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Chen JN, He YD, Liang HT, Cai TT, Chen Q, Zheng KW. Regulation of PDGFR-β gene expression by targeting the G-vacancy bearing G-quadruplex in promoter. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:12634-12643. [PMID: 34850916 PMCID: PMC8682790 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex is an essential element in gene transcription that serves as a promising drug target. Guanine-vacancy-bearing G-quadruplex (GVBQ) is a newly identified G-quadruplex that has distinct structural features from the canonical G-quadruplex. Potential GVBQ-forming motifs are widely distributed in gene promoter regions. However, whether GVBQ can form in genomic DNA and be an effective target for manipulating gene expression is unknown. Using photo-crosslinking, dimethyl sulfate footprinting, exonuclease digestion and in vitro transcription, we demonstrated the formation of a GVBQ in the G-rich nuclease hypersensitivity element within the human PDGFR-β gene promoter region in both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. The formation of GVBQ in dsDNA could be induced by negative supercoiling created by downstream transcription. We also found that the PDGFR-β GVBQ was specifically recognized and stabilized by a new synthetic porphyrin guanine conjugate (mPG). Targeting the PDGFR-β GVBQ in human cancer cells using the mPG could specifically alter PDGFR-β gene expression. Our work illustrates that targeting GVBQ with mPG in human cells can regulate the expression level of a specific gene, thus indicating a novel strategy for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Nan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yi-de He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China.,School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P.R. China
| | - Hui-Ting Liang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Ting-Ting Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Qi Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Ke-Wei Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
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2
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Wang KB, Dickerhoff J, Yang D. Solution Structure of Ternary Complex of Berberine Bound to a dGMP-Fill-In Vacancy G-Quadruplex Formed in the PDGFR-β Promoter. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:16549-16555. [PMID: 34586799 PMCID: PMC8626096 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The G-quadruplexes (G4s) formed in the PDGFR-β gene promoter are transcriptional modulators and amenable to small-molecule targeting. Berberine (BER), a clinically important natural isoquinoline alkaloid, has gained increasing attention due to its potential as anticancer drug. We previously showed that the PDGFR-β gene promoter forms a unique vacancy G4 (vG4) that can be filled in and stabilized by guanine metabolites, such as dGMP. Herein, we report the high-resolution NMR structure of a ternary complex of berberine bound to the dGMP-fill-in PDGFR-β vG4 in potassium solution. This is the first small-molecule complex structure of a fill-in vG4. This ternary complex has a 2:1:1 binding stoichiometry with a berberine molecule bound at each the 5'- and 3'-end of the 5'-dGMP-fill-in PDGFR-β vG4. Each berberine recruits the adjacent adenine residue from the 5'- or 3'-flanking sequence to form a "quasi-triad plane" that covers the external G-tetrad of the fill-in vG4, respectively. Significantly, berberine covers and stabilizes the fill-in dGMP. The binding of berberine involves both π-stacking and electrostatic interactions, and the fill-in dGMP is covered and well-protected by berberine. The NMR structure can guide rational design of berberine analogues that target the PDGFR-β vG4 or dGMP-fill-in vG4. Moreover, our structure provides a molecular basis for designing small-molecule guanine conjugates to target vG4s.
