Poly(ADP-ribose): From chemical synthesis to drug design

The dynamic process of covalent and non-covalent PARylation in the maintenance of genome integrity: a focus on PARP inhibitors

Poly(ADP-ribosylation) (PARylation) by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) is a highly regulated process that consists of the covalent addition of polymers of ADP-ribose (PAR) through post-translational modifications of substrate proteins or non-covalent interactions with PAR via PAR binding domains and motifs, thereby reprogramming their functions. This modification is particularly known for its central role in the maintenance of genomic stability. However, how genomic integrity is controlled by an intricate interplay of covalent PARylation and non-covalent PAR binding remains largely unknown. Of importance, PARylation has caught recent attention for providing a mechanistic basis of synthetic lethality involving PARP inhibitors (PARPi), most notably in homologous recombination (HR)-deficient breast and ovarian tumors. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-cancer effect of PARPi are thought to implicate both catalytic inhibition and trapping of PARP enzymes on DNA. However, the relative contribution of each on tumor-specific cytotoxicity is still unclear. It is paramount to understand these PAR-dependent mechanisms, given that resistance to PARPi is a challenge in the clinic. Deciphering the complex interplay between covalent PARylation and non-covalent PAR binding and defining how PARP trapping and non-trapping events contribute to PARPi anti-tumour activity is essential for developing improved therapeutic strategies. With this perspective, we review the current understanding of PARylation biology in the context of the DNA damage response (DDR) and the mechanisms underlying PARPi activity and resistance.

Poly(ADP-ribose) in Condensates: The PARtnership of Phase Separation and Site-Specific Interactions

Biomolecular condensates are nonmembrane cellular compartments whose formation in many cases involves phase separation (PS). Despite much research interest in this mechanism of macromolecular self-organization, the concept of PS as applied to a live cell faces certain challenges. In this review, we discuss a basic model of PS and the role of site-specific interactions and percolation in cellular PS-related events. Using a multivalent poly(ADP-ribose) molecule as an example, which has high PS-driving potential due to its structural features, we consider how site-specific interactions and network formation are involved in the formation of phase-separated cellular condensates.

A sePARate phase? Poly(ADP-ribose) versus RNA in the organization of biomolecular condensates

Condensates are biomolecular assemblies that concentrate biomolecules without the help of membranes. They are morphologically highly versatile and may emerge via distinct mechanisms. Nucleic acids-DNA, RNA and poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) play special roles in the process of condensate organization. These polymeric scaffolds provide multiple specific and nonspecific interactions during nucleation and 'development' of macromolecular assemblages. In this review, we focus on condensates formed with PAR. We discuss to what extent the literature supports the phase separation origin of these structures. Special attention is paid to similarities and differences between PAR and RNA in the process of dynamic restructuring of condensates during their functioning.

Immediate-Early, Early, and Late Responses to DNA Double Stranded Breaks

Loss or rearrangement of genetic information can result from incorrect responses to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). The cellular responses to DSBs encompass a range of highly coordinated events designed to detect and respond appropriately to the damage, thereby preserving genomic integrity. In analogy with events occurring during viral infection, we appropriate the terms Immediate-Early, Early, and Late to describe the pre-repair responses to DSBs. A distinguishing feature of the Immediate-Early response is that the large protein condensates that form during the Early and Late response and are resolved upon repair, termed foci, are not visible. The Immediate-Early response encompasses initial lesion sensing, involving poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), KU70/80, and MRN, as well as rapid repair by so-called ‘fast-kinetic’ canonical non-homologous end joining (cNHEJ). Initial binding of PARPs and the KU70/80 complex to breaks appears to be mutually exclusive at easily ligatable DSBs that are repaired efficiently by fast-kinetic cNHEJ; a process that is PARP-, ATM-, 53BP1-, Artemis-, and resection-independent. However, at more complex breaks requiring processing, the Immediate-Early response involving PARPs and the ensuing highly dynamic PARylation (polyADP ribosylation) of many substrates may aid recruitment of both KU70/80 and MRN to DSBs. Complex DSBs rely upon the Early response, largely defined by ATM-dependent focal recruitment of many signalling molecules into large condensates, and regulated by complex chromatin dynamics. Finally, the Late response integrates information from cell cycle phase, chromatin context, and type of DSB to determine appropriate pathway choice. Critical to pathway choice is the recruitment of p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) and breast cancer associated 1 (BRCA1). However, additional factors recruited throughout the DSB response also impact upon pathway choice, although these remain to be fully characterised. The Late response somehow channels DSBs into the appropriate high-fidelity repair pathway, typically either ‘slow-kinetic’ cNHEJ or homologous recombination (HR). Loss of specific components of the DSB repair machinery results in cells utilising remaining factors to effect repair, but often at the cost of increased mutagenesis. Here we discuss the complex regulation of the Immediate-Early, Early, and Late responses to DSBs proceeding repair itself.

