodynamics of the nucleosome, the stability of the heterodimer between the H2A.Z variant and H2B was determined by urea-induced denaturation, monitored by far-UV circular dichroism, intrinsic Tyr fluorescence intensity, and anisotropy. In the absence of stabilizing agents, the H2A.Z/H2B dimer is only partially folded. The stabilizing cosolute, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) was used to promote folding of the unstable heterodimer. The equilibrium stability of the H2A.Z/H2B dimer is compared to that of the H2A/H2B dimer. The equilibrium folding of both histone dimers is highly reversible and best described by a two-state model, with no detectable equilibrium intermediates populated. The free energies of unfolding, in the absence of denaturant, of H2A.Z/H2B and H2A/H2B are 7.3 kcal mol(-1) and 15.5 kcal mol(-1), respectively, in 1 M TMAO. The H2A.Z/H2B dimer is the least stable histone fold characterized to date, while H2A/H2B appears to be the most stable. It is speculated that this difference in stability may contribute to the different biophysical properties of nucleosomes containing the major H2A and the H2A.Z variant.

Formation of an active dimer during storage of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in aqueous solution.

PubMed Central

Chang, B S; Beauvais, R M; Arakawa, T; Narhi, L O; Dong, A; Aparisio, D I; Carpenter, J F

1996-01-01

The degradation products of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1ra) formed during storage at 30 degrees C in aqueous solution were characterized. Cationic exchange chromatography of the stored sample showed two major, new peaks eluting before (P1) and after (L2) the native protein, which were interconvertible. Size-exclusion chromatography and electrophoresis documented that both the P1 and L2 fractions were irreversible dimers, formed by noncovalent interactions. A competition assay with interleukin-1 indicated that on a per monomer basis the P1 and L2 dimers retained about two-thirds of the activity of the native monomer. Infrared and far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopies showed that only minor alterations in secondary structure arose upon the formation of the P1 dimer. However, alteration in the near-UV circular dichroism spectrum suggested the presence of disulfide bonds in the P1 dimer, which are absent in the native protein. Mass spectroscopy and tryptic mapping, before and after carboxymethylation, demonstrated that the P1 dimer contained an intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys-66 and Cys-69. Although conversion of native protein to the P1 dimer was irreversible in buffer alone, the native monomer could be regained by denaturing the P1 dimer with guanidine hydrochloride and renaturing it by dialysis, suggesting that the intramolecular disulfide bond does not interfere with refolding. Analysis of the time course of P1 formation during storage at 30 degrees C indicated that the process followed first-order, and not second-order, kinetics, suggesting that the rate-limiting step was not dimerization. It is proposed that a conformational change in the monomer is the rate-limiting step in the formation of the P1 dimer degradation product. Sucrose stabilized the native monomer against this process. This result can be explained by the general stabilization mechanism for this additive, which is due to its preferential exclusion from the protein surface. PMID:8968609

A Lys-Trp cation-π interaction mediates the dimerization and function of the chloride intracellular channel protein 1 transmembrane domain.

PubMed

Peter, Bradley; Polyansky, Anton A; Fanucchi, Sylvia; Dirr, Heini W

2014-01-14

Chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) is a dual-state protein that can exist either as a soluble monomer or in an integral membrane form. The oligomerization of the transmembrane domain (TMD) remains speculative despite it being implicated in pore formation. The extent to which electrostatic and van der Waals interactions drive folding and association of the dimorphic TMD is unknown and is complicated by the requirement of interactions favorable in both aqueous and membrane environments. Here we report a putative Lys37-Trp35 cation-π interaction and show that it stabilizes the dimeric form of the CLIC1 TMD in membranes. A synthetic 30-mer peptide comprising a K37M TMD mutant was examined in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles, and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine liposomes using far-ultraviolet (UV) circular dichroism, fluorescence, and UV absorbance spectroscopy. Our data suggest that Lys37 is not implicated in the folding, stability, or membrane insertion of the TMD peptide. However, removal of this residue impairs the formation of dimers and higher-order oligomers. This is accompanied by a 30-fold loss of chloride influx activity, suggesting that dimerization modulates the rate of chloride conductance. We propose that, within membranes, individual TMD helices associate via a Lys37-mediated cation-π interaction to form active dimers. The latter findings are also supported by results of modeling a putative TMD dimer conformation in which Lys37 and Trp35 form cation-π pairs at the dimer interface. Dimeric helix bundles may then associate to form fully active ion channels. Thus, within a membrane-like environment, aromatic interactions involving a polar lysine side chain provide a thermodynamic driving force for helix-helix association.

Excision of thymine dimers in vitro by extracts of bacteriophage-infected Escherichia coli

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Friedberg, E.C.; Minton, K.; Pawl, G.

1974-05-01

Extracts of DNA polymerase I defective Escherichia coli infected with phage T4 contain an exonuclease activity that removes thymine dimers from uv- irradiated DNA previously nicked with T4 uv endonuclease. This activity is not expressed if cells are infected in the presence of chloramphenicol. The enzyme has a requirement for divalent cation and is not affected by caffeine, but excision is inhibited in the presence of proflavine. The enzyme is present in all phage T4 mutants thus far examined, including 25 uv-sensitive mutants isolated during the course of the experiments, all of which are defective in the v gene. Amore » similar activity can be detected in cells infected with phages T2, T3, and T6, but not in cells infected with phage T7. (auth)« less

Folding pathway of the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate C-S lyase MalY from Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

MalY from Escherichia coli is a bifunctional dimeric PLP (pyridoxal 5′-phosphate) enzyme acting as a β-cystathionase and as a repressor of the maltose system. The spectroscopic and molecular properties of the holoenzyme, in the untreated and NaBH4-treated forms, and of the apoenzyme have been elucidated. A systematic study of the urea-induced unfolding of MalY has been monitored by gel filtration, cross-linking, ANS (8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulphonic acid) binding and by visible, near- and far-UV CD, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopies under equilibrium conditions. Unfolding proceeds in at least three stages. The first transition, occurring between 0 and 1 M urea, gives rise to a partially active dimeric species that binds PLP. The second equilibrium transition involving dimer dissociation, release of PLP and loss of lyase activity leads to the formation of a monomeric equilibrium intermediate. It is a partially unfolded molecule that retains most of the native-state secondary structure, binds significant amounts of ANS (a probe for exposed hydrophobic surfaces) and tends to self-associate. The self-associated aggregates predominate at urea concentrations of 2–4 M for holoMalY. The third step represents the complete unfolding of the enzyme. These results when compared with the urea-induced unfolding profiles of apoMalY and NaBH4-reduced holoenzyme suggest that the coenzyme group attached to the active-site lysine residue increases the stability of the dimeric enzyme. Both holo- and apo-MalY could be successfully refolded into the active enzyme with an 85% yield. Further refolding studies suggest that large misfolded soluble aggregates that cannot be refolded could be responsible for the incomplete re-activation. PMID:15823094

Uridine prevents tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation.

PubMed

Le, Thuc T; Urasaki, Yasuyo; Pizzorno, Giuseppe

2014-05-23

Tamoxifen, an agonist of estrogen receptor, is widely prescribed for the prevention and long-term treatment of breast cancer. A side effect of tamoxifen is fatty liver, which increases the risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Prevention of tamoxifen-induced fatty liver has the potential to improve the safety of long-term tamoxifen usage. Uridine, a pyrimidine nucleoside with reported protective effects against drug-induced fatty liver, was co-administered with tamoxifen in C57BL/6J mice. Liver lipid levels were evaluated with lipid visualization using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scatting (CARS) microscopy, biochemical assay measurement of triacylglyceride (TAG), and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) measurement of membrane phospholipid. Blood TAG and cholesterol levels were measured. Mitochondrial respiration of primary hepatocytes in the presence of tamoxifen and/or uridine was evaluated by measuring oxygen consumption rate with an extracellular flux analyzer. Liver protein lysine acetylation profiles were evaluated with 1D and 2D Western blots. In addition, the relationship between endogenous uridine levels, fatty liver, and tamoxifen administration was evaluated in transgenic mice UPase1-/-and UPase1-TG. Uridine co-administration prevented tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation in mice. The most prominent effect of uridine co-administration with tamoxifen was the stimulation of liver membrane phospholipid biosynthesis. Uridine had no protective effect against tamoxifen-induced impairment to mitochondrial respiration of primary hepatocytes or liver TAG and cholesterol export. Uridine had no effect on tamoxifen-induced changes to liver protein acetylation profile. Transgenic mice UPase1-/-with increased pyrimidine salvage activity were protected against tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation. In contrast, UPase1-TG mice with increased pyrimidine catabolism activity had intrinsic liver lipid droplet accumulation, which was aggravated following tamoxifen administration. Uridine co-administration was effective at preventing tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation. The ability of uridine to prevent tamoxifen-induced fatty liver appeared to depend on the pyrimidine salvage pathway, which promotes biosynthesis of membrane phospholipid.

Coordination-Driven Dimerization of Zinc Chlorophyll Derivatives Possessing a Dialkylamino Group.

PubMed

Watanabe, Hiroaki; Kamatani, Yusuke; Tamiaki, Hitoshi

2017-04-04

Zinc chlorophyll derivatives Zn-1-3 possessing a tertiary amino group at the C3 1 position have been synthesized through reductive amination of methyl pyropheophorbide-d obtained from naturally occurring chlorophyll-a. In a dilute CH 2 Cl 2 solution as well as in a dilute 10 %(v/v) CH 2 Cl 2 /hexane solution, Zn-1 possessing a dimethylamino group at the C3 1 position showed red-shifted UV/Vis absorption and intensified exciton-coupling circular dichroism (CD) spectra at room temperature owing to its dimer formation via coordination to the central zinc by the 3 1 -N atom of the dimethylamino group. However, Zn-2/3 bearing 3 1 -ethylmethylamino/diethylamino groups did not. The difference was dependent on the steric factor of the substituents in the tertiary amino group, where an increase of the carbon numbers on the N atom reduced the intermolecular N⋅⋅⋅Zn coordination. UV/Vis, CD, and 1 H NMR spectroscopic analyses including DOSY measurements revealed that Zn-1 formed closed-type dimers via an opened dimer by single-to-double axial coordination with an increase in concentration and a temperature decrease in CH 2 Cl 2 , while Zn-2/3 gave open and flexible dimers in a concentrated CH 2 Cl 2 solution at low temperature. The supramolecular closed dimer structures of Zn-1 were estimated by molecular modelling calculations, which showed these structures were promising models for the chlorophyll dimer in a photosynthetic reaction center. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rycyna, R.E.; Wallace, J.C.; Sharma, M.

Acetone-photosensitized UV irradiation of three thymine oligomers, d(TpT), d(TpTpT), and d(TpTpTpT), forms predominantly cis-syn cyclobutyl photodimers. C-18 reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is used to purify the following positional isomers: d(TpT(p)T), d(T(p)TpT), d-(TpTpT(p)T), d(TpT(p)TpT), d(T(p)TpTpT), and d(T(p)TpT(p)T), where T(p)T represents the cis-syn photodimer. Conformational properties of the cis-syn dimers and adjacent thymine nucleotides have been investigated in solution by using /sup 1/H, /sup 13/C, and /sup 31/P NMR spectroscopy. These studies show that (1) the photodimer conformation in longer oligothymidylates is similar to that in the dinucleoside monophosphate and (2) the cis-syn dimer induces alterations to a greater degree on themore » 5' side than on the 3' side of the photodimer. Specifically, the photodimer distorts the exocyclic bonds epsilon (C3'-O3') in Tp- and ..gamma..(C5'-C4') in -pT(p)- on the 5' side and slightly alters the furanose equilibrium of the -pT nucleotide on the 3' side of the dimer.« less

Protective role of integrin-linked kinase against oxidative stress and in maintenance of genomic integrity

PubMed Central

Im, Michelle; Dagnino, Lina

2018-01-01

The balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of antioxidant pathways is essential to maintain a normal redox state in all tissues. Oxidative stress caused by excessive oxidant species generation can cause damage to DNA and other macromolecules, affecting cell function and viability. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in eliciting a protective response to oxidative damage in epidermal cells. Inactivation of the Ilk gene causes elevated levels of intracellular oxidant species (IOS) and DNA damage in the absence of exogenous oxidative insults. In ILK-deficient cells, excessive IOS production can be prevented through inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, with a concomitant reduction in DNA damage. Additionally, ILK is necessary for DNA repair processes following UVB-induced damage, as ILK-deficient cells show a significantly impaired ability to remove cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers following irradiation. Thus, ILK is essential to maintain cellular redox balance and, in its absence, epidermal cells become more susceptible to oxidative damage through mechanisms that involve IOS production by NADPH oxidase activity. PMID:29568383

Protective role of integrin-linked kinase against oxidative stress and in maintenance of genomic integrity.

PubMed

Im, Michelle; Dagnino, Lina

2018-03-02

The balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of antioxidant pathways is essential to maintain a normal redox state in all tissues. Oxidative stress caused by excessive oxidant species generation can cause damage to DNA and other macromolecules, affecting cell function and viability. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in eliciting a protective response to oxidative damage in epidermal cells. Inactivation of the Ilk gene causes elevated levels of intracellular oxidant species (IOS) and DNA damage in the absence of exogenous oxidative insults. In ILK-deficient cells, excessive IOS production can be prevented through inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, with a concomitant reduction in DNA damage. Additionally, ILK is necessary for DNA repair processes following UVB-induced damage, as ILK-deficient cells show a significantly impaired ability to remove cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers following irradiation. Thus, ILK is essential to maintain cellular redox balance and, in its absence, epidermal cells become more susceptible to oxidative damage through mechanisms that involve IOS production by NADPH oxidase activity.

Lesion bypass by S. cerevisiae Pol ζ alone

PubMed Central

Stone, Jana E.; Kumar, Dinesh; Binz, Sara K.; Inase, Aki; Iwai, Shigenori; Chabes, Andrei; Burgers, Peter M.; Kunkel, Thomas A.

2011-01-01

DNA polymerase zeta (Pol ζ) participates in translesion synthesis (TLS) of DNA adducts that stall replication fork progression. Previous studies have led to the suggestion that the primary role of Pol ζ in TLS is to extend primers created when another DNA polymerase inserts nucleotides opposite lesions. Here we test the non-exclusive possibility that Pol ζ can sometimes perform TLS in the absence of any other polymerase. To do so, we quantified the efficiency with which S. cerevisiae Pol ζ bypasses abasic sites, cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6-4) photoproducts. In reactions containing dNTP concentrations that mimic those induced by DNA damage, a Pol ζ derivative with phenylalanine substituted for leucine 979 at the polymerase active site bypasses all three lesions at efficiencies between 27–73%. Wild-type Pol ζ also bypasses these lesions, with efficiencies that are lower and depend on the sequence context in which the lesion resides. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that, in addition to extending aberrant termini created by other DNA polymerases, Pol ζ has the potential to be the sole DNA polymerase involved in TLS. PMID:21622032

In Vivo Function of Tryptophans in the Arabidopsis UV-B Photoreceptor UVR8[W

PubMed Central

O’Hara, Andrew; Jenkins, Gareth I.

2012-01-01

Arabidopsis thaliana UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) is a photoreceptor specifically for UV-B light that initiates photomorphogenic responses in plants. UV-B exposure causes rapid conversion of UVR8 from dimer to monomer, accumulation in the nucleus, and interaction with CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1), which functions with UVR8 in UV-B responses. Studies in yeast and with purified UVR8 implicate several tryptophan amino acids in UV-B photoreception. However, their roles in UV-B responses in plants, and the functional significance of all 14 UVR8 tryptophans, are not known. Here we report the functions of the UVR8 tryptophans in vivo. Three tryptophans in the β-propeller core are important in maintaining structural stability and function of UVR8. However, mutation of three other core tryptophans and four at the dimeric interface has no apparent effect on function in vivo. Mutation of three tryptophans implicated in UV-B photoreception, W233, W285, and W337, impairs photomorphogenic responses to different extents. W285 is essential for UVR8 function in plants, whereas W233 is important but not essential for function, and W337 has a lesser role. Ala mutants of these tryptophans appear monomeric and constitutively bind COP1 in plants, but their responses indicate that monomer formation and COP1 binding are not sufficient for UVR8 function. PMID:23012433

N-(4-Meth-oxy-phen-yl)-6-methyl-2-phenyl-5-{[4-(tri-fluoro-meth-yl)anilino]meth-yl}pyrimidin-4-amine.

PubMed

Cieplik, Jerzy; Pluta, Janusz; Bryndal, Iwona; Lis, Tadeusz

2013-11-27

The title compound, C26H23F3N4O, crystallizes with two symmetry-independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit, denoted A and B, which differ mainly in the rotation of the meth-oxy-phenyl ring. The -CF3 group of mol-ecule B is disordered by rotation, with the F atoms split over two sets of sites; the occupancy factor for the major component is 0.853 (4). The dihedral angles between the pyrimidine ring and the attached phenyl, meth-oxy-phenyl and tri-fluoro-methyl-phenyl rings are 8.1 (2), 37.5 (2) and 70.7 (2)°, respectively, in mol-ecule A, and 9.3 (2), 5.3 (2) and 79.7 (2)° in mol-ecule B. An intra-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bond occurs in each mol-ecule. In the crystal, two crystallographically independent mol-ecules associate into a dimer via a pair of N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, with a resulting R 2 (2)(12) ring motif and π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.517 (4) Å] between the pyrimidine rings. For the A mol-ecules, there are inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between an aryl C atom of meth-oxy-phenyl ring and a meth-oxy O atom of an adjacent mol-ecule. A similar inter-action is lacking in the B mol-ecules.

Comparison of the effect of acridine derivatives and similar substances on the dimerization of thymine in mammalian DNA in situ and isolated (in Russian)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klimek, M.; Shevchikova, P.

1973-01-01

From international conference on the bases of the biological effects of ultraviolet radiation; Brno, Czechoslovakia (2 Oct If the cells were exposed to the effect of varying concentrations of proflavine, acridine orange, riboflavine, and methyl green before uv irradiatlon, the most effective of these substances was proflavine, which reduced the yield of dimerization in vivo by 50%. The other substances were much less effective and accounted for a maximum 20% decrease of the dimer yield. The different results in the thymidine dimerization rate, obtained with isolated DNA and DNA in situ, are discussed. (auth)

Milk thistle and olive extract: old substances with a new mission against sun-induced skin damage.

PubMed

DI Caprio, Roberta; Monfrecola, Giuseppe; Gasparri, Franco; Micillo, Raffaella; Balato, Anna; Lembo, Serena

2017-11-30

Natural antioxidants represent an effective option in the prevention and/or improvement of ultraviolet radiations (UVR)-induced/aggravated skin conditions. UVR cause DNA damage in keratinocytes, directly, in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), or indirectly, through oxidative stress production. Failure of the repair system can result in genetic mutations primarily responsible for the initiation of NMSCs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the in vitro protective effect of milk thistle and olive purified extracts on cultured keratinocytes after solar simulator irradiations (SSR). Immortalized keratinocytes were pre-incubated with different concentrations of milk thistle and olive purified extracts, and irradiated with increasing doses of SSR. Thereafter, CPDs and p53 expression were evaluated to assess DNA damage, whereas cellular antioxidants consumption and lipid membranes peroxidation were measured to analyse oxidative stress. The study substances were well tolerated by cells and displayed good cytoprotective and anti-oxidant activities, being milk thistle dry extract more effective in limiting the direct DNA damage, and olive extract particularly able to reduce lipid membrane peroxidation and to increase cellular antioxidants. Both study substances can be defined as safe compounds, showing differential cytoprotective and anti-oxidant activities and might represent interesting options for NMSCs chemoprevention.

Two-photon-induced cycloreversion reaction of chalcone photodimers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Träger, J.; Härtner, S.; Heinzer, J.; Kim, H.-C.; Hampp, N.

2008-04-01

The photocleavage reaction of chalcone photodimers has been studied using a two-photon process. For this purpose, a novel chalcone dimer has been synthesized as a low molecular weight model substance for polymer bound chalcones and its photochemistry triggered by two-photon-absorption (2PA) has been investigated using a pulsed frequency-doubled Nd:YAG-laser. The 2PA-induced cycloreversion reaction selectively leads to the cleavage of the chalcone photodimers resulting in the formation of monomeric chalcone molecules. Hence, as an application chalcones can be used as a photosensitive linker which can be cleaved beyond an UV-absorbing barrier. The 2PA cross section of the chalcone photodimer was determined to be of 1.1 × 10 -49 cm 4 s photon -1 (11 GM).

Laccase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Low-Molecular-Weight Lignin-Like Oligomers and their Application as UV-Blocking Materials.

PubMed

Lim, Jieyan; Sana, Barindra; Krishnan, Ranganathan; Seayad, Jayasree; Ghadessy, Farid J; Jana, Satyasankar; Ramalingam, Balamurugan

2018-02-02

The laccase-catalyzed oxidative polymerization of monomeric and dimeric lignin model compounds was carried out with oxygen as the oxidant in aqueous medium. The oligomers were characterized by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. Oxidative polymerization led to the formation of oligomeric species with a number-average molecular weight (M n ) that ranged from 700 to 2300 Da with a low polydispersity index. Spectroscopic analysis provided insight into the possible modes of linkages present in the oligomers, and the oligomerization is likely to proceed through the formation of C-C linkages between phenolic aromatic rings. The oligomers were found to show good UV light absorption characteristics with high molar extinction coefficient (5000-38 000 m -1  cm -1 ) in the UV spectral region. The oligomers were blended independently with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by using solution blending to evaluate the compatibility and UV protection ability of the oligomers. The UV/Vis transmittance spectra of the oligomer-embedded PVC films indicated that these lignin-like oligomers possessed a notable ability to block UV light. In particular, oligomers obtained from vanillyl alcohol and the dimeric lignin model were found to show good photostability in accelerated UV weathering experiments. The UV-blocking characteristics and photostability were finally compared with the commercial low-molecular-weight UV stabilizer 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electron- and proton-induced ionization of pyrimidine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Champion, Christophe; Quinto, Michele A.; Weck, Philippe F.

2015-05-01

The present work describes a quantum-mechanically based model of the electron- and proton-induced ionization of isolated pyrimidine molecules. The impact energies range from the target ionization threshold up to ~1 keV for electrons and from 10 keV up to 10 MeV for protons. The cross-section calculations are performed within the 1st Born approximation in which the ejected electron is described by a Coulomb wave whereas the incident and the scattered projectiles are both described by plane waves. The pyrimidine target is described using the Gaussian 09 software package. The theoretical predictions obtained are in good agreement with experimental absolute total cross sections, while large discrepancies are observed between existing semi-empirical models and the present calculations. Contribution to the Topical Issue "COST Action Nano-IBCT: Nano-scale Processes Behind Ion-Beam Cancer Therapy", edited by Andrey Solov'yov, Nigel Mason, Gustavo García, Eugene Surdutovich.

Regioselective Synthesis of Pyrazolo[3,4-D]Pyrimidine Based Carbocyclic Nucleosides as Possible Antiviral Agent.

PubMed

Kasula, Mohan; Samunuri, Ramakrishnamraju; Chakravarty, Harapriya; Bal, Chandralata; Baba, Masanori; Jha, Ashok Kumar; Sharon, Ashoke

2016-01-01

Carbocyclic nucleosides are considered as nucleoside mimetic having high therapeutic potentials, however diverse exploration is still limited due to their synthetic difficulties. The major challenges are associated with the preparation of new base and carbocyclic sugar key intermediates. The modified base may provide conformational advantage to achieve better nucleoside mimetics and may also help in increasing the drug-like properties. In this manuscript, we report the use of acetamidine hydrochloride to synthesize 6-methyl-4-amino-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine base and regioselective synthesis of six new carbocyclic nucleosides (6a-f) for antiviral evaluation. Theoretical investigations were carried out on the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic stability using MM based energy optimizations and QM based transition state search for the significant regioselectivity, which was further experimentally analyzed by NOE and UV spectroscopy.

EDEM1 targets misfolded HLA-B27 dimers for endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation

PubMed Central

Guiliano, David B.; Fussell, Helen; Lenart, Izabela; Tsao, Edward; Nesbeth, Darren; Fletcher, Adam J.; Campbell, Elaine C.; Yousaf, Nasim; Williams, Sarah; Santos, Susana; Cameron, Amy; Towers, Greg J.; Kellam, Paul; Hebert, Daniel N.; Gould, Keith; Powis, Simon J.; Antoniou, Antony N.

2015-01-01

Objective HLA-B27 forms misfolded heavy chain dimers, which may predispose individuals to inflammatory arthritis by inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). We wanted to define the role of the UPR induced ER associated degradation (ERAD) pathway in the disposal of HLA-B27 dimeric conformers. Methods HeLa cell lines expressing only two copies of a carboxy terminally Sv5 tagged HLA-B27 were generated. The ER stress induced EDEM1 protein was over expressed by transfection and dimer levels monitored by immunoblotting. EDEM1, the UPR associated transcription factor XBP-1, the E3 ubiquitin ligase HRD1, the degradation associated derlin 1 and 2 proteins were inhibited by either short hairpin RNA or dominant negative mutants. The UPR associated ERAD of HLA-B27 was confirmed using ER stress inducing pharamacological agents in kinetic and pulse chase assays. Results We demonstrate that UPR induced machinery can target HLA-B27 dimers, and that dimer formation can be controlled by alterations to expression levels of components of the UPR induced ERAD pathway. HLA-B27 dimers and misfolded MHC class I monomeric molecules were detected bound to EDEM1, with overexpression of EDEM1 inhibiting HLA-B27 dimer formation. EDEM1 inhibition resulted in upregulation of HLA-B27 dimers, whilst UPR induced ERAD of dimers was prevented in the absence of EDEM1. HLA-B27 dimer formation was also enhanced in the absence of XBP-1, HRD1 and derlin1/2. Conclusion The UPR ERAD pathway as described here can dispose of HLA-B27 dimers and presents a potential novel therapeutic target for the modulation of HLA-B27 associated inflammatory disease. PMID:25132672

Aqueous photolysis of the organic ultraviolet filter chemical octyl methoxycinnamate.

PubMed

MacManus-Spencer, Laura A; Tse, Monica L; Klein, Jacob L; Kracunas, Alison E

2011-05-01

Organic UV filter chemicals are the active ingredients in personal care products designed to protect the skin from UV radiation, and hundreds of tons are estimated to be produced annually. Despite their entrance into the aquatic environment by both direct and indirect routes and their detection in surface waters and fish, little is known about their environmental fate. UV filter chemicals are designed to be photostable, but some undergo transformation upon exposure to UV light. Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), a commonly used UV filter chemical, degrades rapidly by direct photolysis; previous studies have focused on its photoisomerization, and a few investigators have reported the formation of cyclodimers. Here, we present the kinetics and quantum efficiency of the direct photolysis of OMC and confirm that dimerization occurs as a result of direct photolysis in aqueous solution. Likely identities of the dimers are offered based on comparison to reported results for other cinnamate derivatives. We have identified additional products of direct photolysis that have not been previously reported and investigated their photostability, as well as the mechanism of product formation. There is also some evidence of indirect photolysis in the presence of dissolved natural organic matter.

Study on oligomerization of glutamate decarboxylase from Lactobacillus brevis using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with light scattering techniques.

PubMed

Choi, Jaeyeong; Lee, Seungho; Linares-Pastén, Javier A; Nilsson, Lars

2018-01-01

In this work, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with UV/Vis, multi-angle light scattering (MALS), and differential refractive index (dRI) detectors (AF4-UV-MALS-dRI) was employed for analysis of glutamate decarboxylase (LbGadB) from Lactobacillus brevis (L. brevis). AF4 provided molecular weight (MW) (or size)-based separation of dimer, hexamer, and aggregates of LbGadB. The effect of pH on oligomerization of LbGadB was investigated, and then AF4 results were compared to those from molecular modeling. The MWs measured by AF4-UV-MALS-dRI for dimeric and hexameric forms of LbGadB were 110 and 350 kDa, respectively, which are in good agreements with those theoretically calculated (110 and 330 kDa). The molecular sizes determined by AF4-UV-MALS-dRI were also in good agreement with those obtained from molecular modeling (6 and 10 nm, respectively, for dimeric and hexameric from AF4-UV-MALS-dRI and 6.4 × 7.6 and 7.6 × 13.1 nm from molecular modeling). The effects of temperature, salt type, and salt concentration on oligomerization of LbGadB were also investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that the hexameric form of LbGadB was most stable at pH 6 and in presence of NaCl or KCl. The results indicate that AF4, in combination of various online detectors mentioned above, provides an effective tool for monitoring of oligomerization of LbGadB under different conditions, such as temperature, pH, type of salts, and salt concentrations.

Unsuitability of using the DNPH-coated solid sorbent cartridge for determination of airborne unsaturated carbonyls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Steven Sai Hang; Ho, K. F.; Liu, W. D.; Lee, S. C.; Dai, W. T.; Cao, J. J.; Ip, H. S. S.

2011-01-01

Measurements of aldehydes and ketones are typically conducted by derivatization using sorbent cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The collected samples are eluted with acetonitrile and analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with an ultra-violet detector (HPLC/UV). This paper intends to examine artifacts about its suitability in identification of unsaturated carbonyls. Kinetic tests for acrolein, crotonaldehyde, methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) showed formations of carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone during sampling, which could further react with DNPH, resulting in undesired UV absorption products [e.g., carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone-DNPH (dimer) and 2(carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone)-DNPH (trimer)]. The dimerization and trimerization occurred for acrolein and MVK whereas only dimerization for crotonaldehyde and methacrolein. The polymerization products undoubtedly affect the integrity of the chromatogram, leading to misidentification and inaccurate quantification. Whether precautions taken during sampling and/or sample treatment could avoid or minimize this artifact has not been thoughtfully investigated. More often, such artifacts are usually overlooked by scientists when the data are reported.

