1
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Willardiine and Its Synthetic Analogues: Biological Aspects and Implications in Peptide Chemistry of This Nucleobase Amino Acid. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15101243. [PMID: 36297355 PMCID: PMC9611319 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Willardiine is a nonprotein amino acid containing uracil, and thus classified as nucleobase amino acid or nucleoamino acid, that together with isowillardiine forms the family of uracilylalanines isolated more than six decades ago in higher plants. Willardiine acts as a partial agonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors and more in particular it agonizes the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) receptors of L-glutamate: ie. the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptors. Several analogues and derivatives of willardiine have been synthesised in the laboratory in the last decades and these compounds show different binding affinities for the non-NMDA receptors. More in detail, the willardiine analogues have been employed not only in the investigation of the structure of AMPA and kainate receptors, but also to evaluate the effects of receptor activation in the various brain regions. Remarkably, there are a number of neurological diseases determined by alterations in glutamate signaling, and thus, ligands for AMPA and kainate receptors deserve attention as potential neurodrugs. In fact, similar to willardiine its analogues often act as agonists of AMPA and kainate receptors. A particular importance should be recognized to willardiine and its thymine-based analogue AlaT also in the peptide chemistry field. In fact, besides the naturally-occurring short nucleopeptides isolated from plant sources, there are different examples in which this class of nucleoamino acids was investigated for nucleopeptide development. The applications are various ranging from the realization of nucleopeptide/DNA chimeras for diagnostic applications, and nucleoamino acid derivatization of proteins for facilitating protein-nucleic acid interaction, to nucleopeptide-nucleopeptide molecular recognition for nanotechnological applications. All the above aspects on both chemistry and biotechnological applications of willardine/willardine-analogues and nucleopeptide will be reviewed in this work.
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2
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Immel JR, Bloom S. carba-Nucleopeptides (cNPs): A Biopharmaceutical Modality Formed through Aqueous Rhodamine B Photoredox Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202205606. [PMID: 35507689 PMCID: PMC9256812 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202205606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Exchanging the ribose backbone of an oligonucleotide for a peptide can enhance its physiologic stability and nucleic acid binding affinity. Ordinarily, the eneamino nitrogen atom of a nucleobase is fused to the side chain of a polypeptide through a new C-N bond. The discovery of C-C linked nucleobases in the human transcriptome reveals new opportunities for engineering nucleopeptides that replace the traditional C-N bond with a non-classical C-C bond, liberating a captive nitrogen atom and promoting new hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions. We report the first late-stage synthesis of C-C linked carba-nucleopeptides (cNPs) using aqueous Rhodamine B photoredox catalysis. We prepare brand-new cNPs in batch, in parallel, and in flow using three long-wavelength photochemical setups. We detail the mechanism of our reaction by experimental and computational studies and highlight the essential role of diisopropylethylamine as a bifurcated two-electron reductant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R Immel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Steven Bloom
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
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3
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Immel JR, Bloom S. carba
‐Nucleopeptides (
c
NPs): A Biopharmaceutical Modality Formed through Aqueous Rhodamine B Photoredox Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202205606] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Immel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 USA
| | - Steven Bloom
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Kansas Lawrence KS 66045 USA
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4
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Novel insights on nucleopeptide binding: A spectroscopic and in silico investigation on the interaction of a thymine-bearing tetrapeptide with a homoadenine DNA. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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5
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Profeta M, Di Natale C, Lagreca E, Mollo V, Netti PA, Vecchione R. Cell Membrane-Coated Oil in Water Nano-Emulsions as Biomimetic Nanocarriers for Lipophilic Compounds Conveyance. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1069. [PMID: 34371760 PMCID: PMC8309122 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we developed ultra-stable oil in water nano-emulsions (O/W NEs), able to carry both internal and external cargos (Somes), such as lipophilic compounds and hydrophilic coatings, respectively, that we call here NEsoSomes. O/W NEs are an excellent bioengineering tool for drug and molecules delivery, due to their ability to dissolve a large number of hydrophobic compounds and protect them from hydrolysis and degradation under biological conditions. At present, no report is available on the combination of cell membrane coatings with such nanocarriers, probably due to their typical instability feature. Since then, we have reported, for the first time, a new cell membrane (CM)-coated nanomaterial composed of membranes extracted from glioblastoma cancer cells (U87-MG) deposited on NEsoSomes, through a liquid-liquid interface method, to produce highly controllable membrane caked nano-capsules, namely CM-NEsoSomes. CM-NEsoSomes were physically characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) over time and their correct morphology was analyzed by confocal and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) microscopy. Moreover, CM-NEsoSomes biocompatibility was tested on the healthy model cell line, performing cell cytotoxicity and uptake assay, showing nanocarriers uptake by cells with no induced cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Profeta
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.N.); (E.L.); (V.M.); (P.A.N.)
| | - Concetta Di Natale
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.N.); (E.L.); (V.M.); (P.A.N.)
