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Yao L, Wang L, Liu S, Qu H, Mao Y, Li Y, Zheng L. Evolution of a bispecific G-quadruplex-forming circular aptamer to block IL-6/sIL-6R interaction for inflammation inhibition. Chem Sci 2024; 15:13011-13020. [PMID: 39148786 PMCID: PMC11323322 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02183e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
IL-6 (interleukin-6) is an essential cytokine that participates in many inflammatory and immune responses, and disrupting the interaction between IL-6 and its receptor sIL-6R (soluble form of IL-6 receptor) represents a promising treatment strategy for inflammation and related diseases. Herein we report the first-ever effort of evolving a bispecific circular aptamer, named CIL-6A6-1, that is capable of binding both IL-6 and sIL-6R with nanomolar affinities and is stable in serum for more than 48 hours. CIL-6A6-1 can effectively block the IL-6/sIL-6R interaction and significantly inhibit cell inflammation. Most importantly, this bispecific aptamer is much more effective than aptamers that bind IL-6 and sIL-6R alone as well as tocilizumab, a commercially available humanized monoclonal antibody against sIL-6R, highlighting the advantage of selecting bispecific circular aptamers as molecular tools for anti-inflammation therapy. Interestingly, CIL-6A6-1 is predicted to adopt a unique structural fold with two G-quadruplex motifs capped by a long single-stranded region, which differs from all known DNA aptamers. This unique structural fold may also contribute to its excellent functionality and high stability in biological complex media. We anticipate that our study will represent a significant step forward towards demonstrating the practical utility of bispecific DNA aptamers for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Yao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Shuai Liu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Hao Qu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Yu Mao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University Hamilton L8S4K1 Canada
| | - Lei Zheng
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
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2
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Spiridonova VA, Naumova YO, Nikolaeva PA, Novikova TM, Kolomijtseva GY. Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Unfolding of Antiparallel G-Quadruplexes in Anti-Thrombin Aptamers. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:1292-1300. [PMID: 36509716 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922110086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The process of unfolding of G-quadruplex structure in the RE31 DNA-aptamer and in its complex with thrombin under the action of the fluorescently labeled complementary oligonucleotides of varying length with formation of double-helix structures has been studied. It has been suggested that G-quadruplex unfolding involves formation of an intermediate complex with an oligonucleotide. Thermodynamic parameters and kinetics of unfolding of the free aptamer and its complex with thrombin differ. Extension of the oligonucleotide sequence complementary to G-quadruplex by two nucleotides to cover the so-called "hinge region" had little impact on the conformational transition of G-quadruplex of the free aptamer. However, a pronounced effect has been observed for the aptamer-protein complex. Most likely these differences could be explained by the thrombin-induced conformational transition of the aptamer involving the hinge region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera A Spiridonova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Yulia O Naumova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Polina A Nikolaeva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Tatiana M Novikova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Galina Ya Kolomijtseva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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3
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Beyond G-Quadruplexes-The Effect of Junction with Additional Structural Motifs on Aptamers Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189948. [PMID: 34576112 PMCID: PMC8466185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes constitute an important type of nucleic acid structure, which can be found in living cells and applied by cell machinery as pivotal regulatory elements. Importantly, robust development of SELEX technology and modern, nucleic acid-based therapeutic strategies targeted towards various molecules have also revealed a large group of potent aptamers whose structures are grounded in G-quadruplexes. In this review, we analyze further extension of tetraplexes by additional structural elements and investigate whether G-quadruplex junctions with duplex, hairpin, triplex, or second G-quadruplex motifs are favorable for aptamers stability and biological activity. Furthermore, we indicate the specific and pivotal role of the G-quadruplex domain and the additional structural elements in interactions with target molecules. Finally, we consider the potency of G-quadruplex junctions in future applications and indicate the emerging research area that is still waiting for development to obtain highly specific and effective nucleic acid-based molecular tools.
