Observations of three “re-entrant” twisted structures in double-stranded DNA dispersion particles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri M. Yevdokimov ◽  
Sergey G. Skuridin ◽  
Viktor I. Salyanov ◽  
Efim I. Kats
Keyword(s):  
Double Stranded Dna

Discrimination of monomer from multimer DNA disk-shaped toruses by freezeetch TEM

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
George C. Ruben ◽  
Kenneth A. Marx
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Data ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Data Support ◽  
Dna Organization ◽  
Trivalent Cations

In vitro collapse of DNA by trivalent cations like spermidine produces torus (donut) shaped DNA structures thought to have a DNA organization similar to certain double stranded DNA bacteriophage and viruses. This has prompted our studies of these structures using freeze-etch low Pt-C metal (9Å) replica TEM. With a variety of DNAs the TEM and biochemical data support a circumferential DNA winding model for hydrated DNA torus organization. Since toruses are almost invariably oriented nearly horizontal to the ice surface one of the most accessible parameters of a torus population is annulus (ring) thickness. We have tabulated this parameter for populations of both nicked, circular (Fig. 1: n=63) and linear (n=40: data not shown) ϕX-174 DNA toruses. In both cases, as can be noted in Fig. 1, there appears to be a compact grouping of toruses possessing smaller dimensions separated from a dispersed population possessing considerably larger dimensions.

Synchrony of Digestion of SV40 DNA by Exonuclease III Determined by EM

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 674-675
Author(s):  
Ray Wu ◽  
G. Ruben ◽  
B. Siegel ◽  
P. Spielman ◽  
E. Jay
Keyword(s):  
Dark Field ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Enzyme Digestion ◽  
Dna Molecules ◽  
Exonuclease Iii ◽  
Aluminum Films ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Exo Iii ◽  
Sv40 Dna

A method for determining long nucleotide sequences of double-stranded DNA is being developed. It involves (a) the synchronous digestion of the DNA from the 3' ends with EL coli exonuclease III (Exo III) followed by (b) resynthesis with labeled nucleotides and DNA polymerase. A crucial factor in the success of this method is the degree to which the enzyme digestion proceeds synchronously under proper conditions of incubation (step a). Dark field EM is used to obtain accurate measurements on the lengths and distribution of the DNA molecules before and after digestion with Exo III, while gel electrophoresis is used in parallel to obtain a mean length for these molecules. It is the measurements on a large enough sample of individual molecules by EM that provides the information on how synchronously the digestion proceeds. For length measurements, the DNA molecules were picked up on 20-30 Å thick carbon-aluminum films, using the aqueous Kleinschmidt technique and stained with 7.5 x 10-5M uranyl acetate in 90% ethanol for 3 minutes.

Torus Circumference and Thickness Parameters From a Linear DNA Size Series Suggest How Toruses Self-Assemble

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 522-523
Author(s):  
George C. Ruben ◽  
Kenneth A. Marx
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Structure ◽  
Dna Complexes ◽  
Tertiary Structures ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Calf Thymus ◽  
Dna Organization ◽  
Condensed Dna ◽  
Dna Size

Certain double stranded DNA bacteriophage and viruses are thought to have their DNA organized into large torus shaped structures. Morphologically, these poorly understood biological DNA tertiary structures resemble spermidine-condensed DNA complexes formed in vitro in the total absence of other macromolecules normally synthesized by the pathogens for the purpose of their own DNA packaging. Therefore, we have studied the tertiary structure of these self-assembling torus shaped spermidine- DNA complexes in a series of reports. Using freeze-etch, low Pt-C metal (10-15Å) replicas, we have visualized the microscopic DNA organization of both calf Thymus( CT) and linear 0X-174 RFII DNA toruses. In these structures DNA is circumferentially wound, continuously, around the torus into a semi-crystalline, hexagonal packed array of parallel DNA helix sections.

Analysis of unintegrated avian RNA tumor virus double-stranded DNA intermediates.

1978 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 810-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
T W Hsu ◽  
J L Sabran ◽  
G E Mark ◽  
R V Guntaka ◽  
J M Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Tumor Virus

scholarly journals Mechanism of Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA Formation

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1463
Author(s):  
Lei Wei ◽  
Alexander Ploss
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Circular Dna ◽  
Critical Step ◽  
Hbv Cccdna ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Cellular Environment ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Comprehensive Picture

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major medical problem affecting at least 257 million chronically infected patients who are at risk of developing serious, frequently fatal liver diseases. HBV is a small, partially double-stranded DNA virus that goes through an intricate replication cycle in its native cellular environment: human hepatocytes. A critical step in the viral life-cycle is the conversion of relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) into covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the latter being the major template for HBV gene transcription. For this conversion, HBV relies on multiple host factors, as enzymes capable of catalyzing the relevant reactions are not encoded in the viral genome. Combinations of genetic and biochemical approaches have produced findings that provide a more holistic picture of the complex mechanism of HBV cccDNA formation. Here, we review some of these studies that have helped to provide a comprehensive picture of rcDNA to cccDNA conversion. Mechanistic insights into this critical step for HBV persistence hold the key for devising new therapies that will lead not only to viral suppression but to a cure.

scholarly journals Naphthalimide-Containing BP100 Leads to Higher Model Membranes Interactions and Antimicrobial Activity

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 542
Author(s):  
Gustavo Penteado Battesini Carretero ◽  
Greice Kelle Viegas Saraiva ◽  
Magali Aparecida Rodrigues ◽  
Sumika Kiyota ◽  
Marcelo Porto Bemquerer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Helical Structure ◽  
Helical Conformation ◽  
Property A ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Low Toxicity

In a large variety of organisms, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are primary defenses against pathogens. BP100 (KKLFKKILKYL-NH2), a short, synthetic, cationic AMP, is active against bacteria and displays low toxicity towards eukaryotic cells. BP100 acquires a α-helical conformation upon interaction with membranes and increases membrane permeability. Despite the volume of information available, the action mechanism of BP100, the selectivity of its biological effects, and possible applications are far from consensual. Our group synthesized a fluorescent BP100 analogue containing naphthalimide linked to its N-terminal end, NAPHT-BP100 (Naphthalimide-AAKKLFKKILKYL-NH2). The fluorescence properties of naphthalimides, especially their spectral sensitivity to microenvironment changes, are well established, and their biological activities against transformed cells and bacteria are known. Naphthalimide derived compounds are known to interact with DNA disturbing related processes as replication and transcription, and used as anticancer agents due to this property. A wide variety of techniques were used to demonstrate that NAPHT-BP100 bound to and permeabilized zwitterionic POPC and negatively charged POPC:POPG liposomes and, upon interaction, acquired a α-helical structure. Membrane surface high peptide/lipid ratios triggered complete permeabilization of the liposomes in a detergent-like manner. Membrane disruption was driven by charge neutralization, lipid aggregation, and bilayer destabilization. NAPHT-BP100 also interacted with double-stranded DNA, indicating that this peptide could also affect other cellular processes besides causing membrane destabilization. NAPHT-BP100 showed increased antibacterial and hemolytic activities, compared to BP100, and may constitute an efficient antimicrobial agent for dermatological use. By conjugating BP100 and naphthalimide DNA binding properties, NAPHT-BP100 bound to a large extent to the bacterial membrane and could more efficiently destabilize it. We also speculate that peptide could enter the bacteria cell and interact with its DNA in the cytoplasm.

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