1
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Ylagan M, Xu Q, Kowalski J. TTSBBC: triplex target site biomarkers and barcodes in cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:W547-W555. [PMID: 38661214 PMCID: PMC11223863 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The technology of triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) provides an approach to manipulate genes at the DNA level. TFOs bind to specific sites on genomic DNA, creating a unique intermolecular triple-helix DNA structure through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. This targeting by TFOs is site-specific and the locations TFOs bind are referred to as TFO target sites (TTS). Triplexes have been observed to selectively influence gene expression, homologous recombination, mutations, protein binding, and DNA damage. These sites typically feature a poly-purine sequence in duplex DNA, and the characteristics of these TTS sequences greatly influence the formation of the triplex. We introduce TTSBBC, a novel analysis and visualization platform designed to explore features of TTS sequences to enable users to design and validate TTSs. The web server can be freely accessed at https://kowalski-labapps.dellmed.utexas.edu/TTSBBC/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Ylagan
- Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712, USA
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712, USA
| | - Jeanne Kowalski
- Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712, USA
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2
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Domínguez A, Gargallo R, Cuestas-Ayllón C, Grazu V, Fàbrega C, Valiuska S, Noé V, Ciudad CJ, Calderon EJ, de la Fuente JM, Eritja R, Aviñó A. Biophysical evaluation of antiparallel triplexes for biosensing and biomedical applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130540. [PMID: 38430998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Polypyrimidine sequences can be targeted by antiparallel clamps forming triplex structures either for biosensing or therapeutic purposes. Despite its successful implementation, their biophysical properties remain to be elusive. In this work, PAGE, circular dichroism and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the properties of PPRHs directed to SARS-CoV-2 genome. Several PPRHs designed to target various polypyrimidine sites within the viral genome were synthesized. These PPRHs displayed varying binding affinities, influenced by factors such as the length of the PPRH and its GC content. The number and position of pyrimidine interruptions relative to the 4 T loop of the PPRH was found a critical factor, affecting the binding affinity with the corresponding target. Moreover, these factors also showed to affect in the intramolecular and intermolecular equilibria of PPRHs alone and when hybridized to their corresponding targets, highlighting the polymorphic nature of these systems. Finally, the functionality of the PPRHs was evaluated in a thermal lateral flow sensing device showing a good correspondence between their biophysical properties and detection limits. These comprehensive studies contribute to the understanding of the critical factors involved in the design of PPRHs for effective targeting of biologically relevant genomes through the formation of triplex structures under neutral conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnau Domínguez
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raimundo Gargallo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Cuestas-Ayllón
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Valeria Grazu
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carme Fàbrega
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Simonas Valiuska
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Véronique Noé
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos J Ciudad
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique J Calderon
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Martínez de la Fuente
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Anna Aviñó
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Garavís M, Edwards PJB, Serrano-Chacón I, Doluca O, Filichev V, González C. Understanding intercalative modulation of G-rich sequence folding: solution structure of a TINA-conjugated antiparallel DNA triplex. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2686-2697. [PMID: 38281138 PMCID: PMC10954471 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
We present here the high-resolution structure of an antiparallel DNA triplex in which a monomer of para-twisted intercalating nucleic acid (para-TINA: (R)-1-O-[4-(1-pyrenylethynyl)phenylmethyl]glycerol) is covalently inserted as a bulge in the third strand of the triplex. TINA is a potent modulator of the hybridization properties of DNA sequences with extremely useful properties when conjugated in G-rich oligonucleotides. The insertion of para-TINA between two guanines of the triplex imparts a high thermal stabilization (ΔTM = 9ºC) to the structure and enhances the quality of NMR spectra by increasing the chemical shift dispersion of proton signals near the TINA location. The structural determination reveals that TINA intercalates between two consecutive triads, causing only local distortions in the structure. The two aromatic moieties of TINA are nearly coplanar, with the phenyl ring intercalating between the flanking guanine bases in the sequence, and the pyrene moiety situated between the Watson-Crick base pair of the two first strands. The precise position of TINA within the triplex structure reveals key TINA-DNA interactions, which explains the high stabilization observed and will aid in the design of new and more efficient binders to DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Garavís
- Instituto de Química Física ‘Blas Cabrera’, (IQF-CSIC), Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Patrick J B Edwards
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand
| | | | - Osman Doluca
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand
| | | | - Carlos González
- Instituto de Química Física ‘Blas Cabrera’, (IQF-CSIC), Madrid 28006, Spain
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4
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Lin PY, Chi R, Wu YL, Ho JAA. Applications of triplex DNA nanostructures in sensor development. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:5217-5237. [PMID: 35469098 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04058-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Triplex DNA nanostructures are one of the most emerging and fascinating self-assembled nanostructures due to their unique nanoparticle-like organization and inherit characteristics. They have attracted numerous interests recently because of their versatile and powerful utility in diverse areas of science and technology, such as clinical or disease diagnosis and stimuli-based drug delivery. This review addresses particularly the utilization of DNA triplexes in the development of biosensors for detecting nucleic acid; strategies in sensing pH, protein activity, ions, or molecules. Finally, an outlook for potential applications of triplex DNA nanoswitches is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ying Lin
- BioAnalytical Chemistry and Nanobiomedicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Rong Chi
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Wu
- BioAnalytical Chemistry and Nanobiomedicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ja-An Annie Ho
- BioAnalytical Chemistry and Nanobiomedicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan. .,Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan. .,Center for Emerging Materials and Advanced Devices, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan. .,Center for Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
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5
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Topham CM, Smith JC. Peptide nucleic acid Hoogsteen strand linker design for major groove recognition of DNA thymine bases. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2021; 35:355-369. [PMID: 33624202 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-021-00375-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Sequence-specific targeting of double-stranded DNA and non-coding RNA via triple-helix-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) has attracted considerable attention in therapeutic, diagnostic and nanotechnological fields. An E-base (3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyridazine), attached to the polyamide backbone of a PNA Hoogsteen strand by a side-chain linker molecule, is typically used in the hydrogen bond recognition of the 4-oxo group of thymine and uracil nucleic acid bases in the major groove. We report on the application of quantum chemical computational methods, in conjunction with spatial constraints derived from the experimental structure of a homopyrimidine PNA·DNA-PNA hetero-triplex, to investigate the influence of linker flexibility on binding interactions of the E-base with thymine and uracil bases in geometry-optimised model systems. Hydrogen bond formation between the N2 E-base atom and target pyrimidine base 4-oxo groups in model systems containing a β-alanine linker (J Am Chem Soc 119:11116, 1997) was found to incur significant internal strain energy and the potential disruption of intra-stand aromatic base stacking interactions in an oligomeric context. In geometry-optimised model systems containing a 3-trans olefin linker (Bioorg Med Chem Lett 14:1551, 2004) the E-base swung out away from the target pyrimidine bases into the solvent. These findings are in qualitative agreement with calorimetric measurements in hybridisation experiments at T-A and U-A inversion sites. In contrast, calculations on a novel 2-cis olefin linker design indicate that it could permit simultaneous E-base hydrogen bonding with the thymine 4-oxo group, circumvention and solvent screening of the thymine 5-methyl group, and maintenance of triplex intra-stand base stacking interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Topham
- Molecular Forces Consulting, 24 Avenue Jacques Besse, 81500, Lavaur, France.
