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Li T, Cheng C, Liu J. Chemical and Enzyme-Mediated Chemical Reactions for Studying Nucleic Acids and Their Modifications. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400220. [PMID: 38742371 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400220] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are genetic information-carrying molecules inside cells. Apart from basic nucleotide building blocks, there exist various naturally occurring chemical modifications on nucleobase and ribose moieties, which greatly increase the encoding complexity of nuclei acids, contribute to the alteration of nucleic acid structures, and play versatile regulation roles in gene expression. To study the functions of certain nucleic acids in various biological contexts, robust tools to specifically label and identify these macromolecules and their modifications, and to illuminate their structures are highly necessary. In this review, we summarize recent technique advances of using chemical and enzyme-mediated chemical reactions to study nucleic acids and their modifications and structures. By highlighting the chemical principles of these techniques, we aim to present a perspective on the advancement of the field as well as to offer insights into developing specific chemical reactions and precise enzyme catalysis utilized for nucleic acids and their modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengwei Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chongguang Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jianzhao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Transvascular Implantation Devices, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
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2
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Chatterjee S, Xiao L, Zhong W, Feng S, Kool ET. Selective Arylation of RNA 2'-OH Groups via S NAr Reaction with Trialkylammonium Heterocycles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202403496. [PMID: 38625814 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403496] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Small-molecule reactions at the 2'-OH groups of RNA enable useful applications for transcriptome technology and biology. To date, all reactions have involved carbonyl acylation and mechanistically related sulfonylation, limiting the types of modifications and properties that can be achieved. Here we report that electron-deficient heteroaryl species selectively react with 2'-OH groups of RNA in water via SNAr chemistry. In particular, trialkyl-ammonium (TAA)-activated aromatic heterocycles, prepared in one step from aryl chloride precursors, give high conversions to aryl ether adducts with RNAs in aqueous buffer in ~2-3 h. Remarkably, a TAA triazine previously used only for reaction with carboxylic acids, shows unprecedented selectivity for RNA over water, reacting rapidly with 2'-OH groups while exhibiting a half-life in water of >10 days. We further show that a triazine aryl species can be used as a probe at trace-level yields to map RNA structure in vitro. Finally, we prepare a number of functionalized trialkylammonium triazine reagents and show that they can be used to covalently label RNA efficiently for use in vitro and in living cells. This direct arylation chemistry offers a simple and distinct structural scaffold for post-synthetic RNA modification, with potential utility in multiple applications in transcriptome research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wenrui Zhong
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sheng Feng
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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3
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Bose E, Xiong S, Jones AN. Probing RNA structure and dynamics using nanopore and next generation sequencing. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107317. [PMID: 38677514 PMCID: PMC11145556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107317] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
It has become increasingly evident that the structures RNAs adopt are conformationally dynamic; the various structured states that RNAs sample govern their interactions with other nucleic acids, proteins, and ligands to regulate a myriad of biological processes. Although several biophysical approaches have been developed and used to study the dynamic landscape of structured RNAs, technical limitations have limited their application to all classes of RNA due to variable size and flexibility. Recent advances combining chemical probing experiments with next-generation- and direct sequencing have emerged as an alternative approach to exploring the conformational dynamics of RNA. In this review, we provide a methodological overview of the sequencing-based techniques used to study RNA conformational dynamics. We discuss how different techniques have enabled us to better understand the propensity of RNAs from a variety of different classes to sample multiple conformational states. Finally, we present examples of the ways these techniques have reshaped how we think about RNA structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Bose
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shengwei Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alisha N Jones
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
