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Merlino F, Pecoraro A, Longobardi G, Donati G, Di Leva FS, Brignola C, Piccarducci R, Daniele S, Martini C, Marinelli L, Russo G, Quaglia F, Conte C, Russo A, La Pietra V. Development and Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Novel MDM2/MDM4 Heterodimer Peptide Inhibitors to Enhance 5-Fluorouracil Nucleolar Stress in Colorectal Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1812-1824. [PMID: 38285632 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) often involves wild-type p53 inactivation by MDM2 and MDM4 overexpression, promoting tumor progression and resistance to 5-fluoruracil (5-FU). Disrupting the MDM2/4 heterodimer can proficiently reactivate p53, sensitizing cancer cells to 5-FU. Herein, we developed 16 peptides based on Pep3 (1), the only known peptide acting through this mechanism. The new peptides, notably 3 and 9, showed lower IC50 values than 1. When incorporated into tumor-targeted biodegradable nanoparticles, these exhibited cytotoxicity against three different CRC cell lines. Notably, NPs/9 caused a significant increase in p53 levels associated with a strong increment of its main downstream target p21 inducing apoptosis. Also, the combined treatment of 9 with 5-FU caused the activation of nucleolar stress and a synergic apoptotic effect. Hence, the co-delivery of MDM2/4 heterodimer disruptors with 5-FU through nanoparticles might be a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pecoraro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Longobardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Greta Donati
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Brignola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Rebecca Piccarducci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno, 6, 56126 Pisa, PI, Italy
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno, 6, 56126 Pisa, PI, Italy
| | - Claudia Martini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno, 6, 56126 Pisa, PI, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Fabiana Quaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Claudia Conte
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Annapina Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, NA, Italy
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2
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Martín-Nieves V, Menéndez-Méndez LM, Fàbrega C, Fernández S, Sanghvi YS, Ferrero M, Eritja R. Synthesis of 2'- O-Methyl/2'- O-MOE-L-Nucleoside Derivatives and Their Applications: Preparation of G-Quadruplexes, Their Characterization, and Stability Studies. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:44893-44904. [PMID: 38046329 PMCID: PMC10688165 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Nucleosides and their analogues constitute an important family of molecules with potential antiviral and antiproliferative activity. The enantiomers of natural nucleosides, l-nucleoside derivatives, which have comparable biological activity but more favorable toxicological properties and greater metabolic stability than d-nucleosides, have emerged as a new class of therapeutic agents. Furthermore, l-nucleosides can be used as a building block to prepare l-oligonucleotides, which have identical physical properties in terms of solubility, hybridization kinetics, and duplex thermal stability as d-oligonucleotides but completely orthogonal in nature. Consequently, they are resistant to nuclease degradation, nontoxic, and immunologically passive, which are desirable properties for biomedical applications. Herein, we describe the synthesis of several 2'-O-methyl/2'-O-MOE-l-nucleoside pyrimidine derivatives and their incorporation into G-rich oligonucleotides. Finally, we evaluated the stability and resistance against nucleases of these new G-quadruplexes, demonstrating the potential of the l-nucleosides described in this work in providing enhanced nuclease resistance with a minimal impact in the nucleic acid structural properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Martín-Nieves
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo (Asturias) 33006, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Menéndez-Méndez
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo (Asturias) 33006, Spain
- Dpt.
Chemical & Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC, CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
- CIBER-BBN
Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Carme Fàbrega
- Dpt.
Chemical & Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC, CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
- CIBER-BBN
Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Susana Fernández
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo (Asturias) 33006, Spain
| | - Yogesh S. Sanghvi
- Rasayan
Inc., 2802 Crystal Ridge
Road, Encinitas, California 92024-6615, United
States
| | - Miguel Ferrero
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo (Asturias) 33006, Spain
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Dpt.
