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Choudhury SD, Kumar P, Choudhury D. Bioactive nutraceuticals as G4 stabilizers: potential cancer prevention and therapy-a critical review. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:3585-3616. [PMID: 38019298 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02857-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are non-canonical, four-stranded, nucleic acid secondary structures formed in the guanine-rich sequences, where guanine nucleotides associate with each other via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. These structures are widely found near the functional regions of the mammalian genome, such as telomeres, oncogenic promoters, and replication origins, and play crucial regulatory roles in replication and transcription. Destabilization of G4 by various carcinogenic agents allows oncogene overexpression and extension of telomeric ends resulting in dysregulation of cellular growth-promoting oncogenesis. Therefore, targeting and stabilizing these G4 structures with potential ligands could aid cancer prevention and therapy. The field of G-quadruplex targeting is relatively nascent, although many articles have demonstrated the effect of G4 stabilization on oncogenic expressions; however, no previous study has provided a comprehensive analysis about the potency of a wide variety of nutraceuticals and some of their derivatives in targeting G4 and the lattice of oncogenic cell signaling cascade affected by them. In this review, we have discussed bioactive G4-stabilizing nutraceuticals, their sources, mode of action, and their influence on cellular signaling, and we believe our insight would bring new light to the current status of the field and motivate researchers to explore this relatively poorly studied arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satabdi Datta Choudhury
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India
| | - Diptiman Choudhury
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India.
- Centre for Excellence in Emerging Materials, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India.
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2
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Sun JW, Zou J, Zheng Y, Yuan H, Xie YZY, Wang XN, Ou TM. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel quindoline derivatives with fork-shaped side chains as RNA G-quadruplex stabilizers for repressing oncogene NRAS translation. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116406. [PMID: 38688064 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
NRAS mutation is the second most common oncogenic factor in cutaneous melanoma. Inhibiting NRAS translation by stabilizing the G-quadruplex (G4) structure with small molecules seems to be a potential strategy for cancer therapy due to the NRAS protein's lack of a druggable pocket. To enhance the effects of previously reported G4 stabilizers quindoline derivatives, we designed and synthesized a novel series of quindoline derivatives with fork-shaped side chains by introducing (alkylamino)alkoxy side chains. Panels of experimental results showed that introducing a fork-shaped (alkylamino)alkoxy side chain could enhance the stabilizing abilities of the ligands against NRAS RNA G-quadruplexes and their anti-melanoma activities. One of them, 10b, exhibited good antitumor activity in the NRAS-mutant melanoma xenograft mouse model, showing the therapeutic potential of this kind of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing Zou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuan-Ze-Yu Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Na Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tian-Miao Ou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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3
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Figueiredo J, Mergny JL, Cruz C. G-quadruplex ligands in cancer therapy: Progress, challenges, and clinical perspectives. Life Sci 2024; 340:122481. [PMID: 38301873 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Guanine-rich sequences can form G-quadruplexes (G4) in living cells, making these structures promising anti-cancer targets. Compounds able to recognize these structures have been investigated as potential anticancer drugs; however, no G4 binder has yet been approved in the clinic. Here, we describe G4 ligands structure-activity relationships, in vivo effects as well as clinical trials. Addressing G4 ligand characteristics, targeting challenges, and structure-activity relationships, this review provides insights into the development of potent and selective G4-targeting molecules for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Figueiredo
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau cedex, France; Institute of Biophysics of the CAS, v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade da Beira Interior, Rua Marquês de Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
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4
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Cai JH, Yang DY, Zhang JJ, Tan JH, Huang ZS, Chen SB. Constructing triazole-modified quinazoline derivatives as selective c-MYC G-quadruplex ligands and potent anticancer agents through click chemistry. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107173. [PMID: 38335759 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
c-MYC is a hallmark of various cancers, playing a critical role in promoting tumorigenesis. The formation of G-quadruplex (G4) in the c-MYC promoter region significantly suppresses its expression. Therefore, developing small-molecule ligands to stabilize c-MYC G4 formation and subsequentially suppress c-MYC expression is an attractive topic for c-MYC-driven cancer therapy. However, achieving selective ligands for c-MYC G4 poses challenges. In this study, we developed a series of triazole-modified quinazoline (TMQ) derivatives as potential c-MYC G4 ligands and c-MYC transcription inhibitors from 4-anilinoquinazoline lead 7a using click chemistry. Importantly, the c-MYC G4 stabilizing ability and antiproliferation activity were well correlated among these new derivatives, particularly in the c-MYC highly expressed colorectal cancer cell line HCT116. Among them, compound A6 exhibited good selectivity in stabilizing c-MYC G4 and in suppressing c-MYC transcription better than 7a. This compound induced G4 formation, selectively inhibited G4-related c-MYC transcription and suppressed the progression of HCT116 cells. These findings identify a new c-MYC transcription inhibitor and provide new insights for optimizing c-MYC G4-targeting ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong-Heng Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dan-Yan Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Shuo-Bin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Majhi B, Ganguly S, Palit S, Parwez A, Saha R, Basu G, Dutta S. Sequence-Specific Dual DNA Binding Modes and Cytotoxicities of N-6-Functionalized Norcryptotackieine Alkaloids. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:1667-1676. [PMID: 37285507 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c01045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Norcryptotackieine (1a) belongs to the indoloquinoline class of alkaloids isolated from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a plant species that has been traditionally used as an antimalarial agent. Additional structural modifications of 1a can potentially enhance its therapeutic potency. Indoloquinolines such as cryptolepine, neocryptolepine, isocryptolepine, and neoisocryptolepine show restricted clinical applications owing to their cytotoxicity deriving from interactions with DNA. Here, we examined the effect of substitutions at the N-6 position of norcryptotackieine on the cytotoxicity, as well as structure-activity relationship studies pertaining to sequence specific DNA-binding affinities. The representative compound 6d binds DNA in a nonintercalative/pseudointercalative fashion, in addition to nonspecific stacking on DNA, in a sequence selective manner. The DNA-binding studies clearly establish the mechanism of DNA binding by N-6-substituted norcryptotackieines and neocryptolepine. The synthesized norcryptotackieines 6c,d and known indoloquinolines were screened on different cell lines (HEK293, OVCAR3, SKOV3, B16F10, and HeLa) to assess their cytotoxicity. Norcryptotackieine 6d (IC50 value of 3.1 μM) showed 2-fold less potency when compared to the natural indoloquinoline cryptolepine 1c (IC50 value of 1.64 μM) in OVCAR3 (ovarian adenocarcinoma) cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhim Majhi
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Sudakshina Ganguly
- Department of Biophysics, Centenary Campus Bose Institute, P-1/12 C.I.T. Scheme VII-M, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Subhadeep Palit
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Aymen Parwez
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Rimita Saha
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Gautam Basu
- Department of Biophysics, Centenary Campus Bose Institute, P-1/12 C.I.T. Scheme VII-M, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Sanjay Dutta
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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Vízkeleti L, Spisák S. Rewired Metabolism Caused by the Oncogenic Deregulation of MYC as an Attractive Therapeutic Target in Cancers. Cells 2023; 12:1745. [PMID: 37443779 PMCID: PMC10341379 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is one of the most deregulated oncogenes on multiple levels in cancer. As a node transcription factor, MYC plays a diverse regulatory role in many cellular processes, including cell cycle and metabolism, both in physiological and pathological conditions. The relentless growth and proliferation of tumor cells lead to an insatiable demand for energy and nutrients, which requires the rewiring of cellular metabolism. As MYC can orchestrate all aspects of cellular metabolism, its altered regulation plays a central role in these processes, such as the Warburg effect, and is a well-established hallmark of cancer development. However, our current knowledge of MYC suggests that its spatial- and concentration-dependent contribution to tumorigenesis depends more on changes in the global or relative expression of target genes. As the direct targeting of MYC is proven to be challenging due to its relatively high toxicity, understanding its underlying regulatory mechanisms is essential for the development of tumor-selective targeted therapies. The aim of this review is to comprehensively summarize the diverse forms of MYC oncogenic deregulation, including DNA-, transcriptional- and post-translational level alterations, and their consequences for cellular metabolism. Furthermore, we also review the currently available and potentially attractive therapeutic options that exploit the vulnerability arising from the metabolic rearrangement of MYC-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vízkeleti
- Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Sándor Spisák
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
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7
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Bahls B, Aljnadi IM, Emídio R, Mendes E, Paulo A. G-Quadruplexes in c-MYC Promoter as Targets for Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030969. [PMID: 36979947 PMCID: PMC10046398 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a societal burden demanding innovative approaches. A major problem with the conventional chemotherapeutic agents is their strong toxicity and other side effects due to their poor selectivity. Uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells is due to mutations, deletions, or amplifications in genes (oncogenes) encoding for proteins that regulate cell growth and division, such as transcription factors, for example, c-MYC. The direct targeting of the c-MYC protein has been attempted but so far unsuccessfully, as it lacks a definite binding site for the modulators. Meanwhile, another approach has been explored since the discovery that G-quadruplex secondary DNA structures formed in the guanine-rich sequences of the c-MYC promoter region can downregulate the transcription of this oncogene. Here, we will overview the major achievements made in the last decades towards the discovery of a new class of anticancer drugs targeting G-quadruplexes in the c-MYC promoter of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Bahls
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Israa M Aljnadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Emídio
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Paulo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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8
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Frasson I, Soldà P, Nadai M, Tassinari M, Scalabrin M, Gokhale V, Hurley LH, Richter SN. Quindoline-derivatives display potent G-quadruplex-mediated antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus 1. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105432. [PMID: 36228762 PMCID: PMC9720158 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures that regulate key biological processes, from transcription to genome replication both in humans and viruses. The herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) genome is prone to form G4s that, along with proteins, regulate its viral cycle. General G4 ligands have been shown to hamper the viral cycle, pointing to viral G4s as original antiviral targets. Because cellular G4s are also normally present in infected cells, the quest for improved anti-HSV-1 G4 ligands is still open. Here, we evaluated a series of new quindoline-derivatives which showed high binding to and stabilization of the viral G4s. They displayed nanomolar-range anti-HSV-1 activity paralleled by negligible cytotoxicity in human cells, thus proving remarkable selectivity. The best-in-class compound inhibited the viral life cycle at the early times post infection up to the step of viral genome replication. In infected human cells, it reduced expression of ICP4, the main viral transcription factor, by stabilizing the G4s embedded in ICP4 promoter. Quindoline-derivatives thus emerge as a new class of G4 ligands with potent dual anti HSV-1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Frasson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Soldà
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Nadai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Scalabrin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Vijay Gokhale
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Laurence H Hurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Vianney YM, Weisz K. High-affinity binding at quadruplex-duplex junctions: rather the rule than the exception. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11948-11964. [PMID: 36416262 PMCID: PMC9723630 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Quadruplex-duplex (Q-D) junctions constitute unique structural motifs in genomic sequences. Through comprehensive calorimetric as well as high-resolution NMR structural studies, Q-D junctions with a hairpin-type snapback loop coaxially stacked onto an outer G-tetrad were identified to be most effective binding sites for various polycyclic quadruplex ligands. The Q-D interface is readily recognized by intercalation of the ligand aromatic core structure between G-tetrad and the neighboring base pair. Based on the thermodynamic and structural data, guidelines for the design of ligands with enhanced selectivity towards a Q-D interface emerge. Whereas intercalation at Q-D junctions mostly outcompete stacking at the quadruplex free outer tetrad or intercalation between duplex base pairs to varying degrees, ligand side chains considerably contribute to the selectivity for a Q-D target over other binding sites. In contrast to common perceptions, an appended side chain that additionally interacts within the duplex minor groove may confer only poor selectivity. Rather, the Q-D selectivity is suggested to benefit from an extension of the side chain towards the exposed part of the G-tetrad at the junction. The presented results will support the design of selective high-affinity binding ligands for targeting Q-D interfaces in medicinal but also technological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoanes Maria Vianney
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universität Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Klaus Weisz
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +49 3834 420 4426; Fax: +49 3834 420 4427;
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10
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Wei C, Li H. Benzothiazole Derivatives Targeting G‐Quadruplex DNA: Synthesis, DNA Interaction and Living Cell Imaging. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202202565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chunying Wei
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Molecular Science Shanxi University Taiyuan 030006 P. R. China
| | - Haiying Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Molecular Science Shanxi University Taiyuan 030006 P.R. China
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11
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Wang H, Bai X, Huang Y, Chen Y, Dong G, Ou T, Wu S, Xu D, Sheng C. Discovery of novel triple targeting G‑quadruplex and topoisomerase 1/2 ligands from natural products evodiamine and rutaecarpine. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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12
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Mendes E, Bahls B, Aljnadi IM, Paulo A. Indoloquinolines as scaffolds for the design of potent G-quadruplex ligands. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 72:128862. [PMID: 35716866 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Indoloquinolines are natural alkaloids with known affinity to DNA and antiproliferative activity against bacteria, parasites, and cancer cells. Due to their non-chiral skeleton, their total synthesis is easy to achieve and throughout the years, many derivatives have been studied for their potential as drugs. Herein we review the indoloquinolines and bioisosters that have been designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their selective binding to G-quadruplex nucleic acid structures, as well as the reported effects in cancer cells. The data collected so far strongly suggest that indoloquinolines are good scaffolds for the development of drugs and probes targeting the G-quadruplex structures, but they also show that this scaffold is still underexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, Lisbon 1649-003, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Bahls
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, Lisbon 1649-003, Portugal
| | - Israa M Aljnadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, Lisbon 1649-003, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Paulo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, Lisbon 1649-003, Portugal.
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13
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c-Myc Protein Level Affected by Unsymmetrical Bisacridines Influences Apoptosis and Senescence Induced in HCT116 Colorectal and H460 Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063061. [PMID: 35328482 PMCID: PMC8955938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) are highly active antitumor compounds. They contain in their structure the drugs previously synthesized in our Department: C-1311 and C-1748. UAs exhibit different properties than their monomer components. They do not intercalate to dsDNA but stabilize the G-quadruplex structures, particularly those of the MYC and KRAS genes. Since MYC and KRAS are often mutated and constitutively expressed in cancer cells, they can be used as therapeutic targets. Herein, we investigate whether UAs can affect the expression and protein level of c-Myc and K-Ras in HCT116 and H460 cancer cells, and if so, what are the consequences for the UAs-induced cellular response. UAs did not affect K-Ras, but they strongly influenced the expression and translation of the c-Myc protein, and in H460 cells, they caused its full inhibition. UAs treatment resulted in apoptosis, as confirmed by the morphological changes, the presence of sub-G1 population and active caspase-3, cleaved PARP, annexin-V/PI staining and a decrease in mitochondrial potential. Importantly, apoptosis was induced earlier and to a greater extent in H460 compared to HCT116 cells. Moreover, accelerated senescence occurred only in H460 cells. In conclusion, the strong inhibition of c-Myc by UAs in H460 cells may participate in the final cellular response (apoptosis, senescence).
