1
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Wang R, Hu MH. Development of a fluorescent ligand that specifically binds to the c-MYC G-quadruplex by migrating the benzene group on a carbazole-benzothiazolium scaffold. Bioorg Chem 2024; 151:107690. [PMID: 39098087 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107690] [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: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
c-MYC is one of the most important oncogenes, which is overexpressed in many cancers, and is highly related to development, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancers. The G4 structure in the promoter of c-MYC oncogene contributes a lot to the gene transcriptional mechanism. Small-molecule ligands binding to the c-MYC G4 appear to be a new class of anticancer agents. However, selective ligands for the c-MYC G4 over other G4s have been rarely reported. In this study, we reported a novel fluorescent ligand by migrating the benzene group on a carbazole-benzothiazolium scaffold, which was demonstrated to exhibit considerable specificity to the c-MYC G4, which was distinguished from other small-molecule ligands. The further cellular experiments suggested that this ligand may indeed target the promoter G4 and cause apparent transcriptional inhibition of the c-MYC oncogene instead of other G4-mediated oncogenes, which thereby resulted in cancer cell growth inhibition. Collectively, this study provided a good example for developing specific c-MYC G4 ligands, which may further develop into an effective anticancer agent that inhibit the c-MYC expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Nation-Regional Engineering Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ming-Hao Hu
- Nation-Regional Engineering Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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2
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Long W, Zeng YX, Zheng BX, Li YB, Wang YK, Chan KH, She MT, Lu YJ, Cao C, Wong WL. Targeting hTERT Promoter G-Quadruplex DNA Structures with Small-Molecule Ligand to Downregulate hTERT Expression for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:13363-13382. [PMID: 38987863 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01255] [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: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) may have noncanonical functions in transcriptional regulation and metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, but it is a challenging target. We thus developed small-molecule ligands targeting hTERT promoter G-quadruplex DNA structures (hTERT G4) to downregulate hTERT expression. Ligand 5 showed high affinity toward hTERT G4 (Kd = 1.1 μM) and potent activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, IC50 = 1 μM). In cell-based assays, 5 not only exerts markedly inhibitory activity on classical telomere functions including decreased telomerase activity, shortened telomere length, and cellular senescence but also induces DNA damage, acute cellular senescence, and apoptosis. This study reveals that hTERT G4-targeting ligand may cause mitochondrial dysfunction, disrupt iron metabolism and activate ferroptosis in cancer cells. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of 5 was also evaluated in an MDA-MB-231 xenograft mouse model and approximately 78.7% tumor weight reduction was achieved. No observable toxicity against the major organs was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Long
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yao-Xun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Bo-Xin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yu-Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ya-Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Ka-Hin Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Meng-Ting She
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yu-Jing Lu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chunyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wing-Leung Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
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3
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Liu J, Zhang K, Zhang X, Guan F, Zeng H, Kubo M, Lee P, Candotti F, James LK, Camara NOS, Benlagha K, Lei J, Forsman H, Yang L, Xiao W, Liu Z, Liu C. Immunoglobulin class-switch recombination: Mechanism, regulation, and related diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e662. [PMID: 39144468 PMCID: PMC11322596 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Maturation of the secondary antibody repertoire requires class-switch recombination (CSR), which switches IgM to other immunoglobulins (Igs), and somatic hypermutation, which promotes the production of high-affinity antibodies. Following immune response or infection within the body, activation of T cell-dependent and T cell-independent antigens triggers the activation of activation-induced cytidine deaminase, initiating the CSR process. CSR has the capacity to modify the functional properties of antibodies, thereby contributing to the adaptive immune response in the organism. Ig CSR defects, characterized by an abnormal relative frequency of Ig isotypes, represent a rare form of primary immunodeficiency. Elucidating the molecular basis of Ig diversification is essential for a better understanding of diseases related to Ig CSR defects and could provide clues for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. Here, we review the most recent insights on the diversification of five Ig isotypes and choose several classic diseases, including hyper-IgM syndrome, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, hyper-IgD syndrome, selective IgA deficiency, hyper-IgE syndrome, multiple myeloma, and Burkitt lymphoma, to illustrate the mechanism of Ig CSR deficiency. The investigation into the underlying mechanism of Ig CSR holds significant potential for the advancement of increasingly precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia‐Chen Liu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Department of Pathogen BiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Pathogen BiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of RespiratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze UniversityJingzhouChina
| | - Fei Guan
- Department of Pathogen BiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Hu Zeng
- Department of ImmunologyMayo Clinic College of Medicine and ScienceRochesterUSA
| | - Masato Kubo
- Laboratory for Cytokine Regulation, Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama InstituteYokohamaJapan
