Molecular determinants for DNA minor groove recognition: design of a bis-guanidinium derivative of ethidium that is highly selective for AT-rich DNA sequences

PhenQE8, a Novel Ligand of the Human Telomeric Quadruplex

A novel quadruplex ligand based on 1,10-phenanthroline and incorporating two guanyl hydrazone functionalities, PhenQE8, is reported herein. Synthetic access was gained in a two-step procedure with an overall yield of 61%. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that PhenQE8 can adopt an extended conformation that may be optimal to favor recognition of quadruplex DNA. DNA interactions with polymorphic G-quadruplex telomeric structures were studied by different techniques, such as Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) DNA melting assays, circular dichroism and equilibrium dialysis. Our results reveal that the novel ligand PhenQE8 can efficiently recognize the hybrid quadruplex structures of the human telomeric DNA, with high binding affinity and quadruplex/duplex selectivity. Moreover, the compound shows significant cytotoxic activity against a selected panel of cultured tumor cells (PC-3, HeLa and MCF-7), whereas its cytotoxicity is considerably lower in healthy human cells (HFF-1 and RPWE-1).

Guanidino-aryl derivatives: protonation and structure tuning for spectrophotometric recognition of ds-DNA and ds-RNA

Fine interplay between protonation of guanidine and size of Aryl controls DNA/RNA recognition and fluorimetric or CD response.

Design and synthesis of a polyguanidium vector with enhanced DNA binding ability for effective gene delivery at a low N/P ratio

A polyguanidium polymer has extra affinity toward DNA and can mediate transfection efficiently at a low polymer to DNA ratio.

DNA/RNA recognition controlled by the glycine linker and the guanidine moiety of phenanthridine peptides

The binding of four phenanthridine-guanidine peptides to DNA/RNA was evaluated via spectrophotometric/microcalorimetric methods and computations. The minor structural modifications-the type of the guanidine group (pyrrole guanidine (GCP) and arginine) and the linker length (presence or absence of glycine)-greatly affected the conformation of compounds and consequently the binding to double- (ds-) and single-stranded (ss-) polynucleotides. GCP peptide with shorter linker was able to distinguish between RNA (A-helix) and DNA (B-helix) by different circular dichroism response at 295 nm and thus can be used as a chiral probe. Opposed to the dominant stretched conformation of GCP peptide with shorter linker, the more flexible and longer linker of its analogue enabled the molecule to adopt the intramolecularly stacked form which resulted in weaker yet selective binding to DNA. Beside efficient organization of ss-polynucleotide structures, GCP peptide with shorter linker bound stronger to ss-DNA/RNA compared to arginine peptides which emphasize the importance of GCP unit.

Come-back of phenanthridine and phenanthridinium derivatives in the 21st century

Phenanthridine derivatives are one of the most intensively studied families of biologically active compounds with efficient DNA binding capability. Attracting attention since DNA structure discovery (1960s), they were early recognized as a symbol of DNA intercalative binding, for many decades applied as gold-standard DNA- and RNA-fluorescent markers (ethidium bromide), probes for cell viability (propidium iodide), but also “ill-famed” for various toxic (genotoxic) and mutagenic effects. After two decades of low interest, the discovery of phenanthridine alkaloids and new studies of antiparasitic/antitumor properties of phenanthridine derivatives resulted in the strong increase of the scientific interest about the turn of this century. Here are summarized phenanthridine-related advances in the 21st century (2000-present period) with emphasis on the supramolecular interactions and bioorganic chemistry, as well as novel or improved synthetic approaches.

Unexpected DNA affinity and sequence selectivity through core rigidity in guanidinium-based minor groove binders

In this paper we report the design and biophysical evaluation of novel rigid-core symmetric and asymmetric dicationic DNA binders containing 9H-fluorene and 9,10-dihydroanthracene cores as well as the synthesis of one of these fluorene derivatives. First, the affinity toward particular DNA sequences of these compounds and flexible core derivatives was evaluated by means of surface plasmon resonance and thermal denaturation experiments finding that the position of the cations significantly influence the binding strength. Then their affinity and mode of binding were further studied by performing circular dichroism and UV studies and the results obtained were rationalized by means of DFT calculations. We found that the fluorene derivatives prepared have the ability to bind to the minor groove of certain DNA sequences and intercalate to others, whereas the dihydroanthracene compounds bind via intercalation to all the DNA sequences studied here.

Selective DNA-binding by designed bisbenzamidine-homeodomain chimeras

We report the construction of conjugates between three variants of the helix 3 region of a Q50K engrailed homeodomain and bisbenzamidine minor-groove DNA binders. The hybrid featuring the sequence of the native protein failed to bind to DNA; however, modifications that increased the α-helical folding propensity of the peptide allowed specific DNA binding by a bipartite (major/minor groove) interaction.