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14
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Kundu N, Sharma T, Kaur S, Singh M, Kumar V, Sharma U, Jain A, Shankaraswamy J, Miyoshi D, Saxena S. Significant structural change in human c-Myc promoter G-quadruplex upon peptide binding in potassium. RSC Adv 2022; 12:7594-7604. [PMID: 35424772 PMCID: PMC8982240 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra00535b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We selected the G-quadruplex motif located in the nuclease-hypersensitive elements (NHE) III1 region of the c-Myc promoter and for the first time performed its interaction studies with a designed peptide (QW10). Our CD results showed that the peptide bound to the c-Myc G-quadruplex and induced a significant blue shift in the positive peak of 20 nm in KCl alone or with 40wt% PEG200 or 20wt% PEG8000 in comparison to NaCl. Our Native Gel results confirmed that peptide binding destabilized the duplex and stabilized the unimolecular G-quadruplex and not binding to i-motif. UV thermal results confirmed destabilization of bimolecular structure and stabilization of unimolecular G-quadruplex. QW10 showed preferential binding towards c-MYC promoter G4 with binding constant (K b) values of the order of 0.05 ± 0.2 μM, 0.12 ± 0.1 μM and 0.05 ± 0.3 μM for complexes in K+ alone or 40wt% PEG 200 or 20wt% PEG 8000 respectively. QW10 showed preferential cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 11.10 μM and 6.44 μM after 72 and 96 hours' incubation on Human Breast Carcinoma MDA-MB 231 cells and was found to be non-toxic with Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-1) cells. Interestingly, we observed reduction of c-Myc gene expression by 2.5 fold due to QW10 binding and stabilizing c-MYC G4. Our study for the first time provides an expanded overview of significant structural change in human c-Myc promoter G-quadruplex upon peptide binding in potassium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Kundu
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Structural Biology Lab Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +91-120-4735600
| | - Taniya Sharma
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Structural Biology Lab Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +91-120-4735600
| | - Sarvpreet Kaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Structural Biology Lab Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +91-120-4735600
| | - Mamta Singh
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida 201313 India
| | - Vinit Kumar
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida 201313 India
| | - Uttam Sharma
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Punjab Bathinda India
| | - Aklank Jain
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Punjab Bathinda India
| | - Jadala Shankaraswamy
- Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Mojerla, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University 509382 Telangana India
| | - Daisuke Miyoshi
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe Hyogo 650-0047 Japan
| | - Sarika Saxena
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Structural Biology Lab Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +91-120-4735600
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15
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Mendes E, Aljnadi IM, Bahls B, Victor BL, Paulo A. Major Achievements in the Design of Quadruplex-Interactive Small Molecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:300. [PMID: 35337098 PMCID: PMC8953082 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic small molecules that can recognize and bind to G-quadruplex and i-Motif nucleic acids have great potential as selective drugs or as tools in drug target discovery programs, or even in the development of nanodevices for medical diagnosis. Hundreds of quadruplex-interactive small molecules have been reported, and the challenges in their design vary with the intended application. Herein, we survey the major achievements on the therapeutic potential of such quadruplex ligands, their mode of binding, effects upon interaction with quadruplexes, and consider the opportunities and challenges for their exploitation in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
| | - Israa M. Aljnadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Bárbara Bahls
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Bruno L. Victor
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Alexandra Paulo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
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16
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Piperine analogs arrest c-myc gene leading to downregulation of transcription for targeting cancer. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22909. [PMID: 34824301 PMCID: PMC8617303 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01529-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) structures are considered a promising therapeutic target in cancer. Since Ayurveda, Piperine has been known for its medicinal properties. Piperine shows anticancer properties by stabilizing the G4 motif present upstream of the c-myc gene. This gene belongs to a group of proto-oncogenes, and its aberrant transcription drives tumorigenesis. The transcriptional regulation of the c-myc gene is an interesting approach for anticancer drug design. The present study employed a chemical similarity approach to identify Piperine similar compounds and analyzed their interaction with cancer-associated G-quadruplex motifs. Among all Piperine analogs, PIP-2 exhibited strong selectivity, specificity, and affinity towards c-myc G4 DNA as elaborated through biophysical studies such as fluorescence emission, isothermal calorimetry, and circular dichroism. Moreover, our biophysical observations are supported by molecular dynamics analysis and cellular-based studies. Our study showed that PIP-2 showed higher toxicity against the A549 lung cancer cell line but lower toxicity towards normal HEK 293 cells, indicating increased efficacy of the drug at the cellular level. Biological evaluation assays such as TFP reporter assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT- PCR), and western blotting suggest that the Piperine analog-2 (PIP-2) stabilizes the G-quadruplex motif located at the promoter site of c-myc oncogene and downregulates its expression. In conclusion, Piperine analog PIP-2 may be used as anticancer therapeutics as it affects the c-myc oncogene expression via G-quadruplex mediated mechanism.
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17
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Nuthakki VK, Mudududdla R, Bharate SB. Role of basic aminoalkyl chains in the lead optimization of Indoloquinoline alkaloids. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 227:113938. [PMID: 34710743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Indoloquinoline (IQ) is an important class of naturally occurring antimalarial alkaloids, mainly represented by cryptolepine, isocryptolepine, and neocryptolepine. The IQ structural framework consists of four isomeric ring systems differing via the linkage of indole with quinoline as [3,2-b], [3,2-c], [2,3-c], and [2,3-b]. Structurally, IQs are planar and thus they bind strongly to the DNA which largely contributes to their biological properties. The structural rigidity and associated nonspecific cellular toxicity is a key shortcoming of the IQ structural framework for preclinical development. Thus, the lead optimization efforts were aimed at improving the therapeutic window and ADME properties of IQs. The structural modifications mainly involved attaching the basic aminoalkyl chains that positively modulates the vital physicochemical and topological parameters, thereby improves biological activity. Our analysis has found that the aminoalkylation consistently improved the selectivity index and provided acceptable in-vivo antimalarial/anticancer activity. Herein, we critically review the role of aminoalkylation in deciphering the antimalarial and cytotoxic activity of IQs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay K Nuthakki
- Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Ramesh Mudududdla
- Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sandip B Bharate
- Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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18
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Teng FY, Jiang ZZ, Guo M, Tan XZ, Chen F, Xi XG, Xu Y. G-quadruplex DNA: a novel target for drug design. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6557-6583. [PMID: 34459951 PMCID: PMC11072987 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03921-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) DNA is a type of quadruple helix structure formed by a continuous guanine-rich DNA sequence. Emerging evidence in recent years authenticated that G4 DNA structures exist both in cell-free and cellular systems, and function in different diseases, especially in various cancers, aging, neurological diseases, and have been considered novel promising targets for drug design. In this review, we summarize the detection method and the structure of G4, highlighting some non-canonical G4 DNA structures, such as G4 with a bulge, a vacancy, or a hairpin. Subsequently, the functions of G4 DNA in physiological processes are discussed, especially their regulation of DNA replication, transcription of disease-related genes (c-MYC, BCL-2, KRAS, c-KIT et al.), telomere maintenance, and epigenetic regulation. Typical G4 ligands that target promoters and telomeres for drug design are also reviewed, including ellipticine derivatives, quinoxaline analogs, telomestatin analogs, berberine derivatives, and CX-5461, which is currently in advanced phase I/II clinical trials for patients with hematologic cancer and BRCA1/2-deficient tumors. Furthermore, since the long-term stable existence of G4 DNA structures could result in genomic instability, we summarized the G4 unfolding mechanisms emerged recently by multiple G4-specific DNA helicases, such as Pif1, RecQ family helicases, FANCJ, and DHX36. This review aims to present a general overview of the field of G-quadruplex DNA that has progressed in recent years and provides potential strategies for drug design and disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Yuan Teng
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zong-Zhe Jiang
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Man Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiao-Zhen Tan
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu-Guang Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
- LBPA, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 61, Avenue du Président Wilson, 94235, Cachan, France.