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Alieva R, Novikov R, Tashlitsky V, Arutyunyan A, Kopylov A, Zavyalova E. Bimodular thrombin aptamers with two types of non-covalent locks. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 40:559-577. [PMID: 33847237 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2021.1910297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are structured oligonucleotides that specifically bind their targets. Oligonucleotides can be assembled in large nanostructures via intermolecular duplexes or G-quadruplexes. Addition of aptamers can be used to create nanostructures that bind specifically certain targets. Here two types of self-assembling locks were used to create bimodular aptamer constructions. Well-known aptamer to thrombin was chosen as a model object. The assembly of duplex locks was more efficient at low concentrations. The functional activity of aptamer modules was nearly the same as in HD1. However, the affinity of bimodular aptamers with G-quadruplex locks to immobilized thrombin was 5-10 times higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rugiya Alieva
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Roman Novikov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vadim Tashlitsky
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Arutyunyan
- Belozersky Research Institute of Physical Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Alexey Kopylov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena Zavyalova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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5
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Mao Y, Gu J, Chang D, Wang L, Yao L, Ma Q, Luo Z, Qu H, Li Y, Zheng L. Evolution of a highly functional circular DNA aptamer in serum. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:10680-10690. [PMID: 33021630 PMCID: PMC7641760 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular DNA aptamers are powerful candidates for therapeutic applications given their dramatically enhanced biostability. Herein we report the first effort to evolve circular DNA aptamers that bind a human protein directly in serum, a complex biofluid. Targeting human thrombin, this strategy has led to the discovery of a circular aptamer, named CTBA4T-B1, that exhibits very high binding affinity (with a dissociation constant of 19 pM), excellent anticoagulation activity (with the half maximal inhibitory concentration of 90 pM) and high stability (with a half-life of 8 h) in human serum, highlighting the advantage of performing aptamer selection directly in the environment where the application is intended. CTBA4T-B1 is predicted to adopt a unique structural fold with a central two-tiered guanine quadruplex capped by two long stem–loops. This structural arrangement differs from all known thrombin binding linear DNA aptamers, demonstrating the added advantage of evolving aptamers from circular DNA libraries. The method described here permits the derivation of circular DNA aptamers directly in biological fluids and could potentially be adapted to generate other types of aptamers for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Mao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Jimmy Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Dingran Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Lili Yao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Qihui Ma
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Zhaofeng Luo
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hao Qu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Lei Zheng
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
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Responses of DNA Mismatch Repair Proteins to a Stable G-Quadruplex Embedded into a DNA Duplex Structure. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228773. [PMID: 33233554 PMCID: PMC7699706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA mismatch repair (MMR) plays a crucial role in the maintenance of genomic stability. The main MMR protein, MutS, was recently shown to recognize the G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures, which, along with regulatory functions, have a negative impact on genome integrity. Here, we studied the effect of G4 on the DNA-binding activity of MutS from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (methyl-independent MMR) in comparison with MutS from Escherichia coli (methyl-directed MMR) and evaluated the influence of a G4 on the functioning of other proteins involved in the initial steps of MMR. For this purpose, a new DNA construct was designed containing a biologically relevant intramolecular stable G4 structure flanked by double-stranded regions with the set of DNA sites required for MMR initiation. The secondary structure of this model was examined using NMR spectroscopy, chemical probing, fluorescent indicators, circular dichroism, and UV spectroscopy. The results unambiguously showed that the d(GGGT)4 motif, when embedded in a double-stranded context, adopts a G4 structure of a parallel topology. Despite strong binding affinities of MutS and MutL for a G4, the latter is not recognized by E. coli MMR as a signal for repair, but does not prevent MMR processing when a G4 and G/T mismatch are in close proximity.
