1
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Zeng J, Zhang L, Huang L, Yu X, Han L, Zheng Y, Wang T, Zhang N, Yang M. MAZ promotes thyroid cancer progression by driving transcriptional reprogram and enhancing ERK1/2 activation. Cancer Lett 2024; 602:217201. [PMID: 39197582 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217201] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid malignancies worldwide. Oncogenic transcription factors (TFs) drive transcriptional reprogramming and tumorigenesis. The myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) is one of the Myc family TFs. The role of MAZ in PTC pathogenesis is still largely unknown. Here, we report that MAZ profoundly promotes proliferation of PTC cells ex vivo and in vivo through activating MAPK signaling. We firstly profiled gene expression of PTC cells after silencing of MAZ. BRAF, KRAS and LOC547 were identified as important target genes of TF MAZ. In particular, TF MAZ bound to the promoters of BRAF or KRAS and significantly increased their transcription and expression levels. Meanwhile, MAZ could noticeably elevate LOC547 transcription and expression as a TF. High levels of LOC547 relocated ACTN4 protein from the nucleus to the cytosol, improved protein-protein interactions between ACTN4 and EGFR in the cytosol, enhanced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, activated the MAPK signaling and, thus, promoted PTC progression. Our data identify a previously underappreciated MAZ-controlled transcriptional reprogram and ERK1/2 activation via BRAF, KRAS and LOC547. Our data illustrate that activation of the MAZ-controlled axis promotes thyroid tumorigenesis. These insights would advance our knowledge of the role of TFs in cancer development and highlight the potential of TFs as future targets for treatments against cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Zeng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China; School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Linying Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xinyuan Yu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Linyu Han
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanxiu Zheng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Teng Wang
- Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Nasha Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China; School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China; Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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2
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Shou S, Li Y, Chen J, Zhang X, Zhang C, Jiang X, Liu F, Yi L, Zhang X, Geer E, Pu Z, Pang B. Understanding, diagnosing, and treating pancreatic cancer from the perspective of telomeres and telomerase. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00768-6. [PMID: 38594465 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00768-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase is associated with cellular aging, and its presence limits cellular lifespan. Telomerase by preventing telomere shortening can extend the number of cell divisions for cancer cells. In adult pancreatic cells, telomeres gradually shorten, while in precancerous lesions of cancer, telomeres in cells are usually significantly shortened. At this time, telomerase is still in an inactive state, and it is not until before and after the onset of cancer that telomerase is reactivated, causing cancer cells to proliferate. Methylation of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter and regulation of telomerase by lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is the mechanism of telomerase reactivation in pancreatic cancer. Understanding the role of telomeres and telomerase in pancreatic cancer will help to diagnose and initiate targeted therapy as early as possible. This article reviews the role of telomeres and telomerase as biomarkers in the development of pancreatic cancer and the progress of research on telomeres and telomerase as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songting Shou
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanliang Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanlong Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochen Jiang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fudong Liu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yi
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - En Geer
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenqing Pu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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3
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Han L, Huo Y, Huang L, Zheng Y, Yu X, Zhang N, Yang M. Genome-wide functional integration identified MAZ-controlled RPS14 dysregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:985-997. [PMID: 38189915 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03669-z] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) significantly increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in Eastern Asia. However, only a subset of individuals with chronic HBV infection develop HCC, suggesting the role for genetic factors in HCC etiology. Despite genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identifying multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with HBV-related HCC susceptibility, the underlying mechanisms and causal genetic polymorphisms remain largely unclear. To address this, we developed The Updated Integrative Functional Genomics Approach (TUIFGA), an methodology that combines data from transcription factor (TF) cistromics, ATAC-seq, DNAase-seq, and the 1000 Genomes Project to identify cancer susceptibility SNPs within TF-binding sites across human genome. Using TUIFGA, we discovered SNP rs13170300 which located in the TF MAZ binding motif of RPS14. The RPS14 rs13170300 was significantly associated with HCC risk in two case-control sets, with the T allele as the protective allele (Shandong discovery set: TT OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.49-0.74, P = 1.0 × 10-6; CT OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.55-0.86, P = 0.001; Jiangsu validation set: TT OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.56-0.87, P = 0.001; CT OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.53-0.82, P = 1.6 × 10-4). SNP rs13170300 affected MAZ binding in the RPS14 promoter, resulting in allele-specific changes in gene expression. RPS14 functions as a novel oncogene in HCC, specifically via activating the AKT signaling. Our findings present important insights into the functional genetics underlying HBV-related HCC development and may contribute to personalized approaches for cancer prevention and novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyu Han
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanfei Huo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Linying Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanxiu Zheng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xinyuan Yu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Nasha Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong Province, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong Province, China.
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Shandong University Cancer Center, Shandong Province, Jinan, 250117, China.
