1
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Peng Z, Ma J, Christov CZ, Karabencheva-Christova T, Lehnert N, Li D. Kinetic Studies on the 2-Oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-Dependent Nucleic Acid Modifying Enzymes from the AlkB and TET Families. DNA 2023; 3:65-84. [PMID: 38698914 PMCID: PMC11065319 DOI: 10.3390/dna3020005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Nucleic acid methylations are important genetic and epigenetic biomarkers. The formation and removal of these markers is related to either methylation or demethylation. In this review, we focus on the demethylation or oxidative modification that is mediated by the 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG)/Fe(II)-dependent AlkB/TET family enzymes. In the catalytic process, most enzymes oxidize 2-OG to succinate, in the meantime oxidizing methyl to hydroxymethyl, leaving formaldehyde and generating demethylated base. The AlkB enzyme from Escherichia coli has nine human homologs (ALKBH1-8 and FTO) and the TET family includes three members, TET1 to 3. Among them, some enzymes have been carefully studied, but for certain enzymes, few studies have been carried out. This review focuses on the kinetic properties of those 2-OG/Fe(II)-dependent enzymes and their alkyl substrates. We also provide some discussions on the future directions of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Peng
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Christo Z. Christov
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
| | | | - Nicolai Lehnert
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Deyu Li
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
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2
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Gao H, Song X, Chen Q, Yuan R, Xiang Y. Target-promoted specific activation of m6A-DNAzyme for SPEXPAR-amplified and highly sensitive non-label electrochemical assay of FTO demethylase. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1247:340902. [PMID: 36781254 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.340902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The demethylase of fat mass and obesity related protein (FTO) is critical to regulate the dynamic N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of eukaryotic mRNAs, and its overexpression has found to be closely related to the initiation of several cancers. On the basis of a target-promoted specific activation of DNAzyme strategy coupled with self-primer exponential amplification reaction (SPEXPAR) cycles and DNA supersandwich assemblies, the highly sensitive and label-free electrochemical FTO assay approach is established. The modification of the catalytic core nucleobase of the DNAzyme probe by m6A can inhibit its cleavage activity. The presence of target FTO catalyzes the elimination of the methyl group to restore the DNAzyme activity, which cleaves the hairpin substrates to trigger the SPEXPAR for yielding many ssDNAs. The capture of these DNAs on the sensor electrode leads to the initiation of supersandwich assembly formation of long dsDNAs. Tremendous electrochemical signal probe of [Ru(NH3)6]Cl3 are then absorbed on these dsDNAs to produce highly amplified catalytic currents with the assistance of K3[Fe(CN)6] for detecting trace FTO with 63.1 fM detection limit. Furthermore, the sensor can be employed for selective assay of FTO in cell lysates, revealing the great potential of this sensing strategy for biomedical and biological study applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huahui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Xinmei Song
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Qirong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Ruo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Yun Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
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3
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Shi L, Ma X, Xie H, Qin Y, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Sun L, Yang J, Li G. Engineering m 6A demethylation-activated DNAzyme for visually and sensitively sensing fat mass and obesity-associated protein. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 222:115007. [PMID: 36527832 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.115007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) regulating the N6-methyladenine (m6A, the most pervasive epigenetic modification) levels within the nucleus has been identified as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. However, current methods for FTO detection are complicated or/and not sensitive enough for practical application. Herein, we propose a colorimetric biosensor for detecting FTO based on a delicate design of m6A demethylation-activated DNAzyme. Specifically, an m6A-blocked DNAzyme is constructed as a switch of the biosensor that can be turned on by target FTO. The decreased thermal stability resulting from substrate cleavage leads to a DNAzyme recycling to produce multiple primers. Then the rolling circle amplification (RCA) reactions can be initiated to generate G-quadruplex-DNAzymes catalyzing 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylben-zthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) oxidation which can be readily observed by the naked eye. Quantitative detection can also be achieved with a limit of detection (LOD) down to 69.9 fM, exhibiting higher sensitivity than previous reports. Therefore, this biosensor opens a simple and sensitive way to achieve visual assay of FTO via triple signal amplification. In addition, our biosensor has been successfully applied to FTO detection in clinical samples, which shows great potential in clinical molecular diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Shi
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Xuemei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Haojie Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Yujia Qin
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yue Huang
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, PR China.