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3
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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: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [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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4
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Zhang Y, Cheng Y, Chen J, Zheng K, You H. Mechanical diversity and folding intermediates of parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes with a bulge. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:7179-7188. [PMID: 34139007 PMCID: PMC8266575 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant number of sequences in the human genome form noncanonical G-quadruplexes (G4s) with bulges or a guanine vacancy. Here, we systematically characterized the mechanical stability of parallel-stranded G4s with a one to seven nucleotides bulge at various positions. Our results show that G4-forming sequences with a bulge form multiple conformations, including fully-folded G4 with high mechanical stability (unfolding forces > 40 pN), partially-folded intermediates (unfolding forces < 40 pN). The folding probability and folded populations strongly depend on the positions and lengths of the bulge. By combining a single-molecule unfolding assay, dimethyl sulfate (DMS) footprinting, and a guanine-peptide conjugate that selectively stabilizes guanine-vacancy-bearing G-quadruplexes (GVBQs), we identified that GVBQs are the major intermediates of G4s with a bulge near the 5′ or 3′ ends. The existence of multiple structures may induce different regulatory functions in many biological processes. This study also demonstrates a new strategy for selectively stabilizing the intermediates of bulged G4s to modulate their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashuo Zhang
- 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
| | - Yuanlei Cheng
- 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
| | - Juannan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Kewei Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - 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
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5
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The catalytic properties of DNA G-quadruplexes rely on their structural integrity. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2067(20)63744-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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6
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Jana J, Mohr S, Vianney YM, Weisz K. Structural motifs and intramolecular interactions in non-canonical G-quadruplexes. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:338-353. [PMID: 34458788 PMCID: PMC8341446 DOI: 10.1039/d0cb00211a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine(G)-rich DNA or RNA sequences can assemble or intramolecularly fold into G-quadruplexes formed through the stacking of planar G·G·G·G tetrads in the presence of monovalent cations. These secondary nucleic acid structures have convincingly been shown to also exist within a cellular environment exerting important regulatory functions in physiological processes. For identifying nucleic acid segments prone to quadruplex formation, a putative quadruplex sequence motif encompassing closely spaced tracts of three or more guanosines is frequently employed for bioinformatic search algorithms. Depending on the number and type of intervening residues as well as on solution conditions, such sequences may fold into various canonical G4 topologies with continuous G-columns. On the other hand, a growing number of sequences capable of quadruplex formation feature G-deficient guanine tracts, escaping the conservative consensus motif. By folding into non-canonical quadruplex structures, they adopt unique topologies depending on their specific sequence context. These include G-columns with only two guanines, bulges, snapback loops, D- and V-shaped loops as well as interlocked structures. This review focuses on G-quadruplex species carrying such distinct structural motifs. It evaluates characteristic features of their non-conventional scaffold and highlights principles of stabilizing interactions that also allow for their folding into stable G-quadruplex structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagannath Jana
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universität Greifswald Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4 D-17487 Greifswald Germany +49 3834 420-4427 +49 3834 420-4426
| | - Swantje Mohr
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universität Greifswald Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4 D-17487 Greifswald Germany +49 3834 420-4427 +49 3834 420-4426
| | - Yoanes Maria Vianney
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universität Greifswald Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4 D-17487 Greifswald Germany +49 3834 420-4427 +49 3834 420-4426
| | - Klaus Weisz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universität Greifswald Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4 D-17487 Greifswald Germany +49 3834 420-4427 +49 3834 420-4426
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7
