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Pavlova AV, Kubareva EA, Monakhova MV, Zvereva MI, Dolinnaya NG. Impact of G-Quadruplexes on the Regulation of Genome Integrity, DNA Damage and Repair. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1284. [PMID: 34572497 PMCID: PMC8472537 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are known to be an integral part of the complex regulatory systems in both normal and pathological cells. At the same time, the ability of G4s to impede DNA replication plays a critical role in genome integrity. This review summarizes the results of recent studies of G4-mediated genomic and epigenomic instability, together with associated DNA damage and repair processes. Although the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, it is known that, among the proteins that recognize G4 structures, many are linked to DNA repair. We analyzed the possible role of G4s in promoting double-strand DNA breaks, one of the most deleterious DNA lesions, and their repair via error-prone mechanisms. The patterns of G4 damage, with a focus on the introduction of oxidative guanine lesions, as well as their removal from G4 structures by canonical repair pathways, were also discussed together with the effects of G4s on the repair machinery. According to recent findings, there must be a delicate balance between G4-induced genome instability and G4-promoted repair processes. A broad overview of the factors that modulate the stability of G4 structures in vitro and in vivo is also provided here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzhela V. Pavlova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.I.Z.); (N.G.D.)
| | - Elena A. Kubareva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.K.); (M.V.M.)
| | - Mayya V. Monakhova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.K.); (M.V.M.)
| | - Maria I. Zvereva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.I.Z.); (N.G.D.)
| | - Nina G. Dolinnaya
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.I.Z.); (N.G.D.)
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2
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Bossaert M, Pipier A, Riou JF, Noirot C, Nguyên LT, Serre RF, Bouchez O, Defrancq E, Calsou P, Britton S, Gomez D. Transcription-associated topoisomerase 2α (TOP2A) activity is a major effector of cytotoxicity induced by G-quadruplex ligands. eLife 2021; 10:65184. [PMID: 34180392 PMCID: PMC8279764 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are non-canonical DNA structures found in the genome of most species including human. Small molecules stabilizing these structures, called G4 ligands, have been identified and, for some of them, shown to induce cytotoxic DNA double-strand breaks. Through the use of an unbiased genetic approach, we identify here topoisomerase 2α (TOP2A) as a major effector of cytotoxicity induced by two clastogenic G4 ligands, pyridostatin and CX-5461, the latter molecule currently undergoing phase I/II clinical trials in oncology. We show that both TOP2 activity and transcription account for DNA break production following G4 ligand treatments. In contrast, clastogenic activity of these G4 ligands is countered by topoisomerase 1 (TOP1), which limits co-transcriptional G4 formation, and by factors promoting transcriptional elongation. Altogether our results support that clastogenic G4 ligands act as DNA structure-driven TOP2 poisons at transcribed regions bearing G4 structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Bossaert
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2018, Toulouse, France
| | - Angélique Pipier
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2018, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Francois Riou
- Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Céline Noirot
- INRAE, UR 875, Unité de Mathématique et Informatique Appliquées, Genotoul Bioinfo, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Linh-Trang Nguyên
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Olivier Bouchez
- INRAE, US 1426, GeT-PlaGe, Genotoul, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Eric Defrancq
- Département de Chimie Moléculaire, UMR CNRS 5250, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Patrick Calsou
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2018, Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Britton
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2018, Toulouse, France
| | - Dennis Gomez
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2018, Toulouse, France
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3
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Cave JW, Willis DE. G-quadruplex regulation of neural gene expression. FEBS J 2021; 289:3284-3303. [PMID: 33905176 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are four-stranded helical nucleic acid structures characterized by stacked tetrads of guanosine bases. These structures are widespread throughout mammalian genomic DNA and RNA transcriptomes, and prevalent across all tissues. The role of G-quadruplexes in cancer is well-established, but there has been a growing exploration of these structures in the development and homeostasis of normal tissue. In this review, we focus on the roles of G-quadruplexes in directing gene expression in the nervous system, including the regulation of gene transcription, mRNA processing, and trafficking, as well as protein translation. The role of G-quadruplexes and their molecular interactions in the pathology of neurological diseases is also examined. Outside of cancer, there has been only limited exploration of G-quadruplexes as potential intervention targets to treat disease or injury. We discuss studies that have used small-molecule ligands to manipulate G-quadruplex stability in order to treat disease or direct neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation into therapeutically relevant cell types. Understanding the many roles that G-quadruplexes have in the nervous system not only provides critical insight into fundamental molecular mechanisms that control neurological function, but also provides opportunities to identify novel therapeutic targets to treat injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Cave
