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Brankiewicz-Kopcinska W, Kallingal A, Krzemieniecki R, Baginski M. Targeting shelterin proteins for cancer therapy. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104056. [PMID: 38844065 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104056] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
As a global health challenge, cancer prompts continuous exploration for innovative therapies that are also based on new targets. One promising avenue is targeting the shelterin protein complex, a safeguard for telomeres crucial in preventing DNA damage. The role of shelterin in modulating ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinases, key players in the DNA damage response (DDR), establishes its significance in cancer cells. Disrupting these defence mechanisms of shelterins, especially in cancer cells, renders telomeres vulnerable, potentially leading to genomic instability and hindering cancer cell survival. In this review, we outline recent approaches exploring shelterins as potential anticancer targets, highlighting the prospect of developing selective molecules to exploit telomere vulnerabilities toward new innovative cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioletta Brankiewicz-Kopcinska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland; Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Anoop Kallingal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Radoslaw Krzemieniecki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Maciej Baginski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
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2
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Sobinoff AP, Di Maro S, Low RRJ, Benedetti R, Tomassi S, D'Aniello A, Russo R, Baglivo I, Chianese U, Pedone PV, Chambery A, Cesare AJ, Altucci L, Pickett HA, Cosconati S. Irreversible inhibition of TRF2 TRFH recruiting functions by a covalent cyclic peptide induces telomeric replication stress in cancer cells. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1652-1665.e6. [PMID: 38065101 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.11.008] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The TRF2 shelterin component is an essential regulator of telomere homeostasis and genomic stability. Mutations in the TRF2TRFH domain physically impair t-loop formation and prevent the recruitment of several factors that promote efficient telomere replication, causing telomeric DNA damage. Here, we design, synthesize, and biologically test covalent cyclic peptides that irreversibly target the TRF2TRFH domain. We identify APOD53 as our most promising compound, as it consistently induces a telomeric DNA damage response in cancer cell lines. APOD53 forms a covalent adduct with a reactive cysteine residue present in the TRF2TRFH domain and induces phenotypes consistent with TRF2TRFH domain mutants. These include induction of a telomeric DNA damage response, increased telomeric replication stress, and impaired recruitment of RTEL1 and SLX4 to telomeres. We demonstrate that APOD53 impairs cancer cell growth and find that co-treatment with APOD53 can exacerbate telomere replication stress caused by the G4 stabilizer RHPS4 and low dose aphidicolin (APH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P Sobinoff
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ronnie R J Low
- Genome Integrity Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Rosaria Benedetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Luigi Vanvitelli", Medical Epigenetics Program
| | - Stefano Tomassi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonia D'Aniello
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ilaria Baglivo
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ugo Chianese
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo V Pedone
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Anthony J Cesare
- Genome Integrity Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; BIOGEM, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Luigi Vanvitelli", Medical Epigenetics Program; IEOS CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
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3
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Brankiewicz W, Kalathiya U, Padariya M, Węgrzyn K, Prusinowski M, Zebrowska J, Zylicz-Stachula A, Skowron P, Drab M, Szajewski M, Ciesielski M, Gawrońska M, Kallingal A, Makowski M, Bagiński M. Modified Peptide Molecules As Potential Modulators of Shelterin Protein Functions; TRF1. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202300970. [PMID: 37332024 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202300970] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we present studies on relatively new and still not well-explored potential anticancer targets which are shelterin proteins, in particular the TRF1 protein can be blocked by in silico designed "peptidomimetic" molecules. TRF1 interacts directly with the TIN2 protein, and this protein-protein interaction is crucial for the proper functioning of telomere, which could be blocked by our novel modified peptide molecules. Our chemotherapeutic approach is based on assumption that modulation of TRF1-TIN2 interaction may be more harmful for cancer cells as cancer telomeres are more fragile than in normal cells. We have shown in vitro within SPR experiments that our modified peptide PEP1 molecule interacts with TRF1, presumably at the site originally occupied by the TIN2 protein. Disturbance of the shelterin complex by studied molecule may not in short term lead to cytotoxic effects, however blocking TRF1-TIN2 resulted in cellular senescence in cellular breast cancer lines used as a cancer model. Thus, our compounds appeared useful as starting model compounds for precise blockage of TRF proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioletta Brankiewicz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Umesh Kalathiya
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Monikaben Padariya
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Węgrzyn
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Maciej Prusinowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Joanna Zebrowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Skowron
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marek Drab
- Unit of Nanostructural Bio-Interactions, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Weigla-Street, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Mariusz Szajewski
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Gdynia Oncology Centre, Gdynia, Poland
- Division of Propaedeutics of Oncology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Maciej Ciesielski
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Gdynia Oncology Centre, Gdynia, Poland
- Division of Propaedeutics of Oncology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Gawrońska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anoop Kallingal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Mariusz Makowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Maciej Bagiński
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
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Sohn EJ, Goralsky JA, Shay JW, Min J. The Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071945. [PMID: 37046606 PMCID: PMC10093677 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
As detailed by the end replication problem, the linear ends of a cell's chromosomes, known as telomeres, shorten with each successive round of replication until a cell enters into a state of growth arrest referred to as senescence. To maintain their immortal proliferation capacity, cancer cells must employ a telomere maintenance mechanism, such as telomerase activation or the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres pathway (ALT). With only 10-15% of cancers utilizing the ALT mechanism, progress towards understanding its molecular components and associated hallmarks has only recently been made. This review analyzes the advances towards understanding the ALT pathway by: (1) detailing the mechanisms associated with engaging the ALT pathway as well as (2) identifying potential therapeutic targets of ALT that may lead to novel cancer therapeutic treatments. Collectively, these studies indicate that the ALT molecular mechanisms involve at least two distinct pathways induced by replication stress and damage at telomeres. We suggest exploiting tumor dependency on ALT is a promising field of study because it suggests new approaches to ALT-specific therapies for cancers with poorer prognosis. While substantial progress has been made in the ALT research field, additional progress will be required to realize these advances into clinical practices to treat ALT cancers and improve patient prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Sohn