Chemical & Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC, CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
- CIBER-BBN
Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Barcelona 08034, Spain
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3
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Ji D, Feng H, Liew SW, Kwok CK. Modified nucleic acid aptamers: development, characterization, and biological applications. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1360-1384. [PMID: 37302912 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to their targets via specific structural interactions. To improve the properties and performance of aptamers, modified nucleotides are incorporated during or after a selection process such as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). We summarize the latest modified nucleotides and strategies used in modified (mod)-SELEX and post-SELEX to develop modified aptamers, highlight the methods used to characterize aptamer-target interactions, and present recent progress in modified aptamers that recognize different targets. We discuss the challenges and perspectives in further advancing the methodologies and toolsets to accelerate the discovery of modified aptamers, improve the throughput of aptamer-target characterization, and expand the functional diversity and complexity of modified aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Ji
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Hengxin Feng
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Shiau Wei Liew
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
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4
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Sharma T, Kundu N, Kaur S, Tandon V, Shankaraswamy J, Saxena S. Short designed peptide unfolding human telomeric G-quadruplex: mimicking the helicase function. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9977-9986. [PMID: 36437795 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2150316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human telomeric DNA can fold into G-quadruplex structures involving the interaction of four guanine bases in a square planar arrangement. The highly distinctive nature of quadruplex topologies suggests that they can act as novel therapeutic targets. In this study, we provide the evidence of human telomeric G4 destabilization in dilute and cell-mimicking molecular crowing conditions upon peptide binding. We have used three human telomeric sequences of different lengths. CD data showed that these sequences folded into anti-parallel G-quadruplex and CD intensity decreased significantly on increasing the peptide concentration. UV-thermal melting results showed significant decrease in hypochromicity due to formation of G4-peptide complex at 295 nm. Fluorescence data showed the quenching on titrating the peptide with human telomere G4. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed the unfolding of G4 structure. Cell viability was significantly reduced in the presence of QW5 peptide with IC50 values as 8.78 μM and 7.72 μM after 72 and 96 hours of incubation respectively. These results confirmed that QW5 peptide has an ability to bind and unfold to human telomeric G-quadruplex and hence might be the key modulator for targeting diseases having over-representation of G4 motifs and their destabilization will be helpful in increasing the efficiency of DNA replication, transcription or duplex reannealing.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Sharma
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Nikita Kundu
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Sarvpreet Kaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Vibha Tandon
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - J Shankaraswamy
- Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Mojerla, Telangana, India
| | - Sarika Saxena
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
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5
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Roxo C, Zielińska K, Pasternak A. Bispecific G-quadruplexes as inhibitors of cancer cells growth. Biochimie 2023; 214:91-100. [PMID: 37562706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
A therapeutic system with the ability to target more than one protein is an important aim of cancer therapy since tumor growth is accompanied by dysregulation of many biological pathways. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical structures formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA oligonucleotides, with the ability to bind to different targets. In this study, we constructed ten novel bispecific G-quadruplex conjugates based on AT11, TBA, T40214 and T40231 aptamer structures, with the ability to bind two different targets at once in cancer cells. We analyzed the physicochemical aspects and the anticancer properties of novel molecules relating them with the single G-quadruplex unit and attempted to comprehend the correlation between the structures of bispecific G-quadruplexes with their biological activity. Our studies uncovered conjugates with considerable antiproliferative potential in HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, however with relatively low thermal stability or low nuclease resistance. Three conjugates among all studied oligonucleotides possess improved antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 cell line in comparison to their single G-quadruplex units leading to up to 90% inhibition of cancer cells growth, but their inhibitory potential is rather comparable to the effect observed for mix of two separate G-quadruplex units. Importantly, the conjugation enhances oligonucleotides enzymatic stability leading to the improvement of their therapeutic profile. The comprehensive studies presented herein indicate new approach for possibly effective cancer therapy and for the design of G4-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Roxo
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Karolina Zielińska
- Department of Biomolecular NMR, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland.
