1
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Nickbarg EB, Spencer KB, Mortison JD, Lee JT. Targeting RNA with small molecules: lessons learned from Xist RNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:463-472. [PMID: 36725318 PMCID: PMC10019374 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079523.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although more than 98% of the human genome is noncoding, nearly all drugs on the market target one of about 700 disease-related proteins. However, an increasing number of diseases are now being attributed to noncoding RNA and the ability to target them would vastly expand the chemical space for drug development. We recently devised a screening strategy based upon affinity-selection mass spectrometry and succeeded in identifying bioactive compounds for the noncoding RNA prototype, Xist. One such compound, termed X1, has drug-like properties and binds specifically to the RepA motif of Xist in vitro and in vivo. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals that X1 changes the conformation of RepA in solution, thereby explaining the displacement of cognate interacting protein factors (PRC2 and SPEN) and inhibition of X-chromosome inactivation. In this Perspective, we discuss lessons learned from these proof-of-concept experiments and suggest that RNA can be systematically targeted by drug-like compounds to disrupt RNA structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jeannie T Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Department of Genetics, The Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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2
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Felder S, Sagné C, Benedetti E, Micouin L. Small-Molecule 3D Ligand for RNA Recognition: Tuning Selectivity through Scaffold Hopping. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:3069-3076. [PMID: 36314850 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Targeting RNAs with small molecules is considered the next frontier for drug discovery. In this context, the development of compounds capable of binding RNA structural motifs of low complexity with high affinity and selectivity would greatly expand the number of targets of potential therapeutic value. In this study, we demonstrate that tuning the three-dimensional shape of promiscuous nucleic acid binders is a valuable strategy for the design of new selective RNA ligands. Indeed, starting from a known cyanine, the simple replacement of a phenyl ring with a [2.2]paracyclophane moiety led to a new compound able to discriminate between nucleic acids showing different structural characteristics with a marked affinity and selectivity for an octahairpin loop RNA sequence. This shape modification also affected the in cellulo behavior of the cyanine. These results suggest that scaffold hopping is a valuable strategy to improve the selectivity of RNA/small-molecule interactions and highlight the need to explore a new chemical space for the design of selective RNA ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Felder
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Corinne Sagné
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Erica Benedetti
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Laurent Micouin
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, F-75006 Paris, France
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3
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Yamaguchi K, Yokoi K, Umezawa M, Tsuchiya K, Yamada Y, Aoki S. Design, Synthesis, and Anticancer Activity of Triptycene-Peptide Hybrids that Induce Paraptotic Cell Death in Cancer Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:691-717. [PMID: 35404581 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We report on the design and synthesis of triptycene-peptide hybrids (TPHs), 5, syn-6, and anti-6, which are conjugates of a triptycene core unit with two or three cationic KKKGG peptides (K: lysine and G: glycine) through a C8 alkyl chain. It was discovered that syn-6 and anti-6 induce paraptosis, a type of programmed cell death (PCD), in Jurkat cells (leukemia T-lymphocytes). Mechanistic studies indicate that these TPHs induce the transfer of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mitochondria, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), tethering of the ER and mitochondria, and cytoplasmic vacuolization in the paraptosis processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yamaguchi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Kenta Yokoi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Masakazu Umezawa
- Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Koji Tsuchiya
- Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST), Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Yamada
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan.,Research Center of Material Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan.,JST, PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Shin Aoki
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan.,Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST), Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Chiba, Japan.,Research Institute for Biomedical Science (RIBS), Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Chiba, Japan
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4
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Abstract
Temperature is one of the ubiquitous signals that control both the development as well as virulence of various microbial species. Therefore their survival is dependent upon initiating appropriate response upon temperature fluctuations. In particular, pathogenic microbes exploit host-temperature sensing mechanisms for triggering the expression of virulence genes. Many studies have revealed that the biomolecules within a cell such as DNA, RNA, lipids and proteins help in sensing change in temperature, thereby acting as thermosensors. This review shall provide an insight into the different mechanisms of thermosensing and how they aid pathogenic microbes in host invasion.
