[Chemical cleavage of DNA with single base mismatches for detection of mutations of unknown localization].

The most promising approach for detection of random point mutations relies upon the DNA chemical cleavage near associated mismatching base pairs. In our study, the series of heteroduplexes with all types of mismatches and extrahelical nucleotide residues surrounded by both A x T and G x C pairs were performed via hybridization of 50-mer synthetic oligonucleotides differing in only one nucleotide at the central position. The chemical cleavage of DNA duplexes immobilized on magnetic beads by means of biotin-streptavidin interaction was carried out with chemicals, which able to attack only nucleobases flipped out of the base stack: potassium permanganate and hydroxylamine reacting to T and C respectively.

Spontaneous DNA-DNA interaction of homologous duplexes and factors affecting the result of heteroduplex formation.

Mutation detection and mismatch repair investigations based on heteroduplex formation require a linear DNA structure. DNA branching, described previously under physiological conditions, has been analysed in the heteroduplex formation process. Symmetrical chi-structures were detected after heteroduplex formation by gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy.

[Specific oligonucleotide invasion into the end of DNA duplex].

Phenomenon of the interaction of a double-stranded DNA fragment with an oligonucleotide complementary to the end of the duplex strand was demonstrated to occur via formation of three-stranded DNA structure with an oligonucleotide invasion. It was shown that oligonucleotides complementary to the duplex ends inhibit Holliday junction formation in solutions of homologous linear DNA fragments. This effect depends on the oligonucleotide concentration, sequence and their complementarity to the duplex ends.

Novel TP53 gene mutations in tumors of Russian patients with breast cancer detected using a new solid phase chemical cleavage of mismatch method and identified by sequencing.

Mutations in the tumor-suppressor p53 gene TP53 are frequent in most human cancers including breast cancer. A new solid phase chemical cleavage of mismatch method (CCM) allowed rapid and efficient screening and analysis of the TP53 gene in DNA samples extracted from tumors of 89 breast cancer patients. The novel CCM technique utilized silica beads and the potassium permanganate/tetraethylammonium chloride (KMnO(4)/TEAC) and hydroxylamine (NH(2)OH) reactions were performed sequentially in a single tube.

[The role of duplex ends in the spontaneous interaction of homologous linear DNA fragments].

The spontaneous interaction of homologous linear DNA fragments was studied with a model of purified PCR products by agarose gel electrophoresis. To interact, duplexes required not only homology of internal regions, but also complementary ends. Fragments differing in terminal sequences did not interact.