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4
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Wang W, Li D, Xu Q, Cheng J, Yu Z, Li G, Qiao S, Pan J, Wang H, Shi J, Zheng T, Sui G. G-quadruplexes promote the motility in MAZ phase-separated condensates to activate CCND1 expression and contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1045. [PMID: 38316778 PMCID: PMC10844655 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45353-5] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) can recruit transcription factors to activate gene expression, but detailed mechanisms remain enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that G4s in the CCND1 promoter propel the motility in MAZ phase-separated condensates and subsequently activate CCND1 transcription. Zinc finger (ZF) 2 of MAZ is a responsible for G4 binding, while ZF3-5, but not a highly disordered region, is critical for MAZ condensation. MAZ nuclear puncta overlaps with signals of G4s and various coactivators including BRD4, MED1, CDK9 and active RNA polymerase II, as well as gene activation histone markers. MAZ mutants lacking either G4 binding or phase separation ability did not form nuclear puncta, and showed deficiencies in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and xenograft tumor formation. Overall, we unveiled that G4s recruit MAZ to the CCND1 promoter and facilitate the motility in MAZ condensates that compartmentalize coactivators to activate CCND1 expression and subsequently exacerbate hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenmeng Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Dangdang Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Qingqing Xu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jiahui Cheng
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Zhiwei Yu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Guangyue Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Shiyao Qiao
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jiasong Pan
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Hao Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jinming Shi
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Tongsen Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Guangchao Sui
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China.
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5
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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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6
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Gubu A, Zhang X, Lu A, Zhang B, Ma Y, Zhang G. Nucleic acid amphiphiles: Synthesis, properties, and applications. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:144-163. [PMID: 37456777 PMCID: PMC10345231 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid amphiphiles, referring to nucleic acids modified with large hydrophobic groups, have been widely used in programmable bioengineering. Since nucleic acids are intrinsically hydrophilic, the hydrophobic groups endow nucleic acid amphiphiles with unique properties, such as self-assembling, interactions with artificial or biological membranes, and transmembrane transport. Importantly, the hybridization or target binding capability of oligonucleotide itself supplies nucleic acid amphiphiles with excellent programmability. As a result, this type of molecule has attracted considerable attention in academic studies and has enormous potential for further applications. For a comprehensive understanding of nucleic acid amphiphiles, we review the reported research on nucleic acid amphiphiles from their molecular design to final applications, in which we summarize the synthetic strategies for nucleic acid amphiphiles and draw much attention to their unique properties in different contexts. Finally, a summary of the applications of nucleic acid amphiphiles in drug development, bioengineering, and bioanalysis are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amu Gubu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Aptacure Therapeutics Limited, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tsai, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Baoting Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tsai, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tsai, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen 518000, China
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7
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Vijay Kumar MJ, Morales R, Tsvetkov AS. G-quadruplexes and associated proteins in aging and Alzheimer's disease. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1164057. [PMID: 37323535 PMCID: PMC10267416 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1164057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a prominent risk factor for many neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory loss, and neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms, accounting for most of the reported dementia cases. This disease is now becoming a major challenge and burden on modern society, especially with the aging population. Over the last few decades, a significant understanding of the pathophysiology of AD has been gained by studying amyloid deposition, hyperphosphorylated tau, synaptic dysfunction, oxidative stress, calcium dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. This review focuses on the role of non-canonical secondary structures of DNA/RNA G-quadruplexes (G4s, G4-DNA, and G4-RNA), G4-binding proteins (G4BPs), and helicases, and their roles in aging and AD. Being critically important for cellular function, G4s are involved in the regulation of DNA and RNA processes, such as replication, transcription, translation, RNA localization, and degradation. Recent studies have also highlighted G4-DNA's roles in inducing DNA double-strand breaks that cause genomic instability and G4-RNA's participation in regulating stress granule formation. This review emphasizes the significance of G4s in aging processes and how their homeostatic imbalance may contribute to the pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. J. Vijay Kumar
- The Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rodrigo Morales
- The Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Centro Integrativo de Biologia y Quimica Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrey S. Tsvetkov
- The Department of Neurology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
- UTHealth Consortium on Aging, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
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8
