1,3-Diketone-Modified Nucleotides and DNA for Cross-Linking with Arginine-Containing Peptides and Proteins

Linear or branched 1,3-diketone-linked thymidine 5'-O-mono- and triphosphate were synthesized through CuAAC click reaction of diketone-alkynes with 5-azidomethyl-dUMP or -dUTP. The triphosphates were good substrates for KOD XL DNA polymerase in primer extension synthesis of modified DNA. The nucleotide bearing linear 3,5-dioxohexyl group (HDO) efficiently reacted with arginine-containing peptides to form stable pyrimidine-linked conjugates, whereas the branched 2-acetyl-3-oxo-butyl (PDO) group was not reactive. Reaction with Lys or a terminal amino group formed enamine adducts that were prone to hydrolysis. This reactive HDO modification in DNA was used for bioconjugations and cross-linking with Arg-containing peptides or proteins (e.g. histones).