DNA binding compounds were previously shown to bind to the right-handed DNA forms and hybrid B-Z forms in a highly cooperative manner and indicate that structural specificity plays a key role in a ligand binding to DNA. In this study, the modes of binding and structural specificity of agents to unusual DNA are examined by a variety of fluorescence techniques (intensity, polarization and quenching, etc.) to explore a reliable method to detect the association environment of ligands to deoxyoligonucleotides initially containing a B-Z junction between the left-handed Z-DNA and right-handed B-DNA. The results of fluorescence energy transfer measurement demonstrated that the ligand molecules bind to the allosterically converted DNA structures by intercalation. In the absence of high-resolution structural data, this fluorescence energy transfer measurement allowed reliable measures and infer the binding environment of ligands to the allosteric DNA structures.
Allosteric Regulation ; Circular Dichroism ; DNA/*chemistry/*metabolism ; Energy Transfer ; Ethidium/*metabolism ; Exodeoxyribonucleases/metabolism ; Ligands ; Motion ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/*metabolism

OBJECTIVEObserving the time course and establishing the model of kappaB-decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (rcB-decoy) inhibiting the activity of NF-kappaB in the PC12 cells.

METHODSPC12 cells cultivating in the 6 wells plate were divided into 3 groups, experimental group: adding kappaB-decoy complex (6 microg DNA/well), the control group: adding scrambled-decoy complex, the normal group: adding lipid-Lipofectamine 2000, transfer and cultivate 48 h, then lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 200 ng/ml) was added in the cells for 0.5-4 h. The immunocytochemistry and Western blot were used to measure the expression or the activity of NF-kappaB in PC12 cells.

RESULTSIn PC12 cells, compared with normal group, the expression of NF-kappaB enhanced obviously with the time of the stimulation of LPS in scrambled-decoy treated control group (P < 0.01), in 2-4 h the level reached the peak; the expression of NF-kappaB showed the stable level with the time of the stimulation of LPS in kappaB-decoy treated experimental group, compared with the control group, the expression levels were obviously lower than the respective time point of control groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONkappaB-decoy could reduce the expression of NF-kappaB in the normal PC12 cells and inhibit the activity of NF-cB in the pathologic PC12 cells.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo observe the inhibitory effect of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on nuclear translocation and nuclear binding activity of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB in THP-1 cells.

METHODSOligodeoxynucleotides were transfected via liposome into THP-1 cells followed by stimulation of the cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Immunocytochemistry, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR were performed to detect the nuclear translocation and nuclear binding activity of NF-kappaB.

RESULTSImmunocytochemical results showed that after LPS stimulation of the ODN-transfected cells, NF-kappaB expression was still localized in cytoplasma. EMSA demonstrated inhibited nuclear binding activity of NF-kappaB in the ODN-transfected cells, and ODN inhibited the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, a NF-kappaB-associated inflammatory factor, as shown by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONODN can inhibit the nuclear translocation and binding activity of NF-kappaB in THP-1 cells, whereby the transcription and expression of the related inflammation factor genes is suppressed, which shed light on a new solution for clinical treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Cell Line ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Transfection

Animals ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Maleates ; metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; metabolism ; Polyvinyls ; metabolism ; Prodrugs ; metabolism ; Proteins ; metabolism

Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown etiology characterized by widespread, chronic abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements. Increasing amounts of evidence indicate that injury and inflammation during the neonatal period have long-term effects on tissue structure and function in the adult that may predispose to gastrointestinal diseases. In this study we aimed to investigate how the epigenetic regulation of DNA demethylation of the p2x7r locus guided by the transcription factor GATA binding protein 1 (GATA1) in spinal astrocytes affects chronic visceral pain in adult rats with neonatal colonic inflammation (NCI). The spinal GATA1 targeting to DNA demethylation of p2x7r locus in these rats was assessed by assessing GATA1 function with luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, patch clamp, and interference in vitro and in vivo. In addition, a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide was designed and applied to determine the influence of GATA1 on the DNA methylation of a p2x7r CpG island. We showed that NCI caused the induction of GATA1, Ten-eleven translocation 3 (TET3), and purinergic receptors (P2X7Rs) in astrocytes of the spinal dorsal horn, and demonstrated that inhibiting these molecules markedly increased the pain threshold, inhibited the activation of astrocytes, and decreased the spinal sEPSC frequency. NCI also markedly demethylated the p2x7r locus in a manner dependent on the enhancement of both a GATA1-TET3 physical interaction and GATA1 binding at the p2x7r promoter. Importantly, we showed that demethylation of the p2x7r locus (and the attendant increase in P2X7R expression) was reversed upon knockdown of GATA1 or TET3 expression, and demonstrated that a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide that selectively blocked the GATA1 binding site increased the methylation of a CpG island in the p2x7r promoter. These results demonstrate that chronic visceral pain is mediated synergistically by GATA1 and TET3 via a DNA-demethylation mechanism that controls p2x7r transcription in spinal dorsal horn astrocytes, and provide a potential therapeutic strategy by targeting GATA1 and p2x7r locus binding.
Animals ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; DNA Demethylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; GATA1 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7/metabolism* ; Visceral Pain/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo observe the role of corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (CRFR2ASO) of hypothalamus in hypermetabolism in rats with severe burn.

METHODSStainless-steel cannula were implanted into the 3rd ventricle. According to different medicine delivered into the 3rd ventricle, 30 SD rats with 30% TBSA full-thickness burn were divided randomly into burn control group (BC, with injection of 3 microL saline), CRFR1ODN group (with injection of CRFR1ODN 10 microg), CRFR1ASO group (with injection of CRFR1ASO 10 microg), CRFR2ODN group(with injection of CRFR2ODN 10 microg), CRFR2ASO group (with injection of CRFR2ASO 10 microg), with 6 rats in each group. Another 6 rats served as normal control (NC) and they received isotonic saline 3 microL instead. Different medicines were respectively delivered into respective group on 5, 6 post injury day (PID), then 3 microL gentian violet was introduced on 7 PID. Resting energy expenditure (REE) value and the expression level of hypothalamus CRFR2mRNA and CRFR2 protein were determined.