| | - Pamela Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent MedicineLKS Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Fabio Candotti
- Division of Immunology and AllergyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Kamel Benlagha
- Institut de Recherche Saint‐LouisUniversité de ParisParisFrance
| | - Jia‐Hui Lei
- Department of Pathogen BiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Huamei Forsman
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation ResearchInstitute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Pathogen BiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Wei Xiao
- Department of RespiratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze UniversityJingzhouChina
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HuazhongUniversity of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Chao‐Hong Liu
- Department of Pathogen BiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
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4
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Paul R, Dutta D, Mukhopadhyay TK, Müller D, Lala B, Datta A, Schwalbe H, Dash J. A non-B DNA binding peptidomimetic channel alters cellular functions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5275. [PMID: 38902227 PMCID: PMC11190219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49534-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA binding transcription factors possess the ability to interact with lipid membranes to construct ion-permeable pathways. Herein, we present a thiazole-based DNA binding peptide mimic TBP2, which forms transmembrane ion channels, impacting cellular ion concentration and consequently stabilizing G-quadruplex DNA structures. TBP2 self-assembles into nanostructures, e.g., vesicles and nanofibers and facilitates the transportation of Na+ and K+ across lipid membranes with high conductance (~0.6 nS). Moreover, TBP2 exhibits increased fluorescence when incorporated into the membrane or in cellular nuclei. Monomeric TBP2 can enter the lipid membrane and localize to the nuclei of cancer cells. The coordinated process of time-dependent membrane or nuclear localization of TBP2, combined with elevated intracellular cation levels and direct G-quadruplex (G4) interaction, synergistically promotes formation and stability of G4 structures, triggering cancer cell death. This study introduces a platform to mimic and control intricate biological functions, leading to the discovery of innovative therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Paul
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Debasish Dutta
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Titas Kumar Mukhopadhyay
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Diana Müller
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe, University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Strasse 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Binayak Lala
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Ayan Datta
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe, University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Strasse 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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5
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Wang RX, Ou Y, Chen Y, Ren TB, Yuan L, Zhang XB. Rational Design of NIR-II G-Quadruplex Fluorescent Probes for Accurate In Vivo Tumor Metastasis Imaging. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:11669-11678. [PMID: 38644738 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13851] [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: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Accurate in vivo imaging of G-quadruplexes (G4) is critical for understanding the emergence and progression of G4-associated diseases like cancer. However, existing in vivo G4 fluorescent probes primarily operate within the near-infrared region (NIR-I), which limits their application accuracy due to the short emission wavelength. The transition to second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescent imaging has been of significant interest, as it offers reduced autofluorescence and deeper tissue penetration, thereby facilitating more accurate in vivo imaging. Nonetheless, the advancement of NIR-II G4 probes has been impeded by the absence of effective probe design strategies. Herein, through a "step-by-step" rational design approach, we have successfully developed NIRG-2, the first small-molecule fluorescent probe with NIR-II emission tailored for in vivo G4 detection. Molecular docking calculations reveal that NIRG-2 forms stable hydrogen bonds and strong π-π interactions with G4 structures, which effectively inhibit twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and, thereby, selectively illuminate G4 structures. Due to its NIR-II emission (940 nm), large Stokes shift (90 nm), and high selectivity, NIRG-2 offers up to 47-fold fluorescence enhancement and a tissue imaging depth of 5 mm for in vivo G4 detection, significantly outperforming existing G4 probes. Utilizing NIRG-2, we have, for the first time, achieved high-contrast visualization of tumor metastasis through lymph nodes and precise tumor resection. Furthermore, NIRG-2 proves to be highly effective and reliable in evaluating surgical and drug treatment efficacy in cancer lymphatic metastasis models. We are optimistic that this study not only provides a crucial molecular tool for an in-depth understanding of G4-related diseases in vivo but also marks a promising strategy for the development of clinical NIR-II G4-activated probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Xuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Yifeng Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Yushi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Tian-Bing Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
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6