- Computational Molecular Biophysics, IWR Der Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 368, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Center for Molecular Biophysics, University of Tennessee / Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O.Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6309, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, M407 Walters Life Sciences, 1414 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
| | - Jeremy C Smith
- Computational Molecular Biophysics, IWR Der Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 368, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Molecular Biophysics, University of Tennessee / Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O.Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6309, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, M407 Walters Life Sciences, 1414 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
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6
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Kaushik S, Kukreti S. Formation of a DNA triple helical structure at BOLF1 gene of human herpesvirus 4 (HH4) genome. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:3324-3335. [PMID: 32372693 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1764390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes contain a large number of pyrimidine-purine rich regions and such regions can assume varied DNA conformations, including triple-stranded structures. These structures have fascinated scientists because of their considerable therapeutic applications. These structures have also profound implications in the field of nanotechnology as they can be used to develop DNA-based nanostructures and materials. Therefore, for any application, it is important to understand the formation of triplex structures, both in quantitative and qualitative terms. A combination of gel electrophoresis, UV-thermal denaturation and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was used to investigate the formation of inter- as well as intramolecular triplex, in pyrimidine motif at BOLF1 gene of human herpesvirus 4 (HH4) genome. This gene codes for inner tegument protein, which plays crucial roles in viral replication. The said oligopurine•oligopyrimidine duplex was targeted via a designed triple helix forming oligopyrimidine nucleotide (TFO) in intermolecular as well as intramolecular fashion. Our studies revealed that intramolecular triplex formation takes place at acidic as well as at neutral pH; whereas low pH is required for its intermolecular version. This comparative study between inter- and intramolecular triplex allowed us to demonstrate that intramolecular structure is more stable to its intermolecular counterpart. Numerous models for mono-, bi- and trimolecular structures adopted by these DNA sequences have been suggested. This report adds to our existing knowledge about DNA triple helical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Kaushik
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi (North Campus), Delhi, India.,Department of Chemistry, Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shrikant Kukreti
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi (North Campus), Delhi, India
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7
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Nguyen TJD, Manuguerra I, Kumar V, Gothelf KV. Toehold-Mediated Strand Displacement in a Triplex Forming Nucleic Acid Clamp for Reversible Regulation of Polymerase Activity and Protein Expression. Chemistry 2019; 25:12303-12307. [PMID: 31373735 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201903496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Triplex forming oligonucleotides are used as a tool for gene regulation and in DNA nanotechnology. By incorporating artificial nucleic acids, target affinity and biological stability superior to that of natural DNA may be obtained. This work demonstrates how a chimeric clamp consisting of acyclic (L)-threoninol nucleic acid (aTNA) and DNA can bind DNA and RNA by the formation of a highly stable triplex structure. The (L)-aTNA clamp is released from the target again by the addition of a releasing strand in a strand displacement type of reaction. It is shown that the clamp efficiently inhibits Bsu and T7 RNA polymerase activity and that polymerase activity is reactivated by displacing the clamp. The clamp was successfully applied to the regulation of luciferase expression by reversible binding to the mRNA. When targeting a sequence in the double stranded plasmid, 40 % downregulation of protein expression is achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy J D Nguyen
- Center for Multifunctional Biomolecular Drug Design (CEMBID) at the, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ilenia Manuguerra
- Center for Multifunctional Biomolecular Drug Design (CEMBID) at the, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vipin Kumar
- Center for Multifunctional Biomolecular Drug Design (CEMBID) at the, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kurt V Gothelf
- Center for Multifunctional Biomolecular Drug Design (CEMBID) at the, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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8
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Xiao SR, Xu GD, Wei WJ, Peng B, Deng YB. Antiviral effects of hepatitis B virus S gene-specific anti-gene locked nucleic acid in transgenic mice. World J Clin Cases 2018; 6:183-191. [PMID: 30148146 PMCID: PMC6107528 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v6.i8.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To assess the antiviral effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) S gene-specific anti-gene locked nucleic acid (LNA) in transgenic mice.
METHODS Thirty HBV transgenic mice were acclimatized to laboratory conditions and positive for serum HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA, were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 7), including negative control (blank control, unrelated sequence control), positive control (lamivudine, anti-sense-LNA), and anti-gene-LNA experimental group. LNA was injected into transgenic mice by tail vein while lamivudine was administered by gavage. Serum HBV DNA and HBsAg levels were determined by fluorescence-based PCR and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay, respectively. HBV S gene expression amounts were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Positive rates of HBsAg in liver cells were evaluated immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS Average rate reductions of HBsAg after treatment on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days were 32.34%, 45.96%, and 59.15%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of anti-gene-LNA on serum HBsAg peaked on day 7, with statistically significant differences compared with pre-treatment (0.96 ± 0.18 vs 2.35 ± 0.33, P < 0.05) and control values (P < 0.05 for all). Average reduction rates of HBV DNA on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days were 38.55%, 50.95%, and 62.26%, respectively. This inhibitory effect peaked on the 7th day after treatment with anti-gene-LNA, with statistically significant differences compared with pre-treatment (4.17 ± 1.29 vs 11.05 ± 1.25, P < 0.05) and control values (P < 0.05 for all). The mRNA levels of the HBV S gene (P < 0.05 for all) and rates of HBsAg positive liver cells (P < 0.05 for all) were significantly reduced compared with the control groups. Liver and kidney function, and histology showed no abnormalities.