| | - Lizhou Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, PR China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Genxi Li
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
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4
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Ma X, Shi L, Xie H, Kuang D, Xu Y, Ma J, Yang J, Sun L. Sensitive Detection of Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Protein based on Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-Mediated Signal Amplification. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.108131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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5
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Wang ZY, Li DL, Tian X, Li Y, Zhang CY. Single-Molecule Counting of FTO in Human Breast Tissues Based on a Rolling Circle Transcription Amplification-Driven Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat─Cas12a. Anal Chem 2022; 94:11425-11432. [PMID: 35916620 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine modification as an mRNA modification in mammalian cells is dynamically reversible, regulated by RNA demethylase [e.g., fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO)]. The abnormal expression of FTO is closely related to numerous diseases (e.g., various cancers and obesity). Herein, we demonstrate the single-molecule counting of FTO in human cancer cells and breast tissues based on a T7 RNA polymerase-mediated rolling circle transcription (RCT) amplification-driven clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)─Cas12a. When FTO is present, it demethylates the DNA substrate, initiating the DpnII-mediated cleavage reaction. After magnetic separation, the cleaved DNA fragments trigger the T7 RNA polymerase-mediated RCT amplification, activating CRISPR-/Cas12a-mediated cleavage of signal probes and releasing abundant FAM molecules that are simply counted via single-molecule detection. In this assay, only target FTO can generate CRISPR RNAs, efficiently improving detection specificity. Moreover, the integration of single-molecule detection with magnetic separation achieves zero background and effectively enhances detection sensitivity. This method can specifically and sensitively monitor FTO activity with a limit of detection of 1.20 × 10-13 M, and it may measure FTO at the single-cell level. Furthermore, it may accurately discriminate the FTO expression level in breast tissues between healthy persons and breast cancer patients and screen the FTO inhibitors as well, with great potential in clinical diagnosis and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yue Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Dong-Ling Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaorui Tian
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Yueying Li
- Institute of Immunity and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Chun-Yang Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
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6
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Jin H, Huo C, Zhou T, Xie S. m1A RNA Modification in Gene Expression Regulation. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050910. [PMID: 35627295 PMCID: PMC9141559 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
N1-methyladenosine (m1A) is a prevalent and reversible post-transcriptional RNA modification that decorates tRNA, rRNA and mRNA. Recent studies based on technical advances in analytical chemistry and high-throughput sequencing methods have revealed the crucial roles of m1A RNA modification in gene regulation and biological processes. In this review, we focus on progress in the study of m1A methyltransferases, m1A demethylases and m1A-dependent RNA-binding proteins and highlight the biological mechanisms and functions of m1A RNA modification, as well as its association with human disease. We also summarize the current understanding of detection approaches for m1A RNA modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jin
- The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China;
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Chunxiao Huo
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Tianhua Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: (T.Z.); (S.X.)
| | - Shanshan Xie
- The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China;
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
- Correspondence: (T.Z.); (S.X.)
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7
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Han X, Li Y, Wang ZY, Liu LZ, Qiu JG, Liu BJ, Zhang CY. Label-free and sensitive detection of RNA demethylase FTO with primer generation rolling circle amplification. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:1565-1568. [PMID: 35014995 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc06493b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We develop for the first time a label-free fluorescent method for sensitive detection of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) activity using MazF-mediated primer generation rolling circle amplification. This method is very simple with ultrahigh sensitivity and good specificity, and it can detect FTO activity at the single-cell level. Moreover, this method can be applied for the measurement of kinetic parameters and the screening of FTO inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Han
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
| | - Yueying Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Zi-Yue Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Ling-Zhi Liu
- Department of Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jian-Ge Qiu
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
| | - Bing-Jie Liu
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
| | - Chun-Yang Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
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8
