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Su K, Vázquez O. Enlightening epigenetics: optochemical tools illuminate the path. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:290-304. [PMID: 38350805 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Optochemical tools have become potent instruments for understanding biological processes at the molecular level, and the past decade has witnessed their use in epigenetics and epitranscriptomics (also known as RNA epigenetics) for deciphering gene expression regulation. By using photoresponsive molecules such as photoswitches and photocages, researchers can achieve precise control over when and where specific events occur. Therefore, these are invaluable for studying both histone and nucleotide modifications and exploring disease-related mechanisms. We systematically report and assess current examples in the field, and identify open challenges and future directions. These outstanding proof-of-concept investigations will inspire other chemical biologists to participate in these emerging fields given the potential of photochromic molecules in research and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaijun Su
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg D-35043, Germany
| | - Olalla Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg D-35043, Germany; Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Marburg D-35043, Germany.
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Wong CC, Sun LL, Liu MJ, Stride E, Raymond JL, Han HH, Kwan J, Sedgwick AC. Fluorescence-based chemical tools for monitoring ultrasound-induced hydroxyl radical production in aqueous solution and in cells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:4328-4331. [PMID: 36942986 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc00364g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
We report the synthesis of hydroxyl-radical (˙OH) responsive fluorescent probes that utilise the 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl (DHB) functionality. 4-Methylumbeliferone-DHB (Umb-DHB) and resorufin-DHB (Res-DHB) in the presence of ˙OH radicals resulted in significant increases in their respective fluorescent emission intensities at 460 nm and 585 nm. The incubation of Res-DHB in HeLa cells followed by therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz) resulted in a significant increase in fluorescence emission intensity thus permitting the ability to monitor ultrasound-induced ˙OH production in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie Cy Wong
- Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK.
| | - Lu-Lu Sun
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, P. R. China.
| | - Meng-Jiao Liu
- Molecular Imaging Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, P. R. China
| | - Eleanor Stride
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Sciences, Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Jason L Raymond
- Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK.
| | - Hai-Hao Han
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, P. R. China.
- Molecular Imaging Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, P. R. China
| | - James Kwan
- Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK.
| | - Adam C Sedgwick
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA, UK.
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Photocaged Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Prodrugs in Targeted Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030356. [PMID: 36986455 PMCID: PMC10056348 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a key role in the control of transcription, cell proliferation, and migration. FDA-approved histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) demonstrate clinical efficacy in the treatment of different T-cell lymphomas and multiple myeloma. However, due to unselective inhibition, they display a wide range of adverse effects. One approach to avoiding off-target effects is the use of prodrugs enabling a controlled release of the inhibitor in the target tissue. Herein, we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of HDACi prodrugs with photo-cleavable protecting groups masking the zinc-binding group of the established HDACi DDK137 (I) and VK1 (II). Initial decaging experiments confirmed that the photocaged HDACi pc-I could be deprotected to its parent inhibitor I. In HDAC inhibition assays, pc-I displayed only low inhibitory activity against HDAC1 and HDAC6. After irradiation with light, the inhibitory activity of pc-I strongly increased. Subsequent MTT viability assays, whole-cell HDAC inhibition assays, and immunoblot analysis confirmed the inactivity of pc-I at the cellular level. Upon irradiation, pc-I demonstrated pronounced HDAC inhibitory and antiproliferative activities which were comparable to the parent inhibitor I. Additionally, only phototreated pc-I was able to induce apoptosis in Annexin V/PI and caspase-Glo 3/7 assays, making pc-I a valuable tool for the development of light-activatable HDACi.
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Laczi D, Johnstone MD, Fleming CL. Photoresponsive Small Molecule Inhibitors for the Remote Control of Enzyme Activity. Chem Asian J 2022; 17:e202200200. [PMID: 35446477 PMCID: PMC9322446 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202200200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The development of new and effective therapeutics is reliant on the ability to study the underlying mechanisms of potential drug targets in live cells and multicellular systems. A persistent challenge in many drug development programmes is poor selectivity, which can obscure the mechanisms involved and lead to poorly understood modes of action. In efforts to improve our understanding of these complex processes, small molecule inhibitors have been developed in which their OFF/ON therapeutic activity can be toggled using light. Photopharmacology is devoted to using light to modulate drugs. Herein, we highlight the recent progress made towards the development of light‐responsive small molecule inhibitors of selected enzymatic targets. Given the size of this field, literature from 2015 onwards has been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dóra Laczi
- Centre for Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Mark D Johnstone
- Centre for Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Cassandra L Fleming
- Centre for Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
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