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Li Y, He Z, Li Z, Lu Y, Xun Q, Xiang L, Zhang M. G-quadruplex formation within the promoter region of HSPB2 and its effect on transcription. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24396. [PMID: 38298658 PMCID: PMC10827768 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24396] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
G-rich sequences in DNA and RNA tend to fold into stable secondary structures called G-quadruplexes. Except for the telomere region, G-quadruplex-forming sequences are widely present in gene promoters and have been implicated in transcriptional regulation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can disrupt the G-quadruplex structure of a gene promoter. In this study, we confirmed the promoter of HSPB2, a cancer-related gene, tends to form an unusual DNA secondary structure. The dual luciferase assay revealed that the SNP rs2234704 in the HSPB2 promoter with a single G > A mutation increased the transcriptional activity of the HSPB2 promoter. Circular dichroism and native PAGE revealed that the G-rich strand of the DNA in this promoter preferred to form a parallel G-quadruplex, which could be destabilized by the SNP rs2234704 (G > A) mutation. Furthermore, we found that the SNP rs2234704 (G > A) greatly increased and influenced the overexpression of HSPB2 in breast cancer samples. These results suggest SNP rs2234704 (G > A) may play a role in the occurrence of breast cancer by destroying the G-quadruplex structure and promoting the expression of HSPB2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jing Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
| | - Zhichao He
- Medical Equipment Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
| | - Zewu Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
| | - Yan Lu
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Department, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
| | - Qingqing Xun
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
| | - Longquan Xiang
- Department of Pathology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
| | - Miaomiao Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jing Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
- Department of Pathology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, 272000, PR China
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Romano F, Di Porzio A, Iaccarino N, Riccardi G, Di Lorenzo R, Laneri S, Pagano B, Amato J, Randazzo A. G-quadruplexes in cancer-related gene promoters: from identification to therapeutic targeting. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:745-773. [PMID: 37855085 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2271168] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold into four-stranded noncanonical secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) which are widely distributed in functional regions of the human genome, such as telomeres and gene promoter regions. Compelling evidence suggests their involvement in key genome functions such as gene expression and genome stability. Notably, the abundance of G4-forming sequences near transcription start sites suggests their potential involvement in regulating oncogenes. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of current knowledge on G4s in human oncogene promoters. The most representative G4-binding ligands have also been documented. The objective of this work is to present a comprehensive overview of the most promising targets for the development of novel and highly specific anticancer drugs capable of selectively impacting the expression of individual or a limited number of genes. EXPERT OPINION Modulation of G4 formation by specific ligands has been proposed as a powerful new tool to treat cancer through the control of oncogene expression. Actually, most of G4-binding small molecules seem to simultaneously target a range of gene promoter G4s, potentially influencing several critical driver genes in cancer, thus producing significant therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Sonia Laneri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Liu M, Yu K, Lian W, Zhou N, Wu C, Bao J. G-Quadruplex Structures as a "Switch" Regulate ATF4 Expression in Ferroptotic HepG2 Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:273-284. [PMID: 36722101 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) is a noncanonical structure folded in a widespread manner by guanine-rich tandem repeated sequences. As a key response factor, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) has dual functions in managing iron-dependent ferroptosis by regulating amino acid synthesis and antioxidant-related gene expression. In our study, the activity of ATF4 expression was elevated in HepG2 cells induced by erastin. Based on preliminary bioinformatics analyses, the G-tract region, named WT, had high potential to form G4, and it was found that PDS could markedly weaken the increase of ATF4 expression by reducing the sensitivity of HepG2 cells toward erastin. In circular dichroism spectra, WT oligonucleotides showed characteristic molar ellipticity at specific wavelengths of parallel G4 structures, while corresponding single-base mutants possessed a weaker ability to form G4, which were consistent with immunostaining results. In addition, endogenous G4 formed by the WT motif was significantly destroyed in HepG2 cells treated with erastin. After being transfected with WT oligonucleotides, the levels of ATF4 mRNA decreased significantly regardless of being treated with erastin or not. Meanwhile, mutations of G-tracts could advantageously impact the luciferase expression downstream of an ATF4 promoter in reporter assays, manifesting that the decrease of endogenous G4 in the ATF4 promoter was positively associated with the expression enhanced by erastin in HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Kangkang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Weishao Lian
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Nan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Chuanfang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Jinku Bao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
