The ability to detect DNA modification sites at single base resolution could significantly advance studies regarding DNA adduct levels, which are extremely difficult to determine. Artificial nucleotides that are specifically incorporated opposite a modified DNA site offer a potential strategy for detection of such sites by DNA polymerase-based systems. Here we investigate the action of newly synthesized base-modified benzimidazole-derived 2'-deoxynucleoside-5'-O-triphosphates on DNA polymerases when performing translesion DNA synthesis past the pro-mutagenic DNA adduct O(6)-benzylguanine (O(6)-BnG). We found that a mutated form of KlenTaq DNA polymerase, i.e., KTqM747K, catalyzed O(6)-BnG adduct-specific processing of the artificial BenziTP in favor of the natural dNTPs. Steady-state kinetic parameters revealed that KTqM747K catalysis of BenziTP is 25-fold more efficient for template O(6)-BnG than G, and 5-fold more efficient than natural dTMP misincorporation in adduct bypass. Furthermore, the nucleotide analogue BenziTP is required for full-length product formation in O(6)-BnG bypass, as without BenziTP the polymerase stalls at the adduct site. By combining the KTqM747K polymerase and BenziTP, a first round of DNA synthesis enabled subsequent amplification of Benzi-containing DNA. These results advance the development of technologies for detecting DNA adducts.

Enzymatic approaches for locating alkylation adducts at single-base resolution in DNA could enable new technologies for understanding carcinogenesis and supporting personalized chemotherapy. Artificial nucleotides that specifically pair with alkylated bases offer a possible strategy for recognition and amplification of adducted DNA, and adduct-templated incorporation of an artificial nucleotide has been demonstrated for a model DNA adduct O6-benzylguanine by a DNA polymerase. In this study, DNA adducts of biological relevance, O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG) and O6-carboxymethylguanine (O6-CMG), were characterized to be effective templates for the incorporation of benzimidazole-derived 2′-deoxynucleoside-5′-O-triphosphates (BenziTP and BIMTP) by an engineered KlenTaq DNA polymerase. The enzyme catalyzed specific incorporation of the artificial nucleotide Benzi opposite adducts, with up to 150-fold higher catalytic efficiency for O6-MeG over guanine in the template. Furthermore, addition of artificial nucleotide Benzi was required for full-length DNA synthesis during bypass of O6-CMG. Selective incorporation of the artificial nucleotide opposite an O6-alkylguanine DNA adduct was verified using a novel 2′,3′-dideoxy derivative of BenziTP. The strategy was used to recognize adducts in the presence of excess unmodified DNA. The specific processing of BenziTP opposite biologically relevant O6-alkylguanine adducts is characterized herein as a basis for potential future DNA adduct sequencing technologies.

Cu(i) carbenes derived from α-diazocarbonyl compounds lead to selective alkylation of the O6 position in guanine (O6-G) in mono- and oligonucleotides.

The possibility to sequence cytotoxic O-alkylG DNA adducts would greatly benefit research. Recently we reported a benzimidazole-derived nucleotide that is selectively incorporated opposite the damaged site by a mutated DNA polymerase. Here we provide the structural basis for this reaction which may spur future developments in DNA damage sequencing.