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Kamali MJ, Salehi M, Fatemi S, Moradi F, Khoshghiafeh A, Ahmadifard M. Locked nucleic acid (LNA): A modern approach to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Exp Cell Res 2023; 423:113442. [PMID: 36521777 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is responsible for about one in six deaths in the world. Conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are associated with drug poisoning and poor prognosis. Thanks to advances in RNA delivery and target selection, new cancer medicines are now conceivable to improve the quality of life and extend the lives of cancer patients. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and siRNAs are the most important tools in RNA therapies. Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) are one of the newest RNA analogs, exhibiting more affinity to binding, sequence specificity, thermal stability, and nuclease resistance due to their unique properties. Assays using LNA are also used in molecular diagnostic methods and provide accurate and rapid mutation detection that improves specificity and sensitivity. This study aims to review the special properties of LNA oligonucleotides that make them safe and effective antisense drugs for cancer treatment by controlling gene expression. Following that, we go over all of the molecular detection methods and cancer treatment antisense tactics that are possible with LNA technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Javad Kamali
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Salehi
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Fatemi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Moradi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Azin Khoshghiafeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mohamadreza Ahmadifard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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9
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Vinayagamurthy S, Bagri S, Mergny JL, Chowdhury S. Telomeres expand sphere of influence: emerging molecular impact of telomeres in non-telomeric functions. Trends Genet 2023; 39:59-73. [PMID: 36404192 PMCID: PMC7614491 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.10.002] [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: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although the impact of telomeres on physiology stands well established, a question remains: how do telomeres impact cellular functions at a molecular level? This is because current understanding limits the influence of telomeres to adjacent subtelomeric regions despite the wide-ranging impact of telomeres. Emerging work in two distinct aspects offers opportunities to bridge this gap. First, telomere-binding factors were found with non-telomeric functions. Second, locally induced DNA secondary structures called G-quadruplexes are notably abundant in telomeres, and gene regulatory regions genome wide. Many telomeric factors bind to G-quadruplexes for non-telomeric functions. Here we discuss a more general model of how telomeres impact the non-telomeric genome - through factors that associate at telomeres and genome wide - and influence cell-intrinsic functions, particularly aging, cancer, and pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soujanya Vinayagamurthy
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Sulochana Bagri
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Institute of Biophysics of the CAS, v.v.i. Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic; Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - Shantanu Chowdhury
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; GNR Knowledge Centre for Genome and Informatics, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India.
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10
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Ivanov GS, Tribulovich VG, Pestov NB, David TI, Amoah AS, Korneenko TV, Barlev NA. Artificial genetic polymers against human pathologies. Biol Direct 2022; 17:39. [PMID: 36474260 PMCID: PMC9727881 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-022-00353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Originally discovered by Nielsen in 1991, peptide nucleic acids and other artificial genetic polymers have gained a lot of interest from the scientific community. Due to their unique biophysical features these artificial hybrid polymers are now being employed in various areas of theranostics (therapy and diagnostics). The current review provides an overview of their structure, principles of rational design, and biophysical features as well as highlights the areas of their successful implementation in biology and biomedicine. Finally, the review discusses the areas of improvement that would allow their use as a new class of therapeutics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb S Ivanov
- Institute of Cytology, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194064
- St. Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technical University), Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190013
| | - Vyacheslav G Tribulovich
- St. Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technical University), Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190013
| | - Nikolay B Pestov
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Moscow, Russia, 108819
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141701
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 117997
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 119121б
| | - Temitope I David
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141701
| | - Abdul-Saleem Amoah
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141701
| | - Tatyana V Korneenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 117997
| | - Nikolai A Barlev
- Institute of Cytology, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194064.
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 119121б.
- School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, 010000, Astana, Kazakhstan.
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11
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Xu Q, Yang M, Chang Y, Peng S, Wang D, Zhou X, Shao Y. Switching G-quadruplex to parallel duplex by molecular rotor clustering. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:10249-10263. [PMID: 36130267 PMCID: PMC9561263 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Switching of G-quadruplex (G4) structures between variant types of folding has been proved to be a versatile tool for regulation of genomic expression and development of nucleic acid-based constructs. Various specific ligands have been developed to target G4s in K+ solution with therapeutic prospects. Although G4 structures have been reported to be converted by sequence modification or a unimolecular ligand binding event in K+-deficient conditions, switching G4s towards non-G4 folding continues to be a great challenge due to the stability of G4 in physiological K+ conditions. Herein, we first observed the G4 switching towards parallel-stranded duplex (psDNA) by multimolecular ligand binding (namely ligand clustering) to overcome the switching barrier in K+. Purine-rich sequences (e.g. those from the KRAS promoter region) can be converted from G4 structures to dimeric psDNAs using molecular rotors (e.g. thioflavin T and thiazole orange) as initiators. The formed psDNAs provided multiple binding sites for molecular rotor clustering to favor subsequent structures with stability higher than the corresponding G4 folding. Our finding provides a clue to designing ligands with the competency of molecular rotor clustering to implement an efficient G4 switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuda Xu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Mujing Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Yun Chang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Shuzhen Peng