- InVitro Cell Research LLC, Englewood, NJ, USA
| | - Dianna E Willis
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, NY, USA.,Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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4
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Morgan RK, Psaras AM, Lassiter Q, Raymer K, Brooks TA. G-quadruplex deconvolution with physiological mimicry enhances primary screening: Optimizing the FRET Melt 2 assay. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194478. [PMID: 31891781 PMCID: PMC8922283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.194478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Non-B-DNA G-quadruplex (G4) structures have shown promise as molecular targets. Modulating G4 stability for oncogenic transcriptional control is a promising avenue for the development of novel therapeutics. Extracellularly, G4 stabilization can be mediated by alkali cations, modifying water content, or with molecular crowding. Intracellularly, G4 formation is mediated by negative superhelicity and transcriptional activity, and can be stabilized with small molecules or oligonucleotides. Numerous G4-stabilizing compounds have been identified that impact promoter activity in plasmids. These compounds, however, infrequently show activity in cells, are found to have non-G4-mediated mechanisms of action, or do not demonstrate activity in vivo. The G4 field requires enhanced predictive screening methods to identify compounds with G4-mediated in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy. Using the best characterized promoter G4 to date, MYC, we examined the effects of varying annealing conditions (rate of cool down and number of heat/cool cycles), co-solvents (glucose, acetonitrile, polyethylene glycol, dextran sulfate, sucrose, ficoll-70, glycerol) and nucleoplasm on G4 formation and compound screening. We observed a marked decrease in hit rates when shifting from simple buffer conditions to include potassium and glycerol, and utilizing two or more rapid annealing cycles; the difference in hit compounds coincides with previous findings of active, inactive, and non-G4-mediated activity, including NSC338258, Quindoline i, and TMPyP4; with these changes, we describe a modification of the primary FRET Melt screening assay - the FRET Melt2. This understanding of physiological principles governing the above G4 formation will better inform future drug discovery efforts for this and other oncogenic promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhianna K Morgan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America; School of Pharmacy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Maria Psaras
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States of America
| | - Quinea Lassiter
- School of Pharmacy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, United States of America; Department of Microbiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States of America
| | - Kelsey Raymer
- School of Pharmacy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, United States of America
| | - Tracy A Brooks
- School of Pharmacy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, United States of America; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States of America.
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5
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Morgan RK, Molnar MM, Batra H, Summerford B, Wadkins RM, Brooks TA. Effects of 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine Epigenetic Modification on the Stability and Molecular Recognition of VEGF i-Motif and G-Quadruplex Structures. J Nucleic Acids 2018; 2018:9281286. [PMID: 29862069 PMCID: PMC5976936 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9281286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Promoters often contain asymmetric G- and C-rich strands, in which the cytosines are prone to epigenetic modification via methylation (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylation (5-hmC). These sequences can also form four-stranded G-quadruplex (G4) or i-motif (iM) secondary structures. Although the requisite sequences for epigenetic modulation and iM/G4 formation are similar and can overlap, they are unlikely to coexist. Despite 5-hmC being an oxidization product of 5-mC, the two modified bases cluster at distinct loci. This study focuses on the intersection of G4/iM formation and 5-hmC modification using the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene promoter's CpG sites and examines whether incorporation of 5-hmC into iM/G4 structures had any physicochemical effect on formation, stability, or recognition by nucleolin or the cationic porphyrin, TMPyP4. No marked changes were found in the formation or stability of iM and G4 structures; however, changes in recognition by nucleolin or TMPyP4 occurred with 5-hmC modification wherein protein and compound binding to 5-hmC modified G4s was notably reduced. G4/iM structures in the VEGF promoter are promising therapeutic targets for antiangiogenic therapy, and this work contributes to a comprehensive understanding of their governing principles related to potential transcriptional control and targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhianna K. Morgan
