# Biochemical studies on Fapy-dG with eukaryotic enzymes and in mammalian cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $343,476

## Abstract

DNA is constantly exposed to endogenous and exogenous agents that produce lesions by
modifying its nucleobases. Exogenous agents include pollutants in our air and water supply, and UV-
irradiation. The presence of these lesions in DNA in vivo is associated with aging, diseases such as cancer,
and other genetically based diseases. We have studied a family of DNA lesions derived from exposure of
purines to oxidizing conditions, known as the formamidopyrimidines (Fapy·dA, Fapy·dG). We have
developed methods for synthesizing oligonucleotides containing these lesions, as well their respective
nucleotide triphosphates. These tools have enabled us to characterize the effects of Fapy·dA and Fapy·dG
on DNA repair and replication in vitro and in cells. Significant knowledge has been acquired concerning
the biochemistry and replication in cells of these lesions. For instance, we demonstrated that Fapy·dG is
more mutagenic than 8-OxodGuo in COS-7 cells. However, there is still much to learn, particularly about
Fapy·dG, which is such a potent mutagen.  Advances in our understanding of the biological effects of Fapy·dG are hampered by the difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of oligonucleotides containing the lesion at defined positions with no limitations on sequence. We propose to vastly improve how Fapy·dG containing oligonucleotides are chemically synthesized (Aim 1). Successful implementation of this strategy will make oligonucleotides
containing Fapy·dG more readily available for the community as a whole.  We also request support to advance studies of the effects of the Fapy·dG and Fapy·dGTP DNA polymerase and repair enzymes. We have 2 general goals during the requested funding period.  1. Examine the mutagenicity of Fapy·dG in mammalian cells (Aim 4), as well as the interactions of Fapy·dG and Fapy·dGTP with mammalian nuclear enzymes in the test tube (Aims 2 and 3). 2. Obtain the first structural information on Fapy·dG (as opposed to analogues) and Fapy·dGTP
using x-ray crystallography.  We have assembled a team of expert collaborators (Professors Basu, David, and Freudenthal) to work with us on this project. In summary, the project combines organic chemistry, biochemistry, and
molecular and cellular biology to increase our understanding of fundamentally important chemical
processes that occur in living organisms, and potentially improve human health. Specifically, increased
understanding of the effects of the Fapy·dG on nucleic acid structure and function will be useful for
understanding the association between nucleic acid damage and the etiology of diseases such as cancer,
as well as aging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10112236
- **Project number:** 5R01ES027558-05
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MARC M GREENBERG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $343,476
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10112236

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10112236, Biochemical studies on Fapy-dG with eukaryotic enzymes and in mammalian cells (5R01ES027558-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10112236. Licensed CC0.

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