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Zheng BX, Long W, Zheng W, Zeng Y, Guo XC, Chan KH, She MT, Leung ASL, Lu YJ, Wong WL. Mitochondria-Selective Dicationic Small-Molecule Ligand Targeting G-Quadruplex Structures for Human Colorectal Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6292-6312. [PMID: 38624086 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02240] [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: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria are important drug targets for anticancer and other disease therapies. Certain human mitochondrial DNA sequences capable of forming G-quadruplex structures (G4s) are emerging drug targets of small molecules. Despite some mitochondria-selective ligands being reported for drug delivery against cancers, the ligand design is mostly limited to the triphenylphosphonium scaffold. The ligand designed with lipophilic small-sized scaffolds bearing multipositive charges targeting the unique feature of high mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) is lacking and most mitochondria-selective ligands are not G4-targeting. Herein, we report a new small-sized dicationic lipophilic ligand to target MMP and mitochondrial DNA G4s to enhance drug delivery for anticancer. The ligand showed marked alteration of mitochondrial gene expression and substantial induction of ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. The ligand also exhibited high anticancer activity against HCT116 cancer cells (IC50, 3.4 μM) and high antitumor efficacy in the HCT116 tumor xenograft mouse model (∼70% tumor weight reduction).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Xin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Wei Long
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Wende Zheng
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
| | - Yaoxun Zeng
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Chun Guo
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ka-Hin Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Meng-Ting She
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
| | - Alan Siu-Lun Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yu-Jing Lu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Wing-Leung Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
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7
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Cai JH, Yang DY, Zhang JJ, Tan JH, Huang ZS, Chen SB. Constructing triazole-modified quinazoline derivatives as selective c-MYC G-quadruplex ligands and potent anticancer agents through click chemistry. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107173. [PMID: 38335759 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107173] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
c-MYC is a hallmark of various cancers, playing a critical role in promoting tumorigenesis. The formation of G-quadruplex (G4) in the c-MYC promoter region significantly suppresses its expression. Therefore, developing small-molecule ligands to stabilize c-MYC G4 formation and subsequentially suppress c-MYC expression is an attractive topic for c-MYC-driven cancer therapy. However, achieving selective ligands for c-MYC G4 poses challenges. In this study, we developed a series of triazole-modified quinazoline (TMQ) derivatives as potential c-MYC G4 ligands and c-MYC transcription inhibitors from 4-anilinoquinazoline lead 7a using click chemistry. Importantly, the c-MYC G4 stabilizing ability and antiproliferation activity were well correlated among these new derivatives, particularly in the c-MYC highly expressed colorectal cancer cell line HCT116. Among them, compound A6 exhibited good selectivity in stabilizing c-MYC G4 and in suppressing c-MYC transcription better than 7a. This compound induced G4 formation, selectively inhibited G4-related c-MYC transcription and suppressed the progression of HCT116 cells. These findings identify a new c-MYC transcription inhibitor and provide new insights for optimizing c-MYC G4-targeting ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong-Heng Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dan-Yan Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Shuo-Bin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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8
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Wang XD, Liu YS, Hu MH. Discovery of a near-infrared fluorescent probe for G-quadruplexes by exploiting the concept of unfolding-intramolecular-aggregation-induced emission. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107006. [PMID: 38035514 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107006] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
In the very recent years, the concept of disaggregation-induced emission (DIE) has been applied to design G4 probes, thereby rendering several fluorophores that may suffer from aggregation-induced quenching (ACQ) to develop into desirable G4-selective probes. However, the design idea based on DIE was often limited by the instability and irreversibility of the "intermolecular" aggregation/disaggregation process. In this study, a self-folded, near-infrared fluorescent probe for selectively illuminating G4s was engineered. This probe restored its fluorescence via unfolding of its intramolecular aggregation (UIA) mediated by distinctive G4 binding, which may display more controllable background emission as well as more promising ability to track G4 forming dynamics as compared to the reported DIE probes. Altogether, this study provided insights into the development of new types of applicable G4 selective fluorescent probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dong Wang
- Nation-Regional Engineering Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yong-Si Liu
- Nation-Regional Engineering Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ming-Hao Hu
- Nation-Regional Engineering Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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9
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Dai Y, Teng X, Zhang Q, Hou H, Li J. Advances and challenges in identifying and characterizing G-quadruplex-protein interactions. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:894-909. [PMID: 37422364 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are peculiar nucleic acid secondary structures formed by DNA or RNA and are considered as fundamental features of the genome. Many proteins can specifically bind to G4 structures. There is increasing evidence that G4-protein interactions involve in the regulation of important cellular processes, such as DNA replication, transcription, RNA splicing, and translation. Additionally, G4-protein interactions have been demonstrated to be potential targets for disease treatment. In order to unravel the detailed regulatory mechanisms of G4-binding proteins (G4BPs), biochemical methods for detecting G4-protein interactions with high specificity and sensitivity are highly demanded. Here, we review recent advances in screening and validation of new G4BPs and highlight both their features and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicong Dai
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China
| | - Xucong Teng
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China
| | - Qiushuang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China
| | - Hongwei Hou
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing 102209, China.