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Perry GS, Das M, Woon ECY. Inhibition of AlkB Nucleic Acid Demethylases: Promising New Epigenetic Targets. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16974-17003. [PMID: 34792334 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The AlkB family of nucleic acid demethylases is currently of intense chemical, biological, and medical interest because of its critical roles in several key cellular processes, including epigenetic gene regulation, RNA metabolism, and DNA repair. Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of AlkB demethylases may underlie the pathogenesis of several human diseases, particularly obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Hence there is strong interest in developing selective inhibitors for these enzymes to facilitate their mechanistic and functional studies and to validate their therapeutic potential. Herein we review the remarkable advances made over the past 20 years in AlkB demethylase inhibition research. We discuss the rational design of reported inhibitors, their mode-of-binding, selectivity, cellular activity, and therapeutic opportunities. We further discuss unexplored structural elements of the AlkB subfamilies and propose potential strategies to enable subfamily selectivity. It is hoped that this perspective will inspire novel inhibitor design and advance drug discovery research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma S Perry
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Mohua Das
- Lab of Precision Oncology and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Esther C Y Woon
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
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9
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Zhou LL, Xu H, Huang Y, Yang CG. Targeting the RNA demethylase FTO for cancer therapy. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1352-1369. [PMID: 34704042 PMCID: PMC8496078 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00075f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification on mRNA and represents a new layer of gene expression in eukaryotes. The field of m6A-encoded epitranscriptomics was rejuvenated with the discovery of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) as the first m6A demethylase responsible for RNA modification in cells. Increasing evidence has revealed that FTO is significantly involved in physiological processes, and its dysregulation is implicated in various human diseases. Considering this functional significance, developing small-molecule modulators of the FTO protein represents a novel direction for biology research. However, such modulators remain in the early stages of development. Here, our review mainly focuses on the progress of FTO inhibitor development to date. We summarize screening methods used to identify FTO modulators, techniques used to assess the biological effects of these modulators, strategies used to achieve selective inhibition of FTO rather than its homologues, and the results of investigations of FTO modulator modes of action and anticancer efficacy. Thus, this review aims to facilitate novel chemical entity discovery, probe FTO biology, and promote the validation of FTO as a clinical drug target for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Hongjiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Yue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou 310024 China
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou 310024 China
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10
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Purslow JA, Nguyen TT, Khatiwada B, Singh A, Venditti V. N 6-methyladenosine binding induces a metal-centered rearrangement that activates the human RNA demethylase Alkbh5. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/34/eabi8215. [PMID: 34407931 PMCID: PMC8373141 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi8215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Alkbh5 catalyzes demethylation of the N 6-methyladenosine (m6A), an epigenetic mark that controls several physiological processes including carcinogenesis and stem cell differentiation. The activity of Alkbh5 comprises two coupled reactions. The first reaction involves decarboxylation of α-ketoglutarate (αKG) and formation of a Fe4+═O species. This oxyferryl intermediate oxidizes the m6A to reestablish the canonical base. Despite coupling between the two reactions being required for the correct Alkbh5 functioning, the mechanisms linking dioxygen activation to m6A binding are not fully understood. Here, we use solution NMR to investigate the structure and dynamics of apo and holo Alkbh5. We show that binding of m6A to Alkbh5 induces a metal-centered rearrangement of αKG that increases the exposed area of the metal, making it available for binding O2 Our study reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying activation of Alkbh5, therefore opening new perspectives for the design of novel strategies to control gene expression and cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Trang T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | | | - Aayushi Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Vincenzo Venditti
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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11
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Wang Q, Tan K, Wang H, Shang J, Wan Y, Liu X, Weng X, Wang F. Orthogonal Demethylase-Activated Deoxyribozyme for Intracellular Imaging and Gene Regulation. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:6895-6904. [PMID: 33905655 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic modification of nucleic acids represents a versatile approach for achieving high-efficient control over gene expression and transcription and could dramatically expand their biosensing and therapeutic applications. Demethylase-involved removal of N6-methyladenine (m6A) represents one of the vital epigenetic reprogramming events, yet its direct intracellular evaluation and as-guided gene regulation are extremely rare. The endonuclease-mimicking deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme) is a catalytically active DNA that enables the site-specific cleavage of the RNA substrate, and several strategies have imparted the magnificent responsiveness to DNAzyme by using chemical and light stimuli. However, the epigenetic regulation of DNAzyme has remained largely unexplored, leaving a significant gap in responsive DNA nanotechnology. Herein, we reported an epigenetically responsive DNAzyme system through the in vitro selection of an exquisite m6A-caged DNAzyme that could be specifically activated by FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated protein) demethylation for precise intracellular imaging-directed gene regulation. Based on a systematic investigation, the active DNAzyme configuration was potently disrupted by the site-specific incorporation of m6A modification and subsequently restored into the intact DNAzyme structure via the tunable FTO-specific removal of m6A-caging groups under a variety of conditions. This orthogonal demethylase-activated DNAzyme amplifier enables the robust and accurate monitoring of FTO and its inhibitors in live cells. Moreover, the simple demethylase-activated DNAzyme facilitates the assembly of an intelligent self-adaptive gene regulation platform for knocking down demethylase with the ultimate apoptosis of tumor cells. As a straightforward and scarless m6A removal strategy, the demethylase-activated DNAzyme system offers a versatile toolbox for programmable gene regulation in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Kaiyue Tan