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Deng Z, Zhang Y, Gao C, Shen W, Wang S, Ni X, Liu S, Li X. A transposon-introduced G-quadruplex motif is selectively retained and constrained to downregulate CYP321A1. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1629-1642. [PMID: 35226400 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Insects utilize xenobiotic compounds to up- and downregulate cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) involved in detoxification of toxic xenobiotics including phytochemicals and pesticides. G-quadruplexes (G4)-forming DNA motifs are enriched in the promoter regions of transcription factors and function as cis-acting elements to regulate these genes. Whether and how P450s gain and keep G4 DNA motifs to regulate their expression still remain unexplored. Here, we show that CYP321A1, a xenobiotic-metabolizing P450 from Helicoverpa zea, a polyphagous insect of economic importance, has acquired and preserved a G4 DNA motif by selectively retaining a transposon known as HzIS1-3 that carries this G4 DNA motif in its promoter region. The HzIS1-3 G4 DNA motif acts as a silencer to suppress the constitutive and induced expression of CYP321A1 by plant allelochemicals flavone and xanthotoxin through folding into an intramolecular parallel or hybrid-1 conformation in the absence or presence of K+ . The G4 ligand N-methylmesoporphyrin IX (NMM) strengthens the silencing effect of HzIS1-3 G4 DNA motif by switching its structure from hybrid-1 to hybrid-2. The enrichment of transposons in P450s and other environment-adaptation genes implies that selective retention of G4 DNA motif-carrying transposons may be the main evolutionary route for these genes to obtain G4 DNA motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyuan Deng
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Entomology and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yuting Zhang
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chao Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shan Wang
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinzhi Ni
- USDA-ARS, Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, University of Georgia, Tifton Campus, Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Sisi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianchun Li
- Department of Entomology and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Research Progress on G-Quadruplexes in Human Telomeres and Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Promoter. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:2905663. [PMID: 35707279 PMCID: PMC9192192 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2905663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The upregulation telomerase activity is observed in over 85-90% of human cancers and provides an attractive target for cancer therapies. The high guanine content in the telomere DNA sequences and the hTERT promoter can form G-quadruplexes (G4s). Small molecules targeting G4s in telomeres and hTERT promoter could stabilize the G4s and inhibit hTERT expression and telomere extension. Several G4 ligands have shown inhibitory effects in cancer cells and xenograft mouse models, indicating these ligands have a potential for cancer therapies. The current review article describes the concept of the telomere, telomerase, and G4s. Moreover, the regulation of telomerase and G4s in telomeres and hTERT promoter is discussed as well. The summary of the small molecules targeting G4s in telomeric DNA sequences and the hTERT promoter will also be shown.
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Human MYC G-quadruplex: From discovery to a cancer therapeutic target. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188410. [PMID: 32827579 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of the MYC oncogene is a molecular hallmark of both cancer initiation and progression. Targeting MYC is a logical and effective cancer therapeutic strategy. A special DNA secondary structure, the G-quadruplex (G4), is formed within the nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 (NHE III1) region, located upstream of the MYC gene's P1 promoter that drives the majority of its transcription. Targeting such G4 structures has been a focus of anticancer therapies in recent decades. Thus, a comprehensive review of the MYC G4 structure and its role as a potential therapeutic target is timely. In this review, we first outline the discovery of the MYC G4 structure and evidence of its formation in vitro and in cells. Then, we describe the functional role of G4 in regulating MYC gene expression. We also summarize three types of MYC G4-interacting proteins that can promote, stabilize and unwind G4 structures. Finally, we discuss G4-binding molecules and the anticancer activities of G4-stabilizing ligands, including small molecular compounds and peptides, and assess their potential as novel anticancer therapeutics.
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The SNAIL1 promoter contains G-quadruplex structures regulating its gene expression and DNA replication. Exp Cell Res 2020; 394:112158. [PMID: 32610184 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
SNAIL1 is a key regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its expression is associated with tumor progression and poor clinical prognosis of cancer patients. Compared to the studies of SNAIL1 stability and its transcriptional regulation, very limited knowledge is available regarding effective approaches to directly target SNAIL1. In this study, we revealed the potential regulation of SNAIL1 gene expression by G-quadruplex structures in its promoter. We first revealed that the negative strand of the SNAIL1 promoter contained a multi-G-tract region with high potential of forming G-quadruplex structures. In circular dichroism studies, the oligonucleotide based on this region showed characteristic molar ellipticity at specific wavelengths of G-quadruplex structures. We also utilized native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel-shift assays, immunofluorescent staining, dimethyl sulfate footprinting and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies to verify the G-quadruplex structures formed by the oligonucleotide. In reporter assays, disruption of G-quadruplex potential increased SNAIL1 promoter-mediated transcription, suggesting that G-quadruplexes played a negative role in SNAIL1 expression. In a DNA synthesis study, we detected G-quadruplex-mediated retardation in the SNAIL1 promoter replication. Consistently, we discovered that the G-quadruplex region of the SNAIL1 promoter is highly enriched for mutations, implicating the clinical relevance of G-quadruplexes to the altered SNAIL1 expression in cancer cells.
