1
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Richl T, Kuper J, Kisker C. G-quadruplex-mediated genomic instability drives SNVs in cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2198-2211. [PMID: 38407356 PMCID: PMC10954472 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae098] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4s) DNA structures have been implicated in inducing genomic instability and contributing to cancer development. However, the relationship between G4s and cancer-related single nucleotide variants (cSNVs) in clinical settings remains unclear. In this large-scale study, we integrated experimentally validated G4s with genomic cSNVs from 13480 cancer patients to investigate the spatial association of G4s with the cellular cSNV landscape. Our findings demonstrate an increase in local genomic instability with increasing local G4 content in cancer patients, suggesting a potential role for G4s in driving cSNVs. Notably, we observed distinct spatial patterns of cSNVs and common single nucleotide variants (dbSNVs) in relation to G4s, implying different mechanisms for their generation and accumulation. We further demonstrate large, cancer-specific differences in the relationship of G4s and cSNVs, which could have important implications for a new class of G4-stabilizing cancer therapeutics. Moreover, we show that high G4-content can serve as a prognostic marker for local cSNV density and patient survival rates. Our findings underscore the importance of considering G4s in cancer research and highlight the need for further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms of G4-mediated genomic instability, especially in the context of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilmann Richl
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Jochen Kuper
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Caroline Kisker
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97080, Germany
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2
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Andreeva DV, Vedekhina TS, Gostev AS, Dezhenkova LG, Volodina YL, Markova AA, Nguyen MT, Ivanova OM, Dolgusheva VА, Varizhuk AM, Tikhomirov AS, Shchekotikhin AE. Thiadiazole-, selenadiazole- and triazole-fused anthraquinones as G-quadruplex targeting anticancer compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116222. [PMID: 38387333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116222] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) ligands attract considerable attention as potential anticancer therapeutics. In this study we proposed an original scheme for synthesis of azole-fused anthraquinones and prepared a series of G4 ligands carrying amino- or guanidinoalkylamino side chains. The heterocyclic core and structure of the terminal groups strongly affect on binding to G4-forming oligonucleotides, cellular accumulation and antitumor potency of compounds. In particular, thiadiazole- and selenadiazole- but not triazole-based ligands inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells (e.g. K562 leukemia) and stabilize primarily telomeric and c-MYC G4s. Anthraselenadiazole derivative 11a showed a good affinity to c-MYC G4 in vitro and down-regulated expression of c-MYC oncogene in cellular conditions. Further studies revealed that anthraselenadiazole 11a provoked cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner inhibiting K562 cells growth. Taken together, this work gives a valuable example that the closely related heterocycles may cause a significant difference in biological properties of G4 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria V Andreeva
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya Street, Moscow, 119021, Russia
| | - Tatiana S Vedekhina
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physico-Chemical Medicine, Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, Russia; Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA - Russian Technological University, 119571, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander S Gostev
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya Street, Moscow, 119021, Russia; Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, 125047, Moscow, Miusskaya square, 9, Russia
| | - Lyubov G Dezhenkova
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya Street, Moscow, 119021, Russia
| | - Yulia L Volodina
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya Street, Moscow, 119021, Russia; Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoye Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - Alina A Markova
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygin Street, 4, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Minh Tuan Nguyen
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygin Street, 4, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Olga M Ivanova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physico-Chemical Medicine, Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, Russia
| | - Vladislava А Dolgusheva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physico-Chemical Medicine, Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, Russia; Department of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Anna M Varizhuk
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physico-Chemical Medicine, Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, Russia; Department of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia
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3
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Geng Y, Liu C, Xu N, Shi X, Suen MC, Zhou B, Yan B, Wu C, Li H, Song Y, Chen X, Wang Z, Cai Q, Zhu G. The N-terminal region of Cdc6 specifically recognizes human DNA G-quadruplex. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129487. [PMID: 38237821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129487] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Guanine (G)-rich nucleic acid sequences can form diverse G-quadruplex structures located in functionally significant genome regions, exerting regulatory control over essential biological processes, including DNA replication in vivo. During the initiation of DNA replication, Cdc6 is recruited by the origin recognition complex (ORC) to target specific chromosomal DNA sequences. This study reveals that human Cdc6 interacts with G-quadruplex structure through a distinct region within the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR), encompassing residues 7-20. The binding region assumes a hook-type conformation, as elucidated by the NMR solution structure in complex with htel21T18. Significantly, mutagenesis and in vivo investigations confirm the highly specific nature of Cdc6's recognition of G-quadruplex. This research enhances our understanding of the fundamental mechanism governing the interaction between G-quadruplex and the N-terminal IDR region of Cdc6, shedding light on the intricate regulation of DNA replication processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Geng
- Clinical Research Institute of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China; Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Changdong Liu
- Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Naining Xu
- Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Xiao Shi
- Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Monica Ching Suen
- Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Bo Zhou
- Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Bing Yan
- Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Caiming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hui Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Department of Genetics, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanjian Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Department of Genetics, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueqin Chen
- Clinical Research Institute of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhanxiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Neuroscience, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qixu Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Guang Zhu
- Institute for Advanced Study and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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4
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Guo L, Bao Y, Zhao Y, Ren Z, Bi L, Zhang X, Liu C, Hou X, Wang MD, Sun B. Joint Efforts of Replicative Helicase and SSB Ensure Inherent Replicative Tolerance of G-Quadruplex. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307696. [PMID: 38126671 PMCID: PMC10916570 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) is a four-stranded noncanonical DNA structure that has long been recognized as a potential hindrance to DNA replication. However, how replisomes effectively deal with G4s to avoid replication failure is still obscure. Here, using single-molecule and ensemble approaches, the consequence of the collision between bacteriophage T7 replisome and an intramolecular G4 located on either the leading or lagging strand is examined. It is found that the adjacent fork junctions induced by G4 formation incur the binding of T7 DNA polymerase (DNAP). In addition to G4, these inactive DNAPs present insuperable obstacles, impeding the progression of DNA synthesis. Nevertheless, T7 helicase can dismantle them and resolve lagging-strand G4s, paving the way for the advancement of the replication fork. Moreover, with the assistance of the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) gp2.5, T7 helicase is also capable of maintaining a leading-strand G4 structure in an unfolded state, allowing for a fraction of T7 DNAPs to synthesize through without collapse. These findings broaden the functional repertoire of a replicative helicase and underscore the inherent G4 tolerance of a replisome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Guo
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Yanling Bao
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Yilin Zhao
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Zhiyun Ren
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Lulu Bi
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Xia Zhang
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai201210China
| | - Xi‐Miao Hou
- College of Life SciencesNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxi712100China
| | - Michelle D. Wang
- Department of Physics, Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State PhysicsCornell UniversityIthacaNY14853USA
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteCornell UniversityIthacaNY14853USA
| | - Bo Sun
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
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5
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Li ML, Dai LT, Gao ZY, Yan JT, Xu SM, Tan JH, Huang ZS, Chen SB, Chen XC. Discovery of Novel Coumarin-quinolinium Derivatives as Pan-KRAS Translation Inhibitors by Targeting 5'-UTR RNA G-Quadruplexes. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1961-1981. [PMID: 38272464 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Hyperactivated KRAS mutations fuel tumorigenesis and represent attractive targets for cancer treatment. While covalent inhibitors have shown clinical benefits against the KRASG12C mutant, advancements for non-G12C mutants remain limited, highlighting the urgent demand for pan-KRAS inhibitors. RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) in the 5'-untranslated region of KRAS mRNA can regulate KRAS translation, making them promising targets for pan-KRAS inhibitor development. Herein, we designed and synthesized 50 novel coumarin-quinolinium derivatives, leveraging our previously developed rG4-specific ligand, QUMA-1. Notably, several compounds exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against cancer cells as pan-KRAS translation inhibitors. Among them, 15a displayed exceptional capability in stabilizing KRAS rG4s, suppressing KRAS translation, and consequently modulating MAPK and PI3K-AKT pathways. 15a induced cell cycle arrest, prompted apoptosis in KRAS-driven cancer cells, and effectively inhibited tumor growth in a KRAS mutant xenograft model. These findings underscore the potential of 15a as a pan-KRAS translation inhibitor, offering a novel and promising approach to target various KRAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Lin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Le-Tian Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Zhuo-Yu Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Jia-Tong Yan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Shu-Min Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Shuo-Bin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Xiu-Cai Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
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6
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Castellano CM, Lacroix L, Mathis E, Prorok P, Hennion M, Lopez-Rubio JJ, Méchali M, Gomes A. The genetic landscape of origins of replication in P. falciparum. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:660-676. [PMID: 38038269 PMCID: PMC10810204 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1103] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Various origin mapping approaches have enabled genome-wide identification of origins of replication (ORI) in model organisms, but only a few studies have focused on divergent organisms. By employing three complementary approaches we provide a high-resolution map of ORIs in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest human malaria parasite. We profiled the distribution of origin of recognition complex (ORC) binding sites by ChIP-seq of two PfORC subunits and mapped active ORIs using NFS and SNS-seq. We show that ORIs lack sequence specificity but are not randomly distributed, and group in clusters. Licensing is biased towards regions of higher GC content and associated with G-quadruplex forming sequences (G4FS). While strong transcription likely enhances firing, active origins are depleted from transcription start sites. Instead, most accumulate in transcriptionally active gene bodies. Single molecule analysis of nanopore reads containing multiple initiation events, which could have only come from individual nuclei, showed a relationship between the replication fork pace and the distance to the nearest origin. While some similarities were drawn with the canonic eukaryote model, the distribution of ORIs in P. falciparum is likely shaped by unique genomic features such as extreme AT-richness-a product of evolutionary pressure imposed by the parasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laurent Lacroix
- Institut de Biologie de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Emilie Mathis
- LPHI, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Paulina Prorok
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, 34396 Montpellier, France
| | - Magali Hennion
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013 Paris, France