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China; Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing 102209, China; Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Science at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China.
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10
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Wang Y, Li C, Guo K, Hao X, Hou J, Zhang F, Jin R, Kang C, Gao L. Oxidation-responsive G-quadruplex ligand for selective inhibition of the proliferation of tumour cells. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106746. [PMID: 37506624 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106746] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Tumour cells show a higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than normal cells. On the basis of this difference, we designed an oxidation-responsive G-quadruplex proligand PDS-B by installing borolanylbenzyls on a well-known pyridostatin (PDS) ligand PDS-S to response high level ROS in tumour cells. The rapid oxidative degradation of the proligand to its active form PDS-S in the presence of H2O2 confirms the oxidation-responsive design. According to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and confocal fluorescence imaging, PDS-B stabilizes telomeric G4 structures after oxidation with H2O2 or intracellular ROS. Apoptosis assays and cell cycle assays showed significant selectivity of PDS-B in inhibiting the proliferation of tumour cells over normal cells through responses to a high level of ROS in the formers. Further assays confirmed higher level of relative Caspase-3 activity in tumour cells than normal cells, consequently the enhanced apoptosis of the tumour cells induced by PDS-B. In summary, the results demonstrate a modification approach to solve the poor selectivity of the G4 ligand in tumour cells and cytotoxicity in normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Kai Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Xueyu Hao
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Jingwei Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Rizhe Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Chuanqing Kang
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Lianxun Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
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11
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Chaudhuri R, Prasanth T, Dash J. Expanding the Toolbox of Target Directed Bio-Orthogonal Synthesis: In Situ Direct Macrocyclization by DNA Templates. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202215245. [PMID: 36437509 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202215245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that noncanonical DNA can direct macrocyclization-like challenging reactions to synthesize gene modulators. The planar G-quartets present in DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) provide a size complementary reaction platform for the bio-orthogonal macrocyclization of bifunctional azide and alkyne fragments over oligo- and polymerization. G4s immobilized on gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles have been used as target templates to enable easy identification of a selective peptidomimetic macrocycle. Structurally similar macrocycles have been synthesized to understand their functional role in the modulation of gene function. The innate fluorescence of the in situ formed macrocycle has been utilized to monitor its cellular localization using a G4 antibody and its in cell formation from the corresponding azide and alkyne fragments. The successful execution of in situ macrocyclization in vitro and in cells would open up a new dimension for target-directed therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritapa Chaudhuri
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A and 2B Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700099, India
| | - Thumpati Prasanth
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A and 2B Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700099, India.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata, Chunilal Bhawan,168, Maniktala Main Road, P.O. Bengal Chemicals, P.S. Phoolbagan, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A and 2B Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700099, India
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12