In Situ Biodosimetric Experiment for Space Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldschmidt, Gergely; Kovaliczky, Éva; Szabó, József; Rontó, Györgyi; Bérces, Attila

2012-06-01

This paper presents the principles and application of DNA based biological UV dosimeters, as developed by Research Group for Biophysics (RGB). These dosimeters are used for assessing the biological hazard of living systems on the Earth's surface and in different waters (rivers, lakes, seas, etc.). The UV dosimetry system has also been used in the space. In dosimeters a bacterial virus, bacteriophage T7 and polycrystalline uracil thin layers have been used as biological detectors. On the Earth's surface the UV radiation induces dimer formation in phage T7 and in the uracil detector, which was evaluated by loss of viability of the phage particles and by the decrease of the characteristic optical density (OD) of uracil thin layers. Recently the development of human space activities has also increased the need to measure the biological effect of extraterrestrial solar radiation, too. The evaluation of the space samples occurred on ground, thus only the starting and the final state were taken into account. A new improved, automated method is presented below which makes data collection more efficient and also makes the dynamics of the process observable.

X-ray induced dimerization of cinnamic acid: Time-resolved inelastic X-ray scattering study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inkinen, Juho; Niskanen, Johannes; Talka, Tuomas; Sahle, Christoph J.; Müller, Harald; Khriachtchev, Leonid; Hashemi, Javad; Akbari, Ali; Hakala, Mikko; Huotari, Simo

2015-11-01

A classic example of solid-state topochemical reactions is the ultraviolet-light induced photodimerization of α-trans-cinnamic acid (CA). Here, we report the first observation of an X-ray-induced dimerization of CA and monitor it in situ using nonresonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy (NRIXS). The time-evolution of the carbon core-electron excitation spectra shows the effects of two X-ray induced reactions: dimerization on a short time-scale and disintegration on a long time-scale. We used spectrum simulations of CA and its dimerization product, α-truxillic acid (TA), to gain insight into the dimerization effects. From the time-resolved spectra, we extracted component spectra and time-dependent weights corresponding to CA and TA. The results suggest that the X-ray induced dimerization proceeds homogeneously in contrast to the dimerization induced by ultraviolet light. We also utilized the ability of NRIXS for direct tomography with chemical-bond contrast to image the spatial progress of the reactions in the sample crystal. Our work paves the way for other time-resolved studies on chemical reactions using inelastic X-ray scattering.

X-ray induced dimerization of cinnamic acid: Time-resolved inelastic X-ray scattering study

PubMed Central

Inkinen, Juho; Niskanen, Johannes; Talka, Tuomas; Sahle, Christoph J.; Müller, Harald; Khriachtchev, Leonid; Hashemi, Javad; Akbari, Ali; Hakala, Mikko; Huotari, Simo

2015-01-01

A classic example of solid-state topochemical reactions is the ultraviolet-light induced photodimerization of α-trans-cinnamic acid (CA). Here, we report the first observation of an X-ray-induced dimerization of CA and monitor it in situ using nonresonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy (NRIXS). The time-evolution of the carbon core-electron excitation spectra shows the effects of two X-ray induced reactions: dimerization on a short time-scale and disintegration on a long time-scale. We used spectrum simulations of CA and its dimerization product, α-truxillic acid (TA), to gain insight into the dimerization effects. From the time-resolved spectra, we extracted component spectra and time-dependent weights corresponding to CA and TA. The results suggest that the X-ray induced dimerization proceeds homogeneously in contrast to the dimerization induced by ultraviolet light. We also utilized the ability of NRIXS for direct tomography with chemical-bond contrast to image the spatial progress of the reactions in the sample crystal. Our work paves the way for other time-resolved studies on chemical reactions using inelastic X-ray scattering. PMID:26568420

Uridine prevents tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Tamoxifen, an agonist of estrogen receptor, is widely prescribed for the prevention and long-term treatment of breast cancer. A side effect of tamoxifen is fatty liver, which increases the risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Prevention of tamoxifen-induced fatty liver has the potential to improve the safety of long-term tamoxifen usage. Methods Uridine, a pyrimidine nucleoside with reported protective effects against drug-induced fatty liver, was co-administered with tamoxifen in C57BL/6J mice. Liver lipid levels were evaluated with lipid visualization using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scatting (CARS) microscopy, biochemical assay measurement of triacylglyceride (TAG), and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) measurement of membrane phospholipid. Blood TAG and cholesterol levels were measured. Mitochondrial respiration of primary hepatocytes in the presence of tamoxifen and/or uridine was evaluated by measuring oxygen consumption rate with an extracellular flux analyzer. Liver protein lysine acetylation profiles were evaluated with 1D and 2D Western blots. In addition, the relationship between endogenous uridine levels, fatty liver, and tamoxifen administration was evaluated in transgenic mice UPase1−/−and UPase1-TG. Results Uridine co-administration prevented tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation in mice. The most prominent effect of uridine co-administration with tamoxifen was the stimulation of liver membrane phospholipid biosynthesis. Uridine had no protective effect against tamoxifen-induced impairment to mitochondrial respiration of primary hepatocytes or liver TAG and cholesterol export. Uridine had no effect on tamoxifen-induced changes to liver protein acetylation profile. Transgenic mice UPase1−/−with increased pyrimidine salvage activity were protected against tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation. In contrast, UPase1-TG mice with increased pyrimidine catabolism activity had intrinsic liver lipid droplet accumulation, which was aggravated following tamoxifen administration. Conclusion Uridine co-administration was effective at preventing tamoxifen-induced liver lipid droplet accumulation. The ability of uridine to prevent tamoxifen-induced fatty liver appeared to depend on the pyrimidine salvage pathway, which promotes biosynthesis of membrane phospholipid. PMID:24887406

Endoplasmic reticulum degradation-enhancing α-mannosidase-like protein 1 targets misfolded HLA-B27 dimers for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation.

PubMed

Guiliano, David B; Fussell, Helen; Lenart, Izabela; Tsao, Edward; Nesbeth, Darren; Fletcher, Adam J; Campbell, Elaine C; Yousaf, Nasim; Williams, Sarah; Santos, Susana; Cameron, Amy; Towers, Greg J; Kellam, Paul; Hebert, Daniel N; Gould, Keith G; Powis, Simon J; Antoniou, Antony N

2014-11-01

HLA-B27 forms misfolded heavy chain dimers, which may predispose individuals to inflammatory arthritis by inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). This study was undertaken to define the role of the UPR-induced ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway in the disposal of HLA-B27 dimeric conformers. HeLa cell lines expressing only 2 copies of a carboxy-terminally Sv5-tagged HLA-B27 were generated. The ER stress-induced protein ER degradation-enhancing α-mannosidase-like protein 1 (EDEM1) was overexpressed by transfection, and dimer levels were monitored by immunoblotting. EDEM1, the UPR-associated transcription factor X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1), the E3 ubiquitin ligase hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase degradation 1 (HRD1), and the degradation-associated proteins derlin 1 and derlin 2 were inhibited using either short hairpin RNA or dominant-negative mutants. The UPR-associated ERAD of HLA-B27 was confirmed using ER stress-inducing pharamacologic agents in kinetic and pulse chase assays. We demonstrated that UPR-induced machinery can target HLA-B27 dimers and that dimer formation can be controlled by alterations to expression levels of components of the UPR-induced ERAD pathway. HLA-B27 dimers and misfolded major histocompatibility complex class I monomeric molecules bound to EDEM1 were detected, and overexpression of EDEM1 led to inhibition of HLA-B27 dimer formation. EDEM1 inhibition resulted in up-regulation of HLA-B27 dimers, while UPR-induced ERAD of dimers was prevented in the absence of EDEM1. HLA-B27 dimer formation was also enhanced in the absence of XBP-1, HRD1, and derlins 1 and 2. The present findings indicate that the UPR ERAD pathway can dispose of HLA-B27 dimers, thus presenting a potential novel therapeutic target for modulation of HLA-B27-associated inflammatory disease. Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Rheumatology.

Synthesis and structure identification of 2-amino-4, 6- dimethyl pyrimidine with gallic acid and pimelic acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mekala, R.; Jagdish, P.; Mathammal, R.

2018-07-01

Reaction of 2-amino-4, 6- dimethyl pyrimidine with carboxylic acid such as gallic acid and pimelic acid, yielded a salt and co-crystal, respectively. The new crystal forms were obtained from slow evaporation technique. The crystal structure and hydrogen bond interaction of the two crystals were determined by single X-ray diffraction analysis. Inter molecular interactions of the compounds were investigated using the 3D Hirshfeld surfaces and the associated 2D fingerprint plots. The functional groups were identified by the FTIR, FT-Raman spectral studies. The presence of carbon and hydrogen in the two samples were identified by the 1H and 13C NMR analysis. The excited energy was observed using UV-Visible spectral analysis. The fluorescence spectra revealed the emission state of the two samples. The thermal behaviour and stability of the two compounds were evaluated by the TGA-DSC analysis.

Synthesis, antimalarial activity, heme binding and docking studies of N-substituted 4-aminoquinoline-pyrimidine molecular hybrids.

PubMed

Maurya, Shiv Shyam; Khan, Shabana I; Bahuguna, Aparna; Kumar, Deepak; Rawat, Diwan S

2017-03-31

A series of novel N-substituted 4-aminoquinoline-pyrimidine hybrids have been synthesized via simple and economic route and evaluated for their antimalarial activity. Most compounds showed potent antimalarial activity against both CQ-sensitive and CQ-resistant strains with high selectivity index. All the compounds were found to be non-toxic to the mammalian cell lines. The most active compound 7b was analysed for heme binding activity using UV-spectrophotometer. Compound was found to interact with heme and a complex formation between compound and heme in a 1:1 stoichiometry ratio was determined using job plots. The interaction of these hybrids was also investigated by the molecular docking studies in the binding site of wild type Pf-DHFR-TS and quadruple mutant Pf-DHFR-TS. The pharmacokinetic property analysis of best active compounds was also studied by ADMET prediction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Ligand-independent Dimer Formation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Is a Step Separable from Ligand-induced EGFR Signaling

PubMed Central

Yu, Xiaochun; Sharma, Kailash D.; Takahashi, Tsuyoshi; Iwamoto, Ryo; Mekada, Eisuke

2002-01-01

Dimerization and phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) are the initial and essential events of EGF-induced signal transduction. However, the mechanism by which EGFR ligands induce dimerization and phosphorylation is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that EGFRs can form dimers on the cell surface independent of ligand binding. However, a chimeric receptor, comprising the extracellular and transmembrane domains of EGFR and the cytoplasmic domain of the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR), did not form a dimer in the absence of ligands, suggesting that the cytoplasmic domain of EGFR is important for predimer formation. Analysis of deletion mutants of EGFR showed that the region between 835Ala and 918Asp of the EGFR cytoplasmic domain is required for EGFR predimer formation. In contrast to wild-type EGFR ligands, a mutant form of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB2) did not induce dimerization of the EGFR-EpoR chimeric receptor and therefore failed to activate the chimeric receptor. However, when the dimerization was induced by a monoclonal antibody to EGFR, HB2 could activate the chimeric receptor. These results indicate that EGFR can form a ligand-independent inactive dimer and that receptor dimerization and activation are mechanistically distinct and separable events. PMID:12134089

Analgesic Activity of Some 1,2,4-Triazole Heterocycles Clubbed with Pyrazole, Tetrazole, Isoxazole and Pyrimidine

PubMed Central

Gajanan Khanage, Shantaram; Raju, Appala; Baban Mohite, Popat; Bhanudas Pandhare, Ramdas

2013-01-01

Purpose: In the present study in vivo analgesic activity of some previously synthesized 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing pyrazole, tetrazole, isoxazole and pyrimidine ring have been evaluated. Methods: Acetic acid induced writhing method and Hot plate method has been described to study analgesic activity of some 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing pyrazole, tetrazole, isoxazole and pyrimidine as a pharmacological active lead. Results: Thirty six different derivatives containing 1,2,4-triazole ring were subjected to study their in vivo analgesic activity. Chloro, nitro and methoxy, hydroxy and bromo substituted derivatives showed excellent analgesic activity and dimethylamino, furan and phenyl substituted derivatives showed moderate analgesic activity in both of the methods. Compounds IIIa, IIId, IIIf, IIIi, IIIj, IVa, IVb, IVd, IVf, IVh, IVj IV3a and IIj were found to be superior analgesic agents after screening by Acetic acid induced writhing method. Compounds IIIb, IIId, IIIf, IIIh, IIIj, IVa, IVb, IVd, IVf, IVh, IVi, IV3c, IV3e and IIj were showed analgesic potential after screening of Hot plate method. Conclusion: All tested compounds containing 1,2,4-triazole were found to be promising analgesic agents, for this activity pyrazole, tetrazole, isoxazole and pyrimidine leads might be supported. PMID:24312806

Functional and genetic evidence that nucleoside transport is highly conserved in Leishmania species: Implications for pyrimidine-based chemotherapy.

PubMed

Alzahrani, Khalid J H; Ali, Juma A M; Eze, Anthonius A; Looi, Wan Limm; Tagoe, Daniel N A; Creek, Darren J; Barrett, Michael P; de Koning, Harry P

2017-08-01

Leishmania pyrimidine salvage is replete with opportunities for therapeutic intervention with enzyme inhibitors or antimetabolites. Their uptake into cells depends upon specific transporters; therefore it is essential to establish whether various Leishmania species possess similar pyrimidine transporters capable of drug uptake. Here, we report a comprehensive characterization of pyrimidine transport in L. major and L. mexicana. In both species, two transporters for uridine/adenosine were detected, one of which also transported uracil and the antimetabolites 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) and 5F,2'deoxyuridine (5F,2'dUrd), and was designated uridine-uracil transporter 1 (UUT1); the other transporter mediated uptake of adenosine, uridine, 5F,2'dUrd and thymidine and was designated Nucleoside Transporter 1 (NT1). To verify the reported L. donovani model of two NT1-like genes encoding uridine/adenosine transporters, and an NT2 gene encoding an inosine transporter, we cloned the corresponding L. major and L. mexicana genes, expressing each in T. brucei. Consistent with the L. donovani reports, the NT1-like genes of either species mediated the adenosine-sensitive uptake of [ 3 H]-uridine but not of [ 3 H]-inosine. Conversely, the NT2-like genes mediated uptake of [ 3 H]-inosine but not [ 3 H]-uridine. Among pyrimidine antimetabolites tested, 5-FU and 5F,2'dUrd were the most effective antileishmanials; resistance to both analogs was induced in L. major and L. mexicana. In each case it was found that the resistant cells had lost the transport capacity for the inducing drug. Metabolomics analysis found that the mechanism of action of 5-FU and 5F-2'dUrd was similar in both Leishmania species, with major changes in deoxynucleotide metabolism. We conclude that the pyrimidine salvage system is highly conserved in Leishmania species - essential information for the development of pyrimidine-based chemotherapy. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Glycal Formation in Crystals of Uridine Phosphorylase

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paul, Debamita; O’Leary, Sen E.; Rajashankar, Kanagalaghatta

2010-06-22

Uridine phosphorylase is a key enzyme in the pyrimidine salvage pathway. This enzyme catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of uridine to uracil and ribose 1-phosphate (or 2{prime}-deoxyuridine to 2{prime}-deoxyribose 1-phosphate). Here we report the structure of hexameric Escherichia coli uridine phosphorylase treated with 5-fluorouridine and sulfate and dimeric bovine uridine phosphorylase treated with 5-fluoro-2{prime}-deoxyuridine or uridine, plus sulfate. In each case the electron density shows three separate species corresponding to the pyrimidine base, sulfate, and a ribosyl species, which can be modeled as a glycal. In the structures of the glycal complexes, the fluorouracil O2 atom is appropriately positioned to actmore » as the base required for glycal formation via deprotonation at C2{prime}. Crystals of bovine uridine phosphorylase treated with 2{prime}-deoxyuridine and sulfate show intact nucleoside. NMR time course studies demonstrate that uridine phosphorylase can catalyze the hydrolysis of the fluorinated nucleosides in the absence of phosphate or sulfate, without the release of intermediates or enzyme inactivation. These results add a previously unencountered mechanistic motif to the body of information on glycal formation by enzymes catalyzing the cleavage of glycosyl bonds.« less

Exploiting the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one ring system as a useful template to obtain potent adenosine deaminase inhibitors.

PubMed

La Motta, Concettina; Sartini, Stefania; Mugnaini, Laura; Salerno, Silvia; Simorini, Francesca; Taliani, Sabrina; Marini, Anna Maria; Da Settimo, Federico; Lavecchia, Antonio; Novellino, Ettore; Antonioli, Luca; Fornai, Matteo; Blandizzi, Corrado; Del Tacca, Mario

2009-03-26

A number of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ones bearing either alkyl or arylalkyl substituents in position 2 of the nucleus were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit adenosine deaminase (ADA) from bovine spleen. The 2-arylalkyl derivatives exhibited excellent inhibitory activity, showing Ki values in the nanomolar/subnanomolar range. The most active compound, 1-(4-((4-oxo-4,5-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)phenyl)-3-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)urea, 14d, was tested in rats with colitis induced by 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid to assess its efficacy to attenuate bowel inflammation. The treatment with 14d induced a significant amelioration of both systemic and intestinal inflammatory alterations in animals with experimental colitis. Docking simulations of the synthesized compounds into the ADA catalytic site were also performed to rationalize the structure-activity relationships observed and to highlight the key pharmacophoric elements of these products, thus prospectively guiding the design of novel ADA inhibitors.

Silibinin inhibits ultraviolet B radiation-induced DNA-damage and apoptosis by enhancing interleukin-12 expression in JB6 cells and SKH-1 hairless mouse skin.

PubMed

Narayanapillai, Sreekanth; Agarwal, Chapla; Deep, Gagan; Agarwal, Rajesh

2014-06-01

Recent studies have demonstrated silibinin efficacy against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin carcinogenesis via different mechanisms in cell lines and animal models; however, its role in regulating interleukin-12 (IL-12), an immunomodulatory cytokine that reduces UVB-induced DNA damage and apoptosis, is not known. Here, we report that UVB irradiation causes caspase 3 and PARP cleavage and apoptosis, and addition of recombinant IL-12 or silibinin immediately after UVB significantly protects UVB-induced apoptosis in JB6 cells. IL-12 antibody-mediated blocking of IL-12 activity compromised the protective effects of both IL-12 and silibinin. Both silibinin and IL-12 also accelerated the repair of UVB-caused cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in JB6 cells. Additional studies confirmed that indeed silibinin causes a significant increase in IL-12 levels in UVB-irradiated JB6 cells as well as in mouse skin epidermis, and that similar to cell-culture findings, silibinin topical application immediately after UVB exposure causes a strong protection against UVB-induced TUNEL positive cells in epidermis possibly through a significantly accelerated repair of UVB-caused CPDs. Together, these findings for the first time provide an important insight regarding the pharmacological mechanism wherein silibinin induces endogenous IL-12 in its efficacy against UVB-caused skin damages. In view of the fact that an enhanced endogenous IL-12 level could effectively remove UVB-caused DNA damage and associated skin cancer, our findings suggest that the use of silibinin in UVB-damaged human skin would also be a practical and translational strategy to manage solar radiation-caused skin damages as well as skin cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

HPLC-MS degradation study of E10 Sunset Yellow FCF in a commercial beverage.

PubMed

Gosetti, Fabio; Gianotti, Valentina; Polati, Stefano; Gennaro, Maria Carla

2005-10-07

Experimental evidence has shown that a beverage containing Sunset Yellow FCF (labelled as E110 in the European Union), when exposed to natural conditions of summer temperature and sunlight, losses its colour. To possibly identify the degradation pathway and collect information on the potential toxicity of the uncoloured species formed, different degradation conditions, under both oxidising and reducing environments, were simulated in laboratory. Experiments were carried out under the following conditions: (i) thermally induced degradation, (ii) visible photo induced degradation, (iii) UV-photo induced conditions in oxidising environment (addition of hydrogen peroxide, Fenton reaction) and (iv) UV-photo induced conditions in reducing environment (addition of sulphide and ascorbic acid, addition of ascorbic acid in the absence and in the presence of saccharose). Decolourisation process was observed in oxidant conditions when applying the Fenton reaction but the reaction was too quick to be progressively followed. On the other hand, it was also possible to study the degradation reaction observed in reducing conditions in the presence of ascorbic acid. The HPLC-MS results gave evidence for the cleavage of the double bond and the protonation of the azo groups. The loss of colour is therefore not due to a mineralization process but to the formation of a dimeric form of 5-amino-6-hydroxy-2-naphthalene sulfonate and, likely, of p-amino-benzensulfonate.

UV-Vis spectrophotometry of quinone flow battery electrolyte for in situ monitoring and improved electrochemical modeling of potential and quinhydrone formation.

PubMed

Tong, Liuchuan; Chen, Qing; Wong, Andrew A; Gómez-Bombarelli, Rafael; Aspuru-Guzik, Alán; Gordon, Roy G; Aziz, Michael J

2017-12-06

Quinone-based aqueous flow batteries provide a potential opportunity for large-scale, low-cost energy storage due to their composition from earth abundant elements, high aqueous solubility, reversible redox kinetics and their chemical tunability such as reduction potential. In an operating flow battery utilizing 9,10-anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid, the aggregation of an oxidized quinone and a reduced hydroquinone to form a quinhydrone dimer causes significant variations from ideal solution behavior and of optical absorption from the Beer-Lambert law. We utilize in situ UV-Vis spectrophotometry to establish (a), quinone, hydroquinone and quinhydrone molar attenuation profiles and (b), an equilibrium constant for formation of the quinhydrone dimer (K QHQ ) ∼ 80 M -1 . We use the molar optical attenuation profiles to identify the total molecular concentration and state of charge at arbitrary mixtures of quinone and hydroquinone. We report density functional theory calculations to support the quinhydrone UV-Vis measurements and to provide insight into the dimerization conformations. We instrument a quinone-bromine flow battery with a Pd-H reference electrode in order to demonstrate how complexation in both the negative (quinone) and positive (bromine) electrolytes directly impacts measured half-cell and full-cell voltages. This work shows how accounting for electrolyte complexation improves the accuracy of electrochemical modeling of flow battery electrolytes.

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Astrobiology Stew: Pinch of Microbes, Smidgen of UV, Touch of Organics, and Dash of Meteorites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

The session Astrobiology Stew: Pinch of Microbes, Smidgen of UV, Touch of Organics, and Dash of Meteorites includes the following topics: 1) Investigating the Impact of UV Radiation on High-Altitude Shallow Lake Habitats, Life Diversity, and Life Survival Strategies: Clues for Mars' Past Habitability Potential? 2) An Analysis of Potential Photosynthetic Life on Mars; 3) Radiation Inactivation of Bacterial spores on Mars; 4) Hydrophobic Surfaces of Spacecraft Components Enhance the Aggregation of Microorganisms and May Lead to Higher Survival Rates of Bacteria on Mars Landers; 5) Optical Detection of Organic Chemical Biosignatures at Hydrothermal Vents; 6) Signs of Life in Meridiani Planum-What Might Opportunity See (or Miss)? 7) Isolation of PUrines and Pyrimidines from the Murchison Meteorite Using Sublimation; and 8) Relative Amino Acid Composition of CM1 Carbonaceous Chondrites.

A nuclear factor kappa B-derived inhibitor tripeptide inhibits UVB-induced photoaging process.

PubMed

Oh, Jee Eun; Kim, Min Seo; Jeon, Woo-Kwang; Seo, Young Kwon; Kim, Byung-Chul; Hahn, Jang Hee; Park, Chang Seo

2014-12-01

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the skin induces photoaging which is characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation, generation of coarse wrinkles, worse of laxity and roughness. Upon UV irradiation, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is activated which plays a key role in signaling pathway leading to inflammation cascade and this activation stimulates expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1α) and a stress response gene cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In addition, activation of NF-κB up-regulates the expression of matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) and consequently collagen in dermis is degraded. In this study, the effects of a NF-κB-derived inhibitor tripeptide on the UVB-induced photoaging and inflammation were investigated in vitro and in vivo. A NF-κB-derived inhibitor tripeptide (NF-κB-DVH) was synthesized based on the sequence of dimerization region of the subunit p65 of NF-κB. Its inhibitory activity was confirmed using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and in situ proximate ligation assay. The effects of anti-photoaging and anti-inflammation were analyzed by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting and immunochemistry. NF-κB-DVH significantly decreased UV-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1α, MMP-1 and COX-2 while increased production of type I procollagen. Results showed NF-κB-DVH had strong anti-inflammatory activity probably by inhibiting NF-κB activation pathway and suggested to be used as a novel agent for anti-photoaging. Copyright © 2014 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of an N-aminopyrazinonium analogue of cytidine.

PubMed

Lee, T C; Chello, P L; Chou, T C; Templeton, M A; Parham, J C

1983-02-01

An N-aminated pyrazine analogue of cytidine, in which the pyrimidine N(3) ring nitrogen and C(4) amino group were replaced by a C-amino and an N-amino function, respectively, was prepared as a potential deaminase-resistant cytidine antimetabolite. The nucleoside 1,2-diamino-4-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazin-2-onium chloride (6) was a mild cytostatic agent but was neither a substrate for nor an inhibitor of mouse kidney cytidine deaminase. It ionized with a lower pKa than expected. The anion did not undergo the dimerization usually observed with N-imino heterocyclic ylides but unerwent hydrolysis of the 2-amino group to yield a 1-aminopyrazine-2,3-dione nucleoside.

Photoreactivating enzyme activity in the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woodhead, A.D.; Achey, P.M.

1981-06-01

There has been considerable speculation about the occurrence of photoreactivating enzyme in different organisms and about its biological purpose. We have developed a simple, sensitive assay for estimating pyrimidine dimers in DNA which is useful in making a rapid survey for the presence of the enzyme. Using this method, we have found photoreactivating enzyme activity in the tissues of the rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta. This parasite spends the majority of its life span in the bodies of its definitive or intermediate hosts, but a period is spent externally. We suggest that photoreactivating enzyme may be important in preserving the integritymore » of embryonic DNA during this free-living stage.« less

Photoreactivating enzyme activity in the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woodhead, A.D.; Achey, P.M.

1981-01-01

There has been considerable speculation about the occurrence of photoreactivating enzyme in different organisms and about its biologic purpose. We have developed a simple, sensitive assay for estimating pyrimidine dimers in DNA which is useful in making a rapid survey for the presence of the enzyme. Using this method, we have found photoreactivating enzyme activity in the tissues of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. This parasite spends the majority of its life span in the bodies of its definitive or intermediate hosts, but a period is spent externally. We suggest that photoreactivating enzyme may be important in perserving the integritymore » of embryonic DNA during this free-living stage.« less

Ligand regulation of a constitutively dimeric EGF receptor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freed, Daniel M.; Alvarado, Diego; Lemmon, Mark A.

2015-06-01

Ligand-induced receptor dimerization has traditionally been viewed as the key event in transmembrane signalling by epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). Here we show that the Caenorhabditis elegans EGFR orthologue LET-23 is constitutively dimeric, yet responds to its ligand LIN-3 without changing oligomerization state. SAXS and mutational analyses further reveal that the preformed dimer of the LET-23 extracellular region is mediated by its domain II dimerization arm and resembles other EGFR extracellular dimers seen in structural studies. Binding of LIN-3 induces only minor structural rearrangements in the LET-23 dimer to promote signalling. Our results therefore argue that EGFR can be regulated by allosteric changes within an existing receptor dimer--resembling signalling by insulin receptor family members, which share similar extracellular domain compositions but form covalent dimers.

Novel synthesis and characterization of five isomers of (C(70))(2) fullerene dimers.

PubMed

Forman, Grant S; Tagmatarchis, Nikos; Shinohara, Hisanori

2002-01-16

The synthesis and characterization of dimers and polymers, wherein two or more cages are linked, represent an important frontier in the chemistry of fullerene derivatives. A simple and novel method that requires no special apparatus has been developed for the dimerization of [70]fullerene to (C70)2. Upon grinding [70]fullerene in a mortar and pestle in the presence of K2CO3, five structural isomers of (C70)2 have been produced. These isomers are separated from one another via high performance liquid chromatography and are characterized by 13C NMR, UV-vis-NIR absorption and mass spectroscopy.

Ligand-induced type II interleukin-4 receptor dimers are sustained by rapid re-association within plasma membrane microcompartments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, David; Moraga, Ignacio; Winkelmann, Hauke; Birkholz, Oliver; Wilmes, Stephan; Schulte, Markos; Kraich, Michael; Kenneweg, Hella; Beutel, Oliver; Selenschik, Philipp; Paterok, Dirk; Gavutis, Martynas; Schmidt, Thomas; Garcia, K. Christopher; Müller, Thomas D.; Piehler, Jacob

2017-07-01

The spatiotemporal organization of cytokine receptors in the plasma membrane is still debated with models ranging from ligand-independent receptor pre-dimerization to ligand-induced receptor dimerization occurring only after receptor uptake into endosomes. Here, we explore the molecular and cellular determinants governing the assembly of the type II interleukin-4 receptor, taking advantage of various agonists binding the receptor subunits with different affinities and rate constants. Quantitative kinetic studies using artificial membranes confirm that receptor dimerization is governed by the two-dimensional ligand-receptor interactions and identify a critical role of the transmembrane domain in receptor dimerization. Single molecule localization microscopy at physiological cell surface expression levels, however, reveals efficient ligand-induced receptor dimerization by all ligands, largely independent of receptor binding affinities, in line with the similar STAT6 activation potencies observed for all IL-4 variants. Detailed spatiotemporal analyses suggest that kinetic trapping of receptor dimers in actin-dependent microcompartments sustains robust receptor dimerization and signalling.