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He YD, Zheng KW, Wen CJ, Li XM, Gong JY, Hao YH, Zhao Y, Tan Z. Selective Targeting of Guanine-Vacancy-Bearing G-Quadruplexes by G-Quartet Complementation and Stabilization with a Guanine-Peptide Conjugate. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:11394-11403. [PMID: 32491844 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stabilization of G-quadruplexes (G4s) formed in guanine-rich (G-rich) nucleic acids by small-molecule ligands has been extensively explored as a therapeutic approach for diseases such as cancer. Finding ligands with sufficient affinity and specificity toward G4s remains a challenge, and many ligands reported seemed to compromise between the two features. To cope with this challenge, we focused on targeting a particular type of G4s, i.e., the G-vacancy-bearing G-quadruplexes (GVBQs), by taking a structure complementation strategy to enhance both affinity and selectivity. In this approach, a G-quadruplex-binding peptide RHAU23 is guided toward a GVBQ by a guanine moiety covalently linked to the peptide. The filling-in of the vacancy in a GVBQ by the guanine ensures an exclusive recognition of GVBQ. Moreover, the synergy between the RHAU23 and the guanine dramatically improves both the affinity toward and stabilization of the GVBQ. Targeting a GVBQ in DNA by this bifunctional peptide strongly suppresses in vitro replication. This study demonstrates a novel and promising alternative targeting strategy to a distinctive panel of G4s that are as abundant as the canonical ones in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-de He
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Ke-Wei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Cui-Jiao Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Yuan Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Hua Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | | | - Zheng Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China.,Center for Healthy Aging, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, Shanxi, P. R. China
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8
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Zhang JY, Xia Y, Hao YH, Tan Z. DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplex formation upstream of transcription start site. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7429. [PMID: 32366914 PMCID: PMC7198591 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64117-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioinformatic analysis reveals an enrichment of putative DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplex-forming sequences (PHQS) on both sides of the transcription start sites (TSSs) in the genome of warm-blooded animals, suggesting a positive selection of PHQSs in evolution and functional role of DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplexes (HQs) in transcription. The formation of HQs downstream of TSS in transcribed DNA has been documented under in vitro conditions; however, it is still not known if such HQs can form at the upstream side of TSSs. In this study, we report that such HQs can form in transcription in DNA with two to three guanine tracts if RNA carrying the required number of G-tracts is supplied. We also show that the formation of such HQs is dependent on the negative supercoiling generated by RNA polymerases. These results suggest that HQs may also form at the upstream side of TSSs in vivo and play a role in transcription since the two requirements are satisfied in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.,CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Multidisciplinary Research Division, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ye Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Hua Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, P. R. China. .,Center for Healthy Aging, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, 046000, Shanxi, P. R. China.
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9
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Wang KB, Dickerhoff J, Wu G, Yang D. PDGFR-β Promoter Forms a Vacancy G-Quadruplex that Can Be Filled in by dGMP: Solution Structure and Molecular Recognition of Guanine Metabolites and Drugs. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:5204-5211. [PMID: 32101424 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of PDGFR-β is associated with a number of diseases. The G-quadruplexes (G4s) formed in PDGFR-β gene promoter are transcriptional modulators and amenable to small molecule targeting. The major G4 formed in the PDGFR-β gene promoter was previously shown to have a broken G-strand. Herein, we report that the PDGFR-β gene promoter sequence forms a vacancy G-quadruplex (vG4) which can be filled in and stabilized by physiologically relevant guanine metabolites, such as dGMP, GMP, and cGMP, as well as guanine-derivative drugs. We determined the NMR structure of the dGMP-fill-in PDGFR-β vG4 in K+ solution. This is the first structure of a guanine-metabolite-fill-in vG4 based on a human gene promoter sequence. Our structure and systematic analysis elucidate the contributions of Hoogsten hydrogen bonds, sugar, and phosphate moieties to the specific G-vacancy fill-in. Intriguingly, an equilibrium of 3'- and 5'-end vG4s is present in the PDGFR-β promoter sequence, and dGMP favors the 5'-end fill-in. Guanine metabolites and drugs were tested and showed a conserved selectivity for the 5'-vacancy, except for cGMP. cGMP binds both the 3'- and 5'-end vG4s and forms two fill-in G4s with similar population. Significantly, guanine metabolites are involved in many physiological and pathological processes in human cells; thus, our results provide a structural basis to understand their potential regulatory functions by interaction with promoter vG4s. Moreover, the NMR structure can guide rational design of ligands that target the PDGFR-β vG4.