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5
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Zhao R, Fu J, Zhu L, Chen Y, Liu B. Designing strategies of small-molecule compounds for modulating non-coding RNAs in cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:14. [PMID: 35123522 PMCID: PMC8817562 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been defined as a class of RNA molecules transcribed from the genome but not encoding proteins, such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, Circular RNAs, and Piwi-interacting RNAs. Accumulating evidence has recently been revealing that ncRNAs become potential druggable targets for regulation of several small-molecule compounds, based on their complex spatial structures and biological functions in cancer therapy. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing some new emerging designing strategies, such as high-throughput screening approach, small-molecule microarray approach, structure-based designing approach, phenotypic screening approach, fragment-based designing approach, and pharmacological validation approach. Based on the above-mentioned approaches, a series of representative small-molecule compounds, including Bisphenol-A, Mitoxantrone and Enoxacin have been demonstrated to modulate or selectively target ncRNAs in different types of human cancers. Collectively, these inspiring findings would provide a clue on developing more novel avenues for pharmacological modulations of ncRNAs with small-molecule drugs for future cancer therapeutics.
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6
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Sharma A, Alajangi HK, Pisignano G, Sood V, Singh G, Barnwal RP. RNA thermometers and other regulatory elements: Diversity and importance in bacterial pathogenesis. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2022; 13:e1711. [PMID: 35037405 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Survival of microorganisms depends to a large extent on environmental conditions and the occupied host. By adopting specific strategies, microorganisms can thrive in the surrounding environment and, at the same time, preserve their viability. Evading the host defenses requires several mechanisms compatible with the host survival which include the production of RNA thermometers to regulate the expression of genes responsible for heat or cold shock as well as of those involved in virulence. Microorganisms have developed a variety of molecules in response to the environmental changes in temperature and even more specifically to the host they invade. Among all, RNA-based regulatory mechanisms are the most common ones, highlighting the importance of such molecules in gene expression control and novel drug development by suitable structure-based alterations. This article is categorized under: RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.,University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Hema Kumari Alajangi
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.,University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Vikas Sood
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Gurpal Singh
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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7
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Iwata
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Shindo
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
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8
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Sun J, Iwata T, Shindo M. Synthesis of 9-Hydroxytriptycenes Bearing a Functionalized Substituent at the C-10 Position through a Triple Cycloaddition Reaction of Ynolates Derived from 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenyl Esters. CHEM LETT 2020. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.200412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sun
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - Takayuki Iwata
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Shindo
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
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9
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Twittenhoff C, Heroven AK, Mühlen S, Dersch P, Narberhaus F. An RNA thermometer dictates production of a secreted bacterial toxin. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008184. [PMID: 31951643 PMCID: PMC6992388 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Frequent transitions of bacterial pathogens between their warm-blooded host and external reservoirs are accompanied by abrupt temperature shifts. A temperature of 37°C serves as reliable signal for ingestion by a mammalian host, which induces a major reprogramming of bacterial gene expression and metabolism. Enteric Yersiniae are Gram-negative pathogens accountable for self-limiting gastrointestinal infections. Among the temperature-regulated virulence genes of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is cnfY coding for the cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNFY), a multifunctional secreted toxin that modulates the host’s innate immune system and contributes to the decision between acute infection and persistence. We report that the major determinant of temperature-regulated cnfY expression is a thermo-labile RNA structure in the 5’-untranslated region (5’-UTR). Various translational gene fusions demonstrated that this region faithfully regulates translation initiation regardless of the transcription start site, promoter or reporter strain. RNA structure probing revealed a labile stem-loop structure, in which the ribosome binding site is partially occluded at 25°C but liberated at 37°C. Consistent with translational control in bacteria, toeprinting (primer extension inhibition) experiments in vitro showed increased ribosome binding at elevated temperature. Point mutations locking the 5’-UTR in its 25°C structure impaired opening of the stem loop, ribosome access and translation initiation at 