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Pradhan S, Campanile M, Sharma S, Oliva R, Patra S. Mechanistic Insights into the c-MYC G-Quadruplex and Berberine Binding inside an Aqueous Two-Phase System Mimicking Biomolecular Condensates. J Phys Chem Lett 2024:8706-8714. [PMID: 39159468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the binding between the c-MYC G-quadruplex (GQ) and berberine chloride (BCl) in an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) with 12.3 wt % polyethylene glycol and 5.6 wt % dextran, mimicking the highly crowded intracellular biomolecular condensates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation. We found that in the ATPS, complex formation is significantly altered, leading to an increase in affinity and a change in the stoichiometry of the complex with respect to neat buffer conditions. Thermodynamic studies reveal that binding becomes more thermodynamically favorable in the ATPS due to entropic effects, as the strong excluded volume effect inside ATPS droplets reduces the entropic penalty associated with binding. Finally, the binding affinity of BCl for the c-MYC GQ is higher than those for other DNA structures, indicating potential specific interactions. Overall, these findings will be helpful in the design of potential drugs targeting the c-MYC GQ structures in cancer-related biocondensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Pradhan
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Marco Campanile
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Shubhangi Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rosario Oliva
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Satyajit Patra
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India
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Neidle S. A Phenotypic Approach to the Discovery of Potent G-Quadruplex Targeted Drugs. Molecules 2024; 29:3653. [PMID: 39125057 PMCID: PMC11314571 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29153653] [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: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) sequences, which can fold into higher-order G4 structures, are abundant in the human genome and are over-represented in the promoter regions of many genes involved in human cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. They are plausible targets for G4-binding small molecules, which would, in the case of promoter G4s, result in the transcriptional downregulation of these genes. However, structural information is currently available on only a very small number of G4s and their ligand complexes. This limitation, coupled with the currently restricted information on the G4-containing genes involved in most complex human cancers, has led to the development of a phenotypic-led approach to G4 ligand drug discovery. This approach was illustrated by the discovery of several generations of tri- and tetra-substituted naphthalene diimide (ND) ligands that were found to show potent growth inhibition in pancreatic cancer cell lines and are active in in vivo models for this hard-to-treat disease. The cycles of discovery have culminated in a highly potent tetra-substituted ND derivative, QN-302, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The major genes whose expression has been down-regulated by QN-302 are presented here: all contain G4 propensity and have been found to be up-regulated in human pancreatic cancer. Some of these genes are also upregulated in other human cancers, supporting the hypothesis that QN-302 is a pan-G4 drug of potential utility beyond pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Neidle
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK
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Ahmed AA, Chen S, Roman-Escorza M, Angell R, Oxenford S, McConville M, Barton N, Sunose M, Neidle D, Haider S, Arshad T, Neidle S. Structure-activity relationships for the G-quadruplex-targeting experimental drug QN-302 and two analogues probed with comparative transcriptome profiling and molecular modeling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3447. [PMID: 38342953 PMCID: PMC10859377 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54080-2] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The tetrasubstituted naphthalene diimide compound QN-302 binds to G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures. It shows high potency in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and inhibits the transcription of cancer-related genes in these cells and in PDAC animal models. It is currently in Phase 1a clinical evaluation as an anticancer drug. A study of structure-activity relationships of QN-302 and two related analogues (CM03 and SOP1247) is reported here. These have been probed using comparisons of transcriptional profiles from whole-genome RNA-seq analyses, together with molecular modelling and molecular dynamics simulations. Compounds CM03 and SOP1247 differ by the presence of a methoxy substituent in the latter: these two compounds have closely similar transcriptional profiles. Whereas QN-302 (with an additional benzyl-pyrrolidine group), although also showing down-regulatory effects in the same cancer-related pathways, has effects on distinct genes, for example in the hedgehog pathway. This distinctive pattern of genes affected by QN-302 is hypothesized to contribute to its superior potency compared to CM03 and SOP1247. Its enhanced ability to stabilize G4 structures has been attributed to its benzyl-pyrrolidine substituent fitting into and filling most of the space in a G4 groove compared to the hydrogen atom in CM03 or the methoxy group substituent in SOP1247.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Now at Guy's Cancer Centre, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Shuang Chen
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | | | - Richard Angell
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Now at Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Sally Oxenford
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Now at Artios Ltd, Cambridge, CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | | | - Mihiro Sunose
- Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Nottingham, NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Dan Neidle
- Tax Policy Associates, London, EC1R 0ET, UK
| | - Shozeb Haider
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Tariq Arshad
- Qualigen Therapeutics Inc, Carlsbad, CA, 92011, USA
| | - Stephen Neidle
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK.
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Lopina OD, Sidorenko SV, Fedorov DA, Klimanova EA. G-Quadruplexes as Sensors of Intracellular Na+/K + Ratio: Potential Role in Regulation of Transcription and Translation. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:S262-S277. [PMID: 38621755 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924140153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Data on the structure of G-quadruplexes, noncanonical nucleic acid forms, supporting an idea of their potential participation in regulation of gene expression in response to the change in intracellular Na+i/K+i ratio are considered in the review. Structural variety of G-quadruplexes, role of monovalent cations in formation of this structure, and thermodynamic stability of G-quadruplexes are described. Data on the methods of their identification in the cells and biological functions of these structures are presented. Analysis of information about specific interactions of G-quadruplexes with some proteins was conducted, and their potential participation in the development of some pathological conditions, in particular, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, is considered. Special attention is given to the plausible role of G-quadruplexes as sensors of intracellular Na+i/K+i ratio, because alteration of this parameter affects folding of G-quadruplexes changing their stability and, thereby, organization of the regulatory elements of nucleic acids. The data presented in the conclusion section demonstrate significant change in the expression of some early response genes under certain physiological conditions of cells and tissues depending on the intracellular Na+i/K+i ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga D Lopina
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
| | | | - Dmitry A Fedorov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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Shukla A, Kumari S, Sankar M, Nair MS. Insights into the mechanism of binding of doxorubicin and a chlorin compound with 22-mer c-Myc G quadruplex. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130482. [PMID: 37821013 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130482] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interaction of small molecules with G quadruplexes is in focus due to its role in molecular recognition and therapeutic drug design. Stabilization of G-quadruplex structures in the promoter regions of oncogenes by small molecule binding has been demonstrated as a potential approach for cancer therapy. METHODS In this study, electronic spectroscopy (ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism), differential scanning calorimetry, and molecular modeling were employed to explore the interactions between the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin and a chlorin compound 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-[2,3]-[bis(carboxy)-methano]chlorin (H2TPC(DAC)), and the c-Myc 22-mer G quadruplex DNA. RESULTS Spectroscopic studies indicated external binding of the compounds with partial stacking at the end quartets. Calorimetric studies and temperature dependent circular dichroism data displayed increased melting temperatures of G quadruplex structure on binding with the compounds. Circular dichroism spectra indicated that the G quadruplex structure is intact upon ligand binding. Both the compounds showed binding affinities of the order of 106 M-1. Fluorescence lifetime studies revealed static quenching as major mechanism for fluorescence quenching. Polymerase chain reaction stop assay hinted that binding of both ligands under study could inhibit the amplification of the DNA sequence. CONCLUSION Results show that doxorubicin and H2TPC(DAC) bind to the 22-mer c-Myc quadruplex structure with good affinity and induce stability. SIGNIFICANCE Doxorubicin and H2TPC(DAC) have demonstrated their affinity towards c-Myc G quadruplex DNA, stabilizing it and inhibiting expression and polymerization. The results can be of practical use in designing new analogs for the two compounds, which can become potent anti-cancer agents targeting the c-Myc GQ structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Shukla
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Soni Kumari
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Muniappan Sankar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Maya S Nair
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India.
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Abd Elrahman SF, Ahmed AAS, Abd Elsatar D, Elkady S, Elgendy A, Alnakeeb F, Elmongy EI, Henidi HA, El-Gendy SM, El Sayed IET, El-Gokha AA, Abd Eldaim MA. Cytotoxic Potential of Novel Quinoline Derivative: 11-(1,4-Bisaminopropylpiperazinyl)5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline against Different Cancer Cell Lines via Activation and Deactivation of the Expression of Some Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14336. [PMID: 37762637 PMCID: PMC10532317 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814336] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of 11-(1,4-bisaminopropylpiperazinyl)5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline (BAPPN), a novel derivative of 5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline, against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colon carcinoma (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7), and lung (A549) cancer cell lines and the possible molecular mechanism through which it exerts its cytotoxic activity. BAPPN was synthesized and characterized with FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The binding affinity scores of BAPPN for caspase-3 PDB: 7JL7 was -7.836, with an RMSD of 1.483° A. In silico screening of ADME properties indicated that BAPPN showed promising oral bioavailability records in addition to their high gastrointestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier penetrability. BAPPN induced cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 3.3, 23, 3.1, and 9.96 μg/mL against cancer cells HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, and A549, respectively. In addition, it induced cell injury and morphological changes in ultracellular structure, including cellular delayed activity, vanishing of membrane blebbing, microvilli, cytoplasmic condensation, and shrunken nucleus with more condensed chromatin autophagosomes. Furthermore, BAPPN significantly increased the protein expression of caspase-3 and tumor suppressor protein (P53). However, it significantly reduced the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein into the medium and decreased the protein expression of proliferation cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 in HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, and A549 cells. This study indicates that BAPPN has cytotoxic action against liver, colon, breast, and lung cancer cell lines via the up-regulation of apoptotic proteins, caspase-3 and P53, and the downregulation of proliferative proteins, VEGF, PCNA, and Ki67.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fathy Abd Elrahman
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Abdullah A. S. Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Doaa Abd Elsatar
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Salma Elkady
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Amira Elgendy
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Fatma Alnakeeb
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Elshaymaa I. Elmongy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt;
| | - Hanan A. Henidi
- Research Department, Health Sciences Research Center, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad M. El-Gendy
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt;
| | - Ibrahim El Tantawy El Sayed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Ahmed A. El-Gokha
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (S.F.A.E.); (A.A.S.A.); (D.A.E.); (S.E.); (A.E.); (F.A.); (A.A.E.-G.)
