1
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Oyaghire SN, Quijano E, Perera JDR, Mandl HK, Saltzman WM, Bahal R, Glazer PM. DNA recognition and induced genome modification by a hydroxymethyl-γ tail-clamp peptide nucleic acid. CELL REPORTS. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 2023; 4:101635. [PMID: 37920723 PMCID: PMC10621889 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) can target and stimulate recombination reactions in genomic DNA. We have reported that γPNA oligomers possessing the diethylene glycol γ-substituent show improved efficacy over unmodified PNAs in stimulating recombination-induced gene modification. However, this structural modification poses a challenge because of the inherent racemization risk in O-alkylation of the precursory serine side chain. To circumvent this risk and improve γPNA accessibility, we explore the utility of γPNA oligomers possessing the hydroxymethyl-γ moiety for gene-editing applications. We demonstrate that a γPNA oligomer possessing the hydroxymethyl modification, despite weaker preorganization, retains the ability to form a hybrid with the double-stranded DNA target of comparable stability and with higher affinity than that of the diethylene glycol-γPNA. When formulated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles, the hydroxymethyl-γPNA stimulates higher frequencies (≥ 1.5-fold) of gene modification than the diethylene glycol γPNA in mouse bone marrow cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley N. Oyaghire
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - J. Dinithi R. Perera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Hanna K. Mandl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - W. Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Peter M. Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Lead contact
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2
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Miclot T, Froux A, D'Anna L, Bignon E, Grandemange S, Barone G, Monari A, Terenzi A. Understanding the Interactions of Guanine Quadruplexes with Peptides as Novel Strategies for Diagnosis or Tuning Biological Functions. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200624. [PMID: 36598366 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Guanine quadruplexes (G4s) are nucleic acid structures exhibiting a complex structural behavior and exerting crucial biological functions in both cells and viruses. The specific interactions of peptides with G4s, as well as an understanding of the factors driving the specific recognition are important for the rational design of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In this review, we examine the most important studies dealing with the interactions between G4s and peptides, highlighting the strengths and limitations of current analytic approaches. We also show how the combined use of high-level molecular simulation techniques and experimental spectroscopy is the best avenue to design specifically tuned and selective peptides, thus leading to the control of important biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Miclot
- Universita di Palermo, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.,Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Aurane Froux
- Universita di Palermo, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.,Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7039 CRAN, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Luisa D'Anna
- Universita di Palermo, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Bignon
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, 54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Giampaolo Barone
- Universita di Palermo, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Monari
- Université Paris Cité and CNRS, ITODYS, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Alessio Terenzi
- Universita di Palermo, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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3
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Sarkar S, Colón-Roura G, Pearse A, Armitage BA. Targeting a KRAS i-motif forming sequence by unmodified and gamma-modified peptide nucleic acid oligomers. Biopolymers 2023; 114:e23529. [PMID: 36573547 PMCID: PMC10078108 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Growing interest in i-motif DNA as a transcriptional regulatory element motivates development of synthetic molecules capable of targeting these structures. In this study, we designed unmodified peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and gamma-modified PNA (γPNA) oligomers complementary to an i-motif forming sequence derived from the promoter of the KRAS oncogene. Biophysical techniques such as circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, CD melting, and fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated the successful invasion of the i-motif by PNA and γPNA. Both PNA and γPNA showed very strong binding to the target sequence with high thermal stability of the resulting heteroduplexes. Interestingly fluorescence and CD experiments indicated formation of an intermolecular i-motif structure via the overhangs of target-probe heteroduplexes formed by PNA/γPNA invasion of the intramolecular i-motif. Targeting promoter i-motif forming sequences with high-affinity oligonucleotide mimics like γPNAs may represent a new approach for inhibiting KRAS transcription, thereby representing a potentially useful anti-cancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srijani Sarkar
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gabriela Colón-Roura
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander Pearse
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bruce A Armitage
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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4
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Suparpprom C, Vilaivan T. Perspectives on conformationally constrained peptide nucleic acid (PNA): insights into the structural design, properties and applications. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:648-697. [PMID: 35755191 PMCID: PMC9175113 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00017b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid or PNA is a synthetic DNA mimic that contains a sequence of nucleobases attached to a peptide-like backbone derived from N-2-aminoethylglycine. The semi-rigid PNA backbone acts as a scaffold that arranges the nucleobases in a proper orientation and spacing so that they can pair with their complementary bases on another DNA, RNA, or even PNA strand perfectly well through the standard Watson-Crick base-pairing. The electrostatically neutral backbone of PNA contributes to its many unique properties that make PNA an outstanding member of the xeno-nucleic acid family. Not only PNA can recognize its complementary nucleic acid strand with high affinity, but it does so with excellent specificity that surpasses the specificity of natural nucleic acids and their analogs. Nevertheless, there is still room for further improvements of the original PNA in terms of stability and specificity of base-pairing, direction of binding, and selectivity for different types of nucleic acids, among others. This review focuses on attempts towards the rational design of new generation PNAs with superior performance by introducing conformational constraints such as a ring or a chiral substituent in the PNA backbone. A large collection of conformationally rigid PNAs developed during the past three decades are analyzed and compared in terms of molecular design and properties in relation to structural data if available. Applications of selected modified PNA in various areas such as targeting of structured nucleic acid targets, supramolecular scaffold, biosensing and bioimaging, and gene regulation will be highlighted to demonstrate how the conformation constraint can improve the performance of the PNA. Challenges and future of the research in the area of constrained PNA will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaturong Suparpprom