CONCLUSION Anti-gene-LNA targeting the S gene of HBV displays strong inhibitory effects on HBV in transgenic mice, providing theoretical and experimental bases for gene therapy in HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Rong Xiao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Gui-Dan Xu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Wu-Jun Wei
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yi-Bin Deng
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Disease Center, Guangxi Clinic Medicine Research, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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9
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Ukale DU, Lönnberg T. Triplex Formation by Oligonucleotides Containing Organomercurated Base Moieties. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1096-1101. [PMID: 29575511 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Homothymine oligonucleotides with a single 5-mercuricytosine or 5-mercuriuracil residue at their termini have been synthesized and their capacity to form triplexes has been examined with an extensive array of double-helical targets. UV and circular dichroism (CD) melting experiments revealed the formation and thermal denaturation of pyrimidine⋅purine*pyrimidine-type triple helices with all oligonucleotide combinations studied. Nearly all triplexes were destabilized upon mercuration of the 3'-terminal residue of the triplex-forming oligonucleotide, in all likelihood due to competing intramolecular HgII -mediated base pairing. Two exceptions from this general pattern were, however, observed: 5-mercuricytosine was stabilizing when placed opposite to a T⋅A or A⋅T base pair. The stabilization was further amplified in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (but not hexanethiol, thiophenol or cysteine), suggesting a stabilizing interaction other than HgII -mediated base pairing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tuomas Lönnberg
- University of Turku, Department of Chemistry, Vatselankatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland
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10
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Krasheninina OA, Novopashina DS, Apartsin EK, Venyaminova AG. Recent Advances in Nucleic Acid Targeting Probes and Supramolecular Constructs Based on Pyrene-Modified Oligonucleotides. Molecules 2017; 22:E2108. [PMID: 29189716 PMCID: PMC6150046 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the use of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides as a platform for functional nucleic acid-based constructs. Pyrene is of special interest for the development of nucleic acid-based tools due to its unique fluorescent properties (sensitivity of fluorescence to the microenvironment, ability to form excimers and exciplexes, long fluorescence lifetime, high quantum yield), ability to intercalate into the nucleic acid duplex, to act as a π-π-stacking (including anchoring) moiety, and others. These properties of pyrene have been used to construct novel sensitive fluorescent probes for the sequence-specific detection of nucleic acids and the discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), aptamer-based biosensors, agents for binding of double-stranded DNAs, and building blocks for supramolecular complexes. Special attention is paid to the influence of the design of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides on their properties, i.e., the structure-function relationships. The perspectives for the applications of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides in biomolecular studies, diagnostics, and nanotechnology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Krasheninina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | - Darya S Novopashina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | - Evgeny K Apartsin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | - Alya G Venyaminova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
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11
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Zaghloul EM, Gissberg O, Moreno PMD, Siggens L, Hällbrink M, Jørgensen AS, Ekwall K, Zain R, Wengel J, Lundin KE, Smith CIE. CTG repeat-targeting oligonucleotides for down-regulating Huntingtin expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:5153-5169. [PMID: 28334749 PMCID: PMC5435994 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disorder in which patients suffer from mobility, psychological and cognitive impairments. Existing therapeutics are only symptomatic and do not significantly alter the disease progression or increase life expectancy. HD is caused by expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat region in exon 1 of the Huntingtin gene (HTT), leading to the formation of mutant HTT transcripts (muHTT). The toxic gain-of-function of muHTT protein is a major cause of the disease. In addition, it has been suggested that the muHTT transcript contributes to the toxicity. Thus, reduction of both muHTT mRNA and protein levels would ideally be the most useful therapeutic option. We herein present a novel strategy for HD treatment using oligonucleotides (ONs) directly targeting the HTT trinucleotide repeat DNA. A partial, but significant and potentially long-term, HTT knock-down of both mRNA and protein was successfully achieved. Diminished phosphorylation of HTT gene-associated RNA-polymerase II is demonstrated, suggestive of reduced transcription downstream the ON-targeted repeat. Different backbone chemistries were found to have a strong impact on the ON efficiency. We also successfully use different delivery vehicles as well as naked uptake of the ONs, demonstrating versatility and possibly providing insights for in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Zaghloul
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, El-Khartoum square, Azareeta, 21 521 Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Olof Gissberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pedro M D Moreno
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lee Siggens
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden, SE-141 86, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Hällbrink
- Department of Neurochemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna S Jørgensen
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Nucleic Acid Centre University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Karl Ekwall
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden, SE-141 86, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rula Zain
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Centre for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Wengel
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Nucleic Acid Centre University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Karin E Lundin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C I Edvard Smith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Guha TK, Wai A, Hausner G. Programmable Genome Editing Tools and their Regulation for Efficient Genome Engineering. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2017; 15:146-160. [PMID: 28179977 PMCID: PMC5279741 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted genome editing has become a powerful genetic tool for studying gene function or for modifying genomes by correcting defective genes or introducing genes. A variety of reagents have been developed in recent years that can generate targeted double-stranded DNA cuts which can be repaired by the error-prone, non-homologous end joining repair system or via the homologous recombination-based double-strand break repair pathway provided a suitable template is available. These genome editing reagents require components for recognizing a specific DNA target site and for DNA-cleavage that generates the double-stranded break. In order to reduce potential toxic effects of genome editing reagents, it might be desirable to control the in vitro or in vivo activity of these reagents by incorporating regulatory switches that can reduce off-target activities and/or allow for these reagents to be turned on or off. This review will outline the various genome editing tools that are currently available and describe the strategies that have so far been employed for regulating these editing reagents. In addition, this review will examine potential regulatory switches/strategies that can be employed in the future in order to provide temporal control for these reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georg Hausner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T2N2, Canada
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13
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Geinguenaud F, Guenin E, Lalatonne Y, Motte L. Vectorization of Nucleic Acids for Therapeutic Approach: Tutorial Review. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:1180-91. [PMID: 26950048 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b01053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Oligonucleotides present a high therapeutic potential for a wide variety of diseases. However, their clinical development is limited by their degradation by nucleases and their poor blood circulation time. Depending on the administration mode and the cellular target, these macromolecules will have to cross the vascular endothelium, to diffuse through the extracellular matrix, to be transported through the cell membrane, and finally to reach the cytoplasm. To overcome these physiological barriers, many strategies have been developed. Here, we review different methods of DNA vectorization, discuss limitations and advantages of the various vectors, and provide new perspectives for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Geinguenaud
- Laboratoire CSPBAT,
CNRS UMR 7244, UFR SMBH, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-93017 Bobigny, France
| | - Erwann Guenin
- Inserm, U1148,
Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science, UFR SMBH, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-93017 Bobigny, France
| | - Yoann Lalatonne
- Inserm, U1148,
Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science, UFR SMBH, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-93017 Bobigny, France
- Service
de Médecine Nucléaire, Hôpital Avicenne Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris 93009 Bobigny France
| | - Laurence Motte
- Inserm, U1148,
Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science, UFR SMBH, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-93017 Bobigny, France
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14
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Akhter MZ, Rajeswari MR. Triplex forming oligonucleotides targeted to hmga1 selectively inhibit its expression and induce apoptosis in human cervical cancer. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2016; 35:689-703. [PMID: 26923360 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2016.1160257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
High-mobility group A1 (HMGA1) is a non-histone chromosomal protein, which is known as 'architectural' transcription factor that facilitates the assembly of 'enhanceosome.' Because of its elevated expression in a number of human malignancies, with barely minimal levels in healthy adults, HMGA1 is considered as potential 'tumor marker.' Therefore, we looked at the inhibition of hmga1 using anti-gene strategy, as an attractive therapeutic approach. This was achieved by two triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs), TFO1 and TFO2 targeted to the promoter of hmga1 at positions, -284--304 and -2800--2826, respectively. The stability of two DNA triplexes was characterized using a variety of biophysical and thermodynamics techniques and was confirmed by gel retardation assay using γ-32P [ATP]. The efficacy of TFOs on HMGA1 expression was evaluated in HeLa cells using MTT assay, Flow cytometry, Western blot, and RT-PCR. Results revealed that DNA Triplex1 formed by TFO1 is more stable and stronger than the corresponding Triplex2. Although both TFOs downregulated hmga1 expression at mRNA and protein levels and caused apoptotic cell death in HeLa cell line, TFO1 demonstrated a greater effect at low concentration which corroborates well with the stability data. Thus, TFO-mediated inhibition of hmga1 expression can be a promising strategy for the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Zahid Akhter
- a Department of Biochemistry , All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi - 110029 , India
| | - Moganty R Rajeswari
- a Department of Biochemistry , All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi - 110029 , India
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15
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Lohani N, Rajeswari MR. Preferential binding of anticancer drugs to triplex DNA compared to duplex DNA: a spectroscopic and calorimetric study. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra03514k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Binding study of adriamycin and actinomycin to triplex DNA formed on the promoter region of hmgb1 gene using spectroscopic and calorimetric technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Lohani
- Department of Biochemistry
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- New Delhi
- India
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16
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Unlocked nucleic acids: implications of increased conformational flexibility for RNA/DNA triplex formation. Biochem J 2015; 464:203-11. [PMID: 25226286 DOI: 10.1042/bj20141023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Unlocked nucleic acids (UNAs) have been introduced at specific positions in short model DNA hairpins and RNA/DNA triplexes for the first time. UNA residues destabilize the hairpins and decrease triplex thermodynamic stability or suppress triplex formation for most of the evaluated structures. Nevertheless, the incorporation of UNA residues at certain positions of dsDNA was found to be energetically favourable or at least did not affect triplex stability. Notably, the most thermodynamically stable UNA-modified triplexes exhibited improved stability at both acidic and physiological pH. The specificity of the interactions between the triplex-forming oligonucleotide and dsDNA was characterized using EMSA for the most thermodynamically stable structures, and triplex dissociation constants were determined. One of the modified triplexes exhibited an improved Kd in comparison with the unmodified triplex. CD and thermal difference spectra indicated that UNA residues do not alter the overall structure of the most thermodynamically stable triplexes. In addition, incubation of the modified oligonucleotides with human serum indicated that the UNAs demonstrate the potential to improve the biological stability of nucleic acids.