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Lagreca
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.N.); (E.L.); (V.M.); (P.A.N.)
- Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production (DICMAPI), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Mollo
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.N.); (E.L.); (V.M.); (P.A.N.)
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.N.); (E.L.); (V.M.); (P.A.N.)
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production (DICMAPI), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Vecchione
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.N.); (E.L.); (V.M.); (P.A.N.)
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6
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Scognamiglio PL, Platella C, Napolitano E, Musumeci D, Roviello GN. From Prebiotic Chemistry to Supramolecular Biomedical Materials: Exploring the Properties of Self-Assembling Nucleobase-Containing Peptides. Molecules 2021; 26:3558. [PMID: 34200901 PMCID: PMC8230524 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides and their synthetic analogs are a class of molecules with enormous relevance as therapeutics for their ability to interact with biomacromolecules like nucleic acids and proteins, potentially interfering with biological pathways often involved in the onset and progression of pathologies of high social impact. Nucleobase-bearing peptides (nucleopeptides) and pseudopeptides (PNAs) offer further interesting possibilities related to their nucleobase-decorated nature for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, thanks to their reported ability to target complementary DNA and RNA strands. In addition, these chimeric compounds are endowed with intriguing self-assembling properties, which are at the heart of their investigation as self-replicating materials in prebiotic chemistry, as well as their application as constituents of innovative drug delivery systems and, more generally, as novel nanomaterials to be employed in biomedicine. Herein we describe the properties of nucleopeptides, PNAs and related supramolecular systems, and summarize some of the most relevant applications of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB-CNR, via Tommaso De Amicis 95, I-80145 Naples, Italy
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7
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Borbone N, Piccialli G, Roviello GN, Oliviero G. Nucleoside Analogs and Nucleoside Precursors as Drugs in the Fight against SARS-CoV-2 and Other Coronaviruses. Molecules 2021; 26:986. [PMID: 33668428 PMCID: PMC7918729 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-sense RNA enveloped viruses, members of the family Coronaviridae, that cause infections in a broad range of mammals including humans. Several CoV species lead to mild upper respiratory infections typically associated with common colds. However, three human CoV (HCoV) species: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-1, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, are responsible for severe respiratory diseases at the origin of two recent epidemics (SARS and MERS), and of the current COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), respectively. The easily transmissible SARS-CoV-2, emerging at the end of 2019 in China, spread rapidly worldwide, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare COVID-19 a pandemic. While the world waits for mass vaccination, there is an urgent need for effective drugs as short-term weapons to combat the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this context, the drug repurposing approach is a strategy able to guarantee positive results rapidly. In this regard, it is well known that several nucleoside-mimicking analogs and nucleoside precursors may inhibit the growth of viruses providing effective therapies for several viral diseases, including HCoV infections. Therefore, this review will focus on synthetic nucleosides and nucleoside precursors active against different HCoV species, paying great attention to SARS-CoV-2. This work covers progress made in anti-CoV therapy with nucleoside derivatives and provides insight into their main mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.B.); (G.P.)
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.B.); (G.P.)
| | | | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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8
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Pomplun S, Gates ZP, Zhang G, Quartararo AJ, Pentelute BL. Discovery of Nucleic Acid Binding Molecules from Combinatorial Biohybrid Nucleobase Peptide Libraries. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:19642-19651. [PMID: 33166454 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c08964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nature has three biopolymers: oligonucleotides, polypeptides, and oligosaccharides. Each biopolymer has independent functions, but when needed, they form mixed assemblies for higher-order purposes, as in the case of ribosomal protein synthesis. Rather than forming large complexes to coordinate the role of different biopolymers, we dovetail protein amino acids and nucleobases into a single low molecular weight precision polyamide polymer. We established efficient chemical synthesis and de novo sequencing procedures and prepared combinatorial libraries with up to 100 million biohybrid molecules. This biohybrid material has a higher bulk affinity to oligonucleotides than peptides composed exclusively of canonical amino acids. Using affinity selection mass spectrometry, we discovered variants with a high affinity for pre-microRNA hairpins. Our platform points toward the development of high throughput discovery of sequence defined polymers with designer properties, such as oligonucleotide binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Pomplun
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Zachary P Gates
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Genwei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Anthony J Quartararo
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bradley L Pentelute
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.,The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.,Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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9
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Bucci R, Bossi A, Erba E, Vaghi F, Saha A, Yuran S, Maggioni D, Gelmi ML, Reches M, Pellegrino S. Nucleobase morpholino β amino acids as molecular chimeras for the preparation of photoluminescent materials from ribonucleosides. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19331. [PMID: 33168883 PMCID: PMC7652887 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76297-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioinspired smart materials represent a tremendously growing research field and the obtainment of new building blocks is at the molecular basis of this technology progress. In this work, colloidal materials have been prepared in few steps starting from ribonucleosides. Nucleobase morpholino β-amino acids are the chimera key intermediates allowing Phe-Phe dipeptides' functionalization with adenine and thymine. The obtained compounds self-aggregate showing enhanced photoluminescent features, such as deep blue fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Bucci
- DISFARM-Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Sezione Chimica Generale E Organica "A. Marchesini", Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Bossi
- Istituto Di Scienze E Tecnologie Chimiche "G. Natta" del Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR-SCITEC), via Fantoli 16/15, 20138, Milan, Italy
- SmartMatLab Center, via C. Golgi 19, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Erba
- DISFARM-Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Sezione Chimica Generale E Organica "A. Marchesini", Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Vaghi
- DISFARM-Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Sezione Chimica Generale E Organica "A. Marchesini", Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Abhijit Saha
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Chemistry, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sivan Yuran
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Chemistry, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniela Maggioni
- SmartMatLab Center, via C. Golgi 19, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Chimica, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Gelmi
- DISFARM-Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Sezione Chimica Generale E Organica "A. Marchesini", Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Meital Reches
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Chemistry, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sara Pellegrino
- DISFARM-Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Sezione Chimica Generale E Organica "A. Marchesini", Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity, and DNA Binding Studies of Nucleoamino Acid-Containing Pt(II) Complexes. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13100284. [PMID: 33007911 PMCID: PMC7600948 DOI: 10.3390/ph13100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We here report our studies on the reaction with the platinum(II) ion of a nucleoamino acid constituted by the l-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid linked to the thymine nucleobase through a methylenecarbonyl linker. The obtained new platinum complexes, characterized by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques, were envisaged to exploit synergistic effects due to the presence of both the platinum center and the nucleoamino acid moiety. The latter can be potentially useful to protect the complexes from early deactivation, as well as to facilitate their cell internalization. The biological activity of the complexes in terms of antiproliferative effects was evaluated in vitro on different cancer cell lines and healthy cells, showing the best results on human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells along with good selectivity for cancer over normal cells. In contrast, the metal-free nucleoamino acid did not show any cytotoxicity on both normal and cancer cell lines. Finally, the ability of the novel Pt(II) complexes to bind various DNA model systems was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses proving that the newly obtained compounds can potentially target DNA, similarly to other well-known anticancer Pt complexes, with a peculiar G-quadruplex vs. duplex selectivity.
