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Bansal A, Kaushik S, Kukreti S. Non-canonical DNA structures: Diversity and disease association. Front Genet 2022; 13:959258. [PMID: 36134025 PMCID: PMC9483843 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.959258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A complete understanding of DNA double-helical structure discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, unveil the importance and significance of DNA. For the last seven decades, this has been a leading light in the course of the development of modern biology and biomedical science. Apart from the predominant B-form, experimental shreds of evidence have revealed the existence of a sequence-dependent structural diversity, unusual non-canonical structures like hairpin, cruciform, Z-DNA, multistranded structures such as DNA triplex, G-quadruplex, i-motif forms, etc. The diversity in the DNA structure depends on various factors such as base sequence, ions, superhelical stress, and ligands. In response to these various factors, the polymorphism of DNA regulates various genes via different processes like replication, transcription, translation, and recombination. However, altered levels of gene expression are associated with many human genetic diseases including neurological disorders and cancer. These non-B-DNA structures are expected to play a key role in determining genetic stability, DNA damage and repair etc. The present review is a modest attempt to summarize the available literature, illustrating the occurrence of non-canonical structures at the molecular level in response to the environment and interaction with ligands and proteins. This would provide an insight to understand the biological functions of these unusual DNA structures and their recognition as potential therapeutic targets for diverse genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Bansal
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shikha Kaushik
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shrikant Kukreti
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Shrikant Kukreti,
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52
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Fu L, Mou J, Deng Y, Ren X. Structural modifications of berberine and their binding effects towards polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acid structures: A review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:940282. [PMID: 36016553 PMCID: PMC9395745 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.940282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Berberine (BBR) is a plant derived quaternary benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, which has been widely used in traditional medicines for a long term. It possesses broad pharmacological effects and is widely applied in clinical. In recent years, the anti-tumor effects of BBR have attracted more and more attention of the researchers. The canonical right-handed double-stranded helical deoxyribonucleic acid (B-DNA) and its polymorphs occur under various environmental conditions and are involved in a plethora of genetic instability-related diseases especially tumor. BBR showed differential binding effects towards various polymorphic DNA structures. But its poor lipophilicity and fast metabolism limited its clinical utility. Structural modification of BBR is an effective approach to improve its DNA binding activity and bioavailability in vivo. A large number of studies dedicated to improving the binding affinities of BBR towards different DNA structures have been carried out and achieved tremendous advancements. In this article, the main achievements of BBR derivatives in polymorphic DNA structures binding researches in recent 20 years were reviewed. The structural modification strategy of BBR, the DNA binding effects of its derivatives, and the structure activity relationship (SAR) analysis have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiajia Mou
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Xiaoliang Ren
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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53
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Interface of G-quadruplex with both stabilizing and destabilizing ligands for targeting various diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:414-427. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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54
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Yang C, Yao J, Yi H, Huang X, Zhao W, Yang Z. To unwind the biological knots: The DNA/RNA G-quadruplex resolvase RHAU (DHX36) in development and disease. Animal Model Exp Med 2022; 5:542-549. [PMID: 35789129 PMCID: PMC9773310 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12251] [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: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The G-quadruplex (G4) sequences are short fragments of 4-interval triple guanine (G) with frequent and ubiquitous distribution in the genome and RNA transcripts. The G4 sequences are usually folded into secondary "knot" structure via Hoogsteen hydrogen bond to exert negative regulation on a variety of biological processes, including DNA replication and transcription, mRNA translation, and telomere maintenance. Recent structural biological and mouse genetics studies have demonstrated that RHAU (DHX36) can bind and unwind the G4 "knots" to modulate embryonic development and postnatal organ function. Deficiency of RHAU gives rise to embryonic lethality, impaired organogenesis, and organ dysfunction. These studies uncovered the pivotal G4 resolvase function of RHAU to release the G4 barrier, which plays fundamental roles in development and physiological homeostasis. This review discusses the latest advancements and findings in deciphering RHAU functions using animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chensi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineNanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Jie Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineNanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Huijuan Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineNanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Xinyi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineNanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Wukui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineNanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Zhongzhou Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineNanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
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55
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Wang L, Xu YP, Bai D, Shan SW, Xie J, Li Y, Wu WQ. Insights into the structural dynamics and helicase-catalyzed unfolding of plant RNA G-quadruplexes. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102165. [PMID: 35738400 PMCID: PMC9293640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) are noncanonical RNA secondary structures formed by guanine (G)-rich sequences. These complexes play important regulatory roles in both animals and plants through their structural dynamics and are closely related to human diseases and plant growth, development, and adaption. Thus, studying the structural dynamics of rG4s is fundamentally important; however, their folding pathways and their unfolding by specialized helicases are not well understood. In addition, no plant rG4-specialized helicases have been identified. Here, using single-molecule FRET, we experimentally elucidated for the first time the folding pathway and intermediates, including a G-hairpin and G-triplex. In addition, using proteomics screening and microscale thermophoresis, we identified and validated five rG4-specialized helicases in Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, DExH1, the ortholog of the famous human rG4 helicase RHAU/DHX36, stood out for its robust rG4 unwinding ability. Taken together, these results shed light on the structural dynamics of plant rG4s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Ya-Peng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Di Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Song-Wang Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Jie Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Wen-Qiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China.
