DNA is inherently limited by its four natural nucleotides. Efforts to expand the genetic alphabet, by addition of an unnatural base pair, promise to expand the biotechnological applications available for DNA as well as to be an essential first step toward expansion of the genetic code. We have conducted two independent screens of hydrophobic unnatural nucleotides to identify novel candidate base pairs that are well recognized by a natural DNA polymerase. From a pool of 3600 candidate base pairs, both screens identified the same base pair, dSICS:dMMO2, which we report here. Using a series of related analogues, we performed a detailed structure-activity relationship analysis, which allowed us to identify the essential functional groups on each nucleobase. From the results of these studies, we designed an optimized base pair, d5SICS:dMMO2, which is efficiently and selectively synthesized by Kf within the context of natural DNA.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja078223d | DOI Listing |
Comput Biol Chem
December 2024
Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, PO Box 5400, Oulu 90014, Finland; Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, PO Box 5400, Oulu 90014, Finland. Electronic address:
Single-stranded breaks (SSBs) are the most frequent DNA lesions threatening genomic integrity-understanding how DNA sensor proteins recognize certain SSB types is crucial for studies of the DNA repair pathways. During repair of damaged DNA the final SSB that is to be ligated contains a 5'-phosphorylated end. The present work employed molecular simulation (MD) of DNA with a phosphorylated break in solution to address multiple questions regarding the dynamics of the break site.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Background: We previously identified a 44-base pair deletion in (ATP-binding cassette sub-family A member 7) (ABCA7) that is significantly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in African Americans (AA), producing a frameshift mutation resulting in a truncated protein (p.Arg578Alafs). ABCA7 is a lipid transporter across cellular membranes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Pediatr
December 2024
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
Background: Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a group of genetic skin disorders characterized by abnormal keratinization, leading to significant health issues and reduced quality of life. ARCI encompasses harlequin ichthyosis (HI), congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE), and lamellar ichthyosis (LI). While all ARCI genes are linked to LI and CIE, HI is specifically associated with severe mutations in the gene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.
Prime editing enables precise and efficient genome editing, but its efficacy is hindered by pegRNA's 3' extension, forming secondary structures due to high complementarity with the protospacer. The continuous presence of the prime editing system also leads to unintended indel formation, raising safety concerns for therapeutic applications. To address these challenges, we develop a mismatched pegRNA (mpegRNA) strategy that introduces mismatched bases into the pegRNA protospacer, reducing complementarity and secondary structure formation, and preventing sustained activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrg Biomol Chem
January 2025
State Key Laboratory Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu Road South, Nanjing 211816, China.
The cycloaddition of CO to epoxide (CCE) reactions produce valuable cyclic carbonates useful in the electrolytes of lithium-ion batteries, as organic solvents, and in polymeric materials. However, halide-containing catalysts are predominantly used in these reactions, despite halides being notoriously corrosive to steel processing equipment and residual halides also having harmful effects. To eliminate the reliance on halides as cocatalyst in most CCE reactions, halide-free catalysts are highly desirable.
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