DNA-DNA interstrand cross-linking by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II): N7(dG)-N7(dG) cross-linking at 5′-d(GC) in synthetic oligonucleotides Original Research Article

The nucleotide sequence specificity of the DNA-DNA interstrand cross-linking reaction of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) was studied in synthetic oligonucleotides. Of six self-complementary DNAs tested, only those containing the central sequence 5′-(GC) formed appreciable interstrand cross-linked product, as assayed by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (DPAGE). The nucleotide connectivity of the interstrand cross-link was defined by sequence random oxidative fragmentation followed by DPAGE, revealing that dG residues on opposite strands at the sequence 5′-d(GC) were connected to one another. The covalent structure of the cross-link was established following hydrolysis of the phosphodiester backbone of a structurally homogeneous sample of a cis-DDP interstrand cross-linked DNA tetradecamer. HPLC analysis of the hydrolysate returned all of the deoxynucleoside residues from the starting DNA except for two deoxyguanosine residues. Also returned was diammine-bis-[N7-(2′-deoxyguanosyl)]platinum(II)2+, identified by a combination of spectroscopic methods, and comparison to a synthetic authentic sample. This study directly establishes that cis-DDP forms interstrand crosslinks at the duplex sequence 5′-d(GC), linking deoxyguanosine residues on opposite strands at N7 through a bridging platinum atom. Computer simulation of the interstrand cross-linked product using molecular mechanics energy minimization and molecular dynamics revealed significant structural reorganization at the site of the cross-link including a ca 40° angle between the platinated guaninyl residues, which propagated to adjacent residues by base stacking to yield duplexes bent by some 30° toward the major groove.