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Xiaoshun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Yong Shao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
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12
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Meier-Stephenson V. G4-quadruplex-binding proteins: review and insights into selectivity. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:635-654. [PMID: 35791380 PMCID: PMC9250568 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-022-00952-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There are over 700,000 putative G4-quadruplexes (G4Qs) in the human genome, found largely in promoter regions, telomeres, and other regions of high regulation. Growing evidence links their presence to functionality in various cellular processes, where cellular proteins interact with them, either stabilizing and/or anchoring upon them, or unwinding them to allow a process to proceed. Interest in understanding and manipulating the plethora of processes regulated by these G4Qs has spawned a new area of small-molecule binder development, with attempts to mimic and block the associated G4-binding protein (G4BP). Despite the growing interest and focus on these G4Qs, there is limited data (in particular, high-resolution structural information), on the nature of these G4Q-G4BP interactions and what makes a G4BP selective to certain G4Qs, if in fact they are at all. This review summarizes the current literature on G4BPs with regards to their interactions with G4Qs, providing groupings for binding mode, drawing conclusions around commonalities and highlighting information on specific interactions where available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Meier-Stephenson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
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13
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Pramanik S, Chen Y, Song H, Khutsishvili I, Marky LA, Ray S, Natarajan A, Singh P, Bhakat K. The human AP-endonuclease 1 (APE1) is a DNA G-quadruplex structure binding protein and regulates KRAS expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3394-3412. [PMID: 35286386 PMCID: PMC8990529 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most aggressive types of cancer, is characterized by aberrant activity of oncogenic KRAS. A nuclease-hypersensitive GC-rich region in KRAS promoter can fold into a four-stranded DNA secondary structure called G-quadruplex (G4), known to regulate KRAS expression. However, the factors that regulate stable G4 formation in the genome and KRAS expression in PDAC are largely unknown. Here, we show that APE1 (apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1), a multifunctional DNA repair enzyme, is a G4-binding protein, and loss of APE1 abrogates the formation of stable G4 structures in cells. Recombinant APE1 binds to KRAS promoter G4 structure with high affinity and promotes G4 folding in vitro. Knockdown of APE1 reduces MAZ transcription factor loading onto the KRAS promoter, thus reducing KRAS expression in PDAC cells. Moreover, downregulation of APE1 sensitizes PDAC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate that PDAC patients' tissue samples have elevated levels of both APE1 and G4 DNA. Our findings unravel a critical role of APE1 in regulating stable G4 formation and KRAS expression in PDAC and highlight G4 structures as genomic features with potential application as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suravi Pramanik
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Yingling Chen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Heyu Song
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Irine Khutsishvili
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Luis A Marky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Amarnath Natarajan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kishor K Bhakat
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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14
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Disciglio V, Sanese P, Fasano C, Lotesoriere C, Valentini AM, Forte G, Lepore Signorile M, De Marco K, Grossi V, Lolli I, Cariola F, Simone C. Identification and Somatic Characterization of the Germline PTEN Promoter Variant rs34149102 in a Family with Gastrointestinal and Breast Tumors. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:644. [PMID: 35456450 PMCID: PMC9025445 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040644] [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: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants located in non-coding regions can affect processes that regulate protein expression, functionally contributing to human disease. Germline heterozygous mutations in the non-coding region of the PTEN gene have been previously identified in patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) diagnosed with breast, thyroid, and/or endometrial cancer. In this study, we report a PTEN promoter variant (rs34149102 A allele) that was identified by direct sequencing in an Italian family with a history of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma and breast cancer. In order to investigate the putative functional role of the rs34149102 A allele variant, we evaluated the status of PTEN alterations at the somatic level. We found that PTEN protein expression was absent in the GEJ adenocarcinoma tissue of the index case. Moreover, we detected the occurrence of copy number loss involving the PTEN rs34149102 major C allele in tumor tissue, revealing that the second allele was somatically inactivated. This variant is located within an active regulatory region of the PTEN core promoter, and in silico analysis suggests that it may affect the binding of the nuclear transcription factor MAZ and hence PTEN expression. Overall, these results reveal the functional role of the PTEN promoter rs34149102 A allele variant in the modulation of PTEN protein expression and highlight its contribution to hereditary cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Disciglio
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Paola Sanese
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Candida Fasano
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Claudio Lotesoriere
- Oncology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (C.L.); (I.L.)
| | - Anna Maria Valentini
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Forte
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Martina Lepore Signorile
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Katia De Marco
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Valentina Grossi
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Ivan Lolli
- Oncology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (C.L.); (I.L.)
| | - Filomena Cariola
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Cristiano Simone
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (V.D.); (P.S.); (C.F.); (G.F.); (M.L.S.); (K.D.M.); (V.G.); (F.C.)
- Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
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15
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Zheng C, Wu H, Jin S, Li D, Tan S, Zhu X. Roles of Myc-associated zinc finger protein in malignant tumors. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2022; 18:506-514. [PMID: 35098656 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As an important transcription factor that is widely expressed in most tissues of the human body, Myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) has been reported highly expressed in many malignant tumors and thought to be a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this review, we aim to offer a comprehensive understanding of MAZ regulation in malignant tumors. The carboxy terminal of MAZ protein contains six C2H2 zinc fingers, and its regulation of transcription is based on the interaction between the GC-rich DNA binding sites of target genes and its carboxy-terminal zinc finger motifs. MAZ protein has been found to activate or inhibit the transcriptional initiation process of many target genes, as well as play an important role in the transcriptional termination process of some target genes, so MAZ poses dual regulatory functions in the initiation and termination process of gene transcription. Through the transcriptional regulation of c-myc and Ras gene family, MAZ poses an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and other malignant tumors. Our review shows a vital role of MAZ in many malignant tumors and provides novel insight for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjun Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Hongmei Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Song Jin
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Di Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Shengkui Tan
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaonian Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
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16
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Kretzmann JA, Irving KL, Smith NM, Evans CW. Modulating gene expression in breast cancer via DNA secondary structure and the CRISPR toolbox. NAR Cancer 2022; 3:zcab048. [PMID: 34988459 PMCID: PMC8693572 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women, and while the survival prognosis of patients with early-stage, non-metastatic disease is ∼75%, recurrence poses a significant risk and advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer is incurable. A distinctive feature of advanced breast cancer is an unstable genome and altered gene expression patterns that result in disease heterogeneity. Transcription factors represent a unique therapeutic opportunity in breast cancer, since they are known regulators of gene expression, including gene expression involved in differentiation and cell death, which are themselves often mutated or dysregulated in cancer. While transcription factors have traditionally been viewed as 'undruggable', progress has been made in the development of small-molecule therapeutics to target relevant protein-protein, protein-DNA and enzymatic active sites, with varying levels of success. However, non-traditional approaches such as epigenetic editing, transcriptional control via CRISPR/dCas9 systems, and gene regulation through non-canonical nucleic acid secondary structures represent new directions yet to be fully explored. Here, we discuss these new approaches and current limitations in light of new therapeutic opportunities for breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kretzmann
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Kelly L Irving
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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17
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Ferino A, Marquevielle J, Choudhary H, Cinque G, Robert C, Bourdoncle A, Picco R, Mergny JL, Salgado GF, Xodo LE. hnRNPA1/UP1 Unfolds KRAS G-Quadruplexes and Feeds a Regulatory Axis Controlling Gene Expression. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:34092-34106. [PMID: 34926957 PMCID: PMC8675163 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have proven that the genetic landscape of pancreatic cancer is dominated by the KRAS oncogene. Its transcription is controlled by a G-rich motif (called 32R) located immediately upstream of the TSS. 32R may fold into a G-quadruplex (G4) in equilibrium between two G4 conformers: G9T (T M = 61.2 °C) and G25T (T M = 54.7 °C). We found that both G4s bind to hnRNPA1 and its proteolytic fragment UP1, promoting several contacts with the RRM protein domains. 1D NMR analysis of DNA imino protons shows that, upon binding to UP1, G25T is readily unfolded at both 5' and 3' tetrads, while G9T is only partially unfolded. The impact of hnRNPA1 on KRAS expression was determined by comparing Panc-1 cells with two Panc-1 knockout cell lines in which hnRNPA1 was deleted by the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The results showed that the expression of KRAS is inhibited in the knockout cell lines, indicating that hnRNPA1 is essential for the transcription of KRAS. In addition, the knockout cell lines, compared to normal Panc-1 cells, show a dramatic decrease in cell growth and capacity of colony formation. Pull-down and Western blot experiments indicate that conformer G25T is a better platform than conformer G9T for the assembly of the transcription preinitiation complex with PARP1, Ku70, MAZ, and hnRNPA1. Together, our data prove that hnRNPA1, being a key transcription factor for the activation of KRAS, can be a new therapeutic target for the rational design of anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Ferino
- Department
of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry, P.le Kolbe 4; Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Julien Marquevielle
- ARNA
Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac 33607, France
| | - Himanshi Choudhary
- Department
of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry, P.le Kolbe 4; Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Giorgio Cinque
- Department
of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry, P.le Kolbe 4; Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Coralie Robert
- ARNA
Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac 33607, France
| | - Anne Bourdoncle
- ARNA
Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac 33607, France
| | - Raffaella Picco
- Department
of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry, P.le Kolbe 4; Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- ARNA
Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac 33607, France
- Laboratoire
d’Optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, Palaiseau Cedex 91128, France
| | - Gilmar F. Salgado
- ARNA
Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac 33607, France
| | - Luigi E. Xodo
- Department
of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry, P.le Kolbe 4; Udine 33100, Italy
- luigi.xodo@uniud.it
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18
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MeCP2 duplication causes hyperandrogenism by upregulating LHCGR and downregulating RORα. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:999. [PMID: 34697294 PMCID: PMC8545957 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04277-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Duplication of MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein 2) gene causes a serious neurological and developmental disorder called MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), which is usually found in males. A previous clinical study reported that MDS patient has precocious puberty with hyperandrogenism, suggesting increased MeCP2 may cause male hyperandrogenism. Here we use an MDS mouse model and confirm that MECP2 duplication significantly upregulates androgen levels. We show for the first time that MeCP2 is highly expressed in the Leydig cells of testis, where androgen is synthesized. Mechanistically, MECP2 duplication increases androgen synthesis and decreases androgen to estrogen conversion through either the upregulation of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR) in testis, as a result of MeCP2 binds to G-quadruplex structure of Lhcgr promoter and recruits the transcription activator CREB1 or the downregulation of the expression of aromatase in testis by binding the CpG island of Rorα, an upstream regulator of aromatase. Taken together, we demonstrate that MeCP2 plays an important role in androgen synthesis, supporting a novel non-CNS function of MeCP2 in the process of sex hormone synthesis.