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17
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Hari Y. Development of artificial nucleic acid that recognizes a CG base pair in triplex DNA formation. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2014; 133:1201-8. [PMID: 24189561 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.13-00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
An oligonucleotide that can form a triplex with double-stranded DNA is called a triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO). TFOs have gained considerable attention because of their potential as gene targeting tools. However, triplex DNA formation involves inherent problems for practical use. The most important problem is that natural nucleotides in TFO do not have sufficient affinity and base pair-selectivity to pyrimidine-purine base pair, like a CG or TA base pair, within dsDNA. This suggests that dsDNA region including a CG or TA base pair cannot be targeted. Therefore, artificial nucleotides, especially with non-natural nucleobases, capable of direct recognition of a CG or TA base pair via hydrogen bond formation have been developed; however, nucleotides with better selectivity and stronger affinity are necessary for implementing this dsDNA-targeting technology using TFOs. Under such a background, we considered that facile and efficient synthesis of various nucleobase derivatives in TFOs would be useful for finding an ideal nucleobase for recognition of a CG or TA base pair because detailed and rational exploration of nucleobase structures is facilitated. Recently, to develop a nucleobase recognizing a CG base pair, we have used post-elongation modification, i.e., modification after oligonucleotide synthesis, for the facile synthesis of nucleobase derivatives. This review mainly summarizes our recent findings on the development of artificial nucleobases and nucleotides for recognition of a CG base pair in triplexes formed between dsDNA and TFOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Hari
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
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18
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Controlling gene networks and cell fate with precision-targeted DNA-binding proteins and small-molecule-based genome readers. Biochem J 2014; 462:397-413. [PMID: 25145439 DOI: 10.1042/bj20140400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors control the fate of a cell by regulating the expression of genes and regulatory networks. Recent successes in inducing pluripotency in terminally differentiated cells as well as directing differentiation with natural transcription factors has lent credence to the efforts that aim to direct cell fate with rationally designed transcription factors. Because DNA-binding factors are modular in design, they can be engineered to target specific genomic sequences and perform pre-programmed regulatory functions upon binding. Such precision-tailored factors can serve as molecular tools to reprogramme or differentiate cells in a targeted manner. Using different types of engineered DNA binders, both regulatory transcriptional controls of gene networks, as well as permanent alteration of genomic content, can be implemented to study cell fate decisions. In the present review, we describe the current state of the art in artificial transcription factor design and the exciting prospect of employing artificial DNA-binding factors to manipulate the transcriptional networks as well as epigenetic landscapes that govern cell fate.
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19
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Esguerra M, Nilsson L, Villa A. Triple helical DNA in a duplex context and base pair opening. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:11329-38. [PMID: 25228466 PMCID: PMC4191418 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is fundamental to explore in atomic detail the behavior of DNA triple helices as a means to understand the role they might play in vivo and to better engineer their use in genetic technologies, such as antigene therapy. To this aim we have performed atomistic simulations of a purine-rich antiparallel triple helix stretch of 10 base triplets flanked by canonical Watson–Crick double helices. At the same time we have explored the thermodynamic behavior of a flipping Watson–Crick base pair in the context of the triple and double helix. The third strand can be accommodated in a B-like duplex conformation. Upon binding, the double helix changes shape, and becomes more rigid. The triple-helical region increases its major groove width mainly by oversliding in the negative direction. The resulting conformations are somewhere between the A and B conformations with base pairs remaining almost perpendicular to the helical axis. The neighboring duplex regions maintain a B DNA conformation. Base pair opening in the duplex regions is more probable than in the triplex and binding of the Hoogsteen strand does not influence base pair breathing in the neighboring duplex region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Esguerra
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lennart Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Alessandra Villa
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
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20
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Hégarat N, Novopashina D, Fokina AA, Boutorine AS, Venyaminova AG, Praseuth D, François JC. Monitoring DNA triplex formation using multicolor fluorescence and application to insulin-like growth factor I promoter downregulation. FEBS J 2014; 281:1417-1431. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.12714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Hégarat
- Acides nucléiques: dynamique, ciblage et fonctions biologiques; INSERM U565; Paris France
- Département Régulations, développement et diversité moléculaire; MNHN - CNRS UMR7196; Paris France
| | - Darya Novopashina
- Laboratory of RNA Chemistry; Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine; Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk Russia
| | - Alesya A. Fokina
- Laboratory of RNA Chemistry; Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine; Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk Russia
| | - Alexandre S. Boutorine
- Acides nucléiques: dynamique, ciblage et fonctions biologiques; INSERM U565; Paris France
- Département Régulations, développement et diversité moléculaire; MNHN - CNRS UMR7196; Paris France
| | - Alya G. Venyaminova
- Laboratory of RNA Chemistry; Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine; Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk Russia
| | - Danièle Praseuth
- Acides nucléiques: dynamique, ciblage et fonctions biologiques; INSERM U565; Paris France
- Département Régulations, développement et diversité moléculaire; MNHN - CNRS UMR7196; Paris France
| | - Jean-Christophe François
- Acides nucléiques: dynamique, ciblage et fonctions biologiques; INSERM U565; Paris France
- Département Régulations, développement et diversité moléculaire; MNHN - CNRS UMR7196; Paris France
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; UMR_S 938; CDR Saint Antoine; Paris France
- Faculté de Médecine and Hôpital Saint Antoine; INSERM; UMR_S 938; CDR Saint Antoine; Paris France
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21
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Liu Q, Deiters A. Optochemical control of deoxyoligonucleotide function via a nucleobase-caging approach. Acc Chem Res 2014; 47:45-55. [PMID: 23981235 PMCID: PMC3946944 DOI: 10.1021/ar400036a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic oligonucleotides have been extensively applied tocontrol a wide range of biological processes such as gene expression, gene repair, DNA replication, and protein activity. Based on well-established sequence design rules that typically rely on Watson-Crick base pairing interactions researchers can readily program the function of these oligonucleotides. Therefore oligonucleotides provide a flexible platform for targeting a wide range of biological molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins. In addition, oligonucleotides are commonly used research tools in cell biology and developmental biology. However, a lack of conditional control methods has hampered the precise spatial and temporal regulation of oligonucleotide activity, which limits the application of these reagents to investigate complex biological questions. Nature controls biological function with a high level of spatial and temporal resolution and in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of biological processes, researchers need tools that allow for the perturbation of these processes with Nature's precision. Light represents an excellent external regulatory element since irradiation can be easily controlled spatially and temporally. Thus, researchers have developed several different methods to conditionally control oligonucleotide activity with light. One of the most versatile strategies is optochemical regulation through the installation and removal of photolabile caging groups on oligonucleotides. To produce switches that can control nucleic acid function with light, chemists introduce caging groups into the oligomer backbone or on specific nucleobases to block oligonucleotide function until the caging groups are removed by light exposure. In this Account, we focus on the application of caged nucleobases to the photoregulation of DNA function. Using this approach, we have both activated and deactivated gene expression optochemically at the transcriptional and translational level with spatial and temporal control. Specifically, we have used caged triplex-forming oligomers and DNA decoys to regulate transcription, and we have regulated translation with light-activated antisense agents. Moreover, we also discuss strategies that can trigger DNA enzymatic activity, DNA amplification, and DNA mutagenesis by light illumination. More recently, we have developed light-activated DNA logic operations, an advance that may lay the foundation for the optochemical control of complex DNA calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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22