| | - Mabrouk Attia Abd Eldaim
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32511, Egypt;
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Bahls B, Aljnadi IM, Emídio R, Mendes E, Paulo A. G-Quadruplexes in c-MYC Promoter as Targets for Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030969. [PMID: 36979947 PMCID: PMC10046398 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a societal burden demanding innovative approaches. A major problem with the conventional chemotherapeutic agents is their strong toxicity and other side effects due to their poor selectivity. Uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells is due to mutations, deletions, or amplifications in genes (oncogenes) encoding for proteins that regulate cell growth and division, such as transcription factors, for example, c-MYC. The direct targeting of the c-MYC protein has been attempted but so far unsuccessfully, as it lacks a definite binding site for the modulators. Meanwhile, another approach has been explored since the discovery that G-quadruplex secondary DNA structures formed in the guanine-rich sequences of the c-MYC promoter region can downregulate the transcription of this oncogene. Here, we will overview the major achievements made in the last decades towards the discovery of a new class of anticancer drugs targeting G-quadruplexes in the c-MYC promoter of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Bahls
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Israa M Aljnadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Emídio
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Paulo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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8
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Frasson I, Soldà P, Nadai M, Tassinari M, Scalabrin M, Gokhale V, Hurley LH, Richter SN. Quindoline-derivatives display potent G-quadruplex-mediated antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus 1. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105432. [PMID: 36228762 PMCID: PMC9720158 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures that regulate key biological processes, from transcription to genome replication both in humans and viruses. The herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) genome is prone to form G4s that, along with proteins, regulate its viral cycle. General G4 ligands have been shown to hamper the viral cycle, pointing to viral G4s as original antiviral targets. Because cellular G4s are also normally present in infected cells, the quest for improved anti-HSV-1 G4 ligands is still open. Here, we evaluated a series of new quindoline-derivatives which showed high binding to and stabilization of the viral G4s. They displayed nanomolar-range anti-HSV-1 activity paralleled by negligible cytotoxicity in human cells, thus proving remarkable selectivity. The best-in-class compound inhibited the viral life cycle at the early times post infection up to the step of viral genome replication. In infected human cells, it reduced expression of ICP4, the main viral transcription factor, by stabilizing the G4s embedded in ICP4 promoter. Quindoline-derivatives thus emerge as a new class of G4 ligands with potent dual anti HSV-1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Frasson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Soldà
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Nadai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Scalabrin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Vijay Gokhale
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Laurence H Hurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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9
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Dual Targeting Topoisomerase/G-Quadruplex Agents in Cancer Therapy-An Overview. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112932. [PMID: 36428499 PMCID: PMC9687504 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Topoisomerase (Topo) inhibitors have long been known as clinically effective drugs, while G-quadruplex (G4)-targeting compounds are emerging as a promising new strategy to target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the near future. G-quadruplex (G4) is a secondary four-stranded DNA helical structure constituted of guanine-rich nucleic acids, and its stabilization impairs telomere replication, triggering the activation of several protein factors at telomere levels, including Topos. Thus, the pharmacological intervention through the simultaneous G4 stabilization and Topos inhibition offers a new opportunity to achieve greater antiproliferative activity and circumvent cellular insensitivity and resistance. In this line, dual ligands targeting both Topos and G4 emerge as innovative, efficient agents in cancer therapy. Although the research in this field is still limited, to date, some chemotypes have been identified, showing this dual activity and an interesting pharmacological profile. This paper reviews the available literature on dual Topo inhibitors/G4 stabilizing agents, with particular attention to the structure-activity relationship studies correlating the dual activity with the cytotoxic activity.
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10
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Geng X, Zhang Y, Li S, Liu L, Yao R, Liu L, Gao J. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel benzimidazolyl isoxazole derivatives as potential c-Myc G4 stabilizers to suppress c-Myc transcription and myeloma growth. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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11
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Indoloquinoline-Mediated Targeted Downregulation of KRAS through Selective Stabilization of the Mid-Promoter G-Quadruplex Structure. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081440. [PMID: 36011352 PMCID: PMC9408018 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS is a well-validated anti-cancer therapeutic target, whose transcriptional downregulation has been demonstrated to be lethal to tumor cells with aberrant KRAS signaling. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures that mediate central dogmatic events, such as DNA repair, telomere elongation, transcription and splicing events. G4s are attractive drug targets, as they are more globular than B-DNA, enabling more selective gene interactions. Moreover, their genomic prevalence is increased in oncogenic promoters, their formation is increased in human cancers, and they can be modulated with small molecules or targeted nucleic acids. The putative formation of multiple G4s has been described in the literature, but compounds with selectivity among these structures have not yet been able to distinguish between the biological contribution of the predominant structures. Using cell free screening techniques, synthesis of novel indoloquinoline compounds and cellular models of KRAS-dependent cancer cells, we describe compounds that choose between KRAS promoter G4near and G4mid, correlate compound cytotoxic activity with KRAS regulation, and highlight G4mid as the lead molecular non-canonical structure for further targeting efforts.
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12
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Discovery of novel benzofuro[3,2-b]quinoline derivatives as dual CDK2/Topo I inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2022; 126:105870. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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13
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Yuan JH, Tu JL, Liu GC, Chen XC, Huang ZS, Chen SB, Tan JH. Visualization of ligand-induced c-MYC duplex-quadruplex transition and direct exploration of the altered c-MYC DNA-protein interactions in cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4246-4257. [PMID: 35412611 PMCID: PMC9071431 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ligand-Induced duplex-quadruplex transition within the c-MYC promoter region is one of the most studied and advanced ideas for c-MYC regulation. Despite its importance, there is a lack of methods for monitoring such process in cells, hindering a better understanding of the essence of c-MYC G-quadruplex as a drug target. Here we developed a new fluorescent probe ISCH-MYC for specific c-MYC G-quadruplex recognition based on GTFH (G-quadruplex-Triggered Fluorogenic Hybridization) strategy. We validated that ISCH-MYC displayed distinct fluorescence enhancement upon binding to c-MYC G-quadruplex, which allowed the duplex-quadruplex transition detection of c-MYC G-rich DNA in cells. Using ISCH-MYC, we successfully characterized the induction of duplex to G-quadruplex transition in the presence of G-quadruplex stabilizing ligand PDS and further monitored and evaluated the altered interactions of relevant transcription factors Sp1 and CNBP with c-MYC G-rich DNA. Thus, our study provides a visualization strategy to explore the mechanism of G-quadruplex stabilizing ligand action on c-MYC G-rich DNA and relevant proteins, thereby empowering future drug discovery efforts targeting G-quadruplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hao Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jia-Li Tu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guo-Cai Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiu-Cai Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shuo-Bin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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14
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Pramanik S, Chen Y, Song H, Khutsishvili I, Marky LA, Ray S, Natarajan A, Singh P, Bhakat K. The human AP-endonuclease 1 (APE1) is a DNA G-quadruplex structure binding protein and regulates KRAS expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3394-3412. [PMID: 35286386 PMCID: PMC8990529 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most aggressive types of cancer, is characterized by aberrant activity of oncogenic KRAS. A nuclease-hypersensitive GC-rich region in KRAS promoter can fold into a four-stranded DNA secondary structure called G-quadruplex (G4), known to regulate KRAS expression. However, the factors that regulate stable G4 formation in the genome and KRAS expression in PDAC are largely unknown. Here, we show that APE1 (apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1), a multifunctional DNA repair enzyme, is a G4-binding protein, and loss of APE1 abrogates the formation of stable G4 structures in cells. Recombinant APE1 binds to KRAS promoter G4 structure with high affinity and promotes G4 folding in vitro. Knockdown of APE1 reduces MAZ transcription factor loading onto the KRAS promoter, thus reducing KRAS expression in PDAC cells. Moreover, downregulation of APE1 sensitizes PDAC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate that PDAC patients' tissue samples have elevated levels of both APE1 and G4 DNA. Our findings unravel a critical role of APE1 in regulating stable G4 formation and KRAS expression in PDAC and highlight G4 structures as genomic features with potential application as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suravi Pramanik
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Yingling Chen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Heyu Song
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Irine Khutsishvili
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Luis A Marky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Amarnath Natarajan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kishor K Bhakat
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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15
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c-Myc Protein Level Affected by Unsymmetrical Bisacridines Influences Apoptosis and Senescence Induced in HCT116 Colorectal and H460 Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063061. [PMID: 35328482 PMCID: PMC8955938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) are highly active antitumor compounds. They contain in their structure the drugs previously synthesized in our Department: C-1311 and C-1748. UAs exhibit different properties than their monomer components. They do not intercalate to dsDNA but stabilize the G-quadruplex structures, particularly those of the MYC and KRAS genes. Since MYC and KRAS are often mutated and constitutively expressed in cancer cells, they can be used as therapeutic targets. Herein, we investigate whether UAs can affect the expression and protein level of c-Myc and K-Ras in HCT116 and H460 cancer cells, and if so, what are the consequences for the UAs-induced cellular response. UAs did not affect K-Ras, but they strongly influenced the expression and translation of the c-Myc protein, and in H460 cells, they caused its full inhibition. UAs treatment resulted in apoptosis, as confirmed by the morphological changes, the presence of sub-G1 population and active caspase-3, cleaved PARP, annexin-V/PI staining and a decrease in mitochondrial potential. Importantly, apoptosis was induced earlier and to a greater extent in H460 compared to HCT116 cells. Moreover, accelerated senescence occurred only in H460 cells. In conclusion, the strong inhibition of c-Myc by UAs in H460 cells may participate in the final cellular response (apoptosis, senescence).