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19
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Teng FY, Jiang ZZ, Guo M, Tan XZ, Chen F, Xi XG, Xu Y. G-quadruplex DNA: a novel target for drug design. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6557-6583. [PMID: 34459951 PMCID: PMC11072987 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03921-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) DNA is a type of quadruple helix structure formed by a continuous guanine-rich DNA sequence. Emerging evidence in recent years authenticated that G4 DNA structures exist both in cell-free and cellular systems, and function in different diseases, especially in various cancers, aging, neurological diseases, and have been considered novel promising targets for drug design. In this review, we summarize the detection method and the structure of G4, highlighting some non-canonical G4 DNA structures, such as G4 with a bulge, a vacancy, or a hairpin. Subsequently, the functions of G4 DNA in physiological processes are discussed, especially their regulation of DNA replication, transcription of disease-related genes (c-MYC, BCL-2, KRAS, c-KIT et al.), telomere maintenance, and epigenetic regulation. Typical G4 ligands that target promoters and telomeres for drug design are also reviewed, including ellipticine derivatives, quinoxaline analogs, telomestatin analogs, berberine derivatives, and CX-5461, which is currently in advanced phase I/II clinical trials for patients with hematologic cancer and BRCA1/2-deficient tumors. Furthermore, since the long-term stable existence of G4 DNA structures could result in genomic instability, we summarized the G4 unfolding mechanisms emerged recently by multiple G4-specific DNA helicases, such as Pif1, RecQ family helicases, FANCJ, and DHX36. This review aims to present a general overview of the field of G-quadruplex DNA that has progressed in recent years and provides potential strategies for drug design and disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Yuan Teng
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zong-Zhe Jiang
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Man Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiao-Zhen Tan
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu-Guang Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
- LBPA, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 61, Avenue du Président Wilson, 94235, Cachan, France.
| | - Yong Xu
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
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20
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Peterková K, Durník I, Marek R, Plavec J, Podbevšek P. c-kit2 G-quadruplex stabilized via a covalent probe: exploring G-quartet asymmetry. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8947-8960. [PMID: 34365512 PMCID: PMC8421218 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several sequences forming G-quadruplex are highly conserved in regulatory regions of genomes of different organisms and affect various biological processes like gene expression. Diverse G-quadruplex properties can be modulated via their interaction with small polyaromatic molecules such as pyrene. To investigate how pyrene interacts with G-rich DNAs, we incorporated deoxyuridine nucleotide(s) with a covalently attached pyrene moiety (Upy) into a model system that forms parallel G-quadruplex structures. We individually substituted terminal positions and positions in the pentaloop of the c-kit2 sequence originating from the KIT proto-oncogene with Upy and performed a detailed NMR structural study accompanied with molecular dynamic simulations. Our results showed that incorporation into the pentaloop leads to structural polymorphism and in some cases also thermal destabilization. In contrast, terminal positions were found to cause a substantial thermodynamic stabilization while preserving topology of the parent c-kit2 G-quadruplex. Thermodynamic stabilization results from π–π stacking between the polyaromatic core of the pyrene moiety and guanine nucleotides of outer G-quartets. Thanks to the prevalent overall conformation, our structures mimic the G-quadruplex found in human KIT proto-oncogene and could potentially have antiproliferative effects on cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Peterková
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czechia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivo Durník
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czechia.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czechia
| | - Radek Marek
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czechia.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czechia.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czechia
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Podbevšek
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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21
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Cadoni E, De Paepe L, Manicardi A, Madder A. Beyond small molecules: targeting G-quadruplex structures with oligonucleotides and their analogues. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6638-6659. [PMID: 33978760 PMCID: PMC8266634 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
G-Quadruplexes (G4s) are widely studied secondary DNA/RNA structures, naturally occurring when G-rich sequences are present. The strategic localization of G4s in genome areas of crucial importance, such as proto-oncogenes and telomeres, entails fundamental implications in terms of gene expression regulation and other important biological processes. Although thousands of small molecules capable to induce G4 stabilization have been reported over the past 20 years, approaches based on the hybridization of a synthetic probe, allowing sequence-specific G4-recognition and targeting are still rather limited. In this review, after introducing important general notions about G4s, we aim to list, explain and critically analyse in more detail the principal approaches available to target G4s by using oligonucleotides and synthetic analogues such as Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) and Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs), reporting on the most relevant examples described in literature to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Cadoni