Inhibition of Tyrosyl-DNA Phosphodiesterase 1 by Lipophilic Pyrimidine Nucleosides

Inhibition of DNA repair enzymes tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerases 1 and 2 in the presence of pyrimidine nucleoside derivatives was studied here. New effective Tdp1 inhibitors were found in a series of nucleoside derivatives possessing 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-benzoyl-d-ribofuranose and 5-substituted uracil moieties and have half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) in the lower micromolar and submicromolar range. 2′,3′,5′-Tri-O-benzoyl-5-iodouridine manifested the strongest inhibitory effect on Tdp1 (IC₅₀ = 0.6 μM). A decrease in the number of benzoic acid residues led to a marked decline in the inhibitory activity, and pyrimidine nucleosides lacking lipophilic groups (uridine, 5-fluorouridine, 5-chlorouridine, 5-bromouridine, 5-iodouridine, and ribothymidine) did not cause noticeable inhibition of Tdp1 (IC₅₀ > 50 μM). No PARP1/2 inhibitors were found among the studied compounds (residual activity in the presence of 1 mM substances was 50–100%). Several O-benzoylated uridine and cytidine derivatives strengthened the action of topotecan on HeLa cervical cancer cells.

Synthesis of Poly(ADP-ribose) Monomer Containing 2'-O-α-D-Ribofuranosyl Adenosine

In this article, the earlier reported procedure for the synthesis of 2'-O-β-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides was extended to the synthesis of 2'-O-α-D-ribofuranosyl adenosine, a monomeric unit of poly(ADP-ribose). It consists in condensation of a small excess of 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-α,β-D-arabinofuranose activated with tin tetrachloride with 3',5'-O-tetra-isopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl-ribonucleosides in 1,2-dichloroethane. The following debenzoylation and silylation of arabinofuranosyl residue and inversion of configuration at C-2'' atom of arabinofuranosyl residue and final removal of silyl protective groups gave 2'-O-α-D-ribofuranosyl adenosine in overall 13% to 21% yield. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Emissive Synthetic Cofactors: A Highly Responsive NAD+ Analogue Reveals Biomolecular Recognition Features

Apart from its vital function as a redox cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺ ) has emerged as a crucial substrate for NAD⁺ -consuming enzymes, including poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase 1 (PARP1) and CD38/CD157. Their association with severe diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and depressions, necessitates the development of new analytical tools based on traceable NAD⁺ surrogates. Here, the synthesis, photophysics and biochemical utilization of an emissive, thieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine-based NAD⁺ surrogate, termed N^th AD⁺ , are described. Its preparation was accomplished by enzymatic conversion of synthetic ^th ATP by nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT1). The new NAD⁺ analogue possesses useful photophysical features including redshifted absorption and emission maxima as well as a relatively high quantum yield. Serving as a versatile substrate, N^th AD⁺ was reduced by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to N^th ADH and afforded ^th ADP-ribose (^th ADPr) upon hydrolysis by NAD⁺ -nucleosidase (NADase). Furthermore, N^th AD⁺ was engaged in cholera toxin A (CTA)-catalyzed mono(^th ADP-ribosyl)ation, but was found incapable in promoting PARP1-mediated poly(^th ADP-ribosyl)ation. Due to its high photophysical responsiveness, N^th AD⁺ is suited for spectroscopic real-time monitoring. Intriguingly, and as an N7-lacking NAD⁺ surrogate, the thieno-based cofactor showed reduced compatibility (i.e., functional similarity compared to native NAD⁺ ) relative to its isothiazolo-based analogue. The distinct tolerance, displayed by diverse NAD⁺ producing and consuming enzymes, suggests unique biological recognition features and dependency on the purine N7 moiety, which is found to be of importance, if not essential, for PARP1-mediated reactions.

A role for 3'-O-β-D-ribofuranosyladenosine in altering plant immunity

Our understanding of how, and the extent to which, phytopathogens reconfigure host metabolic pathways to enhance virulence is remarkably limited. Here we investigate the dynamics of the natural disaccharide nucleoside, 3'-O-β-D-ribofuranosyladenosine, in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana infected with virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000. 3'-O-β-D-ribofuranosyladenosine is a plant derived molecule that rapidly accumulates following delivery of P. syringae type III effectors to represent a major component of the infected leaf metabolome. We report the first synthesis of 3'-O-β-D-ribofuranosyladenosine using a method involving the condensation of a small excess of 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-three-O-benzoyl-β-ribofuranose activated with tin tetrachloride with 2',5'-di-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyladenosine in 1,2-dichloroethane with further removal of silyl and benzoyl protecting groups. Interestingly, application of synthetic 3'-O-β-D-ribofuranosyladenosine did not affect either bacterial multiplication or infection dynamics suggesting a major reconfiguration of metabolism during pathogenesis and a heavy metabolic burden on the infected plant.

ADP-ribosyl-N₃: A Versatile Precursor for Divergent Syntheses of ADP-ribosylated Compounds

Adenosine diphosphate-ribose (ADP-ribose) and its derivatives play important roles in a series of complex physiological procedures. The design and synthesis of artificial ADP-ribosylated compounds is an efficient way to develop valuable chemical biology tools and discover new drug candidates. However, the synthesis of ADP-ribosylated compounds is currently difficult due to structural complexity, easily broken pyrophosphate bond and high hydrophilicity. In this paper, ADP-ribosyl-N₃ was designed and synthesized for the first time. With ADP-ribosyl-N₃ as the key precursor, a divergent post-modification strategy was developed to prepare structurally diverse ADP-ribosylated compounds including novel nucleotides and peptides bearing ADP-ribosyl moieties.