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Tomassi S, Ieranò C, Del Bene A, D’Aniello A, Napolitano M, Rea G, Auletta F, Portella L, Capiluongo A, Mazzarella V, Russo R, Chambery A, Scala S, Di Maro S, Messere A. Tailoring the Structure of Cell Penetrating DNA and RNA Binding Nucleopeptides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158504. [PMID: 35955638 PMCID: PMC9369335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic nucleic acid interactors represent an exciting research field due to their biotechnological and potential therapeutic applications. The translation of these molecules into drugs is a long and difficult process that justifies the continuous research of new chemotypes endowed with favorable binding, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. In this scenario, we describe the synthesis of two sets of homo-thymine nucleopeptides, in which nucleobases are inserted in a peptide structure, to investigate the role of the underivatized amino acid residue and the distance of the nucleobase from the peptide backbone on the nucleic acid recognition process. It is worth noting that the CD spectroscopy investigation showed that two of the reported nucleopeptides, consisting of alternation of thymine functionalized L-Orn and L-Dab and L-Arg as underivatized amino acids, were able to efficiently bind DNA and RNA targets and cross both cell and nuclear membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tomassi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico” II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Caterina Ieranò
- Molecular Immunology and Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS-Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (M.N.); (G.R.); (F.A.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Alessandra Del Bene
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (A.D.B.); (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonia D’Aniello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (A.D.B.); (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria Napolitano
- Molecular Immunology and Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS-Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (M.N.); (G.R.); (F.A.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Giuseppina Rea
- Molecular Immunology and Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS-Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (M.N.); (G.R.); (F.A.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Federica Auletta
- Molecular Immunology and Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS-Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (M.N.); (G.R.); (F.A.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Luigi Portella
- Molecular Immunology and Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS-Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (M.N.); (G.R.); (F.A.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Anna Capiluongo
- Molecular Immunology and Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS-Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (M.N.); (G.R.); (F.A.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Mazzarella
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (A.D.B.); (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (A.D.B.); (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (A.D.B.); (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Stefania Scala
- Molecular Immunology and Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS-Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (M.N.); (G.R.); (F.A.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (A.D.B.); (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.D.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Anna Messere
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (A.D.B.); (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.D.M.); (A.M.)
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2
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Immel JR, Bloom S. carba-Nucleopeptides (cNPs): A Biopharmaceutical Modality Formed through Aqueous Rhodamine B Photoredox Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202205606. [PMID: 35507689 PMCID: PMC9256812 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202205606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Exchanging the ribose backbone of an oligonucleotide for a peptide can enhance its physiologic stability and nucleic acid binding affinity. Ordinarily, the eneamino nitrogen atom of a nucleobase is fused to the side chain of a polypeptide through a new C-N bond. The discovery of C-C linked nucleobases in the human transcriptome reveals new opportunities for engineering nucleopeptides that replace the traditional C-N bond with a non-classical C-C bond, liberating a captive nitrogen atom and promoting new hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions. We report the first late-stage synthesis of C-C linked carba-nucleopeptides (cNPs) using aqueous Rhodamine B photoredox catalysis. We prepare brand-new cNPs in batch, in parallel, and in flow using three long-wavelength photochemical setups. We detail the mechanism of our reaction by experimental and computational studies and highlight the essential role of diisopropylethylamine as a bifurcated two-electron reductant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R Immel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Steven Bloom
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
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Choi H, Park G, Shin E, Shin SW, Jana B, Jin S, Kim S, Wang H, Kwak SK, Xu B, Ryu JH. Intramitochondrial co-assembly between ATP and nucleopeptides induces cancer cell apoptosis. Chem Sci 2022; 13:6197-6204. [PMID: 35733910 PMCID: PMC9159100 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05738c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential intracellular organelles involved in many cellular processes, especially adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Since cancer cells require high ATP levels for proliferation, ATP elimination can be a unique target for cancer growth inhibition. We describe a newly developed mitochondria-targeting nucleopeptide (MNP) that sequesters ATP by self-assembling with ATP inside mitochondria. MNP interacts strongly with ATP through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. MNP exhibits higher binding affinity for ATP (−637.5 kJ mol−1) than for adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (−578.2 kJ mol−1). To improve anticancer efficacy, the small-sized MNP/ADP complex formed large assemblies with ATP inside cancer cell mitochondria. ATP sequestration and formation of large assemblies of the MNP/ADP–ATP complex inside mitochondria caused physical stress by large structures and metabolic disorders in cancer cells, leading to apoptosis. This work illustrates a facile approach to developing cancer therapeutics that relies on molecular assemblies. Mitochondria-targeting nucleopeptide (MNP) can sequester ATP by self-assembling with ATP. A small nanosized MNP/ADP complex forms a large assembly with ATP. Thus, intramitochondrial co-assembly causes stress by large structures and apoptosis.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Huyeon Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Gaeun Park