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Hong Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Jinhua Shang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Yeqing Wan
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xiaocheng Weng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Fuan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
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12
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Yang T, Low JJA, Woon ECY. A general strategy exploiting m5C duplex-remodelling effect for selective detection of RNA and DNA m5C methyltransferase activity in cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:e5. [PMID: 31691820 PMCID: PMC7145549 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA:5-methylcytosine (m5C) methyltransferases are currently the focus of intense research following a series of high-profile reports documenting their physiological links to several diseases. However, no methods exist which permit the specific analysis of RNA:m5C methyltransferases in cells. Herein, we described how a combination of biophysical studies led us to identify distinct duplex-remodelling effects of m5C on RNA and DNA duplexes. Specifically, m5C induces a C3′-endo to C2′-endo sugar-pucker switch in CpG RNA duplex but triggers a B-to-Z transformation in CpG DNA duplex. Inspired by these different ‘structural signatures’, we developed a m5C-sensitive probe which fluoresces spontaneously in response to m5C-induced sugar-pucker switch, hence useful for sensing RNA:m5C methyltransferase activity. Through the use of this probe, we achieved real-time imaging and flow cytometry analysis of NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 2 (NSUN2) activity in HeLa cells. We further applied the probe to the cell-based screening of NSUN2 inhibitors. The developed strategy could also be adapted for the detection of DNA:m5C methyltransferases. This was demonstrated by the development of DNA m5C-probe which permits the screening of DNA methyltransferase 3A inhibitors. To our knowledge, this study represents not only the first examples of m5C-responsive probes, but also a new strategy for discriminating RNA and DNA m5C methyltransferase activity in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, 117543 Singapore
| | - Joanne J A Low
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, 117543 Singapore
| | - Esther C Y Woon
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, 117543 Singapore
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13
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Song Y, Xu Q, Wei Z, Zhen D, Su J, Chen K, Meng J. Predict Epitranscriptome Targets and Regulatory Functions of N 6-Methyladenosine (m 6A) Writers and Erasers. Evol Bioinform Online 2019; 15:1176934319871290. [PMID: 31523126 PMCID: PMC6728658 DOI: 10.1177/1176934319871290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, although many successful bioinformatics efforts have been reported in the epitranscriptomics field for N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) site identification, none is focused on the substrate specificity of different m6A-related enzymes, ie, the methyltransferases (writers) and demethylases (erasers). In this work, to untangle the target specificity and the regulatory functions of different RNA m6A writers (METTL3-METT14 and METTL16) and erasers (ALKBH5 and FTO), we extracted 49 genomic features along with the conventional sequence features and used the machine learning approach of random forest to predict their epitranscriptome substrates. Our method achieved reasonable performance on both the writer target prediction (as high as 0.918) and the eraser target prediction (as high as 0.888) in a 5-fold cross-validation, and results of the gene ontology analysis of their preferential targets further revealed the functional relevance of different RNA methylation writers and erasers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyou Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an
Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qingru Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an
Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhen Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an
Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Mathematical Sciences,
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Di Zhen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an
Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jionglong Su
- Department of Mathematical Sciences,
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
- Research Center for Precision Medicine,
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kunqi Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an
Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease,
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jia Meng
- Research Center for Precision Medicine,
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Integrative Biology,
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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14
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Purslow JA, Nguyen TT, Egner TK, Dotas RR, Khatiwada B, Venditti V. Active Site Breathing of Human Alkbh5 Revealed by Solution NMR and Accelerated Molecular Dynamics. Biophys J 2018; 115:1895-1905. [PMID: 30352661 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AlkB homolog 5 (Alkbh5) is one of nine members of the AlkB family, which are nonheme Fe2+/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases that catalyze the oxidative demethylation of modified nucleotides and amino acids. Alkbh5 is highly selective for the N6-methyladenosine modification, an epigenetic mark that has spawned significant biological and pharmacological interest because of its involvement in important physiological processes, such as carcinogenesis and stem cell differentiation. Herein, we investigate the structure and dynamics of human Alkbh5 in solution. By using 15N and 13Cmethyl relaxation dispersion and 15N-R1 and R1ρ NMR experiments, we show that the active site of apo Alkbh5 experiences conformational dynamics on multiple timescales. Consistent with this observation, backbone amide residual dipolar couplings measured for Alkbh5 in phage pf1 are inconsistent with the static crystal structure of the enzyme. We developed a simple approach that combines residual dipolar coupling data and accelerated molecular dynamics simulations to calculate a conformational ensemble of Alkbh5 that is fully consistent with the experimental NMR data. Our structural model reveals that Alkbh5 is more disordered in solution than what is observed in the crystal state and undergoes breathing motions that expand the active site and allow access to α-ketoglutarate. Disordered-to-ordered conformational changes induced by sequential substrate/cofactor binding events have been often invoked to interpret biochemical data on the activity and specificity of AlkB proteins. The structural ensemble reported in this work provides the first atomic-resolution model of an AlkB protein in its disordered conformational state to our knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Purslow