| | - Yong Xu
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
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19
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Lauria A, La Monica G, Bono A, Martorana A. Quinoline anticancer agents active on DNA and DNA-interacting proteins: From classical to emerging therapeutic targets. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113555. [PMID: 34052677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Quinoline is one of the most important and versatile nitrogen heterocycles embodied in several biologically active molecules. Within the numerous quinolines developed as antiproliferative agents, this review is focused on compounds interfering with DNA structure or with proteins/enzymes involved in the regulation of double helix functional processes. In this light, a special focus is given to the quinoline compounds, acting with classical/well-known mechanisms of action (DNA intercalators or Topoisomerase inhibitors). In particular, the quinoline drugs amsacrine and camptothecin (CPT) have been studied as key lead compounds for the development of new agents with improved PK and tolerability properties. Moreover, notable attention has been paid to the quinoline molecules, which are able to interfere with emerging targets involved in cancer progression, as G-quadruplexes or the epigenetic ones (e.g.: histone deacetylase, DNA and histones methyltransferase). The antiproliferative and the enzymatic inhibition data of the reviewed compounds have been analyzed. Furthermore, concerning the SAR (structure-activity relationship) aspects, the most recurrent ligand-protein interactions are summarized, underling the structural requirements for each kind of mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Lauria
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Technologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche "STEBICEF" - University of Palermo, Via Archirafi - 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele La Monica
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Technologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche "STEBICEF" - University of Palermo, Via Archirafi - 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessia Bono
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Technologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche "STEBICEF" - University of Palermo, Via Archirafi - 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annamaria Martorana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Technologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche "STEBICEF" - University of Palermo, Via Archirafi - 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
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20
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Strong in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic effects of two platinum(II) complexes with cryptolepine derivatives. Med Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02739-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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21
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Brown SL, Kendrick S. The i-Motif as a Molecular Target: More Than a Complementary DNA Secondary Structure. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020096. [PMID: 33513764 PMCID: PMC7911047 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Stretches of cytosine-rich DNA are capable of adopting a dynamic secondary structure, the i-motif. When within promoter regions, the i-motif has the potential to act as a molecular switch for controlling gene expression. However, i-motif structures in genomic areas of repetitive nucleotide sequences may play a role in facilitating or hindering expansion of these DNA elements. Despite research on the i-motif trailing behind the complementary G-quadruplex structure, recent discoveries including the identification of a specific i-motif antibody are pushing this field forward. This perspective reviews initial and current work characterizing the i-motif and providing insight into the biological function of this DNA structure, with a focus on how the i-motif can serve as a molecular target for developing new therapeutic approaches to modulate gene expression and extension of repetitive DNA.
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22
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Qin LQ, Liang CJ, Zhou Z, Qin QP, Wei ZZ, Tan MX, Liang H. Mitochondria-localizing curcumin-cryptolepine Zn(II) complexes and their antitumor activity. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 30:115948. [PMID: 33360578 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Many metal complexes are potent candidates as mitochondrial-targeting agents. In this study, four novel Zn(II) complexes, [Zn(BPQA)Cl2] (Zn1), [Zn(BPQA)(Curc)]Cl (Zn2), [Zn(PQA)Cl2] (Zn3), and [Zn(PQA)(Curc)]Cl (Zn4), containing N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzofuro[3,2-b]quinolin-11-amine (BPQA), N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzofuro[3,2-b]quinolin-11-amine (PQA), and curcumin (H-Curc) were synthesized. An MTT assay showed that Zn1-Zn4 had strong anticancer activities against SK-OV-3/DDP and T-24 tumor cells with IC50 values of 0.03-6.19 μM. Importantly, Zn1 and Zn2 displayed low toxicities against normal HL-7702 cells. Mechanism experiments demonstrated that probe Zn2 showed appreciable fluorescence in the red region of the spectrum, and substantial accumulation of Zn2 occurred in the mitochondria after treatment, indicating increases in Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species levels, loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and consequent induction of mitochondrial dysfunction at low concentrations. In addition, the probe Zn2 effectively (50.7%) inhibited the growth of T-24 bladder tumor cells in vivo. The probe Zn2 shows potential for use in cancer therapy while retaining the H-Curc as an imaging probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qin Qin
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry and Food Science, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Jiaoyudong Road, Yulin 537000, PR China
| | - Chun-Jie Liang
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry and Food Science, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Jiaoyudong Road, Yulin 537000, PR China
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry and Food Science, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Jiaoyudong Road, Yulin 537000, PR China
| | - Qi-Pin Qin
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry and Food Science, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Jiaoyudong Road, Yulin 537000, PR China; State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China.
| | - Zu-Zhuang Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Ming-Xiong Tan
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry and Food Science, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Jiaoyudong Road, Yulin 537000, PR China
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China.
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23
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Han X, Yu YL, Ma D, Zhang ZY, Liu XH. Synthesis, telomerase inhibitory and anticancer activity of new 2-phenyl-4H-chromone derivatives containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 36:344-360. [PMID: 33356666 PMCID: PMC7782168 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1864630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on previous studies, 66 2-phenyl-4H-chromone derivatives containing amide and 1,3,4-oxadiazole moieties were prepared as potential telomerase inhibitors. The results showed most of the title compounds exhibited significantly inhibitory activity on telomerase. Among them, some compounds demonstrated the most potent telomerase inhibitory activity (IC50 < 1 µM), which was significantly superior to the staurosporine (IC50 = 6.41 µM). In addition, clear structure–activity relationships were summarised, indicating that the substitution of the methoxy group and the position, type and number of the substituents on the phenyl ring had significant effects on telomerase activity. Among them, compound A33 showed considerable inhibition against telomerase. Flow cytometric analysis showed that compound A33 could arrest MGC-803 cell cycle at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis in a concentration-dependent way. Meanwhile, Western blotting revealed that this compound could reduce the expression of dyskerin, which is a fragment of telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Han
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Yun Long Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Duo Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Zhao Yan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Xin Hua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
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24
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Chaudhuri R, Bhattacharya S, Dash J, Bhattacharya S. Recent Update on Targeting c-MYC G-Quadruplexes by Small Molecules for Anticancer Therapeutics. J Med Chem 2020; 64:42-70. [PMID: 33355454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Guanine-rich DNA sequences have the propensity to adopt four-stranded tetrahelical G-quadruplex (G4) structures that are overrepresented in gene promoters. The structural polymorphism and physicochemical properties of these non-Watson-Crick G4 structures make them important targets for drug development. The guanine-rich nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 present in the upstream of P1 promoter of c-MYC oncogene has the ability to form an intramolecular parallel G4 structure. The G4 structure that forms transiently in the c-MYC promoter functions as a transcriptional repressor element. The c-MYC oncogene is overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers and plays a key role in cancer progression. Till now, a large number of compounds that are capable of interacting and stabilizing thec-MYC G4 have been reported. In this review, we summarize various c-MYC G4 specific molecules and discuss their effects on c-MYC gene expression in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritapa Chaudhuri
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Semantee Bhattacharya
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Santanu Bhattacharya
- School of Applied & Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata 700032, India.,Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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25
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Pandya N, Khan E, Jain N, Satham L, Singh R, Makde RD, Mishra A, Kumar A. Curcumin analogs exhibit anti-cancer activity by selectively targeting G-quadruplex forming c-myc promoter sequence. Biochimie 2020; 180:205-221. [PMID: 33188859 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin exhibits a broad spectrum of beneficial health properties that include anti-tumor and anti-cancer activities. The down-regulation of c-myc transcription via stabilizing the G-quadruplex structure formed at the promoter region of the human c-myc gene allows the repression in cancer growth. Small molecules can bind and stabilize this structure to provide an exciting and promising strategy for anti-cancer therapeutics. Herein, we investigated the interaction of Curcumin and its synthetic analogs with G-quadruplex DNA formed at the c-myc promoter by using various biophysical and biochemical assays. Further, its cytotoxic effect and mechanistic insights were explored in various cancer cell lines as well as in multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) model. The MCTS possesses almost similar microenvironment as avascular tumors, and micro-metastases can be used as a suitable model for the small molecule-based therapeutics development. Our study provides an expanded overview of the anti-cancer effect of a new Curcumin analog via targeting G-quadruplex structures formed at the promoter region of the human c-myc gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirali Pandya
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Eshan Khan
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Lakshminarayana Satham
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rahul Singh
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Ravindra D Makde
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India.