- School of Pharmacy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Michael M. Molnar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Harshul Batra
- School of Pharmacy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Bethany Summerford
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Randy M. Wadkins
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Tracy A. Brooks
- School of Pharmacy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
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6
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Sekibo DAT, Fox KR. The effects of DNA supercoiling on G-quadruplex formation. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:12069-12079. [PMID: 29036619 PMCID: PMC5716088 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich DNAs can fold into four-stranded structures that contain stacks of G-quartets. Bioinformatics studies have revealed that G-rich sequences with the potential to adopt these structures are unevenly distributed throughout genomes, and are especially found in gene promoter regions. With the exception of the single-stranded telomeric DNA, all genomic G-rich sequences will always be present along with their C-rich complements, and quadruplex formation will be in competition with the corresponding Watson–Crick duplex. Quadruplex formation must therefore first require local dissociation (melting) of the duplex strands. Since negative supercoiling is known to facilitate the formation of alternative DNA structures, we have investigated G-quadruplex formation within negatively supercoiled DNA plasmids. Plasmids containing multiple copies of (G3T)n and (G3T4)n repeats, were probed with dimethylsulphate, potassium permanganate and S1 nuclease. While dimethylsulphate footprinting revealed some evidence for G-quadruplex formation in (G3T)n sequences, this was not affected by supercoiling, and permanganate failed to detect exposed thymines in the loop regions. (G3T4)n sequences were not protected from DMS and showed no reaction with permanganate. Similarly, both S1 nuclease and 2D gel electrophoresis of DNA topoisomers did not detect any supercoil-dependent structural transitions. These results suggest that negative supercoiling alone is not sufficient to drive G-quadruplex formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen A T Sekibo
- Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Keith R Fox
- Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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7
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Zheng KW, He YD, Liu HH, Li XM, Hao YH, Tan Z. Superhelicity Constrains a Localized and R-Loop-Dependent Formation of G-Quadruplexes at the Upstream Region of Transcription. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:2609-2618. [PMID: 28846373 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transcription induces formation of intramolecular G-quadruplex structures at the upstream region of a DNA duplex by an upward transmission of negative supercoiling through the DNA. Currently the regulation of such G-quadruplex formation remains unclear. Using plasmid as a model, we demonstrate that while it is the dynamic negative supercoiling generated by a moving RNA polymerase that triggers a formation of a G-quadruplex, the constitutional superhelicity determines the potential and range of the formation of a G-quadruplex by constraining the propagation of the negative supercoiling. G-quadruplex formation is maximal in negatively supercoiled and nearly abolished in relaxed plasmids while being moderate in nicked and linear ones. The formation of a G-quadruplex strongly correlates with the presence of an R-loop. Preventing R-loop formation virtually abolished G-quadruplex formation even in the negatively supercoiled plasmid. Enzymatic action and protein binding that manipulate supercoiling or its propagation all impact the formation of G-quadruplexes. Because chromosomes and plasmids in cells in their natural form are maintained in a supercoiled state, our findings reveal a physical basis that justifies the formation and regulation of G-quadruplexes in vivo. The structural features involved in G-quadruplex formation may all serve as potential targets in clinical and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-wei Zheng
- State
Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, ‡University of Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi-de He
- State
Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, ‡University of Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong-he Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, ‡University of Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin-min Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, ‡University of Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-hua Hao
- State
Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, ‡University of Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheng Tan
- State
Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, ‡University of Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
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8
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Zhao Y, Zhang JY, Zhang ZY, Tong TJ, Hao YH, Tan Z. Real-Time Detection Reveals Responsive Cotranscriptional Formation of Persistent Intramolecular DNA and Intermolecular DNA:RNA Hybrid G-Quadruplexes Stabilized by R-Loop. Anal Chem 2017; 89:6036-6042. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University Research Center on Aging, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jia-yu Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Zong-yu Zhang