37°C. To assess the in vivo relevance of temperature control, we used a mouse infection model. Y. pseudotuberculosis strains carrying stabilized RNA thermometer variants upstream of cnfY were avirulent and attenuated in their ability to disseminate into mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen. We conclude with a model, in which the RNA thermometer acts as translational roadblock in a two-layered regulatory cascade that tightly controls provision of the CNFY toxin during acute infection. Similar RNA structures upstream of various cnfY homologs suggest that RNA thermosensors dictate the production of secreted toxins in a wide range of pathogens. Bacterial pathogens closely survey the ambient conditions and induce virulence genes only at appropriate conditions. Upon host contact, many pathogens secrete toxins in order to subvert host defense systems. We find that such a secreted toxin in enteropathogenic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is produced only at host body temperature. This regulation depends on a temperature-responsive RNA structure, an RNA thermometer, in the 5’-untranslated region of the toxin mRNA, which prevents translation at low temperatures when the bacterium is outside the host. Preventing melting of the RNA structure at 37°C by nucleotide substitutions that stabilize base pairing resulted in avirulent Yersinia strains unable to infect mice. Given that similar RNA thermometer-like structures exist upstream of related toxin genes in various bacterial pathogens, we propose that RNA thermometer-mediated toxin production is an evolutionary conserved mechanism. Interfering with opening of such regulatory structures might thus be a promising strategy targeting a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann Kathrin Heroven
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Mühlen
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Infectiology, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Petra Dersch
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Infectiology, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Franz Narberhaus
- Microbial Biology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- * E-mail:
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10
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Takezawa Y, Shionoya M. Supramolecular DNA Three-Way Junction Motifs With a Bridging Metal Center. Front Chem 2020; 7:925. [PMID: 32010671 PMCID: PMC6974547 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Various nano-sized supramolecular architectures have been constructed from DNA molecules via sequence-dependent self-assembly. A DNA three-way junction (3WJ), consisting of three oligonucleotides that are partially complementary to each other, is one of the simplest DNA supramolecular structures. This minireview covers studies on DNA 3WJ motifs bridged by an interstrand metal complex with some related works. The incorporation of interstrand metal complexes into DNA has attracted increasing attention because it potentially allows for metal-dependent regulation of the thermal stability and the structure of DNA supramolecules. Metal-bridged DNA 3WJs were synthesized from three DNA strands containing a bipyridine (bpy)-modified nucleotide in the presence of appropriate metal ions. The bpy-modified DNA strands were crosslinked by an interstrand 3:1 metal complex [NiII(bpy)3 etc.] at the junction core. As a result, the thermal stability of the 3WJs was significantly enhanced upon metal complexation. Furthermore, metal-mediated structural transformation between DNA duplexes and 3WJs was demonstrated by using the same bpy-modified DNA strands. A mixture of bpy-modified strands and their natural complementary strands were self-assembled exclusively into duplexes in the absence of any transition metal ions. In contrast, addition of NiII ions induced the formation of 3WJs through the formation of an interstrand NiII(bpy)3 complex, which served as a template for the 3WJ assembly. Because DNA 3WJ structures are essential structural motifs for DNA-based nanoarchitectures, the metal-mediated stabilization and structural induction of metal-locked 3WJs would lead to many potential applications to artificial DNA architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Takezawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko Shionoya
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Zhu J, Haynes CJE, Kieffer M, Greenfield JL, Greenhalgh RD, Nitschke JR, Keyser UF. Fe II4L 4 Tetrahedron Binds to Nonpaired DNA Bases. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:11358-11362. [PMID: 31283214 PMCID: PMC7007224 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b03566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A water-soluble self-assembled supramolecular FeII4L4 tetrahedron binds to single stranded DNA, mismatched DNA base pairs, and three-way DNA junctions. Binding of the coordination cage quenches fluorescent labels on the DNA strand, which provides an optical means to detect the interaction and allows the position of the binding site to be gauged with respect to the fluorescent label. Utilizing the quenching and binding properties of the coordination cage, we developed a simple and rapid detection method based on fluorescence quenching to detect unpaired bases in double-stranded DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Zhu
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge , JJ Thomson Avenue , Cambridge CB3 0HE , United Kingdom
| | - Cally J E Haynes
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Marion Kieffer
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Jake L Greenfield
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Ryan D Greenhalgh
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge , JJ Thomson Avenue , Cambridge CB3 0HE , United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Nitschke
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Ulrich F Keyser
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge , JJ Thomson Avenue , Cambridge CB3 0HE , United Kingdom