Silibinin enhances the repair of ultraviolet B-induced DNA damage by activating p53-dependent nucleotide excision repair mechanism in human dermal fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Guillermo-Lagae, Ruth; Deep, Gagan; Ting, Harold; Agarwal, Chapla; Agarwal, Rajesh

2015-01-01

Ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) is the main cause of DNA damage in epidermal cells; and if not repaired, this DNA damage leads to skin cancer. In earlier studies, we have reported that natural flavonolignan silibinin exerts strong chemopreventive efficacy against UVB-induced skin damage and carcinogenesis; however mechanistic studies are still being actively pursued. Here, we investigated the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway in silibinin's efficacy to repair UVB-induced DNA damage. Normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) were exposed to UVB (1 mJ/cm2) with pre- or post- silibinin (100 μM) treatment, and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formation/repair was measured. Results showed that post-UVB silibinin treatment accelerates DNA repair via activating the NER pathway including the expression of XPA (xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A), XPB, XPC, and XPG. In UVB exposed fibroblasts, silibinin treatment also increased p53 and GADD45α expression; the key regulators of the NER pathway and DNA repair. Consistently, post-UVB silibinin treatment increased the mRNA transcripts of XPA and GADD45α. Importantly, silibinin showed no effect on UVB-induced DNA damage repair in XPA- and XPB-deficient human dermal fibroblasts suggesting their key role in silibinin-mediated DNA damage repair. Moreover, in the presence of pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of p53, the DNA repair efficacy of silibinin was compromised associated with a reduction in XPA and GADD45α transcripts. Together, these findings suggest that silibinin's efficacy against UVB-induced photodamage is primarily by inhibiting NER and p53; and these findings further support silibinin's usage as a potential inexpensive, effective, and non-toxic agent for skin cancer chemoprevention. PMID:26447614

Silibinin enhances the repair of ultraviolet B-induced DNA damage by activating p53-dependent nucleotide excision repair mechanism in human dermal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Guillermo-Lagae, Ruth; Deep, Gagan; Ting, Harold; Agarwal, Chapla; Agarwal, Rajesh

2015-11-24

Ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) is the main cause of DNA damage in epidermal cells; and if not repaired, this DNA damage leads to skin cancer. In earlier studies, we have reported that natural flavonolignan silibinin exerts strong chemopreventive efficacy against UVB-induced skin damage and carcinogenesis; however mechanistic studies are still being actively pursued. Here, we investigated the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway in silibinin's efficacy to repair UVB-induced DNA damage. Normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) were exposed to UVB (1 mJ/cm2) with pre- or post- silibinin (100 μM) treatment, and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formation/repair was measured. Results showed that post-UVB silibinin treatment accelerates DNA repair via activating the NER pathway including the expression of XPA (xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A), XPB, XPC, and XPG. In UVB exposed fibroblasts, silibinin treatment also increased p53 and GADD45α expression; the key regulators of the NER pathway and DNA repair. Consistently, post-UVB silibinin treatment increased the mRNA transcripts of XPA and GADD45α. Importantly, silibinin showed no effect on UVB-induced DNA damage repair in XPA- and XPB-deficient human dermal fibroblasts suggesting their key role in silibinin-mediated DNA damage repair. Moreover, in the presence of pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of p53, the DNA repair efficacy of silibinin was compromised associated with a reduction in XPA and GADD45α transcripts. Together, these findings suggest that silibinin's efficacy against UVB-induced photodamage is primarily by inhibiting NER and p53; and these findings further support silibinin's usage as a potential inexpensive, effective, and non-toxic agent for skin cancer chemoprevention.

Life and the solar uv environment on the early Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bérces, A.; Kovács, G.; Rontó, G.; Lammer, H.; Kargl, G.; Kömle, N.; Bauer, S.

2003-04-01

The solar UV radiation environment on planetary surfaces and within their atmospheres is of importance in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Solar UV radiation is the driving force of chemical and organic evolution and serves also as a constraint in biological evolution. Studies of the solar UV environment of the early Earth 2.0 Gyr to 3.8 Gyr ago suggest that the terrestrial atmosphere was essentially anoxic, resulting in an ozone column abundance insufficient for protecting the planetary surface in the UV-B and the UV-C ranges. Since, short wavelength solar UV radiation in the UV-B ind UV-C range penetrated through the unprotected atmosphere to the surface on early Earth, associated biological consequences may be expected. For DNA-based terrestrial solar UV dosimetry, bacteriophage T7, isolated phage-DNA ind polycrystalline Uracil samples have been used. The effect of solar UV radiation can be measured by detecting the biological-structural consequences of the damage induced by UV photons. We show model calculations for the Biological Effective Dose (BED) rate of Uracil and bacteriophage T7, for various ozone concentrations representing early atmospheric conditions on Earth up to a UV protecting ozone layer comparable to present times. Further, we discuss experimental data which show the photo-reverse effect of Uracil molecules caused by short UV wavelengths. These photoreversion effect highly depend on the wavelength of the radiation. Shorter wavelength UV radiation of about 200 nm is strongly effective in monomerisation, while the longer wavelengths prefer the production of dimerisation. We could demonstrate experimentally, for the case of an Uracil thin-layer that the photo-reaction process of the nucleotides can be both, dimerization and the reverse process: monomerization. These results are important for the study of solar UV exposure on organisms in the terrestrial environment more than 2 Gyr ago where Earth had no UV protecting ozone layer as well as for the search for life on Mars since we can show that biological harmful effects can also be reduced by shorter wavelength UV radiation, which is of importance in reducing DNA damages provoked by wavelengths longer than about 240 nm.

Self-assembly of Zn(salphen) complexes: steric regulation, stability studies and crystallographic analysis revealing an unexpected dimeric 3,3'-t-Bu-substituted Zn(salphen) complex.

PubMed

Martínez Belmonte, Marta; Wezenberg, Sander J; Haak, Robert M; Anselmo, Daniele; Escudero-Adán, Eduardo C; Benet-Buchholz, Jordi; Kleij, Arjan W

2010-05-21

The self-assembly features of a series of (non)symmetrical Zn(salphen) complexes have been studied in detail by X-ray crystallography, NMR and UV-vis techniques. The combined data demonstrate that the stability of these dimeric assemblies and the relative position of each monomeric unit within the dinuclear structure depend on the location and combination of the aromatic ring substituents.

DFT modeling, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopic study of acetylacetone-modified zirconia sol-gel materials.

PubMed

Georgieva, Ivelina; Danchova, Nina; Gutzov, Stoyan; Trendafilova, Natasha

2012-06-01

Theoretical and spectroscopic studies of a series of monomeric and dimeric complexes formed through the modification of a zirconium butoxide precursor with acetylacetone and subsequent hydrolysis and/or condensation have been performed by applying DFT/B3LYP/6-31++G(d) and highly accurate RI-ADC(2) methods as well as IR and UV-Vis transmittance and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies. Based on DFT model calculations and simulated and experimental UV-Vis and IR spectra of all the studied structures, the most probable building units of the Zr(IV)-AcAc gel were predicted: the dimeric double hydroxo-bridged complex Zr(2)(AcAc)(2)(OH)(4)(OH)(2br) 9 and the monooxo-bridged complex Zr(2)(AcAc)(2)(OH)(4)O(br)·2H(2)O 12. In both structures, the two AcAc ligands are coordinated to one Zr atom. It was shown that building units 9 and 12 determine the photophysical and vibrational properties of the gel material. The observed UV-Vis and IR spectra of Zr(IV)-AcAc gel were interpreted and a relation between the spectroscopic and structural data was derived. The observed UV-Vis bands at 315 nm and 298/288 nm were assigned to partial ligand-metal transitions and to intra-/inter-AcAc ligand transitions, respectively.

Structure and function of the UV-B photoreceptor UVR8.

PubMed

Jenkins, Gareth I

2014-12-01

UVR8 is a UV-B photoreceptor that employs specific tryptophans in its primary sequence as chromophores in photoreception. UV-B absorption causes dissociation of the dimeric photoreceptor by neutralizing interactions between monomers. The monomeric form initiates signalling through interaction with the COP1 protein, leading to transcriptional responses. This article discusses the structural basis of UVR8 function, highlighting recent research on the mechanism of photoreception and on interactions with other proteins involved in signalling and regulation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proanthocyanidins in wild sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) berries analyzed by reversed-phase, normal-phase, and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with UV and MS detection.

PubMed

Kallio, Heikki; Yang, Wei; Liu, Pengzhan; Yang, Baoru

2014-08-06

A rapid and sensitive method for profiling of proanthocyanidins (PAs) of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) berries was established based on aqueous, acidified acetone extraction. The extract was purified by Sephadex column chromatography and analyzed using reversed-phase, normal-phase, and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). Negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in single ion recording (SIR) and full scan modes combined with UV detection were used to define the combinations and ratios of PA oligomer classes. PAs with degree of polymerization from 2 to 11 were detected by HILIC-ESI-MS. Quantification of dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric PAs was carried out with ESI-MS-SIR, and their molar proportions were 40, 40, and 20%, respectively. Only B-type PAs were found, and (epi)gallocatechins were the main monomeric units. More than 60 combinations of (epi)catechins and (epi)gallocatechins of proanthocyanidin dimers and trimers were found. A majority of the PAs were shown to be higher polymers based on the HILIC-UV analysis.

Blackberry extract inhibits UVB-induced oxidative damage and inflammation through MAP kinases and NF-κB signaling pathways in SKH-1 mice skin.

PubMed

Divya, Sasidharan Padmaja; Wang, Xin; Pratheeshkumar, Poyil; Son, Young-Ok; Roy, Ram Vinod; Kim, Donghern; Dai, Jin; Hitron, John Andrew; Wang, Lei; Asha, Padmaja; Shi, Xianglin; Zhang, Zhuo

2015-04-01

Extensive exposure of solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation to skin induces oxidative stress and inflammation that play a crucial role in the induction of skin cancer. Photochemoprevention with natural products represents a simple but very effective strategy for the management of cutaneous neoplasia. In this study, we investigated whether blackberry extract (BBE) reduces chronic inflammatory responses induced by UVB irradiation in SKH-1 hairless mice skin. Mice were exposed to UVB radiation (100 mJ/cm(2)) on alternate days for 10 weeks, and BBE (10% and 20%) was applied topically a day before UVB exposure. Our results show that BBE suppressed UVB-induced hyperplasia and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in the SKH-1 hairless mice skin. BBE treatment reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in mouse skin by chronic UVB exposure. BBE significantly decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in UVB-exposed skin. Likewise, UVB-induced inflammatory responses were diminished by BBE as observed by a remarkable reduction in the levels of phosphorylated MAP Kinases, Erk1/2, p38, JNK1/2 and MKK4. Furthermore, BBE also reduced inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in UVB-exposed skin. Treatment with BBE inhibited UVB-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκBα in mouse skin. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that topical application of BBE inhibited the expression of 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and cyclin D1 in UVB-exposed skin. Collectively, these data indicate that BBE protects from UVB-induced oxidative damage and inflammation by modulating MAP kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemiexcitation and Its Implications for Disease.

PubMed

Brash, Douglas E; Goncalves, Leticia C P; Bechara, Etelvino J H

2018-06-01

Quantum mechanics rarely extends to molecular medicine. Recently, the pigment melanin was found to be susceptible to chemiexcitation, in which an electron is chemically excited to a high-energy molecular orbital. In invertebrates, chemiexcitation causes bioluminescence; in mammals, a higher-energy process involving melanin transfers energy to DNA without photons, creating the lethal and mutagenic cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer that can cause melanoma. This process is initiated by NO and O 2 - radicals, the formation of which can be triggered by ultraviolet light or inflammation. Several chronic diseases share two properties: inflammation generates these radicals across the tissue, and the diseased cells lie near melanin. We propose that chemiexcitation may be an upstream event in numerous human diseases. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Non-Ligand-Induced Dimerization is Sufficient to Initiate the Signalling and Endocytosis of EGF Receptor.

PubMed

Kourouniotis, George; Wang, Yi; Pennock, Steven; Chen, Xinmei; Wang, Zhixiang

2016-07-25

The binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to EGF receptor (EGFR) stimulates cell mitogenesis and survival through various signalling cascades. EGF also stimulates rapid EGFR endocytosis and its eventual degradation in lysosomes. The immediate events induced by ligand binding include receptor dimerization, activation of intrinsic tyrosine kinase and autophosphorylation. However, in spite of intensified efforts, the results regarding the roles of these events in EGFR signalling and internalization is still very controversial. In this study, we constructed a chimeric EGFR by replacing its extracellular domain with leucine zipper (LZ) and tagged a green fluorescent protein (GFP) at its C-terminus. We showed that the chimeric LZ-EGFR-GFP was constitutively dimerized. The LZ-EGFR-GFP dimer autophosphorylated each of its five well-defined C-terminal tyrosine residues as the ligand-induced EGFR dimer does. Phosphorylated LZ-EGFR-GFP was localized to both the plasma membrane and endosomes, suggesting it is capable of endocytosis. We also showed that LZ-EGFR-GFP activated major signalling proteins including Src homology collagen-like (Shc), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt. Moreover, LZ-EGFR-GFP was able to stimulate cell proliferation. These results indicate that non-ligand induced dimerization is sufficient to activate EGFR and initiate cell signalling and EGFR endocytosis. We conclude that receptor dimerization is a critical event in EGF-induced cell signalling and EGFR endocytosis.

Orientation Preferences of Backbone Secondary Amide Functional Groups in Peptide Nucleic Acid Complexes: Quantum Chemical Calculations Reveal an Intrinsic Preference of Cationic D-Amino Acid-Based Chiral PNA Analogues for the P-form

PubMed Central

Topham, Christopher M.; Smith, Jeremy C.

2007-01-01

Geometric descriptions of nonideal interresidue hydrogen bonding and backbone-base water bridging in the minor groove are established in terms of polyamide backbone carbonyl group orientation from analyses of residue junction conformers in experimentally determined peptide nucleic acid (PNA) complexes. Two types of interresidue hydrogen bonding are identified in PNA conformers in heteroduplexes with nucleic acids that adopt A-like basepair stacking. Quantum chemical calculations on the binding of a water molecule to an O2 base atom in glycine-based PNA thymine dimers indicate that junctions modeled with P-form backbone conformations are lower in energy than a dimer comprising the predominant conformation observed in A-like helices. It is further shown in model systems that PNA analogs based on D-lysine are better able to preorganize in a conformation exclusive to P-form helices than is glycine-based PNA. An intrinsic preference for this conformation is also exhibited by positively charged chiral PNA dimers carrying 3-amino-D-alanine or 4-aza-D-leucine residue units that provide for additional rigidity by side-chain hydrogen bonding to the backbone carbonyl oxygen. Structural modifications stabilizing P-form helices may obviate the need for large heterocycles to target DNA pyrimidine bases via PNA·DNA-PNA triplex formation. Quantum chemical modeling methods are used to propose candidate PNA Hoogsteen strand designs. PMID:17071666

Intracellular formation of ”undisruptable” dimers of inducible nitric oxide synthase

PubMed Central

Kolodziejski, Pawel J.; Rashid, Mohammad B.; Eissa, N. Tony

2003-01-01

Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. iNOS is active only as a homodimer. Dimerization of iNOS represents a potentially critical target for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we show that intracellular iNOS forms dimers that are ”undisruptable” by boiling, denaturants, or reducing agents. Undisruptable (UD) dimers are clearly distinguishable from the easily dissociated dimers formed by iNOS in vitro. UD dimers do not form in Escherichia coli-expressed iNOS and could not be assembled in vitro, which suggests that an in vivo cellular process is required for their formation. iNOS UD dimers are not affected by intracellular depletion of H4B. However, the mutation of Cys-115 (critical for zinc binding) greatly affects the formation of UD dimers. This study reveals insight into the mechanisms of in vivo iNOS dimer formation. UD dimers represent a class of iNOS dimers that had not been suspected. This unanticipated finding revises our understanding of the mechanisms of iNOS dimerization and lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at modulating iNOS activity in vivo. PMID:14614131

Intracellular formation of "undisruptable" dimers of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

PubMed

Kolodziejski, Pawel J; Rashid, Mohammad B; Eissa, N Tony

2003-11-25

Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. iNOS is active only as a homodimer. Dimerization of iNOS represents a potentially critical target for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we show that intracellular iNOS forms dimers that are "undisruptable" by boiling, denaturants, or reducing agents. Undisruptable (UD) dimers are clearly distinguishable from the easily dissociated dimers formed by iNOS in vitro. UD dimers do not form in Escherichia coli-expressed iNOS and could not be assembled in vitro, which suggests that an in vivo cellular process is required for their formation. iNOS UD dimers are not affected by intracellular depletion of H4B. However, the mutation of Cys-115 (critical for zinc binding) greatly affects the formation of UD dimers. This study reveals insight into the mechanisms of in vivo iNOS dimer formation. UD dimers represent a class of iNOS dimers that had not been suspected. This unanticipated finding revises our understanding of the mechanisms of iNOS dimerization and lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at modulating iNOS activity in vivo.

Synthesis of Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidine Enantiomers via Domino Ring-Closure followed by Retro Diels-Alder Protocol.

PubMed

Fekete, Beáta; Palkó, Márta; Haukka, Matti; Fülöp, Ferenc

2017-04-13

From 2-aminonorbornene hydroxamic acids, a simple and efficient method for the preparation of pyrrolo[1,2- a ]pyrimidine enantiomers is reported. The synthesis is based on domino ring-closure followed by microwave-induced retro Diels-Alder (RDA) protocols, where the chirality of the desired products is transferred from norbornene derivatives. The stereochemistry of the synthesized compounds was proven by X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of the product is determined by the configuration of the starting amino hydroxamic acid.

Hsa-miR-1587 G-quadruplex formation and dimerization induced by NH4+, molecular crowding environment and jatrorrhizine derivatives.

PubMed

Tan, Wei; Yi, Long; Zhu, Zhentao; Zhang, Lulu; Zhou, Jiang; Yuan, Gu

2018-03-01

A guanine-rich human mature microRNA, miR-1587, was discovered to form stable intramolecular G-quadruplexes in the presence of K + , Na + and low concentration of NH 4 + (25mM) by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) combined with circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Furthermore, under high concentration of NH 4 + (100mM) or molecular crowding environments, miR-1587 formed a dimeric G-quadruplex through 3'-to-3' stacking of two monomeric G-quadruplex subunits with one ammonium ion sandwiched between the interfaces. Specifically, two synthesized jatrorrhizine derivatives with terminal amine groups could also induce the dimerization of miR-1587 G-quadruplex and formed 1:1 and 2:1 complexes with the dimeric G-quadruplex. In contrast, jatrorrhizine could bind with the dimeric miR-1587 G-quadruplex, but could not induce dimerization of miR-1587 G-quadruplex. These results provide a new strategy to regulate the functions of miR-1587 through induction of G-quadruplex formation and dimerization. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Micronucleated erythrocytes in newborns rats exposed to three different types of ultraviolet-A (UVA) lamps from commonly uses devices.

PubMed

Zúñiga-González, Guillermo M; Gómez-Meda, Belinda C; Zamora-Perez, Ana L; Martínez-González, María A; Bautista-Bejarano, Miguel A; Patiño-Valenzuela, Sebastián; Armendáriz-Borunda, Juan; Lazalde-Ramos, Blanca P; Sánchez-Parada, María G; Gallegos-Arreola, Martha P

2016-12-01

Exposure to ultraviolet-A (UVA) light can accidentally cause adverse effects in the skin and eyes. UVA induces DNA damage directly by creating pyrimidine dimers or by the formation of reactive oxygen species that can indirectly affect DNA integrity. UVA radiation is emitted by lamps from everyday devices. In adult rats, micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) are removed from the circulation by the spleen. However, in newborn rats, MNE have been observed in peripheral blood erythrocytes. The objective of this study was to use micronucleus tests to evaluate the DNA damage caused in newborn rats exposed to UVA light from three different types of UVA lamps obtained from commonly used devices: counterfeit detectors, insecticide devices, and equipment used to harden resins for artificial nails. Rat neonates were exposed to UVA lamps for 20min daily for 6days. The neonates were sampled every third day, and the numbers of MNE and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) in the peripheral blood were determined. The rat neonates exposed to the three types of UVA lamps showed increased numbers of MNE and MNPCE from 48h to 144h (P<0.05 and P<0.001 respectively). However, no relationship was observed between the number of MNE and the wattage of the lamps. In conclusion, under these conditions, UVA light exposure induced an increase in MNE without causing any apparent damage to the skin. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The characteristics of polyimide photoalignment layer with chalcone derivatives produced by linear polarized UV light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Kyoung Hoon; Hyun, Soon-Young; Song, Dong-Mee; Shin, Dong-Myung

2003-01-01

The photoalignment of liquid crystal (LC) molecules located onto polyimide films with chalcone derivatives using linearly polarized UV (LPUV) light is investigated. The LPUV light irradiation generated dimerization products of the chalcones followed by isomerization of the chalcone derivatives. The alignment directions of LC molecules were either homeotropic or planar with respect to plane of polyimide film, depending upon the alkyl chain length attached on the chalcones.

Effect of clay in controlling the non-fluorescence H-dimeric states of a cationic dye Nile Blue Chloride (NBC) in hybrid Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debnath, Chandan; Shil, Ashis; Hussain, S. A.; Bhattacharjee, D.

2018-01-01

Present communication reports the effect of amphiphilic matrices and nano-clay platelets on the aggregation properties of a water soluble cationic fluorescent dye Nile Blue Chloride (NBC) in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. In-situ Brewster Angle Microscopic (BAM) studies showed distinct domain structures of complex and hybrid Langmuir monolayer at the air-water interface. UV-vis absorption spectra showed non-fluorescent H-dimeric band in concentrated aqueous solution of NBC and in complex LB film of NBC with stearic acid. By changing various parameters, a great control over H-dimeric states has been achieved in clay incorporated hybrid LB films. These films can act as efficient fluorescence probe.

Unlocking the steric gate of DNA polymerase η leads to increased genomic instability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PubMed Central

Donigan, Katherine A.; Cerritelli, Susana M.; McDonald, John P.; Vaisman, Alexandra; Crouch, Robert J.; Woodgate, Roger

2015-01-01

DNA polymerase η (pol η) is best characterized for its ability to perform accurate and efficient translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) through cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). To ensure accurate bypass the polymerase is not only required to select the correct base, but also discriminate between NTPs and dNTPs. Most DNA polymerases have a conserved “steric gate” residue which functions to prevent incorporation of NMPs during DNA synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that the Phe35 residue of S. cerevisiae pol η functions as a steric gate to limit the use of ribonucleotides during polymerization both in vitro and in vivo. Unlike the related polι enzyme, wild-type pol η does not readily incorporate NMPs in vitro. In contrast, a pol η F35A mutant incorporates NMPs on both damaged and undamaged DNA in vitro with a high degree of base selectivity. An S. cerevisiae strain expressing pol η F35A (rad30-F35A) that is also deficient for nucleotide excision repair (rad1Δ) and the TLS polymerase, pol ζ (rev3Δ), is extremely sensitive to UV-light. The sensitivity is due, in part, to RNaseH2 activity, as an isogenic rnh201Δ strain is roughly 50-fold more UV-resistant than its RNH201+ counterpart. Interestingly the rad1Δ rev3Δ rad30-F35A rnh201Δ strain exhibits a significant increase in the extent of spontaneous mutagenesis with a spectrum dominated by 1 bp deletions at runs of template Ts. We hypothesize that the increased mutagenesis is due to rA incorporation at these sites and that the short poly rA tract is subsequently repaired in an error-prone manner by a novel repair pathway that is specifically targeted to polyribonucleotide tracks. These data indicate that under certain conditions, pol η can compete with the cell’s replicases and gain access to undamaged genomic DNA. Such observations are consistent with a role for pol η in replicating common fragile sites (CFS) in human cells. PMID:26340535

Unlocking the steric gate of DNA polymerase η leads to increased genomic instability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Donigan, Katherine A; Cerritelli, Susana M; McDonald, John P; Vaisman, Alexandra; Crouch, Robert J; Woodgate, Roger

2015-11-01

DNA polymerase η (pol η) is best characterized for its ability to perform accurate and efficient translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) through cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). To ensure accurate bypass the polymerase is not only required to select the correct base, but also discriminate between NTPs and dNTPs. Most DNA polymerases have a conserved "steric gate" residue which functions to prevent incorporation of NMPs during DNA synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that the Phe35 residue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae pol η functions as a steric gate to limit the use of ribonucleotides during polymerization both in vitro and in vivo. Unlike the related pol ι enzyme, wild-type pol η does not readily incorporate NMPs in vitro. In contrast, a pol η F35A mutant incorporates NMPs on both damaged and undamaged DNA in vitro with a high degree of base selectivity. An S.cerevisiae strain expressing pol η F35A (rad30-F35A) that is also deficient for nucleotide excision repair (rad1Δ) and the TLS polymerase, pol ζ (rev3Δ), is extremely sensitive to UV-light. The sensitivity is due, in part, to RNase H2 activity, as an isogenic rnh201Δ strain is roughly 50-fold more UV-resistant than its RNH201(+) counterpart. Interestingly the rad1Δ rev3Δ rad30-F35A rnh201Δ strain exhibits a significant increase in the extent of spontaneous mutagenesis with a spectrum dominated by 1bp deletions at runs of template Ts. We hypothesize that the increased mutagenesis is due to rA incorporation at these sites and that the short poly rA tract is subsequently repaired in an error-prone manner by a novel repair pathway that is specifically targeted to polyribonucleotide tracks. These data indicate that under certain conditions, pol η can compete with the cell's replicases and gain access to undamaged genomic DNA. Such observations are consistent with a role for pol η in replicating common fragile sites (CFS) in human cells. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Novel pathways to erythropoiesis induced by dimerization of intracellular C-Mpl in human hematopoietic progenitors.

PubMed

Parekh, Chintan; Sahaghian, Arineh; Kim, William; Scholes, Jessica; Ge, Shundi; Zhu, Yuhua; Asgharzadeh, Shahab; Hollis, Roger; Kohn, Donald; Ji, Lingyun; Malvar, Jemily; Wang, Xiaoyan; Crooks, Gay

2012-04-01

The cytokine thrombopoietin (Tpo) plays a critical role in hematopoiesis by binding to the extracellular domain and inducing homodimerization of the intracellular signaling domain of its receptor, c-Mpl. Mpl homodimerization can also be accomplished by binding of a synthetic ligand to a constitutively expressed fusion protein F36VMpl consisting of a ligand binding domain (F36V) and the intracellular signaling domain of Mpl. Unexpectedly, in contrast to Tpo stimulation, robust erythropoiesis is induced after dimerization of F36VMpl in human CD34+ progenitor cells. The goal of this study was to define the hematopoietic progenitor stages at which dimerization of intracellular Mpl induces erythropoiesis and the downstream molecular events that mediate this unanticipated effect. Dimerization (in the absence of erythropoietin and other cytokines) in human common myeloid progenitors and megakaryocytic erythroid progenitors caused a significant increase in CD34+ cells (p < .01) and induced all stages of erythropoiesis including production of enucleated red blood cells. In contrast, erythropoiesis was not seen with Tpo stimulation. CD34+ cell expansion was the result of increased cell cycling and survival (p < .05). Microarray profiling of CD34+ cells demonstrated that a unique transcriptional pattern is activated in progenitors by F36VMpl dimerization. Ligand-inducible dimerization of intracellular Mpl in human myeloerythroid progenitors induces progenitor expansion and erythropoiesis through molecular mechanisms that are not shared by Tpo stimulation of endogenous Mpl. Copyright © 2012 AlphaMed Press.

Solution structure of a DNA decamer duplex containing the stable 3′ T⋅G base pair of the pyrimidine(6–4)pyrimidone photoproduct [(6–4) adduct]: Implications for the highly specific 3′ T → C transition of the (6–4) adduct

PubMed Central

Lee, Joon-Hwa; Hwang, Geum-Sook; Choi, Byong-Seok

1999-01-01

The pyrimidine(6–4)pyrimidone photoproduct [(6–4) adduct] is one of the major photoproducts induced by UV irradiation of DNA and occurs at TpT sites. The (6–4) adduct is highly mutagenic and leads most often to a 3′ T → C transition with 85% replicating error frequency [LeClerc, J. E., Borden, A. & Lawrence, C. W. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 9685–9689]. To determine the origin of the specific 3′ T → C transition of the (6–4) adduct, we have used experimental NMR restraints and molecular dynamics to determine the solution structure of a (6–4)-lesion DNA decamer duplex that contains a mismatched base pair between the 3′ T residue and an opposed G residue. Normal Watson–Crick-type hydrogen bonding is retained at the 5′ T of the lesion site. The O2 carbonyl of the 3′ T residue forms hydrogen bonds with the imino and amino protons of the opposed G residue. This potential hydrogen bonding stabilizes the overall helix and restores the highly distorted conformation of the (6–4) adduct to the typical B-form-like DNA structure. This structural feature can explain the marked preference for the insertion of an A residue opposite the 5′ T and a G residue opposite the 3′ T of the (6–4) lesion during trans-lesion synthesis. Thus these insertions yield the predominant 3′ T → C transition. PMID:10359763

The excimer lamp induces cutaneous nerve degeneration and reduces scratching in a dry-skin mouse model.

PubMed

Kamo, Atsuko; Tominaga, Mitsutoshi; Kamata, Yayoi; Kaneda, Kazuyuki; Ko, Kyi C; Matsuda, Hironori; Kimura, Utako; Ogawa, Hideoki; Takamori, Kenji

2014-12-01

Epidermal hyperinnervation, which is thought to underlie intractable pruritus, has been observed in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The epidermal expression of axonal guidance molecules has been reported to regulate epidermal hyperinnervation. Previously, we showed that the excimer lamp has antihyperinnervative effects in nonpruritic dry-skin model mice, although epidermal expression of axonal guidance molecules was unchanged. Therefore, we investigated the antipruritic effects of excimer lamp irradiation and its mechanism of action. A single irradiation of AD model mice significantly inhibited itch-related behavior 1 day later, following improvement in the dermatitis score. In addition, irradiation of nerve fibers formed by cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons increased bleb formation and decreased nerve fiber expression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2, suggesting degenerative changes in these fibers. We also analyzed whether attaching a cutoff excimer filter (COF) to the lamp, thus decreasing cytotoxic wavelengths, altered hyperinnervation and the production of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD), a DNA damage marker, in dry-skin model mice. Irradiation with COF decreased CPD production in keratinocytes, as well as having an antihyperinnervative effect, indicating that the antipruritic effects of excimer lamp irradiation with COF are due to induction of epidermal nerve degeneration and reduced DNA damage.