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11
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Fik-Jaskółka MA, Mkrtchyan AF, Saghyan AS, Palumbo R, Belter A, Hayriyan LA, Simonyan H, Roviello V, Roviello GN. Biological macromolecule binding and anticancer activity of synthetic alkyne-containing L-phenylalanine derivatives. Amino Acids 2020; 52:755-769. [PMID: 32430874 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02849-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we described the synthesis of two L-phenylalanines α-derivatized with a terminal alkyne moiety whose structures differed by phenyl ring halogen substitution (two o-Cl in 1 vs. one p-Br in 2) and investigated their effect on biological macromolecules and living cells. We explored their interaction with quadruplex DNA (G4 DNA), using tel26 and c-myc as models, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). By CD spectroscopy, we found that 1 caused minor tel26 secondary structure changes, leading also to a slight thermal stabilization of this hybrid antiparallel/parallel G4 structure, while the c-myc parallel topology remained essentially unchanged upon 1 binding. Other CD evidences showed the ability of 1 to bind BSA, while molecular docking studies suggested that the same molecule could be housed into the hydrophobic cavity between sub-domains IIA, IIB, and IIIA of the protein. Furthermore, preliminary aggregation studies, based on concentration-dependent spectroscopic experiments, suggested the ability of 1 to aggregate forming noncovalent polymeric systems in aqueous solution. Differently from 1, the bromine-modified compound was able to bind Cu(II) ion, likely with the formation of a CuL2 complex, as found by UV spectroscopy. Finally, cell tests excluded any cytotoxic effect of both compounds toward normal cells, but showed slight antiproliferative effects of 2 on PC3 cancerous cells at 24 h, and of 1 on both T98G and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells at 48 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Fik-Jaskółka
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego Str. 8, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.,Centre for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego Str. 10, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.,Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna F Mkrtchyan
- Scientific and Production Center, Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056, Yerevan, Armenia.,Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Ashot S Saghyan
- Scientific and Production Center, Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056, Yerevan, Armenia.,Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Belter
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Liana A Hayriyan
- Scientific and Production Center, Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056, Yerevan, Armenia.,Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hayarpi Simonyan
- Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
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12
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Musumeci D, Mokhir A, Roviello GN. Synthesis and nucleic acid binding evaluation of a thyminyl l-diaminobutanoic acid-based nucleopeptide. Bioorg Chem 2020; 100:103862. [PMID: 32428744 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Herein we present the synthesis of a l-diaminobutanoic acid (DABA)-based nucleopeptide (3), with an oligocationic backbone, realized by solid phase peptide synthesis using thymine-bearing DABA moieties alternating in the sequence with free ones. CD studies evidenced the ability of this oligothymine nucleopeptide, well soluble in aqueous solution, to alter the secondary structure particularly of complementary RNA (poly rA vs poly rU) and inosine-rich RNAs, like poly rI and poly rIC, and showed its preference in binding double vs single-stranded DNAs. Furthermore, ESI mass spectrometry revealed that 3 bound also G-quadruplex (G4) DNAs, with either parallel or antiparallel topologies (adopted in our experimental conditions by c-myc and tel22, respectively). However, it caused detectable changes only in the CD of c-myc (whose parallel G4 structure was also thermally stabilized by ~3 °C), while leaving unaltered the antiparallel structure of tel22. Interestingly, CD and UV analyses suggested that 3 induced a hybrid mixed parallel/antiparallel G4 DNA structure in a random-coil tel22 DNA obtained under salt-free buffer conditions. Titration of the random-coil telomeric DNA with 3 gave quantitative information on the stoichiometry of the obtained complex. Overall, the findings of this work suggest that DABA-based nucleopeptides are synthetic nucleic acid analogues potentially useful in antigene and antisense strategies. Nevertheless, the hexathymine DABA-nucleopeptide shows an interesting behaviour as molecular tool per se thanks to its efficacy in provoking G4 induction in random coil G-rich DNA, as well as for the possibility to bind and stabilize c-myc oncogene in a G4 structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Andriy Mokhir
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich Alexander University, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
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13