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10
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Li Y, Liu B, Huang Z, Liu J. Engineering base-excised aptamers for highly specific recognition of adenosine. Chem Sci 2020; 11:2735-2743. [PMID: 34084332 PMCID: PMC8157715 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc00086h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA aptamer for adenosine and ATP has been used as a model system for developing analytical biosensors. For practical reasons, it is important to distinguish adenosine from ATP, although this has yet to be achieved despite extensive efforts made on selection of new aptamers. We herein report a strategy of excising an adenine nucleotide from the backbone of a one-site adenosine aptamer, and the adenine-excised aptamer allowed highly specific binding of adenosine. Cognate analytes including AMP, ATP, guanosine, cytidine, uridine, and theophylline all failed to bind to the engineered aptamer according to the SYBR Green I (SGI) fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) results. Our A-excised aptamer has two binding sites: the original aptamer binding site in the loop and the newly created one due to base excision from the DNA backbone. ITC demonstrated that the A-excised aptamer strand can bind to two adenosine molecules, with a Kd of 14.8 ± 2.1 μM at 10 °C and entropy-driven binding. Since the wild-type aptamer cannot discriminate adenosine from AMP and ATP, we attributed this improved specificity to the excised site. Further study showed that these two sites worked cooperatively. Finally, the A-excised aptamer was tested in diluted fetal bovine serum and showed a limit of detection of 46.7 μM adenosine. This work provides a facile, cost-effective, and non-SELEX method to engineer existing aptamers for new features and better applications. The DNA aptamer for adenosine and ATP has been used as a model system for developing analytical biosensors.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Li
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - Biwu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - Zhicheng Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - Juewen Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
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11
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Winnerdy FR, Das P, Heddi B, Phan AT. Solution Structures of a G-Quadruplex Bound to Linear- and Cyclic-Dinucleotides. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:18038-18047. [PMID: 31661272 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b05642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic dinucleotides have emerged as important secondary messengers and cell signaling molecules that regulate several cell responses. A guanine-deficit G-quadruplex structure formation by a sequence containing (4n - 1) guanines, n denoting the number of G-tetrad layers, was previously reported. Here, a (4n - 1) G-quadruplex structure is shown to be capable of binding guanine-containing dinucleotides in micromolar affinity. The guanine base of the dinucleotides interacts with a vacant G-triad, forming four additional Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds to complete a G-tetrad. Solution structures of two complexes, both comprised of a (4n - 1) G-quadruplex structure, one bound to a linear dinucleotide (d(AG)) and the other to a cyclic dinucleotide (cGAMP), are solved using NMR spectroscopy. The latter suggests sufficiently strong interaction between the guanine base of the dinucleotide and the vacant G-triad, which acts as an anchor point of binding. The binding interfaces from the two solution structures provide useful information for specific ligand design. The results also infer that other guanine-containing metabolites of a similar size have the capability of binding G-quadruplexes, potentially affecting the expression of the metabolites and functionality of the bound G-quadruplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernaldo Richtia Winnerdy
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371 , Singapore
| | - Poulomi Das
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371 , Singapore
| | - Brahim Heddi
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371 , Singapore.,Laboratoire de Biologie et de Pharmacologie Appliquée , CNRS UMR 8113 , Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay , Cachan 94235 , France
| | - Anh Tuân Phan
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371 , Singapore.,NTU Institute of Structural Biology , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 636921 , Singapore
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12
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Target-switched triplex nanotweezer and synergic fluorophore translocation for highly selective melamine assay. Mikrochim Acta 2018; 186:42. [PMID: 30569196 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-018-3134-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes a triplex DNA nanotweezer to specifically capture melamine (MEL). The triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) arm can be switched from the open state to the closed state once MEL binds to the abasic site (AP site) in duplex via the bifacial hydrogen bonding with thymines. Following this nanotweezer operation, the AP site-bound fluorophore is translocated to the terminal triplet to subsequently light up the nanotweezer. The TFO arm is found to be pivotal for permitting the AP site binding. The synergic processes of target competition and fluorophore translocation support a high selectivity for the MEL assay even against the inherent adenosine and the MEL hydrolysis products. Chelerythrine is employed as the fluorescent probe. The detection limit of MEL was estimated to be about 140 nM assuming a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. It was applied to the determination of MEL in spiked milk samples without any separation procedure. Conceivably, this method opens a new avenue towards highly selective triplex-based sensors by making use of other commercially available DNA modifications for recognizing other analytes. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of a triplex nanotweezer with an open-to-close conversion upon the abasic site binding of melamine. The assay is based on a synergic fluorophore translocation. The corresponding duplex otherwise shows no binding with melamine. Chelerythrine (CHE) with a yellow-green emission peaking at 544 nm is employed as the fluorescent probe.