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6
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Troisi R, Napolitano V, Rossitto E, Osman W, Nagano M, Wakui K, Popowicz G, Yoshimoto K, Sica F. Steric hindrance and structural flexibility shape the functional properties of a guanine-rich oligonucleotide. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8880-8890. [PMID: 37503836 PMCID: PMC10484730 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ligand/protein molecular recognition involves a dynamic process, whereby both partners require a degree of structural plasticity to regulate the binding/unbinding event. Here, we present the characterization of the interaction between a highly dynamic G-rich oligonucleotide, M08s-1, and its target protein, human α-thrombin. M08s-1 is the most active anticoagulant aptamer selected thus far. Circular dichroism and gel electrophoresis analyses indicate that both intramolecular and intermolecular G-quadruplex structures are populated in solution. The presence of thrombin stabilises the antiparallel intramolecular chair-like G-quadruplex conformation, that provides by far the main contribution to the biological activity of the aptamer. The crystal structure of the thrombin-oligonucleotide complex reveals that M08s-1 adopts a kinked structural organization formed by a G-quadruplex domain and a long duplex module, linked by a stretch of five purine bases. The quadruplex motif hooks the exosite I region of thrombin and the duplex region is folded towards the surface of the protein. This structural feature, which has never been observed in other anti-exosite I aptamers with a shorter duplex motif, hinders the approach of a protein substrate to the active site region and may well explain the significant increase in the anticoagulant activity of M08s-1 compared to the other anti-exosite I aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Valeria Napolitano
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Biomolecular NMR and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department Chemie, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Emanuele Rossitto
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Waleed Osman
- Research and Development Division, LinkBIO Co., Ltd., The ICI Center, 5270 Terada, Toride-shi, Ibaraki 302-0021, Japan
| | - Masanobu Nagano
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Koji Wakui
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Biomolecular NMR and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department Chemie, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Keitaro Yoshimoto
- Research and Development Division, LinkBIO Co., Ltd., The ICI Center, 5270 Terada, Toride-shi, Ibaraki 302-0021, Japan
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
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7
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Esposito V, Benigno D, Bello I, Panza E, Bucci M, Virgilio A, Galeone A. Structural and Biological Features of G-Quadruplex Aptamers as Promising Inhibitors of the STAT3 Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119524. [PMID: 37298475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the structural and biological features of G-quadruplex (G4) aptamers as promising antiproliferative compounds affecting the STAT3 signalling pathway. Targeting the STAT3 protein through high-affinity ligands to reduce its levels or activity in cancer has noteworthy therapeutic potential. T40214 (STAT) [(G3C)4] is a G4 aptamer that can influence STAT3 biological outcomes in an efficient manner in several cancer cells. To explore the effects of an extra cytidine in second position and/or of single site-specific replacements of loop residues in generating aptamers that can affect the STAT3 biochemical pathway, a series of STAT and STATB [GCG2(CG3)3C] analogues containing a thymidine residue instead of cytidines was prepared. NMR, CD, UV, and PAGE data suggested that all derivatives adopt dimeric G4 structures like that of unmodified T40214 endowed with higher thermal stability, keeping the resistance in biological environments substantially unchanged, as shown by the nuclease stability assay. The antiproliferative activity of these ODNs was tested on both human prostate (DU145) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. All derivatives showed similar antiproliferative activities on both cell lines, revealing a marked inhibition of proliferation, particularly at 72 h at 30 µM. Transcriptomic analysis aimed to evaluate STAT's and STATB's influence on the expression of many genes in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggested their potential involvement in STAT3 pathway modulation, and thus their interference in different biological processes. These data provide new tools to affect an interesting biochemical pathway and to develop novel anticancer and anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Benigno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ivana Bello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Panza
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Bucci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Virgilio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Galeone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
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8
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Conte C, Longobardi G, Barbieri A, Palma G, Luciano A, Dal Poggetto G, Avitabile C, Pecoraro A, Russo A, Russo G, Laurienzo P, Romanelli A, Quaglia F. Non-covalent strategies to functionalize polymeric nanoparticles with NGR peptides for targeting breast cancer. Int J Pharm 2023; 633:122618. [PMID: 36657553 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Surface functionalization of nanoparticles (NPs) with tumor-targeting peptides is an emerging approach with a huge potential to translate in the clinic and ameliorate the efficacy of nano-oncologicals. One major challenge is to find straightforward strategies for anchoring peptides on the surface of biodegradable NPs and ensuring their correct exposure and orientation to bind the target receptor. Here, we propose a non-covalent strategy to functionalize polyester aminic NPs based on the formation of either electrostatic or lipophilic interactions between NPs and the peptide modified with an anchoring moiety. We selected an iNGRt peptide containing a CendR motif (CRNGR) targeting neuropilin receptor 1 (NRP-1), which is upregulated in several cancers. iNGRt was linked with either a short