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56
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Chen L, Huang J, Li X, Huang M, Zeng S, Zheng J, Peng S, Li S. Progress of Nanomaterials in Photodynamic Therapy Against Tumor. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:920162. [PMID: 35711646 PMCID: PMC9194820 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.920162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an advanced therapeutic strategy with light-triggered, minimally invasive, high spatiotemporal selective and low systemic toxicity properties, which has been widely used in the clinical treatment of many solid tumors in recent years. Any strategies that improve the three elements of PDT (light, oxygen, and photosensitizers) can improve the efficacy of PDT. However, traditional PDT is confronted some challenges of poor solubility of photosensitizers and tumor suppressive microenvironment. To overcome the related obstacles of PDT, various strategies have been investigated in terms of improving photosensitizers (PSs) delivery, penetration of excitation light sources, and hypoxic tumor microenvironment. In addition, compared with a single treatment mode, the synergistic treatment of multiple treatment modalities such as photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can improve the efficacy of PDT. This review summarizes recent advances in nanomaterials, including metal nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels and polymers, to enhance the efficiency of PDT against malignant tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huizhou Central People’s Hospital, Huizhou, China
| | - Xiaotong Li
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | - Jiayi Zheng
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuyi Peng
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiying Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology and The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shiying Li,
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57
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Metal Complexes in Target-Specific Anticancer Therapy: Recent Trends and Challenges. J CHEM-NY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/9261683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell differentiation in or on the part of the body. The most commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs are developed to target rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, but they also damage healthy epithelial cells. This has serious consequences for normal cells and become responsible for the development of various disorders. Several strategies for delivering the cytotoxic drugs to cancerous sites that limit systemic toxicity and other adverse effects have recently been evolved. Among them, biomolecule-conjugated metal complexes-based cancer targeting strategies have shown tremendous advantages in cancer therapy. This review focuses on several chemoselective biomolecules-bound metal complexes as prospective cancer therapy-targeted agents. In this review, we presented the details of the various extra- and intracellular targeting mechanisms in cancer therapy. We also addressed the current clinical issues and recent therapeutic strategies in targeted cancer therapy that may pave a way for the future direction of metal complexes-based targeted cancer therapy.
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58
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Thaichana P, Summart R, Dejkriengkraikul P, Meepowpan P, Lee TR, Tuntiwechapikul W. Hydrosoluble Perylene Monoimide-Based Telomerase Inhibitors with Diminished Cytotoxicity. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:16746-16756. [PMID: 35601338 PMCID: PMC9118414 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is essential for the immortality characteristics of most cancers. Telomerase-specific inhibitors should render cancer cells to replicative senescence without acute cytotoxicity. Perylene-based G-quadruplex (G4) ligands are widely studied as telomerase inhibitors. Most reported perylene-based G4 ligands are perylene diimides (PDIs), which often suffer from self-aggregation in aqueous solutions. Previously, we found that PM2, a perylene monoimide (PMI), exhibited better solubility, G4 binding affinity, and telomerase inhibition than PIPER, the prototypic PDI. However, the acute cytotoxicity of PM2 was about 20-30 times more than PIPER in cancer cells. In this report, we replaced the piperazine side chain of PM2 with ethylenediamine to yield PM3 and replaced the N,N-diethylethylenediamine side chain of PM2 with the 1-(2-aminoethyl) piperidine to yield PM5. We found that asymmetric PMIs with two basic side chains (PM2, PM3, and PM5) performed better than PIPER (the prototypic PDI), in terms of hydrosolubility, G4 binding, in vitro telomerase inhibition, and suppression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and telomerase activity in A549 cells. However, PM5 was 7-10 times less toxic than PM2 and PM3 in three cancer cell lines. We conclude that replacing the N,N-diethylethylenediamine side chain with the 2-aminoethylpiperidine on PMIs reduces the cytotoxicity in cancer cells without impacting G4 binding and telomerase inhibition. This study paves the way for synthesizing new PMIs with drug-like properties for selective telomerase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pak Thaichana
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Ratasark Summart
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center
for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Puttinan Meepowpan
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - T. Randall Lee
- Department
of Chemistry and the Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5003, United States
| | - Wirote Tuntiwechapikul
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center
for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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59
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Vertecchi E, Rizzo A, Salvati E. Telomere Targeting Approaches in Cancer: Beyond Length Maintenance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073784. [PMID: 35409143 PMCID: PMC8998427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are crucial structures that preserve genome stability. Their progressive erosion over numerous DNA duplications determines the senescence of cells and organisms. As telomere length homeostasis is critical for cancer development, nowadays, telomere maintenance mechanisms are established targets in cancer treatment. Besides telomere elongation, telomere dysfunction impinges on intracellular signaling pathways, in particular DNA damage signaling and repair, affecting cancer cell survival and proliferation. This review summarizes and discusses recent findings in anticancer drug development targeting different “telosome” components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Vertecchi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Angela Rizzo
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Erica Salvati
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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60