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Eunhye Shin
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Woo Shin
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Batakrishna Jana
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Seongeon Jin
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Sangpil Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Huaimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University 18 Shilongshan Road, Cloud Town Xihu District Hangzhou P. R. China
| | - Sang Kyu Kwak
- Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University 415 South Street Waltham MA 02453 USA
| | - Ja-Hyoung Ryu
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 Unist-gil Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
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4
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Immel JR, Bloom S. carba
‐Nucleopeptides (
c
NPs): A Biopharmaceutical Modality Formed through Aqueous Rhodamine B Photoredox Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202205606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Immel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 USA
| | - Steven Bloom
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 USA
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Giraud T, Hoschtettler P, Pickaert G, Averlant-Petit MC, Stefan L. Emerging low-molecular weight nucleopeptide-based hydrogels: state of the art, applications, challenges and perspectives. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:4908-4921. [PMID: 35319034 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr06131c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Over the last twenty years, low-molecular weight gelators and, in particular, peptide-based hydrogels, have drawn great attention from scientists thanks to both their inherent advantages in terms of properties and their high modularity (e.g., number and nature of the amino acids). These supramolecular hydrogels originate from specific peptide self-assembly processes that can be driven, modulated and optimized via specific chemical modifications brought to the peptide sequence. Among them, the incorporation of nucleobases, another class of biomolecules well-known for their abilities to self-assemble, has recently appeared as a new promising and burgeoning approach to finely design supramolecular hydrogels. In this minireview, we would like to highlight the interest, high potential, applications and perspectives of these innovative and emerging low-molecular weight nucleopeptide-based hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Giraud
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPM, F-54000 Nancy, France.
| | | | | | | | - Loic Stefan
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPM, F-54000 Nancy, France.
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Scognamiglio PL, Platella C, Napolitano E, Musumeci D, Roviello GN. From Prebiotic Chemistry to Supramolecular Biomedical Materials: Exploring the Properties of Self-Assembling Nucleobase-Containing Peptides. Molecules 2021; 26:3558. [PMID: 34200901 PMCID: PMC8230524 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides and their synthetic analogs are a class of molecules with enormous relevance as therapeutics for their ability to interact with biomacromolecules like nucleic acids and proteins, potentially interfering with biological pathways often involved in the onset and progression of pathologies of high social impact. Nucleobase-bearing peptides (nucleopeptides) and pseudopeptides (PNAs) offer further interesting possibilities related to their nucleobase-decorated nature for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, thanks to their reported ability to target complementary DNA and RNA strands. In addition, these chimeric compounds are endowed with intriguing self-assembling properties, which are at the heart of their investigation as self-replicating materials in prebiotic chemistry, as well as their application as constituents of innovative drug delivery systems and, more generally, as novel nanomaterials to be employed in biomedicine. Herein we describe the properties of nucleopeptides, PNAs and related supramolecular systems, and summarize some of the most relevant applications of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB-CNR, via Tommaso De Amicis 95, I-80145 Naples, Italy
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Volpi S, Cancelli U, Neri M, Corradini R. Multifunctional Delivery Systems for Peptide Nucleic Acids. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:14. [PMID: 33375595 PMCID: PMC7823687 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of applications of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs)-oligonucleotide analogs with a polyamide backbone-is continuously increasing in both in vitro and cellular systems and, parallel to this, delivery systems able to bring PNAs to their targets have been developed. This review is intended to give to the readers an overview on the available carriers for these oligonucleotide mimics, with a particular emphasis on newly developed multi-component- and multifunctional vehicles which boosted PNA research in recent years. The following approaches will be discussed: (a) conjugation with carrier molecules and peptides; (b) liposome formulations; (c) polymer nanoparticles; (d) inorganic porous nanoparticles; (e) carbon based nanocarriers; and (f) self-assembled and supramolecular systems. New therapeutic strategies enabled by the combination of PNA and proper delivery systems are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roberto Corradini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (U.C.); (M.N.)
