ESI-MS characterization of a novel pyrrole-inosine nucleoside that interacts with guanine bases

Synthesis and Applications of Porphyrin-Biomacromolecule Conjugates

With potential applications in materials and especially in light-responsive biomedicine that targets cancer tissue selectively, much research has focused on developing covalent conjugation techniques to tether porphyrinoid units to various biomacromolecules. This review details the key synthetic approaches that have been employed in the recent decades to conjugate porphyrinoids with oligonucleotides and peptides/proteins. In addition, we provide succinct discussions on the subsequent applications of such hybrid systems and also give a brief overview of the rapidly progressing field of porphyrin-antibody conjugates. Since nucleic acid and peptide systems vary in structure, connectivity, functional group availability and placement, as well as stability and solubility, tailored synthetic approaches are needed for conjugating to each of these biomacromolecule types. In terms of tethering to ONs, porphyrins are typically attached by employing bioorthogonal chemistry (e.g., using phosphoramidites) that drive solid-phase ON synthesis or by conducting post-synthesis modifications and subsequent reactions (such as amide couplings, hydrazide-carbonyl reactions, and click chemistry). In contrast, peptides and proteins are typically conjugated to porphyrinoids using their native functional groups, especially the thiol and amine side chains. However, bioorthogonal reactions (e.g., Staudinger ligations, and copper or strain promoted alkyne-azide cycloadditions) that utilize de novo introduced functional groups onto peptides/proteins have seen vigorous development, especially for site-specific peptide-porphyrin tethering. While the ON-porphyrin conjugates have largely been explored for programmed nanostructure self-assembly and artificial light-harvesting applications, there are some reports of ON-porphyrin systems targeting clinically translational applications (e.g., antimicrobial biomaterials and site-specific nucleic acid cleavage). Conjugates of porphyrins with proteinaceous moieties, on the other hand, have been predominantly used for therapeutic and diagnostic applications (especially in photodynamic therapy, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy, and photothermal therapy). The advancement of the field of porphyrinoid-bioconjugation chemistry from basic academic research to more clinically targeted applications require continuous fine-tuning in terms of synthetic strategies and hence there will continue to be much exciting work on porphyrinoid-biomacromolecule conjugation.

Mass Spectrometry of Nucleic Acid Noncovalent Complexes

Nucleic acids have been among the first targets for antitumor drugs and antibiotics. With the unveiling of new biological roles in regulation of gene expression, specific DNA and RNA structures have become very attractive targets, especially when the corresponding proteins are undruggable. Biophysical assays to assess target structure as well as ligand binding stoichiometry, affinity, specificity, and binding modes are part of the drug development process. Mass spectrometry offers unique advantages as a biophysical method owing to its ability to distinguish each stoichiometry present in a mixture. In addition, advanced mass spectrometry approaches (reactive probing, fragmentation techniques, ion mobility spectrometry, ion spectroscopy) provide more detailed information on the complexes. Here, we review the fundamentals of mass spectrometry and all its particularities when studying noncovalent nucleic acid structures, and then review what has been learned thanks to mass spectrometry on nucleic acid structures, self-assemblies (e.g., duplexes or G-quadruplexes), and their complexes with ligands.

Modulation of DNA structure formation using small molecules

Genome integrity is essential for proper cell function such that genetic instability can result in cellular dysfunction and disease. Mutations in the human genome are not random, and occur more frequently at "hotspot" regions that often co-localize with sequences that have the capacity to adopt alternative (i.e. non-B) DNA structures. Non-B DNA-forming sequences are mutagenic, can stimulate the formation of DNA double-strand breaks, and are highly enriched at mutation hotspots in human cancer genomes. Thus, small molecules that can modulate the conformations of these structure-forming sequences may prove beneficial in the prevention and/or treatment of genetic diseases. Further, the development of molecular probes to interrogate the roles of non-B DNA structures in modulating DNA function, such as genetic instability in cancer etiology are warranted. Here, we discuss reported non-B DNA stabilizers, destabilizers, and probes, recent assays to identify ligands, and the potential biological applications of these DNA structure-modulating molecules.

Exploration of binding affinity and selectivity of brucine with G-quadruplex in the c-myb proto-oncogene by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

The c-myb gene is a potential therapeutic target for human tumors and leukemias. Active ingredients from natural products may be used as drugs in chemotherapy for human cancers. Here, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to probe the formation and recognition of the G-quadruplex structure from the G-rich sequence that is found in the c-myb gene promoter, 5'-GGGCTGGGCTGGGCGGGG-3'. The aim of our study is to evaluate a potential binder for the c-myb gene from natural products, and thereby to modulate c-myb gene expression.

