Abstract
DNA methylation and demethylation play a key role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression; however, a series of oxidation reactions of 5-methyl cytosine (5mC) mediated by ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes driving demethylation process are yet to be uncovered. To elucidate the relationship between the oxidative processes and structural factors of DNA, we analysed the behavior of TET-mediated 5mC-oxidation by incorporating structural stress onto a substrate double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) using a DNA origami nanochip. The reactions and behaviors of TET enzymes were systematically monitored by biochemical analysis and single-molecule observation using atomic force microscopy (AFM). A reformative frame-like DNA origami was established to allow the incorporation of dsDNAs as 5mC-containing substrates in parallel orientations. We tested the potential effect of dsDNAs present in the tense and relaxed states within a DNA nanochip on TET oxidation. Based on enzyme binding and the detection of oxidation reactions within the DNA nanochip, it was revealed that TET preferred a relaxed substrate regardless of the modification types of 5-oxidated-methyl cytosine. Strikingly, when a multi-5mCG sites model was deployed to further characterize substrate preferences of TET, TET preferred the fully methylated site over the hemi-methylated site. This analytical modality also permits the direct observations of dynamic movements of TET such as sliding and interstrand transfer by high-speed AFM. In addition, the thymine DNA glycosylase-mediated base excision repair process was characterized in the DNA nanochip. Thus, we have convincingly established the system's ability to physically regulate enzymatic reactions, which could prove useful for the observation and characterization of coordinated DNA demethylation processes at the nanoscale.