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12
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Morgan BS, Forte JE, Hargrove AE. Insights into the development of chemical probes for RNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:8025-8037. [PMID: 30102391 PMCID: PMC6144806 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the RNA revolution has revealed thousands of non-coding RNAs that are essential for cellular regulation and are misregulated in disease. While the development of methods and tools to study these RNAs has been challenging, the power and promise of small molecule chemical probes is increasingly recognized. To harness existing knowledge, we compiled a list of 116 ligands with reported activity against RNA targets in biological systems (R-BIND). In this survey, we examine the RNA targets, design and discovery strategies, and chemical probe characterization techniques of these ligands. We discuss the applicability of current tools to identify and evaluate RNA-targeted chemical probes, suggest criteria to assess the quality of RNA chemical probes and targets, and propose areas where new tools are particularly needed. We anticipate that this knowledge will expedite the discovery of RNA-targeted ligands and the next phase of the RNA revolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan E Forte
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Amanda E Hargrove
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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13
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Wada Y, Shinohara KI, Ikai T. Optically active triptycenes containing hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene units. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:11386-11389. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc06025a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have successfully generated both left- and right-handed circularly polarized light using crystals prepared from a racemic triptycene containing hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Wada
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Shinohara
- School of Materials Science
- Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST)
- Nomi 923-1292
- Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ikai
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry
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14
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Fedorova O, Jagdmann GE, Adams RL, Yuan L, Van Zandt MC, Pyle AM. Small molecules that target group II introns are potent antifungal agents. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:1073-1078. [PMID: 30323219 PMCID: PMC6239893 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0142-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Specific RNA structures control numerous metabolic processes that impact human health, and yet efforts to target RNA structures de novo have been limited. In eukaryotes, the self-splicing group II intron is a mitochondrial RNA tertiary structure that is absent in vertebrates but essential for respiration in plants, fungi and yeast. Here we show that this RNA can be targeted through a process of high-throughput in vitro screening, SAR and lead optimization, resulting in high-affinity compounds that specifically inhibit group IIB intron splicing in vitro and in vivo and lack toxicity in human cells. The compounds are potent growth inhibitors of the pathogen Candida parapsilosis, displaying antifungal activity comparable to that of amphotericin B. These studies demonstrate that RNA tertiary structures can be successfully targeted de novo, resulting in pharmacologically valuable compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Fedorova
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Rebecca L Adams
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lin Yuan
- New England Discovery Partners, Branford, CT, USA
| | | | - Anna Marie Pyle
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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15
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Warner KD, Hajdin CE, Weeks KM. Principles for targeting RNA with drug-like small molecules. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:547-558. [PMID: 29977051 PMCID: PMC6420209 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 410] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have indicated the potential to develop small-molecule drugs that act on RNA targets, leading to burgeoning interest in the field. This article discusses general principles for discovering small-molecule drugs that target RNA and argues that the overarching challenge is to identify appropriate target structures in disease-causing RNAs that have high information content and, consequently, appropriate ligand-binding pockets. RNA molecules are essential for cellular information transfer and gene regulation, and RNAs have been implicated in many human diseases. Messenger and non-coding RNAs contain highly structured elements, and evidence suggests that many of these structures are important for function. Targeting these RNAs with small molecules offers opportunities to therapeutically modulate numerous cellular processes, including those linked to 'undruggable' protein targets. Despite this promise, there is currently only a single class of human-designed small molecules that target RNA used clinically — the linezolid antibiotics. However, a growing number of small-molecule RNA ligands are being identified, leading to burgeoning interest in the field. Here, we discuss principles for discovering small-molecule drugs that target RNA and argue that the overarching challenge is to identify appropriate target structures — namely, in disease-causing RNAs that have high information content and, consequently, appropriate ligand-binding pockets. If focus is placed on such druggable binding sites in RNA, extensive knowledge of the typical physicochemical properties of drug-like small molecules could then enable small-molecule drug discovery for RNA targets to become (only) roughly as difficult as for protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kevin M Weeks