| | | | - Marcel Méchali
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, 34396 Montpellier, France
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- LPHI, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France
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7
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Satapathy SN, Nial PS, Tulsiyan KD, Subudhi U. Light rare earth elements stabilize G-quadruplex structure in variants of human telomeric sequences. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127703. [PMID: 37918592 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127703] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Recently, light rare earth elements (LREEs) are gaining importance in modern-day technologies. Thus, the entry of LREEs into biochemical pathways cannot be ignored, which might affect the conformation of biomacromolecules. Herein, for the first time, we discover the G-quadruplex formation in the human telomeric variants in presence of micromolar concentrations of LREEs. Thermal melting show that the LREE-induced unimolecular G-quadruplex structure. Isothermal titration calorimetry, UV-vis, and CD spectroscopy results suggest the binding stoichiometry of lanthanide ions to telomeric variants is 2:1. The data confirms that the LREE ions coordinate between adjacent G-quartets. The excess LREE ions are most likely binding to quadruplex loops. The CD spectra revealed that the LREE-induced quadruplex in human telomere and its variant have antiparallel orientation. The binding equilibria of LREEs have been studied both in the presence and absence of competing metal cations. Addition of LREEs to the Na+ or K+-induced G-quadruplexes led to conformational change, which may be ascribed to the displacement of K+ or Na+ ions by LREE ions and formation of a more compact LREE-induced G-quadruplex structure in human telomeric variant. Moreover, the thymine in the central loop of the human telomeric sequence stabilizes LREE induced G-quadruplex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampat N Satapathy
- DNA Nanotechnology & Application Laboratory, Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar 751013, Odisha, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Partha S Nial
- DNA Nanotechnology & Application Laboratory, Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar 751013, Odisha, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Kiran D Tulsiyan
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education & Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Umakanta Subudhi
- DNA Nanotechnology & Application Laboratory, Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar 751013, Odisha, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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8
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Kumar A, Kamuju V, Vivekanandan P. RNA G-quadruplexes inhibit translation of the PE/PPE transcripts in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105567. [PMID: 38103641 PMCID: PMC10801317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105567] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) in bacteria remains poorly understood. High G-quadruplex densities have been linked to organismal stress. Here we investigate rG4s in mycobacteria, which survive highly stressful conditions within the host. We show that rG4-enrichment is a unique feature exclusive to slow-growing pathogenic mycobacteria, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transcripts contain an abundance of folded rG4s. Notably, the PE/PPE family of genes, unique to slow-growing pathogenic mycobacteria, contain over 50% of rG4s within Mtb transcripts. We found that RNA oligonucleotides of putative rG4s in PE/PPE genes form G-quadruplex structures in vitro, which are stabilized by the G-quadruplex ligand BRACO19. Furthermore, BRACO19 inhibits the transcription of PE/PPE genes and selectively suppresses the growth of Mtb but not Mycobacterium smegmatis or other rapidly growing bacteria. Importantly, the stabilization of rG4s inhibits the translation of Mtb PE/PPE genes (PPE56, PPE67, PPE68, PE_PGRS39, and PE_PGRS41) ectopically expressed in M. smegmatis or Escherichia coli. In addition, the rG4-mediated reduction in PE/PPE protein levels attenuates proinflammatory response upon infection of THP-1 cells. Our findings shed new light on the regulation of PE/PPE genes and highlight a pivotal role for rG4s in Mtb transcripts as regulators of post-transcriptional translational control. The rG4s in mycobacterial transcripts may represent potential drug targets for newer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinay Kamuju
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Perumal Vivekanandan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.
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9
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Dabral P, Uppal T, Verma SC. G-quadruplexes of KSHV oriLyt play important roles in promoting lytic DNA replication. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0531622. [PMID: 37800915 PMCID: PMC10714766 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05316-22] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Biological processes originating from the DNA and RNA can be regulated by the secondary structures present in the stretch of nucleic acids, and the G-quadruplexes are shown to regulate transcription, translation, and replication. In this study, we identified the presence of multiple G-quadruplex sites in the region (oriLyt) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA, which is essential for DNA replication during the lytic cycle. We demonstrated the roles of these G-quadruplexes through multiple biochemical and biophysical assays in controlling replication and efficient virus production. We demonstrated that KSHV achieves this by recruiting RecQ1 (helicase) at those G-quadruplex sites for efficient viral DNA replication. Analysis of the replicated DNA through nucleoside labeling and immunostaining showed a reduced initiation of DNA replication in cells with a pharmacologic stabilizer of G-quadruplexes. Overall, this study confirmed the role of the G-quadruplex in regulating viral DNA replication, which can be exploited for controlling viral DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna Dabral
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Timsy Uppal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Subhash C. Verma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
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10
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Lee CSK, Weiβ M, Hamperl S. Where and when to start: Regulating DNA replication origin activity in eukaryotic genomes. Nucleus 2023; 14:2229642. [PMID: 37469113 PMCID: PMC10361152 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2023.2229642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotic genomes, hundreds to thousands of potential start sites of DNA replication named origins are dispersed across each of the linear chromosomes. During S-phase, only a subset of origins is selected in a stochastic manner to assemble bidirectional replication forks and initiate DNA synthesis. Despite substantial progress in our understanding of this complex process, a comprehensive 'identity code' that defines origins based on specific nucleotide sequences, DNA structural features, the local chromatin environment, or 3D genome architecture is still missing. In this article, we review the genetic and epigenetic features of replication origins in yeast and metazoan chromosomes and highlight recent insights into how this flexibility in origin usage contributes to nuclear organization, cell growth, differentiation, and genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare S K Lee
- Chromosome Dynamics and Genome Stability, Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Weiβ
- Chromosome Dynamics and Genome Stability, Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Hamperl
- Chromosome Dynamics and Genome Stability, Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
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11
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Kaur B, Sharma P, Arora P, Sood V. QUFIND: tool for comparative prediction and mining of G4 quadruplexes overlapping with CpG islands. Front Genet 2023; 14:1265808. [PMID: 37953924 PMCID: PMC10634401 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1265808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are secondary structures in DNA that have been shown to be involved in gene regulation. They play a vital role in the cellular processes and several pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and viruses have also been shown to possess G4s that help them in their pathogenesis. Additionally, cross-talk among the CpG islands and G4s has been shown to influence biological processes. The virus-encoded G4s are affected by the mutational landscape leading to the formation/deletion of these G4s. Therefore, understanding and predicting these multivariate effects on traditional and non-traditional quadruplexes forms an important area of research, that is, yet to be investigated. We have designed a user-friendly webserver QUFIND (http://soodlab.com/qufinder/) that can predict traditional as well as non-traditional quadruplexes in a given sequence. QUFIND is connected with ENSEMBL and NCBI so that the sequences can be fetched in a real-time manner. The algorithm is designed in such a way that the user is provided with multiple options to customize the base (A, T, G, or C), size of the stem (2-5), loop length (1-30), number of bulges (1-5) as well as the number of mismatches (0-2) enabling the identification of any of the secondary structure as per their interest. QUFIND is designed to predict both CpG islands as well as G4s in a given sequence. Since G4s are very short as compared to the CpG islands, hence, QUFIND can also predict the overlapping G4s within CpG islands. Therefore, the user has the flexibility to identify either overlapping or non-overlapping G4s along with the CpG islands. Additionally, one section of QUFIND is dedicated to comparing the G4s in two viral sequences. The visualization is designed in such a manner that the user is able to see the unique quadruplexes in both the input sequences. The efficiency of QUFIND is calculated on G4s obtained from G4 high throughput sequencing data (n = 1000) or experimentally validated G4s (n = 329). Our results revealed that QUFIND is able to predict G4-quadruplexes obtained from G4-sequencing data with 90.06% prediction accuracy whereas experimentally validated quadruplexes were predicted with 97.26% prediction accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baljeet Kaur
- Department of Computer Science, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Malka Ganj, India
| | - Priya Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, Delhi, India
| | - Pooja Arora
- Department of Zoology, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Malka Ganj, India
| | - Vikas Sood
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, Delhi, India
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12
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Yuan J, He X, Wang Y. G-quadruplex DNA contributes to RNA polymerase II-mediated 3D chromatin architecture. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8434-8446. [PMID: 37427784 PMCID: PMC10484665 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
High-order chromatin organization plays an important role in biological processes and disease development. Previous studies revealed a widespread occurrence of guanine quadruplex (G4) structures in the human genome, with enrichment in gene regulatory regions, especially in promoters. However, it remains unclear whether G4 structures contribute to RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-mediated long-range DNA interactions and transcription activity. In this study, we conducted an intuitive overlapping analysis of previously published RNAPII ChIA-PET (chromatin interaction analysis with paired-end tag) and BG4 ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing using a G4 structure-specific antibody) data. We observed a strong positive correlation between RNAPII-linked DNA loops and G4 structures in chromatin. Additionally, our RNAPII HiChIP-seq (in situ Hi-C followed by ChIP-seq) results showed that treatment of HepG2 cells with pyridostatin (PDS), a small-molecule G4-binding ligand, could diminish RNAPII-linked long-range DNA contacts, with more pronounced diminutions being observed for those contacts involving G4 structure loci. RNA sequencing data revealed that PDS treatment modulates the expression of not only genes with G4 structures in their promoters, but also those with promoters being connected with distal G4s through RNAPII-linked long-range DNA interactions. Together, our data substantiate the function of DNA G4s in RNAPII-associated DNA looping and transcription regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yuan
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521-0403, USA
| | - Xiaomei He
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521-0403, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521-0403, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521-0403, USA
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13
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Zhong HS, Dong MJ, Gao F. G4Bank: A database of experimentally identified DNA G-quadruplex sequences. Interdiscip Sci 2023; 15:515-523. [PMID: 37389723 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-023-00577-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4), a non-canonical nucleic acid structure, has been suggested to play a key role in important cellular processes including transcription, replication and cancer development. Recently, high-throughput sequencing approaches for G4 detection have provided a large amount of experimentally identified G4 data that reveal genome-wide G4 landscapes and enable the development of new methods for predicting potential G4s from sequences. Although several existing databases provide G4 experimental data and relevant biological information from different perspectives, there is no dedicated database to collect and analyze DNA G4 experimental data genome-widely. Here, we constructed G4Bank, a database of experimentally identified DNA G-quadruplex sequences. A total of 6,915,983 DNA G4s were collected from 13 organisms, and state-of-the-art prediction methods were performed to filter and analyze the G4 data. Therefore, G4Bank will facilitate users to access comprehensive G4 experimental data and enable sequence feature analysis of G4 for further investigation. The database of the experimentally identified DNA G-quadruplex sequences can be accessed at http://tubic.tju.edu.cn/g4bank/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Sheng Zhong
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Mei-Jing Dong
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China.