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Karmakar S, Guenther DC, Hrdlicka PJ. Recognition of mixed-sequence DNA duplexes: design guidelines for invaders based on 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-RNA monomers. J Org Chem 2013; 78:12040-8. [PMID: 24195730 PMCID: PMC3903098 DOI: 10.1021/jo402085v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of agents that recognize mixed-sequence double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is desirable because of their potential as tools for detection, regulation, and modification of genes. Despite progress with triplex-forming oligonucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, polyamides, and other approaches, recognition of mixed-sequence dsDNA targets remains challenging. Our laboratory studies Invaders as an alternative approach toward this end. These double-stranded oligonucleotide probes are activated for recognition of mixed-sequence dsDNA through modification with +1 interstrand zippers of intercalator-functionalized nucleotides such as 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-RNA monomers and have recently been shown to recognize linear dsDNA, DNA hairpins, and chromosomal DNA. In the present work, we systematically studied the influence that the nucleobase moieties of the 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-RNA monomers have on the recognition efficiency of Invader duplexes. Results from thermal denaturation, binding energy, and recognition experiments using Invader duplexes with different +1 interstrand zippers of the four canonical 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-RNA A/C/G/U monomers show that incorporation of these motifs is a general strategy for activation of probes for recognition of dsDNA. Probe duplexes with interstrand zippers comprising C and/or U monomers result in the most efficient recognition of dsDNA. The insight gained from this study will drive the design of efficient Invaders for applications in molecular biology, nucleic acid diagnostics, and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saswata Karmakar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho , 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 2343, Moscow, Idaho 83844-2343, United States
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23
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Amato J, Stellato MI, Pizzo E, Petraccone L, Oliviero G, Borbone N, Piccialli G, Orecchia A, Bellei B, Castiglia D, Giancola C. PNA as a potential modulator of COL7A1 gene expression in dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: a physico-chemical study. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2013; 9:3166-74. [PMID: 24121392 DOI: 10.1039/c3mb70283a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Dominant diseases are single gene disorders occurring in the heterozygous state. The mutated allele exerts a dominant effect because it produces an abnormal polypeptide that interferes with the function of the normal allele product. Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) offer a route for a potential therapy for dominant diseases by selectively silencing the allele carrying the dominant mutation. Here, we have synthesized and studied the properties of a 15-mer PNA fully complementary to the site of the c.5272-38T>A sequence variation, which identifies a recurrent mutant COL7A1 allele causing dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DDEB), a mendelian disease characterized by skin blistering. The PNA was conjugated with four lysine residues at the C-terminus and a fluorescent probe at the N-terminus. Physico-chemical results proved the formation of a stable, selective PNA/mutant-DNA heteroduplex in vitro. Intriguingly, when transfected into normal human fibroblasts, the PNA correctly localized in the cell nucleus. Our results open new therapeutic possibilities for patients with DDEB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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24
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Sau SP, Madsen AS, Podbevsek P, Andersen NK, Kumar TS, Andersen S, Rathje RL, Anderson BA, Guenther DC, Karmakar S, Kumar P, Plavec J, Wengel J, Hrdlicka PJ. Identification and characterization of second-generation invader locked nucleic acids (LNAs) for mixed-sequence recognition of double-stranded DNA. J Org Chem 2013; 78:9560-70. [PMID: 24032477 PMCID: PMC3833467 DOI: 10.1021/jo4015936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of synthetic agents that recognize double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is a long-standing goal that is inspired by the promise for tools that detect, regulate, and modify genes. Progress has been made with triplex-forming oligonucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, and polyamides, but substantial efforts are currently devoted to the development of alternative strategies that overcome the limitations observed with the classic approaches. In 2005, we introduced Invader locked nucleic acids (LNAs), i.e., double-stranded probes that are activated for mixed-sequence recognition of dsDNA through modification with "+1 interstrand zippers" of 2'-N-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-2'-amino-α-l-LNA monomers. Despite promising preliminary results, progress has been slow because of the synthetic complexity of the building blocks. Here we describe a study that led to the identification of two simpler classes of Invader monomers. We compare the thermal denaturation characteristics of double-stranded probes featuring different interstrand zippers of pyrene-functionalized monomers based on 2'-amino-α-l-LNA, 2'-N-methyl-2'-amino-DNA, and RNA scaffolds. Insights from fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular modeling, and NMR spectroscopy are used to elucidate the structural factors that govern probe activation. We demonstrate that probes with +1 zippers of 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-RNA or 2'-N-methyl-2'-N-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-2'-amino-DNA monomers recognize DNA hairpins with similar efficiency as original Invader LNAs. Access to synthetically simple monomers will accelerate the use of Invader-mediated dsDNA recognition for applications in molecular biology and nucleic acid diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujay P. Sau
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID-83844, USA
| | - Andreas S. Madsen
- Nucleic Acid Center, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Nicolai K. Andersen
- Nucleic Acid Center, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - T. Santhosh Kumar
- Nucleic Acid Center, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sanne Andersen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID-83844, USA
- Nucleic Acid Center, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rie L. Rathje
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID-83844, USA
- Nucleic Acid Center, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Dale C. Guenther
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID-83844, USA
| | - Saswata Karmakar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID-83844, USA
| | - Pawan Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID-83844, USA
| | - Janez Plavec
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jesper Wengel
- Nucleic Acid Center, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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25
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Didion BA, Karmakar S, Guenther DC, Sau SP, Verstegen JP, Hrdlicka PJ. Invaders: Recognition of Double-Stranded DNA by Using Duplexes Modified with Interstrand Zippers of 2'-O-(Pyren-1-yl)methyl-ribonucleotides. Chembiochem 2013; 14:1534-1538. [PMID: 24038876 PMCID: PMC3838861 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201300414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The invasion has begun: Invaders are shown to recognize DNA hairpins in cell-free assays and chromosomal DNA during non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (nd-FISH) experiments. As Invaders are devoid of inherent sequence limitations, many previously inaccessible DNA targets could become accessible to exogenous control with important ramifications for karyotyping, in vivo imaging, and gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley A Didion
- Minitube of America, Inc. PO Box 930187, 419 Venture Ct., Verona, WI 53593 (USA)
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26
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Hari Y, Kashima S, Inohara H, Ijitsu S, Imanishi T, Obika S. Base-pair recognition ability of hydroxyphenyl nucleobases in parallel triplex DNA. Tetrahedron 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2013.05.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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27
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Triplex-forming ability of oligonucleotides containing 1-aryl-1,2,3-triazole nucleobases linked via a two atom-length spacer. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:5583-8. [PMID: 23830701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoramidites containing 2-propynyloxy or 1-butyn-4-yl as nucleobase precursors were synthesized and introduced into oligonucleotides using an automated DNA synthesizer. Copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the oligonucleotides with various azides gave the corresponding triazolylated oligonucleotides, triplex-forming ability of these synthetic oligonucleotides with double-stranded DNA targets was evaluated by UV melting experiments. It was found that nucleobases containing 2-(1-m-carbonylaminophenyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethyl units likely interacted with A of a TA base pair in a parallel triplex DNA.