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Frenkel-Pinter M, Samanta M, Ashkenasy G, Leman LJ. Prebiotic Peptides: Molecular Hubs in the Origin of Life. Chem Rev 2020; 120:4707-4765. [PMID: 32101414 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The fundamental roles that peptides and proteins play in today's biology makes it almost indisputable that peptides were key players in the origin of life. Insofar as it is appropriate to extrapolate back from extant biology to the prebiotic world, one must acknowledge the critical importance that interconnected molecular networks, likely with peptides as key components, would have played in life's origin. In this review, we summarize chemical processes involving peptides that could have contributed to early chemical evolution, with an emphasis on molecular interactions between peptides and other classes of organic molecules. We first summarize mechanisms by which amino acids and similar building blocks could have been produced and elaborated into proto-peptides. Next, non-covalent interactions of peptides with other peptides as well as with nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, metal ions, and aromatic molecules are discussed in relation to the possible roles of such interactions in chemical evolution of structure and function. Finally, we describe research involving structural alternatives to peptides and covalent adducts between amino acids/peptides and other classes of molecules. We propose that ample future breakthroughs in origin-of-life chemistry will stem from investigations of interconnected chemical systems in which synergistic interactions between different classes of molecules emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Frenkel-Pinter
- NSF/NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, https://centerforchemicalevolution.com/.,School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Mousumi Samanta
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Gonen Ashkenasy
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Luke J Leman
- NSF/NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, https://centerforchemicalevolution.com/.,Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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14
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Roviello GN, Oliviero G, Di Napoli A, Borbone N, Piccialli G. Synthesis, self-assembly-behavior and biomolecular recognition properties of thyminyl dipeptides. ARAB J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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15
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Synthesis, DNA binding studies, and antiproliferative activity of novel Pt(II)-complexes with an L-alanyl-based ligand. J Inorg Biochem 2019; 203:110868. [PMID: 31837618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
An artificial alanine-based amino acid {(S)-2-amino-3-[4-propyl-3-(thiophen-2-yl)-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]propanoic acid, here named TioxAla}, bearing a substituted triazolyl-thione group on the side chain and able to bind RNA biomedical targets, was here chosen as a valuable scaffold for the synthesis of new platinum complexes with potential dual action owing to the concomitant presence of the metal centre and the amino acid moiety. Three new platinum complexes, obtained from the reaction of TioxAla with K2PtCl4, were characterized by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and UV-vis spectroscopy: one compound (Pt1, bis-{(S)-2-amino-3-[4-propyl-3-(thiophen-2-yl)-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]propanoate-O,S} platinum(II)) consisted of two amino acid units coordinating the Pt(II) ion; the other two, Pt2 [potassium dichloro-{(S)-2-amino-3-[4-propyl-3-(thiophen-2-yl)-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]propanoate (O,S)} platinum(II)] and Pt3 [potassium dichloro-{(S)-2-amino-3-[4-propyl-3-(thiophen-2-yl)-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]propanoate (O,N)} platinum(II)], were isomers bearing one TioxAla unit, and two chlorides as Pt-ligands. Pt coordination involved preferentially the amino, carboxylic and thione functions of TioxAla. By preliminary antiproliferative assays, a moderate cytotoxic activity on cancer cells was observed only for Pt2 and Pt3, while no anticancer activity was found for both the chloride-free complex (Pt1) and TioxAla. This cytotoxicity, however lower than that of cisplatin, well correlated with the marked ability, here found only for Pt2 and Pt3 complexes, to bind DNA sequences either in random coil or in structured forms (duplex and G-quadruplex), as verified by spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis.
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16
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Benzodifurans for biomedical applications: BZ4, a selective anti-proliferative and anti-amyloid lead compound. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:285-302. [PMID: 30801198 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Our goal is to evaluate benzodifuran-based scaffolds for biomedical applications. METHODOLOGY We here explored the anticancer and anti-amyloid activities of a novel compound (BZ4) in comparison with other known benzodifuran analogs, previously studied in our group, and we have explored its ability to interact with different DNA model systems. RESULTS BZ4 shows antiproliferative activity on different cancer cells; does not affect noncancerous control cells and alters the aggregation properties of β-amyloid, as ascertained by circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis. An overall, qualitative picture on the mechanistic aspects related to the biological activities is discussed in light of the dynamic light scattering, UV, circular dichroism and fluorescence data, as well as of the metal ion-binding properties of BZ4.