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13
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Label-free fluorescent and electrochemical biosensors based on defective G-quadruplexes. Biosens Bioelectron 2018; 118:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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14
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Tian T, Chen YQ, Wang SR, Zhou X. G-Quadruplex: A Regulator of Gene Expression and Its Chemical Targeting. Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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15
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Li Q, Fei Y, Gao L, Yu Y, Zhou Y, Ye T, Zhou XS, Shao Y, Yin ZZ. G-Quadruplex DNA with an Apurinic Site as a Soft Molecularly Imprinted Sensing Platform. Anal Chem 2018; 90:5552-5556. [PMID: 29642702 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b01097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) provide versatile sensor platforms to recognize targets by shape complementarity. However, the rigid structure of the classic MIPs compromises the signal transduction with necessary polymer and target modifications. Herein, we tried to use a flexible DNA that has a perfectly structured folding as the soft molecularly imprinted polymer (SMIP) for a straightforward sensor. As a proof of concept, the guanosine SMIP recognition was achieved by removal of a guanosine from a G-quadruplex-forming sequence (G4). The G4 folding structure with such an apurinic site (AP site) provides a well-defined MIP binding accommodation for guanosine according to the shape complementarity. The guanosine binding at the AP site subsequently leads to a conformation change suitable for remote readout using a G4-specific fluorescent ligand. The G4 sequence and AP site position were optimized for this SMIP behavior. Due to the G4 compact structure and the remaining hydrogen bonding pattern, nucleosides other than guanosine and negatively charged nucleotides exhibit no binding with the AP site, suggesting a high selectivity in the SMIP recognition. The proposed rationale was then convinced by the alkaline phosphatase-catalyzed GMP hydrolysis. Our work will inspire more interest in exploring nucleic acids as the SMIP frameworks due to their variant conformations and well-established molecular engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiusha Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Yifan Fei
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Longlong Gao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Yali Yu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Yufeng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Ting Ye
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Xiao-Shun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Yong Shao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences , Zhejiang Normal University , Jinhua 321004 , Zhejiang , China
| | - Zheng-Zhi Yin
- College of Biological, Chemical Sciences and Engineering , Jiaxing University , Jiaxing 314001 , Zhejiang , China
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16
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Teng FY, Hou XM, Fan SH, Rety S, Dou SX, Xi XG. Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I can disrupt G-quadruplex structures during DNA replication. FEBS J 2017; 284:4051-4065. [PMID: 28986969 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Non-canonical four-stranded G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures can form in G-rich sequences that are widely distributed throughout the genome. The presence of G4 structures can impair DNA replication by hindering the progress of replicative polymerases (Pols), and failure to resolve these structures can lead to genetic instability. In the present study, we combined different approaches to address the question of whether and how Escherichia coli Pol I resolves G4 obstacles during DNA replication and/or repair. We found that E. coli Pol I-catalyzed DNA synthesis could be arrested by G4 structures at low protein concentrations and the degree of inhibition was strongly dependent on the stability of the G4 structures. Interestingly, at high protein concentrations, E. coli Pol I was able to overcome some kinds of G4 obstacles without the involvement of other molecules and could achieve complete replication of G4 DNA. Mechanistic studies suggested that multiple Pol I proteins might be implicated in G4 unfolding, and the disruption of G4 structures requires energy derived from dNTP hydrolysis. The present work not only reveals an unrealized function of E. coli Pol I, but also presents a possible mechanism by which G4 structures can be resolved during DNA replication and/or repair in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Yuan Teng
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xi-Miao Hou
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - San-Hong Fan
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Stephane Rety
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR 5239, INSERM U1210, LBMC, Lyon, France
| | - Shuo-Xing Dou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Guang Xi
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,LBPA, Ecole normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, Cachan, France
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17