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26
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Kuang G, Zhang M, Kang S, Hu D, Li X, Wei Z, Gong X, An LK, Huang ZS, Shu B, Li D. Syntheses and Evaluation of New Bisacridine Derivatives for Dual Binding of G-Quadruplex and i-Motif in Regulating Oncogene c-myc Expression. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9136-9153. [PMID: 32787078 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The c-myc oncogene is an important regulator for cell growth and differentiation, and its aberrant overexpression is closely related to the occurrence and development of various cancers. Thus, the suppression of c-myc transcription and expression has been investigated for cancer treatment. In this study, various new bisacridine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their binding with c-myc promoter G-quadruplex and i-motif. We found that a9 could bind to and stabilize both G-quadruplex and i-motif, resulting in the downregulation of c-myc gene transcription. a9 could inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce SiHa cell apoptosis and cycle arrest. a9 exhibited tumor growth inhibition activity in a SiHa xenograft tumor model, which might be related to its binding with c-myc promoter G-quadruplex and i-motif. Our results suggested that a9 as a dual G-quadruplex/i-motif binder could be effective in both oncogene replication and transcription and become a promising lead compound for further development with improved potency and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guotao Kuang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Shuangshuang Kang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Dexuan Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoya Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zuzhuang Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xue Gong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Lin-Kun An
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Bing Shu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.,School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ding Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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Human MYC G-quadruplex: From discovery to a cancer therapeutic target. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188410. [PMID: 32827579 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of the MYC oncogene is a molecular hallmark of both cancer initiation and progression. Targeting MYC is a logical and effective cancer therapeutic strategy. A special DNA secondary structure, the G-quadruplex (G4), is formed within the nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 (NHE III1) region, located upstream of the MYC gene's P1 promoter that drives the majority of its transcription. Targeting such G4 structures has been a focus of anticancer therapies in recent decades. Thus, a comprehensive review of the MYC G4 structure and its role as a potential therapeutic target is timely. In this review, we first outline the discovery of the MYC G4 structure and evidence of its formation in vitro and in cells. Then, we describe the functional role of G4 in regulating MYC gene expression. We also summarize three types of MYC G4-interacting proteins that can promote, stabilize and unwind G4 structures. Finally, we discuss G4-binding molecules and the anticancer activities of G4-stabilizing ligands, including small molecular compounds and peptides, and assess their potential as novel anticancer therapeutics.
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28
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Nucleolin represses transcription of the androgen receptor gene through a G-quadruplex. Oncotarget 2020; 11:1758-1776. [PMID: 32477465 PMCID: PMC7233804 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a major driver of prostate cancer development and progression. Men who develop advanced prostate cancer often have long-term cancer control when treated with androgen-deprivation therapies (ADT). Still, their disease inevitably becomes resistant to ADT and progresses to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). ADT involves potent competitive AR antagonists and androgen synthesis inhibitors. Resistance to these types of treatments emerges, primarily through the maintenance of AR signaling by ligand-independent activation mechanisms. There is a need to find better ways to block AR to overcome CRPC. In the findings reported here, we demonstrate that the nuclear scaffold protein, nucleolin (NCL), suppresses the expression of AR. NCL binds to a G-rich region in the AR promoter that forms a G-quadruplex (G4) structure. Binding of NCL to this G4-element is required for NCL to suppress AR expression, specifically in AR-expressing tumor cells. Compounds that stabilize G4 structures require NCL to associate with the G4-element of the AR promoter in order to decrease AR expression. A newly discovered G4 compound that suppresses AR expression demonstrates selective killing of AR-expressing tumor cells, including CRPC lines. Our findings raise the significant possibility that G4-stabilizing drugs can be used to increase NCL transcriptional repressor activity to block AR expression in prostate cancer. Our studies contribute to a clearer understanding of the mechanisms that control AR expression, which could be exploited to overcome CRPC.
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29
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Wang Y, Yu T, Zhou Y, Wang S, Zhou X, Wang L, Ou T, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Wang Y, Fan X, Chen P, Gonzalez FJ, Yu A, Huang P, Huang M, Bi H. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C contributes to progressive cellular senescence. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:6733-6755. [PMID: 32289751 PMCID: PMC7202531 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Stable transfection manipulation with antibiotic selection and passaging induces progressive cellular senescence phenotypes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study demonstrated that stable transfection of the empty vector induced PANC-1 cells into cellular senescence. Metabolomics revealed several acylcarnitines and their upstream regulatory gene, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C (CPT1C) involved in fatty acid β-oxidation in mitochondria, were strikingly decreased in senescent PANC-1 cells. Low CPT1C expression triggered mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibited telomere elongation, impaired cell survival under metabolic stress, and hindered the malignance and tumorigenesis of senescent cells. On the contrary, mitochondrial activity was restored by CPT1C gain-of-function in senescent vector PANC-1 cells. PPARα and TP53/CDKN1A, crucial signaling components in cellular senescence, were downregulated in senescent PANC-1 cells. This study identifies CPT1C as a key regulator of stable transfection-induced progressive PANC-1 cell senescence that inhibits mitochondrial function-associated metabolic reprogramming. These findings confirm the need to identify cell culture alterations after stable transfection, particularly when cells are used for metabolomics and mitochondria-associated studies, and suggest inhibition of CPT1C could be a promising target to intervene pancreatic tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tao Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yanying Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Shike Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Xunian Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Limin Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tianmiao Ou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yixin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yawen Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Huizhen Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Xiaomei Fan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Pan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aiming Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Peng Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510275, P.R. China
| | - Min Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Huichang Bi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
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30
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Qin QP, Wei ZZ, Wang ZF, Huang XL, Tan MX, Zou HH, Liang H. Imaging and therapeutic applications of Zn(ii)-cryptolepine-curcumin molecular probes in cell apoptosis detection and photodynamic therapy. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:3999-4002. [PMID: 32154536 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc00524j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Novel red Zn(ii) complex-based fluorescent probes featuring cryptolepine-curcumin derivatives, namely, [Zn(BQ)Cl2] (BQ-Zn) and [Zn(BQ)(Cur)]Cl (BQCur-Zn), were developed for the simple and fluorescent label-free detection of apoptosis, an important biological process. The probes could synergistically promote mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis and enhance tumor therapeutic effects in vitro and vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Pin Qin
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry and Food Science, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Jiaoyudong Road, Yulin 537000, P. R. China.