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Tah-Poe District, Muang Phitsanulok 65000 Thailand
- Organic Synthesis Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University Phayathai Road Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand
| | - Tirayut Vilaivan
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Tah-Poe District, Muang Phitsanulok 65000 Thailand
- Organic Synthesis Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University Phayathai Road Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand
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5
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Cadoni E, De Paepe L, Manicardi A, Madder A. Beyond small molecules: targeting G-quadruplex structures with oligonucleotides and their analogues. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6638-6659. [PMID: 33978760 PMCID: PMC8266634 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
G-Quadruplexes (G4s) are widely studied secondary DNA/RNA structures, naturally occurring when G-rich sequences are present. The strategic localization of G4s in genome areas of crucial importance, such as proto-oncogenes and telomeres, entails fundamental implications in terms of gene expression regulation and other important biological processes. Although thousands of small molecules capable to induce G4 stabilization have been reported over the past 20 years, approaches based on the hybridization of a synthetic probe, allowing sequence-specific G4-recognition and targeting are still rather limited. In this review, after introducing important general notions about G4s, we aim to list, explain and critically analyse in more detail the principal approaches available to target G4s by using oligonucleotides and synthetic analogues such as Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) and Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs), reporting on the most relevant examples described in literature to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Cadoni
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lessandro De Paepe
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alex Manicardi
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Madder
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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6
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Wang E, Thombre R, Shah Y, Latanich R, Wang J. G-Quadruplexes as pathogenic drivers in neurodegenerative disorders. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4816-4830. [PMID: 33784396 PMCID: PMC8136783 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s), higher-order DNA and RNA secondary structures featuring guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences with various conformations, are widely distributed in the human genome. These structural motifs are known to participate in basic cellular processes, including transcription, splicing, and translation, and their functions related to health and disease are becoming increasingly recognized. In this review, we summarize the landscape of G4s involved in major neurodegenerative disorders, describing the genes that contain G4-forming sequences and proteins that have high affinity for G4-containing elements. The functions of G4s are diverse, with potentially protective or deleterious effects in the pathogenic cascades of various neurological diseases. While the studies of the functions of G4s in vivo, including those involved in pathophysiology, are still in their early stages, we will nevertheless discuss the evidence pointing to their biological relevance. A better understanding of this unique structural element in the biological context is important for unveiling its potential roles in the pathogenesis of diseases such as neurodegeneration and for designing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ravi Thombre
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yajas Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rachel Latanich
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jiou Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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7
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Perera JDR, Carufe KEW, Glazer PM. Peptide nucleic acids and their role in gene regulation and editing. Biopolymers 2021; 112:e23460. [PMID: 34129732 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The unique properties of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) makes it a desirable candidate to be used in therapeutic and biotechnological interventions. It has been broadly utilized for numerous applications, with a major focus in regulation of gene expression, and more recently in gene editing. While the classic PNA design has mainly been employed to date, chemical modifications of the PNA backbone and nucleobases provide an avenue to advance the technology further. This review aims to discuss the recent developments in PNA based gene manipulation techniques and the use of novel chemical modifications to improve the current state of PNA mediated gene targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dinithi R Perera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kelly E W Carufe
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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8
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Liang X, Liu M, Komiyama M. Recognition of Target Site in Various Forms of DNA and RNA by Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA): From Fundamentals to Practical Applications. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20210086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xingguo Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266235, P. R. China
| | - Mengqin Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
| | - Makoto Komiyama
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
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9