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16
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Chu QR, He YH, Tang C, Zhang ZJ, Luo XF, Zhang BQ, Zhou Y, Wu TL, Du SS, Yang CJ, Liu YQ. Design, Synthesis, and Antimicrobial Activity of Quindoline Derivatives Inspired by the Cryptolepine Alkaloid. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:2851-2863. [PMID: 35226498 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c07536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Based on the structural characteristics of the cryptolepine alkaloid, a series of new quindoline derivatives bearing various substituents were prepared and evaluated for their fungicidal and antibacterial activities. Bioassay results showed that compound D7 displayed superior in vitro fungicidal activities against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium graminearum, and Rhizoctonia solani with EC50 values of 0.780, 3.62, 1.59, and 2.85 μg/mL, respectively. Compound A7 showed apparent antibacterial activities toward Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 3.12 μg/mL. Significantly, in vivo antifungal activity suggested that the curative effect (98.3%) of compound D7 was comparable to that of the positive control azoxystrobin (96.7%) at 100 μg/mL. Preliminary mechanistic studies showed that compound D7 might cause mycelial abnormality of S. sclerotiorum, cell membrane breakage, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibition of sclerotia formation. Therefore, compound D7 could be a novel broad-spectrum fungicidal candidate against plant fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ru Chu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Hui He
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Jun Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong-Fei Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Qi Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Lin Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha-Sha Du
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Jie Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Qian Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
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17
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Mendes E, Aljnadi IM, Bahls B, Victor BL, Paulo A. Major Achievements in the Design of Quadruplex-Interactive Small Molecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030300. [PMID: 35337098 PMCID: PMC8953082 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic small molecules that can recognize and bind to G-quadruplex and i-Motif nucleic acids have great potential as selective drugs or as tools in drug target discovery programs, or even in the development of nanodevices for medical diagnosis. Hundreds of quadruplex-interactive small molecules have been reported, and the challenges in their design vary with the intended application. Herein, we survey the major achievements on the therapeutic potential of such quadruplex ligands, their mode of binding, effects upon interaction with quadruplexes, and consider the opportunities and challenges for their exploitation in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
| | - Israa M. Aljnadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Bárbara Bahls
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Bruno L. Victor
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Alexandra Paulo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Long W, Zheng BX, Li Y, Huang XH, Lin DM, Chen CC, Hou JQ, Ou TM, Wong WL, Zhang K, Lu YJ. Rational design of small-molecules to recognize G-quadruplexes of c-MYC promoter and telomere and the evaluation of their in vivo antitumor activity against breast cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1829-1848. [PMID: 35166828 PMCID: PMC8887543 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA G4-structures from human c-MYC promoter and telomere are considered as important drug targets; however, the developing of small-molecule-based fluorescent binding ligands that are highly selective in targeting these G4-structures over other types of nucleic acids is challenging. We herein report a new approach of designing small molecules based on a non-selective thiazole orange scaffold to provide two-directional and multi-site interactions with flanking residues and loops of the G4-motif for better selectivity. The ligands are designed to establish multi-site interactions in the G4-binding pocket. This structural feature may render the molecules higher selectivity toward c-MYC G4s than other structures. The ligand–G4 interaction studied with 1H NMR may suggest a stacking interaction with the terminal G-tetrad. Moreover, the intracellular co-localization study with BG4 and cellular competition experiments with BRACO-19 may suggest that the binding targets of the ligands in cells are most probably G4-structures. Furthermore, the ligands that either preferentially bind to c-MYC promoter or telomeric G4s are able to downregulate markedly the c-MYC and hTERT gene expression in MCF-7 cells, and induce senescence and DNA damage to cancer cells. The in vivo antitumor activity of the ligands in MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice is also demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Long
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Bo-Xin Zheng
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Ying Li
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Xuan-He Huang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Dan-Min Lin
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Cui-Cui Chen
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jin-Qiang Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada.,Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, 980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6V4, Canada
| | - Tian-Miao Ou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wing-Leung Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.,School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, P.R. China; International Healthcare Innovation Institute (Jiangmen), Jiangmen, 529040, PR China
| | - Yu-Jing Lu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
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19
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Structured Waters Mediate Small Molecule Binding to G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acids. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 15:ph15010007. [PMID: 35056064 PMCID: PMC8781208 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of G-quadruplexes in human cancers is increasingly well-defined. Accordingly, G-quadruplexes can be suitable drug targets and many small molecules have been identified to date as G-quadruplex binders, some using computer-based design methods and co-crystal structures. The role of bound water molecules in the crystal structures of G-quadruplex-small molecule complexes has been analyzed in this study, focusing on the water arrangements in several G-quadruplex ligand complexes. One is the complex between the tetrasubstituted naphthalene diimide compound MM41 and a human intramolecular telomeric DNA G-quadruplex, and the others are in substituted acridine bimolecular G-quadruplex complexes. Bridging water molecules form most of the hydrogen-bond contacts between ligands and DNA in the parallel G-quadruplex structures examined here. Clusters of structured water molecules play essential roles in mediating between ligand side chain groups/chromophore core and G-quadruplex. These clusters tend to be conserved between complex and native G-quadruplex structures, suggesting that they more generally serve as platforms for ligand binding, and should be taken into account in docking and in silico studies.
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20
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Nuthakki VK, Mudududdla R, Bharate SB. Role of basic aminoalkyl chains in the lead optimization of Indoloquinoline alkaloids. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 227:113938. [PMID: 34710743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Indoloquinoline (IQ) is an important class of naturally occurring antimalarial alkaloids, mainly represented by cryptolepine, isocryptolepine, and neocryptolepine. The IQ structural framework consists of four isomeric ring systems differing via the linkage of indole with quinoline as [3,2-b], [3,2-c], [2,3-c], and [2,3-b]. Structurally, IQs are planar and thus they bind strongly to the DNA which largely contributes to their biological properties. The structural rigidity and associated nonspecific cellular toxicity is a key shortcoming of the IQ structural framework for preclinical development. Thus, the lead optimization efforts were aimed at improving the therapeutic window and ADME properties of IQs. The structural modifications mainly involved attaching the basic aminoalkyl chains that positively modulates the vital physicochemical and topological parameters, thereby improves biological activity. Our analysis has found that the aminoalkylation consistently improved the selectivity index and provided acceptable in-vivo antimalarial/anticancer activity. Herein, we critically review the role of aminoalkylation in deciphering the antimalarial and cytotoxic activity of IQs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay K Nuthakki
- Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Ramesh Mudududdla
- Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sandip B Bharate
- Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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21
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Psaras AM, Chang KT, Hao T, Brooks TA. Targeted Downregulation of MYC through G-quadruplex Stabilization by DNAi. Molecules 2021; 26:5542. [PMID: 34577013 PMCID: PMC8464964 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulating the expression or function of the enigmatic MYC protein has demonstrated efficacy in an array of cancer types and a marked potential therapeutic index and safety profile. Despite its high therapeutic value, specific and selective inhibitors or downregulating therapeutics have proven difficult to develop. In the current study, we expanded our work on a MYC promoter G-quadruplex (G4) stabilizing DNA clamp to develop an oligonucleotide interfering DNA (DNAi) therapeutic. We explored six DNAi for G4-stabilization through EMSA, DMS footprinting, and thermal stability studies, focusing on the DNAi 5T as the lead therapeutic. 5T, but not its scramble control 5Tscr, was then shown to enter the nucleus, modulate cell viability, and decrease MYC expression through G4-stabilization. DNAi 5T is thus described to be our lead DNAi, targeting MYC regulation through stabilization of the higher-order DNA G4 structure in the proximal promoter, and it is poised for further preclinical development as an anticancer therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maria Psaras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA; (A.M.P.); (K.T.C.)
| | - Katarina T. Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA; (A.M.P.); (K.T.C.)
| | - Taisen Hao
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA;
| | - Tracy A. Brooks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA; (A.M.P.); (K.T.C.)