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Zheng BX, Yu J, Long W, Chan KH, Leung ASL, Wong WL. Structurally diverse G-quadruplexes as the noncanonical nucleic acid drug target for live cell imaging and antibacterial study. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1415-1433. [PMID: 36636928 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc05945b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The formation of G-quadruplex structures (G4s) in vitro from guanine (G)-rich nucleic acid sequences of DNA and RNA stabilized with monovalent cations, typically K+ and Na+, under physiological conditions, has been verified experimentally and some of them have high-resolution NMR or X-ray crystal structures; however, the biofunction of these special noncanonical secondary structures of nucleic acids has not been fully understood and their existence in vivo is still controversial at present. It is generally believed that the folding and unfolding of G4s in vivo is a transient process. Accumulating evidence has shown that G4s may play a role in the regulation of certain important cellular functions including telomere maintenance, replication, transcription and translation. Therefore, both DNA and RNA G4s of human cancer hallmark genes are recognized as the potential anticancer drug target for the investigation in cancer biology, chemical biology and drug discovery. The relationship between the sequence, structure and stability of G4s, the interaction of G4s with small molecules, and insights into the rational design of G4-selective binding ligands have been intensively studied over the decade. At present, some G4-ligands have achieved a new milestone and successfully entered the human clinical trials for anticancer therapy. Over the past few decades, numerous efforts have been devoted to anticancer therapy; however, G4s for molecular recognition and live cell imaging and for application as antibacterial agents and antibiofilms against antibiotic resistance have been obviously underexplored. The recent advances in G4-ligands in these areas are thus selected and discussed concentratedly in this article in order to shed light on the emerging role of G4s in chemical biology and therapeutic prospects against bacterial infections. In addition, the recently published molecular scaffolds for designing small ligands selectively targeting G4s in live cell imaging, bacterial biofilm imaging, and antibacterial studies are discussed. Furthermore, a number of underexplored G4-targets from the cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA, the conserved promoter region of K. pneumoniae genomes, the RNA G4-sites in the transcriptome of E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and the mRNA G4-sites in the sequence for coding the vital bacterial FtsZ protein are highlighted to further explore in G4-drug development against human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Xin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Wei Long
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
| | - Ka Hin Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Alan Siu-Lun Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Wing-Leung Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
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13
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Roles of G4-DNA and G4-RNA in Class Switch Recombination and Additional Regulations in B-Lymphocytes. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031159. [PMID: 36770824 PMCID: PMC9921937 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mature B cells notably diversify immunoglobulin (Ig) production through class switch recombination (CSR), allowing the junction of distant "switch" (S) regions. CSR is initiated by activation-induced deaminase (AID), which targets cytosines adequately exposed within single-stranded DNA of transcribed targeted S regions, with a specific affinity for WRCY motifs. In mammals, G-rich sequences are additionally present in S regions, forming canonical G-quadruplexes (G4s) DNA structures, which favor CSR. Small molecules interacting with G4-DNA (G4 ligands), proved able to regulate CSR in B lymphocytes, either positively (such as for nucleoside diphosphate kinase isoforms) or negatively (such as for RHPS4). G4-DNA is also implicated in the control of transcription, and due to their impact on both CSR and transcriptional regulation, G4-rich sequences likely play a role in the natural history of B cell malignancies. Since G4-DNA stands at multiple locations in the genome, notably within oncogene promoters, it remains to be clarified how it can more specifically promote legitimate CSR in physiology, rather than pathogenic translocation. The specific regulatory role of G4 structures in transcribed DNA and/or in corresponding transcripts and recombination hereby appears as a major issue for understanding immune responses and lymphomagenesis.