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14
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Esnault C, Magat T, Zine El Aabidine A, Garcia-Oliver E, Cucchiarini A, Bouchouika S, Lleres D, Goerke L, Luo Y, Verga D, Lacroix L, Feil R, Spicuglia S, Mergny JL, Andrau JC. G4access identifies G-quadruplexes and their associations with open chromatin and imprinting control regions. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1359-1369. [PMID: 37400615 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Metazoan promoters are enriched in secondary DNA structure-forming motifs, such as G-quadruplexes (G4s). Here we describe 'G4access', an approach to isolate and sequence G4s associated with open chromatin via nuclease digestion. G4access is antibody- and crosslinking-independent and enriches for computationally predicted G4s (pG4s), most of which are confirmed in vitro. Using G4access in human and mouse cells, we identify cell-type-specific G4 enrichment correlated with nucleosome exclusion and promoter transcription. G4access allows measurement of variations in G4 repertoire usage following G4 ligand treatment, HDAC and G4 helicases inhibitors. Applying G4access to cells from reciprocal hybrid mouse crosses suggests a role for G4s in the control of active imprinting regions. Consistently, we also observed that G4access peaks are unmethylated, while methylation at pG4s correlates with nucleosome repositioning on DNA. Overall, our study provides a new tool for studying G4s in cellular dynamics and highlights their association with open chromatin, transcription and their antagonism to DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Esnault
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - Talha Magat
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - Amal Zine El Aabidine
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - Encar Garcia-Oliver
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Cucchiarini
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Soumya Bouchouika
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - David Lleres
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - Lutz Goerke
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - Yu Luo
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Curie, Orsay, France
| | - Daniela Verga
- Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Curie, Orsay, France
| | - Laurent Lacroix
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, CNRS UMR8197, Inserm U1024, Paris, France
| | - Robert Feil
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
| | - Salvatore Spicuglia
- Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, TAGC, UMR 1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Andrau
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Montpellier, France.
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15
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Pavlova I, Iudin M, Surdina A, Severov V, Varizhuk A. G-Quadruplexes in Nuclear Biomolecular Condensates. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051076. [PMID: 37239436 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051076] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) have long been implicated in the regulation of chromatin packaging and gene expression. These processes require or are accelerated by the separation of related proteins into liquid condensates on DNA/RNA matrices. While cytoplasmic G4s are acknowledged scaffolds of potentially pathogenic condensates, the possible contribution of G4s to phase transitions in the nucleus has only recently come to light. In this review, we summarize the growing evidence for the G4-dependent assembly of biomolecular condensates at telomeres and transcription initiation sites, as well as nucleoli, speckles, and paraspeckles. The limitations of the underlying assays and the remaining open questions are outlined. We also discuss the molecular basis for the apparent permissive role of G4s in the in vitro condensate assembly based on the interactome data. To highlight the prospects and risks of G4-targeting therapies with respect to the phase transitions, we also touch upon the reported effects of G4-stabilizing small molecules on nuclear biomolecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliia Pavlova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Mikhail Iudin
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Surdina
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vjacheslav Severov
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Varizhuk
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
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16
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Wang G, Vasquez KM. Dynamic alternative DNA structures in biology and disease. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:211-234. [PMID: 36316397 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00539-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive elements in the human genome, once considered 'junk DNA', are now known to adopt more than a dozen alternative (that is, non-B) DNA structures, such as self-annealed hairpins, left-handed Z-DNA, three-stranded triplexes (H-DNA) or four-stranded guanine quadruplex structures (G4 DNA). These dynamic conformations can act as functional genomic elements involved in DNA replication and transcription, chromatin organization and genome stability. In addition, recent studies have revealed a role for these alternative structures in triggering error-generating DNA repair processes, thereby actively enabling genome plasticity. As a driving force for genetic variation, non-B DNA structures thus contribute to both disease aetiology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guliang Wang
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Paediatric Research Institute, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Karen M Vasquez
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Paediatric Research Institute, Austin, TX, USA.
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17
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Hu Y, Stillman B. Origins of DNA replication in eukaryotes. Mol Cell 2023; 83:352-372. [PMID: 36640769 PMCID: PMC9898300 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Errors occurring during DNA replication can result in inaccurate replication, incomplete replication, or re-replication, resulting in genome instability that can lead to diseases such as cancer or disorders such as autism. A great deal of progress has been made toward understanding the entire process of DNA replication in eukaryotes, including the mechanism of initiation and its control. This review focuses on the current understanding of how the origin recognition complex (ORC) contributes to determining the location of replication initiation in the multiple chromosomes within eukaryotic cells, as well as methods for mapping the location and temporal patterning of DNA replication. Origin specification and configuration vary substantially between eukaryotic species and in some cases co-evolved with gene-silencing mechanisms. We discuss the possibility that centromeres and origins of DNA replication were originally derived from a common element and later separated during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Hu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Bruce Stillman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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18
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Pavlova I, Barinov N, Novikov R, Severov V, Iudin M, Vedekhina T, Larin A, Babenko V, Aralov A, Gnuchikh E, Sardushkin M, Klinov D, Tsvetkov V, Varizhuk A. Modeling G4s in chromatin context confirms partial nucleosome exclusion and reveals nucleosome-disrupting effects of the least selective G4 ligands. Biochimie 2023; 204:8-21. [PMID: 36063975 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.08.016] [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: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are gaining increasing attention as possible regulators of chromatin packaging, and robust approaches to their studies in pseudo-native context are much needed. Here, we designed a simple in vitro model of G4-prone genomic DNA and employed it to elucidate the impact of G4s and G4-stabilizing ligands on nucleosome occupancy. We obtained two 226-bp dsDNA constructs composed of the strong nucleosome positioning sequence and an internucleosomal DNA-imitating tail. The tail was G4-free in the control construct and harbored a "strong" (stable) G4 motif in the construct of interest. An additional "weak" (semi-stable) G4 motif was found within the canonical nucleosome positioning sequence. Both G4s were confirmed by optical methods and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Electrophoretic mobility assays showed that the weak G4 motif did not obstruct nucleosome assembly, while the strong G4 motif in the tail sequence diminished nucleosome yield. Atomic force microscopy data and molecular modeling confirmed that the strong G4 was maintained in the tail of the correctly assembled nucleosome structure. Using both in vitro and in silico models, we probed three known G4 ligands and detected nucleosome-disrupting effects of the least selective ligand. Our results are in line with the negative correlation between stable G4s and nucleosome density, support G4 tolerance between regularly positioned nucleosomes, and highlight the importance of considering chromatin context when targeting genomic G4s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliia Pavlova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Russia
| | - Nikolay Barinov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Roman Novikov
- Engenlhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow, 119991, Russia; N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Moscow, 19991, Russia
| | - Vjacheslav Severov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Mikhail Iudin
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Russia
| | - Tatiana Vedekhina
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Andrey Larin
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Vladislav Babenko
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Andrey Aralov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Evgeny Gnuchikh
- National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, Kurchatov Genomic Center, Moscow, 123182, Russia
| | - Makar Sardushkin
- Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, 125047, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Klinov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Tsvetkov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Institute of Biodesign and Complex System Modeling, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, 119991, Russia; A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Leninsky Prospect Str. 29, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Anna Varizhuk
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Russia; Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russia.
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19
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Structural Polymorphism of Guanine Quadruplex-Containing Regions in Human Promoters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416020. [PMID: 36555662 PMCID: PMC9786302 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Intramolecular guanine quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures formed by four guanine (G)-rich tracts that assemble into a core of stacked planar tetrads. G4-forming DNA sequences are enriched in gene promoters and are implicated in the control of gene expression. Most G4-forming DNA contains more G residues than can simultaneously be incorporated into the core resulting in a variety of different possible G4 structures. Although this kind of structural polymorphism is well recognized in the literature, there remain unanswered questions regarding possible connections between G4 polymorphism and biological function. Here we report a detailed bioinformatic survey of G4 polymorphism in human gene promoter regions. Our analysis is based on identifying G4-containing regions (G4CRs), which we define as stretches of DNA in which every residue can form part of a G4. We found that G4CRs with higher degrees of polymorphism are more tightly clustered near transcription sites and tend to contain G4s with shorter loops and bulges. Furthermore, we found that G4CRs with well-characterized biological functions tended to be longer and more polymorphic than genome-wide averages. These results represent new evidence linking G4 polymorphism to biological function and provide new criteria for identifying biologically relevant G4-forming regions from genomic data.