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28
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Beck A, Vijayanathan V, Thomas T, Thomas TJ. Ionic microenvironmental effects on triplex DNA stabilization: cationic counterion effects on poly(dT)·poly(dA)·poly(dT). Biochimie 2013; 95:1310-8. [PMID: 23454377 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2013.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The structure and conformation of nucleic acids are influenced by metal ions, polyamines, and the microenvironment. In poly(purine) · poly(pyrimidine) sequences, triplex DNA formation is facilitated by metal ions, polyamines and other ligands. We studied the effects of mono- and di-valent metal ions, and ammonium salts on the stability of triple- and double-stranded structures formed from poly(dA) and poly(dT) by measuring their respective melting temperatures. In the presence of metal ions, the absorbance versus temperature profile showed two transitions: Tm1 for triplex to duplex and single stranded DNA, and Tm2 for duplex DNA melting to single stranded DNA. Monovalent cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+) and [Formula: see text] ) promoted triplex DNA at concentrations ≥150 mM. Tm1 varied from 49.8 °C in the presence of 150 mM Li(+) to 30.6 °C in the presence of 150 mM K(+). [Formula: see text] was very effective in stabilizing triplex DNA and its efficacy decreased with increasing substitution of the hydrogen atoms with methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl groups. As in the case of monovalent cations, a concentration-dependent increase in Tm1 was observed with divalent ions and triplex DNA stabilization decreased in the order: Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) > Sr(2+) > Ba(2+). All positively charged cations increased the melting temperature of duplex DNA. Values of Δn (number of ions released) on triplex DNA melting were 0.46 ± 0.06 and 0.18 ± 0.02, respectively, for mono- and di-valent cations, as calculated from 1/Tm1 versus ln[M(+,2+)] plots. The corresponding values for duplex DNA were 0.25 ± 0.02 and 0.12 ± 0.02, respectively, for mono- and di-valent cations. Circular dichroism spectroscopic studies showed distinct conformational changes in triplex DNA stabilized by alkali metal and ammonium ions. Our results might be useful in developing triplex forming oligonucleotide based gene silencing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Beck
- Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 125 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
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Doluca O, Withers JM, Filichev VV. Molecular engineering of guanine-rich sequences: Z-DNA, DNA triplexes, and G-quadruplexes. Chem Rev 2013; 113:3044-83. [PMID: 23391174 DOI: 10.1021/cr300225q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Osman Doluca
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Papadakis G, Gizeli E. In silico search of DNA drugs targeting oncogenes. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2012; 9:1826-1830. [PMID: 23221090 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2012.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) represent a class of drug candidates for antigene therapy. Based on strict criteria, we investigated the potential of 25 known oncogenes to be regulated by TFOs in the mRNA synthesis level and we report specific target sequences found in seven of these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Papadakis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete and Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 100 Nikolaou Plastira str, Heraklion 70013, Greece.
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Govan JM, Uprety R, Hemphill J, Lively MO, Deiters A. Regulation of transcription through light-activation and light-deactivation of triplex-forming oligonucleotides in mammalian cells. ACS Chem Biol 2012; 7:1247-56. [PMID: 22540192 DOI: 10.1021/cb300161r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are efficient tools to regulate gene expression through the inhibition of transcription. Here, nucleobase-caging technology was applied to the temporal regulation of transcription through light-activated TFOs. Through site-specific incorporation of caged thymidine nucleotides, the TFO:DNA triplex formation is blocked, rendering the TFO inactive. However, after a brief UV irradiation, the caging groups are removed, activating the TFO and leading to the inhibition of transcription. Furthermore, the synthesis and site-specific incorporation of caged deoxycytidine nucleotides within TFO inhibitor sequences was developed, allowing for the light-deactivation of TFO function and thus photochemical activation of gene expression. After UV-induced removal of the caging groups, the TFO forms a DNA dumbbell structure, rendering it inactive, releasing it from the DNA, and activating transcription. These are the first examples of light-regulated TFOs and their application in the photochemical activation and deactivation of gene expression. In addition, hairpin loop structures were found to significantly increase the efficacy of phosphodiester DNA-based TFOs in tissue culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeane M. Govan
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
27695, United States
| | - Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
27695, United States
| | - James Hemphill
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
27695, United States
| | - Mark O. Lively
- Center
for Structural Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem,
North Carolina 27157, United States
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
27695, United States
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33
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Buske FA, Bauer DC, Mattick JS, Bailey TL. Triplexator: detecting nucleic acid triple helices in genomic and transcriptomic data. Genome Res 2012; 22:1372-81. [PMID: 22550012 PMCID: PMC3396377 DOI: 10.1101/gr.130237.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Double-stranded DNA is able to form triple-helical structures by accommodating a third nucleotide strand in its major groove. This sequence-specific process offers a potent mechanism for targeting genomic loci of interest that is of great value for biotechnological and gene-therapeutic applications. It is likely that nature has leveraged this addressing system for gene regulation, because computational studies have uncovered an abundance of putative triplex target sites in various genomes, with enrichment particularly in gene promoters. However, to draw a more complete picture of the in vivo role of triplexes, not only the putative targets but also the sequences acting as the third strand and their capability to pair with the predicted target sites need to be studied. Here we present Triplexator, the first computational framework that integrates all aspects of triplex formation, and showcase its potential by discussing research examples for which the different aspects of triplex formation are important. We find that chromatin-associated RNAs have a significantly higher fraction of sequence features able to form triplexes than expected at random, suggesting their involvement in gene regulation. We furthermore identify hundreds of human genes that contain sequence features in their promoter predicted to be able to form a triplex with a target within the same promoter, suggesting the involvement of triplexes in feedback-based gene regulation. With focus on biotechnological applications, we screen mammalian genomes for high-affinity triplex target sites that can be used to target genomic loci specifically and find that triplex formation offers a resolution of ~1300 nt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A. Buske
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 QLD, Australia
| | - Denis C. Bauer
- Division of Mathematics, Informatics, and Statistics, CSIRO, Sydney, 2113 NSW, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 QLD, Australia
| | - John S. Mattick
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 QLD, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2010 NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy L. Bailey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 QLD, Australia
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Vorlíčková M, Kejnovská I, Bednářová K, Renčiuk D, Kypr J. Circular dichroism spectroscopy of DNA: from duplexes to quadruplexes. Chirality 2012; 24:691-8. [PMID: 22696273 DOI: 10.1002/chir.22064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Revised: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids bear the genetic information and participate in its expression and evolution during replication, repair, recombination, transcription, and translation. These phenomena are mostly based on recognition of nucleic acids by proteins. The major factor enabling the specific recognition is structure. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is very useful to study secondary structures of nucleic acids, in general, and DNA, in particular. CD sensitively reflects isomerizations among distinct conformational states. The isomerizations may operate as molecular switches regulating various physiological or pathological processes. Here, we review CD spectra of nucleic acids, beginning with early studies on natural DNA molecules through analyses of synthetic polynucleotides to study of selected genomic fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Vorlíčková