poly(glutamic acid) chain (polyE) or a palmitoyl chain (Palm) and used to functionalize the surface of NPs made of a diamine poly(ε-caprolactone). iNGRt-PolyE was adsorbed on preformed cationic NPs through electrostatic interaction, whereas iNGRt-Palm was integrated into the forming NPs through interactions. In both cases, peptides were strongly associated with NPs of ∼100 nm, low polydispersity indexes, and positive zeta potential values. NPs entered MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells overexpressing NRP-1 via receptor-mediated endocytosis and showed a different cell localization depending on the mode of peptide anchoring. When loaded with the lipophilic anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX), NPs functionalized with the iNGRt-Palm variant exerted a time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity similar to DTX in MDA-MB-231 cells but were less toxic than DTX toward control MRC-5 human fibroblasts, not expressing NRP-1. In a heterotopic mouse model of triple negative breast cancer, iNGRt-Palm NPs were tolerated better than free DTX and demonstrated superior anticancer activity and survival compared to both free DTX and NPs without peptide functionalization. We foresee that the functionalization strategy with palmitoylated peptides proposed here can be extended to other biodegradable NPs and peptide sequences designed for therapeutic or targeting purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Conte
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Longobardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Barbieri
- Animal Facility Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Pascale", Via M. Semmola, 52, 80131 (NA) Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palma
- Animal Facility Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Pascale", Via M. Semmola, 52, 80131 (NA) Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Luciano
- Animal Facility Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Pascale", Via M. Semmola, 52, 80131 (NA) Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Dal Poggetto
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Pecoraro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annapina Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Laurienzo
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Fabiana Quaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
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9
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Properties and Potential Antiproliferative Activity of Thrombin-Binding Aptamer (TBA) Derivatives with One or Two Additional G-Tetrads. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314921. [PMID: 36499249 PMCID: PMC9736779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we study the biological properties of two TBA analogs containing one and two extra G-tetrads, namely TBAG3 and TBAG4, respectively, and two further derivatives in which one of the small loops at the bottom (TBAG41S) or the large loop at the top (TBAG4GS) of the TBAG4 structure has been completely modified by replacing all loop residues with abasic site mimics. The therapeutical development of the TBA was hindered by its low thermodynamic and nuclease stability, while its potential as an anticancer/antiproliferative molecule is also affected by the anticoagulant activity, being a side effect in this case. In order to obtain suitable TBA analogs and to explore the involvement of specific aptamer regions in biological activity, the antiproliferative capability against DU 145 and MDAMB 231 cancer cell lines (MTT), the anticoagulant properties (PT), the biological degradability (nuclease stability assay) and nucleolin (NCL) binding ability (SPR) of the above described TBA derivatives have been tested. Interestingly, none of the TBA analogs exhibits an anticoagulant activity, while all of them show antiproliferative properties to the same extent. Furthermore, TBAG4 displays extraordinary nuclease stability and promising antiproliferative properties against breast cancer cells binding NCL efficiently. These results expand the range of G4-structures targeting NCL and the possibility of developing novel anticancer and antiviral drugs.
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10
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Virgilio A, Pecoraro A, Benigno D, Russo A, Russo G, Esposito V, Galeone A. Antiproliferative Effects of the Aptamer d(GGGT) 4 and Its Analogues with an Abasic-Site Mimic Loop on Different Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115952. [PMID: 35682635 PMCID: PMC9181107 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we study the T30923 antiproliferative potential and the contribution of its loop residues in six different human cancer cell lines by preparing five T30923 variants using the single residue replacement approach of loop thymidine with an abasic site mimic (S). G-rich oligonucleotides (GRO) show interesting anticancer properties because of their capability to adopt G-quadruplex structures (G4s), such as the G4 HIV-1 integrase inhibitor T30923. Considering the multi-targeted effects of G4-aptamers and the limited number of cancer cell lines tested, particularly for T30923, it should be important to find a suitable tumor line, in addition to considering that the effects also strictly depend on G4s. CD, NMR and non-denaturating polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis data clearly show that all modified ODNs closely resemble the dimeric structure of parallel G4s’ parent aptamer, keeping the resistance in biological environments substantially unchanged, as shown by nuclease stability assay. The antiproliferative effects of T30923 and its variants are tried in vitro by MTT assays, showing interesting cytotoxic activity, depending on time and dose, for all G4s, especially in MDA-MB-231 cells with a reduction in cell viability approximately up to 30%. Among all derivatives, QS12 results are the most promising, showing more pronounced cytotoxic effects both in MDA-MB-231 and Hela cells, with a decrease in cell viability from 70% to 60%. In summary, the single loop residue S substitution approach may be useful for designing antiproliferative G4s, considering that most of them, characterized by single residue loops, may be able to bind different targets in several cancer cell pathways. Generally, this approach could be of benefit by revealing some minimal functional structures, stimulating further studies aimed at the development of novel anticancer drugs.