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA;
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22
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Robinson J, Raguseo F, Nuccio SP, Liano D, Di Antonio M. DNA G-quadruplex structures: more than simple roadblocks to transcription? Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8419-8431. [PMID: 34255847 PMCID: PMC8421137 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been >20 years since the formation of G-quadruplex (G4) secondary structures in gene promoters was first linked to the regulation of gene expression. Since then, the development of small molecules to selectively target G4s and their cellular application have contributed to an improved understanding of how G4s regulate transcription. One model that arose from this work placed these non-canonical DNA structures as repressors of transcription by preventing polymerase processivity. Although a considerable number of studies have recently provided sufficient evidence to reconsider this simplistic model, there is still a misrepresentation of G4s as transcriptional roadblocks. In this review, we will challenge this model depicting G4s as simple 'off switches' for gene expression by articulating how their formation has the potential to alter gene expression at many different levels, acting as a key regulatory element perturbing the nature of epigenetic marks and chromatin architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Robinson
- Imperial College London, Chemistry Department, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Federica Raguseo
- Imperial College London, Chemistry Department, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Sabrina Pia Nuccio
- Imperial College London, Chemistry Department, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Denise Liano
- Imperial College London, Chemistry Department, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Marco Di Antonio
- Imperial College London, Chemistry Department, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
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23
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Kant R, Yang MH, Tseng CH, Yen CH, Li WY, Tyan YC, Chen M, Tzeng CC, Chen WC, You K, Wang WC, Chen YL, Chen YMA. Discovery of an Orally Efficacious MYC Inhibitor for Liver Cancer Using a GNMT-Based High-Throughput Screening System and Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8992-9009. [PMID: 34132534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glycine-N-methyl transferase (GNMT) downregulation results in spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Overexpression of GNMT inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cell lines and prevents carcinogen-induced HCC, suggesting that GNMT induction is a potential approach for anti-HCC therapy. Herein, we used Huh7 GNMT promoter-driven screening to identify a GNMT inducer. Compound K78 was identified and validated for its induction of GNMT and inhibition of Huh7 cell growth. Subsequently, we employed structure-activity relationship analysis and found a potent GNMT inducer, K117. K117 inhibited Huh7 cell growth in vitro and xenograft in vivo. Oral administration of a dosage of K117 at 10 mpk (milligrams per kilogram) can inhibit Huh7 xenograft in a manner equivalent to the effect of sorafenib at a dosage of 25 mpk. A mechanistic study revealed that K117 is an MYC inhibitor. Ectopic expression of MYC using CMV promoter blocked K117-mediated MYC inhibition and GNMT induction. Overall, K117 is a potential lead compound for HCC- and MYC-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Kant
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hui Yang
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hua Tseng
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.,Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Research Center for Natural Products and Drug Development, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-You Li
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chang Tyan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Marcelo Chen
- Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, Taiwan
| | - Cherng-Chyi Tzeng
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Kaiting You
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chieh Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
| | - Yeh-Long Chen
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
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24
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Sun R, Guo X, Yang D, Tang Y, Lu J, Sun H. c-Myc G-quadruplex is sensitively and specifically recognized by a fluorescent probe. Talanta 2021; 226:122125. [PMID: 33676679 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The G-quadruplex structure formed by the c-myc gene sequence has attracted much attention due to its important physiological function in biology and wide application in nanotechnology. So far, probes capable of recognition of c-myc G-quadruplex with both high specificity and sensitivity are still scarce. This work presented a cyanine dye fluorescent probe named Cy-1, which has almost no fluorescence in aqueous solution, but showing more than 1000-fold fluorescence enhancement for recognizing c-myc G-quadruplex. Cy-1 also has good specificity and can selectively recognize c-myc G-quadruplex from other a variety of G-quadruplex and non-G-quadruplex structures. These properties make Cy-1 a promising probe for c-myc G-quadruplex recognition in nanotechnology or biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Xiaomeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Dawei Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Yalin Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Jie Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, PR China.
| | - Hongxia Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China.
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Kosiol N, Juranek S, Brossart P, Heine A, Paeschke K. G-quadruplexes: a promising target for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:40. [PMID: 33632214 PMCID: PMC7905668 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA and RNA can fold into a variety of alternative conformations. In recent years, a particular nucleic acid structure was discussed to play a role in malignant transformation and cancer development. This structure is called a G-quadruplex (G4). G4 structure formation can drive genome instability by creating mutations, deletions and stimulating recombination events. The importance of G4 structures in the characterization of malignant cells was currently demonstrated in breast cancer samples. In this analysis a correlation between G4 structure formation and an increased intratumor heterogeneity was identified. This suggests that G4 structures might allow breast cancer stratification and supports the identification of new personalized treatment options. Because of the stability of G4 structures and their presence within most human oncogenic promoters and at telomeres, G4 structures are currently tested as a therapeutic target to downregulate transcription or to block telomere elongation in cancer cells. To date, different chemical molecules (G4 ligands) have been developed that aim to target G4 structures. In this review we discuss and compare G4 function and relevance for therapeutic approaches and their impact on cancer development for three cancer entities, which differ significantly in their amount and type of mutations: pancreatic cancer, leukemia and malignant melanoma. G4 structures might present a promising new strategy to individually target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Kosiol
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Juranek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annkristin Heine
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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Altwaijry N, El-Ghlban S, El Sayed IET, El-Bahnsawye M, Bayomi AI, Samaka RM, Shaban E, Elmongy EI, El-Masry TA, Ahmed HMA, Attallah NGM. In Vitro and In Vivo Antitumor Activity of Indolo[2,3- b] Quinolines, Natural Product Analogs from Neocryptolepine Alkaloid. Molecules 2021; 26:754. [PMID: 33535575 PMCID: PMC7867085 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neocryptolepine (5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b] quinoline) analogs were synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their effect versus Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). The analogs showed stronger cytotoxic activity against EAC cells than the reference drug. The in vivo evaluation of the target compounds against EAC-induced solid tumor in the female albino Swiss mice revealed a remarkable decrease in the tumor volume (TV) and hepatic lipid peroxidation. A noticeable increase of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels was reported (p < 0.001), which set-forth proof of their antioxidant effect. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant activity of the neocryptolepine analogs was screened out using the DPPH method and showed promising activities activity. The histopathological investigations affirmed that the tested analogs have a remarkable curative effect on solid tumors with minimal side-effect on the liver. The study also includes illustrated mechanism of the antitumor activity at the cell level by flow cytometry. The cell cycle analysis showed that the neocryptolepine analogs extensively increase the aggregation of tumor cells in three phases of the cell cycle (G0/G1, S and G2/M) with the emergence of a hypo-diploid DNA content peak (sub-G1) in the cell cycle experiments, which is a clear-cut for the apoptotic cell population. Furthermore, the immunological study manifested a significant elevation in splenic lymphocyte count (p < 0.001) with the elevation of the responsiveness of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). These results indicate that these naturally-based neocryptolepine alkaloids exhibit marked antitumor activity in vivo and represent an important lead in the development of natural-based anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najla Altwaijry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh P.O. Box 84428, Saudi Arabia; (N.A.); (E.I.E.); (T.A.E.-M.); (N.G.M.A.)
| | - Samah El-Ghlban
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koom P.O. Box 32511, Egypt; (S.E.-G.); (M.E.-B.)
| | - Ibrahim E.-T. El Sayed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koom P.O. Box 32511, Egypt; (S.E.-G.); (M.E.-B.)
| | - Mohamed El-Bahnsawye
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koom P.O. Box 32511, Egypt; (S.E.-G.); (M.E.-B.)
| | - Asmaa I. Bayomi
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koom P.O. Box 32511, Egypt;
| | - Rehab M. Samaka
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koom P.O. Box 32511, Egypt;
| | - Elkhabiry Shaban
- Dyeing, Printing and Textile Auxiliaries Department, Textile Research Division, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza P.O. Box 12622, Egypt;
| | - Elshaymaa I. Elmongy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh P.O. Box 84428, Saudi Arabia; (N.A.); (E.I.E.); (T.A.E.-M.); (N.G.M.A.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ain Helwan, Cairo P.O. Box 11795, Egypt
| | - Thanaa A. El-Masry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh P.O. Box 84428, Saudi Arabia; (N.A.); (E.I.E.); (T.A.E.-M.); (N.G.M.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta P.O. Box 31527, Egypt
| | - Hytham M. A. Ahmed
- Pharmaceutical Analysis Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koom P.O. Box 32511, Menoufia, Egypt;
| | - Nashwah G. M. Attallah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh P.O. Box 84428, Saudi Arabia; (N.A.); (E.I.E.); (T.A.E.-M.); (N.G.M.A.)