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Shioi R, Chatterjee S, Xiao L, Zhong W, Kool ET. Second-Generation Chiral Amino Acid Derivatives Afford High Stereoselectivity and Stability in Aqueous RNA Acylation. J Org Chem 2024. [PMID: 38809698 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Activated acyl species have proven versatile in the esterification of 2'-OH groups in RNA, enabling structure mapping, caging, profiling, and labeling of the biopolymer. Nearly all reagents developed for this reaction have been achiral; however, a recent study reported that simple chiral amino acid acylimidazole derivatives could yield diastereoselective reactions at RNA 2'-OH in water, enabling up to 4:1 selectivity in screening. Here, we investigated the effect of steric bulk on the stereoselectivity of RNA reaction and on the stability of adducts with a library of 36 chiral acylimidazole scaffolds with increasing steric demand. The results document the highest stereoselectivity yet achieved in RNA acylation reactions, with as high as >99:1 diastereoselectivity at >70% conversion. Also notably, the bulky adducts were found to have markedly improved stability on RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuta Shioi
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Sayantan Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Wenrui Zhong
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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5
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Shioi R, Xiao L, Kool ET. Aqueous Activation of RNA 2'-OH for Conjugation with Amines and Thiols. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:43-50. [PMID: 38150592 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00370] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Strategies for covalent modification of RNA are important for enabling biological studies of the biopolymer and for enhancing properties of therapeutic RNAs. While a number of electrophiles have been observed to react with RNA, few methods exist for reaction with nucleophiles. Here, we describe new reagents that enable efficient conjugation of amines and other nucleophiles to unmodified RNA postsynthetically via transient activation of 2'-OH groups. Reaction of single-stranded RNA in aqueous solution with phenolic imidazolecarbamates at room temperature results in stoichiometric and superstoichiometric yields of imidazolecarbonyl group adducts, and control experiments with DNA confirm the site of reaction in RNA as 2'-OH. Subsequent incubation of imidazolecarbonyl-activated RNAs with primary or selected secondary amines results in rapid, high-yield conversion to carbamate conjugates. The activation and subsequent nucleophile reaction can be carried out either stepwise or in a one-pot reaction. Thiols and phenol species react to yield (thio)carbonate adducts, and amino acid sidechains also react, suggesting possible future utility for protein conjugates and analysis of protein-RNA interactions. The activation method is found to be selective to unpaired regions of RNA, and can be directed to a specific location in a strand by use of a loop-inducing helper DNA. The results establish novel and efficient reagents and methods for modifying RNA postsynthetically with nucleophiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuta Shioi
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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6
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Shioi R, Xiao L, Fang L, Kool ET. Efficient post-synthesis incorporation and conjugation of reactive ketones in RNA via 2'-acylation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 60:232-235. [PMID: 38054242 PMCID: PMC10745195 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05123d] [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] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the broad utility of ketones in bioconjugation, few methods exist to introduce them into RNA. Here we develop highly reactive 2'-OH acylating reagents containing strained-ring ketones, and employ them as versatile labeling handles for RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuta Shioi
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Linglan Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Cruite J, Nowak R, Donovan KA, Ficarro SB, Huang H, Liu H, Liu Y, Marto JA, Metivier RJ, Fischer ES, Jones LH. Covalent Stapling of the Cereblon Sensor Loop Histidine Using Sulfur-Heterocycle Exchange. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1576-1581. [PMID: 37974938 PMCID: PMC10641907 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00371] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Site-specific modification of amino acid residues in protein binding pockets using sulfonyl exchange chemistry expands the druggable proteome by enabling the development of covalent modulators that target residues beyond cysteine. Sulfonyl fluoride and triazole electrophiles were incorporated previously into the cereblon (CRBN) molecular glue degrader EM12, to covalently engage His353 within the CRBN sensor loop, but these probes had poor human plasma stability. Attenuation of intrinsic reactivity through the development of sulfonyl pyrazoles, imidazoles, and nucleobases enhanced plasma stability, and several compounds retained efficient labeling of His353. For example, sulfonyl imidazole EM12-SO2Im covalently blocked the CRBN binding site and possessed excellent metabolic stability in human plasma, liver microsomes, and hepatocytes. These results highlight the potential suitability of sulfonyl imidazole and related sulfur(VI)-diazole exchange (SuDEx) warheads for covalent drug development and further exemplify the therapeutic promise of site-specific histidine targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin
T. Cruite
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Radosław
P. Nowak
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Scott B. Ficarro
- Department
of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, Blais Proteomics
Center, and Center for Emergent Drug Targets, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s
Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Huang Huang
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Hu Liu
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Yingpeng Liu