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Sarkar S, Armitage BA. Targeting a Potential G-Quadruplex Forming Sequence Found in the West Nile Virus Genome by Complementary Gamma-Peptide Nucleic Acid Oligomers. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1445-1456. [PMID: 33886274 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the United States, West Nile virus (WNV) infects approximately 2500 people per year, of which 100-200 cases are fatal. No antiviral drug or vaccine is currently available for WNV. In this study, we designed gamma-modified peptide nucleic acid (γPNA) oligomers to target a newly identified guanine-rich gene sequence in the WNV genome. The target is found in the NS5 protein-coding region and was previously predicted to fold into a G-quadruplex (GQ) structure. Biophysical techniques such as UV melting analysis, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that the target RNA indeed folds into a moderately stable GQ structure at physiological temperature and potassium concentration. Successful invasion of the GQ by three complementary γPNAs was also characterized by the above-mentioned biophysical techniques. The γPNAs showed very strong binding to the target with low femtomolar affinity at physiological temperature. Targeting this potential guanine quadruplex forming sequence (PQS) and other related sequences with γPNA may represent a new approach for inhibiting both WNV replication and transcription, thereby representing a generally useful antiviral strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srijani Sarkar
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890, United States
| | - Bruce A. Armitage
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890, United States
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10
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Hoque ME, Mustafa G, Basu S, Balci H. Encounters between Cas9/dCas9 and G-Quadruplexes: Implications for Transcription Regulation and Cas9-Mediated DNA Cleavage. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:972-978. [PMID: 33970608 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Using the nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9), we targeted in cellulo a G-rich sequence, which contains multiple potentially G-quadruplex (GQ) forming sites, within the human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter. We demonstrate that transcription can be up or down regulated by targeting different parts of this G-rich sequence. Our results suggest that TH transcription levels correlate with stability of different GQs formed by this sequence and targeting them with dCas9 can modulate their stability. Unlike alternative approaches, regulating TH expression by targeting the promoter GQs with dCas9 enables a specific and potentially transient control and does not require mutations in the sequence. We also investigated whether the presence of GQs in target sequences impacts DNA cleavage activity of Cas9. We discovered significant reduction in cleavage activity when the vicinity of a high-stability GQ was targeted. Furthermore, this reduction is significantly more prominent for the G-rich strand compared to the complementary C-rich strand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Enamul Hoque
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Golam Mustafa
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Soumitra Basu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Hamza Balci
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
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11
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Berlyoung AS, Armitage BA. Assembly and Characterization of RNA/DNA Hetero-G-Quadruplexes. Biochemistry 2020; 59:4072-4080. [PMID: 33048532 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transient association of guanine-rich RNA and DNA in the form of hetero-G-quadruplexes (RDQs) has emerged as an important mechanism for regulating genome transcription and replication but relatively little is known about the structure and biophysical properties of RDQs compared with DNA and RNA homo-G-quadruplexes. Herein, we report the assembly and characterization of three RDQs based on sequence motifs found in human telomeres and mitochondrial nucleic acids. Stable RDQs were assembled using a duplex scaffold, which prevented segregation of the DNA and RNA strands into separate homo-GQs. Each of the RDQs exhibited UV melting temperatures above 50 °C in 100 mM KCl and predominantly parallel morphologies, evidently driven by the RNA component. The fluorogenic dye thioflavin T binds to each RDQ with low micromolar KD values, similar to its binding to RNA and DNA homo-GQs. These results establish a method for assembling RDQs that should be amenable to screening compounds and libraries to identify selective RDQ-binding small molecules, oligonucleotides, and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- April S Berlyoung
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Bruce A Armitage
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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12
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Abstract
The stringent base-pairing rules of DNA make it an exceptionally powerful bottom-up nanoscale material for dynamic nanotechnologies. However, current nanomachines are based on rearrangements between DNA duplexes, which limits structural versatility and introduces detrimental background activity. Specifically, to make the reactions unidirectional, product duplexes are designed to be thermodynamically more favorable than their respective substrate duplexes. As a result, the reactions are thermodynamically driven, which represents the main source for the background activity. Here we test an alternative approach based on a structural transformation (ST) between a monomolecular DNA substrate and a quadruplex product. The quadruplex sequence is incorporated into a hairpin substrate. ST reaction is initiated by an addition of a target molecule, which through toehold-mediated strand displacement releases the quadruplex-forming sequence. The liberated sequence folds into a stable quadruplex and stays folded after dissociation of the target molecule. This Article analyzes the thermodynamic principles of ST reactions and demonstrates that the unidirectional nonenzymatic reaction can be run without thermodynamic favorability by transforming thermodynamically stable substrates into metastable products. In other words, ST is capable to drive nanomachines using thermodynamically uphill reactions. This allows for (i) running nanodevices without detrimental background activity and (ii) charging the product molecules with potential energy, which could be used in downstream endergonic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Besik Kankia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio 43210, United States.,Institute of Biophysics, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Republic of Georgia
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13
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Abstract
The growing interest in G-quadruplex (G4) structure and function is motivating intense efforts to develop G4-binding ligands. This chapter describes the design and testing of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers, which can bind to G4 DNA or RNA in two distinct ways, leading to formation of heteroduplexes or heteroquadruplexes. Guidelines for designing G4-targeting PNAs and step-by-step protocols for characterizing their binding through biophysical or biochemical methods are provided.