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20
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Bazzicalupi C, Bonardi A, Biver T, Ferraroni M, Papi F, Savastano M, Lombardi P, Gratteri P. Probing the Efficiency of 13-Pyridylalkyl Berberine Derivatives to Human Telomeric G-Quadruplexes Binding: Spectroscopic, Solid State and In Silico Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214061. [PMID: 36430540 PMCID: PMC9693123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214061] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the series of berberine derivatives 1-5 (NAX071, NAX120, NAX075, NAX077 and NAX079) and human telomeric G-quadruplexes (G4), which are able to inhibit the Telomerase enzyme's activity in malignant cells, was investigated. The derivatives bear a pyridine moiety connected by a hydrocarbon linker of varying length (n = 1-5, with n number of aliphatic carbon atoms) to the C13 position of the parent berberine. As for the G4s, both bimolecular 5'-TAGGGTTAGGGT-3' (Tel12) and monomolecular 5'-TAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGG-3' (Tel23) DNA oligonucleotides were considered. Spectrophotometric titrations, melting tests, X-ray diffraction solid state analysis and in silico molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to describe the different systems. The results were compared in search of structure-activity relationships. The analysis pointed out the formation of 1:1 complexes between Tel12 and all ligands, whereas both 1:1 and 2:1 ligand/G4 stoichiometries were found for the adduct formed by NAX071 (n = 1). Tel12, with tetrads free from the hindrance by the loop, showed a higher affinity. The details of the different binding geometries were discussed, highlighting the importance of H-bonds given by the berberine benzodioxole group and a correlation between the strength of binding and the hydrocarbon linker length. Theoretical (MD) and experimental (X-ray) structural studies evidence the possibility for the berberine core to interact with one or both G4 strands, depending on the constraints given by the linker length, thus affecting the G4 stabilization effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Bazzicalupi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Firenze, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (P.G.)
| | - Alessandro Bonardi
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, Department NEUROFARBA—Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Tarita Biver
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Ferraroni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Papi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Firenze, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, Department NEUROFARBA—Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Matteo Savastano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Paolo Lombardi
- Naxospharma srl, Via G. Di Vittorio 70, Novate Milanese, 20026 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Gratteri
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, Department NEUROFARBA—Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Firenze, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (P.G.)
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21
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Episomes and Transposases-Utilities to Maintain Transgene Expression from Nonviral Vectors. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101872. [PMID: 36292757 PMCID: PMC9601623 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficient delivery and stable transgene expression are critical for applications in gene therapy. While carefully selected and engineered viral vectors allowed for remarkable clinical successes, they still bear significant safety risks. Thus, nonviral vectors are a sound alternative and avoid genotoxicity and adverse immunological reactions. Nonviral vector systems have been extensively studied and refined during the last decades. Emerging knowledge of the epigenetic regulation of replication and spatial chromatin organisation, as well as new technologies, such as Crispr/Cas, were employed to enhance the performance of different nonviral vector systems. Thus, nonviral vectors are in focus and hold some promising perspectives for future applications in gene therapy. This review addresses three prominent nonviral vector systems: the Sleeping Beauty transposase, S/MAR-based episomes, and viral plasmid replicon-based EBV vectors. Exemplarily, we review different utilities, modifications, and new concepts that were pursued to overcome limitations regarding stable transgene expression and mitotic stability. New insights into the nuclear localisation of nonviral vector molecules and the potential consequences thereof are highlighted. Finally, we discuss the remaining limitations and provide an outlook on possible future developments in nonviral vector technology.
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22
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Savva L, Fossépré M, Keramidas O, Themistokleous A, Rizeq N, Panagiotou N, Leclercq M, Nicolaidou E, Surin M, Hayes SC, Georgiades SN. Gaining Insights on the Interactions of a Class of Decorated (2-([2,2'-Bipyridin]-6-yl)phenyl)platinum Compounds with c-Myc Oncogene Promoter G-Quadruplex and Other DNA Structures. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201497. [PMID: 35726630 PMCID: PMC9804160 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Organometallic molecules offer some of the most promising scaffolds for interaction with G-quadruplex nucleic acids. We report the efficient synthesis of a family of organoplatinum(II) complexes, featuring a 2-([2,2'-bipyridin]-6-yl)phenyl tridentate (N∧ N∧ C) ligand, that incorporates peripheral side-chains aiming at enhancing and diversifying its interaction capabilities. These include a di-isopropyl carbamoyl amide, a morpholine ethylenamide, two enantiomeric proline imides and an oxazole. The binding affinities of the Pt-complexes were evaluated via UV-vis and fluorescence titrations, against 5 topologically-distinct DNA structures, including c-myc G-quadruplex, two telomeric (22AG) G-quadruplexes, a duplex (ds26) and a single-stranded (polyT) DNA. All compounds exhibited binding selectivity in favour of c-myc, with association constants (Ka ) in the range of 2-5×105 M-1 , lower affinity for both folds of 22AG and for ds26 and negligible affinity for polyT. Remarkable emission enhancements (up to 200-fold) upon addition of excess DNA were demonstrated by a subset of the compounds with c-myc, providing a basis for optical selectivity, since optical response to all other tested DNAs was low. A c-myc DNA-melting experiment showed significant stabilizing abilities for all compounds, with the most potent binder, the morpholine-Pt-complex, exhibiting a ΔTm >30 °C, at 1 : 5 DNA-to-ligand molar ratio. The same study implied contributions of the diverse side-chains to helix stabilization. To gain direct evidence of the nature of the interactions, mixtures of c-myc with the four most promising compounds were studied via UV Resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy, which revealed end-stacking binding mode, combined with interactions of side-chains with loop nucleobase residues. Docking simulations were conducted to provide insights into the binding modes for the same four Pt-compounds, suggesting that the binding preference for two alternative orientations of the c-myc G-quadruplex thymine 'cap' ('open' vs. 'closed'), as well as the relative contributions to affinity from end-stacking and H-bonding, are highly dependent on the nature of the interacting Pt-complex side-chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loukiani Savva
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cyprus1 Panepistimiou Avenue, Aglandjia2109NicosiaCyprus
| | - Mathieu Fossépré
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel MaterialsUniversity of Mons – UMONS20 Place du ParcB-7000MonsBelgium
| | - Odysseas Keramidas
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cyprus1 Panepistimiou Avenue, Aglandjia2109NicosiaCyprus
| | | | - Natalia Rizeq
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cyprus1 Panepistimiou Avenue, Aglandjia2109NicosiaCyprus
| | - Nikos Panagiotou
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cyprus1 Panepistimiou Avenue, Aglandjia2109NicosiaCyprus
| | - Maxime Leclercq
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel MaterialsUniversity of Mons – UMONS20 Place du ParcB-7000MonsBelgium
| | - Eliana Nicolaidou
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cyprus1 Panepistimiou Avenue, Aglandjia2109NicosiaCyprus
| | - Mathieu Surin
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel MaterialsUniversity of Mons – UMONS20 Place du ParcB-7000MonsBelgium
| | - Sophia C. Hayes
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cyprus1 Panepistimiou Avenue, Aglandjia2109NicosiaCyprus
| | - Savvas N. Georgiades
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cyprus1 Panepistimiou Avenue, Aglandjia2109NicosiaCyprus
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23
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WRN promotes bone development and growth by unwinding SHOX-G-quadruplexes via its helicase activity in Werner Syndrome. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5456. [PMID: 36114168 PMCID: PMC9481537 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33012-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractWerner Syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by premature aging due to mutations of the WRN gene. A classical sign in WS patients is short stature, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we report that WRN is indispensable for chondrogenesis, which is the engine driving the elongation of bones and determines height. Zebrafish lacking wrn exhibit impairment of bone growth and have shorter body stature. We pinpoint the function of WRN to its helicase domain. We identify short-stature homeobox (SHOX) as a crucial and direct target of WRN and find that the WRN helicase core regulates the transcriptional expression of SHOX via unwinding G-quadruplexes. Consistent with this, shox−/− zebrafish exhibit impaired bone growth, while genetic overexpression of SHOX or shox expression rescues the bone developmental deficiency induced in WRN/wrn-null mutants both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, we have identified a previously unknown function of WRN in regulating bone development and growth through the transcriptional regulation of SHOX via the WRN helicase domain, thus illuminating a possible approach for new therapeutic strategies.
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24
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Clarke TL, Mostoslavsky R. DNA repair as a shared hallmark in cancer and ageing. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3352-3379. [PMID: 35834102 PMCID: PMC9490147 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence demonstrates that DNA damage and genome instability play a crucial role in ageing. Mammalian cells have developed a wide range of complex and well‐orchestrated DNA repair pathways to respond to and resolve many different types of DNA lesions that occur from exogenous and endogenous sources. Defects in these repair pathways lead to accelerated or premature ageing syndromes and increase the likelihood of cancer development. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of DNA repair will help develop novel strategies to treat ageing‐related diseases. Here, we revisit the processes involved in DNA damage repair and how these can contribute to diseases, including ageing and cancer. We also review recent mechanistic insights into DNA repair and discuss how these insights are being used to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating human disease. We discuss the use of PARP inhibitors in the clinic for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer and the challenges associated with acquired drug resistance. Finally, we discuss how DNA repair pathway‐targeted therapeutics are moving beyond PARP inhibition in the search for ever more innovative and efficacious cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Clarke
- The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 02114, Boston, MA, USA.,The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 02142, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Raul Mostoslavsky
- The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 02114, Boston, MA, USA.,The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 02142, Cambridge, MA, USA
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25
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Shu H, Zhang R, Xiao K, Yang J, Sun X. G-Quadruplex-Binding Proteins: Promising Targets for Drug Design. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050648. [PMID: 35625576 PMCID: PMC9138358 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical secondary nucleic acid structures. Sequences with the potential to form G4s are abundant in regulatory regions of the genome including telomeres, promoters and 5′ non-coding regions, indicating they fulfill important genome regulatory functions. Generally, G4s perform various biological functions by interacting with proteins. In recent years, an increasing number of G-quadruplex-binding proteins have been identified with biochemical experiments. G4-binding proteins are involved in vital cellular processes such as telomere maintenance, DNA replication, gene transcription, mRNA processing. Therefore, G4-binding proteins are also associated with various human diseases. An intensive study of G4-protein interactions provides an attractive approach for potential therapeutics and these proteins can be considered as drug targets for novel medical treatment. In this review, we present biological functions and structural properties of G4-binding proteins, and discuss how to exploit G4-protein interactions to develop new therapeutic targets.