Experimental and time-dependent density functional theory characterization of the UV-visible spectra of monomeric and μ-oxo dimeric ferriprotoporphyrin IX.

PubMed

Kuter, David; Venter, Gerhard A; Naidoo, Kevin J; Egan, Timothy J

2012-10-01

Speciation of ferriprotoporphyrin IX, Fe(III)PPIX, in aqueous solution is complex. Despite the use of its characteristic spectroscopic features for identification, the theoretical basis of the unique UV-visible absorbance spectrum of μ-[Fe(III)PPIX](2)O has not been explored. To investigate this and to establish a structural and spectroscopic model for Fe(III)PPIX species, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were undertaken for H(2)O-Fe(III)PPIX and μ-[Fe(III)PPIX](2)O. The models agreed with related Fe(III)porphyrin crystal structures and reproduced vibrational spectra well. The UV-visible absorbance spectra of H(2)O-Fe(III)PPIX and μ-[Fe(III)PPIX](2)O were calculated using time-dependent DFT and reproduced major features of the experimental spectra of both. Transitions contributing to calculated excitations have been identified. The features of the electronic spectrum calculated for μ-[Fe(III)PPIX](2)O were attributed to delocalization of electron density between the two porphyrin rings of the dimer, the weaker ligand field of the axial ligand, and antiferromagnetic coupling of the Fe(III) centers. Room temperature magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra have been recorded and are shown to be useful in distinguishing between these two Fe(III)PPIX species. Bands underlying major spectroscopic features were identified through simultaneous deconvolution of UV-visible and MCD spectra. Computed UV-visible spectra were compared to deconvoluted spectra. Interpretation of the prominent bands of H(2)O-Fe(III)PPIX largely conforms to previous literature. Owing to the weak paramagnetism of μ-[Fe(III)PPIX](2)O at room temperature and the larger number of underlying excitations, interpretation of its experimental UV-visible spectrum was necessarily tentative. Nonetheless, comparison with the calculated spectra of antiferromagnetically coupled and paramagnetic forms of the μ-oxo dimer of Fe(III)porphine suggested that the composition of the Soret band involves a mixture of π→π* and π→d(π) charge transfer transitions. The Q-band and charge transfer bands appear to amalgamate into a mixed low energy envelope consisting of excitations with heavily admixed π→π* and charge transfer transitions.

Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Is Not an Essential Function for Trypanosoma brucei Bloodstream Forms

PubMed Central

Munday, Jane C.; Donachie, Anne; Morrison, Liam J.; de Koning, Harry P.

2013-01-01

Background African trypanosomes are capable of both pyrimidine biosynthesis and salvage of preformed pyrimidines from the host, but it is unknown whether either process is essential to the parasite. Methodology/Principal Findings Pyrimidine requirements for growth were investigated using strictly pyrimidine-free media, with or without single added pyrimidine sources. Growth rates of wild-type bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei brucei were unchanged in pyrimidine-free medium. The essentiality of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway was studied by knocking out the PYR6-5 locus that produces a fusion product of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT) and Orotidine Monophosphate Decarboxylase (OMPDCase). The pyrimidine auxotroph was dependent on a suitable extracellular pyrimidine source. Pyrimidine starvation was rapidly lethal and non-reversible, causing incomplete DNA content in new cells. The phenotype could be rescued by addition of uracil; supplementation with uridine, 2′deoxyuridine, and cytidine allowed a diminished growth rate and density. PYR6-5−/− trypanosomes were more sensitive to pyrimidine antimetabolites and displayed increased uracil transport rates and uridine phosphorylase activity. Pyrimidine auxotrophs were able to infect mice although the infection developed much more slowly than infection with the parental, prototrophic trypanosome line. Conclusions/Significance Pyrimidine salvage was not an essential function for bloodstream T. b. brucei. However, trypanosomes lacking de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis are completely dependent on an extracellular pyrimidine source, strongly preferring uracil, and display reduced infectivity. As T. brucei are able to salvage sufficient pyrimidines from the host environment, the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway is not a viable drug target, although any interruption of pyrimidine supply was lethal. PMID:23505454

Femtosecond-laser-induced nonadiabatic alignment in photoexcited pyrimidine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shuai; Ling, Fengzi; Wang, Yanmei; Long, Jinyou; Deng, Xulan; Jin, Bing; Zhang, Bing

2017-09-01

The rotational wave-packet dynamics in electronically excited pyrimidine induced by a femtosecond laser pulse at 321.5 nm has been studied by time-resolved mass spectroscopy and photoelectron velocity-map imaging. The rotational revival features at 81.3 ps, which are the direct manifestation of field-free nonadiabatic alignment, are clearly observed in both the time-dependent ion yields and photoelectron angular distributions. In particular, the out-of-phase recurrences in the parent-ion and fragment-ions transients indicate the different directions of the ionization transition-dipole moments for the generation of the parent ion and fragment ions. By tuning the polarization of the probe light parallel or perpendicular to that of the pump light, we demonstrate the potential application of nonadiabatic alignment to manipulate the branching ratio of photoionization products.

Molecular dynamics simulations and modelling of the residue interaction networks in the BRAF kinase complexes with small molecule inhibitors: probing the allosteric effects of ligand-induced kinase dimerization and paradoxical activation.

PubMed

Verkhivker, G M

2016-10-20

Protein kinases are central to proper functioning of cellular networks and are an integral part of many signal transduction pathways. The family of protein kinases represents by far the largest and most important class of therapeutic targets in oncology. Dimerization-induced activation has emerged as a common mechanism of allosteric regulation in BRAF kinases, which play an important role in growth factor signalling and human diseases. Recent studies have revealed that most of the BRAF inhibitors can induce dimerization and paradoxically stimulate enzyme transactivation by conferring an active conformation in the second monomer of the kinase dimer. The emerging connections between inhibitor binding and BRAF kinase domain dimerization have suggested a molecular basis of the activation mechanism in which BRAF inhibitors may allosterically modulate the stability of the dimerization interface and affect the organization of residue interaction networks in BRAF kinase dimers. In this work, we integrated structural bioinformatics analysis, molecular dynamics and binding free energy simulations with the protein structure network analysis of the BRAF crystal structures to determine dynamic signatures of BRAF conformations in complexes with different types of inhibitors and probe the mechanisms of the inhibitor-induced dimerization and paradoxical activation. The results of this study highlight previously unexplored relationships between types of BRAF inhibitors, inhibitor-induced changes in the residue interaction networks and allosteric modulation of the kinase activity. This study suggests a mechanism by which BRAF inhibitors could promote or interfere with the paradoxical activation of BRAF kinases, which may be useful in informing discovery efforts to minimize the unanticipated adverse biological consequences of these therapeutic agents.

Impact of molecular flexibility on binding strength and self-sorting of chiral π-surfaces.

PubMed

Safont-Sempere, Marina M; Osswald, Peter; Stolte, Matthias; Grüne, Matthias; Renz, Manuel; Kaupp, Martin; Radacki, Krzysztof; Braunschweig, Holger; Würthner, Frank

2011-06-22

In this work, we have explored for the first time the influence of conformational flexibility of π-core on chiral self-sorting properties of perylene bisimides (PBIs) that are currently one of the most prominent classes of functional dyes. For this purpose, two series of chiral macrocyclic PBIs 3a-c and 4a-c comprising oligoethylene glycol bridges of different lengths at the 1,7 bay positions were synthesized and their atropo-enantiomers (P and M enantiomers) were resolved. Single crystal analysis of atropo-enantiomerically pure (P)-3a not only confirmed the structural integrity of the ethylene glycol bridged macrocycle but also illustrated the formation of π-stacked dimers with left-handed supramolecular helicity. Our detailed studies with the series of highly soluble chiral PBIs 4a-c by 1- and 2-D (1)H NMR techniques, and temperature- and concentration-dependent UV/vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed that in π-π-stacking dimerization of these PBIs chiral self-recognition (i.e., PP and MM homodimer formation) prevails over self-discrimination (i.e., PM heterodimer formation). Our studies clearly showed that with increasing conformational flexibility of PBI cores imparted by longer bridging units, the binding strength for the dimerization process increases, however, the efficiency for chiral self-recognition decreases. These results are rationalized in terms of an induced-fit mechanism facilitating more planarized π-scaffolds of PBIs containing longer bridging units upon π-π-stacking.

Inhibition of pyrimidine synthesis reverses viral virulence factor-mediated block of mRNA nuclear export

PubMed Central

Zhang, Liang; Das, Priyabrata; Schmolke, Mirco; Manicassamy, Balaji; Wang, Yaming; Deng, Xiaoyi; Cai, Ling; Tu, Benjamin P.; Forst, Christian V.; Roth, Michael G.; Levy, David E.; García-Sastre, Adolfo; de Brabander, Jef; Phillips, Margaret A.

2012-01-01

The NS1 protein of influenza virus is a major virulence factor essential for virus replication, as it redirects the host cell to promote viral protein expression. NS1 inhibits cellular messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) processing and export, down-regulating host gene expression and enhancing viral gene expression. We report in this paper the identification of a nontoxic quinoline carboxylic acid that reverts the inhibition of mRNA nuclear export by NS1, in the absence or presence of the virus. This quinoline carboxylic acid directly inhibited dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a host enzyme required for de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, and partially reduced pyrimidine levels. This effect induced NXF1 expression, which promoted mRNA nuclear export in the presence of NS1. The release of NS1-mediated mRNA export block by DHODH inhibition also occurred in the presence of vesicular stomatitis virus M (matrix) protein, another viral inhibitor of mRNA export. This reversal of mRNA export block allowed expression of antiviral factors. Thus, pyrimidines play a necessary role in the inhibition of mRNA nuclear export by virulence factors. PMID:22312003

A potential role for endogenous proteins as sacrificial sunscreens and antioxidants in human tissues.

PubMed

Hibbert, Sarah A; Watson, Rachel E B; Gibbs, Neil K; Costello, Patrick; Baldock, Clair; Weiss, Anthony S; Griffiths, Christopher E M; Sherratt, Michael J

2015-08-01

Excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure of the skin is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Although both exogenous sunscreens and endogenous tissue components (including melanins and tryptophan-derived compounds) reduce UVR penetration, the role of endogenous proteins in absorbing environmental UV wavelengths is poorly defined. Having previously demonstrated that proteins which are rich in UVR-absorbing amino acid residues are readily degraded by broadband UVB-radiation (containing UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths) here we hypothesised that UV chromophore (Cys, Trp and Tyr) content can predict the susceptibility of structural proteins in skin and the eye to damage by physiologically relevant doses (up to 15.4 J/cm(2)) of solar UVR (95% UVA, 5% UVB). We show that: i) purified suspensions of UV-chromophore-rich fibronectin dimers, fibrillin microfibrils and β- and γ-lens crystallins undergo solar simulated radiation (SSR)-induced aggregation and/or decomposition and ii) exposure to identical doses of SSR has minimal effect on the size or ultrastructure of UV chromophore-poor tropoelastin, collagen I, collagen VI microfibrils and α-crystallin. If UV chromophore content is a factor in determining protein stability in vivo, we would expect that the tissue distribution of Cys, Trp and Tyr-rich proteins would correlate with regional UVR exposure. From bioinformatic analysis of 244 key structural proteins we identified several biochemically distinct, yet UV chromophore-rich, protein families. The majority of these putative UV-absorbing proteins (including the late cornified envelope proteins, keratin associated proteins, elastic fibre-associated components and β- and γ-crystallins) are localised and/or particularly abundant in tissues that are exposed to the highest doses of environmental UVR, specifically the stratum corneum, hair, papillary dermis and lens. We therefore propose that UV chromophore-rich proteins are localised in regions of high UVR exposure as a consequence of an evolutionary pressure to express sacrificial protein sunscreens which reduce UVR penetration and hence mitigate tissue damage. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A potential role for endogenous proteins as sacrificial sunscreens and antioxidants in human tissues

PubMed Central

Hibbert, Sarah A.; Watson, Rachel E.B.; Gibbs, Neil K.; Costello, Patrick; Baldock, Clair; Weiss, Anthony S.; Griffiths, Christopher E.M.; Sherratt, Michael J.

2015-01-01

Excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure of the skin is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Although both exogenous sunscreens and endogenous tissue components (including melanins and tryptophan-derived compounds) reduce UVR penetration, the role of endogenous proteins in absorbing environmental UV wavelengths is poorly defined. Having previously demonstrated that proteins which are rich in UVR-absorbing amino acid residues are readily degraded by broadband UVB-radiation (containing UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths) here we hypothesised that UV chromophore (Cys, Trp and Tyr) content can predict the susceptibility of structural proteins in skin and the eye to damage by physiologically relevant doses (up to 15.4 J/cm2) of solar UVR (95% UVA, 5% UVB). We show that: i) purified suspensions of UV-chromophore-rich fibronectin dimers, fibrillin microfibrils and β- and γ-lens crystallins undergo solar simulated radiation (SSR)-induced aggregation and/or decomposition and ii) exposure to identical doses of SSR has minimal effect on the size or ultrastructure of UV chromophore-poor tropoelastin, collagen I, collagen VI microfibrils and α-crystallin. If UV chromophore content is a factor in determining protein stability in vivo, we would expect that the tissue distribution of Cys, Trp and Tyr-rich proteins would correlate with regional UVR exposure. From bioinformatic analysis of 244 key structural proteins we identified several biochemically distinct, yet UV chromophore-rich, protein families. The majority of these putative UV-absorbing proteins (including the late cornified envelope proteins, keratin associated proteins, elastic fibre-associated components and β- and γ-crystallins) are localised and/or particularly abundant in tissues that are exposed to the highest doses of environmental UVR, specifically the stratum corneum, hair, papillary dermis and lens. We therefore propose that UV chromophore-rich proteins are localised in regions of high UVR exposure as a consequence of an evolutionary pressure to express sacrificial protein sunscreens which reduce UVR penetration and hence mitigate tissue damage. PMID:25911998

Radiation-induced tetramer-to-dimer transition of Escherichia coli lactose repressor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goffinont, S.; Davidkova, M.; Spotheim-Maurizot, M., E-mail: spotheim@cnrs-orleans.fr

2009-08-21

The wild type lactose repressor of Escherichia coli is a tetrameric protein formed by two identical dimers. They are associated via a C-terminal 4-helix bundle (called tetramerization domain) whose stability is ensured by the interaction of leucine zipper motifs. Upon in vitro {gamma}-irradiation the repressor losses its ability to bind the operator DNA sequence due to damage of its DNA-binding domains. Using an engineered dimeric repressor for comparison, we show here that irradiation induces also the change of repressor oligomerisation state from tetramer to dimer. The splitting of the tetramer into dimers can result from the oxidation of the leucinemore » residues of the tetramerization domain.« less

The UV-B Photoreceptor UVR8: From Structure to Physiology

PubMed Central

Jenkins, Gareth I.

2014-01-01

Low doses of UV-B light (280 to 315 nm) elicit photomorphogenic responses in plants that modify biochemical composition, photosynthetic competence, morphogenesis, and defense. UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) mediates photomorphogenic responses to UV-B by regulating transcription of a set of target genes. UVR8 differs from other known photoreceptors in that it uses specific Trp amino acids instead of a prosthetic chromophore for light absorption during UV-B photoreception. Absorption of UV-B dissociates the UVR8 dimer into monomers, initiating signal transduction through interaction with CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1. However, much remains to be learned about the physiological role of UVR8 and its interaction with other signaling pathways, the molecular mechanism of UVR8 photoreception, how the UVR8 protein initiates signaling, how it is regulated, and how UVR8 regulates transcription of its target genes. PMID:24481075

A difference in the pattern of repair in a large genomic region in UV-irradiated normal human and Cockayne syndrome cells.

PubMed

Shanower, G A; Kantor, G J

1997-11-01

Xeroderma pigmentosum group C cells repair DNA damaged by ultraviolet radiation in an unusual pattern throughout the genome. They remove cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers only from the DNA of transcriptionally active chromatin regions and only from the strand that contains the transcribed strand. The repair proceeds in a manner that creates damage-free islands which are in some cases much larger than the active gene associated with them. For example, the small transcriptionally active beta-actin gene (3.5 kb) is repaired as part of a 50 kb single-stranded region. The repair responsible for creating these islands requires active transcription, suggesting that the two activities are coupled. A preferential repair pathway in normal human cells promotes repair of actively transcribed DNA strands and is coupled to transcription. It is not known if similar large islands, referred to as repair domains, are preferentially created as a result of the coupling. Data are presented showing that in normal cells, preferential repair in the beta-actin region is associated with the creation of a large, completely repaired region in the partially repaired genome. Repair at other genomic locations which contain inactive genes (insulin, 754) does not create similar large regions as quickly. In contrast, repair in Cockayne syndrome cells, which are defective in the preferential repair pathway but not in genome-overall repair, proceeds in the beta-actin region by a mechanism which does not create preferentially a large repaired region. Thus a correlation between the activity required to preferentially repair active genes and that required to create repaired domains is detected. We propose an involvement of the transcription-repair coupling factor in a coordinated repair pathway for removing DNA damage from entire transcription units.

Hypochlorite-induced damage to DNA, RNA, and polynucleotides: formation of chloramines and nitrogen-centered radicals.

PubMed

Hawkins, Clare L; Davies, Michael J

2002-01-01

Stimulated monocytes and neutrophils generate hypochlorite (HOCl) via the release of the enzyme myeloperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide. HOCl is a key bactericidal agent, but can also damage host tissue. As there is a strong link between chronic inflammation and some cancers, we have investigated HOCl damage to DNA, RNA, and polynucleotides. Reaction of HOCl with these materials is shown to yield multiple semistable chloramines (RNHCl/RR'NCl), which are the major initial products, and account for 50-95% of the added HOCl. These chloramines decay by thermal and metal-ion catalyzed processes, to give nucleoside-derived, nitrogen-centered, radicals. The latter have been characterized by EPR spin trapping. The propensity for radical formation with polynucleotides is cytidine > adenosine = guanosine > uridine = thymidine. The rates of decay, and yield of radicals formed, are dependent on the nature of the nucleobase on which they are formed, with chloramines formed from ring heterocyclic amine groups being less stable than those formed on exocyclic amines (RNH2 groups). Evidence is presented for chlorine transfer from the former, kinetically favored, sites to the more thermodynamically favored exocyclic amines. EPR experiments have also provided evidence for the rapid addition of pyrimidine-derived nitrogen-centered radicals to other nucleobases to give dimers and the oxidation of DNA by radicals derived from preformed nucleoside chloramines. Direct reaction of HOCl with plasmid DNA gives rise to single- and double-strand breaks via chloramine-mediated reactions. Preformed nucleoside chloramines also induce plasmid cleavage, though this only occurs to a significant extent with unstable thymidine- and uridine-derived chloramines, where radical formation is rapid. Overall the data rationalize the preferential formation of chlorinated 2'-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxyadenosine in DNA and suggest that DNA damage induced by HOCl, and preformed chloramines, occurs at sequence-specific sites.

Enzymatic recognition of DNA damage induced by UVB-photosensitized titanium dioxide and biological consequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: evidence for oxidatively DNA damage generation.

PubMed

Pinto, A Viviana; Deodato, Elder L; Cardoso, Janine S; Oliveira, Eliza F; Machado, Sérgio L; Toma, Helena K; Leitão, Alvaro C; de Pádula, Marcelo

2010-06-01

Although titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) has been considered to be biologically inert, finding use in cosmetics, paints and food colorants, recent reports have demonstrated that when TiO(2) is attained by UVA radiation oxidative genotoxic and cytotoxic effects are observed in living cells. However, data concerning TiO(2)-UVB association is poor, even if UVB radiation represents a major environmental carcinogen. Herein, we investigated DNA damage, repair and mutagenesis induced by TiO(2) associated with UVB irradiation in vitro and in vivo using Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. It was found that TiO(2) plus UVB treatment in plasmid pUC18 generated, in addition to cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), specific damage to guanine residues, such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) and 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyG), which are characteristic oxidatively generated lesions. In vivo experiments showed that, although the presence of TiO(2) protects yeast cells from UVB cytotoxicity, high mutation frequencies are observed in the wild-type (WT) and in an ogg1 strain (deficient in 8-oxoG and FapyG repair). Indeed, after TiO(2) plus UVB treatment, induced mutagenesis was drastically enhanced in ogg1 cells, indicating that mutagenic DNA lesions are repaired by the Ogg1 protein. This effect could be attenuated by the presence of metallic ion chelators: neocuproine or dipyridyl, which partially block oxidatively generated damage occurring via Fenton reactions. Altogether, the results indicate that TiO(2) plus UVB potentates UVB oxidatively generated damage to DNA, possibly via Fenton reactions involving the production of DNA base damage, such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clay catalysis of oligonucleotide formation: kinetics of the reaction of the 5'-phosphorimidazolides of nucleotides with the non-basic heterocycles uracil and hypoxanthine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kawamura, K.; Ferris, J. P.

1999-01-01

The montmorillonite clay catalyzed condensation of activated monocleotides to oligomers of RNA is a possible first step in the formation of the proposed RNA world. The rate constants for the condensation of the phosphorimidazolide of adenosine were measured previously and these studies have been extended to the phosphorimidazolides of inosine and uridine in the present work to determine of substitution of neutral heterocycles for the basic adenine ring changes the reaction rate or regioselectivity. The oligomerization reactions of the 5'-phosphoromidazolides of uridine (ImpU) and inosine (ImpI) on montmorillonite yield oligo(U)s and oligo(I)s as long as heptamers. The rate constants for oligonucleotide formation were determined by measuring the rates of formation of the oligomers by HPLC. Both the apparent rate constants in the reaction mixture and the rate constants on the clay surface were calculated using the partition coefficients of the oligomers between the aqueous and clay phases. The rate constants for trimer formation are much greater than those dimer synthesis but there was little difference in the rate constants for the formation of trimers and higher oligomers. The overall rates of oligomerization of the phosphorimidazolides of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides in the presence of montmorillonite clay are the same suggesting that RNA formed on the primitive Earth could have contained a variety of heterocyclic bases. The rate constants for oligomerization of pyrimidine nucleotides on the clay surface are significantly higher than those of purine nucleotides since the pyrimidine nucleotides bind less strongly to the clay than do the purine nucleotides. The differences in the binding is probably due to Van der Waals interactions between the purine bases and the clay surface. Differences in the basicity of the heterocyclic ring in the nucleotide have little effect on the oligomerization process.

Effect of core twisting on self-assembly and optical properties of perylene bisimide dyes in solution and columnar liquid crystalline phases.

PubMed

Chen, Zhijian; Baumeister, Ute; Tschierske, Carsten; Würthner, Frank

2007-01-01

A series of highly soluble and fluorescent core-twisted perylene bisimide dyes (PBIs) 3 a-f with different substituents at the bay area (1,6,7,12 positions of the perylene core) were synthesized and fully characterized by (1)H NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The pi-pi aggregation properties of these new functional dyes were investigated in detail both in solution and in condensed phase by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction. Concentration-dependent UV/Vis measurements and VPO analysis revealed that these core-twisted pi-conjugated systems show distinct self-dimerization equilibria in apolar solvent methylcyclohexane (MCH) with dimerization constants between 1.3x10(4) and 30 M(-1). The photoluminescence spectra of the dimers of PBIs 3 a-f exhibit bathochromic shifts of quite different magnitude which could be attributed to different longitudinal or rotational offsets between the dyes as well as differences in the respective pi-pi stacking distance. In condensed state, quite a few of these PBIs form luminescent rectangular or hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phases with low isotropization temperatures. The effects of the distortion of the pi systems on their pi-pi stacking and the optical properties of the resultant stacks in solution and in LC phases have been explored in detail. In one case (3 a) a particularly interesting phase change from crystalline into liquid crystalline could be observed upon annealing that was accompanied by a transformation from non-fluorescent H-type into strongly fluorescent J-type packing of the dyes.

The Surface UV Environment on Planets Orbiting M Dwarfs: Implications for Prebiotic Chemistry and the Need for Experimental Follow-up

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranjan, Sukrit; Wordsworth, Robin; Sasselov, Dimitar D.

2017-07-01

Potentially habitable planets orbiting M dwarfs are of intense astrobiological interest because they are the only rocky worlds accessible to biosignature search over the next 10+ years because of a confluence of observational effects. Simultaneously, recent experimental and theoretical work suggests that UV light may have played a key role in the origin of life on Earth, especially the origin of RNA. Characterizing the UV environment on M-dwarf planets is important for understanding whether life as we know it could emerge on such worlds. In this work, we couple radiative transfer models to observed M-dwarf spectra to determine the UV environment on prebiotic Earth-analog planets orbiting M dwarfs. We calculate dose rates to quantify the impact of different host stars on prebiotically important photoprocesses. We find that M-dwarf planets have access to 100–1000 times less bioactive UV fluence than the young Earth. It is unclear whether UV-sensitive prebiotic chemistry that may have been important to abiogenesis, such as the only known prebiotically plausible pathways for pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis, could function on M-dwarf planets. This uncertainty affects objects like the recently discovered habitable-zone planets orbiting Proxima Centauri, TRAPPIST-1, and LHS 1140. Laboratory studies of the sensitivity of putative prebiotic pathways to irradiation level are required to resolve this uncertainty. If steady-state M-dwarf UV output is insufficient to power these pathways, transient elevated UV irradiation due to flares may suffice; laboratory studies can constrain this possibility as well.

Base Pair Opening in a Deoxynucleotide Duplex Containing a cis-syn Thymine Cyclobutane Dimer Lesion

PubMed Central

Wenke, Belinda B.; Huiting, Leah N.; Frankel, Elisa B.; Lane, Benjamin F.; Núñez, Megan E.

2014-01-01

The cis-syn thymine cyclobutane dimer is a DNA photoproduct implicated in skin cancer. We compared the stability of individual base pairs in thymine dimer-containing duplexes to undamaged parent 10-mer duplexes. UV melting thermodynamic measurements, CD spectroscopy, and 2D NOESY NMR spectroscopy confirm that the thymine dimer lesion is locally and moderately destabilizing within an overall B-form duplex conformation. We measured the rates of exchange of individual imino protons by NMR using magnetization transfer from water and determined the equilibrium constant for the opening of each base pair Kop. In the normal duplex Kop decreases from the frayed ends of the duplex toward the center, such that the central TA pair is the most stable with a Kop of 8×10−7. In contrast, base pair opening at the 5’T of the thymine dimer is facile. The 5’T of the dimer has the largest equilibrium constant (Kop =3×10−4) in its duplex, considerably larger than even the frayed penultimate base pairs. Notably, base pairing by the 3’T of the dimer is much more stable than by the 5’T, indicating that the predominant opening mechanism for the thymine dimer lesion is not likely to be flipping out into solution as a single unit. The dimer asymmetrically affects the stability of the duplex in its vicinity, destabilizing base pairing on its 5’ side more than on the 3’ side. The striking differences in base pair opening between parent and dimer duplexes occur independently of the duplex-single strand melting transitions. PMID:24328089

Preferential recognition of undisruptable dimers of inducible nitric oxide synthase by a monoclonal antibody directed against an N-terminal epitope.

PubMed

Mazumdar, Tuhina; Eissa, N Tony

2005-02-15

Overproduction of NO by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. iNOS is active only as a homodimer in which the subunits align in a head-to-head manner, with the N-terminal oxygenase domains forming the dimer interface and a zinc metal center stabilizing the dimer. Thus, dimerization represents a critical locus for therapeutic interventions for regulation of NO synthesis. We have recently shown that intracellular iNOS forms dimers that are "undisruptable (UD)" by heat, SDS, strong denaturants, and/or reducing agents. Our data further suggest that the zinc metal center plays a role in forming and/or stabilizing iNOS undisruptable dimers (UD-dimers). In this study, we show that a mAb directed against a unique epitope at the oxygenase domain of human iNOS preferentially recognizes UD-dimers. This observation has implications for the mechanism of formation and regulation of dimer formation of iNOS. Our data suggest that UD-dimers of iNOS, in spite of SDS-PAGE denaturation, still maintain features of the quaternary structure of iNOS particularly at its N-terminal end and including head-to-head contact of the oxygenase domains.

Clustered DNA damages induced by high and low LET radiation, including heavy ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutherland, B. M.; Bennett, P. V.; Schenk, H.; Sidorkina, O.; Laval, J.; Trunk, J.; Monteleone, D.; Sutherland, J.; Lowenstein, D. I. (Principal Investigator)

2001-01-01

Clustered DNA damages--here defined as two or more lesions (strand breaks, oxidized purines, oxidized pyrimidines or abasic sites) within a few helical turns--have been postulated as difficult to repair accurately, and thus highly significant biological lesions. Further, attempted repair of clusters may produce double strand breaks (DSBs). However, until recently, there was no way to measure ionizing radiation-induced clustered damages, except DSB. We recently described an approach for measuring classes of clustered damages (oxidized purine clusters, oxidized pyrimidine clusters, abasic clusters, along with DSB). We showed that ionizing radiation (gamma rays and Fe ions, 1 GeV/amu) does induce such clusters in genomic DNA in solution and in human cells. These studies also showed that each damage cluster results from one radiation hit (and its track), thus indicating that they can be induced by very low doses of radiation, i.e. two independent hits are not required for cluster induction. Further, among all complex damages, double strand breaks comprise--at most-- 20%, with the other clustered damages being at least 80%.

