Solution structure of the covalent duocarmycin A-DNA duplex complex Journal Article


Authors: Lin, C. H.; Patel, D. J.
Article Title: Solution structure of the covalent duocarmycin A-DNA duplex complex
Abstract: Duocarmycin A is an antitumour antibiotic that binds covalently to the minor groove N-3 position of adenine with sequence specificity for the 3'-adenine in a d(A-A-A-A) tract in duplex DNA. The adenine ring becomes protonated on duocarmycin adduct formation resulting in charge delocalization over the purine ring system. We report on the solution structure of duocarmycin A bound site specifically to A12 (designated *A12+) in the sequence context d(T3-T4-T5-T6).d(A9-A10-A11-*A12+) within a hairpin duplex. The solution structure was solved based on a combined NMR-molecular dynamics study including NOE based intensity refinement. The A and B-rings of duocarmycin are positioned deep within the walls of the minor groove with the B-ring (which is furthest from the covalent linkage site) directed towards the 5'-end of the modified strand. Duocarmycin adopts an extended conformation and is aligned at ∼ 45° to the helix axis with its non-polar concave edges interacting with the floor of the minor groove while its polar edges are sandwiched within the walls of the minor groove. The T3.*A12+ modification site pair forms a weak central Watson-Crick hydrogen bond in contrast to all A.T and G.C pairs, which align through standard Watson-Crick pairing in the complex. The helical parameters are consistent with a minimally perturbed right-handed duplex in the complex with minor groove width and x-displacement parameters indicative of a B-form helix. A striking feature of the complex is the positioning of duocarmycin A within the walls of the minor groove resulting in upfield shifts of the minor groove sugar protons, as well as backbone proton and phosphorus resonances in the DNA segment spanning the binding site. © 1995 Academic Press Limited.
Keywords: solution structure; covalent duocarmycin-dna complex; duocarmycin alignment and directionality; intermolecular interactions in the minor groove
Journal Title: Journal of Molecular Biology
Volume: 248
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0022-2836
Publisher: Academic Press Inc., Elsevier Science  
Date Published: 1995-04-21
Start Page: 162
End Page: 179
Language: English
DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1995.0209
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 7731041
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 28 August 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Chin H Lin
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  2. Dinshaw J Patel
    477 Patel