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14
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Yuan C, Wang Z, Wang Z, Liu W, Li G, Meng J, Wu R, Wu Q, Wang J, Mei W. Novel Chiral Ru(II) Complexes as Potential c-myc G-quadruplex DNA Stabilizers Inducing DNA Damage to Suppress Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010203. [PMID: 36613647 PMCID: PMC9820592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, effective drugs for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are lacking in clinics. c-myc is one of the core members during TNBC tumorigenesis, and G-rich sequences in the promoter region can form a G-quadruplex conformation, indicating that the c-myc inhibitor is a possible strategy to fight cancer. Herein, a series of chiral ruthenium(II) complexes ([Ru(bpy)2(DPPZ-R)](ClO4)2, Λ/Δ-1: R = -H, Λ/Δ-2: R = -Br, Λ/Δ-3: R = -C≡C(C6H4)NH2) were researched based on their interaction with c-myc G-quadruplex DNA. Λ-3 and Δ-3 show high affinity and stability to decrease their replication. Additional studies showed that Λ-3 and Δ-3 exhibit higher inhibition against different tumor cells than other molecules. Δ-3 decreases the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 25.51 μM, which is comparable with that of cisplatin, with an IC50 of 25.9 μM. Moreover, Δ-3 exhibits acceptable cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 cells in a zebrafish xenograft breast cancer model. Further studies suggested that Δ-3 decreases the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells predominantly through DNA-damage-mediated apoptosis, which may be because Δ-3 can induce DNA damage. In summary, the results indicate that Ru(II) complexes containing alkinyl groups can be developed as c-myc G-quadruplex DNA binders to block TNBC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanling Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhixiang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zongtao Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wentao Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guohu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jinlan Meng
- Department of Physiology, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ruzhen Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 530316, China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre of Molecular Probe and Biomedicine Imaging, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Correspondence: (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Jiacheng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenjie Mei
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre of Molecular Probe and Biomedicine Imaging, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Correspondence: (Q.W.); (W.M.)
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15
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Zhao L, Ahmed F, Zeng Y, Xu W, Xiong H. Recent Developments in G-Quadruplex Binding Ligands and Specific Beacons on Smart Fluorescent Sensor for Targeting Metal Ions and Biological Analytes. ACS Sens 2022; 7:2833-2856. [PMID: 36112358 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c00992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The G-quadruplex structure is crucial in several biological processes, including DNA replication, transcription, and genomic maintenance. G-quadruplex-based fluorescent probes have recently gained popularity because of their ease of use, low cost, excellent selectivity, and sensitivity. This review summarizes the latest applications of G-quadruplex structures as detectors of genome-wide, enantioselective catalysts, disease therapeutics, promising drug targets, and smart fluorescence probes. In every section, sensing of G-quadruplex and employing G4 for the detection of other analytes were introduced, respectively. Since the discovery of the G-quadruplex structure, several studies have been conducted to investigate its conformations, biological potential, stability, reactivity, selectivity for chemical modification, and optical properties. The formation mechanism and advancements for detecting different metal ions (Na+, K+, Ag+, Tl+, Cu+/Cu2+, Hg2+, and Pb2+) and biomolecules (AMP, ATP, DNA/RNA, microRNA, thrombin, T4 PNK, RNase H, ALP, CEA, lipocalin 1, and UDG) using fluorescent sensors based on G-quadruplex modification, such as dye labels, artificial nucleobase moieties, dye complexes, intercalating dyes, and bioconjugated nanomaterials (AgNCs, GO, QDs, CDs, and MOF) is described herein. To investigate these extremely efficient responsive agents for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in medicine, fluorescence sensors based on G-quadruplexes have also been employed as a quantitative visualization technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhao
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China.,College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Farid Ahmed
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yating Zeng
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Weiqing Xu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Hai Xiong
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
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16
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Li ML, Yuan JM, Yuan H, Wu BH, Huang SL, Li QJ, Ou TM, Wang HG, Tan JH, Li D, Chen SB, Huang ZS. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of New Sugar-Substituted Imidazole Derivatives as Selective c-MYC Transcription Repressors Targeting the Promoter G-Quadruplex. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12675-12700. [PMID: 36121464 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