Vibrationally induced flip motion of a hydroxyl dimer on Cu(110)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ootsuka, Yasuhiro; Frederiksen, Thomas; Ueba, Hiromu; Paulsson, Magnus

2011-11-01

Recent low-temperature scanning-tunneling microscopy experiments [T. Kumagai , Phys. Rev. BPLRBAQ0556-280510.1103/PhysRevB.79.035423 79, 035423 (2009)] observed the vibrationally induced flip motion of a hydroxyl dimer (OD)2 on Cu(110). We propose a model to describe two-level fluctuations and current-voltage characteristics of nanoscale systems that undergo vibrationally induced switching. The parameters of the model are based on comprehensive density functional calculations of the system’s vibrational properties. For the dimer (OD)2, the calculated population of the high- and low-conductance states, the I-V, dI/dV, and d2I/dV2 curves are in good agreement with the experimental results and underline the different roles played by the free and shared OD stretch modes of the dimer.

Differential cross sections for electron-impact excitation of the electronic states of pyrimidine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunger, Michael; Jones, Darryl; Bellm, Susan

2012-06-01

Pyrimidine (C4N2H4) is an important molecule, as it forms the basis of larger biomolecules, such as the DNA bases thymine, cytosine and uracil. There is a pressing demand for low-energy electron scattering data from such biological analogs in order to model radiation induced damage [1]. We therefore present the first measurements for absolute differential cross section data for low-energy electron-impact excitation of the electronic states of pyrimidine. The present measurements were performed using a crossed-beam apparatus [2] for incident electron energies ranging between 15 to 50eV while covering a 10 to 90^o angular range. Here the absolute scale has been determined through a normalisation to the recently measured elastic scattering differential cross section data for pyrimidine [3]. [1] F. Ferreira da Silva, D. Almeida, G. Martins, A. R. Milosavljevic, B. P. Marinkovic, S. V. Hoffmann, N. J. Mason, Y. Nunes, G. Garcia and P. Limao-Vieira, Phys Chem Chem Phys 12, 6717 (2010). [2] M. J. Brunger and P. J. O. Teubner, Phys Rev A 41, 1413 (1990). [3] P. Palihawadana, J. Sullivan, M. Brunger, C. Winstead, V. McKoy, G. Garcia, F. Blanco and S. Buckman, Phys Rev A 84, 062702 (2011).

Structural studies on bioactive compounds. Part 29: palladium catalysed arylations and alkynylations of sterically hindered immunomodulatory 2-amino-5-halo-4,6-(disubstituted)pyrimidines.

PubMed

Hannah, D R; Sherer, E C; Davies, R V; Titman, R B; Laughton, C A; Stevens, M F

2000-04-01

The immunological agent bropirimine 5 is a tetra-substituted pyrimidine with anticancer and interferon-inducing properties. Synthetic routes to novel 5-aryl analogues of bropirimine have been developed and their potential molecular recognition properties analysed by molecular modelling methods. Sterically challenged 2-amino-5-halo-6-phenylpyrimidin-4-ones (halo = Br or I) are poor substrates for palladium catalysed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions with benzeneboronic acid because the basic conditions of the reaction converts the amphoteric pyrimidinones to their unreactive enolic forms. Palladium-mediated reductive dehalogenation of the pyrimidinone substrates effectively competes with cross-coupling. 2-Amino-5-halo-4-methoxy-6-phenylpyrimidines can be converted to a range of 5-aryl derivatives with the 5-iodopyrimidines being the most efficient substrates. Hydrolysis of the 2-amino-5-aryl-4-methoxy-6-phenylpyrimidines affords the required pyrimidin-4-ones in high yields. Semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations show how the nature of the 5-substituent influences the equilibrium between the 1H- and 3H-tautomeric forms, and the rotational freedom about the bond connecting the 6-phenyl group and the pyrimidine ring. Both of these factors may influence the biological properties of these compounds.

Different Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Receptor Ligands Show Distinct Kinetics and Biased or Partial Agonism for Homodimer and Heterodimer Formation*

PubMed Central

Macdonald-Obermann, Jennifer L.; Pike, Linda J.

2014-01-01

The EGF receptor has seven different cognate ligands. Previous work has shown that these different ligands are capable of inducing different biological effects, even in the same cell. To begin to understand the molecular basis for this variation, we used luciferase fragment complementation to measure ligand-induced dimer formation and radioligand binding to study the effect of the ligands on subunit-subunit interactions in EGF receptor (EGFR) homodimers and EGFR/ErbB2 heterodimers. In luciferase fragment complementation imaging studies, amphiregulin (AREG) functioned as a partial agonist, inducing only about half as much total dimerization as the other three ligands. However, unlike the other ligands, AREG showed biphasic kinetics for dimer formation, suggesting that its path for EGF receptor activation involves binding to both monomers and preformed dimers. EGF, TGFα, and betacellulin (BTC) appear to mainly stimulate receptor activation through binding to and dimerization of receptor monomers. In radioligand binding assays, EGF and TGFα exhibited increased affinity for EGFR/ErbB2 heterodimers compared with EGFR homodimers. By contrast, BTC and AREG showed a similar affinity for both dimers. Thus, EGF and TGFα are biased agonists, whereas BTC and AREG are balanced agonists with respect to selectivity of dimer formation. These data suggest that the differences in biological response to different EGF receptor ligands may result from partial agonism for dimer formation, differences in the kinetic pathway utilized to generate activated receptor dimers, and biases in the formation of heterodimers versus homodimers. PMID:25086039

Characterization of a Human Skin Equivalent Model to Study the Effects of Ultraviolet B Radiation on Keratinocytes

PubMed Central

Van Lonkhuyzen, Derek R.; Dawson, Rebecca A.; Kimlin, Michael G.; Upton, Zee

2014-01-01

The incidences of skin cancers resulting from chronic ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure are on the incline in both Australia and globally. Hence, the cellular and molecular pathways that are associated with UVR-induced photocarcinogenesis need to be urgently elucidated, in order to develop more robust preventative and treatment strategies against skin cancers. In vitro investigations into the effects of UVR (in particular, the highly mutagenic UVB wavelength) have, to date, mainly involved the use of cell culture and animal models. However, these models possess biological disparities to native skin, which, to some extent, have limited their relevance to the in vivo situation. To address this, we characterized a three-dimensional, tissue-engineered human skin equivalent (HSE) model (consisting of primary human keratinocytes cultured on a dermal-derived scaffold) as a representation of a more physiologically relevant platform to study keratinocyte responses to UVB. Significantly, we demonstrate that this model retains several important epidermal properties of native skin. Moreover, UVB irradiation of the HSE constructs was shown to induce key markers of photodamage in the HSE keratinocytes, including the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, the activation of apoptotic pathways, the accumulation of p53, and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, we also demonstrate that the UVB-exposed HSE constructs retain the capacity for epidermal repair and regeneration after photodamage. Together, our results demonstrate the potential of this skin equivalent model as a tool to study various aspects of the acute responses of human keratinocytes to UVB radiation damage. PMID:24219750

Cyclic guanidines: synthesis and antiplatelet activity of 4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-7-ones and 1,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydropyrazolo [3',4':4,5]pyrimido[2,1-c] [1,2,4]triazin-7-ones.

PubMed

Ferroni, R; Simoni, D; Orlandini, P; Bardi, A; Franze, G P; Guarneri, M

1990-12-01

A series of 4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidin-7-ones (1b-n) and 1,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydropyrazolo [3',4':4,5]pyrimido [2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-7-ones (2a-d) has been synthesized. In view of their potential anti-aggregating activity the compounds were tested in vitro for inhibitory activity towards ADP- and collagen-induced aggregation of human platelets. Among the compounds studied, 8-benzyl-1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo [1,2-a]pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-7-one (1n) exhibited the most favorable activity. The 2,5-dichlorophenyl side chain is an important lipophilic and/or steric pharmacophore.

Uridine 5'-Monophosphate Synthase Is Transcriptionally Regulated by Pyrimidine Levels in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia

PubMed

Santoso; Thornburg

1998-02-01

To understand the regulation and expression of pyrimidine biosynthesis in plants, we have examined the effect of the metabolic inhibitor 5-fluoroorotic acid (FOA) on uridine-5'-monophosphate synthase (UMPSase) expression in cell cultures of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. UMPSase is the rate-limiting step of pyrimidine biosynthesis in plants. Addition of FOA causes an up-regulation of UMPSase enzyme activity in cell cultures after a lag phase of several days. Western-blot analysis demonstrated that the up-regulation in enzyme activity was caused by increased expression of the UMPSase protein. Northern-blot analysis demonstrated a higher level of UMPSase mRNA in the FOA-induced tissues than in control tissues. Run-on transcriptional assays showed that the UMPSase gene was transcriptionally activated after FOA treatment. The mechanism of toxicity of FOA is through thymine starvation. We found that addition of thymine abrogated the FOA-mediated up-regulation of UMPSase. In addition, methotrexate and aminopterin, which affect thymine levels by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, also up-regulate UMPSase in N. plumbaginifolia cells.

A novel pyrimidine derivative as a fluorescent chemosensor for highly selective detection of Aluminum (III) in aqueous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suryawanshi, Vishwas D.; Gore, Anil H.; Dongare, Pravin R.; Anbhule, Prashant V.; Patil, Shivajirao R.; Kolekar, Govind B.

2013-10-01

An efficient fluorescent chemosensor Al3+ receptor based on pyrimidine derivative,2-amino-6-hydroxy-4-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (DMAB), has been synthesized by three-component condensation of aromatic aldehyde, ethyl cyanoacetate and guanidine hydrochloride in ethanol under alkaline medium. High selectivity and sensitivity of DMAB towards Aluminum ion (Al3+) in water: ethanol and acetate buffer at pH 4.0 makes it suitable to detect Al3+ with steady-state UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Method shows good selectivity towards Al3+ over other coexisting metal ions tested, viz. Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Pb2+, Sb3+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Hg2+, Ba2+, Cd2+ and K+. A good linearity between the Stern-Volmer plots of F0/F versus concentration of Al3+ was observed over the range from 10 to 60 μg mL-1 with correlation coefficient of 0.991. The accuracy and reliability of the method were further confirmed by recovery studies via standard addition method with percent recoveries in the range of 101.03-103.44% and lowest detection limit (LOD = 7.35 μg mL-1) for Al3+ was established. This method may offer a new cost-effective, rapid, and simple key to the inspection of Al3+ ions in water samples in the presence of a complex matrix and can be capable of evaluating the exceeding standard of Al3+ in environmental water samples. The probable mechanism for fluorescence quenching was also discussed.

Interactions of 1,12-diamino-4,9-dioxadodecane (OSpm) and Cu(II) ions with pyrimidine and purine nucleotides: adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP) and cytidine-5'-monophosphate (CMP).

PubMed

Lomozik, L; Gasowska, A; Krzysko, G

2006-11-01

The interactions of Cu(II) ions with adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP), cytidine-5'-monophosphate (CMP) and 1,12-diamino-4,9-dioxadodecane (OSpm) were studied. A potentiometric method was applied to determine the composition and stability constants of complexes formed, while the mode of interactions was analysed by spectral methods (ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), (13)C NMR, (31)P NMR). In metal-free systems, molecular complexes nucleotide-polyamine (NMP)H(x)(OSpm) were formed. The endocyclic nitrogen atoms of the purine ring N(1), N(7), the nitrogen atom of the pyrimidine ring N(3), the oxygen atoms of the phosphate group of the nucleotide and the protonated nitrogen atoms of the polyamine were the reaction centres. The mode of interaction of the metal ion with OSpm and the nucleotides (AMP or CMP) in the coordination compounds was established. In the system Cu(II)/OSpm the dinuclear complex Cu(2)(OSpm) forms, while in the ternary systems Cu(II)/nucleotide/OSpm the species type MH(x)LL' and MLL' appear. In the MH(x)LL' type species, the main centres of copper (II) ion binding in the nucleotide are the phosphate groups. The protonated amino groups of OSpm are involved in non-covalent interaction with the nitrogen atoms N(1), N(7) or N(3) of the purine or pyrimidine ring, whereas at higher pH, deprotonated nitrogen atoms of polyamine are engaged in metallation in MLL' species.

The Formation of Nucleobases from the Irradiation of Purine in Astophysical Ices and Comparisons with Meteorites.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandford, S. A.; Materese, C. K.; Nuevo, M.

2016-01-01

N-heterocycles have been identified in meteorites and their extraterrestrial origins are suggested by isotopic ratio measurements. Although small N- heterocycles have not been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM), recent experiments in our lab have shown that the irradiation of the aromatic molecules like benzene (C6H6) and naphthalene (C10H8) in mixed molecular ices leads to the formation of O- and N-heterocyclic molecules. Among the class of N-heterocycles are the nucleobases, which are of astrobiological interest because they are the information bearing units of DNA and RNA. Nucleobases have been detected in meteorites [3-5], with isotopic signatures that are also consistent with an extraterrestrial origin. Three of the biologically relevant nucleobases (uracil, cytosine, and guanine) have a pyrimidine core structure while the remaining two (adenine and guanine) possess a purine core. Previous experiments in our lab have demonstrated that all of the bio-logical nucleobases (and numerous other molecules) with a pyrimidine core structure can be produced by irradiating pyrimidine in mixed molecular ices of several compositions [6-8]. In this work, we study the formation of purine-based molecules, including the nucleobases adenine, and guanine, from the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of purine in ices consisting mixtures of H2O and NH3 at low temperature. The experiments are designed to simulate the astrophysical conditions under which these species may be formed in dense molecular clouds, protoplanetary disks, or on the surfaces of icy bodies in planetary systems.

Infiltrated Zinc Oxide in Poly(methyl methacrylate): An Atomic Cycle Growth Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ocola, Leonidas E.; Connolly, Aine; Gosztola, David J.

We have investigated the growth of zinc oxide in a polymer matrix by sequential infiltration synthesis (SiS). The atomic cycle-by-cycle self-terminating reaction growth investigation was done using photoluminescence (PL), Raman, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). Results show clear differences between Zn atom configurations at the initial stages of growth. Mono Zn atoms (O-Zn and O-Zn-O) exhibit pure UV emission with little evidence of deep level oxygen vacancy states (VO). Dimer Zn atoms (O-Zn-O-Zn and O-Zn-O-Zn-O) show strong UV and visible PL emission from VO states 20 times greater than that from the mono Zn atom configuration. After three precursor cycles,more » the PL emission intensity drops significantly exhibiting first evidence of crystal formation as observed with Raman spectroscopy via the presence of longitudinal optical phonons. We also report a first confirmation of energy transfer between polymer and ZnO where the polymer absorbs light at 241 nm and emits at 360 nm, which coincides with the ZnO UV emission peak. Our work shows that ZnO dimers are unique ZnO configurations with high PL intensity, unique O1s oxidation states, and sub-10 ps absorption and decay, which are interesting properties for novel quantum material applications.« less

Tolbutamide attenuates diazoxide-induced aggravation of hypoxic cell injury.

PubMed

Pissarek, M; Reichelt, C; Krauss, G J; Illes, P

1998-11-23

ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channels of neurons are closed in the presence of physiological levels of intracellular ATP and open when ATP is depleted during hypoxia or metabolic damage. The present study investigates hypoxic alterations of purine and pyrimidine nucleotide levels supposed to intracellularly modulate KATP channels. In addition, the effects of the KATP channel activator diazoxide and its antagonist tolbutamide were investigated on ATP, GTP, CTP and UTP levels in slices of the parietal cortex. Hypoxia was evoked by saturation of the medium with 95% N2-5% CO2 instead of 95% O2-5% CO2 for 5 min. Nucleotide contents were measured by anion-exchange HPLC in neutralized perchloric acid extracts obtained from slices frozen immediately at the end of incubation. Hypoxia per se decreased purine and pyrimidine nucleoside triphosphate contents. Thus, ATP and GTP contents were reduced to 69.9 and 77.6% of the respective normoxic levels. UTP and CTP contents were even more decreased (to 60.9 and 41.6%),, probably because the salvage pathway of these pyrimidine nucleotides is less effective than that of the purine nucleotides ATP and GTP. While tolbutamide (30 microM) had no effect on the hypoxia-induced decrease of nucleotides, diazoxide at 300, but not 30 microM aggravated the decline of ATP, UTP and CTP to 51.8, 37.5 and 28.5% of the contents observed at normoxia; GTP levels also showed a tendency to decrease after diazoxide application. Tolbutamide (300 microM) antagonized the effects of diazoxide (300 but not 30 microM aggravated the decline of ATP, UTP and CTP to 51.8, 37.5 and 28.5% of the contents observed at normoxia; GTP levels also showed a tendency to decrease after diazoxide application. Tolbutamide (300 microM) antagonized the effects of diazoxide (300 MicroM). Nucleoside diphosphate (ADP, GDP and UDP) levels were uniformly increased by hypoxia. There was no hypoxia-induced increase of ADP contents in the presence of tolbutamide (300 microM). The ATP/ADP, GTP/GDP and UTP/UDP ratios uniformly declined at a low pO2. However, only the ATP/ADP ratio was decreased further by diazoxide (300 microM). The observed alterations in nucleotide contents may be of importance for long- and short-term processes related to acute cerebral hypoxia. Thus, hypoxia-induced alterations of purine and pyrimidine nucleotide levels may influence the open state of KATP-channels during the period of reversible hypoxic cerebral injury. Furthermore, alterations during the irreversible period of cerebral injury may also arise, as a consequence of decreased pyrimidine nucleotide contents affecting cell survival viaprotein and DNA synthesis.

EGFR oligomerization organizes kinase-active dimers into competent signalling platforms

PubMed Central

Needham, Sarah R.; Roberts, Selene K.; Arkhipov, Anton; Mysore, Venkatesh P.; Tynan, Christopher J.; Zanetti-Domingues, Laura C.; Kim, Eric T.; Losasso, Valeria; Korovesis, Dimitrios; Hirsch, Michael; Rolfe, Daniel J.; Clarke, David T.; Winn, Martyn D.; Lajevardipour, Alireza; Clayton, Andrew H. A.; Pike, Linda J.; Perani, Michela; Parker, Peter J.; Shan, Yibing; Shaw, David E.; Martin-Fernandez, Marisa L.

2016-01-01

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling is activated by ligand-induced receptor dimerization. Notably, ligand binding also induces EGFR oligomerization, but the structures and functions of the oligomers are poorly understood. Here, we use fluorophore localization imaging with photobleaching to probe the structure of EGFR oligomers. We find that at physiological epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations, EGFR assembles into oligomers, as indicated by pairwise distances of receptor-bound fluorophore-conjugated EGF ligands. The pairwise ligand distances correspond well with the predictions of our structural model of the oligomers constructed from molecular dynamics simulations. The model suggests that oligomerization is mediated extracellularly by unoccupied ligand-binding sites and that oligomerization organizes kinase-active dimers in ways optimal for auto-phosphorylation in trans between neighbouring dimers. We argue that ligand-induced oligomerization is essential to the regulation of EGFR signalling. PMID:27796308

Evidence for involvement of the C-terminal domain in the dimerization of the CopY repressor protein from Enterococcus hirae

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pazehoski, Kristina O., E-mail: pazehosk@pitt.edu; Cobine, Paul A., E-mail: pac0006@auburn.edu; Winzor, Donald J.

2011-03-11

Research highlights: {yields} A metal-binding protein domain is directly involved in protein dimerization. {yields} Fusing the metal-binding domain to a monomeric protein induces dimerization. {yields} Frontal size-exclusion chromatography measures the strength of dimer interaction. {yields} Ultracentrifugation studies confirm the influence of metal binding on dimerization. -- Abstract: Metal binding to the C-terminal region of the copper-responsive repressor protein CopY is responsible for homodimerization and the regulation of the copper homeostasis pathway in Enterococcus hirae. Specific involvement of the 38 C-terminal residues of CopY in dimerization is indicated by zonal and frontal (large zone) size-exclusion chromatography studies. The studies demonstrate thatmore » the attachment of these CopY residues to the immunoglobulin-binding domain of streptococcal protein G (GB1) promotes dimerization of the monomeric protein. Although sensitivity of dimerization to removal of metal from the fusion protein is smaller than that found for CopY (as measured by ultracentrifugation studies), the demonstration that an unrelated protein (GB1) can be induced to dimerize by extending its sequence with the C-terminal portion of CopY confirms the involvement of this region in CopY homodimerization.« less

Absolute total and partial dissociative cross sections of pyrimidine at electron and proton intermediate impact velocities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wolff, Wania, E-mail: wania@if.ufrj.br; Luna, Hugo; Sigaud, Lucas

Absolute total non-dissociative and partial dissociative cross sections of pyrimidine were measured for electron impact energies ranging from 70 to 400 eV and for proton impact energies from 125 up to 2500 keV. MOs ionization induced by coulomb interaction were studied by measuring both ionization and partial dissociative cross sections through time of flight mass spectrometry and by obtaining the branching ratios for fragment formation via a model calculation based on the Born approximation. The partial yields and the absolute cross sections measured as a function of the energy combined with the model calculation proved to be a useful toolmore » to determine the vacancy population of the valence MOs from which several sets of fragment ions are produced. It was also a key point to distinguish the dissociation regimes induced by both particles. A comparison with previous experimental results is also presented.« less

Single-molecule photobleaching reveals increased MET receptor dimerization upon ligand binding in intact cells

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The human receptor tyrosine kinase MET and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor are essential during embryonic development and play an important role during cancer metastasis and tissue regeneration. In addition, it was found that MET is also relevant for infectious diseases and is the target of different bacteria, amongst them Listeria monocytogenes that induces bacterial uptake through the surface protein internalin B. Binding of ligand to the MET receptor is proposed to lead to receptor dimerization. However, it is also discussed whether preformed MET dimers exist on the cell membrane. Results To address these issues we used single-molecule fluorescence microscopy techniques. Our photobleaching experiments show that MET exists in dimers on the membrane of cells in the absence of ligand and that the proportion of MET dimers increases significantly upon ligand binding. Conclusions Our results indicate that partially preformed MET dimers may play a role in ligand binding or MET signaling. The addition of the bacterial ligand internalin B leads to an increase of MET dimers which is in agreement with the model of ligand-induced dimerization of receptor tyrosine kinases. PMID:23731667

The Surface UV Environment on Planets Orbiting M Dwarfs: Implications for Prebiotic Chemistry and the Need for Experimental Follow-up

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ranjan, Sukrit; Sasselov, Dimitar D.; Wordsworth, Robin, E-mail: sranjan@cfa.harvard.edu

Potentially habitable planets orbiting M dwarfs are of intense astrobiological interest because they are the only rocky worlds accessible to biosignature search over the next 10+ years because of a confluence of observational effects. Simultaneously, recent experimental and theoretical work suggests that UV light may have played a key role in the origin of life on Earth, especially the origin of RNA. Characterizing the UV environment on M-dwarf planets is important for understanding whether life as we know it could emerge on such worlds. In this work, we couple radiative transfer models to observed M-dwarf spectra to determine the UVmore » environment on prebiotic Earth-analog planets orbiting M dwarfs. We calculate dose rates to quantify the impact of different host stars on prebiotically important photoprocesses. We find that M-dwarf planets have access to 100–1000 times less bioactive UV fluence than the young Earth. It is unclear whether UV-sensitive prebiotic chemistry that may have been important to abiogenesis, such as the only known prebiotically plausible pathways for pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis, could function on M-dwarf planets. This uncertainty affects objects like the recently discovered habitable-zone planets orbiting Proxima Centauri, TRAPPIST-1, and LHS 1140. Laboratory studies of the sensitivity of putative prebiotic pathways to irradiation level are required to resolve this uncertainty. If steady-state M-dwarf UV output is insufficient to power these pathways, transient elevated UV irradiation due to flares may suffice; laboratory studies can constrain this possibility as well.« less

Metal membrane with dimer slots as a universal polarizer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhukovsky, Sergej; Zalkovskij, Maksim; Malureanu, Radu; Kremers, Christian; Chigrin, Dmitry; Tang, Peter T.; Jepsen, Peter U.; Lavrinenko, Andrei V.

2014-03-01

In this work, we show theoretically and confirm experimentally that thin metal membranes patterned with an array of slot dimers (or their Babinet analogue with metal rods) can function as a versatile spectral and polarization filter. We present a detailed covariant multipole theory for the electromagnetic response of an arbitrary dimer based on the Green functions approach. The theory confirms that a great variety of polarization properties, such as birefringence, chirality and elliptical dichroism, can be achieved in a metal layer with such slot-dimer patterning (i.e. in a metasurface). Optical properties of the metasurface can be extensively tuned by varying the geometry (shape and dimensions) of the dimer, for example, by adjusting the sizes and mutual placement of the slots (e.g. inter-slot distance and alignment angle). Three basic shapes of dimers are analyzed: II-shaped (parallel slots), V-shaped, and T-shaped. These particular shapes of dimers are found to be sensitive to variations of the slots lengths and orientation of elements. Theoretical results are well supported by full-wave three-dimensional simulations. Our findings were verified experimentally on the metal membranes fabricated using UV lithography with subsequent Ni growth. Such metasurfaces were characterized using time-domain THz spectroscopy. The samples exhibit pronounced optical activity (500 degrees per wavelength) and high transmission: even though the slots cover only 4.3 % of the total membrane area the amplitude transmission reaches 0.67 at the resonance frequency 0.56 THz.

Pulsed lasers versus continuous light sources in capillary electrophoresis and fluorescence detection studies: Photodegradation pathways and models.

PubMed

Boutonnet, Audrey; Morin, Arnaud; Petit, Pierre; Vicendo, Patricia; Poinsot, Véréna; Couderc, François

2016-03-17

Pulsed lasers are widely used in capillary electrophoresis (CE) studies to provide laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. Unfortunately pulsed lasers do not give linear calibration curves over a wide range of concentrations. While this does not prevent their use in CE/LIF studies, the non-linear behavior must be understood. Using 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) (10-5000 nM), Tamra (10-5000 nM) and tryptophan (1-200 μM) as dyes, we observe that continuous lasers and LEDs result in linear calibration curves, while pulsed lasers give polynomial ones. The effect is seen with both visible light (530 nm) and with UV light (355 nm, 266 nm). In this work we point out the formation of byproducts induced by pulsed laser upon irradiation of 7-HC. Their separation by CE using two Zeta LIF detectors clearly shows that this process is related to the first laser detection. All of these photodegradation products can be identified by an ESI-/MS investigation and correspond to at least two 7HC dimers. By using the photodegradation model proposed by Heywood and Farnsworth (2010) and by taking into account the 7-HC results and the fact that in our system we do not have a constant concentration of fluorophore, it is possible to propose a new photochemical model of fluorescence in LIF detection. The model, like the experiment, shows that it is difficult to obtain linear quantitation curves with pulsed lasers while UV-LEDs used in continuous mode have this advantage. They are a good alternative to UV pulsed lasers. An application involving the separation and linear quantification of oligosaccharides labeled with 2-aminobezoic acid is presented using HILIC and LED (365 nm) induced fluorescence. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dimerization-induced corepressor binding and relaxed DNA-binding specificity are critical for PML/RARA-induced immortalization

PubMed Central

Zhou, Jun; Pérès, Laurent; Honoré, Nicole; Nasr, Rihab; Zhu, Jun; de Thé, Hugues

2006-01-01

The pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia involves the transcriptional repression of master genes of myeloid differentiation by the promyelocytic leukemia–retinoic acid receptor α (PML/RARA) oncogene. PML-enforced RARA homodimerization allows the tighter binding of corepressors, silencing RARA target genes. In addition, homodimerization dramatically extends the spectrum of DNA-binding sites of the fusion protein compared with those of normal RARA. Yet, any contribution of these two properties of PML/RARA to differentiation arrest and immortalization of primary mouse hematopoietic progenitors was unknown. We demonstrate that dimerization-induced silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid receptors (SMRT)-enhanced binding and relaxed DNA-binding site specificity are both required for efficient immortalization. Thus, enforced RARA dimerization is critical not only for triggering transcriptional repression but also for extending the repertoire of target genes. Our studies exemplify how dimerization-induced gain of functions converts an unessential transcription factor into a dominant oncogenic protein. PMID:16757557

Protective Effect of Mangifera indica Linn., Cocos nucifera Linn., and Averrhoa carambola Linn. Extracts against Ultraviolet B-Induced Damage in Human Keratinocytes.

PubMed

Ronpirin, Chalinee; Pattarachotanant, Nattaporn; Tencomnao, Tewin

2016-01-01

This study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant activity of Mangifera indica Linn., Cocos nucifera Linn., and Averrhoa carambola Linn. and their biological effect on human keratinocytes affected by the ultraviolet B (UVB), a major cause of cell damage and skin cancer through induction of DNA damage, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis. The richest antioxidant activity was found in ethanol fraction of M. indica (21.32 ± 0.66 mg QE/g dry weight), while the lowest one was found in aqueous fractions of M. indica and C. nucifera (1.76 ± 2.10 and 1.65 ± 0.38 mg QE/g dry weight, respectively). Ethanol and aqueous fractions of A. carambola (250 µg/mL) significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells. The expression of cleaved caspase 3 in UVB-treated group was significantly greater than that in untreated group. Both fractions of A. carambola (50, 100, and 250 µg/mL) significantly decreased the expression of cleaved caspase 3. Regarding the induction of DNA repair, ethanol (100 and 250 µg/mL) and aqueous (50, 100 and 250 µg/mL) fractions of A. carambola significantly decreased the percentage of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD). Taken together, our results suggest that both fractions of A. carambola may be potentially developed for dermal applications.

Mechanism of RNA polymerase II bypass of oxidative cyclopurine DNA lesions

DOE PAGES

Walmacq, Celine; Wang, Lanfeng; Chong, Jenny; ...