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26
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Mazzini S, Princiotto S, Musso L, Passarella D, Beretta GL, Perego P, Dallavalle S. Synthesis and Investigation of the G-Quadruplex Binding Properties of Kynurenic Acid Derivatives with a Dihydroimidazoquinoline-3,5-dione Core. Molecules 2022; 27:2791. [PMID: 35566141 PMCID: PMC9103425 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are secondary structures originating from nucleic acid regions rich in guanines, which are well known for their involvement in gene transcription and regulation and DNA damage repair. In recent studies from our group, kynurenic acid (KYNA) derivative 1 was synthesized and found to share the structural features typical of G-quadruplex binders. Herein, structural modifications were conducted on this scaffold in order to assist the binding with a G-quadruplex, by introducing charged hydrophilic groups. The antiproliferative activity of the new analogues was evaluated on an IGROV-1 human ovarian cancer cell line, and the most active compound, compound 9, was analyzed with NMR spectrometry in order to investigate its binding mode with DNA. The results indicated that a weak, non-specific interaction was set with duplex nucleotides; on the other hand, titration in the presence of a G-quadruplex from human telomere d(TTAGGGT)4 showed a stable, although not strong, interaction at the 3'-end of the nucleotidic sequence, efficiently assisted by salt bridges between the quaternary nitrogen and the external phosphate groups. Overall, this work can be considered a platform for the development of a new class of potential G-quadruplex stabilizing molecules, confirming the crucial role of a planar system and the ability of charged nitrogen-containing groups to facilitate the binding to G-quadruplex grooves and loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Mazzini
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Salvatore Princiotto
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Loana Musso
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.M.); (S.D.)
| | | | - Giovanni Luca Beretta
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.L.B.); (P.P.)
| | - Paola Perego
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.L.B.); (P.P.)
| | - Sabrina Dallavalle
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.M.); (S.D.)
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27
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Umar MI, Chan CY, Kwok CK. Development of RNA G-quadruplex (rG4)-targeting L-RNA aptamers by rG4-SELEX. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:1385-1414. [PMID: 35444329 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00679-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
RNA G-quadruplex (rG4)-SELEX is a method that generates L-RNA aptamers to target an rG4 structure of interest, which can be applied to inhibit G-quadruplex-mediated interactions that have important roles in gene regulation and function. Here we present a Protocol Extension substantially modifying an existing SELEX protocol to describe in detail the procedures involved in performing rG4-SELEX to identify rG4-specific binders that can effectively suppress rG4-peptide and rG4-protein associations. This Protocol Extension improves the speed of aptamer discovery and identification, offering a suite of techniques to characterize the aptamer secondary structure and monitor binding affinity and specificity, and demonstrating the utility of the L-RNA aptamer. The previous protocol mainly describes the identification of RNA aptamers against proteins of interest, whereas in this Protocol Extension we present the development of an unnatural RNA aptamer against an RNA structure of interest, with the potential to be applicable to other nucleic acid motifs or biomolecules. rG4-SELEX starts with a random D-RNA library incubated with the L-rG4 target of interest, followed by binding, washing and elution of the library. Enriched D-aptamer candidates are sequenced and structurally characterized. Then, the L-aptamer is synthesized and used for different applications. rG4-SELEX can be carried out by an experienced molecular biologist with a basic understanding of nucleic acids. The development of rG4-targeting L-RNA aptamers expands the current rG4 toolkit to explore innovative rG4-related applications, and opens new doors to discovering novel rG4 biology in the near future. The duration of each selection cycle as outlined in the protocol is ~2 d.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubarak I Umar
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,RNA Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chun-Yin Chan
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institut für Chemische Epigenetik München (ICEM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universtität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
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28
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Guo X, Chen H, Liu Y, Yang D, Li Q, Du H, Liu M, Tang Y, Sun H. An organic molecular compound for in situ identification of mitochondrial G-quadruplexes in live cells. J Mater Chem B 2021; 10:430-437. [PMID: 34940779 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb02296b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Emerging studies have shown that mitochondrial G-quadruplex plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial gene replication and transcription, which makes it a promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer or other major diseases. Molecular compounds that can highly target the mitochondrial G-quadruplexes in live cells are essential for further revealing the function and mechanism of these G-quadruplexes. Here, we have developed an organic molecular compound that can highly target the mitochondria of living cells by virtue of the membrane potential mechanism. Then it shows high selectivity to the G-quadruplex structure in the mitochondria, and its fluorescence overlaps well with that of the BG4 antibody. Moreover, the compound has extremely low cytotoxicity and does not interfere with the natural state of G-quadruplex structure. With these good properties, this compound will have great potential in mitochondrial G-quadruplex tracking research or targeted drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China.,Basic Medical Science, Shenyang Medical college, Shenyang, 110034, P. R. China
| | - Hongbo Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
| | - Dawei Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Qian Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
| | - Hongyan Du
- Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, P. R. China
| | - Meirong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
| | - Yalin Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Hongxia Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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29
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Sugimoto W, Kinoshita N, Nakata M, Ohyama T, Tateishi-Karimata H, Nishikata T, Sugimoto N, Miyoshi D, Kawauchi K. Intramolecular G-quadruplex-hairpin loop structure competition of a GC-rich exon region in the TMPRSS2 gene. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 58:48-51. [PMID: 34811561 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc05523b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We identified cytosine-rich regions adjacent to guanine-rich regions in protease genes. A typical GC-rich sequence derived from the TMPRSS2 gene showed structural competition between a G-quadruplex and a hairpin loop, and this competition significantly affected transcription efficiency. These results suggest an impact of neighboring sequences on the gene expression of guanine-rich sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Sugimoto
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Natsuki Kinoshita
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Minori Nakata
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Ohyama
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hisae Tateishi-Karimata
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Takahito Nishikata
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Naoki Sugimoto
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan. .,Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Daisuke Miyoshi
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Keiko Kawauchi
- Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-mimamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
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30
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Zhu J, Yan Z, Bošković F, Haynes CJE, Kieffer M, Greenfield JL, Wang J, Nitschke JR, Keyser UF. Fe II 4L 4 tetrahedron binds and aggregates DNA G-quadruplexes. Chem Sci 2021; 12:14564-14569. [PMID: 34881008 PMCID: PMC8580047 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04430c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the G-quadruplex (G4) structure in telomeres in 1980s, studies have established the role it plays in various biological processes. Here we report binding between DNA G4 and a self-assembled tetrahedral metal-organic cage 1 and consequent formation of aggregates, whereby the cage protects the DNA G4 from cleavage by S1 nuclease. We monitor DNA–cage interaction using fluorescence spectroscopy, firstly by quenching of a fluorescent label appended to the 5′ end of G4. Secondly, we detect the decrease in fluorescence of the G4-selective dyes thioflavin-T and Zn-PPIX bound to various DNA G4 sequences following the addition of cage 1. Our results demonstrate that 1 interacts with a wide range of G4s. Moreover, gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism and dynamic light scattering measurements establish the binding of 1 to G4 and indicate the formation of aggregate structures. Finally, we find that DNA G4 contained in an aggregate of cage 1 is protected from cleavage by S1 nuclease. We find FeII4L4 binds to G-quadruplex and forms aggregates. G-quadruplex in the aggregates is protected from digestion by S1 nuclease.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Zhu
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge JJ Thompson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0HE UK
| | - Zhiqiang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin 130022 P. R. China
| | - Filip Bošković
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge JJ Thompson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0HE UK
| | - Cally J E Haynes
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Marion Kieffer
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Jake L Greenfield
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Chemistry and of Physics, State University of New York at Stony Brook Stony Brook New York 11794-3400 USA
| | - Jonathan R Nitschke
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Ulrich F Keyser
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge JJ Thompson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0HE UK
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31
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Lee WTC, Gupta D, Rothenberg E. Single-molecule imaging of replication fork conflicts at genomic DNA G4 structures in human cells. Methods Enzymol 2021; 661:77-94. [PMID: 34776224 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are stable, non-canonical DNA secondary structures formed within guanine(G)-rich sequences. While extensively studied in vitro, evidence of the occurrence of G4s in vivo has only recently emerged. The formation of G4 structures may pose an obstacle for diverse DNA transactions including replication, which is linked to mutagenesis and genomic instability. A fundamental question in the field has been whether and how the formation of G4s is coupled to the progression of replication forks. This process has remained undefined largely due to the lack of experimental approaches capable of monitoring the presence of G4s and their association with the replication machinery in cells. Here, we describe a detailed multicolor single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) protocol for detecting nanoscale spatial-association of DNA G4s with the cellular replisome complex. This method offers a unique platform for visualizing the mechanisms of G4 formation at the molecular level, as well as addressing key biological questions as to the functional roles of these structures in the maintenance of genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ting C Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Dipika Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Eli Rothenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
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32