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8
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Yan T, Zhao B, Wu Q, Wang W, Shi J, Li D, Stovall DB, Sui G. Characterization of G-quadruplex formation in the ARID1A promoter. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 147:750-761. [PMID: 31982538 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As a member of the SWI/SNF family, ARID1A plays an essential role in modulating chromatin structure and gene expression. The tumor suppressive function of ARID1A has been well-defined and its downregulation in cancers is attributed to genomic deletion, DNA methylation and microRNA-mediated inhibition. In this study, we demonstrated that the negative strand of a C-rich region in the upstream vicinity of the human ARID1A transcription start site could form G-quadruplexes. Synthesized oligonucleotides based on the sequence of this region exhibited molar ellipticity at specific wavelengths characteristic of G-quadruplex structures in circular dichroism analyses. The formation of G-quadruplexes by these oligonucleotides were also proved by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, DNA synthesis block assays, immunofluorescent staining and dimethyl sulfate footprinting studies. In reporter assays, mutations of the G-quadruplex forming sequence reduced ARID1A promoter-mediated transcription. Transfection of the oligonucleotide with the full length of G-quadruplex motif region, but not its partial sequences or the mutants, could both promote endogenous ARID1A expression and reduce cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yan
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Wenmeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jinming Shi
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Dangdang Li
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Daniel B Stovall
- College of Arts and Sciences, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733, United States
| | - Guangchao Sui
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
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Wu HZ, Xiao JQ, Xiao SS, Cheng Y. KRAS: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Cancer Treatment. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2081-2097. [PMID: 31486755 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190905164144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancer. The developments of many cancers depend on sustained expression and signaling of KRAS, which makes KRAS a high-priority therapeutic target. Scientists have not successfully developed drugs that target KRAS, although efforts have been made last three decades. In this review, we highlight the emerging experimental strategies of impairing KRAS membrane localization and the direct targeting of KRAS. We also conclude the combinatorial therapies and RNA interference technology for the treatment of KRAS mutant cancers. Moreover, the virtual screening approach to discover novel KRAS inhibitors and synthetic lethality interactors of KRAS are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Zhou Wu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jia-Qi Xiao
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Song-Shu Xiao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
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Boru G, Grosel TW, Pilarski R, Stautberg M, Massengill JB, Jeter J, Singh A, Marino MJ, McElroy JP, Davidorf FH, Cebulla CM, Abdel-Rahman MH. Germline large deletion of BAP1 and decreased expression in non-tumor choroid in uveal melanoma patients with high risk for inherited cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:650-656. [PMID: 30883995 PMCID: PMC6612571 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common phenotype in patients with germline BAP1 mutation. This study aimed to identify selection criteria for BAP1 germline testing and assessed the role of large deletion/duplication and epigenetic inactivation. One hundred seventy-two UM patients with high risk of hereditary cancer were included. Germline variants in BAP1 were assessed by direct sequencing and large deletion/duplication by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. BAP1 expression in unaffected choroid tissue from a patient with UM was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and methylation by pyrosequencing. Twenty-eight patients had one or more germline sequence variants in BAP1; seven of these were pathogenic. One hundred forty patients were assessed for large deletion/duplication and in one BAP1 whole gene deletion was detected. In total, eight patients (4.7%) had pathogenic alterations in BAP1 with the highest frequencies of in patients with a personal/family history of ≥2 BAP1-related cancers 6/16 (38%), age of onset <35 years 4/21 (19%) and familial UM 6/34 (18%). One of 19 non-tumor choroid tissues tested showed uncharacteristically low expression as compared to the controls decrease in BAP1 RNA expression but no evidence of constitutional promotor hypermethylation was detected. UM patients with a strong personal or family history of cancers associated with BAP1, early age of onset and familial UM should be assessed for germline variants in BAP1, including large deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Boru
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Havener Eye Institute, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - Timothy W. Grosel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Havener Eye Institute, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - Robert Pilarski
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - Meredith Stautberg
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - James B. Massengill
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Havener Eye Institute, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - Joanne Jeter
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Arun Singh
- Cole Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Meghan J. Marino
- Cole Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Joseph P. McElroy
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Frederick H. Davidorf
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Havener Eye Institute, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - Colleen M. Cebulla
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Havener Eye Institute, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - Mohamed H. Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Havener Eye Institute, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
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Developing Novel G-Quadruplex Ligands: from Interaction with Nucleic Acids to Interfering with Nucleic Acid⁻Protein Interaction. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24030396. [PMID: 30678288 PMCID: PMC6384609 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex is a special secondary structure of nucleic acids in guanine-rich sequences of genome. G-quadruplexes have been proved to be involved in the regulation of replication, DNA damage repair, and transcription and translation of oncogenes or other cancer-related genes. Therefore, targeting G-quadruplexes has become a novel promising anti-tumor strategy. Different kinds of small molecules targeting the G-quadruplexes have been designed, synthesized, and identified as potential anti-tumor agents, including molecules directly bind to the G-quadruplex and molecules interfering with the binding between the G-quadruplex structures and related binding proteins. This review will explore the feasibility of G-quadruplex ligands acting as anti-tumor drugs, from basis to application. Meanwhile, since helicase is the most well-defined G-quadruplex-related protein, the most extensive research on the relationship between helicase and G-quadruplexes, and its meaning in drug design, is emphasized.
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