- National Organization of Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza P.O. Box 29 Pyramids, Egypt
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27
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Ross J, Miron CE, Plescia J, Laplante P, McBride K, Moitessier N, Möröy T. Targeting MYC: From understanding its biology to drug discovery. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 213:113137. [PMID: 33460833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The MYC oncogene is considered to be a high priority target for clinical intervention in cancer patients due to its aberrant activation in more than 50% of human cancers. Direct small molecule inhibition of MYC has traditionally been hampered by its intrinsically disordered nature and lack of both binding site and enzymatic activity. In recent years, however, a number of strategies for indirectly targeting MYC have emerged, guided by the advent of protein structural information and the growing set of computational tools that can be used to accelerate the hit to lead process in medicinal chemistry. In this review, we provide an overview of small molecules developed for clinical applications of these strategies, which include stabilization of the MYC guanine quadruplex, inhibition of BET factor BRD4, and disruption of the MYC:MAX heterodimer. The recent identification of novel targets for indirect MYC inhibition at the protein level is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Ross
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), 110 Pine Ave W., Montréal, Québec, H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Caitlin E Miron
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montréal, Québec, H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Jessica Plescia
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montréal, Québec, H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Patricia Laplante
- AmorChem II Ventures Inc., 4 Westmount Sq. Bureau 160, Westmount, Québec, H3Z 2S6, Canada
| | - Kevin McBride
- AmorChem II Ventures Inc., 4 Westmount Sq. Bureau 160, Westmount, Québec, H3Z 2S6, Canada
| | - Nicolas Moitessier
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montréal, Québec, H3A 0B8, Canada.
| | - Tarik Möröy
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), 110 Pine Ave W., Montréal, Québec, H2W 1R7, Canada; Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, 2900, boul. Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montréal, Québec, H3A 0B8, Canada.
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Chaudhuri R, Bhattacharya S, Dash J, Bhattacharya S. Recent Update on Targeting c-MYC G-Quadruplexes by Small Molecules for Anticancer Therapeutics. J Med Chem 2020; 64:42-70. [PMID: 33355454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Guanine-rich DNA sequences have the propensity to adopt four-stranded tetrahelical G-quadruplex (G4) structures that are overrepresented in gene promoters. The structural polymorphism and physicochemical properties of these non-Watson-Crick G4 structures make them important targets for drug development. The guanine-rich nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 present in the upstream of P1 promoter of c-MYC oncogene has the ability to form an intramolecular parallel G4 structure. The G4 structure that forms transiently in the c-MYC promoter functions as a transcriptional repressor element. The c-MYC oncogene is overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers and plays a key role in cancer progression. Till now, a large number of compounds that are capable of interacting and stabilizing thec-MYC G4 have been reported. In this review, we summarize various c-MYC G4 specific molecules and discuss their effects on c-MYC gene expression in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritapa Chaudhuri
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Semantee Bhattacharya
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Santanu Bhattacharya
- School of Applied & Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata 700032, India.,Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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A Small Molecule Stabilizer of the MYC G4-Quadruplex Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Senescence and Pyroptosis in Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102952. [PMID: 33066043 PMCID: PMC7650714 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The DNA G-quadruplex (G4) present in the promoter of the MYC oncogene, commonly amplified in cancers, including multiple myeloma, represents a potential anti-cancer target. A previously identified MYC G4-stablizer, which demonstrated cytotoxicity and senescence in myeloma cells, was discovered to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and non-apoptotic cell death, pyroptosis. Cancers including myeloma escape apoptosis through upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins and drug resistance; therefore, induction of pyroptosis provides an alternate therapeutic option. Thus, our study provides a disease-specific experimental strategy for identifying new investigational drugs in cancer treatment. Abstract New approaches to target MYC include the stabilization of a guanine-rich, G-quadruplex (G4) tertiary DNA structure in the NHE III region of its promoter. Recent screening of a small molecule microarray platform identified a benzofuran, D089, that can stabilize the MYC G4 and inhibit its transcription. D089 induced both dose- and time-dependent multiple myeloma cell death mediated by endoplasmic reticulum induced stress. Unexpectedly, we uncovered two mechanisms of cell death: cellular senescence, as evidenced by increased levels of p16, p21 and γ-H2AX proteins and a caspase 3-independent mechanism consistent with pyroptosis. Cells treated with D089 exhibited high levels of the cleaved form of initiator caspase 8; but failed to show cleavage of executioner caspase 3, a classical apoptotic marker. Cotreatment with the a pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh did not affect the cytotoxic effect of D089. In contrast, cleaved caspase 1, an inflammatory caspase downstream of caspases 8/9, was increased by D089 treatment. Cells treated with D089 in addition to either a caspase 1 inhibitor or siRNA-caspase 1 showed increased IC50 values, indicating a contribution of cleaved caspase 1 to cell death. Downstream effects of caspase 1 activation after drug treatment included increases in IL1B, gasdermin D cleavage, and HMGB1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Drug treated cells underwent a ‘ballooning’ morphology characteristic of pyroptosis, rather than ‘blebbing’ typically associated with apoptosis. ASC specks colocalized with NLRP3 in proximity ligation assays after drug treatment, indicating inflammasome activation and further confirming pyroptosis as a contributor to cell death. Thus, the small molecule MYC G4 stabilizer, D089, provides a new tool compound for studying pyroptosis. These studies suggest that inducing both tumor senescence and pyroptosis may have therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
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Kuang G, Zhang M, Kang S, Hu D, Li X, Wei Z, Gong X, An LK, Huang ZS, Shu B, Li D. Syntheses and Evaluation of New Bisacridine Derivatives for Dual Binding of G-Quadruplex and i-Motif in Regulating Oncogene c-myc Expression. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9136-9153. [PMID: 32787078 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The c-myc oncogene is an important regulator for cell growth and differentiation, and its aberrant overexpression is closely related to the occurrence and development of various cancers. Thus, the suppression of c-myc transcription and expression has been investigated for cancer treatment. In this study, various new bisacridine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their binding with c-myc promoter G-quadruplex and i-motif. We found that a9 could bind to and stabilize both G-quadruplex and i-motif, resulting in the downregulation of c-myc gene transcription. a9 could inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce SiHa cell apoptosis and cycle arrest. a9 exhibited tumor growth inhibition activity in a SiHa xenograft tumor model, which might be related to its binding with c-myc promoter G-quadruplex and i-motif. Our results suggested that a9 as a dual G-quadruplex/i-motif binder could be effective in both oncogene replication and transcription and become a promising lead compound for further development with improved potency and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guotao Kuang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Shuangshuang Kang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Dexuan Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoya Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zuzhuang Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xue Gong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Lin-Kun An
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Bing Shu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.,School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ding Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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Hu MH, Wu TY, Huang Q, Jin G. New substituted quinoxalines inhibit triple-negative breast cancer by specifically downregulating the c-MYC transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:10529-10542. [PMID: 31584090 PMCID: PMC6846596 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional chemotherapy remains the primary treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the current chemotherapeutic drugs have limited effects on TNBC, and often lead to serious side effects as well as drug resistance. Thus, more effective therapeutic options are sorely needed. As c-MYC oncogene is highly expressed during TNBC pathogenesis, inhibiting c-MYC expression would be an alternative anti-TNBC strategy. In this study, we designed and synthesized a serial of quinoxaline analogs that target c-MYC promoter G-quadruplex (G4), which is believed to be a repressor of c-MYC transcription. Among them, a difluoro-substituted quinoxaline QN-1 was identified as the most promising G4-stabilizing ligand with high selectivity to c-MYC G4 over other G4s, which is distinguished from many other reported ligands. Intracellular studies indicated that QN-1 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, repressed metastasis and inhibited TNBC cell growth, primarily due to the downregulation of c-MYC transcription by a G4-dependent mechanism. Notably, inhibition by QN-1 was significantly greater for c-MYC than other G4-driven genes. Cancer cells with c-MYC overexpression were more sensitive to QN-1, relative to normal cells. Furthermore, QN-1 effectively suppressed tumor growth in a TNBC mouse model. Accordingly, this work provides an alternative strategy for treating TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hao Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Tian-Ying Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Qiong Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Guangyi Jin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China.,International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
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Chen B, Fountain G, Sullivan HJ, Paradis N, Wu C. To probe the binding pathway of a selective compound (D089-0563) to c-MYC Pu24 G-quadruplex using free ligand binding simulations and Markov state model analysis. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:22567-22583. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cp03863f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
D089-0563 is a highly promising anti-cancer compound that selectively binds the transcription-silencing G-quadruplex element (Pu27) at the promoter region of the human c-MYC oncogene; however, its binding mechanism remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Chen
- Rowan University
- College of Science and Mathematics
- Glassboro
- USA
| | | | | | | | - Chun Wu
- Rowan University
- College of Science and Mathematics
- Glassboro
- USA
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33
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G-quadruplex deconvolution with physiological mimicry enhances primary screening: Optimizing the FRET Melt 2 assay. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2019; 1863:194478. [PMID: 31891781 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.194478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Non-B-DNA G-quadruplex (G4) structures have shown promise as molecular targets. Modulating G4 stability for oncogenic transcriptional control is a promising avenue for the development of novel therapeutics. Extracellularly, G4 stabilization can be mediated by alkali cations, modifying water content, or with molecular crowding. Intracellularly, G4 formation is mediated by negative superhelicity and transcriptional activity, and can be stabilized with small molecules or oligonucleotides. Numerous G4-stabilizing compounds have been identified that impact promoter activity in plasmids. These compounds, however, infrequently show activity in cells, are found to have non-G4-mediated mechanisms of action, or do not demonstrate activity in vivo. The G4 field requires enhanced predictive screening methods to identify compounds with G4-mediated in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy. Using the best characterized promoter G4 to date, MYC, we examined the effects of varying annealing conditions (rate of cool down and number of heat/cool cycles), co-solvents (glucose, acetonitrile, polyethylene glycol, dextran sulfate, sucrose, ficoll-70, glycerol) and nucleoplasm on G4 formation and compound screening. We observed a marked decrease in hit rates when shifting from simple buffer conditions to include potassium and glycerol, and utilizing two or more rapid annealing cycles; the difference in hit compounds coincides with previous findings of active, inactive, and non-G4-mediated activity, including NSC338258, Quindoline i, and TMPyP4; with these changes, we describe a modification of the primary FRET Melt screening assay - the FRET Melt2. This understanding of physiological principles governing the above G4 formation will better inform future drug discovery efforts for this and other oncogenic promoters.