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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16
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Yang Z, Chen Y, Li G, Tian Z, Zhao L, Wu X, Ma Q, Liu M, Yang P. Supramolecular Recognition of Three Way Junction DNA by a Cationic Calix[3]carbazole. Chemistry 2018; 24:6087-6093. [PMID: 29315943 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201705564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
DNA three-way junctions (TWJ-DNA) are intermediate structures in DNA replication and/or recombination. They play very important roles in biological processes, but more subtle functions are still unknown due partially to the lack of a fluorescent ligand. In this study, a cationic calix[3]carbazole (2) has been synthesized and its properties of interacting with TWJ-DNA have been evaluated by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), gel electrophoresis, and 1 H NMR studies. The results show that 2 binds to the central hydrophobic cavity of TWJ-DNA. Moreover, it could selectively bind to TWJ-DNA over duplex and quadruplex DNA. Furthermore, 2 possesses the capability of serving as the TWJ-DNA probe as its trap-II excimer emission is turned on by TWJ-DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaozheng Yang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Yan Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Gang Li
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Zhangmin Tian
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Xi Wu
- Shenzhen Institute for Drug Control, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Qi Ma
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Mingzhe Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Peng Yang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
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17
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Ignatov D, Johansson J. RNA-mediated signal perception in pathogenic bacteria. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2017; 8. [PMID: 28792118 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens encounter several different environments during an infection, many of them possibly being detrimental. In order to sense its surroundings and adjust the gene expression accordingly, different regulatory schemes are undertaken. With these, the bacterium appropriately can differentiate between various environmental cues to express the correct virulence factor at the appropriate time and place. An attractive regulator device is RNA, which has an outstanding ability to alter its structure in response to external stimuli, such as metabolite concentration or alterations in temperature, to control its downstream gene expression. This review will describe the function of riboswitches and thermometers, with a particular emphasis on regulatory RNAs being important for bacterial pathogenicity. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1429. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1429 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy Ignatov
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jörgen Johansson
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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18
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Ikai T, Wada Y, Awata S, Yun C, Maeda K, Mizuno M, Swager TM. Chiral triptycene-pyrene π-conjugated chromophores with circularly polarized luminescence. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:8440-8447. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02046e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Novel chiral triptycenes showing circularly polarized luminescence based on the supramolecular chirality induced in the hydrogen-bonded aggregate have been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Ikai
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
| | - Yuya Wada
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
| | - Seiya Awata
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
| | - Changsik Yun
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Maeda
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
| | - Motohiro Mizuno
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology
- Kanazawa University
- Kanazawa 920-1192
- Japan
| | - Timothy M. Swager
- Department of Chemistry
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Cambridge
- USA
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19
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Connelly CM, Moon MH, Schneekloth JS. The Emerging Role of RNA as a Therapeutic Target for Small Molecules. Cell Chem Biol 2016; 23:1077-1090. [PMID: 27593111 PMCID: PMC5064864 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding different RNAs and unique features of their biology have revealed a wealth of information. However, approaches to identify small molecules that target these newly discovered regulatory elements have been lacking. The application of new biochemical screening and design-based technologies, coupled with a resurgence of interest in phenotypic screening, has resulted in several compelling successes in targeting RNA. A number of recent advances suggest that achieving the long-standing goal of developing drug-like, biologically active small molecules that target RNA is possible. This review highlights advances and successes in approaches to targeting RNA with diverse small molecules, and the potential for these technologies to pave the way to new types of RNA-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M Connelly
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Michelle H Moon
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - John S Schneekloth
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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