RESULTSREE value in BC, CRFR1ODN, CRFR1ASO, CRFR2ODN, CRFR2ASO groups was 11 840 +/- 987, 11 133 +/- 1100, 10 733 +/- 1338, 11 123 +/- 1321, 7563 +/- 890 kJx(m2)(-1)xd(-1), respectively, which were obviously higher than that in BC group [6641 +/- 526 kJx(m2)(-1)xd(-1), P < 0.05]. REE value in CRFR2ASO group was obviously lower than that in CRFR2ODN group (P < 0.01). The expression level of hypothalamus CRFR2 mRNA and its protein in BC group were increased after burn, which were obviously lower in CRFR2ASO group than NC group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCentral application of CRFR2ASO can downregulate the expression level of hypothalamus CRFR2 mRNA and its protein, and reduce hypermetabolism. Hypothalamus CRFR2 may mediate hypermetabolism in burn rats.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Male ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT4) expression of Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in Mice.

METHODSSixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal control group, silicious group, suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) group, control oligodeoxynucleotides (Con ODN) group. Except the normal control group injected normal saline, the rest groups were induced by the intratracheal instillation of 0.1 ml (5 g/L) of sterilized silica suspension. Sup ODN group and Con ODN group were treated by i.p. injection of 0.3 ml (1mg/mL) of suppressive or control ODN 3 h before silica administration. After 7 days, the animals were killed and levels of IFN-γ were detected by ELISA. The pathologic changes in lung tissues of mice were observed with HE staining. Expressions of IFN-γ and pSTAT4 in lung tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry and quantified by Image-Pro Plus 7.0.

RESULTSHE staining showed that the lung tissue of silicious group were damaged seriously than Sup ODN group. Compared with the normal control group (serum: (280.1±41.3) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.249±0.373), IFN-γ increased in silicious group (serum: (886.3±81.7) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.270±0.300) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and Con ODN group [(894.5±91.6) pg/ml], IFN-γ in the serum of Sup ODN group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group , IFN-γ in lung tissue decreased in Sup ODN group (0.241±0.250) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group (0.279±0.353), pSTAT4 in lung tissue increased significantly in silicious group (0.313±0.231) (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group, pSTAT4 in lung tissue decreased significantly in Sup ODN group (0.269±0.523) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSup ODN attained protective effect on Silica treated mice by suppressing expression of IFN-γ and pSTAT4.

Animals ; Female ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT4 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of antisense cDNA of cyclin D1 on the cyclin D1 gene expression and cell proliferation of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells in vitro.

METHODSPlasmids containing cyclin D1 antisense cDNA were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. Their effects on cell proliferation were examined by MTT method, RT-PCR, immunohistochemical means, and flow cytometry.

RESULTSCyclin D1 antisense cDNA significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells. The inhibition peaked at 48 hour after transfection by MTT method. RT-PCR analysis showed that cyclin D1 antisense cDNA down-regulated cyclin D1 at the mRNA levels. Expression level of cyclin D1 protein was also decreased as shown by immunohistochemical studies. Cell-cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that transfected HepG2 cells were arrested at the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that cyclin D1 antisense cDNA could specifically inhibit the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein and regulate cell cycle and cell proliferation of HepG2 cells. Cyclin D1 antisense cDNA may serve as a potential antitumor strategy in regulating cell-cyclin treating advanced HCCs.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Genes, bcl-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the ability of triple helix-forming oligonucleotides (TFO) modified with manganese porphyrin to combine with and cleave HBV DNA fractions.

METHODSThe ends of TFO were modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine; At 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 condition in vitro, TFO modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine were bound with 32P labeled HBV DNA fragments, the affinity and specificity binding to target sequence were tested by electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase 1 footprinting assays, the ability to cleave HBV DNA fractions was observed with cleavage experiments.

RESULTSTFO modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine could bind to target sequence in a sequence-dependent manner with Kd values of 3.5 x 10(-7) mol/L and a relative affinity of 0.008. In the presence of KHSO5, TFO modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine could cleave target sequence in the region forming triple DNA.

CONCLUSIONIn the presence of KHSO5, TFO modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine could cleave target HBV-DNA in sequence-dependent manner.

Binding, Competitive ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Deoxyribonuclease I ; metabolism ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Manganese ; chemistry ; Metalloporphyrins ; chemistry ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of activator protein-1 (AP-1) decoy-oligodeoxynucleotides (Decoy-ODNs) on the expression of fibroblast alpha2 type I collagen, so as to explore the gene therapy of pathologic scar.

METHODSDecoy-ODNs targeting AP-1 were designed and synthesized. NIH3T3 cells were transfected by cationic liposomes. The distribution of Decoy-ODNs in the cells was investigated. The inhibiting effects of Decoy-ODNs on AP-1 were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). And the effects of Decoy-ODNs on the collagen synthesis in the cells were analyzed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSAP-1 Decoy-ODNs could competitively inhibit the AP-1 in vitro activity. Cationic liposomes could play roles by effectively transfecting Decoy-ODNs into the plasma and nucleus. The mRNA expression of fibroblast alpha2 type I collagen decreased evidently after 24 hours of Decoy-ODNs action.

CONCLUSIONDecoy-ODNs could inhibit the mRNA expression of fibroblast alpha2 type I collagen by antagonizing AP-1.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; genetics ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; genetics ; Transfection