METHODS

ESI-MS, as an effective method, was utilized not only to characterize the formation of the G-quadruplex in the c-myb oncogene, but also as a tool to probe the binding characteristics of alkaloid molecules with the target G-quadruplex DNA.

RESULTS

ESI-MS results with the support of circular dichroism (CD) spectra demonstrated the formation of an intramolecular parallel-stranded G-quadruplex in the c-myb oncogene promoter. A screening of six alkaloid molecules showed that brucine (P1) had a strong binding affinity to the c-myb G-quadruplex DNA. It is notable that P1 can bind selectively to the c-myb G-quadruplex with respect to duplex DNAs, as well as to G-quadruplexes in other types of gene sequences. According to ESI-MS results, in which the stability was tested by capillary heating and collision-induced dissociation, the binding of P1 could thermally stabilize the c-myb G-quadruplex DNA.

CONCLUSIONS

In this work, brucine (P1), an alkaloid molecule, has been found to bind to the intramolecular parallel G-quadruplex in the c-myb oncogene promoter with high affinity and selectivity, and could thermally stabilize the c-myb G-quadruplex DNA, indicating that the binding of P1 has the potential to modulate c-myb gene expression. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exploration of the selective recognition of the G-quadruplex in the N-myc oncogene by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

The N-myc gene is a member of the MYC family and its amplification is highly correlated with the pathophysiology of cancers. The G-rich sequence, d(AG3CG3AG3AG3A), in the first intron of N-myc can form a G-quadruplex structure. Small molecules binding to it with high affinity and selectivity may provide a potential approach to modulate the expression of the N-myc gene.

METHODS

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry was used to analyze the G-quadruplex formation of the d(AG3CG3AG3AG3A) sequence, and to evaluate the binding affinities and selectivities of natural small molecules with the N-myc G-quadruplex.

RESULTS

Enniatin B was found to have the highest binding affinity with this G-quadruplex within the 12 small molecules. Moreover, it also showed a biased selectivity toward the N-myc G-quadruplex compared with the other five G-quadruplexes derived from C-myc, Bcl2, Chl1, c-kit promoters and telomere G-rich sequences.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we found a natural small molecule, enniatin B, which could bind to the G-quadruplex of the d(AG3CG3AG3AG3A) sequence from the first intron of the N-myc gene with high affinity and selectivity, which may lead to a potential modulation of the N-myc gene.

ESI mass spectrometric exploration of selective recognition of G-quadruplex in c-myb oncogene promoter using a novel flexible cyclic polyamide

In this research, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to probe the binding selectivity of a flexible cyclic polyamide (cβ) to G-quadruplexes from the long G-rich sequences in the c-myb oncogene promoter. The results show that three G-rich sequences, including d[(GGA)3GGTCAC(GGA)4], d[(GGA)4GAA(GGA)4], and d[(GGA)3GGTCAC(GGA)4GAA(GGA)4] species in the c-myb promoter can form parallel G-quadruplexes, and cβ selectively binds towards these G-quadruplexes over both several other G-quadruplexes and the duplex DNA. These properties of cβ have profound implications on future studies of the regulation of c-myb oncogene expression.

Evaluation of alkaloids binding to the parallel quadruplex structure [d(TGGGGT)]4 by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

In this study, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to investigate the binding interaction of six alkaloids with parallel intermolecular G-quadruplex [d(TGGGGT)](4), and five alkaloids including berberine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, tetrandrine, and fangchinoline showed complexation with the target DNA. Relative binding affinities were estimated on the basis of mass spectrometric data. The slight differences in chemical structures of berberine, jatrorrhizine, and palmatine had little influence on their binding affinities to [d(TGGGGT)](4). Tetrandrine and fangchinoline selectively bound to [d(TGGGGT)](4) versus duplex DNA. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments showed that the complexes with berberine, jatrorrhizine, and palmatine dissociated via strand separation and ligand retaining in the strand while the complexes with tetrandrine and fangchinoline were dissociated via ligand elimination. A comparison of dissociation patterns in CID experiments of complexes with the alkaloids to those with the traditional G-quadruplex DNA binders suggested an end-stacking binding mode for tetrandrine and fangchinoline and an intercalation binding mode for berberine, jatrorrhizine, and palmatine to the target DNA. The current work not only provides deep insight into alkaloid/[d(TGGGGT)](4) complexes and useful guidelines for design of efficient anticancer agents but also demonstrates the utility of ESI-MS as a powerful tool for evaluating interaction between ligand and quadruplex DNA.

Mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry of G-quadruplexes. A study of solvent effects on dimer formation and structural transitions in the telomeric DNA sequence d(TAGGGTTAGGGT)

We survey here state of the art mass spectrometry methodologies for investigating G-quadruplexes, and will illustrate them with a new study on a simple model system: the dimeric G-quadruplex of the 12-mer telomeric DNA sequence d(TAGGGTTAGGGT), which can adopt either a parallel or an antiparallel structure. We will discuss the solution conditions compatible with electrospray ionisation, the quantification of complexes using ESI-MS, the interpretation of ammonium ion preservation in the complexes in the gas phase, and the use of ion mobility spectrometry to resolve ambiguities regarding the strand stoichiometry, or separate and characterise different structural isomers. We also describe that adding electrospray-compatible organic co-solvents (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or acetonitrile) to aqueous ammonium acetate increases the stability and rate of formation of dimeric G-quadruplexes, and causes structural transitions to parallel structures. Structural changes were probed by circular dichroism and ion mobility spectrometry, and the excellent correlation between the two techniques validates the use of ion mobility to investigate G-quadruplex folding. We also demonstrate that parallel G-quadruplex structures are easier to preserve in the gas phase than antiparallel structures.

Tandem mass spectrometry of platinated quadruplex DNA

Quadruplexes are higher-order structures formed by G-rich DNA strands that are involved in various processes of cell cycle regulation, such as control of telomere length and participation in gene regulation. Because of these central biological functions, quadruplex DNA represents a promising target for cancer therapy, e.g. by applying organometallic drugs, such as cisplatin. High-resolution electrospray tandem mass spectrometry is evaluated as a technique for exploring structural features of unplatinated and platinated quadruplexes. Results of experiments on tetramolecular, bimolecular and monomolecular quadruplexes provide information about the extent of platination and the binding sites of the drug. The dissociation behavior of the different types of quadruplexes is compared. Tetramolecular quadruplexes were found to weave out a strand end in order to provide a platination site, and their fragmentation is characterized by the release of an unplatinated strand and the formation of a platinated triplex. Partial opening of the structure in combination with the loss of small fragments leads to truncated quadruplex ions. For the bimolecular quadruplexes studied, strand separation is the predominant dissociation pathway. Depending on the loop sequence, cross-linking of the loops by cisplatin is demonstrated. Distinct differences in the product ion spectra of unannealed and annealed monomolecular sequences provide proof of quadruplex formation and show that platination preferentially occurs at the terminal regions.

Mass spectrometry of G-quadruplex DNA: formation, recognition, property, conversion, and conformation

G-quadruplexes are special secondary structures formed from G-rich sequences of DNA, and have proven to play important roles in a number of biological systems, including the regulation of gene transcription and translation. The highly distinctive nature of G-quadruplex structures and their functions suggest that G-quadruplexes can act as novel targets for drug development. As a highly sensitive analytical tool, mass spectrometry has been widely used for the analysis of G-quadruplex structures. Electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry, in particular, has found captivating applications to probe interactions between small molecules and G-quadruplex DNA. In this review, we will discuss: (1) mass spectrometry probing of the formation, binding affinity, and stoichiometry between G-quadruplexes and small molecules; (2) stabilization and collision-dissociation behavior of G-quadruplex DNA; (3) the exploration of the equilibrium transfer between a G-quadruplex and duplex DNA; and (4) the ESI-MS analysis of the conversion of intramolecular and intermolecular G-quadruplexes. Finally, we will also introduce the application of new techniques in the analysis of G-quadruplex conformation, such as ion-mobility and infrared multiphoton-dissociation mass spectrometry. We believe that, with the new technical developments, mass spectrometry will play an unparalleled role in the analysis of the G-quadruplex structures.

Characterization of aziridinylbenzoquinone DNA cross-links by liquid chromatography-infrared multiphoton dissociation-mass spectrometry

DNA cross-linking was evaluated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine the relative cross-linking abilities of two aziridinylbenzoquinones. Reactivities of RH1 (2,5-diaziridinyl-3-[hydroxymethyl]-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone), a clinically studied antitumor cross-linking agent, and an analogue containing a phenyl group (2,5-diaziridinyl-3-[hydroxymethyl]-6-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone, PhRH1) rather than a methyl group were compared. The bulky phenyl substituent was added to determine the impact of steric hindrance on the formation of cross-links within a double helical structure. Cross-links formed by RH1 and PhRH1 were observed at 5'-dGNC sites as well as 5'-dGAAC/dGTTC sites. RH1 was more effective at forming cross-links than PhRH1 for a variety of duplexes. Infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) and collision-induced dissociation results confirmed the presence and the location of the cross-links within the duplexes, and IRMPD was used to identify the dissociation pathways of the cross-linked duplexes.