- Department of Chemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Trang T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Timothy K Egner
- Department of Chemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Rochelle R Dotas
- Department of Chemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Balabhadra Khatiwada
- Department of Chemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Vincenzo Venditti
- Department of Chemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
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15
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Purslow JA, Venditti V. 1H, 15N, 13C backbone resonance assignment of human Alkbh5. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2018; 12:297-301. [PMID: 29858729 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-018-9826-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant and reversible post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotic mRNA and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). The central role of m6A in various physiological processes has generated considerable biological and pharmacological interest. Alkbh5 (AlkB homologue 5) belongs to the AlkB family and is a non-heme Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase that selectively catalyzes the oxidative demethylation of m6A. Herein, we report the backbone 1H, 15N, 13C chemical shift assignment of a fully active, 26 kDa construct of human Alkbh5. Experiments were acquired at 25 °C by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Collectively, 92% of all backbone resonances were assigned, with 195 out of a possible 212 residues assigned in the 1H-15N TROSY spectrum. Using the program TALOS+, a secondary structure prediction was generated from the assigned backbone resonance that is consistent with the previously reported X-ray structure of the enzyme. The reported assignment will permit investigations of the protein structural dynamics anticipated to provide crucial insight regarding fundamental aspects in the recognition and enzyme regulation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Purslow
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Hach Hall, 2438 Pammel Drive, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Vincenzo Venditti
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Hach Hall, 2438 Pammel Drive, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
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16
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Cheong A, Low JJA, Lim A, Yen PM, Woon ECY. A fluorescent methylation-switchable probe for highly sensitive analysis of FTO N 6-methyladenosine demethylase activity in cells. Chem Sci 2018; 9:7174-7185. [PMID: 30288236 PMCID: PMC6149071 DOI: 10.1039/c8sc02163e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most abundant epigenetic modifications on mRNA. It is dynamically regulated by the m6A demethylases FTO and ALKBH5, which are currently attracting intense medical interest because of their strong association with several human diseases. Despite their clinical significance, the molecular mechanisms of m6A demethylases remain unclear, hence there is tremendous interest in developing analytical tools to facilitate their functional studies, with a longer term view of validating their therapeutic potentials. To date, no method exists which permits the analysis of m6A-demethylase activity in cells. To overcome this challenge, herein, we describe the first example of a fluorescent m6A-switchable oligonucleotide probe, which enables the direct detection of FTO demethylase activity both in vitro and in living cells. The m6A probe provides a simple, yet powerful visual tool for highly sensitive detection of demethylase activity. Through the use of m6A-probe, we were able to achieve real-time imaging and single-cell flow cytometry analyses of FTO activity in HepG2 cells. We also successfully applied the probe to monitor dynamic changes in FTO activity and m6A methylation levels during 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation. The strategy outlined here is highly versatile and may, in principle, be adapted to the study of a range of RNA demethylases and, more widely, other RNA modifying enzymes. To the best of our knowledge, the present study represents not only the first assay for monitoring FTO activity in living cells, but also a new strategy for sensing m6A methylation dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline Cheong
- Department of Pharmacy , National University of Singapore , 18 Science Drive 4 , 117543 , Singapore . ; ; Tel: +65 6516 2932
| | - Joanne J A Low
- Department of Pharmacy , National University of Singapore , 18 Science Drive 4 , 117543 , Singapore . ; ; Tel: +65 6516 2932
| | - Andrea Lim
- Department of Pharmacy , National University of Singapore , 18 Science Drive 4 , 117543 , Singapore . ; ; Tel: +65 6516 2932
- Program of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders , Duke-NUS Medical School , 8 College Road , 169857 , Singapore
| | - Paul M Yen
- Program of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders , Duke-NUS Medical School , 8 College Road , 169857 , Singapore
| | - Esther C Y Woon
- Department of Pharmacy , National University of Singapore , 18 Science Drive 4 , 117543 , Singapore . ; ; Tel: +65 6516 2932
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17