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lessandro De Paepe
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alex Manicardi
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Madder
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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22
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Zhang X, Spiegel J, Martínez Cuesta S, Adhikari S, Balasubramanian S. Chemical profiling of DNA G-quadruplex-interacting proteins in live cells. Nat Chem 2021; 13:626-633. [PMID: 34183817 PMCID: PMC8245323 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00736-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
DNA-protein interactions regulate critical biological processes. Identifying proteins that bind to specific, functional genomic loci is essential to understand the underlying regulatory mechanisms on a molecular level. Here we describe a co-binding-mediated protein profiling (CMPP) strategy to investigate the interactome of DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) in native chromatin. CMPP involves cell-permeable, functionalized G4-ligand probes that bind endogenous G4s and subsequently crosslink to co-binding G4-interacting proteins in situ. We first showed the robustness of CMPP by proximity labelling of a G4 binding protein in vitro. Employing this approach in live cells, we then identified hundreds of putative G4-interacting proteins from various functional classes. Next, we confirmed a high G4-binding affinity and selectivity for several newly discovered G4 interactors in vitro, and we validated direct G4 interactions for a functionally important candidate in cellular chromatin using an independent approach. Our studies provide a chemical strategy to map protein interactions of specific nucleic acid features in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jochen Spiegel
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sergio Martínez Cuesta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Data Sciences and Quantitative Biology, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Shankar Balasubramanian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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23
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Horchani M, Della Sala G, Caso A, D’Aria F, Esposito G, Laurenzana I, Giancola C, Costantino V, Jannet HB, Romdhane A. Molecular Docking and Biophysical Studies for Antiproliferative Assessment of Synthetic Pyrazolo-Pyrimidinones Tethered with Hydrazide-Hydrazones. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2742. [PMID: 33800505 PMCID: PMC7962976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy represents the most applied approach to cancer treatment. Owing to the frequent onset of chemoresistance and tumor relapses, there is an urgent need to discover novel and more effective anticancer drugs. In the search for therapeutic alternatives to treat the cancer disease, a series of hybrid pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-ones tethered with hydrazide-hydrazones, 5a-h, was synthesized from condensation reaction of pyrazolopyrimidinone-hydrazide 4 with a series of arylaldehydes in ethanol, in acid catalysis. In vitro assessment of antiproliferative effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, unveiled that 5a, 5e, 5g, and 5h were the most effective compounds of the series and exerted their cytotoxic activity through apoptosis induction and G0/G1 phase cell-cycle arrest. To explore their mechanism at a molecular level, 5a, 5e, 5g, and 5h were evaluated for their binding interactions with two well-known anticancer targets, namely the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the G-quadruplex DNA structures. Molecular docking simulations highlighted high binding affinity of 5a, 5e, 5g, and 5h towards EGFR. Circular dichroism (CD) experiments suggested 5a as a stabilizer agent of the G-quadruplex from the Kirsten ras (KRAS) oncogene promoter. In the light of these findings, we propose the pyrazolo-pyrimidinone scaffold bearing a hydrazide-hydrazone moiety as a lead skeleton for designing novel anticancer compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabrouk Horchani
- Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products and Reactivity, Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products (LR11ES39), Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; (M.H.); (A.R.)
| | - Gerardo Della Sala
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80125 Naples, Italy;
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy;
| | - Alessia Caso
- The Blue Chemistry Lab, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (G.E.)
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.D.); (C.G.)
| | - Germana Esposito
- The Blue Chemistry Lab, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (G.E.)
| | - Ilaria Laurenzana
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy;
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.D.); (C.G.)
| | - Valeria Costantino
- The Blue Chemistry Lab, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (G.E.)
| | - Hichem Ben Jannet
- Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products and Reactivity, Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products (LR11ES39), Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; (M.H.); (A.R.)
| | - Anis Romdhane
- Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products and Reactivity, Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products (LR11ES39), Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; (M.H.); (A.R.)
