Interstrand DNA Cross-Links Derived from Reaction of a 2-Aminopurine Residue with an Abasic Site

Efficient methods for the site-specific installation of structurally-defined interstrand cross-links in duplex DNA may be useful in a wide variety of fields. The work described here developed a high-yield synthesis of chemically stable interstrand cross-links resulting from a reductive amination reaction between an abasic site and the noncanonical nucleobase 2-aminopurine in duplex DNA. Results from footprinting, LC-MS, and stability studies support the formation of an N(2)-alkylamine attachment between the 2-aminopurine residue and the Ap site. The reaction performs best when the 2-aminopurine residue on the opposing strand is offset 1 nt to the 5’-side of the abasic site. The cross-link confers substantial resistance to thermal denaturation (melting). The cross-linking reaction is fast (complete in 4 h), employs only commercially available reagents, and can be used to generate cross-linked duplexes in sufficient quantities for biophysical, structural, and DNA repair studies.