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14
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Tähtinen V, Verhassel A, Tuomela J, Virta P. γ-(S)-Guanidinylmethyl-Modified Triplex-Forming Peptide Nucleic Acids Increase Hoogsteen-Face Affinity for a MicroRNA and Enhance Cellular Uptake. Chembiochem 2019; 20:3041-3051. [PMID: 31206960 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
γ-Modified (i.e., (S)-aminomethyl, (S)-acetamidomethyl, (R)-4-(hydroxymethyl)triazol-1-ylmethyl, and (S)-guanidinylmethyl) triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (TFPNAs) were synthesized and the effect of the backbone modifications on the binding to a miR-215 model was studied. Among the modifications, an appropriate pattern of three γ-(S)-guanidinylmethyl modifications increased the affinity and Hoogsteen-face selectivity for the miR-215 model without ternary (PNA)2 /RNA complex formation. Moreover, the γ-(S)-guanidinylmethyl groups were observed to facilitate internalization of the TFPNAs into living PC-3 prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ville Tähtinen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Vatselankatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Alejandra Verhassel
- FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Institution of Biomedicine, Medisiina D, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Johanna Tuomela
- FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Institution of Biomedicine, Medisiina D, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Pasi Virta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Vatselankatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland
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15
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A fluorescent aminosugar to rapidly screen and study RNA binders. Methods Enzymol 2019. [PMID: 31239051 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2019.05.027] [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: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA targeted high-throughput assays that allow for rapid detection of high affinity binding ligands are important in RNA recognition studies. A number for fluorescent dyes have been reported that can assist in rapidly identifying nucleic acid (RNA) binding elements without the need for immobilization of RNA or the ligand. A number of these dyes are planar aromatic molecules that bind non-specifically to nucleic acids and often distort their parent nucleic acid structures leading to ambiguity in the interpretation of results. In this light, we report here, the use of an aminoglycoside (neomycin) based fluorescent probe (F-Neo) which can reversibly bind to different RNA motifs and help identify ligands with needed affinity and selectivity, without any immobilization of the probe or the target. In this chapter, we provide the details of the assay development, experimental considerations and data analysis to use the probe and identify novel ligands. We then provide a brief introduction to calorimetry (ITC) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy based methods in validating the binding of such identified compounds.
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16
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Muench D, Rezzoug F, Thomas SD, Xiao J, Islam A, Miller DM, Sedoris KC. Quadruplex-forming oligonucleotide targeted to the VEGF promoter inhibits growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211046. [PMID: 30682194 PMCID: PMC6347295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is commonly overexpressed in a variety of tumor types including lung cancer. As a key regulator of angiogenesis, it promotes tumor survival, growth, and metastasis through the activation of the downstream protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) activation. The VEGF promoter contains a 36 bp guanine-rich sequence (VEGFq) which is capable of forming quadruplex (four-stranded) DNA. This sequence has been implicated in the down-regulation of both basal and inducible VEGF expression and represents an ideal target for inhibition of VEGF expression. RESULTS Our experiments demonstrate sequence-specific interaction between a G-rich quadruplex-forming oligonucleotide encoding a portion of the VEGFq sequence and its double stranded target sequence, suggesting that this G-rich oligonucleotide binds specifically to its complementary C-rich sequence in the genomic VEGF promoter by strand invasion. We show that treatment of A549 non-small lung cancer cells (NSCLC) with this oligonucleotide results in decreased VEGF expression and growth inhibition. The VEGFq oligonucleotide inhibits proliferation and invasion by decreasing VEGF mRNA/protein expression and subsequent ERK 1/2 and AKT activation. Furthermore, the VEGFq oligonucleotide is abundantly taken into cells, localized in the cytoplasm/nucleus, inherently stable in serum and intracellularly, and has no effect on non-transformed cells. Suppression of VEGF expression induces cytoplasmic accumulation of autophagic vacuoles and increased expression of LC3B, suggesting that VEGFq may induce autophagic cell death. CONCLUSION Our data strongly suggest that the G-rich VEGFq oligonucleotide binds specifically to the C-rich strand of the genomic VEGF promoter, via strand invasion, stabilizing the quadruplex structure formed by the genomic G-rich sequence, resulting in transcriptional inhibition. Strand invading oligonucleotides represent a new approach to specifically inhibit VEGF expression that avoids many of the problems which have plagued the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides. This is a novel approach to specific inhibition of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Muench
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Francine Rezzoug
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Shelia D. Thomas
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jingjing Xiao
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Ashraful Islam