2015-01-20

In human cells, the oxidative DNA lesion 8,5'-cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine (CydA) induces prolonged stalling of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) followed by transcriptional bypass, generating both error-free and mutant transcripts with AMP misincorporated immediately downstream from the lesion. Here, we present biochemical and crystallographic evidence for the mechanism of CydA recognition. Pol II stalling results from impaired loading of the template base (5') next to CydA into the active site, leading to preferential AMP misincorporation. Such predominant AMP insertion, which also occurs at an abasic site, is unaffected by the identity of the 5´-templating base, indicating that it derives from nontemplated synthesismore » according to an A rule known for DNA polymerases and recently identified for Pol II bypass of pyrimidine dimers. Subsequent to AMP misincorporation, Pol II encounters a major translocation block that is slowly overcome. The translocation block combined with the poor extension of the dA.rA mispair reduce transcriptional mutagenesis. Moreover, increasing the active-site flexibility by mutation in the trigger loop, which increases the ability of Pol II to accommodate the bulky lesion, and addition of transacting factor TFIIF facilitate CydA bypass. Thus, blocking lesion entry to the active site, trans-lesion A rule synthesis, and translocation block are common features of transcription across different bulky DNA lesions.« less

Probing Conformational Stability and Dynamics of Erythroid and Nonerythroid Spectrin: Effects of Urea and Guanidine Hydrochloride

PubMed Central

Patra, Malay; Mukhopadhyay, Chaitali; Chakrabarti, Abhijit

2015-01-01

We have studied the conformational stability of the two homologous membrane skeletal proteins, the erythroid and non-erythroid spectrins, in their dimeric and tetrameric forms respectively during unfolding in the presence of urea and guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). Fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy have been used to study the changes of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, anisotropy, far UV-CD and extrinsic fluorescence of bound 1-anilinonapthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS). Chemical unfolding of both proteins were reversible and could be described as a two state transition. The folded erythroid spectrin and non-erythroid spectrin were directly converted to unfolded monomer without formation of any intermediate. Fluorescence quenching, anisotropy, ANS binding and dynamic light scattering data suggest that in presence of low concentrations of the denaturants (up-to 1M) hydrogen bonding network and van der Waals interaction play a role inducing changes in quaternary as well as tertiary structures without complete dissociation of the subunits. This is the first report of two large worm like, multi-domain proteins obeying twofold rule which is commonly found in small globular proteins. The free energy of stabilization (ΔGu H 2 0) for the dimeric spectrin has been 20 kcal/mol lesser than the tetrameric from. PMID:25617632

New highlights on degradation process of verdigris from easel paintings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoro, Carlotta; Zarkout, Karim; Le Hô, Anne-Solenn; Mirambet, François; Gourier, Didier; Binet, Laurent; Pagès-Camagna, Sandrine; Reguer, Solenn; Mirabaud, Sigrid; Le Du, Yann; Griesmar, Pascal; Lubin-Germain, Nadège; Menu, Michel

2014-03-01

Verdigris is a green copper organometallic pigment, widely used in paintings during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. With ageing, chromatic modifications like browning or darkening can be observed on those green painted layers. An original but crucial approach has been developed based on the characterization of a reference neutral verdigris pigment—anhydrous copper acetate—and model samples, made of verdigris and linseed oil. Samples have undergone artificial ageing (temperature, light) to reproduce the color change effect. They were analysed before and after accelerated ageing tests by a complementary set of classical techniques: colorimetry, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and UV-visible absorption. Our experiments revealed that the incorporation of the verdigris pigment in linseed oil induces a transformation of the copper acetate bimetallic structure, with the formation of monomeric species. These monomers, however, are not directly responsible for the darkening. The chromatic alteration seems instead linked to the transient formation of Cu(I) in the copper complexes of the pigment/oil system. This formation could be initiated by ambient light absorption through ligand-to-metal charge transfer, which favors the decarboxylation of the copper complexes leading to the reduction of Cu(II) into Cu(I). Moreover, dioxygen can react with partially decarboxylated dimers to form peroxy-Cu dimer complexes that can be responsible for the darkening.

Facile chemical synthesis and equilibrium unfolding properties of CopG

PubMed Central

Wales, Thomas E.; Richardson, Jane S.; Fitzgerald, Michael C.

2004-01-01

The 45-amino acid polypeptide chain of the homodimeric transcriptional repressor, CopG, was chemically synthesized by stepwise solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) using a protocol based on Boc-chemistry. The product obtained from the synthesis was readily purified by reversed-phase HPLC to give a good overall yield (21% by weight). Moreover, the synthetic CopG constructs prepared in this work folded into three-dimensional structures similar to the wild-type protein prepared using conventional recombinant methods as judged by far UV-CD spectroscopy. A fluorescent CopG analog, (Y39W)CopG, was also designed and chemically synthesized to facilitate biophysical studies of CopG’s protein folding and assembly reaction. The guanidinium chloride-induced equilibrium unfolding properties of the wild-type CopG and (Y39W)CopG constructs in this work were characterized and used to develop a model for CopG’s equilibrium unfolding reaction. Our results indicate that CopG’s folding and assembly reaction is well modeled by a two-state process involving folded dimer and unfolded monomer. Using this model, ΔGf and m-values of −13.42 ± 0.04 kcal/mole dimer and 1.92 ± 0.01 kcal/(mole M) were calculated for CopG. PMID:15169951

Metamagnetism in hydrophobically induced carboxylate (phenylmalonate)-bridged copper(II) layers.

PubMed

Pasán, Jorge; Sanchiz, Joaquín; Ruiz-Pérez, Catalina; Campo, Javier; Lloret, Francesc; Julve, Miguel

2006-07-21

Self-assembly of copper(l) ions, phenylmalonate and pyrimidine yields the layered compound [Cu(pym)(Phmal)n (1) where intralayer ferro- and interlayer antiferromagnetic interactions occur with three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering at T(c) = 2.15 K.

Effects of arginine on rabbit muscle creatine kinase and salt-induced molten globule-like state.

PubMed

Ou, Wen-bin; Wang, Ri-Sheng; Lu, Jie; Zhou, Hai-Meng

2003-11-03

The arginine (Arg)-induced unfolding and the salt-induced folding of creatine kinase (CK) have been studied by measuring enzyme activity, fluorescence emission spectra, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The results showed that Arg caused inactivation and unfolding of CK, but there was no aggregation during CK denaturation. The kinetics of CK unfolding followed a one-phase process. At higher concentrations of Arg (>160 mM), the CK dimers were fully dissociated, the alkali characteristic of Arg mainly led to the dissociation of dimers, but not denaturation effect of Arg's guanidine groups on CK. The inactivation of CK occurred before noticeable conformational changes of the whole molecules. KCl induced monomeric and dimeric molten globule-like states of CK denatured by Arg. These results suggest that as a protein denaturant, the effect of Arg on CK differed from that of guanidine and alkali, its denaturation for protein contains the double effects, which acts not only as guanidine hydrochloride but also as alkali. The active sites of CK have more flexibility than the whole enzyme conformation. Monomeric and dimeric molten globule-like states of CK were formed by the salt inducing in 160 and 500 mM Arg H(2)O solutions, respectively. The molten globule-like states indicate that monomeric and dimeric intermediates exist during CK folding. Furthermore, these results also proved the orderly folding model of CK.

Erythroid pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase: cloning, developmental expression, and regulation by cAMP and in vivo hypoxia.

PubMed

Mass, Markus; Simo, Erika; Dragon, Stefanie

2003-12-01

A characteristic process of terminal erythroid differentiation is the degradation of ribosomal RNA into mononucleotides. The pyrimidine mononucleotides can be dephosphorylated by pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N-I). In humans, a lack of this enzyme causes hemolytic anemia with ribosomal structures and trinucleotides retained in the red blood cells (RBCs). Although the protein/nucleotide sequence of P5N-I is known in mammals, the onset and regulation of P5N-I during erythroid maturation is unknown. However, in circulating chicken embryonic RBCs, the enzyme is induced together with carbonic anhydrase (CAII) and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) by norepinephrine (NE) and adenosine, which are released by the embryo under hypoxic conditions. Here, we present the chicken P5N-I sequence and the gene expression of P5N-I during RBC maturation; the profile of gene expression follows the enzyme activity with a rise between days 13 and 16 of embryonic development. The p5n-I expression is induced (1) in definitive but not primitive RBCs by stimulation of beta-adrenergic/adenosine receptors, and (2) in definitive RBCs by hypoxic incubation of the chicken embryo. Since embryonic RBCs increase their hemoglobin-oxygen affinity by degradation of nucleotides such as uridine triphosphate (UTP) and cytidine triphosphate (CTP), the induction of p5n-I expression can be seen as an adaptive response to hypoxia.

Recent progress in the synthesis of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, F. Y.; Luo, Y.; Hu, C. B.

2018-01-01

In this paper, the progress in the synthesis of thiazole[3,2-a]pyrimidine compounds in the field of medicine and pesticide were reviewed. The main synthetic routes include: (i) synthesis of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines, spiro thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines and pyrazolo[3,4-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines by multicomponent reactions (MCRs). (ii) synthesis of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines by condensation of pyrimidine-2-thiones, which were obtained by Biginelli reaction between aromatic aldehydes and thiourea, with substituted 2-bromo-1-phenylethanone or chloroacetic acid. (iii) synthesis of pyridothieno-fused thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidinones via Pictet-Spengler reaction. (iv) synthesis of pyrido[4,3-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine by reacting 2-aminothiazole with the α, β-unsaturated ketones.

The Reaction of Criegee Intermediate CH 2OO with Water Dimer: Primary Products and Atmospheric Impact

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sheps, Leonid; Rotavera, Brandon; Eskola, Arkke J.

The rapid reaction of the smallest Criegee intermediate, CH 2OO, with water dimers is the dominant removal mechanism for CH 2OO in the Earth's atmosphere, but its products are not well understood. This reaction was recently suggested as a significant source of the most abundant tropospheric organic acid, formic acid (HCOOH), which is consistently underpredicted by atmospheric models. Furthermore, using time-resolved measurements of reaction kinetics by UV absorption and product analysis by photoionization mass spectrometry, we show that the primary products of this reaction are formaldehyde and hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HMHP), with direct HCOOH yields of less than 10%. Incorporating ourmore » results into a global chemistry-transport model further reduces HCOOH levels by 10–90%, relative to previous modeling assumptions, which indicates that the reaction CH 2OO + water dimer by itself cannot resolve the discrepancy between the measured and predicted HCOOH levels.« less

The Reaction of Criegee Intermediate CH 2OO with Water Dimer: Primary Products and Atmospheric Impact

DOE PAGES

Sheps, Leonid; Rotavera, Brandon; Eskola, Arkke J.; ...

2017-08-04

The rapid reaction of the smallest Criegee intermediate, CH 2OO, with water dimers is the dominant removal mechanism for CH 2OO in the Earth's atmosphere, but its products are not well understood. This reaction was recently suggested as a significant source of the most abundant tropospheric organic acid, formic acid (HCOOH), which is consistently underpredicted by atmospheric models. Furthermore, using time-resolved measurements of reaction kinetics by UV absorption and product analysis by photoionization mass spectrometry, we show that the primary products of this reaction are formaldehyde and hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HMHP), with direct HCOOH yields of less than 10%. Incorporating ourmore » results into a global chemistry-transport model further reduces HCOOH levels by 10–90%, relative to previous modeling assumptions, which indicates that the reaction CH 2OO + water dimer by itself cannot resolve the discrepancy between the measured and predicted HCOOH levels.« less

Dimeric flavonoids from Arrabidaea brachypoda and assessment of their anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity.

PubMed

da Rocha, Cláudia Quintino; Queiroz, Emerson Ferreira; Meira, Cássio Santana; Moreira, Diogo Rodrigo Magalhães; Soares, Milena Botelho Pereira; Marcourt, Laurence; Vilegas, Wagner; Wolfender, Jean-Luc

2014-06-27

The nonpolar fraction of an aqueous ethanol extract of the roots of Arrabidaea brachypoda, a Brazilian medicinal plant, demonstrated significant in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease. Targeted isolation of the active constituents led to the isolation of three new dimeric flavonoids (1-3), and their structures were elucidated using UV, NMR, and HRMS analysis, as well as by chemical derivatization. The anti-T. cruzi activity and cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells were determined for these substances. Compound 1 exhibited no activity toward T. cruzi, while flavonoids 2 and 3 exhibited selective activity against these trypomastigotes. Compounds 2 and 3 inhibited the parasite invasion process and its intracellular development in host cells with similar potencies to benznidazole. In addition, compound 2 reduced the blood parasitemia of T. cruzi-infected mice. This study has revealed that these two dimeric flavonoids represent potential anti-T. cruzi lead compounds for further drug development.

Synthesis and properties of ApU analogues containing 2'-halo-2'-deoxyadenosines. Effects of 2' substituents on oligonucleotide conformation.

PubMed

Uesugi, S; Kaneyasu, T; Ikehara, M

1982-11-09

Five A-U analogues containing deoxyadenosine or 2'-halo-2'-deoxyadenosines, which are known to have widely different C3'-endo conformer populations according to their electronegativities of the halogen substituents, dAfl-U, dAcl-U, dAbr-U, dAio-U, and dA-U, were synthesized chemically. Characterization of these dimers has been performed by UV absorption, circular dichroism, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results show that the dimers containing 2'-halo-2'-deoxyadenosines have stacked conformations with a geometry similar to that of A-U and the degree of stacking decreases in the order dAfl-U greater than dAcl-U greater than dAbr-U greater than dAio-U. dAcl-U is assumed to have the same degree of stacking as A-U. dA-U takes a more stacked conformation than does dAio-U, but the mode of stacking is different from those of the other dimers. The effects of the 2' substituents on dimer conformation are discussed in terms of electronegativity, molecular size, and hydrophobicity.

Optical fluoride sensor based on monomer-dimer equilibrium of scandium(III)-octaethylporphyrin in a plasticized polymeric film.

PubMed

Kang, Youngjea; Kampf, Jeff W; Meyerhoff, Mark E

2007-08-29

A fluoride-selective optical sensor based on scandium(III)-octaethylporphyrin (Sc(III)OEP) as an ionophore within a plasticized PVC film is described. The presence of fluoride ion in the aqueous sample phase increases the formation of a difluoro-bridged Sc(III)OEP dimer species in the polymer film. The ability of the Sc(III) porphyrin to form the dimeric structure in the presence of fluoride is confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. For more practical sensing applications, a pH chromoionophore (ETH 7075) is added to the plasticized PVC film along with Sc(III)OEP and the observed optical response is based on coextraction of protons with sample phase fluoride to create the dimeric porphyrin and a protonated chromoionophore species. The selectivity pattern observed is F- > ClO4(-), SCN-, NO3(-) > Br-, Cl-. Only organic salicylate is a significant interferent. Fast and reversible fluoride response is observed over the range of 10(-4) to 10(-2) M fluoride, allowing use of the sensing film in a waveguide configuration for flow-injection measurements.

Optical Fluoride Sensor Based on Monomer-Dimer Equilibrium of Scandium(III)-Octaethylporphyrin in a Plasticized Polymeric Film

PubMed Central

Kang, Youngjea; Kampf, Jeff W.; Meyerhoff, Mark E.

2007-01-01

A fluoride-selective optical sensor based on scandium(III) octaethylporphyrin (Sc(III)OEP) as an ionophore within a plasticized PVC film is described. The presence of fluoride ion in the aqueous sample phase increases the formation of a difluoro-bridged Sc(III)OEP dimer species in the polymer film. The ability of the Sc(III) porphyrin to form the dimeric structure in the presence of fluoride is confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. For more practical sensing applications, a pH chromoionophore (ETH 7075) is added to the plasticized PVC film along with Sc(III)OEP and the observed optical response is based on co-extraction of protons with sample phase fluoride to create the dimeric porphyrin and a protonated chromoionophore species. The selectivity pattern observed is F-≫ClO4-, SCN-, NO3->Br-, Cl-. Only organic salicylate is a significant interferent. Fast and reversible fluoride response is observed over the range of 10-4 ~10-2 M fluoride, allowing use of the sensing film in a waveguide configuration for flow-injection measurements. PMID:17719905

Solar UV irradiation conditions on the surface of Mars.

PubMed

Rontó, Györgyi; Bérces, Attila; Lammer, Helmut; Cockell, Charles S; Molina-Cuberos, Gregorio J; Patel, Manish R; Selsis, Franck

2003-01-01

The UV radiation environment on planetary surfaces and within atmospheres is of importance in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Solar UV radiation is a driving force of chemical and organic evolution and serves also as a constraint in biological evolution. In this work we modeled the transmission of present and early solar UV radiation from 200 to 400 nm through the present-day and early (3.5 Gyr ago) Martian atmosphere for a variety of possible cases, including dust loading, observed and modeled O3 concentrations. The UV stress on microorganisms and/or molecules essential for life was estimated by using DNA damaging effects (specifically bacteriophage T7 killing and uracil dimerization) for various irradiation conditions on the present and ancient Martian surface. Our study suggests that the UV irradiance on the early Martian surface 3.5 Gyr ago may have been comparable with that of present-day Earth, and though the current Martian UV environment is still quite severe from a biological viewpoint, we show that substantial protection can still be afforded under dust and ice.

An Electron Density Source-Function Study of DNA Base Pairs in Their Neutral and Ionized Ground States†.

PubMed

Gatti, Carlo; Macetti, Giovanni; Boyd, Russell J; Matta, Chérif F

2018-07-05

The source function (SF) decomposes the electron density at any point into contributions from all other points in the molecule, complex, or crystal. The SF "illuminates" those regions in a molecule that most contribute to the electron density at a point of reference. When this point of reference is the bond critical point (BCP), a commonly used surrogate of chemical bonding, then the SF analysis at an atomic resolution within the framework of Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules returns the contribution of each atom in the system to the electron density at that BCP. The SF is used to locate the important regions that control the hydrogen bonds in both Watson-Crick (WC) DNA dimers (adenine:thymine (AT) and guanine:cytosine (GC)) which are studied in their neutral and their singly ionized (radical cationic and anionic) ground states. The atomic contributions to the electron density at the BCPs of the hydrogen bonds in the two dimers are found to be delocalized to various extents. Surprisingly, gaining or loosing an electron has similar net effects on some hydrogen bonds concealing subtle compensations traced to atomic sources contributions. Coarser levels of resolutions (groups, rings, and/or monomers-in-dimers) reveal that distant groups and rings often have non-negligible effects especially on the weaker hydrogen bonds such as the third weak CH⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bond in AT. Interestingly, neither the purine nor the pyrimidine in the neutral or ionized forms dominate any given hydrogen bond despite that the former has more atoms that can act as source or sink for the density at its BCP. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Eukaryotic beta-alanine synthases are functionally related but have a high degree of structural diversity.

PubMed Central

Gojković, Z; Sandrini, M P; Piskur, J

2001-01-01

beta-Alanine synthase (EC 3.5.1.6), which catalyzes the final step of pyrimidine catabolism, has only been characterized in mammals. A Saccharomyces kluyveri pyd3 mutant that is unable to grow on N-carbamyl-beta-alanine as the sole nitrogen source and exhibits diminished beta-alanine synthase activity was used to clone analogous genes from different eukaryotes. Putative PYD3 sequences from the yeast S. kluyveri, the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster complemented the pyd3 defect. When the S. kluyveri PYD3 gene was expressed in S. cerevisiae, which has no pyrimidine catabolic pathway, it enabled growth on N-carbamyl-beta-alanine as the sole nitrogen source. The D. discoideum and D. melanogaster PYD3 gene products are similar to mammalian beta-alanine synthases. In contrast, the S. kluyveri protein is quite different from these and more similar to bacterial N-carbamyl amidohydrolases. All three beta-alanine synthases are to some degree related to various aspartate transcarbamylases, which catalyze the second step of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway. PYD3 expression in yeast seems to be inducible by dihydrouracil and N-carbamyl-beta-alanine, but not by uracil. This work establishes S. kluyveri as a model organism for studying pyrimidine degradation and beta-alanine production in eukaryotes. PMID:11454750

Protective effects of a topical antioxidant mixture containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin against ultraviolet-induced photodamage in human skin.

PubMed

Oresajo, Christian; Stephens, Thomas; Hino, Peter D; Law, Robert M; Yatskayer, Margarita; Foltis, Peter; Pillai, Sreekumar; Pinnell, Sheldon R

2008-12-01

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the skin leads to acute inflammatory reactions, such as erythema, sunburn, and chronic reactions, including premature skin aging and skin cancer. In this study, the effects of a topical antioxidant mixture consisting of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin on attenuating the harmful effects of UV irradiation on normal healthy volunteers were studied using biomarkers of skin damage. Ten subjects (age, 18-60 years; Fitzpatrick skin types II and III) were randomized and treated with antioxidant product or vehicle control on the lower back for four consecutive days. On day 3, the minimal erythema dose (MED) was determined for each subject at a different site on the back. On day 4, the two test sites received solar-simulated UV irradiation 1-5x MED at 1x MED intervals. On day 5, digital images were taken, and 4-mm punch biopsies were collected from the two 5x MED test sites and a control site from each subject for morphology and immunohistochemical studies. UV irradiation significantly increased the erythema of human skin in a linear manner from 1x to 5x MED. As early as 24 h after exposure to 5x MEDs of UV irradiation, there were significant increases in sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, and p53 protein expression. All these changes were attenuated by the antioxidant composition. UV irradiation also suppressed the amount of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells, indicating immunosuppressive effects of a single 5x MED dose of UV irradiation. Pretreatment of skin with the antioxidant composition blocked this effect. This study confirms the protective role of a unique mixture of antioxidants containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin on human skin from the harmful effects of UV irradiation. Phloretin, in addition to being a potent antioxidant, may stabilize and increase the skin availability of topically applied vitamin C and ferulic acid. We propose that antioxidant mixture will complement and synergize with sunscreens in providing photoprotection for human skin.

Localization of Carbamoylphosphate Synthetase and Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase in Chloroplasts

PubMed Central

Shibata, Hitoshi; Ochiai, Hideo; Sawa, Yoshihiro; Miyoshi, Shoji

1986-01-01

The localization of carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPSase) and aspartate carbamoyltransferase (ACTase), the first two enzymes of the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, in chloroplasts was investigated. In dark-grown radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings, light induced a prominent increase in CPSase activity, but had little effect on ACTase activity. Both enzymes were found in chloroplasts isolated from radish cotyledons and leaves of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), soybean (Glycine max), and corn (Zea mays). The higher activity of ACTase relative to CPSase is discussed in relation to the instability of carbamoylphosphate, the product of the CPSase, and to the control of pyrimidine synthesis. Based on these results, the function of CPSase and ACTase in chloroplasts is discussed. PMID:16664566

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-methyl-5-phenylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione derivatives for the treatment of diet-induced obesity.

PubMed

Sang, Yun; Pei, Heyin; Ma, Liang; Huang, Li; Xie, Caifeng; Chen, Jinying; Liang, Xiaolin; Ran, Yan; Wang, Guangcheng; Yang, Zhuang; Cao, Dong; He, Lin; Wu, Yuzhe; He, Linhong; Zhu, Jun; Lan, Jingbo; Chen, Lijuan

2014-01-01

Triglycerides are the main part of fats and half of the lipids in hepatocytes, and play an important role in metabolism as energy sources and transporters of dietary fat. In this study, 33 derivatives based on 3-methyl-5-phenylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione were synthesized and evaluated for their lipid-lowering activity. Among them, compound 1i was found to exhibit potent triglyceride-lowering potency in 3T3-L1 adipocytes which was comparable to that of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist Acadesine (AIACR). Furthermore, oral administration of 1i at a dose of 50 mg kg(-1) d(-1) for 5 weeks could reduce the mean body weight and liver weight by 12.02% and 32.00%, respectively, and regulated serum levels of triglycerides in diet-induced obese mice. The results indicate that compound 1i is a potential small-molecule for the treatment of diet-induced obesity and related diseases.

Mechanism for controlling the monomer-dimer conversion of SARS coronavirus main protease.

PubMed

Wu, Cheng Guo; Cheng, Shu Chun; Chen, Shiang Chuan; Li, Juo Yan; Fang, Yi Hsuan; Chen, Yau Hung; Chou, Chi Yuan

2013-05-01

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) main protease (M(pro)) cleaves two virion polyproteins (pp1a and pp1ab); this essential process represents an attractive target for the development of anti-SARS drugs. The functional unit of M(pro) is a homodimer and each subunit contains a His41/Cys145 catalytic dyad. Large amounts of biochemical and structural information are available on M(pro); nevertheless, the mechanism by which monomeric M(pro) is converted into a dimer during maturation still remains poorly understood. Previous studies have suggested that a C-terminal residue, Arg298, interacts with Ser123 of the other monomer in the dimer, and mutation of Arg298 results in a monomeric structure with a collapsed substrate-binding pocket. Interestingly, the R298A mutant of M(pro) shows a reversible substrate-induced dimerization that is essential for catalysis. Here, the conformational change that occurs during substrate-induced dimerization is delineated by X-ray crystallography. A dimer with a mutual orientation of the monomers that differs from that of the wild-type protease is present in the asymmetric unit. The presence of a complete substrate-binding pocket and oxyanion hole in both protomers suggests that they are both catalytically active, while the two domain IIIs show minor reorganization. This structural information offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanism associated with substrate-induced dimerization and has important implications with respect to the maturation of the enzyme.

Spectroscopic investigation on structure (monomer and dimer), molecular characteristics and comparative study on vibrational analysis of picolinic and isonicotinic acids using experimental and theoretical (DFT & IVP) methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramesh, Gaddam; Reddy, Byru Venkatram

2018-05-01

In this investigation, the monomeric structure is determined for picolinic and isonicotinic acids based on geometry optimization for one of the four possible conformers and intramolecular hydrogen bond of Osbnd H⋯O using density functional theory (DFT) employing B3LYP functional supplemented with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Using this optimized monomeric form, the dimer structure is determined based on minimum energy and length of hydrogen bonds obtained for two possible dimeric forms yielded due to head-to-tail intermolecular Osbnd H⋯N hydrogen bond (dimer 1) linkage and tail-to -tail intermolecular Osbnd H⋯O hydrogen bond (dimer 2) linkage between pyridine ring and carboxyl group. The structure parameters obtained for monomer and dimer forms are in good agreement with the experimental literature values. The vibrational assignments have been made unambiguously for all the vibrations from FTIR and FT-Raman spectra based on the potential energy distribution (PED) and eigen vectors obtained in DFT and inverse vibrational problem (IVP) computations. The rms error between the observed and scaled frequencies is 7.7 and 9.4 cm-1 for PIA and INA, respectively. A 74-element modified valence force field is derived by Wilson's GF matrix method using 58 experimental frequencies of the two molecules in overlay least-squares technique. The average error between observed and computed frequencies by this method is calculated to be 10.39 cm-1. The results of both DFT and IVP computations yielded good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The NLO behaviour using hyperpolarizability values; and HOMO and LUMO energies; of the two molecules are investigated by DFT. Charge density distribution and site of chemical reactivity of the molecules are studied by molecular electrostatic surface potential (MESP). Stability of the molecules arising from hyper conjugative interactions and charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The 13C and 1H NMR chemical shifts of the molecules are calculated by the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method and compared with experimental results. UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectra of the compounds are also recorded in the region 200-400 nm. Thermodynamic parameters and rotational constants are also determined and found that they are comparable with experimental literature values for these molecules.

Blackberry extract inhibits UVB-induced oxidative damage and inflammation through MAP kinases and NF-κB signaling pathways in SKH-1 mice skin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Divya, Sasidharan Padmaja; Wang, Xin; Pratheeshkumar, Poyil

Extensive exposure of solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation to skin induces oxidative stress and inflammation that play a crucial role in the induction of skin cancer. Photochemoprevention with natural products represents a simple but very effective strategy for the management of cutaneous neoplasia. In this study, we investigated whether blackberry extract (BBE) reduces chronic inflammatory responses induced by UVB irradiation in SKH-1 hairless mice skin. Mice were exposed to UVB radiation (100 mJ/cm{sup 2}) on alternate days for 10 weeks, and BBE (10% and 20%) was applied topically a day before UVB exposure. Our results show that BBE suppressed UVB-induced hyperplasiamore » and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in the SKH-1 hairless mice skin. BBE treatment reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in mouse skin by chronic UVB exposure. BBE significantly decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in UVB-exposed skin. Likewise, UVB-induced inflammatory responses were diminished by BBE as observed by a remarkable reduction in the levels of phosphorylated MAP Kinases, Erk1/2, p38, JNK1/2 and MKK4. Furthermore, BBE also reduced inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E{sub 2} (PGE{sub 2}), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in UVB-exposed skin. Treatment with BBE inhibited UVB-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκBα in mouse skin. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that topical application of BBE inhibited the expression of 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and cyclin D1 in UVB-exposed skin. Collectively, these data indicate that BBE protects from UVB-induced oxidative damage and inflammation by modulating MAP kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways. - Highlights: • Blackberry extract inhibits UVB-induced glutathione depletion. • Blackberry extract inhibits UVB-induced lipid peroxidation. • Blackberry extract inhibits UVB-induced myeloperoxidase activity. • Blackberry extract diminishes UVB-induced inflammatory responses. • Blackberry extract prevents skin from oxidative damage and inflammation by UVB.« less

Actinide Corroles: Synthesis and Characterization of Thorium(IV) and Uranium(IV) bis(-chloride) Dimers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ward, Ashleigh L.; Buckley, Heather L.; Gryko, Daniel T.

2013-12-01

The first synthesis and structural characterization of actinide corroles is presented. Thorium(IV) and uranium(IV) macrocycles of Mes2(p-OMePh)corrole were synthesised and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible spectroscopy, variable-temperature 1H NMR, ESI mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry.