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31
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Zhang YL, Deng CX, Zhou WF, Zhou LY, Cao QQ, Shen WY, Liang H, Chen ZF. Synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity evaluation of copper(II) complexes with 5-pyridin-2-yl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline derivatives. J Inorg Biochem 2019; 201:110820. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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32
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Saha P, Kumar YP, Das T, Müller D, Bessi I, Schwalbe H, Dash J. G-Quadruplex-Specific Cell-Permeable Guanosine–Anthracene Conjugate Inhibits Telomere Elongation and Induces Apoptosis by Repressing the c-MYC Gene. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:3038-3045. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Puja Saha
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Y. Pavan Kumar
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Tania Das
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Diana Müller
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Strasse 7, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Irene Bessi
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Strasse 7, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Strasse 7, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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33
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Sengupta P, Banerjee N, Roychowdhury T, Dutta A, Chattopadhyay S, Chatterjee S. Site-specific amino acid substitution in dodecameric peptides determines the stability and unfolding of c-MYC quadruplex promoting apoptosis in cancer cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:9932-9950. [PMID: 30239898 PMCID: PMC6212778 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
c-MYC proto-oncogene harbours a transcription-inhibitory quadruplex-forming scaffold (Pu27) upstream P1 promoter providing anti-neoplastic therapeutic target. Previous reports showed the binding profile of human Cathelicidin peptide (LL37) and telomeric G-quadruplex. Here, we truncated the quadruplex-binding domain of LL37 to prepare a small library of peptides through site-specific amino acid substitution. We investigated the intracellular selectivity of peptides for Pu27 over other oncogenic quadruplexes and their role in c-MYC promoter repression by dual-luciferase assays. We analysed their thermodynamics of binding reactions with c-MYC quadruplex isomers (Pu27, Myc22, Pu19) by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry. We discussed how amino acid substitutions and peptide helicity enhanced/weakened their affinities for c-MYC quadruplexes and characterized specific non-covalent inter-residual interactions determining their selectivity. Solution NMR structure indicated that KR12C, the best peptide candidate, selectively stabilized the 5′-propeller loop of c-MYC quadruplex by arginine-driven electrostatic-interactions at the sugar-phosphate backbone while KR12A peptide destabilized the quadruplex inducing a single-stranded hairpin-like conformation. Chromatin immunoprecipitations envisaged that KR12C and KR12A depleted and enriched Sp1 and NM23-H2 (Nucleoside diphosphate kinase) occupancy at Pu27 respectively supporting their regulation in stabilizing and unfolding c-MYC quadruplex in MCF-7 cells. We deciphered that selective arresting of c-MYC transcription by KR12C triggered apoptotic-signalling pathway via VEGF-A-BCL-2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallabi Sengupta
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Nilanjan Banerjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Tanaya Roychowdhury
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Anindya Dutta
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Samit Chattopadhyay
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
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34
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Wang KB, Elsayed MSA, Wu G, Deng N, Cushman M, Yang D. Indenoisoquinoline Topoisomerase Inhibitors Strongly Bind and Stabilize the MYC Promoter G-Quadruplex and Downregulate MYC. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:11059-11070. [PMID: 31283877 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b02679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
MYC is one of the most important oncogenes and is overexpressed in the majority of cancers. G-Quadruplexes are noncanonical four-stranded DNA secondary structures that have emerged as attractive cancer-specific molecular targets for drug development. The G-quadruplex formed in the proximal promoter region of the MYC oncogene (MycG4) has been shown to be a transcriptional silencer that is amenable to small-molecule targeting for MYC suppression. Indenoisoquinolines are human topoisomerase I inhibitors in clinical testing with improved physicochemical and biological properties as compared to the clinically used camptothecin anticancer drugs topotecan and irinotecan. However, some indenoisoquinolines with potent anticancer activity do not exhibit strong topoisomerase I inhibition, suggesting a separate mechanism of action. Here, we report that anticancer indenoisoquinolines strongly bind and stabilize MycG4 and lower MYC expression levels in cancer cells, using various biochemical, biophysical, computer modeling, and cell-based methods. Significantly, a large number of active indenoisoquinolines cause strong MYC downregulation in cancer cells. Structure-activity relationships of MycG4 recognition by indenoisoquinolines are investigated. In addition, the analysis of indenoisoquinoline analogues for their MYC-inhibitory activity, topoisomerase I-inhibitory activity, and anticancer activity reveals a synergistic effect of MYC inhibition and topoisomerase I inhibition on anticancer activity. Therefore, this study uncovers a novel mechanism of action of indenoisoquinolines as a new family of drugs targeting the MYC promoter G-quadruplex for MYC suppression. Furthermore, the study suggests that dual targeting of MYC and topoisomerase I may serve as a novel strategy for anticancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Bo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy , Purdue University , 575 W Stadium Avenue , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Mohamed S A Elsayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy , Purdue University , 575 W Stadium Avenue , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Guanhui Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy , Purdue University , 575 W Stadium Avenue , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Nanjie Deng
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences , Pace University , 1 Pace Plaza , New York , New York 10038 , United States
| | - Mark Cushman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy , Purdue University , 575 W Stadium Avenue , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research , 201 S University Street , West Lafayette , Indiana 47906 , United States.,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery , 720 Clinic Drive , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy , Purdue University , 575 W Stadium Avenue , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research , 201 S University Street , West Lafayette , Indiana 47906 , United States.,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery , 720 Clinic Drive , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
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35
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Pelliccia S, Amato J, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Massarotti A, Piccolo M, Irace C, Tron GC, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Novellino E, Giustiniano M. Bio-Inspired Dual-Selective BCL-2/c-MYC G-Quadruplex Binders: Design, Synthesis, and Anticancer Activity of Drug-like Imidazo[2,1-i]purine Derivatives. J Med Chem 2019; 63:2035-2050. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sveva Pelliccia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Massarotti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Piccolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Irace
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gian Cesare Tron
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Giustiniano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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36
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Two novel platinum(II) complexes with sorafenib and regorafenib: Synthesis, structural characterization, and evaluation of in vitro antitumor activity. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2019.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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37
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Sengupta P, Bhattacharya A, Sa G, Das T, Chatterjee S. Truncated G-Quadruplex Isomers Cross-Talk with the Transcription Factors To Maintain Homeostatic Equilibria in c-MYC Transcription. Biochemistry 2019; 58:1975-1991. [PMID: 30920805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The nuclease hypersensitive element III1 (NHE III1) upstream c-MYC promoter harbors a transcription-silencing G-quadruplex (Pu27) element. Dynamic turnover of various transcription factors (TFs) across Pu27 to control c-MYC transcription homeostasis is enigmatic. Here, we reveal that native Pu27 evolves truncated G-quadruplex isomers (Pu19, Pu22, Pu24, and Pu25) in cells that are optimal intracellular targets of specific TFs in a sequence- and structure-dependent manner. Nuclear magnetic resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry envisaged that NM23-H2 (nucleoside diphosphate kinase) and nucleolin induce conformational fluctuations in Pu27 to sample specific conformationally restricted conformer(s). Structural investigations revealed that the flanking guanines at 5'-Pu27 control solvent exposure at G-quartets upon NM23-H2 and nucleolin binding driving Pu27 unfolding and folding, respectively. Transient chromatin immunoprecipitations confirmed that NM23-H2 drives the conformation switch to Pu24 that outcompetes nucleolin recruitment. Similarly, nucleolin arrests Pu27 in the Pu22 conformer minimizing NM23-H2 binding at Pu27. hnRNPK (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K) positively regulates NM23-H2 and nucleolin association at Pu27 despite their antagonism. On the basis of these results, we simulated the transcription kinetics in a feed-forward loop in which the transcription output responds to hnRNPK-induced early activation via NM23-H2 association, which favors Pu24 formation at NHE III1 reducing nucleolin occupancy and driving quadruplex unfolding to initiate transcription. NM23-H2 further promotes hnRNPK deposition across NHE III1 altering Pu27 plasticity that finally enriches the nucleolin abundance to drive Pu22 formation and weaken NM23-H2 binding to extinguish transcription. This mechanism involves three positive feedback loops (NM23-H2-hnRNPK, NM23-H2-CNBP, and hnRNPK-nucleolin) and one negative feedback loop (NM23-H2-nucleolin) controlling optimal turnover and residence time of TFs at Pu27 to homeostatically regulate c-MYC transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallabi Sengupta