Effects of side chains on DNA binding, cell permeability, nuclear localization and cytotoxicity of 4-aminonaphthalimides

The guanidinoethyl group increases DNA binding, and decreases the cell permeability and cytotoxity; the dimethylaminopropyl group enhances the cell permeability and cytotoxity.

DNA binding properties and biological evaluation of dihydropyrimidinones derivatives as potential antitumor agents

The binding properties of two medicinally important dihydropyrimidinones derivatives 5-(Ethoxycarbonyl)-6-methyl-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one (EMPD) and 5-(Ethoxycarbonyl)-6-methyl-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one (EMCD) with calf-thymus DNA (ctDNA) were investigated by spectroscopy, viscosity, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and molecular modeling techniques. Simultaneously, their biological activities were evaluated with MTT assay method. The binding constants determined with spectroscopic titration and ITC were found to be in the same order of 10(4)M(-1). According to the results of viscosity studies, fluorescence competitive binding experiment and ITC investigations, intercalative binding was evaluated as the dominant binding modes between the two compounds and ctDNA. Furthermore, the results of molecular modeling corroborated those obtained from spectroscopic, viscosimetric and ITC investigations. Evaluation of the antitumor activities of the two derivatives against different tumor cell lines proved that they exhibited significant tumor cell inhibition rate, accordingly blocking DNA transcription and replication. The present results favor the development of potential drugs related with dihydropyrimidinones derivatives in the treatment of some diseases.

Synthesis of phenanthridines via palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed sequential C-H functionalization

We report a new synthesis of phenanthridines based on palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed sequential C-H functionalization reactions starting from readily available benzylamine and aryl iodide precursors. Under the catalysis of Pd(OAc)2, the ortho-C-H bond of benzylpicolinamides is first arylated with an aryl iodide. The resulting biaryl compound is then subjected to palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed intramolecular dehydrogenative C-H amination with PhI(OAc)2 oxidant to form the corresponding cyclized dihydrophenanthridines. The benzylic position of these dihydrophenanthridines could be further oxidized with Cu(OAc)2, removing the picolinamide group and providing phenathridine products. The cyclization and oxidation could be carried out in a single step and afford phenathridines in moderate to good yields.

Arginine mimetics using α-guanidino acids: introduction of functional groups and stereochemistry adjacent to recognition guanidiniums in peptides

Arginine residues are broadly employed for specific biomolecular recognition, including in protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-RNA interactions. Arginine recognition commonly exploits the potential for bidentate electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. However, in arginine residues, the guanidinium functional group is located at the terminus of a flexible hydrocarbon side chain, which lacks the functionality to contribute to specific arginine-mediated recognition and may entropically disfavor binding. In order to enhance the potential for specificity and affinity in arginine-mediated molecular recognition, we have developed an approach to the synthesis of peptides that incorporates an α-guanidino acid as a novel arginine mimetic. α-Guanidino acids, derived from α-amino acids, with guanidinylation of the amino group, were incorporated stereospecifically into peptides on solid phase via coupling of an Fmoc amino acid to diaminopropionic acid (Dap), Fmoc deprotection, guanidinylation of the amine on solid phase, and deprotection, generating a peptide containing an α-functionalized arginine mimetic. This approach was examined by incorporating arginine mimetics into ligands for the Src, Grb, and Crk SH3 domains at the site of the key recognition arginine. Protein binding was examined for peptides containing guanidino acids derived from Gly, L-Val, L-Phe, L-Trp, D-Val, D-Phe, and D-Trp. We demonstrate that paralogue specificity and target site affinity may be modulated with the use of α-guanidino acid-derived arginine mimetics, generating peptides that exhibit enhanced Src specificity by selection against Grb and peptides that reverse the specificity of the native peptide ligand, with enhancements in Src target specificity of up to 15-fold (1.6 kcal mol(-1)).

Guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole-aryl derivatives: structure tuning for spectrophotometric recognition of specific DNA and RNA sequences and for antiproliferative activity

We present a systematic study of different guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole-aryl derivatives designed to interact with DNA or RNA both through intercalation of an aromatic moiety into the base stack of the nucleotide and through groove binding of a guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole cation. We varied 1) the size of the aromatic ring (benzene, naphthalene, pyrene and acridine), 2) the length and flexibility of the linker connecting the two binding groups, and 3) the total number of positive charges present at different pH values. The compounds and their interactions with DNA and RNA were studied by UV/Vis, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy. Antiproliferative activities against human tumour cell lines were also determined. Our studies show that efficient interaction with, for example, DNA requires a significantly large aromatic ring (pyrene) connected through a flexible linker to the pyrrole moiety. However, a positive charge, as in 12, is also needed. Compound 12 allows for base-pair-selective recognition of ds-DNA at physiological pH values. The antiproliferative activities of these compounds correlate with their binding affinities towards DNA, suggesting that their biological effects are most probably due to DNA binding.