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Riccardi C, Napolitano E, Platella C, Musumeci D, Montesarchio D. G-quadruplex-based aptamers targeting human thrombin: Discovery, chemical modifications and antithrombotic effects. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 217:107649. [PMID: 32777331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
First studies on thrombin-inhibiting DNA aptamers were reported in 1992, and since then a large number of anticoagulant aptamers has been discovered. TBA - also named HD1, a 15-mer G-quadruplex (G4)-forming oligonucleotide - is the best characterized thrombin binding aptamer, able to specifically recognize the protein exosite I, thus inhibiting the conversion of soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin strands. Unmodified nucleic acid-based aptamers, in general, and TBA in particular, exhibit limited pharmacokinetic properties and are rapidly degraded in vivo by nucleases. In order to improve the biological performance of aptamers, a widely investigated strategy is the introduction of chemical modifications in their backbone at the level of the nucleobases, sugar moieties or phosphodiester linkages. Besides TBA, also other thrombin binding aptamers, able to adopt a well-defined G4 structure, e.g. mixed duplex/quadruplex sequences, as well as homo- and hetero-bivalent constructs, have been identified and optimized. Considering the growing need of new efficient anticoagulant agents associated with the strong therapeutic potential of these thrombin inhibitors, the research on thrombin binding aptamers is still a very hot and intriguing field. Herein, we comprehensively described the state-of-the-art knowledge on the DNA-based aptamers targeting thrombin, especially focusing on the optimized analogues obtained by chemically modifying the oligonucleotide backbone, and their biological performances in therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2(nd) Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
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8
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De Fenza M, Eremeeva E, Troisi R, Yang H, Esposito A, Sica F, Herdewijn P, D'Alonzo D, Guaragna A. Structure-Activity Relationship Study of a Potent α-Thrombin Binding Aptamer Incorporating Hexitol Nucleotides. Chemistry 2020; 26:9589-9597. [PMID: 32363791 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202001504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The replacement of one or more nucleotide residues in the potent α-thrombin-binding aptamer NU172 with hexitol-based nucleotides has been devised to study the effect of these substitutions on the physicochemical and functional properties of the anticoagulant agent. The incorporation of single hexitol nucleotides at the T9 and G18 positions of NU172 substantially retained the physicochemical features of the parent oligonucleotide, as a result of the biomimetic properties of the hexitol backbone. Importantly, the NU172-TH 9 mutant exhibited a higher binding affinity toward human α-thrombin than the native aptamer and an improved stability even after 24 h in 90 % human serum, with a significant increase in the estimated half-life. The anticoagulant activity of the modified oligonucleotide was also found to be slightly preferable to NU172. Overall, these results confirm the potential of hexitol nucleotides as biomimetic agents, while laying the foundations for the development of NU172-inspired α-thrombin-binding aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria De Fenza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Hui Yang
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna Esposito
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniele D'Alonzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guaragna
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
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9
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Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Cyclic NU172 Analogues: A Biophysical and Biological Insight. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113860. [PMID: 32485818 PMCID: PMC7312020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
NU172—a 26-mer oligonucleotide able to bind exosite I of human thrombin and inhibit its activity—was the first aptamer to reach Phase II clinical studies as an anticoagulant in heart disease treatments. With the aim of favoring its functional duplex-quadruplex conformation and thus improving its enzymatic stability, as well as its thrombin inhibitory activity, herein a focused set of cyclic NU172 analogues—obtained by connecting its 5′- and 3′-extremities with flexible linkers—was synthesized. Two different chemical approaches were exploited in the cyclization procedure, one based on the oxime ligation method and the other on Cu(I)-assisted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), affording NU172 analogues including circularizing linkers with different length and chemical nature. The resulting cyclic NU172 derivatives were characterized using several biophysical techniques (ultraviolet (UV) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies, gel electrophoresis) and then investigated for their serum resistance and anticoagulant activity in vitro. All the cyclic NU172 analogues showed higher thermal stability and nuclease resistance compared to unmodified NU172. These favorable properties were, however, associated with reduced—even though still significant—anticoagulant activity, suggesting that the conformational constraints introduced upon cyclization were somehow detrimental for protein recognition. These results provide useful information for the design of improved analogues of NU172 and related duplex-quadruplex structures.