Examination of the effect of the annealing cation on higher order structures containing guanine or isoguanine repeats

Isoguanine (2-oxo-6-amino-guanine), a natural but non-standard base, exhibits unique self-association properties compared to its isomer, guanine, and results in formation of different higher order DNA structures. In this work, the higher order structures formed by oligonucleotides containing guanine repeats or isoguanine repeats after annealing in solutions containing various cations are evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The guanine-containing strand (G9) consistently formed quadruplexes upon annealing, whereas the isoguanine strand (Ig9) formed both pentaplexes and quadruplexes depending on the annealing cation. Quadruplex formation with G9 showed some dependence on the identity of the cation present during annealing with high relative quadruplex formation detected with six of ten cations. Analogous annealing experiments with Ig9 resulted in complex formation with all ten cations, and the majority of the resulting complexes were pentaplexes. CD results indicated most of the original complexes survived the desalting process necessary for ESI-MS analysis. In addition, several complexes, especially the pentaplexes, were found to be capable of cation exchange with ammonium ions. Ab initio calculations were conducted for isoguanine tetrads and pentads coordinated with all ten cations to predict the most energetically stable structures of the complexes in the gas phase. The observed preference of forming quadruplexes versus pentaplexes as a function of the coordinated cation can be interpreted by the calculated reaction energies of both the tetrads and pentads in combination with the distortion energies of tetrads.

Evaluation of DNA/Ligand interactions by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has enabled the detection and characterization of DNA/ligand complexes, including evaluation of both relative binding affinities and selectivities of DNA-interactive ligands. The noncovalent complexes that are transferred from the solution to the gas phase retain the signature of the native species, thus allowing the use of MS to screen DNA/ligand complexes, reveal the stoichiometries of the complexes, and provide insight into the nature of the interactions. Ligands that bind to DNA via metal-mediated modes and those that bind to unusual DNA structures, such as quadruplexes, are amenable to ESI. Chemical probe methods applied to DNA/ligand complexes with ESI-MS detection afford information about ligand-binding sites and conformational changes of DNA that occur upon ligand binding.

Identifying nonspecific ligand binding in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using the reporter molecule method

The application of the reporter molecule (M(rep)) method for identifying nonspecific complexes in the ES-MS analysis of protein-ligand and DNA-ligand interactions in vitro is described. To test the reliability of the method, it was applied to the ES-MS analysis of protein-carbohydrate complexes originating from specific interactions in solution and from nonspecific interactions in the ES process. These control experiments confirm the basic assumptions underlying the M(rep) method, namely that nonspecific ligand binding is a random process, and that the ES droplet histories for specific and nonspecific complexes are distinct. The application of the M(rep) method to the ES-MS analysis of the sequential binding of the ethidium cation, a DNA intercalator, to single and double strand oligodeoxynucleotides is also described, and highlights the general utility of the method.

Evaluation of binding selectivities and affinities of platinum-based quadruplex interactive complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The quadruplex binding affinities and selectivities of two large pi-surface Pt(II) phenanthroimidazole complexes, as well as a smaller pi-surface platinum bipyridine complex and a larger Ru(II) complex, were evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was used to determine the structures of various quadruplexes and to study the thermal denaturation of the quadruplexes in the absence and presence of the metal complexes. In addition, chemical probe reactions with glyoxal were used to monitor the changes in the quadruplex conformation because of association with the complexes. The platinum phenanthroimidazole complexes show increased affinity for several of the quadruplexes with elongated loops between guanine repeats. Quadruplexes with shorter loops exhibited insubstantial binding to the transition metal complexes. Similarly binding to duplex and single strand oligonucleotides was low overall. Although the ruthenium-based metal complex showed somewhat enhanced quadruplex binding, the Pt(II) complexes had higher quadruplex affinities and selectivities that are attributed to their square planar geometries. The chemical probe reactions using glyoxal indicated increased reactivity when the platinum phenanthroimidazole complexes were bound to the quadruplexes, thus suggesting a conformational change that alters guanine accessibility.