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34
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Dhamodharan V, Pradeepkumar PI. Specific Recognition of Promoter G-Quadruplex DNAs by Small Molecule Ligands and Light-up Probes. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2102-2114. [PMID: 31532996 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
G-Quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded nucleic acid structures whose underlying G-rich sequences are present across the chromosome and transcriptome. These highly structured elements are known to regulate many key biological functions such as replication, transcription, translation, and genomic stability, thereby providing an additional layer of gene regulation. G4s are structurally dynamic and diverse, and they can fold into numerous topologies. They are potential targets for small molecules, which can modulate their functions. To this end, myriad classes of small molecules have been developed and studied for their ability to bind and stabilize these unique structures. Though many of them can selectively target G4s over duplex DNA, only a few of them can distinguish one G4 topology from others. Design and development of G4-specific ligands are challenging owing to the subtle structural variations among G4 structures. However, screening assays and computational methods have identified a few classes of ligands that preferentially or specifically target the G4 topology of interest over others. This review focuses on the small molecules and fluorescent probes that specifically target human promoter G4s associated with oncogenes. Targeting promoter G4s could circumvent the issues such as undruggability and development of drug resistance associated with the protein targets. The ligands discussed here highlight that development of G4-specific ligands is an achievable goal in spite of the limited structural data available. The future goal is to pursue the development of G4-specific ligands endowed with drug-like properties for G4-based therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Dhamodharan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa 9040495, Japan
| | - P. I. Pradeepkumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
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35
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Sengupta P, Banerjee N, Roychowdhury T, Dutta A, Chattopadhyay S, Chatterjee S. Site-specific amino acid substitution in dodecameric peptides determines the stability and unfolding of c-MYC quadruplex promoting apoptosis in cancer cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:9932-9950. [PMID: 30239898 PMCID: PMC6212778 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
c-MYC proto-oncogene harbours a transcription-inhibitory quadruplex-forming scaffold (Pu27) upstream P1 promoter providing anti-neoplastic therapeutic target. Previous reports showed the binding profile of human Cathelicidin peptide (LL37) and telomeric G-quadruplex. Here, we truncated the quadruplex-binding domain of LL37 to prepare a small library of peptides through site-specific amino acid substitution. We investigated the intracellular selectivity of peptides for Pu27 over other oncogenic quadruplexes and their role in c-MYC promoter repression by dual-luciferase assays. We analysed their thermodynamics of binding reactions with c-MYC quadruplex isomers (Pu27, Myc22, Pu19) by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry. We discussed how amino acid substitutions and peptide helicity enhanced/weakened their affinities for c-MYC quadruplexes and characterized specific non-covalent inter-residual interactions determining their selectivity. Solution NMR structure indicated that KR12C, the best peptide candidate, selectively stabilized the 5′-propeller loop of c-MYC quadruplex by arginine-driven electrostatic-interactions at the sugar-phosphate backbone while KR12A peptide destabilized the quadruplex inducing a single-stranded hairpin-like conformation. Chromatin immunoprecipitations envisaged that KR12C and KR12A depleted and enriched Sp1 and NM23-H2 (Nucleoside diphosphate kinase) occupancy at Pu27 respectively supporting their regulation in stabilizing and unfolding c-MYC quadruplex in MCF-7 cells. We deciphered that selective arresting of c-MYC transcription by KR12C triggered apoptotic-signalling pathway via VEGF-A-BCL-2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallabi Sengupta
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Nilanjan Banerjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Tanaya Roychowdhury
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Anindya Dutta
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Samit Chattopadhyay
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
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Chen X, Tang WJ, Shi JB, Liu MM, Liu XH. Therapeutic strategies for targeting telomerase in cancer. Med Res Rev 2019; 40:532-585. [PMID: 31361345 DOI: 10.1002/med.21626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Telomere and telomerase play important roles in abnormal cell proliferation, metastasis, stem cell maintenance, and immortalization in various cancers. Therefore, designing of drugs targeting telomerase and telomere is of great significance. Over the past two decades, considerable knowledge regarding telomere and telomerase has been accumulated, which provides theoretical support for the design of therapeutic strategies such as telomere elongation. Therefore, the development of telomere-based therapies such as nucleoside analogs, non-nucleoside small molecules, antisense technology, ribozymes, and dominant negative human telomerase reverse transcriptase are being prioritized for eradicating a majority of tumors. While the benefits of telomere-based therapies are obvious, there is a need to address the limitations of various therapeutic strategies to improve the possibility of clinical applications. In this study, current knowledge of telomere and telomerase is discussed, and therapeutic strategies based on recent research are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Jian Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Bo Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Ming Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Hua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
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Weldon C, Dacanay JG, Gokhale V, Boddupally PVL, Behm-Ansmant I, Burley GA, Branlant C, Hurley LH, Dominguez C, Eperon IC. Specific G-quadruplex ligands modulate the alternative splicing of Bcl-X. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:886-896. [PMID: 29156002 PMCID: PMC5778605 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequences with the potential to form RNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are common in mammalian introns, especially in the proximity of the 5′ splice site (5′SS). However, the difficulty of demonstrating that G4s form in pre-mRNA in functional conditions has meant that little is known about their effects or mechanisms of action. We have shown previously that two G4s form in Bcl-X pre-mRNA, one close to each of the two alternative 5′SS. If these G4s affect splicing but are in competition with other RNA structures or RNA binding proteins, then ligands that stabilize them would increase the proportion of Bcl-X pre-mRNA molecules in which either or both G4s had formed, shifting Bcl-X splicing. We show here that a restricted set of G4 ligands do affect splicing, that their activity and specificity are strongly dependent on their structures and that they act independently at the two splice sites. One of the ligands, the ellipticine GQC-05, antagonizes the major 5′SS that expresses the anti-apoptotic isoform of Bcl-X and activates the alternative 5′SS that expresses a pro-apoptotic isoform. We propose mechanisms that would account for these see-saw effects and suggest that these effects contribute to the ability of GQC-05 to induce apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carika Weldon
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Justine G Dacanay
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Vijay Gokhale
- College of Pharmacy and College of Pharmacy and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Peda Venkat L Boddupally
- Fluoroorganic Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana 500 007, India
| | - Isabelle Behm-Ansmant
- IMoPA (Ingénierie Moléculaire et Physiopathologie Articulaire), UMR 7365 CNRS-UL, Biopôle de l'Université de Lorraine, 9 Avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Glenn A Burley
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
| | - Christiane Branlant
- IMoPA (Ingénierie Moléculaire et Physiopathologie Articulaire), UMR 7365 CNRS-UL, Biopôle de l'Université de Lorraine, 9 Avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Laurence H Hurley
- College of Pharmacy and College of Pharmacy and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.,Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Cyril Dominguez
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Ian C Eperon
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
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Structural Modifications of Nature-Inspired Indoloquinolines: A Mini Review of Their Potential Antiproliferative Activity. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24112121. [PMID: 31195640 PMCID: PMC6600460 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24112121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptolepine, neocryptolepine and isocryptolepine are naturally occurring indoloquinoline alkaloids with various spectrum of biological properties. Structural modification is an extremely effective means to improve their bioactivities. This review enumerates several neocryptolepine and isocryptolepine analogues with potent antiproliferative activity against MV4-11 (leukemia), A549 (lung cancer), HCT116 (colon cancer) cell lines in vitro. Its activity towards normal mouse fibroblasts BALB/3T3 was also evaluated. Furthermore, structure activity relationships (SAR) are briefly discussed. The anticancer screening of neocryptolepine derivatives was performed in order to determine their cytotoxic and growth inhibitory activities across the JFCR39 cancer cell line panel.