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10
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Kopec PM, Karlowski WM. Sequence Dynamics of Pre-mRNA G-Quadruplexes in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:812. [PMID: 31316532 PMCID: PMC6610454 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Intramolecular G-quadruplexes (G4s) are secondary structures that may form within G-rich stretches of nucleic acids. Although their presence has been associated with genomic instability and mutagenicity, recent reports suggest their involvement in regulation of diverse cellular events, including transcription and translation. The majority of data regarding G4s stems from mammalian and yeast studies, leaving the plant G4s almost unexplored. Using the publicly available Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa WGS data, we examined the single nucleotide variability of sequences predicted to form G4s (pG4s) structures. We focused our analysis on protein coding transcripts and compared the results to well-characterized Homo sapiens data. We demonstrate that the overall high variability of pG4s is not uniform and differs between gene structural elements. Specifically, plant AUG-containing pG4s, located within 5'UTR/CDS junctions, are abundant and appear not to be affected by a higher frequency of sequence change, indicating their functional relevance. Furthermore, we show that substitutions lowering the probability of G4s' formation are preferred over neutral or stabilizing modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wojciech M. Karlowski
- Department of Computational Biology, Faculty of Biology, Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
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11
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Turaev AV, Tsvetkov VB, Tankevich MV, Smirnov IP, Aralov AV, Pozmogova GE, Varizhuk AM. Benzothiazole-based cyanines as fluorescent "light-up" probes for duplex and quadruplex DNA. Biochimie 2019; 162:216-228. [PMID: 31022429 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Analogs of benzothiazole orange (BO) with one, two or three methylbenzothiazolylmethylidene substituents in the 1-methylpyridinium ring were obtained from the respective picolinium, lutidinium or collidinium salts. Fluorescence parameters of the known and new dyes in complexes with various DNA structures, including G-quadruplexes (G4s) and i-motifs (IMs), were analyzed. All dyes efficiently distinguished G4s and ss-DNA. The bi- and tri-substituted derivatives had basically similar distributions of relative fluorescence intensities. The mono-substituted derivatives exhibited enhanced sensitivity to parallel G4s. All dyes were particularly sensitive to a G4 structure with an additional duplex module (the thrombin-binding aptamer TBA31), presumably due to a distinctive binding mode (interaction with the junction between the two modules). In particular, BO showed a strong (160-fold) enhancement in fluorescence quantum yield in complex with TBA31 compared to the free dye. The fluorescence quantum yields of the 2,4-bisubstituted derivative in complex with well-characterized G4s from oncogene promoters were in the range of 0.04-0.28, i.e. comparable to those of ThT. The mono/bi-substituted derivatives should be considered as possible light-up probes for G4 formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton V Turaev
- Biophysics Department, Research and Clinical Center for Physical Chemical Medicine, Malaya Pirogovskaya Str. 1a, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutsky Lane 9, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russia
| | - Vladimir B Tsvetkov
- Biophysics Department, Research and Clinical Center for Physical Chemical Medicine, Malaya Pirogovskaya Str. 1a, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Department of Molecular Virology, FSBI Research Institute of Influenza, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Prof. Popov Str. 15/17, Saint-Petersburg, 197376, Russia; Computational Oncology Group, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Str. 19/1, Moscow, 119146, Russia
| | - Maria V Tankevich
- Biophysics Department, Research and Clinical Center for Physical Chemical Medicine, Malaya Pirogovskaya Str. 1a, Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Igor P Smirnov
- Biophysics Department, Research and Clinical Center for Physical Chemical Medicine, Malaya Pirogovskaya Str. 1a, Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Andrey V Aralov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Galina E Pozmogova
- Biophysics Department, Research and Clinical Center for Physical Chemical Medicine, Malaya Pirogovskaya Str. 1a, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect, 33, Build. 2, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
| | - Anna M Varizhuk
- Biophysics Department, Research and Clinical Center for Physical Chemical Medicine, Malaya Pirogovskaya Str. 1a, Moscow, 119435, Russia; Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str. 32, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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12
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Putative Mechanisms Underlying High Inhibitory Activities of Bimodular DNA Aptamers to Thrombin. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9020041. [PMID: 30682825 PMCID: PMC6406280 DOI: 10.3390/biom9020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are prospective molecular recognizing elements. Similar to antibodies, aptamers are capable of providing specific recognition due to their spatial structure. However, the apparent simplicity of oligonucleotide folding is often elusive, as there is a balance between several conformations and, in some cases, oligomeric structures. This research is focused on establishing a thermodynamic background and the conformational heterogeneity of aptamers taking a series of thrombin DNA aptamers having G-quadruplex and duplex modules as an example. A series of aptamers with similar modular structures was characterized with spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, providing examples of the conformational homogeneity of aptamers with high inhibitory activity, as well as a mixture of monomeric and oligomeric species for aptamers with low inhibitory activity. Thermodynamic parameters for aptamer unfolding were calculated, and their correlation with aptamer functional activity was found. Detailed analysis of thrombin complexes with G-quadruplex aptamers bound to exosite I revealed the similarity of the interfaces of aptamers with drastically different affinities to thrombin. It could be suggested that there are some events during complex formation that have a larger impact on the affinity than the states of initial and final macromolecules. Possible mechanisms of the complex formation and a role of the duplex module in the association process are discussed.