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University Research Center on Aging, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Tan-jun Tong
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University Research Center on Aging, Beijing 100083, 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
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9
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Maji B, Kumar K, Kaulage M, Muniyappa K, Bhattacharya S. Design and Synthesis of New Benzimidazole–Carbazole Conjugates for the Stabilization of Human Telomeric DNA, Telomerase Inhibition, and Their Selective Action on Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2014; 57:6973-88. [DOI: 10.1021/jm500427n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Basudeb Maji
- Department of Organic
Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560 012, India
| | - Krishan Kumar
- Department of Organic
Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560 012, India
| | - Mangesh Kaulage
- Department of Organic
Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560 012, India
- Department
of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560 012, India
| | - K. Muniyappa
- Department
of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560 012, India
| | - Santanu Bhattacharya
- Department of Organic
Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560 012, India
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka 560 012, India
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10
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Zhou W, Suntharalingam K, Brand NJ, Barton PJR, Vilar R, Ying L. Possible regulatory roles of promoter g-quadruplexes in cardiac function-related genes - human TnIc as a model. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53137. [PMID: 23326389 PMCID: PMC3541360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded DNA secondary structures, which are involved in a diverse range of biological processes. Although the anti-cancer potential of G4s in oncogene promoters has been thoroughly investigated, the functions of promoter G4s in non-cancer-related genes are not well understood. We have explored the possible regulatory roles of promoter G4s in cardiac function-related genes using both computational and a wide range of experimental approaches. According to our bioinformatics results, it was found that potential G4-forming sequences are particularly enriched in the transcription regulatory regions (TRRs) of cardiac function-related genes. Subsequently, the promoter of human cardiac troponin I (TnIc) was chosen as a model, and G4s found in this region were subjected to biophysical characterisations. The chromosome 19 specific minisatellite G4 sequence (MNSG4) and near transcription start site (TSS) G4 sequence (−80 G4) adopt anti-parallel and parallel structures respectively in 100 mM KCl, with stabilities comparable to those of oncogene G4s. It was also found that TnIc G4s act cooperatively as enhancers in gene expression regulation in HEK293 cells, when stabilised by a synthetic G4-binding ligand. This study provides the first evidence of the biological significance of promoter G4s in cardiac function-related genes. The feasibility of using a single ligand to target multiple G4s in a particular gene has also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Zhou
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nigel J. Brand
- Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Middlesex, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. R. Barton
- Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Middlesex, United Kingdom
- NIHR Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ramon Vilar
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Liming Ying
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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11
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Huang W, Smaldino PJ, Zhang Q, Miller LD, Cao P, Stadelman K, Wan M, Giri B, Lei M, Nagamine Y, Vaughn JP, Akman SA, Sui G. Yin Yang 1 contains G-quadruplex structures in its promoter and 5'-UTR and its expression is modulated by G4 resolvase 1. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 40:1033-49. [PMID: 21993297 PMCID: PMC3273823 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a multifunctional protein with regulatory potential in tumorigenesis. Ample studies demonstrated the activities of YY1 in regulating gene expression and mediating differential protein modifications. However, the mechanisms underlying YY1 gene expression are relatively understudied. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded structures or motifs formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA domains. The presence of G4 structures in a gene promoter or the 5′-UTR of its mRNA can markedly affect its expression. In this report, we provide strong evidence showing the presence of G4 structures in the promoter and the 5′-UTR of YY1. In reporter assays, mutations in these G4 structure forming sequences increased the expression of Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) downstream of either YY1 promoter or 5′-UTR. We also discovered that G4 Resolvase 1 (G4R1) enhanced the Gluc expression mediated by the YY1 promoter, but not the YY1 5′-UTR. Consistently, G4R1 binds the G4 motif of the YY1 promoter in vitro and ectopically expressed G4R1 increased endogenous YY1 levels. In addition, the analysis of a gene array data consisting of the breast cancer samples of 258 patients also indicates a significant, positive correlation between G4R1 and YY1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Huang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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