c-MYC is a key driver of tumorigenesis. Repressing the transcription of c-MYC by stabilizing the G-quadruplex (G4) structure with small molecules is a potential strategy for cancer therapy. Herein, we designed and synthesized 49 new derivatives by introducing carbohydrates to our previously developed c-MYC G4 ligand 1. Among these compounds, 19a coupled with a d-glucose 1,2-orthoester displayed better c-MYC G4 binding, stabilization, and protein binding disruption abilities than 1. Our further evaluation indicated that 19a blocked c-MYC transcription by targeting the promoter G4, leading to c-MYC-dependent cancer cell death in triple-negative breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231. Also, 19a significantly inhibited tumor growth in the MDA-MB-231 mouse xenograft model accompanied by c-MYC downregulation. Notably, the safety of 19a was dramatically improved compared to 1. Our findings indicated that 19a could become a promising anticancer candidate, which suggested that introducing carbohydrates to improve the G4-targeting and antitumor activity is a feasible option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Lin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jing-Mei Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bi-Han Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shi-Liang Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qing-Jiang Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tian-Miao Ou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hong-Gen Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ding Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuo-Bin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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17
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Wu Y, Li X, Li Q, Cheng C, Zheng L. Adipose tissue-to-breast cancer crosstalk: Comprehensive insights. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188800. [PMID: 36103907 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The review focuses on mechanistic evidence for the link between obesity and breast cancer. According to the IARC study, there is sufficient evidence that obesity is closely related to a variety of cancers. Among them, breast cancer is particularly disturbed by adipose tissue due to the unique histological structure of the breast. The review introduces the relationship between obesity and breast cancer from two aspects, including factors that promote tumorigenesis or metastasis. We summarize alterations in adipokines and metabolic pathways that contribute to breast cancer development. Breast cancer metastasis is closely related to obesity-induced pro-inflammatory microenvironment, adipose stem cells, and miRNAs. Based on the mechanism by which obesity causes breast cancer, we list possible therapeutic directions, including reducing the risk of breast cancer and inhibiting the progression of breast cancer. We also discussed the risk of autologous breast remodeling and fat transplantation. Finally, the causes of the obesity paradox and the function of enhancing immunity are discussed. Evaluating the balance between obesity-induced inflammation and enhanced immunity warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xu Li
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Qiong Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chienshan Cheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lan Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China.
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18
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Combination of dl922-947 Oncolytic Adenovirus and G-Quadruplex Binders Uncovers Improved Antitumor Activity in Breast Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162482. [PMID: 36010559 PMCID: PMC9406944 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are nucleic secondary structures characterized by G-tetrads. G4 motif stabilization induces DNA damage and cancer cell death; therefore, G4-targeting small molecules are the focus of clinical investigation. DNA destabilization induced by G4 ligands might potentiate the anticancer activity of agents targeting DNA or inhibiting its repair such as oncolytic viruses. This study represents the first approach combining G4 ligands, BRACO-19 (B19), pyridostatin (PDS), and the adenovirus dl922-947 in breast cancer cells. We demonstrated that G4 binders and dl922-947 induce cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and at higher doses in other neoplastic cell lines of thyroid (BHT-101 cells) and prostate (PC3 cells). G4 binders induce G4 motifs distributed in the S and G2/M phases in MCF-7 cells. G4 binder/dl922-947 combination increases cell cytotoxicity and the accumulation in subG0/G1. Indeed, G4 binders favor viral entry and replication with no effect on coxsackie and adenovirus receptor. Notably, dl922-947 induces G4 motifs and its combination with PDS potentiates this effect in MCF-7 cells. The agents alone or in combination similarly enhanced cell senescence. Additionally, PDS/dl922-947 combination inactivates STING signaling in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results suggest that G4 binder/virotherapy combination may represent a novel therapeutic anticancer approach.
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19
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RNA Modification in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071695. [PMID: 35885000 PMCID: PMC9313455 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by damage to the intestinal mucosa, which is caused by a combination of factors. These include genetic and epigenetic alterations, environmental influence, microorganism interactions, and immune conditions. Some populations with IBD show a cancer-prone phenotype. Recent studies have provided insight into the involvement of RNA modifications in the specific pathogenesis of IBD through regulation of RNA biology in epithelial and immune cells. Studies of several RNA modification-targeting reagents have shown preferable outcomes in patients with colitis. Here, we note a new awareness of RNA modification in the targeting of IBD and related diseases, which will contribute to early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and possible control by innovative therapeutic approaches.