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Grün JT, Schwalbe H. Folding dynamics of polymorphic G-quadruplex structures. Biopolymers 2021; 113:e23477. [PMID: 34664713 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4), found in numerous places within the human genome, are involved in essential processes of cell regulation. Chromosomal DNA G4s are involved for example, in replication and transcription as first steps of gene expression. Hence, they influence a plethora of downstream processes. G4s possess an intricate structure that differs from canonical B-form DNA. Identical DNA G4 sequences can adopt multiple long-lived conformations, a phenomenon known as G4 polymorphism. A detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive G4 folding is essential to understand their ambivalent regulatory roles. Disentangling the inherent dynamic and polymorphic nature of G4 structures thus is key to unravel their biological functions and make them amenable as molecular targets in novel therapeutic approaches. We here review recent experimental approaches to monitor G4 folding and discuss structural aspects for possible folding pathways. Substantial progress in the understanding of G4 folding within the recent years now allows drawing comprehensive models of the complex folding energy landscape of G4s that we herein evaluate based on computational and experimental evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tassilo Grün
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/M, Germany.,Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M, Germany
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33
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Zell J, Duskova K, Chouh L, Bossaert M, Chéron N, Granzhan A, Britton S, Monchaud D. Dual targeting of higher-order DNA structures by azacryptands induces DNA junction-mediated DNA damage in cancer cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:10275-10288. [PMID: 34551430 PMCID: PMC8501980 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA is intrinsically dynamic and folds transiently into alternative higher-order structures such as G-quadruplexes (G4s) and three-way DNA junctions (TWJs). G4s and TWJs can be stabilised by small molecules (ligands) that have high chemotherapeutic potential, either as standalone DNA damaging agents or combined in synthetic lethality strategies. While previous approaches have claimed to use ligands that specifically target either G4s or TWJs, we report here on a new approach in which ligands targeting both TWJs and G4s in vitro demonstrate cellular effects distinct from that of G4 ligands, and attributable to TWJ targeting. The DNA binding modes of these new, dual TWJ-/G4-ligands were studied by a panel of in vitro methods and theoretical simulations, and their cellular properties by extensive cell-based assays. We show here that cytotoxic activity of TWJ-/G4-ligands is mitigated by the DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA topoisomerase 2 (TOP2), making them different from typical G4-ligands, and implying a pivotal role of TWJs in cells. We designed and used a clickable ligand, TrisNP-α, to provide unique insights into the TWJ landscape in cells and its modulation upon co-treatments. This wealth of data was exploited to design an efficient synthetic lethality strategy combining dual ligands with clinically relevant DDR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Zell
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l’Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB), CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - Katerina Duskova
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l’Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB), CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - Leïla Chouh
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR 9187, INSERM U1196, PSL Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Université Paris Saclay, CNRS UMR 9187, INSERM U1196, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Madeleine Bossaert
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS UMR 5089, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Équipe labellisée la Ligue Contre le Cancer, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Chéron
- Pasteur, Département de chimie, École Normale Supérieure (ENS), CNRS UMR8640, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Anton Granzhan
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR 9187, INSERM U1196, PSL Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Université Paris Saclay, CNRS UMR 9187, INSERM U1196, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Sébastien Britton
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS UMR 5089, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Équipe labellisée la Ligue Contre le Cancer, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - David Monchaud
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l’Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB), CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, 21078 Dijon, France
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Russi M, Marson D, Fermeglia A, Aulic S, Fermeglia M, Laurini E, Pricl S. The fellowship of the RING: BRCA1, its partner BARD1 and their liaison in DNA repair and cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 232:108009. [PMID: 34619284 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108009] [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] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) and its partner - the BRCA1-associated RING domain protein 1 (BARD1) - are key players in a plethora of fundamental biological functions including, among others, DNA repair, replication fork protection, cell cycle progression, telomere maintenance, chromatin remodeling, apoptosis and tumor suppression. However, mutations in their encoding genes transform them into dangerous threats, and substantially increase the risk of developing cancer and other malignancies during the lifetime of the affected individuals. Understanding how BRCA1 and BARD1 perform their biological activities therefore not only provides a powerful mean to prevent such fatal occurrences but can also pave the way to the development of new targeted therapeutics. Thus, through this review work we aim at presenting the major efforts focused on the functional characterization and structural insights of BRCA1 and BARD1, per se and in combination with all their principal mediators and regulators, and on the multifaceted roles these proteins play in the maintenance of human genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Russi
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Domenico Marson
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Suzana Aulic
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erik Laurini
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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Caterino M, Paeschke K. Action and function of helicases on RNA G-quadruplexes. Methods 2021; 204:110-125. [PMID: 34509630 PMCID: PMC9236196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Methodological progresses and piling evidence prove the rG4 biology in vivo. rG4s step in virtually every aspect of RNA biology. Helicases unwinding of rG4s is a fine regulatory layer to the downstream processes and general cell homeostasis. The current knowledge is however limited to a few cell lines. The regulation of helicases themselves is delineating as a important question. Non-helicase rG4-processing proteins likely play a role.
The nucleic acid structure called G-quadruplex (G4) is currently discussed to function in nucleic acid-based mechanisms that influence several cellular processes. They can modulate the cellular machinery either positively or negatively, both at the DNA and RNA level. The majority of what we know about G4 biology comes from DNA G4 (dG4) research. RNA G4s (rG4), on the other hand, are gaining interest as researchers become more aware of their role in several aspects of cellular homeostasis. In either case, the correct regulation of G4 structures within cells is essential and demands specialized proteins able to resolve them. Small changes in the formation and unfolding of G4 structures can have severe consequences for the cells that could even stimulate genome instability, apoptosis or proliferation. Helicases are the most relevant negative G4 regulators, which prevent and unfold G4 formation within cells during different pathways. Yet, and despite their importance only a handful of rG4 unwinding helicases have been identified and characterized thus far. This review addresses the current knowledge on rG4s-processing helicases with a focus on methodological approaches. An example of a non-helicase rG4s-unwinding protein is also briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caterino
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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Guiblet WM, DeGiorgio M, Cheng X, Chiaromonte F, Eckert KA, Huang YF, Makova KD. Selection and thermostability suggest G-quadruplexes are novel functional elements of the human genome. Genome Res 2021; 31:1136-1149. [PMID: 34187812 PMCID: PMC8256861 DOI: 10.1101/gr.269589.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 1% of the human genome has the ability to fold into G-quadruplexes (G4s)-noncanonical strand-specific DNA structures forming at G-rich motifs. G4s regulate several key cellular processes (e.g., transcription) and have been hypothesized to participate in others (e.g., firing of replication origins). Moreover, G4s differ in their thermostability, and this may affect their function. Yet, G4s may also hinder replication, transcription, and translation and may increase genome instability and mutation rates. Therefore, depending on their genomic location, thermostability, and functionality, G4 loci might evolve under different selective pressures, which has never been investigated. Here we conducted the first genome-wide analysis of G4 distribution, thermostability, and selection. We found an overrepresentation, high thermostability, and purifying selection for G4s within genic components in which they are expected to be functional-promoters, CpG islands, and 5' and 3' UTRs. A similar pattern was observed for G4s within replication origins, enhancers, eQTLs, and TAD boundary regions, strongly suggesting their functionality. In contrast, G4s on the nontranscribed strand of exons were underrepresented, were unstable, and evolved neutrally. In general, G4s on the nontranscribed strand of genic components had lower density and were less stable than those on the transcribed strand, suggesting that the former are avoided at the RNA level. Across the genome, purifying selection was stronger at stable G4s. Our results suggest that purifying selection preserves the sequences of functional G4s, whereas nonfunctional G4s are too costly to be tolerated in the genome. Thus, G4s are emerging as fundamental, functional genomic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfried M Guiblet
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Michael DeGiorgio
- Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, USA
| | - Xiaoheng Cheng
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Francesca Chiaromonte
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Kristin A Eckert
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Department of Pathology, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Yi-Fei Huang
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Kateryna D Makova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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DNA G-Quadruplexes Contribute to CTCF Recruitment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137090. [PMID: 34209337 PMCID: PMC8269367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) sites in the human genome frequently colocalize with CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)-bound sites in CpG islands (CGIs). We aimed to clarify the role of G4s in CTCF positioning. Molecular modeling data suggested direct interactions, so we performed in vitro binding assays with quadruplex-forming sequences from CGIs in the human genome. G4s bound CTCF with Kd values similar to that of the control duplex, while respective i-motifs exhibited no affinity for CTCF. Using ChIP-qPCR assays, we showed that G4-stabilizing ligands enhance CTCF occupancy at a G4-prone site in STAT3 gene. In view of the reportedly increased CTCF affinity for hypomethylated DNA, we next questioned whether G4s also facilitate CTCF recruitment to CGIs via protecting CpG sites from methylation. Bioinformatics analysis of previously published data argued against such a possibility. Finally, we questioned whether G4s facilitate CTCF recruitment by affecting chromatin structure. We showed that three architectural chromatin proteins of the high mobility group colocalize with G4s in the genome and recognize parallel-stranded or mixed-topology G4s in vitro. One of such proteins, HMGN3, contributes to the association between G4s and CTCF according to our bioinformatics analysis. These findings support both direct and indirect roles of G4s in CTCF recruitment.