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17
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GC K, To D, Jayalath K, Abeysirigunawardena S. Discovery of a novel small molecular peptide that disrupts helix 34 of bacterial ribosomal RNA. RSC Adv 2019; 9:40268-40276. [PMID: 35542650 PMCID: PMC9076165 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra07812f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the advances in modern medicine, antibiotic resistance is a persistent and growing threat to the world. Thus, the discovery and development of novel antibiotics have become crucial to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens. The goal of our research is to discover a small molecular peptide that can disrupt the synthesis of new ribosomes. Using the phage display technique, we have discovered a 7-mer peptide that binds to the second strand of 16S h34 RNA with a dissociation constant in the low micromolar range. Binding of the peptide alters RNA structure and inhibits the binding of the ribosomal RNA small subunit methyltransferase C (RsmC) enzyme that methylates the exocyclic amine of G1207. The addition of this peptide also increases the lag phase of bacterial growth. Introduction of chemical modifications to increase the binding affinity of the peptide to RNA, its uptake and stability can further improve the efficacy of the peptide as an antibiotic agent against pathogenic bacteria. Discovery of a novel heptapeptide that disrupts RNA–RNA and RNA–protein interactions in bacterial ribosome.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshav GC
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Kent State University
- Kent
- USA
| | - Davidnhan To
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Kent State University
- Kent
- USA
| | - Kumudie Jayalath
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Kent State University
- Kent
- USA
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18
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Roviello GN. Novel insights into nucleoamino acids: biomolecular recognition and aggregation studies of a thymine-conjugated L-phenyl alanine. Amino Acids 2018; 50:933-941. [PMID: 29766280 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
This article deals with the synthesis in solid phase and characterization of a nucleoamino amide, based on a phenylalaninamide moiety which was N-conjugated to a thymine nucleobase. In analogy to the natural nucleobase-amino acid conjugates, endowed with a wide range of biological properties, the nucleoamino amide interacts with single-stranded nucleic acids as verified in DNA- and RNA-binding assays conducted by CD and UV spectroscopies. These technologies were used to show also that this conjugate binds serum proteins altering significantly their secondary structure, as evidenced by CD and UV using BSA as a model. The biomolecular recognition seems to rely on the ability of the novel compound to bind aromatic and heteroaromatic moieties in protein and nucleic acids, not hindered by its propensity to self-assemble in aqueous solution, behavior suggested by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and CD spectroscopy in concentration- and temperature-dependent experiments. Finally, the high stability in human serum concurs to define the picture of the nucleoamino amide: this enzymatically stable drug candidate could interfere with protein and single-stranded nucleic acid-driven biological processes, particularly those associated with mRNA poly(A) tail, and its self-assembling nature, in analogy to other L-Phe-based systems, discloses new scenarios in drug delivery technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR (UOS Napoli centro), 80134, Naples, Italy.
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19
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Musumeci D, Roviello V, Roviello GN. DNA- and RNA-binding ability of oligoDapT, a nucleobase-decorated peptide, for biomedical applications. Int J Nanomedicine 2018; 13:2613-2629. [PMID: 29750033 PMCID: PMC5936014 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s156381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nucleobase-bearing peptides and their interaction with DNA and RNA are an important topic in the development of therapeutic approaches. On one hand, they are highly effective for modulating the nucleic-acid-based biological processes. On the other hand, they permit to overcome some of the main factors limiting the therapeutic efficacy of natural oligonucleotides, such as their rapid degradation by nucleases. Methods and results This article describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel thymine-bearing nucleoamino acid based on the l-diaminopropionic acid (l-Dap) and its solid phase oligomerization to α-peptides (oligoDapT), characterized using mass spectrometry, spectroscopic techniques, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The interaction of the obtained nucleopeptide with DNA and RNA model systems as both single strands (dA12, rA12, and poly(rA)) and duplex structures (dA12/dT12 and poly(rA)/poly(rU)) was investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) experiments. From the analysis of our data, a clear ability of the nucleopeptide to bind nucleic acids emerged, with oligoDapT being able to form stable complexes with both unpaired and double-stranded DNA and RNA. In particular, dramatic changes in the dA12/dT12 and poly(rA)/poly(rU) structures were observed as a consequence of the nucleopeptide binding. CD titrations revealed that multiple peptide units bound all the examined nucleic acid targets, with TLdap/A or TLdap/A:T(U) ratios >4 in case of oligoDapT/DNA and ~2 in oligoDapT/RNA complexes. Conclusion Our findings seem to indicate that Dap-based nucleopeptides are interesting nucleic acid binding-tools to be further explored with the aim to efficiently modulate DNA- and RNA-based biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- CNR-Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, Naples, Italy.,Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Analytical Chemistry for the Environment and Centro Servizi Metereologici Avanzati, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Abstract
Nucleic acids and carbohydrates are essential biomolecules involved in numerous biological and pathological processes. Development of multifunctional building blocks based on nucleosides and sugars is in high demand for the generation of novel oligonucleotide mimics and glycoconjugates for biomedical applications. Recently, aminooxyl-functionalized compounds have attracted increasing research interest because of their easy derivatization through oxime ligation or N-oxyamide formation reactions. Various biological applications have been reported for O-amino carbohydrate- and nucleoside-derived compounds. Here, we report our efforts in the design and synthesis of glyco-, glycosyl, nucleoside- and nucleo-aminooxy acid derivatives from readily available sugars and amino acids, and their use for the generation of N-oxyamide-linked oligosaccharides, glycopeptides, glycolipids, oligonucleosides and nucleopeptides as novel glycoconjugates or oligonucleotide mimics. Delicate and key points in the synthesis will be emphasized.