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Wilson DL, Beharry AA, Srivastava A, O'Connor TR, Kool ET. Fluorescence Probes for ALKBH2 Allow the Measurement of DNA Alkylation Repair and Drug Resistance Responses. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:12896-12900. [PMID: 30098084 PMCID: PMC6478024 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201807593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The DNA repair enzyme ALKBH2 is implicated in both tumorigenesis as well as resistance to chemotherapy in certain cancers. It is currently under study as a potential diagnostic marker and has been proposed as a therapeutic target. To date, however, there exist no direct methods for measuring the repair activity of ALKBH2 in vitro or in biological samples. Herein, we report a highly specific, fluorogenic probe design based on an oligonucleotide scaffold that reports directly on ALKBH2 activity both in vitro and in cell lysates. Importantly, the probe enables the monitoring of cellular regulation of ALKBH2 activity in response to treatment with the chemotherapy drug temozolomide through a simple fluorescence assay, which has only previously been observed through indirect means such as qPCR and western blots. Furthermore, the probe provides a viable high-throughput assay for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andrew A Beharry
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Avinash Srivastava
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Timothy R O'Connor
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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18
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Das M, Yang T, Dong J, Prasetya F, Xie Y, Wong KHQ, Cheong A, Woon ECY. Multiprotein Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry: A Strategy for the Simultaneous Discovery of Subfamily-Selective Inhibitors for Nucleic Acid Demethylases FTO and ALKBH3. Chem Asian J 2018; 13:2854-2867. [PMID: 29917331 DOI: 10.1002/asia.201800729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) is a powerful supramolecular approach for discovering ligands for biomolecules. To date, most, if not all, biologically templated DCC systems employ only a single biomolecule to direct the self-assembly process. To expand the scope of DCC, herein, a novel multiprotein DCC strategy has been developed that combines the discriminatory power of a zwitterionic "thermal tag" with the sensitivity of differential scanning fluorimetry. This strategy is highly sensitive and could differentiate the binding of ligands to structurally similar subfamily members. Through this strategy, it was possible to simultaneously identify subfamily-selective probes against two clinically important epigenetic enzymes: FTO (7; IC50 =2.6 μm) and ALKBH3 (8; IC50 =3.7 μm). To date, this is the first report of a subfamily-selective ALKBH3 inhibitor. The developed strategy could, in principle, be adapted to a broad range of proteins; thus it is of broad scientific interest.
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MESH Headings
- AlkB Homolog 3, Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase/antagonists & inhibitors
- AlkB Homolog 3, Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase/chemistry
- AlkB Homolog 3, Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase/genetics
- AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase/antagonists & inhibitors
- AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase/chemistry
- AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase/genetics
- Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/antagonists & inhibitors
- Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/chemistry
- Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/genetics
- Catalysis
- Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques/methods
- Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry
- Fluorometry/methods
- Humans
- Hydrazones/chemistry
- Kinetics
- Ligands
- Molecular Structure
- Oxidoreductases, O-Demethylating/antagonists & inhibitors
- Oxidoreductases, O-Demethylating/chemistry
- Oxidoreductases, O-Demethylating/genetics
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/genetics
- Protein Denaturation
- Protein Engineering
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Transition Temperature
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohua Das
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Tianming Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Jinghua Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Fransisca Prasetya
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Yiming Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Kendra H Q Wong
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Adeline Cheong
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Esther C Y Woon
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
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19
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Wilson DL, Beharry AA, Srivastava A, O'Connor TR, Kool ET. Fluorescence Probes for ALKBH2 Allow the Measurement of DNA Alkylation Repair and Drug Resistance Responses. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201807593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David L. Wilson
- Department of Chemistry; Stanford University; Stanford CA 94305 USA
| | - Andrew A. Beharry
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences; University of Toronto; Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Avinash Srivastava
- Department of Cancer Biology; Beckman Research Institute; Duarte CA 91010 USA
| | - Timothy R. O'Connor
- Department of Cancer Biology; Beckman Research Institute; Duarte CA 91010 USA
| | - Eric T. Kool
- Department of Chemistry; Stanford University; Stanford CA 94305 USA
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20
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Abstract
Supramolecular interactions, such as those observed between antibodies and antigens, have been employed in developing analytical methods for several decades. One major area of interest concerns cancer research, where intricate supramolecular designs have emerged to tackle difficult analytes in complex tumor systems. Our increasing knowledge toward supramolecular systems have elicited profound interest in creating more efficient analytical approaches, evidenced by the ever-growing body of literature in the field. Some of the novel tools have indeed facilitated our understanding of cancer biology, through providing previously inaccessible information. In this review, we describe common strategies of developing supramolecular analytical methods and their implementations in cancer research. We provide an overview for each of the approaches and discuss representative examples in recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqun Shao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Min Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.