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20
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Biver T. Discriminating between Parallel, Anti-Parallel and Hybrid G-Quadruplexes: Mechanistic Details on Their Binding to Small Molecules. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134165. [PMID: 35807410 PMCID: PMC9268745 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are now extensively recognised as a peculiar non-canonical DNA geometry that plays a prime importance role in processes of biological relevance whose number is increasing continuously. The same is true for the less-studied RNA G4 counterpart. G4s are stable structures; however, their geometrical parameters may be finely tuned not only by the presence of particular sequences of nucleotides but also by the salt content of the medium or by a small molecule that may act as a peculiar topology inducer. As far as the interest in G4s increases and our knowledge of these species deepens, researchers do not only verify the G4s binding by small molecules and the subsequent G4 stabilisation. The most innovative studies now aim to elucidate the mechanistic details of the interaction and the ability of a target species (drug) to bind only to a peculiar G4 geometry. In this focused review, we survey the advances in the studies of the binding of small molecules of medical interest to G4s, with particular attention to the ability of these species to bind differently (intercalation, lateral binding or sitting atop) to different G4 topologies (parallel, anti-parallel or hybrid structures). Some species, given the very high affinity with some peculiar G4 topology, can first bind to a less favourable geometry and then induce its conversion. This aspect is also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarita Biver
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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21
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Wang M, Zhang F, Luo Y, Shuo L, Wang MQ. DPA-Substituted Carbazole Derivative as a Fluorescent Ligand for G4 DNA. Chem Biodivers 2022; 19:e202200061. [PMID: 35762741 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Herein a conjugated dipicolylamine/carbazole (Car-DPA) molecule was designed and synthesized to enhance the performance for the application as a G4 fluorescent ligand. This ligand has been found to display distinct and specific fluorescence enhancements in the presence of various G4 DNA structures, but limited with ssDNA or dsDNAs. The detail binding characteristics of the ligand with c-MYC G4 DNA were investigated by fluorescence, UV/VIS absorption, CD spectroscopy, and molecular docking. The present study demonstrated that Car-DPA bound to c-MYC G4s with a two-step complex formation, in which the binding mode appeared to be end-stacking. Confocal fluorescence images indicated that ligand Car-DPA could locate in nucleus, which is quite prominent from the cellular internalization studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wang
- College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Shandong Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Dongying, 257001, P. R. China
| | - Feng Zhang
- College of Mechanic and Electronic Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, P. R. China.,Shengli Oil Field Petroleum Engineering Technology Research Institute Sinopec, Dongying, 257000, P. R. China
| | - Yang Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, P. R. China
| | - Li Shuo
- School of Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, P. R. China
| | - Ming-Qi Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, P. R. China
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22
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Zhong DX, She MT, Guo XC, Zheng BX, Huang XH, Zhang YH, Ser HL, Wong WL, Sun N, Lu YJ. Design and synthesis of quinolinium-based derivatives targeting FtsZ for antibacterial evaluation and mechanistic study. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114360. [PMID: 35421657 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of small molecular inhibitors targeting essential and conserved bacterial drug targets such as FtsZ protein is a promising approach to fight against multi-drug resistant bacteria. In the present study, two new series of FtsZ inhibitors based on a 1-methylquinolinium scaffold were synthesized. The inhibitors possess a variety of substituent groups including the cyclic or linear amine skeleton at the 2- and 4-position of the quinolinium ring for structure-activity relationship study. In general, the inhibitors bearing a cyclic amine substituent at the 4-position of the quinolinium ring showed better antibacterial activity (MIC down to 0.25 μg/mL) than that at the 2-position, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. Among the twenty FtsZ inhibitors examined in various assays, A3 was identified to exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC = 0.5-1 μg/mL), S. epidermidis (MIC = 0.25 μg/mL) and E. faecium (MIC = 1-8 μg/mL). More importantly, A3 showed low hemolytic toxicity (IC5 = 64 μg/mL) and was found not readily to induce drug resistance. A3 at 2-8 μg/mL promoted the polymerization of FtsZ and interrupted the bacterial division. Furthermore, the ligand-FtsZ interaction study conducted with circular dichroism and molecular docking revealed that A3 induced secondary structure changes of FtsZ protein upon binding to the interdomain cleft of the protein. A3 is thus a potent inhibitor of FtsZ and shows potential to be used as a new antibacterial agent against drug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Xiao Zhong
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Meng-Ting She
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Xiao-Chun Guo
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Bo-Xin Zheng
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Xuan-He Huang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Yi-Han Zhang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Hooi-Leng Ser
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Wing-Leung Wong
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ning Sun
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510180, PR China.
| | - Yu-Jing Lu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Engineering Research Academy of High Value Utilization of Green Plants, Meizhou, 514021, PR China; Golden Health (Guangdong) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Foshan, 28225, PR China.
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