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13
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Wang J, Gu Y, Liu L, Wang C, Wang J, Ding S, Li J, Qiu L, Jiang P. Novel application of fluorescence coupled capillary electrophoresis to resolve the interaction between the G-quadruplex aptamer and thrombin. J Sep Sci 2017; 40:3161-3167. [PMID: 28594110 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201700456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic binding status between the thrombin and its G-quadruplex aptamers and the stability of its interaction partners were probed using our previously established fluorescence-coupled capillary electrophoresis method. A 29-nucleic acid thrombin binding aptamer was chosen as a model to study its binding affinity with the thrombin ligand. First, the effects of the cations on the formation of G-quadruplex from unstructured 29-nucleic acid thrombin binding aptamer were examined. Second, the rapid binding kinetics between the thrombin and 6-carboxyfluorescein labeled G-quadruplex aptamer was measured. Third, the stability of G-quadruplex aptamer-thrombin complex was also examined in the presence of the interfering species. Remarkably, it was found that the complementary strand of 29-nucleic acid thrombin binding aptamer could compete with G-quadruplex aptamer and thus disassociated the G-quadruplex structure into an unstructured aptamer. These data suggest that our in-house established fluorescence-coupled capillary electrophoresis assay could be applied to binding studies of the G-quadruplex aptamers, thrombin, and their ligands, while overcoming the complicated and costly approaches currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yaqin Gu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Cheli Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jianpeng Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Shumin Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jinping Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China.,Department of Biomedical Science, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA, USA
| | - Lin Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Pengju Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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14
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Platella C, Riccardi C, Montesarchio D, Roviello GN, Musumeci D. G-quadruplex-based aptamers against protein targets in therapy and diagnostics. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:1429-1447. [PMID: 27865995 PMCID: PMC7117017 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules identified to recognize with high affinity specific targets including proteins, small molecules, ions, whole cells and even entire organisms, such as viruses or bacteria. They can be identified from combinatorial libraries of DNA or RNA oligonucleotides by SELEX technology, an in vitro iterative selection procedure consisting of binding (capture), partitioning and amplification steps. Remarkably, many of the aptamers selected against biologically relevant protein targets are G-rich sequences that can fold into stable G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Aiming at disseminating novel inspiring ideas within the scientific community in the field of G4-structures, the emphasis of this review is placed on: 1) recent advancements in SELEX technology for the efficient and rapid identification of new candidate aptamers (introduction of microfluidic systems and next generation sequencing); 2) recurrence of G4 structures in aptamers selected by SELEX against biologically relevant protein targets; 3) discovery of several G4-forming motifs in important regulatory regions of the human or viral genome bound by endogenous proteins, which per se can result into potential aptamers; 4) an updated overview of G4-based aptamers with therapeutic potential and 5) a discussion on the most attractive G4-based aptamers for diagnostic applications. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Napoli, Italy.
