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Meng T, Wang Z, Zhang H, Zhao Z, Huang W, Xu L, Liu M, Li J, Yan H. In Silico Investigations on the Synergistic Binding Mechanism of Functional Compounds with Beta-Lactoglobulin. Molecules 2024; 29:956. [PMID: 38474468 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29050956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Piceatannol (PIC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) are polyphenolic compounds with applications in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, but their stability is poor. β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) is a natural carrier that provides a protective effect to small molecule compounds and thus improves their stability. To elucidate the mechanism of action of EGCG, PIC, and palmitate (PLM) in binding to β-LG individually and jointly, this study applied molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations combined with in-depth analyses including noncovalent interaction (NCI) and binding free energy to investigate the binding characteristics between β-LG and compounds of PIC, EGCG, and PLM. Simulations on the binary complexes of β-LG + PIC, β-LG + EGCG, and β-LG + PLM and ternary complexes of (β-LG + PLM) + PIC, (β-LG + PLM) + EGCG, β-LG + PIC) + EGCG, and (β-LG + EGCG) + PIC were performed for comparison and characterizing the interactions between binding compounds. The results demonstrated that the co-bound PIC and EGCG showed non-beneficial effects on each other. However, the centrally located PLM was revealed to be able to adjust the binding conformation of PIC, which led to the increase in binding affinity with β-LG, thus showing a synergistic effect on the co-bound PIC. The current study of β-LG co-encapsulated PLM and PIC provides a theoretical basis and research suggestions for improving the stability of polyphenols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Meng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Wanlin Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Liucheng Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Min Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Hui Yan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
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Khurana S, Kukreti S, Kaushik M. Prospecting the cancer therapeutic edge of chitosan-based gold nanoparticles through conformation selective binding to the parallel G-quadruplex formed by short telomeric DNA sequence: A multi-spectroscopic approach. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126835. [PMID: 37709220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The biological relevance of G4 structures formed in telomere & oncogenes promoters make them extremely crucial therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Herein, we have synthesized chitosan-based gold nanoparticles (CH-Au NPs) through green method and have investigated their interaction with G4 structures formed by short telomeric sequences to evaluate their potential for targeting G4 structures. Firstly, we have characterized morphological/physical attributes of synthesized CH-Au NPs and salt dependent structural aspects of model G-rich DNA sequence, 12-mer d(T2G4)2 [TETRA] using spectroscopic and biophysical techniques. The molecular interactions between CH-Au NPs and parallel/antiparallel TETRA G4 structures were evaluated using UV-Visible, CD, Fluorescence, CD melting, DLS and Zeta potential studies. The experimental data indicated that CH-Au NPs showed strong binding interactions with Parallel TETRA G4 and provided thermal stabilization to the structure, whereas their interactions with Antiparallel TETRA G4 DNA and Ct-DNA (DNA duplex) were found to be negligible. Further, CH-Au NPs were also investigated for their selectivity aptitude for different G4 structures formed by human telomeric sequences; d(T2AG3)3 [HUM-12] and d(T2AG3)4T [HUM-25]. Our findings suggested that CH-Au NPs exhibited topology specific binding aptitude towards G4 structure, which can be utilized to inhibit/modulate crucial biological functions for potential anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Khurana
- Nano-bioconjugate Chemistry Lab, Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, Delhi, India; Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shrikant Kukreti
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Mahima Kaushik
- Nano-bioconjugate Chemistry Lab, Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
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Zhang X, Xin J, Wang Z, Wu W, Liu Y, Min Z, Xin Y, Liu B, He J, Zhang X, Xu X. Structural basis of a bi-functional malonyl-CoA reductase (MCR) from the photosynthetic green non-sulfur bacterium Roseiflexus castenholzii. mBio 2023; 14:e0323322. [PMID: 37278533 PMCID: PMC10470521 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03233-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malonyl-CoA reductase (MCR) is a NADPH-dependent bi-functional enzyme that performs alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase (CoA-acylating) activities in the N- and C-terminal fragments, respectively. It catalyzes the two-step reduction of malonyl-CoA to 3-hydroxypropionate (3-HP), a key reaction in the autotrophic CO2 fixation cycles of Chloroflexaceae green non-sulfur bacteria and the archaea Crenarchaeota. However, the structural basis underlying substrate selection, coordination, and the subsequent catalytic reactions of full-length MCR is largely unknown. For the first time, we here determined the structure of full-length MCR from the photosynthetic green non-sulfur bacterium Roseiflexus castenholzii (RfxMCR) at 3.35 Å resolution. Furthermore, we determined the crystal structures of the N- and C-terminal fragments bound with reaction intermediates NADP+ and malonate semialdehyde (MSA) at 2.0 Å and 2.3 Å, respectively, and elucidated the catalytic mechanisms using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and enzymatic analyses. Full-length RfxMCR was a homodimer of two cross-interlocked subunits, each containing four tandemly arranged short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) domains. Only the catalytic domains SDR1 and SDR3 incorporated additional secondary structures that changed with NADP+-MSA binding. The substrate, malonyl-CoA, was immobilized in the substrate-binding pocket of SDR3 through coordination with Arg1164 and Arg799 of SDR4 and the extra domain, respectively. Malonyl-CoA was successively reduced through protonation by the Tyr743-Arg746 pair in SDR3 and the catalytic triad (Thr165-Tyr178-Lys182) in SDR1 after nucleophilic attack from NADPH hydrides. IMPORTANCE The bi-functional MCR catalyzes NADPH-dependent reduction of malonyl-CoA to 3-HP, an important metabolic intermediate and platform chemical, from biomass. The individual MCR-N and MCR-C fragments, which contain the alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase (CoA-acylating) activities, respectively, have previously been structurally investigated and reconstructed into a malonyl-CoA pathway for the biosynthetic production of 3-HP. However, no structural information for full-length MCR has been available to illustrate the catalytic mechanism of this enzyme, which greatly limits our capacity to increase the 3-HP yield of recombinant strains. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of full-length MCR for the first time and elucidate the mechanisms underlying substrate selection, coordination, and catalysis in the bi-functional MCR. These findings provide a structural and mechanistic basis for enzyme engineering and biosynthetic applications of the 3-HP carbon fixation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Photosynthesis Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiyu Xin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenping Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yutong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhen Min