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8
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Patel R, Sarma S, Shukla A, Parmar P, Goswami D, Saraf M. Walking through the wonder years of artificial DNA: peptide nucleic acid. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:8113-8131. [PMID: 32990905 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05819-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) serves as an artificial functional analog of DNA. Being immune to enzymatic degradation and possessing strong affinity towards DNA and RNA, it is an ideal candidate for many medical and biotechnological applications that are of antisense and antigene in nature. PNAs are anticipated to have its application in DNA and RNA detection as well as quantification, to serve as antibacterial and antiviral agents, and silencing gene for developing anticancer strategies. Although, their restricted entry in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells limit their applications. In addition, aggregation of PNA in storage containers reduces the quality and quantity of functional PNA that makes it inadequate for their mass production and storage. To overcome these limitations, researchers have modified PNA either by the addition of diverse functional groups at various loci on its backbone, or by synthesizing chimeras with other moieties associated with various delivery agents that aids their entry into the cell. Here, this review article summarizes few of the structural modifications that are performed with PNA, methods used to improve their cellular uptake and shedding light on the applications of PNA in various prospects in biological sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Patel
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Sameera Sarma
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Arpit Shukla
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Paritosh Parmar
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Dweipayan Goswami
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Meenu Saraf
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
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Frenkel-Pinter M, Samanta M, Ashkenasy G, Leman LJ. Prebiotic Peptides: Molecular Hubs in the Origin of Life. Chem Rev 2020; 120:4707-4765. [PMID: 32101414 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The fundamental roles that peptides and proteins play in today's biology makes it almost indisputable that peptides were key players in the origin of life. Insofar as it is appropriate to extrapolate back from extant biology to the prebiotic world, one must acknowledge the critical importance that interconnected molecular networks, likely with peptides as key components, would have played in life's origin. In this review, we summarize chemical processes involving peptides that could have contributed to early chemical evolution, with an emphasis on molecular interactions between peptides and other classes of organic molecules. We first summarize mechanisms by which amino acids and similar building blocks could have been produced and elaborated into proto-peptides. Next, non-covalent interactions of peptides with other peptides as well as with nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, metal ions, and aromatic molecules are discussed in relation to the possible roles of such interactions in chemical evolution of structure and function. Finally, we describe research involving structural alternatives to peptides and covalent adducts between amino acids/peptides and other classes of molecules. We propose that ample future breakthroughs in origin-of-life chemistry will stem from investigations of interconnected chemical systems in which synergistic interactions between different classes of molecules emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Frenkel-Pinter
- NSF/NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, https://centerforchemicalevolution.com/.,School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Mousumi Samanta
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Gonen Ashkenasy
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Luke J Leman
- NSF/NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, https://centerforchemicalevolution.com/.,Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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Investigation of the Stereochemical-Dependent DNA and RNA Binding of Arginine-Based Nucleopeptides. Symmetry (Basel) 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/sym11040567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleopeptides represent an intriguing class of nucleic acid analogues, in which nucleobases are placed in a peptide structure. The incorporation of D- and/or L-amino acids in nucleopeptide molecules allows the investigation of the role of backbone stereochemistry in determining the formation of DNA and RNA hybrids. Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies indicated the nucleopeptide as having fully l-backbone configuration-formed stable hybrid complexes with RNA molecules. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations suggested a potential structure of the complex resulting from the interaction between the l-nucleopeptide and RNA strand. From this study, both the backbone (ionics and H-bonds) and nucleobases (pairing and π-stacking) of the chiral nucleopeptide appeared to be involved in the hybrid complex formation, highlighting the key role of the backbone stereochemistry in the formation of the nucleopeptide/RNA complexes.
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