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Jarrod A. Marto
- Department
of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, Blais Proteomics
Center, and Center for Emergent Drug Targets, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s
Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Rebecca J. Metivier
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Lyn H. Jones
- Center
for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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Kanagawa T, Tachibana S, Masaki Y, Seio K. Synthesis and Conformational Analyses of Cyclonucleoside Having 13-Membered Ring Bridging Nucleobase and 5'-Position via a Linker Containing Sulfonamide. Org Lett 2023; 25:7868-7872. [PMID: 37857270 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c03094] [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: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
A cyclic nucleoside has been designed and synthesized to serve as a conformationally fixed building block for the development of functional oligonucleotides. The bridge was introduced between the nucleobase and the 5'-position to fix the rotation around the C4'-C5' bond, the base orientation, and the sugar puckering all at once. The 13-membered cyclic structure was introduced using a sulfonamide linkage, which retains an N-H group that can be used to attach an additional nucleoside moiety. The sulfonamide linkage was formed through the end-to-end cyclization of an intermediate that contained both a sulfonyltriazole and amino groups. Both 1H NMR and computational studies revealed that the sugar conformation, base orientation, and γ torsion angle were S-type, anti, and trans, respectively. As such, cyclic nucleosides show promise for introducing these specific distorted conformations into functional nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Kanagawa
- Department of Life Sciences and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan
| | - Shigetoshi Tachibana
- Department of Life Sciences and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Masaki
- Department of Life Sciences and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan
- JST PRESTO, Kawaguchi 332-0012, Japan
| | - Kohji Seio
- Department of Life Sciences and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan
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Martínez J, Lampaya V, Larraga A, Magallón H, Casabona D. Purification of linearized template plasmid DNA decreases double-stranded RNA formation during IVT reaction. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1248511. [PMID: 37842641 PMCID: PMC10570549 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1248511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
After the COVID-19 pandemic, messenger RNA (mRNA) has revolutionized traditional vaccine manufacturing. With the increasing number of RNA-based therapeutics, valuable new scientific insights into these molecules have emerged. One fascinating area of study is the formation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) during in vitro transcription (IVT) which is considered a significant impurity, as it has been identified as a major trigger in the cellular immune response pathway. Therefore, there is a growing importance placed to develop and optimize purification processes for the removal of this by-product. Traditionally, efforts have primarily focused on mRNA purification after IVT through chromatographic separations, with anion exchange and reverse phase chromatography emerging as effective tools for this purpose. However, to the best of our knowledge, the influence and significance of the quality of the linearized plasmid have not been thoroughly investigated. Plasmids production involves the growth of bacterial cultures, bacterial harvesting and lysis, and multiple filtration steps for plasmid DNA purification. The inherent complexity of these molecules, along with the multitude of purification steps involved in their processing, including the subsequent linearization and the less-developed purification techniques for linearized plasmids, often result in inconsistent batches with limited control over by-products such as dsRNA. This study aims to demonstrate how the purification process employed for linearized plasmids can impact the formation of dsRNA. Several techniques for the purification of linearized plasmids based on both, resin filtration and chromatographic separations, have been studied. As a result of that, we have optimized a chromatographic method for purifying linearized plasmids using monolithic columns with C4 chemistry (butyl chains located in the surface of the particles), which has proven successful for mRNAs of various sizes. This chromatographic separation facilitates the generation of homogeneous linearized plasmids, leading to mRNA batches with lower levels of dsRNA during subsequent IVT processes. This finding reveals that dsRNA formation is influenced not only by RNA polymerase and IVT conditions but also by the quality of the linearized template. The results suggest that plasmid impurities may contribute to the production of dsRNA by providing additional templates that can be transcribed into sequences that anneal with the mRNA molecules. This highlights the importance of considering the quality of plasmid purification in relation to dsRNA generation during transcription. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and implications of plasmid-derived dsRNA. This discovery could shift the focus in mRNA vaccine production, placing more emphasis on the purification of linearized plasmids and potentially saving, in some instances, a purification step for mRNA following IVT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Diego Casabona
- RNA Synthesis and Development Department, Certest Pharma, Certest Biotec, Zaragoza, Spain
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