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Julia A Goralsky
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9039, USA
| | - Jaewon Min
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Gao J, Pickett HA. Targeting telomeres: advances in telomere maintenance mechanism-specific cancer therapies. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:515-532. [PMID: 35790854 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells establish replicative immortality by activating a telomere-maintenance mechanism (TMM), be it telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Targeting telomere maintenance represents an intriguing opportunity to treat the vast majority of all cancer types. Whilst telomerase inhibitors have historically been heralded as promising anticancer agents, the reality has been more challenging, and there are currently no therapeutic options for cancer types that use ALT despite their aggressive nature and poor prognosis. In this Review, we discuss the mechanistic differences between telomere maintenance by telomerase and ALT, the current methods used to detect each mechanism, the utility of these tests for clinical diagnosis, and recent developments in the therapeutic strategies being employed to target both telomerase and ALT. We present notable developments in repurposing established therapeutic agents and new avenues that are emerging to target cancer types according to which TMM they employ. These opportunities extend beyond inhibition of telomere maintenance, by finding and exploiting inherent weaknesses in the telomeres themselves to trigger rapid cellular effects that lead to cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixuan Gao
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
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Vertecchi E, Rizzo A, Salvati E. Telomere Targeting Approaches in Cancer: Beyond Length Maintenance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073784. [PMID: 35409143 PMCID: PMC8998427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are crucial structures that preserve genome stability. Their progressive erosion over numerous DNA duplications determines the senescence of cells and organisms. As telomere length homeostasis is critical for cancer development, nowadays, telomere maintenance mechanisms are established targets in cancer treatment. Besides telomere elongation, telomere dysfunction impinges on intracellular signaling pathways, in particular DNA damage signaling and repair, affecting cancer cell survival and proliferation. This review summarizes and discusses recent findings in anticancer drug development targeting different “telosome” components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Vertecchi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Angela Rizzo
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Erica Salvati
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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7
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N-terminal modified cyclopeptidic mimetics of Apollo TBM as inhibitors of TRF2. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127401. [PMID: 32871539 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Telomeric repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) plays an important role in protecting telomeres from being recognized as DNA breaks. TRF2 performs its telomere protecting functions partially by recruiting a number of accessory proteins to telomeres through its TRF homology (TFRH) domain. Identification of small molecular compounds which can bind to the TRFH domain of TRF2 and block the interactions between TRF2 and its associated proteins is crucial for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of these protein-protein interactions. Using a previously identified peptidic mimetic of ApolloTBM as a lead compound, we designed and synthesized a series of novel TRF2 inhibitors by non-peptidic modifications of the N-terminal residues. These compounds can maintain the binding affinities to TRF2 but have much reduced peptidic characteristics compared to the lead compound.
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8
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Guo T, Dong Y, Chen Y, Liu L, Sun H. Development and optimization of a cascade of screening assays for inhibitors of TRF2. Anal Biochem 2020; 602:113796. [PMID: 32485162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
TRF2 is a telomere associated protein which plays an important role in telomere maintenance. Knockdown of TRF2 can cause chromosomal end to end fusions and induce DNA damage responses. TRF2 exerts its functions partially by recruiting a number of accessory proteins through its TRF homology domain (TRFH), therefore identification of small molecular compounds which can bind to the TRFH domain of TRF2 and block the interactions of TRF2 with its associated proteins is important to elucidate the molecular mechanism of these protein-protein interactions. Development of robust and sensitive screening and evaluation assays is critical to the identification of TRF2 inhibitors, in this paper we reported the development and optimization of a cascade of screening and binding affinity evaluation assays, including a competitive FP (Fluorescence Polarization) assay utilized in our previous research, and two novel label-free DSF (Differential Scanning Fluorescence) and BLI (Biolayer Interferometry) assays. A previously identified TRF2 inhibitor TRF2-27 was used as an internal reference compound and evaluated in all of these assays. According to the results, DSF assay is not suitable for TRF2 screening because of the low ΔTm, while the optimized labeled-free BLI assay was demonstrated to be an accurate and reproducible assay for TRF2 inhibitor screening and characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Yao Dong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science, Shanghai Science Research Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 333 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
| | - Liu Liu
- Pharmablock Sciences (Nanjing), Inc., 10 XueFu Road, Jiangbei New District, Nanjing, 210032, PR China.
| | - Haiying Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
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Chen Y. The structural biology of the shelterin complex. Biol Chem 2019; 400:457-466. [PMID: 30352022 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The shelterin complex protects telomeric DNA and plays critical roles in maintaining chromosome stability. The structures and functions of the shelterin complex have been extensively explored in the past decades. This review summarizes the current progress on structural studies of shelterin complexes from different species. It focuses on the structural features and assembly of common structural domains, highlighting the evolutionary plasticity and conserved roles of shelterin proteins in telomere homeostasis and protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Science Research Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 333 Haike Road, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai 201210, China
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa L. Mako
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, 140 Flagg Road, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
| | - Joan M. Racicot
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, 140 Flagg Road, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
| | - Mindy Levine
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, 140 Flagg Road, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
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