Oligonucleotides DNA containing 8-trifluoromethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine for observing Z-DNA structure 

July 30, 2020

Title

Oligonucleotides DNA containing 8-trifluoromethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine for observing Z-DNA structure 

Author

Hong-Liang Bao, Tatsuki Masuzawa, Takanori Oyoshi, Yan Xu

Year

2020

Journal

Nucleic Acids Research

Abstract

Z-DNA is known to be a left-handed alternative form of DNA and has important biological roles as well as being related to cancer and other genetic diseases. It is therefore important to investigate Z-DNA structure and related biological events in living cells. However, the development of molecular probes for the observation of Z-DNA structures inside living cells has not yet been realized. Here, we have succeeded in developing site-specific trifluoromethyl oligonucleotide DNA by incorporation of 8-trifluoromethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine (FG). 2D NMR strongly suggested that FG adopted a syn conformation. Trifluoromethyl oligonucleotides dramatically stabilized Z-DNA, even under physiological salt concentrations. Furthermore, the trifluoromethyl DNA can be used to directly observe Z-form DNA structure and interaction of DNA with proteins in vitro, as well as in living human cells by19F NMR spectroscopy for the first time. These results provide valuable information to allow understanding of the structure and function of Z-DNA.

Instrument

J-820

Keywords

Circular dichroism, DNA structure, Chemical stability, Biochemistry