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Sagi J. In What Ways Do Synthetic Nucleotides and Natural Base Lesions Alter the Structural Stability of G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acids? J Nucleic Acids 2017; 2017:1641845. [PMID: 29181193 PMCID: PMC5664352 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1641845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic analogs of natural nucleotides have long been utilized for structural studies of canonical and noncanonical nucleic acids, including the extensively investigated polymorphic G-quadruplexes (GQs). Dependence on the sequence and nucleotide modifications of the folding landscape of GQs has been reviewed by several recent studies. Here, an overview is compiled on the thermodynamic stability of the modified GQ folds and on how the stereochemical preferences of more than 70 synthetic and natural derivatives of nucleotides substituting for natural ones determine the stability as well as the conformation. Groups of nucleotide analogs only stabilize or only destabilize the GQ, while the majority of analogs alter the GQ stability in both ways. This depends on the preferred syn or anti N-glycosidic linkage of the modified building blocks, the position of substitution, and the folding architecture of the native GQ. Natural base lesions and epigenetic modifications of GQs explored so far also stabilize or destabilize the GQ assemblies. Learning the effect of synthetic nucleotide analogs on the stability of GQs can assist in engineering a required stable GQ topology, and exploring the in vitro action of the single and clustered natural base damage on GQ architectures may provide indications for the cellular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janos Sagi
- Rimstone Laboratory, RLI, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
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18
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Dong J, Wu T, Xiao Y, Chen L, Xu L, Li M, Zhao M. Target-triggered transcription machinery for ultra-selective and sensitive fluorescence detection of nucleoside triphosphates in one minute. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 100:333-340. [PMID: 28942346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) play important roles in living organisms. However, no fluorescent assays are currently available to simply and rapidly detect multiple NTPs with satisfactory selectivity, sensitivity and low cost. Here we demonstrate for the first time a target-triggered in-vitro transcription machinery for ultra-selective, sensitive and instant fluorescence detection of multiple NTPs. The machinery assembles RNA polymerase, DNA template and non-target NTPs to convert the target NTP into equivalent RNA signal sequences which are monitored by the fluorescence enhancement of molecular beacon. The machinery offers excellent selectivity for the target NTP against NDP, NMP and dNTP. Notably, to accelerate the kinetics of the machinery while maintain its high specificity, we investigated the sequence of DNA templates systematically and established a set of guidelines for the design of the optimum DNA templates, which allowed for instant detection of the target NTP at fmol level in less than 1min. Furthermore, the machinery could be transformed into logic gates to study the coeffects of two NTPs in biosynthesis and real-time monitoring systems to reflect the distribution of NTP in nucleotide pools. These results provide very useful and low-cost tools for both biochemical tests and point-of-care analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantong Dong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tongbo Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Meiping Zhao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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19
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Wang Y, Liu C, Hong T, Wu F, Yu S, He Z, Mao W, Zhou X. Application of Ammonium Persulfate for Selective Oxidation of Guanines for Nucleic Acid Sequencing. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22071222. [PMID: 28753999 PMCID: PMC6152272 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22071222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids can be sequenced by a chemical procedure that partially damages the nucleotide positions at their base repetition. Many methods have been reported for the selective recognition of guanine. The accurate identification of guanine in both single and double regions of DNA and RNA remains a challenging task. Herein, we present a new, non-toxic and simple method for the selective recognition of guanine in both DNA and RNA sequences via ammonium persulfate modification. This strategy can be further successfully applied to the detection of 5-methylcytosine by using PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
| | - Chaoxing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
| | - Tingting Hong
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
| | - Fan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
| | - Shuyi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhiyong He
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
| | - Wuxiang Mao
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, China.
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
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