Light-triggered self-assembly of triarylamine-based nanospheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moulin, Emilie; Niess, Frédéric; Fuks, Gad; Jouault, Nicolas; Buhler, Eric; Giuseppone, Nicolas

2012-10-01

Tailored triarylamine units modified with terpyridine ligands were coordinated to Zn2+ ions and characterized as discrete dimeric entities. Interestingly, when these complexes were subsequently irradiated with simple visible light in chloroform, they readily self-assembled into monodisperse spheres with a mean diameter of 160 nm.Tailored triarylamine units modified with terpyridine ligands were coordinated to Zn2+ ions and characterized as discrete dimeric entities. Interestingly, when these complexes were subsequently irradiated with simple visible light in chloroform, they readily self-assembled into monodisperse spheres with a mean diameter of 160 nm. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthetic procedures and products' characterization (2-4 and 6-9). 1H NMR titration of compound 6 by Zn(OTf)2 to form complex 7. Kinetic measurements by UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy imaging for complexes 8 and 9. UV-Vis-NIR for an Fe2+ analogue of complex 7. Dynamic light scattering and time autocorrelation function for self-assembly of complexes 7-9. Copies of 1H and 13C NMR spectra for compounds 2-4 and 6. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr32168h

The Photosynthesis and Photo-Stability of Nucleic Acids in Prebiotic Extraterrestrial Environments

PubMed Central

Sandford, Scott A.; Bera, Partha P.; Lee, Timothy J.; Materese, Christopher K.; Nuevo, Michel

2017-01-01

Laboratory experiments have shown that the UV photo-irradiation of low-temperature ices of astrophysical interest leads to the formation of organic molecules, including molecules important for biology such as amino acids, quinones, and amphiphiles. When pyrimidine is introduced in these ices, the products of irradiation include the nucleobases uracil, cytosine, and thymine, the informational sub-units of DNA and RNA, as well as some of their isomers. The formation of these compounds, which has been studied both experimentally and theoretically, requires a succession of additions of OH, NH2, and CH3 groups to pyrimidine. Results show that H2O ice plays key roles in the formation of the nucleobases, as an oxidant, as a matrix in which reactions can take place, and as a catalyst that assists proton abstraction from intermiediate compounds. As H2O is also the most abundant icy component in most cold astrophysical environments, it probably plays the same roles in space for the formation of biologically relevant compounds. Results also show that although the formation of uracil and cytosine from pyrimidine in ices is fairly straightforward, the formation of thymine is not. This is mostly due to the fact that methylation is a limiting step for its formation, particularly in H2O-rich ices, where methylation must competes with oxidation. The relative inefficiency of the abiotic formation of thymine to that of uracil and cytosine, coupled with the fact that thymine has not been detected in meteorites are not inconsistent with the RNA world hypothesis. Indeed, a lack of abiotically produced thymine delivered to the early Earth may have forced the choice for an RNA world, in which only uracil and cytosine are needed, but not thymine. PMID:24500331

Interaction centres of pyrimidine nucleotides: cytidine-5'-diphosphate (CDP) and cytidine-5'-triphosphate (CTP) in their reactions with tetramines and Cu(II) ions.

PubMed

Gasowska, A

2005-08-01

The interactions between pyrimidine nucleotides: cytidine-5'-diphosphate (CDP) and cytidine-5'-triphosphate (CTP) and Cu(II) ions, spermine (Spm) and 1,11-diamino-4,8-diazaundecane (3,3,3-tet) have been studied. The composition and stability constants of the complexes formed have been determined by means of the potentiometric method, while the centres of interactions in the ligands have been identified by the spectral methods (UV-Vis, Ultraviolet and Visible spectroscopy; EPR, electron spin resonance; NMR). In the systems without metal, formation of the molecular complexes nucleotide-polyamine with the interaction centres at the endocyclic nitrogen atom of purine ring N3, the oxygen atoms of the phosphate group from the nucleotide and protonated nitrogen atoms of the polyamine have been detected. Significant differences have been found in the metallation between the systems with Spm and with 3,3,3-tet. In the systems with spermine, mainly protonated species are formed with the phosphate group of the nucleotide and deprotonated nitrogen atoms of the polyamine making the coordination centres, while the donor nitrogen atom of the nucleotide N3 is involved in the intramolecular interligand interactions, additionally stabilising the complex. In the systems with 3,3,3-tet, the MLL' type species are formed in which the oxygen atoms of the phosphate group and nitrogen atoms of the polyamine are involved in metallation, whereas the N3 atom from the pyrimidine ring of the nucleotide is located outside the inner coordination sphere of copper ion. The main centre of Cu(II) interaction in the nucleotide, both in the system with Spm and 3,3,3-tet is the phosphate group of the nucleotide.

Identification of conjugate adducts formed in the reactions of malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde and malonaldehyde-formaldehyde with cytidine.

PubMed

Pluskota-Karwatka, Donata; Le Curieux, Frank; Munter, Tony; Sjöholm, Rainer; Kronberg, Leif

2002-02-01

Malonaldehyde was reacted with cytidine in buffered aqueous solutions in the presence of acetaldehyde or formaldehyde. The reaction mixtures were analyzed by HPLC, and the products were isolated by preparative C18 chromatography and structurally characterized by UV absorbance, fluorescence emission, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The major adducts formed in the reaction of malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde were identified as 7-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-methyl-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[1,6-a]pyrimidine-3-carbaldehyde (M(1)AA-Cyd) and 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-(3,5-diformyl-4-methyl-1,4-dihydro-1-pyridyl)pyrimidine (M(2)AA-Cyd). In the reaction of malonaldehyde and formaldehyde, the major product was identified as 7-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[1,6-a]pyrimidine-3-carbaldehyde (M(1)FA-Cyd). The highest yields of M(1)AA-Cyd and M(2)AA-Cyd, 3.2 and 0.5 mol %, respectively, were obtained in the reaction performed at pH 4.6 and 37 degrees C for 8 days, while M(1)FA-Cyd was produced at a yield of 0.3 mol % after 3 days of reaction at pH 4.0 and 37 degrees C. The products consist of units derived from malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde (M(1)AA-Cyd and M(2)AA-Cyd) or from malonaldehyde and formaldehyde (M(1)FA-Cyd), and are thus further examples of nucleoside modifications containing structural elements derived from aldehyde condensation reactions. Trace amounts of the adducts may be formed at physiological conditions and may be involved in the mutagenicity of the studied aldehydes.

A novel pyrimidine derivative as a fluorescent chemosensor for highly selective detection of aluminum (III) in aqueous media.

PubMed

Suryawanshi, Vishwas D; Gore, Anil H; Dongare, Pravin R; Anbhule, Prashant V; Patil, Shivajirao R; Kolekar, Govind B

2013-10-01

An efficient fluorescent chemosensor Al(3+) receptor based on pyrimidine derivative,2-amino-6-hydroxy-4-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (DMAB), has been synthesized by three-component condensation of aromatic aldehyde, ethyl cyanoacetate and guanidine hydrochloride in ethanol under alkaline medium. High selectivity and sensitivity of DMAB towards Aluminum ion (Al(3+)) in water: ethanol and acetate buffer at pH 4.0 makes it suitable to detect Al(3+) with steady-state UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Method shows good selectivity towards Al(3+) over other coexisting metal ions tested, viz. Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), Pb(2+), Sb(3+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+), Hg(2+), Ba(2+), Cd(2+) and K(+). A good linearity between the Stern-Volmer plots of F0/F versus concentration of Al(3+) was observed over the range from 10 to 60 μg mL(-1) with correlation coefficient of 0.991. The accuracy and reliability of the method were further confirmed by recovery studies via standard addition method with percent recoveries in the range of 101.03-103.44% and lowest detection limit (LOD=7.35 μg mL(-1)) for Al(3+) was established. This method may offer a new cost-effective, rapid, and simple key to the inspection of Al(3+) ions in water samples in the presence of a complex matrix and can be capable of evaluating the exceeding standard of Al(3+) in environmental water samples. The probable mechanism for fluorescence quenching was also discussed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photosynthesis and photo-stability of nucleic acids in prebiotic extraterrestrial environments.

PubMed

Sandford, Scott A; Bera, Partha P; Lee, Timothy J; Materese, Christopher K; Nuevo, Michel

2015-01-01

Laboratory experiments have shown that the UV photo-irradiation of low-temperature ices of astrophysical interest leads to the formation of organic molecules, including molecules important for biology such as amino acids, quinones, and amphiphiles. When pyrimidine is introduced into these ices, the products of irradiation include the nucleobases uracil, cytosine, and thymine, the informational sub-units of DNA and RNA, as well as some of their isomers. The formation of these compounds, which has been studied both experimentally and theoretically, requires a succession of additions of OH, NH₂, and CH₃groups to pyrimidine. Results show that H₂O ice plays key roles in the formation of the nucleobases, as an oxidant, as a matrix in which reactions can take place, and as a catalyst that assists proton abstraction from intermediate compounds. As H₂O is also the most abundant icy component in most cold astrophysical environments, it probably plays the same roles in space in the formation of biologically relevant compounds. Results also show that although the formation of uracil and cytosine from pyrimidine in ices is fairly straightforward, the formation of thymine is not. This is mostly due to the fact that methylation is a limiting step for its formation, particularly in H₂O-rich ices, where methylation must compete with oxidation. The relative inefficiency of the abiotic formation of thymine to that of uracil and cytosine, together with the fact that thymine has not been detected in meteorites, are not inconsistent with the RNA world hypothesis. Indeed, a lack of abiotically produced thymine delivered to the early Earth may have forced the choice for an RNA world, in which only uracil and cytosine are needed, but not thymine.

Spectral, coordination and thermal properties of 5-arylidene thiobarbituric acids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoud, Mamdouh S.; El-Marghany, Adel; Orabi, Adel; Ali, Alaa E.; Sayed, Reham

2013-04-01

Synthesis of 5-arylidine thiobarbituric acids containing different functional groups with variable electronic characters were described and their Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ complexes. The stereochemistry and mode of bonding of 5-(substituted benzylidine)-2-TBA complexes were achieved based on elemental analysis, spectral (UV-VIS, IR, 1H NMR, MS), magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. The ligands were of bidentate and tridentate bonding through S, N and O of pyrimidine nucleolus. All complexes were of octahedral configuration. The thermal data of the complexes pointed to their stability. The mechanism of the thermal decomposition is discussed. The thermodynamic parameters of the dissociation steps were evaluated and discussed.

T7 replisome directly overcomes DNA damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Bo; Pandey, Manjula; Inman, James T.; Yang, Yi; Kashlev, Mikhail; Patel, Smita S.; Wang, Michelle D.

2015-12-01

Cells and viruses possess several known `restart' pathways to overcome lesions during DNA replication. However, these `bypass' pathways leave a gap in replicated DNA or require recruitment of accessory proteins, resulting in significant delays to fork movement or even cell division arrest. Using single-molecule and ensemble methods, we demonstrate that the bacteriophage T7 replisome is able to directly replicate through a leading-strand cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) lesion. We show that when a replisome encounters the lesion, a substantial fraction of DNA polymerase (DNAP) and helicase stay together at the lesion, the replisome does not dissociate and the helicase does not move forward on its own. The DNAP is able to directly replicate through the lesion by working in conjunction with helicase through specific helicase-DNAP interactions. These observations suggest that the T7 replisome is fundamentally permissive of DNA lesions via pathways that do not require fork adjustment or replisome reassembly.

Computational analysis of molecular properties and spectral characteristics of cyano-containing liquid crystals: role of alkyl chains.

PubMed

Praveen, P Lakshmi; Ojha, Durga P

2011-05-01

The electronic transitions in the uv-visible range of 4'-n-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (nCB) with propyl, pentyl, and heptyl groups, which are of commercial and application interests, have been studied. The uv-visible and circular dichroism spectra of nCB (n = 3,5,7) molecules have been simulated using the time dependent density functional theory Becke3-Lee-Yang-Parr hybrid functional-6-31 + G (d) method. Mulliken atomic charges for each molecule have been compared with Loewdin atomic charges to analyze the molecular charge distribution and phase stability. The highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies corresponding to the electronic transitions in the uv-visible range have been reported. Excited states have been calculated via the configuration interaction single level with a semiempirical Hamiltonian (intermediate neglect of differential overlap method, as parametrized by Zerner and co-workers). Further, two types of calculations have been performed for model systems containing single and double molecules of nCB. Furthermore, the dimer complexes during the different modes of molecular interactions have also been studied. The interaction energies of dimer complexes have been taken into consideration in order to investigate the most energetically stable configuration. These studies are helpful for understanding the role and flexibility of end chains, in particular, phase behavior and stability.

Glucose Limitation Alters Glutamine Metabolism in MUC1-Overexpressing Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Gebregiworgis, Teklab; Purohit, Vinee; Shukla, Surendra K; Tadros, Saber; Chaika, Nina V; Abrego, Jaime; Mulder, Scott E; Gunda, Venugopal; Singh, Pankaj K; Powers, Robert

2017-10-06

Pancreatic cancer cells overexpressing Mucin 1 (MUC1) rely on aerobic glycolysis and, correspondingly, are dependent on glucose for survival. Our NMR metabolomics comparative analysis of control (S2-013.Neo) and MUC1-overexpressing (S2-013.MUC1) cells demonstrates that MUC1 reprograms glutamine metabolism upon glucose limitation. The observed alteration in glutamine metabolism under glucose limitation was accompanied by a relative decrease in the proliferation of MUC1-overexpressing cells compared with steady-state conditions. Moreover, glucose limitation induces G1 phase arrest where S2-013.MUC1 cells fail to enter S phase and synthesize DNA because of a significant disruption in pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis. Our metabolomics analysis indicates that glutamine is the major source of oxaloacetate in S2-013.Neo and S2-013.MUC1 cells, where oxaloacetate is converted to aspartate, an important metabolite for pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis. However, glucose limitation impedes the flow of glutamine carbons into the pyrimidine nucleotide rings and instead leads to a significant accumulation of glutamine-derived aspartate in S2-013.MUC1 cells.

Uridine 5′-Monophosphate Synthase Is Transcriptionally Regulated by Pyrimidine Levels in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia1

PubMed Central

Santoso, Djoko; Thornburg, Robert

1998-01-01

To understand the regulation and expression of pyrimidine biosynthesis in plants, we have examined the effect of the metabolic inhibitor 5-fluoroorotic acid (FOA) on uridine-5′-monophosphate synthase (UMPSase) expression in cell cultures of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. UMPSase is the rate-limiting step of pyrimidine biosynthesis in plants. Addition of FOA causes an up-regulation of UMPSase enzyme activity in cell cultures after a lag phase of several days. Western-blot analysis demonstrated that the up-regulation in enzyme activity was caused by increased expression of the UMPSase protein. Northern-blot analysis demonstrated a higher level of UMPSase mRNA in the FOA-induced tissues than in control tissues. Run-on transcriptional assays showed that the UMPSase gene was transcriptionally activated after FOA treatment. The mechanism of toxicity of FOA is through thymine starvation. We found that addition of thymine abrogated the FOA-mediated up-regulation of UMPSase. In addition, methotrexate and aminopterin, which affect thymine levels by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, also up-regulate UMPSase in N. plumbaginifolia cells. PMID:9490773

Chemically induced and light-independent cryptochrome photoreceptor activation.

PubMed

Rosenfeldt, Gesa; Viana, Rafael Muñoz; Mootz, Henning D; von Arnim, Albrecht G; Batschauer, Alfred

2008-01-01

The cryptochrome photoreceptors of higher plants are dimeric proteins. Their N-terminal photosensory domain mediates dimerization, and the unique C-terminal extension (CCT) mediates signaling. We made use of the human FK506-binding protein (FKBP) that binds with high affinity to rapamycin or rapamycin analogs (rapalogs). The FKBP-rapamycin complex is recognized by another protein, FRB, thus allowing rapamycin-induced dimerization of two target proteins. Here we demonstrate by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays the applicability of this regulated dimerization system to plants. Furthermore, we show that fusion proteins consisting of the C-terminal domain of Arabidopsis cryptochrome 2 fused to FKBP and FRB and coexpressed in Arabidopsis cells specifically induce the expression of cryptochrome-controlled reporter and endogenous genes in darkness upon incubation with the rapalog. These results demonstrate that the activation of cryptochrome signal transduction can be chemically induced in a dose-dependent fashion and uncoupled from the light signal, and provide the groundwork for gain-of-function experiments to study specifically the role of photoreceptors in darkness or in signaling cross-talk even under light conditions that activate members of all photoreceptor families.

Erythropoiesis from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Through Erythropoietin-Independent AKT Signaling

PubMed Central

Kim, William S.; Zhu, Yuhua; Deng, Qiming; Chin, Chee Jia; He, Chong Bin; Grieco, Amanda J.; Dravid, Gautam G.; Parekh, Chintan; Hollis, Roger P.; Lane, Timothy F.; Bouhassira, Eric E.; Kohn, Donald B.; Crooks, Gay M.

2014-01-01

Unlimited self renewal capacity and differentiation potential make human pluripotent stem cells (PSC) a promising source for the ex vivo manufacture of red blood cells (RBC) for safe transfusion. Current methods to induce erythropoiesis from PSC suffer from low yields of RBCs, most of which are immature and contain embryonic and fetal rather than adult hemoglobins. We have previously shown that homo-dimerization of the intracellular component of MPL (ic-MPL) induces erythropoiesis from human cord blood progenitors. The goal of the present study was to investigate the potential of ic-MPL dimerization to induce erythropoiesis from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and to identify the signaling pathways activated by this strategy. We present here evidence that ic-MPL dimerization induces erythropoietin (EPO)-independent erythroid differentiation from hESC by inducing the generation of erythroid progenitors and by promoting more efficient erythroid maturation with increased RBC enucleation as well as increased gamma:epsilon globin ratio and production of beta-globin protein. ic-MPL dimerization is significantly more potent than EPO in inducing erythropoiesis and its effect is additive to EPO. Signaling studies show that dimerization of ic-MPL, unlike stimulation of the wild type MPL receptor, activates AKT in the absence of JAK2/STAT5 signaling. AKT activation upregulates the GATA-1 and FOXO3 transcriptional pathways with resulting inhibition of apoptosis, modulation of cell cycle and enhanced maturation of erythroid cells. These findings open up potential new targets for the generation of therapeutically relevant RBC products from hPSC. PMID:24677652

Dimerization of glycoprotein Ibα is not sufficient to induce platelet clearance.

PubMed

Liang, X; Syed, A K; Russell, S R; Ware, J; Li, R

2016-02-01

ESSENTIALS: Many anti-glycoprotein (GP)Ibα antibodies induce platelet clearance in a dimer-dependent manner. Characterization of monoclonal antibodies that bind the mechanosensitive domain (MSD) of GPIbα. An anti-MSD antibody binds two copies of GPIbα in platelets but does not induce platelet clearance. The prevailing clustering model of GPIbα signaling is incorrect or needs revision. The mechanism of platelet clearance is not clear. Many antibodies binding the membrane-distal ligand-binding domain of glycoprotein (GP)Ibα induce rapid clearance of platelets and acute thrombocytopenia, which requires the bifurcated antibody structure. It was thought that binding of these antibodies induced lateral dimerization or clustering of GPIbα in the plasma membrane, which leads to downstream signaling and platelet clearance. However, many antibodies targeting GPIbβ and GPIX, which are associated with GPIbα in the GPIb-IX complex, do not induce platelet clearance, which is in contradiction to the clustering model. To test whether dimerization or clustering of GPIbα is sufficient to transmit the signal that leads to platelet clearance. We have recently raised several mAbs targeting the mechanosensitive domain (MSD) of GPIbα. Binding of these anti-MSD antibodies was characterized with biochemical methods. Their ability to stimulate platelets and induce platelet clearance in mice was assessed. Infusion of anti-MSD antibodies does not cause thrombocytopenia in mice. These antibodies show no detectable effects on platelet activation and aggregation in vitro. Further biochemical investigation showed that the anti-MSD antibody 3D1 binds two copies of GPIbα on the platelet surface. Therefore, lateral dimerization of GPIbα induced by antibody binding is not sufficient to initiate GPIb-IX signaling and induce platelet clearance. Our results suggest that a factor other than or in addition to clustering of GPIbα is required to induce platelet clearance. © 2015 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Zinc finger protein 598 inhibits cell survival by promoting UV-induced apoptosis.

PubMed

Yang, Qiaohong; Gupta, Romi

2018-01-19

UV is one of the major causes of DNA damage induced apoptosis. However, cancer cells adopt alternative mechanisms to evade UV-induced apoptosis. To identify factors that protect cancer cells from UV-induced apoptosis, we performed a genome wide short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen, which identified Zinc finger protein 598 (ZNF598) as a key regulator of UV-induced apoptosis. Here, we show that UV irradiation transcriptionally upregulates ZNF598 expression. Additionally, ZNF598 knockdown in cancer cells inhibited UV-induced apoptosis. In our study, we observe that ELK1 mRNA level as well as phosphorylated ELK1 levels was up regulated upon UV irradiation, which was necessary for UV irradiation induced upregulation of ZNF598. Cells expressing ELK1 shRNA were also resistant to UV-induced apoptosis, and phenocopy ZNF598 knockdown. Upon further investigation, we found that ZNF598 knockdown inhibits UV-induced apoptotic gene expression, which matches with decrease in percentage of annexin V positive cell. Similarly, ectopic expression of ZNF598 promoted apoptotic gene expression and also increased annexin V positive cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that ZNF598 is a UV irradiation regulated gene and its loss results in resistance to UV-induced apoptosis.

Constitutive activation and uncoupling of the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor by mutations at the dimer interface. Role of the dimer structure in signalling.

PubMed

Qiu, Yue; Ogawa, Haruo; Miyagi, Masaru; Misono, Kunio S

2004-02-13

The crystal packing of the extracellular hormone binding domain of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor contains two possible dimer pairs, the head-to-head (hh) and tail-to-tail (tt) dimer pairs associated through the membrane-distal and membrane-proximal subdomains, respectively. The tt-dimer structure has been proposed previously (van den Akker, F., Zhang, X., Miyagi, M., Huo, X., Misono, K. S., and Yee, V. C. (2000) Nature 406, 101-104). However, no direct evidence is available to identify the physiological dimer form. Here we report site-directed mutagenesis studies of residues at the two alternative dimer interfaces in the full-length receptor expressed on COS cells. The Trp74 to Arg mutation (W74R) or D71R at the hh-dimer interface caused partial constitutive guanylate cyclase activation, whereas mutation F96D or H99D caused receptor uncoupling. In contrast, mutation Y196D or L225D at the tt-interface had no such effect. His99 modification at the hh-dimer interface by ethoxyformic anhydride abolished ANP binding. These results suggest that the hh-dimer represents the physiological structure. Recently, we determined the crystal structure of ANPR complexed with ANP and proposed a hormone-induced rotation mechanism mediating transmembrane signaling (H. Ogawa, Y. Qiu, C. M. Ogata, and K. S. Misono, submitted for publication). The observed effects of mutations are consistent with the ANP-induced structural change identified from the crystal structures with and without ANP and support the proposed rotation mechanism for ANP receptor signaling.

Antiradiation UV Vaccine: UV Radiation, Biological effects, lesions and medical management - immune-therapy and immune-protection.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popov, Dmitri; Jones, Jeffrey; Maliev, Slava

Key Words: Ultraviolet radiation,Standard Erythema Dose(SED), Minimal Erythema Dose(MED), Sun Burns, Solar Dermatitis, Sun Burned Disease, DNA Damage,Cell Damage, Antiradiation UV Vaccine, Immune-Prophylaxis of Sun Burned Diseases, Immune-Prophylaxis of Sun Burns, Immune-Therapy of Sun-Burned Disease and Sun Burns,Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis(TEN). Introduction: High doses of UV generated by solar source and artificial sources create an exposure of mammals and other species which can lead to ultraviolet(UV)radiation- associated disease (including erythema, epilation, keratitis, etc.). UV radiation belongs to the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum and ranges between 100 nm and 400 nm with 100 nm having been chosen arbitrarily as the boundary between non-ionizing and ionizing radiation, however EMR is a spectrum and UV can produce molecular ionization. UV radiation is conventionally categorized into 3 areas: UV-A (>315-400 nm),UV-B (>280-315 nm)and UV-C (>100-280 nm) [IARC,Working Group Reports,2005] An important consequence of stratospheric ozone depletion is the increased transmission of solar ultraviolet (UV)radiation to the Earth's lower atmosphere and surface. Stratospheric ozone levels have been falling, in certain areas, for the past several decades, so current surface ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation levels are thought to be close to their modern day maximum. [S.Madronich et al.1998] Overexposure of ultraviolet radiation a major cause of skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) { collectively referred to as “non-melanoma" skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma as well, with skin cancers being the most common cancer in North America. [Armstrong et al. 1993, Gallagher et al. 2005] Methods and Experimental Design: Our experiments and testing of a novel UV “Antiradiation Vaccine” have employed a wide variety of laboratory animals which include : Chinchilla rabbits, 11-12 months old, live weight 3.5-3.7 (n=11), Balb mice, 2-3 months old, live weight 20-22 g (n=33), Wistar rats, 3-4 months old, live weight 180-220 g(n=33). The studies were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee for ethical animal research equivalent, at each institution. Seven rabbits, ten mice, eleven Wistar rats were vaccinated with a UV antiradiation vaccine. A second group of animals was used as biological control which received vaccine but no UV Radiation and a third group of animals was used as control without any interventions. Before and after UV Radiation, Vaccination with the UV antiradiation vaccine were provided 17 days prior to UV exposure. The animals were irradiated by a DRT-1 UV generator lamp. The dose of irradiation for laboratory, experimental animals was 10-12 * Standard Erythema Dose (SED) at L=283,7 Laboratory animals were placed in to the box with ventilation. Results: Ultraviolet irradiation of the skin was performed with high doses and causes an inflammation or erythema in all experimental animals. However the grade of skin damage and inflammation was significantly different between animals protected by vaccination and non-protected, non-vaccinated animals. Animals UV-irradiated, but who did not receive the antiradiation vaccine suffered from extensive UV skin burns of second or third degree (grade 2-3). However, animals protected with the UV antiradiation vaccine demonstrated much mild forms of skin cellular injury - mainly erythema, first degree skin burns and a few small patches with second degree skin burns (grade 1-2). Discussion: The severity of skin damage depended on area of exposed skin, time and dose of UV irradiation. Skin injury could be divided into 4 major grades: 1. Faint erythema with dry desquamation. 2. Moderate to severe erythema. 3. Severe erythema with blistering, moist desquamation. 4. Toxic epidermal necrolysis. Mild doses of UV radiation and ionizing radiation can induce cell death by apoptosis and moderate and high doses of UV and ionizing radiation induce cell death by necrosis and generate systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), toxic multiple organ injury (TMOI), toxic multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (TMODS),and finally, toxic multiple organ failure (TMOF). [D.Popov et al.2012, Fliedner T.et al. 2005, T. Azizova et al. 2004] UV-B is a complete carcinogen that is absorbed by DNA and directly damages DNA. DNA damage induced by UV-B irradiation typically includes the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimmers (CPD) and 6-4 photoproducts (6-4P)[IARC, Working Group Reports, M.Saraiya et al. 2004]. The pre-vaccinated animals seem to have a blunted injury response relative to the unvaccinated animals, presumably by reduction in the inflammatory response and secondary injury effects. The mechanism of action of the antiradiation vaccine, needs further evaluation. Conclusion: A UV antiradiation vaccine appears to demonstrate efficacy as a prophylactic agent for acute solar burns and toxicity. An antiradiation UV vaccine could be used in conjunction with adjunctive measures, e.g. antioxidants and UV barriers to reduce UV radiation toxicity. The authors of this experiments would like to propose further development work of the antiradiation UV vaccine to enhance the armamentarium for prophylaxis and prevention of the various forms skin cancer.

7-tert-Butyl-6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one, a classic polymodal inhibitor of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 with a reduced liability for hyperthermia, is analgesic and ameliorates visceral hypersensitivity.

PubMed

Nash, Mark S; McIntyre, Peter; Groarke, Alex; Lilley, Elliot; Culshaw, Andrew; Hallett, Allan; Panesar, Moh; Fox, Alyson; Bevan, Stuart

2012-08-01

The therapeutic potential of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) antagonists for chronic pain has been recognized for more than a decade. However, preclinical and clinical data revealed that acute pharmacological blockade of TRPV1 perturbs thermoregulation, resulting in hyperthermia, which is a major hurdle for the clinical development of these drugs. Here, we describe the properties of 7-tert-butyl-6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (BCTP), a TRPV1 antagonist with excellent analgesic properties that does not induce significant hyperthermia in rodents at doses providing maximal analgesia. BCTP is a classic polymodal inhibitor of TRPV1, blocking activation of the human channel by capsaicin and low pH with IC(50) values of 65.4 and 26.4 nM, respectively. Similar activity was observed with rat TRPV1, and the inhibition by BCTP was competitive and reversible. BCTP also blocked heat-induced activation of TRPV1. In rats, the inhibition of capsaicin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was observed with a D(50) value of 2 mg/kg p.o. BCTP also reversed visceral hypersensitivity and somatic inflammatory pain, and using a model of neuropathic pain in TRPV1 null mice we confirmed that its analgesic properties were solely through the inhibition of TRPV1. We were surprised to find that BCTP administered orally induced only a maximal 0.6°C increase in core body temperature at the highest tested doses (30 and 100 mg/kg), contrasting markedly with N-[4-({6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyrimidin-4-yl}oxy)-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl]acetamide (AMG517), a clinically tested TRPV1 antagonist, which induced marked hyperthermia (>1°C) at doses eliciting submaximal reversal of capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia. The combined data indicate that TRPV1 antagonists with a classic polymodal inhibition profile can be identified where the analgesic action is separated from the effects on body temperature.

Genome-wide analysis of mutations in mutant lineages selected following fast-neutron irradiation mutagenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Belfield, Eric J.; Gan, Xiangchao; Mithani, Aziz; Brown, Carly; Jiang, Caifu; Franklin, Keara; Alvey, Elizabeth; Wibowo, Anjar; Jung, Marko; Bailey, Kit; Kalwani, Sharan; Ragoussis, Jiannis; Mott, Richard; Harberd, Nicholas P.