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Donald M. Miller
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kara C. Sedoris
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
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17
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Tähtinen V, Granqvist L, Murtola M, Strömberg R, Virta P. 19 F NMR Spectroscopic Analysis of the Binding Modes in Triple-Helical Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA)/MicroRNA Complexes. Chemistry 2017; 23:7113-7124. [PMID: 28370485 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201700601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (TFPNAs) were targeted to double-helical regions of 19 F-labeled RNA hairpin models (a UA-rich duplex with a hexaethylene glycol (heg) loop and a microRNA model, miR-215). In addition to conventional UV- and circular dichroism (CD)-based detection, binding was monitored by 19 F NMR spectroscopy. Detailed information on the stoichiometry and transition between the triple-helical peptide nucleic acid (PNA)/RNA and (PNA)2 /RNA binding modes could be obtained. γ-(R)-Hydroxymethyl-modified thymine-1-yl- and 2-aminopyridin-3-yl-acetyl derivatives of TFPNAs were additionally synthesized, which were targeted to the same RNA models, and the effect of the γ-(R)-hydroxymethyl group on binding was studied. An appropriate pattern of γ-(R)-hydroxymethyl modifications reduced the stability of the ternary complex and preferred stoichiometric binding to the miR-215 model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ville Tähtinen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland
| | - Lotta Granqvist
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland
| | - Merita Murtola
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland.,Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 83, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roger Strömberg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 83, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pasi Virta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland
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18
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Dolinnaya NG, Ogloblina AM, Yakubovskaya MG. Structure, Properties, and Biological Relevance of the DNA and RNA G-Quadruplexes: Overview 50 Years after Their Discovery. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 81:1602-1649. [PMID: 28260487 PMCID: PMC7087716 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916130034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s), which are known to have important roles in regulation of key biological processes in both normal and pathological cells, are the most actively studied non-canonical structures of nucleic acids. In this review, we summarize the results of studies published in recent years that change significantly scientific views on various aspects of our understanding of quadruplexes. Modern notions on the polymorphism of DNA quadruplexes, on factors affecting thermodynamics and kinetics of G4 folding–unfolding, on structural organization of multiquadruplex systems, and on conformational features of RNA G4s and hybrid DNA–RNA G4s are discussed. Here we report the data on location of G4 sequence motifs in the genomes of eukaryotes, bacteria, and viruses, characterize G4-specific small-molecule ligands and proteins, as well as the mechanisms of their interactions with quadruplexes. New information on the structure and stability of G4s in telomeric DNA and oncogene promoters is discussed as well as proof being provided on the occurrence of G-quadruplexes in cells. Prominence is given to novel experimental techniques (single molecule manipulations, optical and magnetic tweezers, original chemical approaches, G4 detection in situ, in-cell NMR spectroscopy) that facilitate breakthroughs in the investigation of the structure and functions of G-quadruplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Dolinnaya
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Chemistry, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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19
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Rouleau S, Jodoin R, Garant JM, Perreault JP. RNA G-Quadruplexes as Key Motifs of the Transcriptome. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 170:1-20. [PMID: 28382477 DOI: 10.1007/10_2017_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
G-Quadruplexes are non-canonical secondary structures that can be adopted under physiological conditions by guanine-rich DNA and RNA molecules. They have been reported to occur, and to perform multiple biological functions, in the genomes and transcriptomes of many species, including humans. This chapter focuses specifically on RNA G-quadruplexes and reviews the most recent discoveries in the field, as well as addresses the upcoming challenges researchers studying these structures face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Rouleau
- RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de Biochimie, Faculté de médecine des sciences de la santé, Pavillon de Recherche Appliquée au Cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, J1E 4K8
| | - Rachel Jodoin
- RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de Biochimie, Faculté de médecine des sciences de la santé, Pavillon de Recherche Appliquée au Cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, J1E 4K8
| | - Jean-Michel Garant
- RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de Biochimie, Faculté de médecine des sciences de la santé, Pavillon de Recherche Appliquée au Cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, J1E 4K8
| | - Jean-Pierre Perreault
- RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de Biochimie, Faculté de médecine des sciences de la santé, Pavillon de Recherche Appliquée au Cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, J1E 4K8.
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