- Department of Biophysics , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Apoorva Bhattacharya
- Division of Molecular Medicine , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Gaurisankar Sa
- Division of Molecular Medicine , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Tanya Das
- Division of Molecular Medicine , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
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38
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Yu. Shuvalov V, Rupp AS, Fisyuk AS, Kuratova AK, Nefedov AA, Sagitullina GP. Synthesis and Optical Properties of Alkaloid Quindoline, Its Structural Analogues and Substituted δ‐Carbolines. ChemistrySelect 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201803515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav Yu. Shuvalov
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
- Laboratory of New Organic MaterialsOmsk State Technical University 11 Mira Ave. 644050 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Anna S. Rupp
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Alexander S. Fisyuk
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
- Laboratory of New Organic MaterialsOmsk State Technical University 11 Mira Ave. 644050 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Anna K. Kuratova
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Andrey A. Nefedov
- N. N. Vorozhtsov Institute of Organic ChemistrySiberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences 9 Lavrentiev Ave. 630090 Novosibirsk Russian Federation
| | - Galina P. Sagitullina
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
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39
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Wang SL, Wang ZF, Qin QP, Tan MX, Luo DM, Zou BQ, Liu YC. A 9‑chloro‑5,6,7,8‑tetrahydroacridine Pt(II) complex induces apoptosis of Hep‑G2 cells via inhibiting telomerase activity and disrupting mitochondrial pathway. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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40
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Carabet LA, Rennie PS, Cherkasov A. Therapeutic Inhibition of Myc in Cancer. Structural Bases and Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:E120. [PMID: 30597997 PMCID: PMC6337544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Myc (avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog) represents one of the most sought after drug targets in cancer. Myc transcription factor is an essential regulator of cell growth, but in most cancers it is overexpressed and associated with treatment-resistance and lethal outcomes. Over 40 years of research and drug development efforts did not yield a clinically useful Myc inhibitor. Drugging the "undruggable" is problematic, as Myc inactivation may negatively impact its physiological functions. Moreover, Myc is a disordered protein that lacks effective binding pockets on its surface. It is well established that the Myc function is dependent on dimerization with its obligate partner, Max (Myc associated factor X), which together form a functional DNA-binding domain to activate genomic targets. Herein, we provide an overview of the knowledge accumulated to date on Myc regulation and function, its critical role in cancer, and summarize various strategies that are employed to tackle Myc-driven malignant transformation. We focus on important structure-function relationships of Myc with its interactome, elaborating structural determinants of Myc-Max dimer formation and DNA recognition exploited for therapeutic inhibition. Chronological development of small-molecule Myc-Max prototype inhibitors and corresponding binding sites are comprehensively reviewed and particular emphasis is placed on modern computational drug design methods. On the outlook, technological advancements may soon provide the so long-awaited Myc-Max clinical candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia A Carabet
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Paul S Rennie
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
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Shu B, Zeng P, Kang S, Li PH, Hu D, Kuang G, Cao J, Li X, Zhang M, An LK, Huang ZS, Li D. Syntheses and evaluation of new Quinoline derivatives for inhibition of hnRNP K in regulating oncogene c-myc transcription. Bioorg Chem 2018; 85:1-17. [PMID: 30599408 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant overexpression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) is a key feature in oncogenesis and progression of many human cancers. hnRNP K has been found to be a transcriptional activator to up-regulate c-myc gene transcription, a critical proto-oncogene for regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Therefore, down-regulation of c-myc transcription by inhibiting hnRNP K through disrupting its binding to c-myc gene promoter is a potential approach for cancer therapy. In the present study, we synthesized and screened a series of Quinoline derivatives and evaluated their binding affinity for hnRNP K. Among these derivatives, (E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-morpholino-6-nitroquinolin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (compound 25) was determined to be the first-reported hnRNP K binding ligand with its KD values of 4.6 and 2.6 μM measured with SPR and MST, respectively. Subsequent evaluation showed that the binding of compound 25 to hnRNP K could disrupt its unfolding of c-myc promoter i-motif, resulting in down-regulation of c-myc transcription. Compound 25 showed a selective anti-proliferative effect on human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranged from 1.36 to 3.59 μM. Compound 25 exhibited good tumor growth inhibition in a Hela xenograft tumor model, which might be related to its binding with hnRNP K. These findings illustrated that inhibition of DNA-binding protein hnRNP K by compound 25 could be a new and selective strategy of regulating oncogene transcription instead of targeting promoter DNA secondary structures such as G-quadruplexes or i-motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Shu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Ping Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shuangshuang Kang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Peng-Hui Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Dexuan Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Guotao Kuang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jiaojiao Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Xiaoya Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Lin-Kun An
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Ding Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Qin QP, Zou BQ, Hu FL, Huang GB, Wang SL, Gu YQ, Tan MX. Platinum(ii) complexes with rutaecarpine and tryptanthrin derivatives induce apoptosis by inhibiting telomerase activity and disrupting mitochondrial function. MEDCHEMCOMM 2018; 9:1639-1648. [PMID: 30429969 PMCID: PMC6195000 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00247a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Four new platinum(ii) complexes, [Pt(Rut)(DMSO)Cl2] (Rut-Pt), [Pt(Try)(DMSO)Cl2] (Try-Pt), [Pt(ITry)(DMSO)Cl2] (ITry-Pt) and [Pt(BrTry)(DMSO)Cl2] (BrTry-Pt), with rutaecarpine (Rut), tryptanthrin (Try), 8-iodine-tryptanthrin (ITry) and 8-bromo-tryptanthrin (BrTry) as ligands were synthesized and fully characterized. In these complexes, the platinum(ii) adopts a four-coordinated square planar geometry. The inhibitory activity evaluated by the MTT assay showed that BrTry-Pt (IC50 = of 0.21 ± 0.25 μM) could inhibit the growth of T-24 tumor cells (human bladder cancer cell line) more so than the other three complexes. In addition, all of these Pt complexes exhibited low toxicity against non-cancerous HL-7702 cells. BrTry-Pt induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase, leading to the down-regulation of cyclin A and CDK2 proteins. BrTry-Pt acts as a telomerase inhibitor targeting the c-myc promoter. In addition, BrTry-Pt also caused mitochondrial dysfunction. Importantly, the in vitro anticancer activity of BrTry-Pt was higher than those of Rut-Pt, Try-Pt and ITry-Pt, and it was more selective for T-24 cells than for non-cancerous HL-7702 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Pin Qin
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology , School of Chemistry and Food Science , Yulin Normal University , 1303 Jiaoyudong Road , Yulin 537000 , PR China . ; ; Tel: +86 775 2623650
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources , School of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Guangxi Normal University , 15 Yucai Road , Guilin 541004 , PR China
| | - Bi-Qun Zou
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology , School of Chemistry and Food Science , Yulin Normal University , 1303 Jiaoyudong Road , Yulin 537000 , PR China . ; ; Tel: +86 775 2623650
- Department of Chemistry , Guilin Normal College , 21 Xinyi Road , Gulin 541001 , PR China
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources , School of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Guangxi Normal University , 15 Yucai Road , Guilin 541004 , PR China
| | - Fei-Long Hu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products , Guangxi University for Nationalities , Nanning , 530006 , P. R. China
| | - Guo-Bao Huang
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology , School of Chemistry and Food Science , Yulin Normal University , 1303 Jiaoyudong Road , Yulin 537000 , PR China . ; ; Tel: +86 775 2623650
| | - Shu-Long Wang
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology , School of Chemistry and Food Science , Yulin Normal University , 1303 Jiaoyudong Road , Yulin 537000 , PR China . ; ; Tel: +86 775 2623650
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources , School of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Guangxi Normal University , 15 Yucai Road , Guilin 541004 , PR China
| | - Yun-Qiong Gu
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology , School of Chemistry and Food Science , Yulin Normal University , 1303 Jiaoyudong Road , Yulin 537000 , PR China . ; ; Tel: +86 775 2623650