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21
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De Santis A, La Manna S, Krauss IR, Malfitano AM, Novellino E, Federici L, De Cola A, Di Matteo A, D'Errico G, Marasco D. Nucleophosmin-1 regions associated with acute myeloid leukemia interact differently with lipid membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:967-978. [PMID: 29330024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Augusta De Santis
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy; CSGI - Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara La Manna
- Department of Pharmacy, CIRPEB: Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sui Peptidi Bioattivi, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy; CSGI - Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Department of Pharmacy, CIRPEB: Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sui Peptidi Bioattivi, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, CIRPEB: Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sui Peptidi Bioattivi, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Federici
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences and CeSI-MeT, University of Chieti "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonella De Cola
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences and CeSI-MeT, University of Chieti "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Adele Di Matteo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gerardino D'Errico
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy; CSGI - Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, CIRPEB: Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sui Peptidi Bioattivi, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134, Naples, Italy.
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Biswas S, Samui S, Chakraborty A, Biswas S, De D, Ghosh U, Das AK, Naskar J. Insight into the binding of a non-toxic, self-assembling aromatic tripeptide with ct-DNA: Spectroscopic and viscositic studies. Biochem Biophys Rep 2017; 11:112-118. [PMID: 28955776 PMCID: PMC5614701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The report describes the synthesis, self-association and DNA binding studies of an aromatic tripeptide H-Phe-Phe-Phe-OH (FFF). The peptide backbone adopts β-sheet conformation both in solid and solution. In aqueous solution, FFF self-assembles to form nanostructured aggregates. Interactions of this peptide with calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA) have been studied using various biophysical techniques including ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The value of mean binding constant calculated from UV and fluorescence spectroscopic data is (2.914 ± 0.74) x 103 M-1 which is consistent with an external binding mode. Fluorescence intercalator displacement (FID) assay, iodide quenching study, viscosity measurement and thermal denaturation study of DNA further confirm the groove binding mode of peptide, FFF with ct-DNA. MTT cell survival assay reveals very low cytotoxicity of the peptide toward human lung carcinoma cell line A549.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumi Biswas
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Nadia, WB 741235, India
| | - Satyabrata Samui
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Nadia, WB 741235, India
| | - Arpita Chakraborty
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Nadia, WB 741235, India
| | - Sagar Biswas
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, Khandwa Road, Indore 453552, India
| | - Debapriya De
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Nadia, WB 741235, India
| | - Utpal Ghosh
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Nadia, WB 741235, India
| | - Apurba K. Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, Khandwa Road, Indore 453552, India
| | - Jishu Naskar
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Nadia, WB 741235, India
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Roviello GN, Vicidomini C, Costanzo V, Roviello V. Nucleic acid binding and other biomedical properties of artificial oligolysines. Int J Nanomedicine 2016; 11:5897-5904. [PMID: 28115843 PMCID: PMC5108602 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s121247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we report the interaction of an artificial oligolysine (referred to as AOL) realized in our laboratory with targets of biomedical importance. These included polyinosinic acid (poly rI) and its complex with polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), RNAs with well-known interferon-inducing ability, and double-stranded (ds) DNA. The ability of the peptide to bind both single-stranded poly rI and ds poly I:C RNAs emerged from our circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) studies. In addition, we found that AOL forms complexes with dsDNA, as shown by spectroscopic binding assays and UV thermal denaturation experiments. These findings are encouraging for the possible use of AOL in biomedicine for nucleic acid targeting and oligonucleotide condensation, with the latter being a key step preceding their clinical application. Moreover, we tested the ability of AOL to bind to proteins, using serum albumin as a model protein. We demonstrated the oligolysine-protein binding by CD experiments which suggested that AOL, positively charged under physiological conditions, binds to the protein regions rich in anionic residues. Finally, the morphology characterization of the solid oligolysine, performed by scanning electron microscopy, showed different crystal forms including cubic-shaped crystals confirming the high purity of AOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters
| | - Caterina Vicidomini
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters
| | - Vincenzo Costanzo
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Centro Regionale di Competenza (CRdC) Tecnologie, Via Nuova Agnano, Napoli, Italy
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