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Técher H, Pasero P. The Replication Stress Response on a Narrow Path Between Genomic Instability and Inflammation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:702584. [PMID: 34249949 PMCID: PMC8270677 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.702584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of eukaryotic cells is particularly at risk during the S phase of the cell cycle, when megabases of chromosomal DNA are unwound to generate two identical copies of the genome. This daunting task is executed by thousands of micro-machines called replisomes, acting at fragile structures called replication forks. The correct execution of this replication program depends on the coordinated action of hundreds of different enzymes, from the licensing of replication origins to the termination of DNA replication. This review focuses on the mechanisms that ensure the completion of DNA replication under challenging conditions of endogenous or exogenous origin. It also covers new findings connecting the processing of stalled forks to the release of small DNA fragments into the cytoplasm, activating the cGAS-STING pathway. DNA damage and fork repair comes therefore at a price, which is the activation of an inflammatory response that has both positive and negative impacts on the fate of stressed cells. These new findings have broad implications for the etiology of interferonopathies and for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Técher
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Pasero
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
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Tabor N, Ngwa C, Mitteaux J, Meyer MD, Moruno-Manchon JF, Zhu L, Liu F, Monchaud D, McCullough LD, Tsvetkov AS. Differential responses of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia to G-quadruplex stabilization. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:15917-15941. [PMID: 34139671 PMCID: PMC8266374 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The G-quadruplex (G4-DNA or G4) is a secondary DNA structure formed by DNA sequences containing multiple runs of guanines. While it is now firmly established that stabilized G4s lead to enhanced genomic instability in cancer cells, whether and how G4s contribute to genomic instability in brain cells is still not clear. We previously showed that, in cultured primary neurons, small-molecule G4 stabilizers promote formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and downregulate the Brca1 gene. Here, we determined if G4-dependent Brca1 downregulation is unique to neurons or if the effects in neurons also occur in astrocytes and microglia. We show that primary neurons, astrocytes and microglia basally exhibit different G4 landscapes. Stabilizing G4-DNA with the G4 ligand pyridostatin (PDS) differentially modifies chromatin structure in these cell types. Intriguingly, PDS promotes DNA DSBs in neurons, astrocytes and microglial cells, but fails to downregulate Brca1 in astrocytes and microglia, indicating differences in DNA damage and repair pathways between brain cell types. Taken together, our findings suggest that stabilized G4-DNA contribute to genomic instability in the brain and may represent a novel senescence pathway in brain aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Tabor
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Conelius Ngwa
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeremie Mitteaux
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire (ICMUB), UBFC Dijon, CNRS UMR6302, Dijon, France
| | - Matthew D. Meyer
- Shared Equipment Authority, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jose F. Moruno-Manchon
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liang Zhu
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Research Design Core Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fudong Liu
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David Monchaud
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire (ICMUB), UBFC Dijon, CNRS UMR6302, Dijon, France
| | - Louise D. McCullough
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrey S. Tsvetkov
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- UTHealth Consortium on Aging, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Alavi S, Ghadiri H, Dabirmanesh B, Moriyama K, Khajeh K, Masai H. G-quadruplex binding protein Rif1, a key regulator of replication timing. J Biochem 2021; 169:1-14. [PMID: 33169133 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA replication is spatially and temporally regulated during S phase to execute efficient and coordinated duplication of entire genome. Various epigenomic mechanisms operate to regulate the timing and locations of replication. Among them, Rif1 plays a major role to shape the 'replication domains' that dictate which segments of the genome are replicated when and where in the nuclei. Rif1 achieves this task by generating higher-order chromatin architecture near nuclear membrane and by recruiting a protein phosphatase. Rif1 is a G4 binding protein, and G4 binding activity of Rif1 is essential for replication timing regulation in fission yeast. In this article, we first summarize strategies by which cells regulate their replication timing and then describe how Rif1 and its interaction with G4 contribute to regulation of chromatin architecture and replication timing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hamed Ghadiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Dabirmanesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kenji Moriyama
- Genome Dynamics Project, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Nanobiotechnology.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hisao Masai
- Genome Dynamics Project, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Nimbarte VD, Wirmer‐Bartoschek J, Gande SL, Alshamleh I, Seibert M, Nasiri HR, Schnütgen F, Serve H, Schwalbe H. Synthesis and in Vitro Evaluation of Novel 5-Nitroindole Derivatives as c-Myc G-Quadruplex Binders with Anticancer Activity. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1667-1679. [PMID: 33508167 PMCID: PMC8252724 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Lead-optimization strategies for compounds targeting c-Myc G-quadruplex (G4) DNA are being pursued to develop anticancer drugs. Here, we investigate the structure-activity- relationship (SAR) of a newly synthesized series of molecules based on the pyrrolidine-substituted 5-nitro indole scaffold to target G4 DNA. Our synthesized series allows modulation of flexible elements with a structurally preserved scaffold. Biological and biophysical analyses illustrate that substituted 5-nitroindole scaffolds bind to the c-Myc promoter G-quadruplex. These compounds downregulate c-Myc expression and induce cell-cycle arrest in the sub-G1/G1 phase in cancer cells. They further increase the concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species. NMR spectra show that three of the newly synthesized compounds interact with the terminal G-quartets (5'- and 3'-ends) in a 2 : 1 stoichiometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaykumar D. Nimbarte
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Goethe University FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Straße 760438Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Julia Wirmer‐Bartoschek
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Goethe University FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Straße 760438Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Santosh L. Gande
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Goethe University FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Straße 760438Frankfurt am MainGermany
- German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer ConsortiumIm Neuenheimer Feld 28069120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Islam Alshamleh
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Goethe University FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Straße 760438Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Marcel Seibert
- Department of Medicine 2Hematology/OncologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtGoethe UniversityTheodor-Stern-Kai 760596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Hamid Reza Nasiri
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Goethe University FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Straße 760438Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Frank Schnütgen
- German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer ConsortiumIm Neuenheimer Feld 28069120HeidelbergGermany
- Department of Medicine 2Hematology/OncologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtGoethe UniversityTheodor-Stern-Kai 760596Frankfurt am MainGermany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI)Theodor-Stern-Kai 760596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Hubert Serve
- German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer ConsortiumIm Neuenheimer Feld 28069120HeidelbergGermany
- Department of Medicine 2Hematology/OncologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtGoethe UniversityTheodor-Stern-Kai 760596Frankfurt am MainGermany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI)Theodor-Stern-Kai 760596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Goethe University FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Straße 760438Frankfurt am MainGermany
- German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer ConsortiumIm Neuenheimer Feld 28069120HeidelbergGermany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI)Theodor-Stern-Kai 760596Frankfurt am MainGermany
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Single-molecule imaging reveals replication fork coupled formation of G-quadruplex structures hinders local replication stress signaling. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2525. [PMID: 33953191 PMCID: PMC8099879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22830-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich DNA sequences occur throughout the human genome and can transiently form G-quadruplex (G4) structures that may obstruct DNA replication, leading to genomic instability. Here, we apply multi-color single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) coupled with robust data-mining algorithms to quantitatively visualize replication fork (RF)-coupled formation and spatial-association of endogenous G4s. Using this data, we investigate the effects of G4s on replisome dynamics and organization. We show that a small fraction of active replication forks spontaneously form G4s at newly unwound DNA immediately behind the MCM helicase and before nascent DNA synthesis. These G4s locally perturb replisome dynamics and organization by reducing DNA synthesis and limiting the binding of the single-strand DNA-binding protein RPA. We find that the resolution of RF-coupled G4s is mediated by an interplay between RPA and the FANCJ helicase. FANCJ deficiency leads to G4 accumulation, DNA damage at G4-associated replication forks, and silencing of the RPA-mediated replication stress response. Our study provides first-hand evidence of the intrinsic, RF-coupled formation of G4 structures, offering unique mechanistic insights into the interference and regulation of stable G4s at replication forks and their effect on RPA-associated fork signaling and genomic instability.
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Willaume S, Rass E, Fontanilla-Ramirez P, Moussa A, Wanschoor P, Bertrand P. A Link between Replicative Stress, Lamin Proteins, and Inflammation. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040552. [PMID: 33918867 PMCID: PMC8070205 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded breaks (DSB), the most toxic DNA lesions, are either a consequence of cellular metabolism, programmed as in during V(D)J recombination, or induced by anti-tumoral therapies or accidental genotoxic exposure. One origin of DSB sources is replicative stress, a major source of genome instability, especially when the integrity of the replication forks is not properly guaranteed. To complete stalled replication, restarting the fork requires complex molecular mechanisms, such as protection, remodeling, and processing. Recently, a link has been made between DNA damage accumulation and inflammation. Indeed, defects in DNA repair or in replication can lead to the release of DNA fragments in the cytosol. The recognition of this self-DNA by DNA sensors leads to the production of inflammatory factors. This beneficial response activating an innate immune response and destruction of cells bearing DNA damage may be considered as a novel part of DNA damage response. However, upon accumulation of DNA damage, a chronic inflammatory cellular microenvironment may lead to inflammatory pathologies, aging, and progression of tumor cells. Progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of DNA damage repair, replication stress, and cytosolic DNA production would allow to propose new therapeutical strategies against cancer or inflammatory diseases associated with aging. In this review, we describe the mechanisms involved in DSB repair, the replicative stress management, and its consequences. We also focus on new emerging links between key components of the nuclear envelope, the lamins, and DNA repair, management of replicative stress, and inflammation.