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yueyong Xin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingwei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and the Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Photosynthesis Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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Roslan N, Halim KBA, Bunnori NM, Aluwi MFFM, Kassim K, Ngah N. In Silico Study of Thiourea Derivatives as Potential Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors. JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL BIOPHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 22:453-472. [DOI: 10.1142/s2737416523500199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Over the years, the escalation of cancer cases has been linked to the resistance, less selectivity, and toxicity of available anticancer drugs to normal cells. Therefore, continuous efforts are necessary to find new anticancer drugs with high selectivity of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) as a therapeutic target. The EGFR-TK protein has a crucial role in cell proliferation and cancer progression. With about 30% of cancer cases involved with the protein, it has piqued the interest as a therapeutic target. The potential of theoretically designed thiourea derivatives as anticancer agents in this report was evaluated against EGFR-TK via in silico techniques, including molecular docking (AutoDock Vina), molecular dynamics simulations (GROMACS), pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness properties (SwissADME and Molinspiration). New hybrid molecules of the thiourea derivative moiety were designed in this study based on the fragment-based drug discovery and linked with diverse pharmacophoric fragments with reported anticancer potential ([Formula: see text]) and the modification of the methyl position on phenyl ring ([Formula: see text]). These fragments include pyridine, thiophene, furan, pyrrole and styrene groups. Out of 15 compounds, compound 13 displayed the most potent inhibitory activity, with the lowest binding affinity in docking of [Formula: see text]8.7 kcal/mol compared to the positive control erlotinib of [Formula: see text]6.7 kcal/mol. Our molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that molecule 13, comprising styrene and 2-methylphenyl substituents on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, showed adequate compactness, uniqueness and satisfactory stability. Subsequently, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties and drug-likeness properties also indicate that this theoretically designed inhibitor ( 13) is less toxic and contains high druggable properties. Thus, compound 13 could be promising against EGFR-TK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norashikin Roslan
- Department of Chemistry, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Research Unit for Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (RUBIC), Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Khairul Bariyyah Abd. Halim
- Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Research Unit for Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (RUBIC), Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Noraslinda Muhamad Bunnori
- Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Research Unit for Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (RUBIC), Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | | | - Karimah Kassim
- Institute of Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurziana Ngah
- Department of Chemistry, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Synthetic and Functional Materials Research Group (SYNTOF), Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia
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Yan F, Fu Z, Li G, Wang Z. In Silico Investigation of the Molecular Mechanism of PARP1 Inhibition for the Treatment of BRCA-Deficient Cancers. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041829. [PMID: 36838818 PMCID: PMC9961911 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein PARP1, which plays a crucial role in DNA repair processes, is an attractive target for cancer therapy, especially for BRCA-deficient cancers. To overcome the acquired drug resistance of PARP1, PARP1 G-quadruplex (G4) identified in the PARP1-promotor region is gaining increasing attention. Aiming to explore the molecular mechanism of PARP1 inhibition with PARP1 G4 and PARP1 as potential targets, a comparative investigation of the binding characteristics of the newly identified G4 stabilizer MTR-106, which showed modest activity against talazoparib-resistant xenograft models and the FDA-approved PARP1 inhibitor (PARPi) talazoparib, were performed through molecular simulations. Combined analyses revealed that, relative to the groove binding of talazoparib, MTR-106 induced the formation of a sandwich framework through stacking with dT1 and the capping G-pair (dG2 and dG14) of PARP1 G4 to present largely enhanced binding affinity. For the binding with PARP1, although both were located in the catalytic pocket of PARP1, MTR-106 formed more extensive interactions with the surrounding PARP1 residues compared to talazoparib, in line with its increased binding strength. Importantly, vdW interaction was recognized as a decisive factor in the bindings with PARP1 G4 and PARP1. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the ascendancy of MTR-106 over talazoparib at the atomic level and revealed that the dual targeting of PARP1 G4 and PARP1 might be pivotal for PARPi that is capable of overcoming acquired drug resistance, providing valuable information for the design and development of novel drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqin Yan
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Zhenfu Fu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Guo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
- Hainan Province Clinical Medical Center, Hainan Hospital Affiliated to Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (Z.W.)