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21
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Zhou H, Kimsey IJ, Nikolova EN, Sathyamoorthy B, Grazioli G, McSally J, Bai T, Wunderlich CH, Kreutz C, Andricioaei I, Al-Hashimi HM. m(1)A and m(1)G disrupt A-RNA structure through the intrinsic instability of Hoogsteen base pairs. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2016; 23:803-10. [PMID: 27478929 PMCID: PMC5016226 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The B-DNA double helix can dynamically accommodate G-C and A-T base pairs in either Watson-Crick or Hoogsteen configurations. Here, we show that G-C(+) (in which + indicates protonation) and A-U Hoogsteen base pairs are strongly disfavored in A-RNA. As a result,N(1)-methyladenosine and N(1)-methylguanosine, which occur in DNA as a form of alkylation damage and in RNA as post-transcriptional modifications, have dramatically different consequences. Whereas they create G-C(+) and A-T Hoogsteen base pairs in duplex DNA, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of the double helix, they block base-pairing and induce local duplex melting in RNA. These observations provide a mechanism for disrupting RNA structure through post-transcriptional modifications. The different propensities to form Hoogsteen base pairs in B-DNA and A-RNA may help cells meet the opposing requirements of maintaining genome stability, on the one hand, and of dynamically modulating the structure of the epitranscriptome, on the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqing Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina USA
| | - Isaac J. Kimsey
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina USA
| | - Evgenia N. Nikolova
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California USA
| | | | - Gianmarc Grazioli
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California USA
| | - James McSally
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California USA
| | - Tianyu Bai
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina USA
| | | | - Christoph Kreutz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck Austria
| | - Ioan Andricioaei
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California USA
| | - Hashim M. Al-Hashimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina USA
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina USA
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22
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Zou S, Toh JDW, Wong KHQ, Gao YG, Hong W, Woon ECY. N(6)-Methyladenosine: a conformational marker that regulates the substrate specificity of human demethylases FTO and ALKBH5. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25677. [PMID: 27156733 PMCID: PMC4860565 DOI: 10.1038/srep25677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is currently one of the most intensively studied post-transcriptional modifications in RNA. Due to its critical role in epigenetics and physiological links to several human diseases, it is also of tremendous biological and medical interest. The m6A mark is dynamically reversed by human demethylases FTO and ALKBH5, however the mechanism by which these enzymes selectively recognise their target transcripts remains unclear. Here, we report combined biophysical and biochemical studies on the specificity determinants of m6A demethylases, which led to the identification of an m6A-mediated substrate discrimination mechanism. Our results reveal that m6A itself serves as a ‘conformational marker’, which induces different conformational outcomes in RNAs depending on sequence context. This critically impacts its interactions with several m6A-recognising proteins, including FTO and ALKBH5. Remarkably, through the RNA-remodelling effects of m6A, the demethylases were able to discriminate substrates with very similar nucleotide sequences. Our findings provide novel insights into the biological functions of m6A modifications. The mechanism identified in this work is likely of significance to other m6A-recognising proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shui Zou
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117 543, Singapore
| | - Joel D W Toh
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117 543, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138 673, Singapore
| | - Kendra H Q Wong
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117 543, Singapore
| | - Yong-Gui Gao
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138 673, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637 551, Singapore
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138 673, Singapore
| | - Esther C Y Woon
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117 543, Singapore
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