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Sengupta P, Bhattacharya A, Sa G, Das T, Chatterjee S. Truncated G-Quadruplex Isomers Cross-Talk with the Transcription Factors To Maintain Homeostatic Equilibria in c-MYC Transcription. Biochemistry 2019; 58:1975-1991. [PMID: 30920805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The nuclease hypersensitive element III1 (NHE III1) upstream c-MYC promoter harbors a transcription-silencing G-quadruplex (Pu27) element. Dynamic turnover of various transcription factors (TFs) across Pu27 to control c-MYC transcription homeostasis is enigmatic. Here, we reveal that native Pu27 evolves truncated G-quadruplex isomers (Pu19, Pu22, Pu24, and Pu25) in cells that are optimal intracellular targets of specific TFs in a sequence- and structure-dependent manner. Nuclear magnetic resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry envisaged that NM23-H2 (nucleoside diphosphate kinase) and nucleolin induce conformational fluctuations in Pu27 to sample specific conformationally restricted conformer(s). Structural investigations revealed that the flanking guanines at 5'-Pu27 control solvent exposure at G-quartets upon NM23-H2 and nucleolin binding driving Pu27 unfolding and folding, respectively. Transient chromatin immunoprecipitations confirmed that NM23-H2 drives the conformation switch to Pu24 that outcompetes nucleolin recruitment. Similarly, nucleolin arrests Pu27 in the Pu22 conformer minimizing NM23-H2 binding at Pu27. hnRNPK (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K) positively regulates NM23-H2 and nucleolin association at Pu27 despite their antagonism. On the basis of these results, we simulated the transcription kinetics in a feed-forward loop in which the transcription output responds to hnRNPK-induced early activation via NM23-H2 association, which favors Pu24 formation at NHE III1 reducing nucleolin occupancy and driving quadruplex unfolding to initiate transcription. NM23-H2 further promotes hnRNPK deposition across NHE III1 altering Pu27 plasticity that finally enriches the nucleolin abundance to drive Pu22 formation and weaken NM23-H2 binding to extinguish transcription. This mechanism involves three positive feedback loops (NM23-H2-hnRNPK, NM23-H2-CNBP, and hnRNPK-nucleolin) and one negative feedback loop (NM23-H2-nucleolin) controlling optimal turnover and residence time of TFs at Pu27 to homeostatically regulate c-MYC transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallabi Sengupta
- Department of Biophysics , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Apoorva Bhattacharya
- Division of Molecular Medicine , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Gaurisankar Sa
- Division of Molecular Medicine , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Tanya Das
- Division of Molecular Medicine , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics , Bose Institute , P 1/12, C. I. T. Road, Scheme-VIIM , Kolkata 700054 , West Bengal , India
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40
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Zhai Q, Gao C, Ding J, Zhang Y, Islam B, Lan W, Hou H, Deng H, Li J, Hu Z, Mohamed HI, Xu S, Cao C, Haider SM, Wei D. Selective recognition of c-MYC Pu22 G-quadruplex by a fluorescent probe. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2190-2204. [PMID: 30759259 PMCID: PMC6412119 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid mimics of fluorescent proteins can be valuable tools to locate and image functional biomolecules in cells. Stacking between the internal G-quartet, formed in the mimics, and the exogenous fluorophore probes constitutes the basis for fluorescence emission. The precision of recognition depends upon probes selectively targeting the specific G-quadruplex in the mimics. However, the design of probes recognizing a G-quadruplex with high selectivity in vitro and in vivo remains a challenge. Through structure-based screening and optimization, we identified a light-up fluorescent probe, 9CI that selectively recognizes c-MYC Pu22 G-quadruplex both in vitro and ex vivo. Upon binding, the biocompatible probe emits both blue and green fluorescence with the excitation at 405 nm. With 9CI and c-MYC Pu22 G-quadruplex complex as the fluorescent response core, a DNA mimic of fluorescent proteins was constructed, which succeeded in locating a functional aptamer on the cellular periphery. The recognition mechanism analysis suggested the high selectivity and strong fluorescence response was attributed to the entire recognition process consisting of the kinetic match, dynamic interaction, and the final stacking. This study implies both the single stacking state and the dynamic recognition process are crucial for designing fluorescent probes or ligands with high selectivity for a specific G-quadruplex structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chao Gao
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Jieqin Ding
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yashu Zhang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Barira Islam
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Wenxian Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Haitao Hou
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hua Deng
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhe Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Hany I Mohamed
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha 13518, Egypt
| | - Shengzhen Xu
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chunyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shozeb M Haider
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Dengguo Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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41
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Saha P, Panda D, Dash J. The application of click chemistry for targeting quadruplex nucleic acids. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:731-750. [PMID: 30489575 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc07107a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Cu(i)-catalyzed azide and alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC), commonly known as the "click reaction", has emerged as a powerful and versatile synthetic tool that finds a broad spectrum of applications in chemistry, biology and materials science. The efficiency, selectivity and versatility of the CuAAC reactions have enabled the preparation of vast arrays of triazole compounds with biological and pharmaceutical applications. In this feature article, we outline the applications and future prospects of click chemistry in the synthesis and development of small molecules that target G-quadruplex nucleic acids and show promising biological activities. Furthermore, this article highlights the template-assisted in situ click chemistry for developing G-quadruplex specific ligands and the use of click chemistry for enhancing drug specificity as well as designing imaging and sensor systems to elucidate the biological functions of G-quadruplex nucleic acids in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puja Saha
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India.
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42
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Yu. Shuvalov V, Rupp AS, Fisyuk AS, Kuratova AK, Nefedov AA, Sagitullina GP. Synthesis and Optical Properties of Alkaloid Quindoline, Its Structural Analogues and Substituted δ‐Carbolines. ChemistrySelect 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201803515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav Yu. Shuvalov
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
- Laboratory of New Organic MaterialsOmsk State Technical University 11 Mira Ave. 644050 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Anna S. Rupp
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Alexander S. Fisyuk
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
- Laboratory of New Organic MaterialsOmsk State Technical University 11 Mira Ave. 644050 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Anna K. Kuratova
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
| | - Andrey A. Nefedov
- N. N. Vorozhtsov Institute of Organic ChemistrySiberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences 9 Lavrentiev Ave. 630090 Novosibirsk Russian Federation
| | - Galina P. Sagitullina
- Department of Organic ChemistryF. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55a Mira Ave. 644077 Omsk Russian Federation
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43
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Asamitsu S, Obata S, Yu Z, Bando T, Sugiyama H. Recent Progress of Targeted G-Quadruplex-Preferred Ligands Toward Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2019; 24:E429. [PMID: 30682877 PMCID: PMC6384606 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A G-quadruplex (G4) is a well-known nucleic acid secondary structure comprising guanine-rich sequences, and has profound implications for various pharmacological and biological events, including cancers. Therefore, ligands interacting with G4s have attracted great attention as potential anticancer therapies or in molecular probe applications. To date, a large variety of DNA/RNA G4 ligands have been developed by a number of laboratories. As protein-targeting drugs face similar situations, G-quadruplex-interacting drugs displayed low selectivity to the targeted G-quadruplex structure. This low selectivity could cause unexpected effects that are usually reasons to halt the drug development process. In this review, we address the recent research on synthetic G4 DNA-interacting ligands that allow targeting of selected G4s as an approach toward the discovery of highly effective anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefan Asamitsu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Shunsuke Obata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Zutao Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Toshikazu Bando
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (WPI-iCeMS) Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiyacho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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44
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Wang SL, Wang ZF, Qin QP, Tan MX, Luo DM, Zou BQ, Liu YC. A 9‑chloro‑5,6,7,8‑tetrahydroacridine Pt(II) complex induces apoptosis of Hep‑G2 cells via inhibiting telomerase activity and disrupting mitochondrial pathway. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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45
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Verga D, N'Guyen CH, Dakir M, Coll JL, Teulade-Fichou MP, Molla A. Polyheteroaryl Oxazole/Pyridine-Based Compounds Selected in Vitro as G-Quadruplex Ligands Inhibit Rock Kinase and Exhibit Antiproliferative Activity. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10502-10518. [PMID: 30457335 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Heptaheteroaryl compounds comprised of oxazole and pyridine units (TOxaPy) are quadruplex DNA (G4)-interactive compounds. Herein, we report on the synthesis of parent compounds bearing either amino side chains (TOxaPy-1-5) or featuring an isomeric oxazole-pyridine central connectivity (iso-TOxapy, iso-TOxapy 1-3) or a bipyridine core (iso-TOxabiPy). The new isomeric series showed significant G4-binding activity in vitro, and remarkably, three compounds (iso-TOxaPy, iso-TOxaPy-1, and iso-TOxabiPy) exhibited high antiproliferative activity toward a tumor panel of cancer cell lines. However, these compounds do not behave as typical G-quadruplex (G4) binders, and the kinase profiling assay revealed that the best antiproliferative molecule iso-TOxaPy selectively inhibited Rock-2. The targeting of Rock kinase was confirmed in cells by the dephosphorylation of Rock-2 substrates, the decrease of stress fibers, and peripheral focal adhesions, as well as the induction of long neurite-like extensions. Remarkably, two of these molecules were able to inhibit the growth of cells organized as spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Verga
- "Chemistry, Modelling and Imaging for Biology", CNRS UMR9187-INSERM U1196, Institut Curie, Research Center Orsay, Bât 110, University Paris-Sud , 91405 Orsay , France
| | - Chi-Hung N'Guyen
- "Chemistry, Modelling and Imaging for Biology", CNRS UMR9187-INSERM U1196, Institut Curie, Research Center Orsay, Bât 110, University Paris-Sud , 91405 Orsay , France
| | - Malika Dakir
- University of Grenoble Alpes, CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm 1209, CHU Grenoble Alpes, IAB , 38400 Grenoble , France