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Interface of G-quadruplex with both stabilizing and destabilizing ligands for targeting various diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:414-427. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Min Z, Zhang X, Wu W, Xin Y, Liu M, Wang K, Zhang X, He Y, Fan C, Wang Z, Xu X. Crystal Structure of an Intramolecular Mesaconyl-Coenzyme A Transferase From the 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid Cycle of Roseiflexus castenholzii. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:923367. [PMID: 35711761 PMCID: PMC9196870 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.923367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme A (CoA) transferases catalyze reversible transfer of CoA groups from CoA-thioesters to free acids, playing important roles in the metabolism of carboxylic acids in all organisms. An intramolecular CoA transferase, Mesaconyl-CoA C1-C4 CoA transferase (MCT) was identified in the autotrophic CO2 fixation pathway, 3-hydroxypropionic acid cycle of filamentous anoxygenic phototrophs (FAPs). Different from the well-known CoA transferases that catalyze CoA transfer between two distinct substrates, MCT specifically catalyzes the reversible transformation of mesaconyl-C1-CoA to mesaconyl-C4-CoA, a key reaction intermediate for carbon fixation. However, the molecular mechanism of MCT in employing one substrate is enigmatic. Here we determined the crystal structure of MCT from a chlorosome-less FAP Roseiflexus castenholzii at 2.5 Å resolution, and characterized the catalytic mechanisms through structural analyses and molecular dynamic simulations. The structure of R. castenholzii MCT consists of a Rossmann fold larger domain and a small domain that are connected by two linkers. Two MCT subunits are cross interlocked at the linker regions to form a functional dimer in solution, in which the substrate binding pockets are located at the interface of the Rossmann fold larger domain from one subunit and the small domain from the other subunit. In the simulated binding structures, both the substrate mesaconyl-C1-CoA and product mesaconyl-C4-CoA form extensive electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions with MCT. But some differences exist in the binding mode of these two CoA analogs, Arg314’ from the second subunit of the dimer presenting dramatic conformational changes in binding with mesaconyl-C4-CoA. Together with Arg47 and one water molecule, a strictly conserved residue Asp165 are essential for catalyzing the reversible intramolecular CoA transfer reaction, through the electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions with the mesaconic tail of both the substrate and product. This study revealed a previously unrecognized mechanism for the uncommon intramolecular CoA transfer reaction, which will not only broaden the knowledge on the catalytic mechanisms of CoA transferases, but also contribute to enzyme engineering or biosynthetic applications of the 3-HP cycle for synthesis of fine chemicals and important metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Min
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenping Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yueyong Xin
- Photosynthesis Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Menghua Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kangle Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xingwei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengpeng Fan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Chengpeng Fan,
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhiguo Wang,
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Photosynthesis Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Xiaoling Xu,
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Rigo R, Groaz E, Sissi C. Polymorphic and Higher-Order G-Quadruplexes as Possible Transcription Regulators: Novel Perspectives for Future Anticancer Therapeutic Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030373. [PMID: 35337170 PMCID: PMC8950063 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past two decades, significant efforts have been put into designing small molecules to target selected genomic sites where DNA conformational rearrangements control gene expression. G-rich sequences at oncogene promoters are considered good points of intervention since, under specific environmental conditions, they can fold into non-canonical tetrahelical structures known as G-quadruplexes. However, emerging evidence points to a frequent lack of correlation between small molecule targeting of G-quadruplexes at gene promoters and the expression of the associated protein, which hampers pharmaceutical applications. The wide genomic localization of G-quadruplexes along with their highly polymorphic behavior may account for this scenario, suggesting the need for more focused drug design strategies. Here, we will summarize the G4 structural features that can be considered to fulfill this goal. In particular, by comparing a telomeric sequence with the well-characterized G-rich domain of the KIT promoter, we will address how multiple secondary structures might cooperate to control genome architecture at a higher level. If this holds true, the link between drug–DNA complex formation and the associated cellular effects will need to be revisited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Rigo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy; (R.R.); (E.G.)
- CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Elisabetta Groaz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy; (R.R.); (E.G.)
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy; (R.R.); (E.G.)
- Correspondence:
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