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Okamoto C, Momotake A, Kobayashi M, Yamamoto Y. Molecular recognition of G-quadruplex DNA by Pheophorbide a. CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.210130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- China Okamoto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Atsuya Momotake
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
- Tsukuba Research Center for Energy Materials Science (TREMS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Masami Kobayashi
- Department of Materials Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Yamamoto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
- Tsukuba Research Center for Energy Materials Science (TREMS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
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45
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Li MZ, Meng T, Song SS, Bao XB, Ma LP, Zhang N, Yu T, Zhang YL, Xiong B, Shen JK, Miao ZH, He JX. Discovery of MTR-106 as a highly potent G-quadruplex stabilizer for treating BRCA-deficient cancers. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:1213-1221. [PMID: 33710464 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01096-4] [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] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are DNA or RNA structures formed by guanine-rich repeating sequences. Recently, G4s have become a highly attractive therapeutic target for BRCA-deficient cancers. Here, we show that a substituted quinolone amide compound, MTR-106, stabilizes DNA G-quadruplexes in vitro. MTR-106 displayed significant antiproliferative activity in homologous recombination repair (HR)-deficient and PARP inhibitor (PARPi)-resistant cancer cells. Moreover, MTR-106 increased DNA damage and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis to inhibit cell growth. Importantly, its oral and i.v. administration significantly impaired tumor growth in BRCA-deficient xenograft mouse models. However, MTR-106 showed modest activity against talazoparib-resistant xenograft models. In rats, the drug rapidly distributes to tissues within 5 min, and its average concentrations were 12-fold higher in the tissues than in the plasma. Overall, we identified MTR-106 as a novel G-quadruplex stabilizer with high tissue distribution, and it may serve as a potential anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Zhu Li
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Meng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shan-Shan Song
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Bin Bao
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Lan-Ping Ma
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Yu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yong-Liang Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Bing Xiong
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China. .,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jing-Kang Shen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China. .,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Ze-Hong Miao
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Jin-Xue He
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China.
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46
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Kosiol N, Juranek S, Brossart P, Heine A, Paeschke K. G-quadruplexes: a promising target for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:40. [PMID: 33632214 PMCID: PMC7905668 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA and RNA can fold into a variety of alternative conformations. In recent years, a particular nucleic acid structure was discussed to play a role in malignant transformation and cancer development. This structure is called a G-quadruplex (G4). G4 structure formation can drive genome instability by creating mutations, deletions and stimulating recombination events. The importance of G4 structures in the characterization of malignant cells was currently demonstrated in breast cancer samples. In this analysis a correlation between G4 structure formation and an increased intratumor heterogeneity was identified. This suggests that G4 structures might allow breast cancer stratification and supports the identification of new personalized treatment options. Because of the stability of G4 structures and their presence within most human oncogenic promoters and at telomeres, G4 structures are currently tested as a therapeutic target to downregulate transcription or to block telomere elongation in cancer cells. To date, different chemical molecules (G4 ligands) have been developed that aim to target G4 structures. In this review we discuss and compare G4 function and relevance for therapeutic approaches and their impact on cancer development for three cancer entities, which differ significantly in their amount and type of mutations: pancreatic cancer, leukemia and malignant melanoma. G4 structures might present a promising new strategy to individually target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Kosiol
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Juranek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annkristin Heine
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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47
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Guiblet WM, Cremona MA, Harris RS, Chen D, Eckert KA, Chiaromonte F, Huang YF, Makova KD. Non-B DNA: a major contributor to small- and large-scale variation in nucleotide substitution frequencies across the genome. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1497-1516. [PMID: 33450015 PMCID: PMC7897504 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 13% of the human genome can fold into non-canonical (non-B) DNA structures (e.g. G-quadruplexes, Z-DNA, etc.), which have been implicated in vital cellular processes. Non-B DNA also hinders replication, increasing errors and facilitating mutagenesis, yet its contribution to genome-wide variation in mutation rates remains unexplored. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of nucleotide substitution frequencies at non-B DNA loci within noncoding, non-repetitive genome regions, their ±2 kb flanking regions, and 1-Megabase windows, using human-orangutan divergence and human single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Functional data analysis at single-base resolution demonstrated that substitution frequencies are usually elevated at non-B DNA, with patterns specific to each non-B DNA type. Mirror, direct and inverted repeats have higher substitution frequencies in spacers than in repeat arms, whereas G-quadruplexes, particularly stable ones, have higher substitution frequencies in loops than in stems. Several non-B DNA types also affect substitution frequencies in their flanking regions. Finally, non-B DNA explains more variation than any other predictor in multiple regression models for diversity or divergence at 1-Megabase scale. Thus, non-B DNA substantially contributes to variation in substitution frequencies at small and large scales. Our results highlight the role of non-B DNA in germline mutagenesis with implications to evolution and genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfried M Guiblet
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Penn State University, UniversityPark, PA 16802, USA
| | - Marzia A Cremona
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Operations and Decision Systems, Université Laval, Canada
- CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center, Canada
| | - Robert S Harris
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Di Chen
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Genetics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, UniversityPark, PA 16802, USA
| | - Kristin A Eckert
- Department of Pathology, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Francesca Chiaromonte
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, PA, USA
- EMbeDS, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Yi-Fei Huang
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kateryna D Makova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, PA, USA
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48
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Savva L, Georgiades SN. Recent Developments in Small-Molecule Ligands of Medicinal Relevance for Harnessing the Anticancer Potential of G-Quadruplexes. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26040841. [PMID: 33562720 PMCID: PMC7914483 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes, a family of tetraplex helical nucleic acid topologies, have emerged in recent years as novel targets, with untapped potential for anticancer research. Their potential stems from the fact that G-quadruplexes occur in functionally-important regions of the human genome, such as the telomere tandem sequences, several proto-oncogene promoters, other regulatory regions and sequences of DNA (e.g., rDNA), as well as in mRNAs encoding for proteins with roles in tumorigenesis. Modulation of G-quadruplexes, via interaction with high-affinity ligands, leads to their stabilization, with numerous observed anticancer effects. Despite the fact that only a few lead compounds for G-quadruplex modulation have progressed to clinical trials so far, recent advancements in the field now create conditions that foster further development of drug candidates. This review highlights biological processes through which G-quadruplexes can exert their anticancer effects and describes, via selected case studies, progress of the last few years on the development of efficient and drug-like G-quadruplex-targeted ligands, intended to harness the anticancer potential offered by G-quadruplexes. The review finally provides a critical discussion of perceived challenges and limitations that have previously hampered the progression of G-quadruplex-targeted lead compounds to clinical trials, concluding with an optimistic future outlook.
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49
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Lewis BW, Bisballe N, Santella M, Summers PA, Vannier JB, Kuimova MK, Laursen BW, Vilar R. Assessing The Key Photophysical Properties of Triangulenium Dyes for DNA Binding by Alteration of the Fluorescent Core. Chemistry 2021; 27:2523-2536. [PMID: 33105523 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Four-stranded G-quadruplex (G4) DNA is a non-canonical DNA topology that has been proposed to form in cells and play key roles in how the genome is read and used by the cellular machinery. Previously, a fluorescent triangulenium probe (DAOTA-M2) was used to visualise G4s in cellulo, thanks to its distinct fluorescence lifetimes when bound to different DNA topologies. Herein, the library of available triangulenium probes is expanded to explore how modifications to the fluorescent core of the molecule affect its photophysical characteristics, interaction with DNA and cellular localisation. The benzo-bridged and isopropyl-bridged diazatriangulenium dyes, BDATA-M2 and CDATA-M2 respectively, featuring ethyl-morpholino substituents, were synthesised and characterised. The interactions of these molecules with different DNA topologies were studied to determine their binding affinity, fluorescence enhancement and fluorescence lifetime response. Finally, the cellular uptake and localisation of these optical probes were investigated. Whilst structural modifications to the triangulenium core only slightly alter the binding affinity to DNA, BDATA-M2 and CDATA-M2 cannot distinguish between DNA topologies through their fluorescence lifetime. It is argued theoretically and experimentally that this is due to reduced effectiveness of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching. This work presents valuable new evidence into the critical role of PET quenching when using the fluorescence lifetime of triangulenium dyes to discriminate G4 DNA from duplex DNA, highlighting the importance of fine tuning redox and spectral properties when developing new triangulenium-based G4 probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W Lewis
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.,Institute of Chemical Biology, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Niels Bisballe
- Department of Chemistry & Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marco Santella
- Department of Chemistry & Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter A Summers
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Jean-Baptiste Vannier
- Telomere Replication and Stability Group, Medical Research Council-London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, W12 0NN, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Marina K Kuimova
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.,Institute of Chemical Biology, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Bo W Laursen
- Department of Chemistry & Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ramon Vilar
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.,Institute of Chemical Biology, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
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50
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Gratal PB, Quero JG, Pérez-Redondo A, Gándara Z, Gude L. PhenQE8, a Novel Ligand of the Human Telomeric Quadruplex. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E749. [PMID: 33451070 PMCID: PMC7828518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel quadruplex ligand based on 1,10-phenanthroline and incorporating two guanyl hydrazone functionalities, PhenQE8, is reported herein. Synthetic access was gained in a two-step procedure with an overall yield of 61%. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that PhenQE8 can adopt an extended conformation that may be optimal to favor recognition of quadruplex DNA. DNA interactions with polymorphic G-quadruplex telomeric structures were studied by different techniques, such as Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) DNA melting assays, circular dichroism and equilibrium dialysis. Our results reveal that the novel ligand PhenQE8 can efficiently recognize the hybrid quadruplex structures of the human telomeric DNA, with high binding affinity and quadruplex/duplex selectivity. Moreover, the compound shows significant cytotoxic activity against a selected panel of cultured tumor cells (PC-3, HeLa and MCF-7), whereas its cytotoxicity is considerably lower in healthy human cells (HFF-1 and RPWE-1).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zoila Gándara
- Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica, Instituto de Investigación Química “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR), Universidad de Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (P.B.G.); (J.G.Q.); (A.P.-R.)
| | - Lourdes Gude
- Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica, Instituto de Investigación Química “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR), Universidad de Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (P.B.G.); (J.G.Q.); (A.P.-R.)
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