| | - Jean-Luc Coll
- University of Grenoble Alpes, CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm 1209, CHU Grenoble Alpes, IAB , 38400 Grenoble , France
| | - Marie-Paule Teulade-Fichou
- "Chemistry, Modelling and Imaging for Biology", CNRS UMR9187-INSERM U1196, Institut Curie, Research Center Orsay, Bât 110, University Paris-Sud , 91405 Orsay , France
| | - Annie Molla
- University of Grenoble Alpes, CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm 1209, CHU Grenoble Alpes, IAB , 38400 Grenoble , France
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46
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Calabrese DR, Chen X, Leon EC, Gaikwad SM, Phyo Z, Hewitt WM, Alden S, Hilimire TA, He F, Michalowski AM, Simmons JK, Saunders LB, Zhang S, Connors D, Walters KJ, Mock BA, Schneekloth JS. Chemical and structural studies provide a mechanistic basis for recognition of the MYC G-quadruplex. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4229. [PMID: 30315240 PMCID: PMC6185959 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06315-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical DNA structures that frequently occur in the promoter regions of oncogenes, such as MYC, and regulate gene expression. Although G4s are attractive therapeutic targets, ligands capable of discriminating between different G4 structures are rare. Here, we describe DC-34, a small molecule that potently downregulates MYC transcription in cancer cells by a G4-dependent mechanism. Inhibition by DC-34 is significantly greater for MYC than other G4-driven genes. We use chemical, biophysical, biological, and structural studies to demonstrate a molecular rationale for the recognition of the MYC G4. We solve the structure of the MYC G4 in complex with DC-34 by NMR spectroscopy and illustrate specific contacts responsible for affinity and selectivity. Modification of DC-34 reveals features required for G4 affinity, biological activity, and validates the derived NMR structure. This work advances the design of quadruplex-interacting small molecules to control gene expression in therapeutic areas such as cancer. Targeting noncoding nucleic acids with small molecules represents an important and significant challenge in chemical biology and drug discovery. Here the authors characterize DC-34, a small molecule that exhibits selective binding to specific G4 structures, and provide a structural basis for its selectivity
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Calabrese
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Structural Biophysics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Elena C Leon
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Snehal M Gaikwad
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zaw Phyo
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - William M Hewitt
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stephanie Alden
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Thomas A Hilimire
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Fahu He
- Structural Biophysics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | | | - John K Simmons
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lindsey B Saunders
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Shuling Zhang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Daniel Connors
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Kylie J Walters
- Structural Biophysics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
| | - Beverly A Mock
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - John S Schneekloth
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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47
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Flusberg DA, Rizvi NF, Kutilek V, Andrews C, Saradjian P, Chamberlin C, Curran P, Swalm B, Kattar S, Smith GF, Dandliker P, Nickbarg EB, O'Neil J. Identification of G-Quadruplex-Binding Inhibitors of Myc Expression through Affinity Selection-Mass Spectrometry. SLAS DISCOVERY 2018; 24:142-157. [PMID: 30204533 DOI: 10.1177/2472555218796656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Myc oncogene is overexpressed in many cancers, yet targeting it for cancer therapy has remained elusive. One strategy for inhibition of Myc expression is through stabilization of the G-quadruplex (G4), a G-rich DNA secondary structure found within the Myc promoter; stabilization of G4s has been shown to halt transcription of downstream gene products. Here we used the Automated Ligand Identification System (ALIS), an affinity selection-mass spectrometry method, to identify compounds that bind to the Myc G4 out of a pool of compounds that had previously been shown to inhibit Myc expression in a reporter screen. Using an ALIS-based screen, we identified hits that bound to the Myc G4, a small subset of which bound preferentially relative to G4s from the promoters of five other genes. To determine functionality and specificity of the Myc G4-binding compounds in cell-based assays, we compared inhibition of Myc expression in cells with and without Myc G4 regulation. Several compounds inhibited Myc expression only in the Myc G4-containing line, and one compound was verified to function through Myc G4 binding. Our study demonstrates that ALIS can be used to identify selective nucleic acid-binding compounds from phenotypic screen hits, increasing the pool of drug targets beyond proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sam Kattar
- 3 Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, MA, USA
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48
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Das T, Panda D, Saha P, Dash J. Small Molecule Driven Stabilization of Promoter G-Quadruplexes and Transcriptional Regulation of c-MYC. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:2636-2645. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Das
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Deepanjan Panda
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Puja Saha
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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49
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Marchetti C, Zyner KG, Ohnmacht SA, Robson M, Haider SM, Morton JP, Marsico G, Vo T, Laughlin-Toth S, Ahmed AA, Di Vita G, Pazitna I, Gunaratnam M, Besser RJ, Andrade ACG, Diocou S, Pike JA, Tannahill D, Pedley RB, Evans TRJ, Wilson WD, Balasubramanian S, Neidle S. Targeting Multiple Effector Pathways in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma with a G-Quadruplex-Binding Small Molecule. J Med Chem 2018; 61:2500-2517. [PMID: 29356532 PMCID: PMC5867665 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) involves the dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways. A novel approach to the treatment of PDAC is described, involving the targeting of cancer genes in PDAC pathways having over-representation of G-quadruplexes, using the trisubstituted naphthalene diimide quadruplex-binding compound 2,7-bis(3-morpholinopropyl)-4-((2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)amino)benzo[ lmn][3,8]phenanthroline-1,3,6,8(2 H,7 H)-tetraone (CM03). This compound has been designed by computer modeling, is a potent inhibitor of cell growth in PDAC cell lines, and has anticancer activity in PDAC models, with a superior profile compared to gemcitabine, a commonly used therapy. Whole-transcriptome RNA-seq methodology has been used to analyze the effects of this quadruplex-binding small molecule on global gene expression. This has revealed the down-regulation of a large number of genes, rich in putative quadruplex elements and involved in essential pathways of PDAC survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. The changes produced by CM03 represent a global response to the complexity of human PDAC and may be applicable to other currently hard-to-treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Marchetti
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Katherine G. Zyner
- Cancer
Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, U.K.
| | - Stephan A. Ohnmacht
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Mathew Robson
- Cancer
Research UK Cancer Centre, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Shozeb M. Haider
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Jennifer P. Morton
- Cancer
Research UK, Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD U.K.
- Institute
of Cancer Sciences. University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Giovanni Marsico
- Cancer
Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, U.K.
| | - Tam Vo
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Biotechnology and Drug Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3083, United States
| | - Sarah Laughlin-Toth
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Biotechnology and Drug Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3083, United States
| | - Ahmed A. Ahmed
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Gloria Di Vita
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Ingrida Pazitna
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Mekala Gunaratnam
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Rachael J. Besser
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Ana C. G. Andrade
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Seckou Diocou
- UCL
Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Jeremy A. Pike
- Cancer
Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, U.K.
| | - David Tannahill
- Cancer
Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, U.K.
| | - R. Barbara Pedley
- UCL
Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - T. R. Jeffry Evans
- Cancer
Research UK, Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD U.K.
- Institute
of Cancer Sciences. University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - W. David Wilson
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Biotechnology and Drug Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3083, United States
| | - Shankar Balasubramanian
- Cancer
Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- The
School of Clinical Medicine, University
of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SP, U.K.
| | - Stephen Neidle
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
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50
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Qin QP, Wang SL, Tan MX, Wang ZF, Huang XL, Wei QM, Shi BB, Zou BQ, Liang H. Synthesis and antitumor mechanisms of two novel platinum(ii) complexes with 3-(2′-benzimidazolyl)-7-methoxycoumarin. Metallomics 2018; 10:1160-1169. [DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00125a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Pt2 is a novel telomerase inhibitor binding to c-myc promoter elements, which arrests the cell cycle at the G2/M phase and induces apoptosis and causes mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Pin Qin
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology
- College of Chemistry and Food Science
- Yulin Normal University
- Yulin 537000
- P. R. China
| | - Shu-Long Wang
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology
- College of Chemistry and Food Science
- Yulin Normal University
- Yulin 537000
- P. R. China
| | - Ming-Xiong Tan
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology
- College of Chemistry and Food Science
- Yulin Normal University
- Yulin 537000
- P. R. China
| | - Zhen-Feng Wang
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology
- College of Chemistry and Food Science
- Yulin Normal University
- Yulin 537000
- P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Ling Huang
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology
- College of Chemistry and Food Science
- Yulin Normal University
- Yulin 537000
- P. R. China
| | - Qing-Min Wei
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology
- College of Chemistry and Food Science
- Yulin Normal University
- Yulin 537000
- P. R. China
| | - Bei-Bei Shi
- Guangxi Key Lab of Agricultural Resources Chemistry and Biotechnology
- College of Chemistry and Food Science
- Yulin Normal University
- Yulin 537000
- P. R. China
| | - Bi-Qun Zou
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources
- School of Chemistry and Pharmacy
- Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- P. R. China
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources
- School of Chemistry and Pharmacy
- Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- P. R. China
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