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Parsa FG, Nobili S, Karimpour M, Aghdaei HA, Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad E, Mini E. Fanconi Anemia Pathway in Colorectal Cancer: A Novel Opportunity for Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapy. J Pers Med 2022; 12:396. [PMID: 35330396 PMCID: PMC8950345 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and has the second highest mortality rate globally. Thanks to the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies, several novel candidate genes have been proposed for CRC susceptibility. Germline biallelic mutations in one or more of the 22 currently recognized Fanconi anemia (FA) genes have been associated with Fanconi anemia disease, while germline monoallelic mutations, somatic mutations, or the promoter hypermethylation of some FANC genes increases the risk of cancer development, including CRC. The FA pathway is a substantial part of the DNA damage response system that participates in the repair of DNA inter-strand crosslinks through homologous recombination (HR) and protects genome stability via replication fork stabilization, respectively. Recent studies revealed associations between FA gene/protein tumor expression levels (i.e., FANC genes) and CRC progression and drug resistance. Moreover, the FA pathway represents a potential target in the CRC treatment. In fact, FANC gene characteristics may contribute to chemosensitize tumor cells to DNA crosslinking agents such as oxaliplatin and cisplatin besides exploiting the synthetic lethal approach for selective targeting of tumor cells. Hence, this review summarizes the current knowledge on the function of the FA pathway in DNA repair and genomic integrity with a focus on the FANC genes as potential predisposition factors to CRC. We then introduce recent literature that highlights the importance of FANC genes in CRC as promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers for disease management and treatment. Finally, we represent a brief overview of the current knowledge around the FANC genes as synthetic lethal therapeutic targets for precision cancer medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ghorbani Parsa
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17413, Iran; (F.G.P.); (H.A.A.)
| | - Stefania Nobili
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. D’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Mina Karimpour
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-154, Iran;
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17413, Iran; (F.G.P.); (H.A.A.)
| | - Ehsan Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17413, Iran
| | - Enrico Mini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
- DENOTHE Excellence Center, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
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61
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Thiosugar naphthalene diimide conjugates: G-quadruplex ligands with antiparasitic and anticancer activity. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 232:114183. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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62
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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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63
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Liu Y, Zhu X, Wang K, Zhang B, Qiu S. The Cellular Functions and Molecular Mechanisms of G-Quadruplex Unwinding Helicases in Humans. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:783889. [PMID: 34912850 PMCID: PMC8667583 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.783889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are stable non-canonical secondary structures formed by G-rich DNA or RNA sequences. They play various regulatory roles in many biological processes. It is commonly agreed that G4 unwinding helicases play key roles in G4 metabolism and function, and these processes are closely related to physiological and pathological processes. In recent years, more and more functional and mechanistic details of G4 helicases have been discovered; therefore, it is necessary to carefully sort out the current research efforts. Here, we provide a systematic summary of G4 unwinding helicases from the perspective of functions and molecular mechanisms. First, we provide a general introduction about helicases and G4s. Next, we comprehensively summarize G4 unfolding helicases in humans and their proposed cellular functions. Then, we review their study methods and molecular mechanisms. Finally, we share our perspective on further prospects. We believe this review will provide opportunities for researchers to reach the frontiers in the functions and molecular mechanisms of human G4 unwinding helicases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Key laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center for Mountain Ecology and Agro-Bioengineering (CICMEAB), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- The Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering and Biological Pharmacy of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xinting Zhu
- College of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Kejia Wang
- Key laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center for Mountain Ecology and Agro-Bioengineering (CICMEAB), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering and Biological Pharmacy of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- College of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Shuyi Qiu
- Key laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center for Mountain Ecology and Agro-Bioengineering (CICMEAB), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering and Biological Pharmacy of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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64
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Cheng Y, Zhang Y, You H. Characterization of G-Quadruplexes Folding/Unfolding Dynamics and Interactions with Proteins from Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1579. [PMID: 34827577 PMCID: PMC8615981 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are stable secondary nucleic acid structures that play crucial roles in many fundamental biological processes. The folding/unfolding dynamics of G4 structures are associated with the replication and transcription regulation functions of G4s. However, many DNA G4 sequences can adopt a variety of topologies and have complex folding/unfolding dynamics. Determining the dynamics of G4s and their regulation by proteins remains challenging due to the coexistence of multiple structures in a heterogeneous sample. Here, in this mini-review, we introduce the application of single-molecule force-spectroscopy methods, such as magnetic tweezers, optical tweezers, and atomic force microscopy, to characterize the polymorphism and folding/unfolding dynamics of G4s. We also briefly introduce recent studies using single-molecule force spectroscopy to study the molecular mechanisms of G4-interacting proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Huijuan You
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Y.C.); (Y.Z.)
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