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Dolinnaya NG, Ogloblina AM, Yakubovskaya MG. Structure, Properties, and Biological Relevance of the DNA and RNA G-Quadruplexes: Overview 50 Years after Their Discovery. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 81:1602-1649. [PMID: 28260487 PMCID: PMC7087716 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916130034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s), which are known to have important roles in regulation of key biological processes in both normal and pathological cells, are the most actively studied non-canonical structures of nucleic acids. In this review, we summarize the results of studies published in recent years that change significantly scientific views on various aspects of our understanding of quadruplexes. Modern notions on the polymorphism of DNA quadruplexes, on factors affecting thermodynamics and kinetics of G4 folding–unfolding, on structural organization of multiquadruplex systems, and on conformational features of RNA G4s and hybrid DNA–RNA G4s are discussed. Here we report the data on location of G4 sequence motifs in the genomes of eukaryotes, bacteria, and viruses, characterize G4-specific small-molecule ligands and proteins, as well as the mechanisms of their interactions with quadruplexes. New information on the structure and stability of G4s in telomeric DNA and oncogene promoters is discussed as well as proof being provided on the occurrence of G-quadruplexes in cells. Prominence is given to novel experimental techniques (single molecule manipulations, optical and magnetic tweezers, original chemical approaches, G4 detection in situ, in-cell NMR spectroscopy) that facilitate breakthroughs in the investigation of the structure and functions of G-quadruplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Dolinnaya
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Chemistry, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Zavyalova E, Tagiltsev G, Reshetnikov R, Arutyunyan A, Kopylov A. Cation Coordination Alters the Conformation of a Thrombin-Binding G-Quadruplex DNA Aptamer That Affects Inhibition of Thrombin. Nucleic Acid Ther 2016; 26:299-308. [PMID: 27159247 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2016.0606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombin-binding aptamers are promising anticoagulants. HD1 is a monomolecular antiparallel G-quadruplex with two G-quartets linked by three loops. Aptamer-thrombin interactions are mediated with two TT-loops that bind thrombin exosite I. Several cations were shown to be coordinated inside the G-quadruplex, including K+, Na+, NH4+, Ba2+, and Sr2+; on the contrary, Mn2+ was coordinated in the grooves, outside the G-quadruplex. K+ or Na+ coordination provides aptamer functional activity. The effect of other cations on aptamer functional activity has not yet been described, because of a lack of relevant tests. Interactions between aptamer HD1 and a series of cations were studied. A previously developed enzymatic method was applied to evaluate aptamer inhibitory activity. The structure-function correlation was studied using the characterization of G-quadruplex conformation by circular dichroism spectroscopy. K+ coordination provided the well-known high inhibitory activity of the aptamer, whereas Na+ coordination supported low activity. Although NH4+ coordination yielded a typical antiparallel G-quadruplex, no inhibitory activity was shown; a similar effect was observed for Ba2+ and Sr2+ coordination. Mn2+ coordination destabilized the G-quadruplex that drastically diminished aptamer inhibitory activity. Therefore, G-quadruplex existence per se is insufficient for aptamer inhibitory activity. To elicit the nature of these effects, we thoroughly analyzed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray data on the structure of the HD1 G-quadruplex with various cations. The most reasonable explanation is that cation coordination changes the conformation of TT-loops, affecting thrombin binding and inhibition. HD1 counterparts, aptamers 31-TBA and NU172, behaved similarly with some distinctions. In 31-TBA, an additional duplex module stabilized antiparallel G-quadruplex conformation at high concentrations of divalent cations; whereas in NU172, a different sequence of loops in the G-quadruplex module provided an equilibrium of antiparallel and parallel G-quadruplexes that shifted with cation binding. In conclusion, structures of G-quadruplex aptamers are flexible enough and are fine-tuned with different cation coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Zavyalova
- 1 Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow, Russia
| | - Grigory Tagiltsev
- 1 Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow, Russia
| | - Roman Reshetnikov
- 2 Belozersky Institute of Physical-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Arutyunyan
- 2 Belozersky Institute of Physical-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Kopylov
- 1 Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow, Russia
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17
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Kumar Mishra S, Kumar A. NALDB: nucleic acid ligand database for small molecules targeting nucleic acid. DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2016; 2016:baw002. [PMID: 26896846 PMCID: PMC4761111 DOI: 10.1093/database/baw002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid ligand database (NALDB) is a unique database that provides detailed information about the experimental data of small molecules that were reported to target several types of nucleic acid structures. NALDB is the first ligand database that contains ligand information for all type of nucleic acid. NALDB contains more than 3500 ligand entries with detailed pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information such as target name, target sequence, ligand 2D/3D structure, SMILES, molecular formula, molecular weight, net-formal charge, AlogP, number of rings, number of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, potential energy along with their Ki, Kd, IC50 values. All these details at single platform would be helpful for the development and betterment of novel ligands targeting nucleic acids that could serve as a potential target in different diseases including cancers and neurological disorders. With maximum 255 conformers for each ligand entry, our database is a multi-conformer database and can facilitate the virtual screening process. NALDB provides powerful web-based search tools that make database searching efficient and simplified using option for text as well as for structure query. NALDB also provides multi-dimensional advanced search tool which can screen the database molecules on the basis of molecular properties of ligand provided by database users. A 3D structure visualization tool has also been included for 3D structure representation of ligands. NALDB offers an inclusive pharmacological information and the structurally flexible set of small molecules with their three-dimensional conformers that can accelerate the virtual screening and other modeling processes and eventually complement the nucleic acid-based drug discovery research. NALDB can be routinely updated and freely available on bsbe.iiti.ac.in/bsbe/naldb/HOME.php. Database URL:http://bsbe.iiti.ac.in/bsbe/naldb/HOME.php