2012-01-01

Ionizing radiation has long been known to induce heritable mutagenic change in DNA sequence. However, the genome-wide effect of radiation is not well understood. Here we report the molecular properties and frequency of mutations in phenotypically selected mutant lines isolated following exposure of the genetic model flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana to fast neutrons (FNs). Previous studies suggested that FNs predominantly induce deletions longer than a kilobase in A. thaliana. However, we found a higher frequency of single base substitution than deletion mutations. While the overall frequency and molecular spectrum of fast-neutron (FN)–induced single base substitutions differed substantially from those of “background” mutations arising spontaneously in laboratory-grown plants, G:C>A:T transitions were favored in both. We found that FN-induced G:C>A:T transitions were concentrated at pyrimidine dinucleotide sites, suggesting that FNs promote the formation of mutational covalent linkages between adjacent pyrimidine residues. In addition, we found that FNs induced more single base than large deletions, and that these single base deletions were possibly caused by replication slippage. Our observations provide an initial picture of the genome-wide molecular profile of mutations induced in A. thaliana by FN irradiation and are particularly informative of the nature and extent of genome-wide mutation in lines selected on the basis of mutant phenotypes from FN-mutagenized A. thaliana populations. PMID:22499668

The E2 Domains of APP and APLP1 Share a Conserved Mode of Dimerization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

S Lee; Y Xue; J Hulbert

2011-12-31

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is genetically linked to Alzheimer's disease. APP is a type I membrane protein, and its oligomeric structure is potentially important because this property may play a role in its function or affect the processing of the precursor by the secretases to generate amyloid {beta}-peptide. Several independent studies have shown that APP can form dimers in the cell, but how it dimerizes remains controversial. At least three regions of the precursor, including a centrally located and conserved domain called E2, have been proposed to contribute to dimerization. Here we report two new crystal structures of E2, onemore » from APP and the other from APLP1, a mammalian APP homologue. Comparison with an earlier APP structure, which was determined in a different space group, shows that the E2 domains share a conserved and antiparallel mode of dimerization. Biophysical measurements in solution show that heparin binding induces E2 dimerization. The 2.1 {angstrom} resolution electron density map also reveals phosphate ions that are bound to the protein surface. Mutational analysis shows that protein residues interacting with the phosphate ions are also involved in heparin binding. The locations of two of these residues, Arg-369 and His-433, at the dimeric interface suggest a mechanism for heparin-induced protein dimerization.« less

Ion Mobility Measurements of Multianionic Metalloporphyrin Dimers: Structural Changes Induced by Countercation Exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Erik; Brendle, Katrina; Jäger, Patrick; Weis, Patrick; Kappes, Manfred M.

2018-04-01

We present gas-phase structures of dimers of MnIII and FeIII meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin multianions with various amounts of sodium and hydrogen counterions. The structural assignments are achieved by combining mass spectrometry, ion mobility measurements, quantum chemical calculations, and trajectory method collision cross section calculations. For a common charge state, we observe significant topological variations in the dimer structures of [(MTPPS)2+nX](6-n)- (M=MnIII, FeIII; X=H, Na; n = 1-3) induced by replacing hydrogen counterions by sodium. For sodium, the dimer structures are much more compact, a finding that can be rationalized by the stronger interactions of the sodium cations with the anionic sulfonic acid groups of the porphyrins as compared to hydrogen. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-ones: A Novel Class of Antiinflammatory Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 Receptor Inhibitors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huang, Hui; Hutta, Daniel A.; Rinker, James M.

A series of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-ones has been synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the kinase domain of macrophage colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (FMS). FMS inhibitors may be useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Structure-based optimization of the lead amide analogue 10 led to hydroxamate analogue 37, which possessed excellent potency and an improved pharmacokinetic profile. During the chronic phase of streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis in rats, compound 37 (10, 3, and 1 mg/kg) was highly effective at reversing established joint swelling. In an adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats, 37 prevented joint swelling partially at 10 mg/kg. In thismore » model, osteoclastogenesis and bone erosion were prevented by low doses (1 or 0.33 mg/kg) that had minimal impact on inflammation. These data underscore the potential of FMS inhibitors to prevent erosions and reduce symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis.« less

Quantification of vicine and convicine in faba bean seeds using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Purves, Randy W; Khazaei, Hamid; Vandenberg, Albert

2018-02-01

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) provides environmental and health benefits; however, the presence of the pyrimidine glycosides vicine and convicine (v-c) in its seeds limits consumption. Low v-c genotypes have been introduced, but the convicine levels in these genotypes have not been quantified. To improve detection, the polar nature of v-c was exploited by implementing hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). A sample preparation method using a two-step extraction was developed for use with UV and/or tandem mass spectrometry (SRM) detection. The HILIC-UV method was suitable for over three orders of magnitude, covering the range of v-c concentrations in faba bean seeds across all genotypes tested. The linear range of HILIC-SRM was slightly less (∼3 orders of magnitude), but improved sensitivity and selectivity make it more suitable for quantifying low v-c samples. The analysis of 13 genotypes suggests that v-c concentrations in faba bean seeds may be independent quantitative traits. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ligand-induced perturbation of the HIF-2α:ARNT dimer dynamics

PubMed Central

Motta, Stefano

2018-01-01

Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors belonging to the basic helix−loop−helix PER-ARNT-SIM (bHLH-PAS) protein family with a role in sensing oxygen levels in the cell. Under hypoxia, the HIF-α degradation pathway is blocked and dimerization with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) makes HIF-α transcriptionally active. Due to the common hypoxic environment of tumors, inhibition of this mechanism by destabilization of HIF-α:ARNT dimerization has been proposed as a promising therapeutic strategy. Following the discovery of a druggable cavity within the PAS-B domain of HIF-2α, research efforts have been directed to identify artificial ligands that can impair heterodimerization. Although the crystallographic structures of the HIF-2α:ARNT complex have elucidated the dimer architecture and the 0X3-inhibitor placement within the HIF-2α PAS-B, unveiling the inhibition mechanism requires investigation of how ligand-induced perturbations could dynamically propagate through the structure and affect dimerization. To this end, we compared evolutionary features, intrinsic dynamics and energetic properties of the dimerization interfaces of HIF-2α:ARNT in both the apo and holo forms. Residue conservation analysis highlighted inter-domain connecting elements that have a role in dimerization. Analysis of domain contributions to the dimerization energy demonstrated the importance of bHLH and PAS-A of both partners and of HIF-2α PAS-B domain in dimer stabilization. Among quaternary structure oscillations revealed by Molecular Dynamics simulations, the hinge-bending motion of the ARNT PAS-B domain around the flexible PAS-A/PAS-B linker supports a general model for ARNT dimerization in different heterodimers. Comparison of the HIF-2α:ARNT dynamics in the apo and 0X3-bound forms indicated a model of inhibition where the HIF-2α-PAS-B interfaces are destabilised as a result of water-bridged ligand-protein interactions and these local effects allosterically propagate to perturb the correlated motions of the domains and inter-domain communication. These findings will guide the design of improved inhibitors to contrast cell survival in tumor masses. PMID:29489822

A Designed Angiopoietin-1 Variant, Dimeric CMP-Ang1 Activates Tie2 and Stimulates Angiogenesis and Vascular Stabilization in N-glycan Dependent Manner

PubMed Central

Oh, Nuri; Kim, Kangsan; Jin Kim, Soo; Park, Intae; Lee, Jung-Eun; Suk Seo, Young; Joo An, Hyun; Min Kim, Ho; Young Koh, Gou

2015-01-01

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), a potential growth factor for therapeutic angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, is known to specifically cluster and activate Tie2 in high oligomeric forms, which is a unique and essential process in this ligand-receptor interaction. However, highly oligomeric native Ang1 and Ang1 variants are difficult to produce, purify, and store in a stable and active form. To overcome these limitations, we developed a simple and active dimeric CMP-Ang1 by replacing the N-terminal of native Ang1 with the coiled-coil domain of cartilage matrix protein (CMP) bearing mutations in its cysteine residues. This dimeric CMP-Ang1 effectively increased the migration, survival, and tube formation of endothelial cells via Tie2 activation. Furthermore, dimeric CMP-Ang1 induced angiogenesis and suppressed vascular leakage in vivo. Despite its dimeric structure, the potencies of such Tie2-activation-induced effects were comparable to those of a previously engineered protein, COMP-Ang1. We also revealed that these effects of dimeric CMP-Ang1 were affected by specified N-glycosylation in its fibrinogen-like domain. Taken together, our results indicate that dimeric CMP-Ang1 is capable of activating Tie2 and stimulating angiogenesis in N-glycan dependent manner. PMID:26478188

Thiamin Pyrimidine Biosynthesis in Candida albicans: A Remarkable Reaction between Histidine and Pyridoxal Phosphate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lai, Rung-Yi; Huang, Siyu; Fenwick, Michael K.

2012-06-26

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, thiamin pyrimidine is formed from histidine and pyridoxal phosphate (PLP). The origin of all of the pyrimidine atoms has been previously determined using labeling studies and suggests that the pyrimidine is formed using remarkable chemistry that is without chemical or biochemical precedent. Here we report the overexpression of the closely related Candida albicans pyrimidine synthase (THI5p) and the reconstitution and preliminary characterization of the enzymatic activity. A structure of the C. albicans THI5p shows PLP bound at the active site via an imine with Lys62 and His66 in close proximity to the PLP. Our data suggest thatmore » His66 of the THI5 protein is the histidine source for pyrimidine formation and that the pyrimidine synthase is a single-turnover enzyme.« less

Conformational stability of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor as influenced by glycosylation, dimerization and EGF hormone binding.

PubMed

Taylor, Eric S; Pol-Fachin, Laercio; Lins, Roberto D; Lower, Steven K

2017-04-01

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important transmembrane glycoprotein kinase involved the initiation or perpetuation of signal transduction cascades within cells. These processes occur after EGFR binds to a ligand [epidermal growth factor (EGF)], thus inducing its dimerization and tyrosine autophosphorylation. Previous publications have highlighted the importance of glycosylation and dimerization for promoting proper function of the receptor and conformation in membranes; however, the effects of these associations on the protein conformational stability have not yet been described. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to characterize the conformational preferences of the monomeric and dimeric forms of the EGFR extracellular domain upon binding to EGF in the presence and absence of N-glycan moieties. Structural stability analyses revealed that EGF provides the most conformational stability to EGFR, followed by glycosylation and dimerization, respectively. The findings also support that EGF-EGFR binding takes place through a large-scale induced-fitting mechanism. Proteins 2017; 85:561-570. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dimer monomer transition and dimer re-formation play important role for ATM cellular function during DNA repair

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Du, Fengxia; Zhang, Minjie; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049

2014-10-03

Highlights: • ATM phosphorylates the opposite strand of the dimer in response to DNA damage. • The PETPVFRLT box of ATM plays a key role in its dimer dissociation in DNA repair. • The dephosphorylation of ATM is critical for dimer re-formation after DNA repair. - Abstract: The ATM protein kinase, is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is recruited and activated by DNA double-strand breaks, mediates responses to ionizing radiation in mammalian cells. Here we show that ATM is held inactive in unirradiated cells as a dimer and phosphorylates the opposite strand of the dimer in response to DNA damage.more » Cellular irradiation induces rapid intermolecular autophosphorylation of serine 1981 that causes dimer dissociation and initiates cellular ATM kinase activity. ATM cannot phosphorylate the substrates when it could not undergo dimer monomer transition. After DNA repair, the active monomer will undergo dephosphorylation to form dimer again and dephosphorylation is critical for dimer re-formation. Our work reveals novel function of ATM dimer monomer transition and explains why ATM dimer monomer transition plays such important role for ATM cellular activity during DNA repair.« less

Annihilation of photochemical reactivity of photo-alignment layer.

PubMed

Hong, S H; Hwang, Y J; Lee, S G; Shin, D M

2008-09-01

The gas-polymer and liquid-polymer interfacial reactions of photosensitive polyimide can annihilate photo-reactive carbon-carbon double bonds, which remain after photo-alignment process. The annihilation processes dramatically affect voltage holding ratio and reorientation of photo-active functional groups. Photochemical dimerizations were identified using UV-visible and FT-IR spectroscopy. Polyimide films containing cinnamate groups were irradiated by linear polarized ultra violet (LPUV) light. Schadt et al. claims that the photo-alignment results from the anisotropy depletion of the cinnamate side chains as a consequence of the (2+2) cycloaddition reactions. The photo-aligned polyimide induces the orientation of nematic liquid crystals perpendicular to the polarization axis. However, the un-reacted photo-sensitive functional groups generate problems such as image sticking and reduced contrast ratio. Voltage holding ratio and photo-fading observed from photo-alignment layer can be dramatically improved by annihilation process of remnant photoreactive groups.

Dimerization controls the lipid raft partitioning of uPAR/CD87 and regulates its biological functions

PubMed Central

Cunningham, Orla; Andolfo, Annapaola; Santovito, Maria Lisa; Iuzzolino, Lucia; Blasi, Francesco; Sidenius, Nicolai

2003-01-01

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR/CD87) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein with multiple functions in extracellular proteolysis, cell adhesion, cell migration and proliferation. We now report that cell surface uPAR dimerizes and that dimeric uPAR partitions preferentially to detergent-resistant lipid rafts. Dimerization of uPAR did not require raft partitioning as the lowering of membrane cholesterol failed to reduce dimerization and as a transmembrane uPAR chimera, which does not partition to lipid rafts, also dimerized efficiently. While uPA bound to uPAR independently of its membrane localization and dimerization status, uPA-induced uPAR cleavage was strongly accelerated in lipid rafts. In contrast to uPA, the binding of Vn occurred preferentially to raft- associated dimeric uPAR and was completely blocked by cholesterol depletion. PMID:14609946

Selective enzymatic cleavage and labeling for sensitive capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence analysis of oxidized DNA bases.

PubMed

Li, Cuiping; Wang, Hailin

2015-08-07

Oxidatively generated DNA damage is considered to be a significant contributing factor to cancer, aging, and age-related human diseases. It is important to detect oxidatively generated DNA damage to understand and clinically diagnosis diseases caused by oxidative damage. In this study, using selective enzymatic cleavage and quantum dot (QD) labeling, we developed a novel capillary electrophoresis-laser induced fluorescence method for the sensitive detection of oxidized DNA bases. First, oxidized DNA bases are recognized and removed by one DNA base excision repair glycosylase, leaving apurinic and apyrimidinic sites (AP sites) at the oxidized positions. The AP sites are further excised by the AP nicking activity of the chosen glycosylase, generating a nucleotide gap with 5'- and 3'- phosphate groups. After dephosphorylation with one alkaline phosphatase, a biotinylated ddNTP is introduced into the nucleotide space within the DNA strand by DNA polymerase I. The biotin-tagged DNA is further labeled with a QD-streptavidin conjugate via non-covalent interactions. The DNA-bound QD is well-separated from excess DNA-unbound QD by highly efficient capillary electrophoresis and is sensitively detected by online coupled laser-induced fluorescence analysis. Using this method, we can assess the trace levels of oxidized DNA bases induced by the Fenton reaction and UV irradiation. Interestingly, the use of the formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (FPG) protein and endonuclease VIII enables the detection of oxidized purine and pyrimidine bases, respectively. Using the synthesized standard DNA, the approach has low limits of detection of 1.1×10(-19)mol in mass and 2.9pM in concentration. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structure of the coat protein from the GA bacteriophage: model of the unassembled dimer.

PubMed Central

Ni, C. Z.; White, C. A.; Mitchell, R. S.; Wickersham, J.; Kodandapani, R.; Peabody, D. S.; Ely, K. R.

1996-01-01

There are four groups of RNA bacteriophages with distinct antigenic and physicochemical properties due to differences in surface residues of the viral coat proteins. Coat proteins also play a role as translational repressor during the viral life cycle, binding an RNA hairpin within the genome. In this study, the first crystal structure of the coat protein from a Group II phage GA is reported and compared to the Group I MS2 coat protein. The structure of the GA dimer was determined at 2.8 A resolution (R-factor = 0.20). The overall folding pattern of the coat protein is similar to the Group I MS2 coat protein in the intact virus (Golmohammadi R, Valegård K, Fridborg K, Liljas L. 1993, J Mol Biol 234:620-639) or as an unassembled dimer (Ni Cz, Syed R, Kodandapani R. Wickersham J, Peabody DS, Ely KR, 1995, Structure 3:255-263). The structures differ in the FG loops and in the first turn of the alpha A helix. GA and MS2 coat proteins differ in sequence at 49 of 129 amino acid residues. Sequence differences that contribute to distinct immunological and physical properties of the proteins are found at the surface of the intact virus in the AB and FG loops. There are six differences in potential RNA contact residues within the RNA-binding site located in an antiparallel beta-sheet across the dimer interface. Three differences involve residues in the center of this concave site: Lys/Arg 83, Ser/Asn 87, and Asp/Glu 89. Residue 87 was shown by molecular genetics to define RNA-binding specificity by GA or MS2 coat protein (Lim F. Spingola M, Peabody DS, 1994, J Biol Chem 269:9006-9010). This sequence difference reflects recognition of the nucleotide at position -5 in the unpaired loop of the translational operators bound by these coat proteins. In GA, the nucleotide at this position is a purine whereas in MS2, it is a pyrimidine. PMID:8976557

Crystal structure of the coat protein from the GA bacteriophage: model of the unassembled dimer.

PubMed

Ni, C Z; White, C A; Mitchell, R S; Wickersham, J; Kodandapani, R; Peabody, D S; Ely, K R

1996-12-01

There are four groups of RNA bacteriophages with distinct antigenic and physicochemical properties due to differences in surface residues of the viral coat proteins. Coat proteins also play a role as translational repressor during the viral life cycle, binding an RNA hairpin within the genome. In this study, the first crystal structure of the coat protein from a Group II phage GA is reported and compared to the Group I MS2 coat protein. The structure of the GA dimer was determined at 2.8 A resolution (R-factor = 0.20). The overall folding pattern of the coat protein is similar to the Group I MS2 coat protein in the intact virus (Golmohammadi R, Valegård K, Fridborg K, Liljas L. 1993, J Mol Biol 234:620-639) or as an unassembled dimer (Ni Cz, Syed R, Kodandapani R. Wickersham J, Peabody DS, Ely KR, 1995, Structure 3:255-263). The structures differ in the FG loops and in the first turn of the alpha A helix. GA and MS2 coat proteins differ in sequence at 49 of 129 amino acid residues. Sequence differences that contribute to distinct immunological and physical properties of the proteins are found at the surface of the intact virus in the AB and FG loops. There are six differences in potential RNA contact residues within the RNA-binding site located in an antiparallel beta-sheet across the dimer interface. Three differences involve residues in the center of this concave site: Lys/Arg 83, Ser/Asn 87, and Asp/Glu 89. Residue 87 was shown by molecular genetics to define RNA-binding specificity by GA or MS2 coat protein (Lim F. Spingola M, Peabody DS, 1994, J Biol Chem 269:9006-9010). This sequence difference reflects recognition of the nucleotide at position -5 in the unpaired loop of the translational operators bound by these coat proteins. In GA, the nucleotide at this position is a purine whereas in MS2, it is a pyrimidine.

Inhibition of homodimerization of toll-like receptor 4 by 6-shogaol.

PubMed

Ahn, Sang-Il; Lee, Jun-Kyung; Youn, Hyung-Sun

2009-02-28

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in sensing microbial components and inducing innate immune and inflammatory responses by recognizing invading microbial pathogens. Lipopolysaccharide-induced dimerization of TLR4 is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Therefore, TLR4 dimerization may be an early regulatory event in activating ligand-induced signaling pathways and induction of subsequent immune responses. Here, we report biochemical evidence that 6-shogaol, the most bioactive component of ginger, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced dimerization of TLR4 resulting in the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2. Furthermore, we demonstrate that 6-shogaol can directly inhibit TLR-mediated signaling pathways at the receptor level. These results suggest that 6-shogaol can modulate TLR-mediated inflammatory responses, which may influence the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Adenine radicals generated in alternating AT duplexes by direct absorption of low-energy UV radiation.

PubMed

Banyasz, Akos; Ketola, Tiia; Martínez-Fernández, Lara; Improta, Roberto; Markovitsi, Dimitra

2018-04-17

There is increasing evidence that the direct absorption of photons with energies that are lower than the ionization potential of nucleobases may result in oxidative damage to DNA. The present work, which combines nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and quantum mechanical calculations, studies this process in alternating adenine-thymine duplexes (AT)n. We show that the one-photon ionization quantum yield of (AT)10 at 266 nm (4.66 eV) is (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10-3. According to our PCM/TD-DFT calculations carried out on model duplexes composed of two base pairs, (AT)1 and (TA)1, simultaneous base pairing and stacking does not induce important changes in the absorption spectra of the adenine radical cation and deprotonated radical. The adenine radicals, thus identified in the time-resolved spectra, disappear with a lifetime of 2.5 ms, giving rise to a reaction product that absorbs at 350 nm. In parallel, the fingerprint of reaction intermediates other than radicals, formed directly from singlet excited states and assigned to AT/TA dimers, is detected at shorter wavelengths. PCM/TD-DFT calculations are carried out to map the pathways leading to such species and to characterize their absorption spectra; we find that, in addition to the path leading to the well-known TA* photoproduct, an AT photo-dimerization path may be operative in duplexes.

Nitric-oxide Synthase Forms N-NO-pterin and S-NO-Cys

PubMed Central

Rosenfeld, Robin J.; Bonaventura, Joseph; Szymczyna, Blair R.; MacCoss, Michael J.; Arvai, Andrew S.; Yates, John R.; Tainer, John A.; Getzoff, Elizabeth D.

2010-01-01

Inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) produces biologically stressful levels of nitric oxide (NO) as a potent mediator of cellular cytotoxicity or signaling. Yet, how this nitrosative stress affects iNOS function in vivo is poorly understood. Here we define two specific non-heme iNOS nitrosation sites discovered by combining UV-visible spectroscopy, chemiluminescence, mass spectrometry, and x-ray crystallography. We detected auto-S-nitrosylation during enzymatic turnover by using chemiluminescence. Selective S-nitrosylation of the ZnS4 site, which bridges the dimer interface, promoted a dimer-destabilizing order-to-disorder transition. The nitrosated iNOS crystal structure revealed an unexpected N-NO modification on the pterin cofactor. Furthermore, the structurally defined N-NO moiety is solvent-exposed and available to transfer NO to a partner. We investigated glutathione (GSH) as a potential transnitrosation partner because the intracellular GSH concentration is high and NOS can form S-nitrosoglutathione. Our computational results predicted a GSH binding site adjacent to the N-NO-pterin. Moreover, we detected GSH binding to iNOS with saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy. Collectively, these observations resolve previous paradoxes regarding this uncommon pterin cofactor in NOS and suggest means for regulating iNOS activity via N-NO-pterin and S-NO-Cys modifications. The iNOS self-nitrosation characterized here appears appropriate to help control NO production in response to cellular conditions. PMID:20659888

Substrate specificity of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylases of NP-II family probed by X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balaev, V. V.; Lashkov, A. A.; Prokofev, I. I.; Gabdulkhakov, A. G.; Seregina, T. A.; Mironov, A. S.; Betzel, C.; Mikhailov, A. M.

2016-09-01

Pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylases, which are widely used in the biotechnological production of nucleosides, have different substrate specificity for pyrimidine nucleosides. An interesting feature of these enzymes is that the three-dimensional structure of thymidine-specific nucleoside phosphorylase is similar to the structure of nonspecific pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase. The three-dimensional structures of thymidine phosphorylase from Salmonella typhimurium and nonspecific pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase from Bacillus subtilis in complexes with a sulfate anion were determined for the first time by X-ray crystallography. An analysis of the structural differences between these enzymes demonstrated that Lys108, which is involved in the phosphate binding in pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase, corresponds to Met111 in thymidine phosphorylases. This difference results in a decrease in the charge on one of the hydroxyl oxygens of the phosphate anion in thymidine phosphorylase and facilitates the catalysis through SN2 nucleophilic substitution. Based on the results of X-ray crystallography, the virtual screening was performed for identifying a potent inhibitor (anticancer agent) of nonspecific pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase, which does not bind to thymidine phosphorylase. The molecular dynamics simulation revealed the stable binding of the discovered compound—2-pyrimidin-2-yl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid—to the active site of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase.

Occurrence and formation kinetics of pyranomalvidin-procyanidin dimer pigment in Merlot red wine: impact of acidity and oxygen concentrations.

PubMed

Pechamat, Laurent; Zeng, Liming; Jourdes, Michael; Ghidossi, Rémy; Teissedre, Pierre-Louis

2014-02-19

Once released from red grape skins, anthocyanins undergo various chemical reactions leading to the formation of more stable pigments such as pyranoanthocyanin, as well as other derivatives. Among these pigments, pyranoanthocyanins linked directly to flavanol dimers have been detected and identified in aged Port wine but not in dry red wine. These pigments are very important with regard to the wine color evolution since they are involved in wine color evolution and stabilization. During this investigation, the occurrence in dry red wine of two pyranomalvidin-procyanidin dimer has been established by low and high resolution HPLC-UV-MS analysis. Moreover, the impact of acidity and oxygen levels on their formation in red wine has been estimated. After four months of evolution, the results showed that, for the same pH, the quantity of this pigment was correlated with oxygen concentrations. Moreover, for the same quantity of oxygen, the concentration of this pigment was related to the acidity level.

Number and brightness image analysis reveals ATF-induced dimerization kinetics of uPAR in the cell membrane

PubMed Central

Hellriegel, Christian; Caiolfa, Valeria R.; Corti, Valeria; Sidenius, Nicolai; Zamai, Moreno

2011-01-01

We studied the molecular forms of the GPI-anchored urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR-mEGFP) in the human embryo kidney (HEK293) cell membrane and demonstrated that the binding of the amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of urokinase plasminogen activator is sufficient to induce the dimerization of the receptor. We followed the association kinetics and determined precisely the dimeric stoichiometry of uPAR-mEGFP complexes by applying number and brightness (N&B) image analysis. N&B is a novel fluctuation-based approach for measuring the molecular brightness of fluorophores in an image time sequence in live cells. Because N&B is very sensitive to long-term temporal fluctuations and photobleaching, we have introduced a filtering protocol that corrects for these important sources of error. Critical experimental parameters in N&B analysis are illustrated and analyzed by simulation studies. Control experiments are based on mEGFP-GPI, mEGFP-mEGFP-GPI, and mCherry-GPI, expressed in HEK293. This work provides a first direct demonstration of the dimerization of uPAR in live cells. We also provide the first methodological guide on N&B to discern minor changes in molecular composition such as those due to dimerization events, which are involved in fundamental cell signaling mechanisms.—Hellriegel, C., Caiolfa, V. R., Corti, V., Sidenius, N., Zamai, M. Number and brightness image analysis reveals ATF-induced dimerization kinetics of uPAR in the cell membrane. PMID:21602447

Absence of Local Fluctuating Dimers in Superconducting Ir 1-x(Pt,Rh) xTe 2

DOE PAGES

Yu, Runze; Banerjee, S.; Lei, H. C.; ...

2018-06-01

The compound IrTe2 is known to exhibit a transition to a modulated state featuring Ir-Ir dimers, with large associated atomic displacements. Partial substitution of Pt or Rh for Ir destabilizes the modulated structure and induces superconductivity. It has been proposed that quantum critical dimer fluctuations might be associated with the superconductivity. Here we test for such local dimer correlations and demonstrate their absence. X-ray pair distribution function approach reveals that the local structure of Ir 0.95Pt 0.05Te 2 and Ir 0.8Rh 0.2Te 2 dichalcogenide superconductors with compositions just past the dimer/superconductor boundary is explained well by a dimer-free model downmore » to 10 K, ruling out the possibility of there being nanoscale dimer fluctuations in this regime. This is inconsistent with the proposed quantum-critical-point-like interplay of the dimer state and superconductivity, and precludes scenarios for dimer fluctuations mediated superconducting pairing.« less

Absence of Local Fluctuating Dimers in Superconducting Ir 1-x(Pt,Rh) xTe 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu, Runze; Banerjee, S.; Lei, H. C.

The compound IrTe2 is known to exhibit a transition to a modulated state featuring Ir-Ir dimers, with large associated atomic displacements. Partial substitution of Pt or Rh for Ir destabilizes the modulated structure and induces superconductivity. It has been proposed that quantum critical dimer fluctuations might be associated with the superconductivity. Here we test for such local dimer correlations and demonstrate their absence. X-ray pair distribution function approach reveals that the local structure of Ir 0.95Pt 0.05Te 2 and Ir 0.8Rh 0.2Te 2 dichalcogenide superconductors with compositions just past the dimer/superconductor boundary is explained well by a dimer-free model downmore » to 10 K, ruling out the possibility of there being nanoscale dimer fluctuations in this regime. This is inconsistent with the proposed quantum-critical-point-like interplay of the dimer state and superconductivity, and precludes scenarios for dimer fluctuations mediated superconducting pairing.« less

Absence of local fluctuating dimers in superconducting Ir1 -x(Pt,Rh ) xTe2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Runze; Banerjee, S.; Lei, H. C.; Sinclair, Ryan; Abeykoon, M.; Zhou, H. D.; Petrovic, C.; Guguchia, Z.; Bozin, E. S.

2018-05-01

The compound IrTe2 is known to exhibit a transition to a modulated state featuring Ir-Ir dimers, with large associated atomic displacements. Partial substitution of Pt or Rh for Ir destabilizes the modulated structure and induces superconductivity. It has been proposed that quantum critical dimer fluctuations might be associated with the superconductivity. Here we test for such local dimer correlations and demonstrate their absence. X-ray pair distribution function approach reveals that the local structure of Ir0 :95Pt0 :05Te2 and Ir0 :8Rh0 :2Te2 dichalcogenide superconductors with compositions just past the dimer/superconductor boundary is explained well by a dimer-free model down to 10 K, ruling out the possibility of there being nanoscale dimer fluctuations in this regime. This is inconsistent with the proposed quantum-critical-point-like interplay of the dimer state and superconductivity, and precludes scenarios for dimer fluctuations mediated superconducting pairing.