Molecular docking of intercalators and groove-binders to nucleic acids using Autodock and Surflex

The molecular docking tools Autodock and Surflex accurately reproduce the crystallographic structures of a collection of small molecule ligands that have been shown to bind nucleic acids. Docking studies were performed with the intercalators daunorubicin and ellipticine and the minor groove binders distamycin and pentamidine. Autodock and Surflex dock daunorubicin and distamycin to their nucleic acid targets within a resolution of approximately 2 A, which is similar to the limit of the crystal structure resolution. However, for the top ranked poses, Autodock and Surflex both dock ellipticine into the correct site but in a different orientation compared to the crystal structure. This appears not only to be partly related to the symmetry of the target nucleic acid, as ellipticine is able to dock from either side of the intercalation site, but also due to the shape of the ligand and docking accuracy. Surflex docks pentamidine in a symmetrically equivalent orientation relative to the crystal structure, while Autodock was able to dock this molecule in the original orientation. In the case of the Surflex docking of pentamidine, the initial rmsd is misleading, given the symmetrical structure of pentamidine. Importantly, the ranking functions of both of these programs are able to return a top pose within approximately 2 A rmsd for daunorubicin, distamycin, and pentamidine and approximately 3 A rmsd for ellipticine compared to their respective crystal structures. Some docking challenges and potential pitfalls are explored, such as the importance of hydrogen treatment on ligands as well as the scoring functions of Autodock and Surflex. Overall for this set of complexes, Surflex is preferred over Autodock for virtual screening, as although the results are comparable, Surflex has significantly faster performance and ease of use under the optimal software conditions tested. These experiments show that molecular docking techniques can be successfully extended to include nucleic acid targets, a finding which has important implications for virtual screening applications and in the design of new small molecules to target therapeutically relevant morphologies of nucleic acids.

Synthesis and Structure−Activity Relationships of New Benzodioxinic Lactones as Potential Anticancer Drugs

A set of disubstituted tetracyclic lactones has been synthesized and tested for potential antitumor activity. Several of them possess a noticeable cytotoxicity against L1210 and HT-29 colon cells in vitro. Relationships between chain nature and biological properties were sought. Lactones with a pentyl or hexyl substituent at C-11 are the most active ones. The introduction of a functional group at the side chain of C-11 modified the potency; carboxylic acid and primary amine decreased the cytotoxicity, whereas a cyano group increased the activity. An extensive structure-activity relationship study of these derivatives, including carbon homologues and bioisosteres has been performed. The synthesis and cytotoxicity of these compounds are discussed. Two lactones are recognized as potential lead compounds.

Survey of the year 2005 commercial optical biosensor literature

We identified 1113 articles (103 reviews, 1010 primary research articles) published in 2005 that describe experiments performed using commercially available optical biosensors. While this number of publications is impressive, we find that the quality of the biosensor work in these articles is often pretty poor. It is a little disappointing that there appears to be only a small set of researchers who know how to properly perform, analyze, and present biosensor data. To help focus the field, we spotlight work published by 10 research groups that exemplify the quality of data one should expect to see from a biosensor experiment. Also, in an effort to raise awareness of the common problems in the biosensor field, we provide side-by-side examples of good and bad data sets from the 2005 literature.

Induction of unique structural changes in guanine-rich DNA regions by the triazoloacridone C-1305, a topoisomerase II inhibitor with antitumor activities

We recently reported that the antitumor triazoloacridone, compound C-1305, is a topoisomerase II poison with unusual properties. In this study we characterize the DNA interactions of C-1305 in vitro, in comparison with other topoisomerase II inhibitors. Our results show that C-1305 binds to DNA by intercalation and possesses higher affinity for GC- than AT-DNA as revealed by surface plasmon resonance studies. Chemical probing with DEPC indicated that C-1305 induces structural perturbations in DNA regions with three adjacent guanine residues. Importantly, this effect was highly specific for C-1305 since none of the other 22 DNA interacting drugs tested was able to induce similar structural changes in DNA. Compound C-1305 induced stronger structural changes in guanine triplets at higher pH which suggested that protonation/deprotonation of the drug is important for this drug-specific effect. Molecular modeling analysis predicts that the zwitterionic form of C-1305 intercalates within the guanine triplet, resulting in widening of both DNA grooves and aligning of the triazole ring with the N7 atoms of guanines. Our results show that C-1305 binds to DNA and induces very specific and unusual structural changes in guanine triplets which likely plays an important role in the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of this unique compound.

Visualising DNA: Footprinting and 1-2D Gels

The study of molecular recognition of DNA by natural and synthetic ligands has made enormous progress due in large part to the discovery and development of methods for separating DNA fragments by gel electrophoresis in one and two dimensions, and for characterizing DNA-ligand complexes by footprinting techniques.