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources , School of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Guangxi Normal University , 15 Yucai Road , Guilin 541004 , PR China
| | - Ming-Xiong Tan
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology , School of Chemistry and Food Science , Yulin Normal University , 1303 Jiaoyudong Road , Yulin 537000 , PR China . ; ; Tel: +86 775 2623650
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Peng W, Sun ZY, Zhang Q, Cheng SQ, Wang SK, Wang XN, Kuang GT, Su XX, Tan JH, Huang ZS, Ou TM. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel p-(Methylthio)styryl Substituted Quindoline Derivatives as Neuroblastoma RAS (NRAS) Repressors via Specific Stabilizing the RNA G-Quadruplex. J Med Chem 2018; 61:6629-6646. [PMID: 29799749 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human proto-oncogene neuroblastoma RAS ( NRAS) contains a guanine-rich sequence in the 5'-untranslated regions (5'-UTR) of the mRNA that could form an RNA G-quadruplex structure. This structure acts as a repressor for NRAS translation and could be a potential target for anticancer drugs. Our previous studies found an effective scaffold, the quindoline scaffold, for binding and stabilizing the DNA G-quadruplex structures. Here, on the basis of the previous studies and reported RNA-specific probes, a series of novel p-(methylthio)styryl substituted quindoline (MSQ) derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as NRAS RNA G-quadruplex ligands. Panels of experiments turned out that the introduction of p-(methylthio)styryl side chain could enhance the specific binding to the NRAS RNA G-quadruplex. One of the hits, 4a-10, showed strong stabilizing activity on the G-quadruplex and subsequently repressed NRAS's translation and inhibited tumor cells proliferation. Our finding provided a novel strategy to discover novel NRAS repressors by specifically binding to the RNA G-quadruplex in the 5'-UTR of mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Yin Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Qi Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Sui-Qi Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Shi-Ke Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Na Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Guo-Tao Kuang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Xuan Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
| | - Tian-Miao Ou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006 , P. R. China
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44
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Das T, Panda D, Saha P, Dash J. Small Molecule Driven Stabilization of Promoter G-Quadruplexes and Transcriptional Regulation of c-MYC. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:2636-2645. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Das
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Deepanjan Panda
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Puja Saha
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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45
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Shu B, Cao J, Kuang G, Qiu J, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Wang M, Li X, Kang S, Ou TM, Tan JH, Huang ZS, Li D. Syntheses and evaluation of new acridone derivatives for selective binding of oncogene c-myc promoter i-motifs in gene transcriptional regulation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:2036-2039. [PMID: 29411851 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc00328a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We synthesized a series of acridone derivatives for specific binding ligands of i-motifs. Subsequent evaluations showed that B19 could selectively bind to and stabilize the c-myc promoter i-motif without significant binding to the G-quadruplex and duplex DNA. This caused down-regulation of c-myc transcription and expression, resulting in tumor cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Shu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
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46
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Wei ZZ, Qin QP, Meng T, Deng CX, Liang H, Chen ZF. 5-Bromo-oxoisoaporphine platinum(II) complexes exhibit tumor cell cytotoxcicity via inhibition of telomerase activity and disruption of c-myc G-quadruplex DNA and mitochondrial functions. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 145:360-369. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.12.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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47
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Funke A, Karg B, Dickerhoff J, Balke D, Müller S, Weisz K. Ligand-Induced Dimerization of a Truncated Parallel MYC G-Quadruplex. Chembiochem 2018; 19:505-512. [PMID: 29228465 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Binding of an indoloquinoline derivative with an aminoalkyl side chain to a truncated sequence from the MYC promoter region was studied through isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The targeted MYC3 sequence lacks 3'-flanking nucleotides and forms a monomeric parallel quadruplex (G4) with a blunt-ended 3'-outer tetrad under the solution conditions employed. Analysis of ITC isotherms reveals multiple binding equilibria with the initial formation of a 1:2 ligand/quadruplex complex. Evaluation of electrophoretic mobilities as well as NMR spectral data confirm ligand-induced dimerization of MYC3 quadruplexes with the ligand sandwiched between the two 3'-outer tetrads. Additional ligand molecules in excess bind to the 5'-outer tetrads of the sandwich complex. Such a ligand-promoted G4 dimerization may be exploited for the controlled assembly or disassembly of G4 aggregates to expand on present quadruplex-based technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Funke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Beatrice Karg
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jonathan Dickerhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Darko Balke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sabine Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Klaus Weisz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
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Li Z, Liu C, Huang C, Meng X, Zhang L, He J, Li J. Quinazoline derivative QPB-15e stabilizes the c-myc promoter G-quadruplex and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Oncotarget 2018; 7:34266-76. [PMID: 27144522 PMCID: PMC5085154 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribozyme-sensitive element NHE-III1 in the P1 promoter region of the important proto-oncogene c-myc contains many guanine (G)-rich sequences. Induction and stabilization of the G-quadruplex formed by NHE-III1 can downregulate c-myc expression. In the present study, we found that QPB-15e, a quinazoline derivative designed and synthesized by our laboratory, binds to and stabilizes the c-myc G-quadruplex in vitro, thereby inhibiting double-stranded DNA replication, downregulating c-myc gene expression and arresting cancer cell proliferation. PCR termination experiments showed that QPB-15e blocked double-stranded DNA replication by inducing or stabilizing the c-myc G-quadruplex. FRET-melting further confirmed that QPB-15e improved the stability of the G-quadruplex, and CD spectroscopy indicated that the compound interacted directly with the G-rich sequence. In competitive dialysis experiments, QPB-15e bound preferentially to quadruplex DNA in various structures, especially the G-quadruplex within the c-myc promoter region. Moreover, QPB-15e reduced the weights and volumes of tumors transplanted into nude mice. These findings strongly suggest that QPB-15e is a c-myc G-quadruplex ligand with anti-tumor properties, and may be efficacious for treating cancer in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chen Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiaoming Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jinhui He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University City, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
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49
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Studies on interactions of carbazole derivatives with DNA, cell image, and cytotoxicity. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:285-294. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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50
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Deng N, Wickstrom L, Cieplak P, Lin C, Yang D. Resolving the Ligand-Binding Specificity in c-MYC G-Quadruplex DNA: Absolute Binding Free Energy Calculations and SPR Experiment. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:10484-10497. [PMID: 29086571 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b09406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We report the absolute binding free energy calculation and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiment for ligand binding with the c-MYC G-quadruplex DNA. The unimolecular parallel DNA G-quadruplex formed in nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 of the c-MYC gene promoter regulates the c-MYC transcription and is recognized as an emerging drug target for cancer therapy. Quindoline derivatives have been shown to stabilize the G-quadruplex and inhibit the c-MYC expression in cancer cells. NMR revealed two binding sites located at the 5' and 3' termini of the G-quadruplex. Questions about which site is more favored and the basis for the ligand-induced binding site formation remain unresolved. Here, we employ two absolute binding free energy methods, the double decoupling and the potential of mean force methods, to dissect the ligand-binding specificity in the c-MYC G-quadruplex. The calculated absolute binding free energies are in general agreement with the SPR result and suggest that quindoline has a slight preference for the 5' site. The flanking residues around the two sites undergo significant reorganization as the ligand unbinds, which provides evidence for ligand-induced binding pocket formation. The results help interpret experimental data and inform rational design of small molecules targeting the c-MYC G-quadruplex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanjie Deng
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University , 1 Pace Plaza, New York, New York 10038, United States
| | - Lauren Wickstrom
- Department of Science, Borough of Manhattan Community College, the City University of New York , New York, New York 10007, United States
| | - Piotr Cieplak
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute , La Jolla, San Diego, California 92037, United States
| | - Clement Lin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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