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A Comprehensive Analysis of the Thrombin Binding Aptamer Containing Functionalized Pyrrolo-2'-deoxycytidines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121326. [PMID: 34959726 PMCID: PMC8709445 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers constitute an answer for the growing need for targeted therapy development. One of the most well-known representatives of this group of compounds is thrombin binding aptamers (TBA) targeted towards thrombin. The TBA inhibitory activity is determined by its spatial arrangement, which consists of two G-tetrads linked by two shorter TT loops and one longer TGT loop and folds into a unimolecular, antiparallel G-quadruplex structure. Interesting properties of the aptamer can be further improved via the introduction of a number of chemical modifications. Herein, a comprehensive analysis of the influence of pyrrolo-2’-deoxycytidine (Py-dC) and its derivatives on TBA physicochemical and biological properties has been presented. The studies have shown that the presence of modified residues at the T7 position of the TGT loop has only minor effects on TBA thermodynamic stability without affecting its folding topology. All analyzed oligomers exhibit anticoagulant properties, but only aptamer modified with a decyl derivative of Py-dC was able to inhibit thrombin activity more efficiently than unmodified, parental compounds. Importantly, the same compound also possessed the potential to effectively restrain HeLa cell line growth.
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Freund N, Fürst MJLJ, Holliger P. New chemistries and enzymes for synthetic genetics. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 74:129-136. [PMID: 34883451 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Beyond the natural nucleic acids DNA and RNA, nucleic acid chemistry has unlocked a whole universe of modifications to their canonical chemical structure, which can in various ways modify and enhance nucleic acid function and utility for applications in biotechnology and medicine. Unlike the natural modifications of tRNA and rRNA or the epigenetic modifications in mRNA and genomic DNA, these altered chemistries are not found in nature and therefore these molecules are referred to as xeno-nucleic acids (XNAs). In this review we aim to focus specifically on recent progress in a subsection of this vast field-synthetic genetics-concerned with encoded synthesis, reverse transcription, and evolution of XNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Freund
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | | | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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Virgilio A, Benigno D, Pecoraro A, Russo A, Russo G, Esposito V, Galeone A. Exploring New Potential Anticancer Activities of the G-Quadruplexes Formed by [(GTG 2T(G 3T) 3] and Its Derivatives with an Abasic Site Replacing Single Thymidine. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137040. [PMID: 34208896 PMCID: PMC8268168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we report our investigations on five T30175 analogues, prepared by replacing sequence thymidines with abasic sites (S) one at a time, in comparison to their natural counterpart in order to evaluate their antiproliferative potential and the involvement of the residues not belonging to the central core of stacked guanosines in biological activity. The collected NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), CD (Circular Dichroism), and PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) data strongly suggest that all of them adopt G-quadruplex (G4) structures strictly similar to that of the parent aptamer with the ability to fold into a dimeric structure composed of two identical G-quadruplexes, each characterized by parallel strands, three all-anti-G-tetrads and four one-thymidine loops (one bulge and three propeller loops). Furthermore, their antiproliferative (MTT assay) and anti-motility (wound healing assay) properties against lung and colorectal cancer cells were tested. Although all of the oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) investigated here exhibited anti-proliferative activity, the unmodified T30175 aptamer showed the greatest effect on cell growth, suggesting that both its characteristic folding in dimeric form and its presence in the sequence of all thymidines are crucial elements for antiproliferative activity. This straightforward approach is suitable for understanding the critical requirements of the G-quadruplex structures that affect antiproliferative potential and suggests its application as a starting point to facilitate the reasonable development of G-quadruplexes with improved anticancer properties.
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Hortschansky P, Misslinger M, Mörl J, Gsaller F, Bromley MJ, Brakhage AA, Groll M, Haas H, Huber EM. Structural basis of HapE P88L-linked antifungal triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/7/e202000729. [PMID: 32467317 PMCID: PMC7266990 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Azoles are first-line therapeutics for human and plant fungal infections, but their broad use has promoted the development of resistances. Recently, a pan-azole-resistant clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolate was identified to carry the mutation P88L in subunit HapE of the CCAAT-binding complex (CBC), a conserved eukaryotic transcription factor. Here, we define the mechanistic basis for resistance in this isolate by showing that the HapEP88L mutation interferes with the CBC's ability to bend and sense CCAAT motifs. This failure leads to transcriptional derepression of the cyp51A gene, which encodes the target of azoles, the 14-α sterol demethylase Cyp51A, and ultimately causes drug resistance. In addition, we demonstrate that the CBC-associated transcriptional regulator HapX assists cyp51A repression in low-iron environments and that this iron-dependent effect is lost in the HapEP88L mutant. Altogether, these results indicate that the mutation HapEP88L confers increased resistance to azoles compared with wt A. fumigatus, particularly in low-iron clinical niches such as the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Misslinger
- Institute of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jasmin Mörl
- Institute of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael J Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Groll
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eva M Huber
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
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