- Department of CD Spectroscopy of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, vvi, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Leung CH, Chan DSH, Ma VPY, Ma DL. DNA-Binding Small Molecules as Inhibitors of Transcription Factors. Med Res Rev 2012; 33:823-46. [DOI: 10.1002/med.21266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor Pui-Yan Ma
- Department of Chemistry; Hong Kong Baptist University; Kowloon Tong; Hong Kong
| | - Dik-Lung Ma
- Department of Chemistry; Hong Kong Baptist University; Kowloon Tong; Hong Kong
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36
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Hari Y, Obika S, Imanishi T. Towards the Sequence-Selective Recognition of Double-Stranded DNA Containing Pyrimidine-Purine Interruptions by Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotides. European J Org Chem 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201101821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Zeng Y, Pratumyot Y, Piao X, Bong D. Discrete Assembly of Synthetic Peptide–DNA Triplex Structures from Polyvalent Melamine–Thymine Bifacial Recognition. J Am Chem Soc 2011; 134:832-5. [PMID: 22201288 DOI: 10.1021/ja2099326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210,
United States
| | - Yaowalak Pratumyot
- Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210,
United States
| | - Xijun Piao
- Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210,
United States
| | - Dennis Bong
- Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210,
United States
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Østergaard ME, Hrdlicka PJ. Pyrene-functionalized oligonucleotides and locked nucleic acids (LNAs): tools for fundamental research, diagnostics, and nanotechnology. Chem Soc Rev 2011; 40:5771-88. [PMID: 21487621 PMCID: PMC3644995 DOI: 10.1039/c1cs15014f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pyrene-functionalized oligonucleotides (PFOs) are increasingly explored as tools in fundamental research, diagnostics and nanotechnology. Their popularity is linked to the ability of pyrenes to function as polarity-sensitive and quenchable fluorophores, excimer-generating units, aromatic stacking moieties and nucleic acid duplex intercalators. These characteristics have enabled development of PFOs for detection of complementary DNA/RNA targets, discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and generation of π-arrays on nucleic acid scaffolds. This critical review will highlight the physical properties and applications of PFOs that are likely to provide high degree of positional control of the chromophore in nucleic acid complexes. Particular emphasis will be placed on pyrene-functionalized Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) since these materials display interesting properties such as fluorescence quantum yields approaching unity and recognition of mixed-sequence double stranded DNA (144 references).
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39
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Towards artificial metallonucleases for gene therapy: recent advances and new perspectives. Future Med Chem 2011; 3:1935-66. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.11.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of DNA targeting or repair of mutated genes within the cell, induced by specifically positioned double-strand cleavage of DNA near the mutated sequence, can be applied for gene therapy of monogenic diseases. For this purpose, highly specific artificial metallonucleases are developed. They are expected to be important future tools of modern genetics. The present state of art and strategies of research are summarized, including protein engineering and artificial ‘chemical’ nucleases. From the results, we learn about the basic role of the metal ions and the various ligands, and about the DNA binding and cleavage mechanism. The results collected provide useful guidance for engineering highly controlled enzymes for use in gene therapy.
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40
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Fonfara I, Curth U, Pingoud A, Wende W. Creating highly specific nucleases by fusion of active restriction endonucleases and catalytically inactive homing endonucleases. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 40:847-60. [PMID: 21965534 PMCID: PMC3258161 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc-finger nucleases and TALE nucleases are produced by combining a specific DNA-binding module and a non-specific DNA-cleavage module, resulting in nucleases able to cleave DNA at a unique sequence. Here a new approach for creating highly specific nucleases was pursued by fusing a catalytically inactive variant of the homing endonuclease I-SceI, as DNA binding-module, to the type IIP restriction enzyme PvuII, as cleavage module. The fusion enzymes were designed to recognize a composite site comprising the recognition site of PvuII flanked by the recognition site of I-SceI. In order to reduce activity on PvuII sites lacking the flanking I-SceI sites, the enzymes were optimized so that the binding of I-SceI to its sites positions PvuII for cleavage of the composite site. This was achieved by optimization of the linker and by introducing amino acid substitutions in PvuII which decrease its activity or disturb its dimer interface. The most specific variant showed a more than 1000-fold preference for the addressed composite site over an unaddressed PvuII site. These results indicate that using a specific restriction enzyme, such as PvuII, as cleavage module, offers an alternative to the otherwise often used catalytic domain of FokI, which by itself does not contribute to the specificity of the engineered nuclease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Fonfara
- Institut für Biochemie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, D-35392, Giessen, Germany
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41
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Doluca O, Boutorine AS, Filichev VV. Triplex-Forming Twisted Intercalating Nucleic Acids (TINAs): Design Rules, Stabilization of Antiparallel DNA Triplexes and Inhibition of G-Quartet-Dependent Self-Association. Chembiochem 2011; 12:2365-74. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201100354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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42
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Su W, Bonnard V, Burley GA. DNA-Templated Photonic Arrays and Assemblies: Design Principles and Future Opportunities. Chemistry 2011; 17:7982-91. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201100924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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43
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Buske FA, Mattick JS, Bailey TL. Potential in vivo roles of nucleic acid triple-helices. RNA Biol 2011; 8:427-39. [PMID: 21525785 DOI: 10.4161/rna.8.3.14999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of double-stranded DNA to form a triple-helical structure by hydrogen bonding with a third strand is well established, but the biological functions of these structures remain largely unknown. There is considerable albeit circumstantial evidence for the existence of nucleic triplexes in vivo and their potential participation in a variety of biological processes including chromatin organization, DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, and RNA processing has been investigated in a number of studies to date. There is also a range of possible mechanisms to regulate triplex formation through differential expression of triplex-forming RNAs, alteration of chromatin accessibility, sequence unwinding and nucleotide modifications. With the advent of next generation sequencing technology combined with targeted approaches to isolate triplexes, it is now possible to survey triplex formation with respect to their genomic context, abundance and dynamical changes during differentiation and development, which may open up new vistas in understanding genome biology and gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Buske
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
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44