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Affiliation(s)
- Subodh Kumar Mishra
- Centre for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore 452017, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Centre for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore 452017, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Russo Krauss I, Spiridonova V, Pica A, Napolitano V, Sica F. Different duplex/quadruplex junctions determine the properties of anti-thrombin aptamers with mixed folding. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:983-91. [PMID: 26673709 PMCID: PMC4737158 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed duplex/quadruplex oligonucleotides have attracted great interest as therapeutic targets as well as effective biomedical aptamers. In the case of thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA), the addition of a duplex motif to the G-quadruplex module improves the aptamer resistance to biodegradation and the affinity for thrombin. In particular, the mixed oligonucleotide RE31 is significantly more effective than TBA in anticoagulation experiments and shows a slower disappearance rate in human plasma and blood. In the crystal structure of the complex with thrombin, RE31 adopts an elongated structure in which the duplex and quadruplex regions are perfectly stacked on top of each other, firmly connected by a well-structured junction. The lock-and-key shape complementarity between the TT loops of the G-quadruplex and the protein exosite I gives rise to the basic interaction that stabilizes the complex. However, our data suggest that the duplex motif may have an active role in determining the greater anti-thrombin activity in biological fluids with respect to TBA. This work gives new information on mixed oligonucleotides and highlights the importance of structural data on duplex/quadruplex junctions, which appear to be varied, unpredictable, and fundamental in determining the aptamer functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, C.N.R, Naples, Italy
| | - Vera Spiridonova
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrea Pica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, C.N.R, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, C.N.R, Naples, Italy
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Ogloblina AM, Bannikova VA, Khristich AN, Oretskaya TS, Yakubovskaya MG, Dolinnaya NG. Parallel G-quadruplexes formed by guanine-rich microsatellite repeats inhibit human topoisomerase I. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2015; 80:1026-38. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006297915080088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Tatarinova O, Tsvetkov V, Basmanov D, Barinov N, Smirnov I, Timofeev E, Kaluzhny D, Chuvilin A, Klinov D, Varizhuk A, Pozmogova G. Comparison of the 'chemical' and 'structural' approaches to the optimization of the thrombin-binding aptamer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89383. [PMID: 24586736 PMCID: PMC3930721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Noncanonically structured DNA aptamers to thrombin were examined. Two different approaches were used to improve stability, binding affinity and biological activity of a known thrombin-binding aptamer. These approaches are chemical modification and the addition of a duplex module to the aptamer core structure. Several chemically modified aptamers and the duplex-bearing ones were all studied under the same conditions by a set of widely known and some relatively new methods. A number of the thrombin-binding aptamer analogs have demonstrated improved characteristics. Most importantly, the study allowed us to compare directly the two approaches to aptamer optimization and to analyze their relative advantages and disadvantages as well as their potential in drug design and fundamental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir Tsvetkov
- Institute for Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, Russia ; Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia ; Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Igor Smirnov
- Institute for Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | | - Dmitry Klinov
- Institute for Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, Russia ; Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Varizhuk
- Institute for Physical-Chemical Medicine, Moscow, Russia ; Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow, Russia
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Russo Krauss I, Pica A, Merlino A, Mazzarella L, Sica F. Duplex-quadruplex motifs in a peculiar structural organization cooperatively contribute to thrombin binding of a DNA aptamer. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D: BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2013; 69:2403-11. [PMID: 24311581 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444913022269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Potent second-generation thrombin aptamers adopt a duplex-quadruplex bimodular folding and recognize thrombin exosite II with very high affinity and specificity. A sound model of these oligonucleotides, either free or in complex with thrombin, is not yet available. Here, a structural study of one of these aptamers, HD22-27mer, is presented. The crystal structure of this aptamer in complex with thrombin displays a novel architecture in which the helical stem is enchained to a pseudo-G-quadruplex. The results also underline the role of the residues that join the duplex and quadruplex motifs and control their recruitment in thrombin binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples `Federico II', Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, I-80126 Naples, Italy
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