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Kaushik S, Kaushik M, Svinarchuk F, Malvy C, Fermandjian S, Kukreti S. Presence of divalent cation is not mandatory for the formation of intramolecular purine-motif triplex containing human c-jun protooncogene target. Biochemistry 2011; 50:4132-42. [PMID: 21381700 DOI: 10.1021/bi1012589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of endogenous gene function, through sequence-specific recognition of double helical DNA via oligonucleotide-directed triplex formation, is a promising approach. Compared to the formation of pyrimidine motif triplexes, which require relatively low pH, purine motif appears to be the most gifted for their stability under physiological conditions. Our previous work has demonstrated formation of magnesium-ion dependent highly stable intermolecular triplexes using a purine third strand of varied lengths, at the purine•pyrimidine (Pu•Py) targets of SIV/HIV-2 (vpx) genes (Svinarchuk, F., Monnot, M., Merle, A., Malvy, C., and Fermandjian, S. (1995) Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 3831-3836). Herein, we show that a designed intramolecular version of the 11-bp core sequence of the said targets, which also constitutes an integral, short, and symmetrical segment (G(2)AG(5)AG(2))•(C(2)TC(5)TC(2)) of human c-jun protooncogene forms a stable triplex, even in the absence of magnesium. The sequence d-C(2)TC(5)TC(2)T(5)G(2)AG(5)AG(2)T(5)G(2)AG(5)AG(2) (I-Pu) folds back twice onto itself to form an intramolecular triple helix via a double hairpin formation. The design ensures that the orientation of the intact third strand is antiparallel with respect to the oligopurine strand of the duplex. The triple helix formation has been revealed by non-denaturating gel assays, UV-thermal denaturation, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The monophasic melting curve, recorded in the presence of sodium, represented the dissociation of intramolecular triplex to single strand in one step; however, the addition of magnesium bestowed thermal stability to the triplex. Formation of intramolecular triple helix at neutral pH in sodium, with or without magnesium cations, was also confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The triplex, mediated by sodium alone, destabilizes in the presence of 5'-C(2)TC(5)TC(2)-3', an oligonucleotide complementary to the 3'-oligopurine segments of I-Pu, whereas in the presence of magnesium the triplex remained impervious. CD spectra showed the signatures of triplex structure with A-like DNA conformation. We suggest that the possible formation of pH and magnesium-independent purine-motif triplexes at genomic Pu•Py sequences may be pertinent to gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Kaushik
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi (North Campus), Delhi 110007, India
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45
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Bowers WJ, Breakefield XO, Sena-Esteves M. Genetic therapy for the nervous system. Hum Mol Genet 2011; 20:R28-41. [PMID: 21429918 PMCID: PMC3095060 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddr110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic therapy is undergoing a renaissance with expansion of viral and synthetic vectors, use of oligonucleotides (RNA and DNA) and sequence-targeted regulatory molecules, as well as genetically modified cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells from the patients themselves. Several clinical trials for neurologic syndromes appear quite promising. This review covers genetic strategies to ameliorate neurologic syndromes of different etiologies, including lysosomal storage diseases, Alzheimer's disease and other amyloidopathies, Parkinson's disease, spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and brain tumors. This field has been propelled by genetic technologies, including identifying disease genes and disruptive mutations, design of genomic interacting elements to regulate transcription and splicing of specific precursor mRNAs and use of novel non-coding regulatory RNAs. These versatile new tools for manipulation of genetic elements provide the ability to tailor the mode of genetic intervention to specific aspects of a disease state.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Bowers
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neural Development and Disease, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Xandra O. Breakefield
- Neuroscience Center and Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and
- Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA and
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, Gene Therapy Center, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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46
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Mukherjee A, Vasquez KM. Triplex technology in studies of DNA damage, DNA repair, and mutagenesis. Biochimie 2011; 93:1197-208. [PMID: 21501652 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) can bind to the major groove of homopurine-homopyrimidine stretches of double-stranded DNA in a sequence-specific manner through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding to form DNA triplexes. TFOs by themselves or conjugated to reactive molecules can be used to direct sequence-specific DNA damage, which in turn results in the induction of several DNA metabolic activities. Triplex technology is highly utilized as a tool to study gene regulation, molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, recombination, and mutagenesis. In addition, TFO targeting of specific genes has been exploited in the development of therapeutic strategies to modulate DNA structure and function. In this review, we discuss advances made in studies of DNA damage, DNA repair, recombination, and mutagenesis by using triplex technology to target specific DNA sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Mukherjee
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, 1400 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Austin, TX 78723, USA
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47
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Azéma L, Bathany K, Rayner B. 2'-O-Appended polyamines that increase triple-helix-forming oligonucleotide affinity are selected by dynamic combinatorial chemistry. Chembiochem 2011; 11:2513-6. [PMID: 21104718 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201000538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Azéma
- U869, INSERM, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
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48
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Sargent RG, Kim S, Gruenert DC. Oligo/polynucleotide-based gene modification: strategies and therapeutic potential. Oligonucleotides 2011; 21:55-75. [PMID: 21417933 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2010.0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide- and polynucleotide-based gene modification strategies were developed as an alternative to transgene-based and classical gene targeting-based gene therapy approaches for treatment of genetic disorders. Unlike the transgene-based strategies, oligo/polynucleotide gene targeting approaches maintain gene integrity and the relationship between the protein coding and gene-specific regulatory sequences. Oligo/polynucleotide-based gene modification also has several advantages over classical vector-based homologous recombination approaches. These include essentially complete homology to the target sequence and the potential to rapidly engineer patient-specific oligo/polynucleotide gene modification reagents. Several oligo/polynucleotide-based approaches have been shown to successfully mediate sequence-specific modification of genomic DNA in mammalian cells. The strategies involve the use of polynucleotide small DNA fragments, triplex-forming oligonucleotides, and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides to mediate homologous exchange. The primary focus of this review will be on the mechanistic aspects of the small fragment homologous replacement, triplex-forming oligonucleotide-mediated, and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated gene modification strategies as it relates to their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Geoffrey Sargent
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California , San Francisco, California 94115, USA
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49
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Jensen NM, Dalsgaard T, Jakobsen M, Nielsen RR, Sørensen CB, Bolund L, Jensen TG. An update on targeted gene repair in mammalian cells: methods and mechanisms. J Biomed Sci 2011; 18:10. [PMID: 21284895 PMCID: PMC3042377 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-18-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Transfer of full-length genes including regulatory elements has been the preferred gene therapy strategy for clinical applications. However, with significant drawbacks emerging, targeted gene alteration (TGA) has recently become a promising alternative to this method. By means of TGA, endogenous DNA repair pathways of the cell are activated leading to specific genetic correction of single-base mutations in the genome. This strategy can be implemented using single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ssODNs), small DNA fragments (SDFs), triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs), adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVs) and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs). Despite difficulties in the use of TGA, including lack of knowledge on the repair mechanisms stimulated by the individual methods, the field holds great promise for the future. The objective of this review is to summarize and evaluate the different methods that exist within this particular area of human gene therapy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna M Jensen
- Institute of Human Genetics, The Bartholin Building, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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50
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Kolevzon N, Yavin E. Site-Specific DNA Photocleavage and Photomodulation by Oligonucleotide Conjugates. Oligonucleotides 2010; 20:263-75. [DOI: 10.1089/oli.2010.0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Netanel Kolevzon
- The School of Pharmacy, The Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eylon Yavin
- The School of Pharmacy, The Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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