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24
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Kosiol N, Juranek S, Brossart P, Heine A, Paeschke K. G-quadruplexes: a promising target for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:40. [PMID: 33632214 PMCID: PMC7905668 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA and RNA can fold into a variety of alternative conformations. In recent years, a particular nucleic acid structure was discussed to play a role in malignant transformation and cancer development. This structure is called a G-quadruplex (G4). G4 structure formation can drive genome instability by creating mutations, deletions and stimulating recombination events. The importance of G4 structures in the characterization of malignant cells was currently demonstrated in breast cancer samples. In this analysis a correlation between G4 structure formation and an increased intratumor heterogeneity was identified. This suggests that G4 structures might allow breast cancer stratification and supports the identification of new personalized treatment options. Because of the stability of G4 structures and their presence within most human oncogenic promoters and at telomeres, G4 structures are currently tested as a therapeutic target to downregulate transcription or to block telomere elongation in cancer cells. To date, different chemical molecules (G4 ligands) have been developed that aim to target G4 structures. In this review we discuss and compare G4 function and relevance for therapeutic approaches and their impact on cancer development for three cancer entities, which differ significantly in their amount and type of mutations: pancreatic cancer, leukemia and malignant melanoma. G4 structures might present a promising new strategy to individually target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Kosiol
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Juranek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annkristin Heine
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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25
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Ferino A, Xodo LE. Effect of DNA Glycosylases OGG1 and Neil1 on Oxidized G-Rich Motif in the KRAS Promoter. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1137. [PMID: 33498912 PMCID: PMC7865940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The promoter of the Kirsten ras (KRAS) proto-oncogene contains, upstream of the transcription start site, a quadruplex-forming motif called 32R with regulatory functions. As guanine under oxidative stress can be oxidized to 8-oxoguanine (8OG), we investigated the capacity of glycosylases 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) and endonuclease VIII-like 1 (Neil1) to excise 8OG from 32R, either in duplex or G-quadruplex (G4) conformation. We found that OGG1 efficiently excised 8OG from oxidized 32R in duplex but not in G4 conformation. By contrast, glycosylase Neil1 showed more activity on the G4 than the duplex conformation. We also found that the excising activity of Neil1 on folded 32R depended on G4 topology. Our data suggest that Neil1, besides being involved in base excision repair pathway (BER), could play a role on KRAS transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luigi E. Xodo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, P.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy;
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26
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Bartas M, Červeň J, Guziurová S, Slychko K, Pečinka P. Amino Acid Composition in Various Types of Nucleic Acid-Binding Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020922. [PMID: 33477647 PMCID: PMC7831508 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-binding proteins are traditionally divided into two categories: With the ability to bind DNA or RNA. In the light of new knowledge, such categorizing should be overcome because a large proportion of proteins can bind both DNA and RNA. Another even more important features of nucleic acid-binding proteins are so-called sequence or structure specificities. Proteins able to bind nucleic acids in a sequence-specific manner usually contain one or more of the well-defined structural motifs (zinc-fingers, leucine zipper, helix-turn-helix, or helix-loop-helix). In contrast, many proteins do not recognize nucleic acid sequence but rather local DNA or RNA structures (G-quadruplexes, i-motifs, triplexes, cruciforms, left-handed DNA/RNA form, and others). Finally, there are also proteins recognizing both sequence and local structural properties of nucleic acids (e.g., famous tumor suppressor p53). In this mini-review, we aim to summarize current knowledge about the amino acid composition of various types of nucleic acid-binding proteins with a special focus on significant enrichment and/or depletion in each category.
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27
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Marquevielle J, Robert C, Lagrabette O, Wahid M, Bourdoncle A, Xodo LE, Mergny JL, Salgado GF. Structure of two G-quadruplexes in equilibrium in the KRAS promoter. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9336-9345. [PMID: 32432667 PMCID: PMC7498360 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS is one of the most mutated oncogenes and still considered an undruggable target. An alternative strategy would consist in targeting its gene rather than the protein, specifically the formation of G-quadruplexes (G4) in its promoter. G4 are secondary structures implicated in biological processes, which can be formed among G-rich DNA (or RNA) sequences. Here we have studied the major conformations of the commonly known KRAS 32R, or simply 32R, a 32 residue sequence within the KRAS Nuclease Hypersensitive Element (NHE) region. We have determined the structure of the two major stable conformers that 32R can adopt and which display slow equilibrium (>ms) with each other. By using different biophysical methods, we found that the nucleotides G9, G25, G28 and G32 are particularly implicated in the exchange between these two conformations. We also showed that a triad at the 3' end further stabilizes one of the G4 conformations, while the second conformer remains more flexible and less stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Marquevielle
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Coralie Robert
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Lagrabette
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Mona Wahid
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne Bourdoncle
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Luigi E Xodo
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Gilmar F Salgado
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
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28
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Role of Poly [ADP-ribose] Polymerase 1 in Activating the Kirsten ras ( KRAS) Gene in Response to Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176237. [PMID: 32872305 PMCID: PMC7504130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In pancreatic Panc-1 cancer cells, an increase of oxidative stress enhances the level of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8OG) more in the KRAS promoter region containing G4 motifs than in non-G4 motif G-rich genomic regions. We found that H2O2 stimulates the recruitment to the KRAS promoter of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1), which efficiently binds to local G4 structures. Upon binding to G4 DNA, PARP-1 undergoes auto PARylation and thus becomes negatively charged. In our view this should favor the recruitment to the KRAS promoter of MAZ and hnRNP A1, as these two nuclear factors, because of their isoelectric points >7, are cationic in nature under physiological conditions. This is indeed supported by pulldown assays which showed that PARP-1, MAZ, and hnRNP A1 form a multiprotein complex with an oligonucleotide mimicking the KRAS G4 structure. Our data suggest that an increase of oxidative stress in Panc-1 cells activates a ROS-G4-PARP-1 axis that stimulates the transcription of KRAS. This mechanism is confirmed by the finding that when PARP-1 is silenced by siRNA or auto PARylation is inhibited by Veliparib, the expression of KRAS is downregulated. When Panc-1 cells are treated with H2O2 instead, a strong up-regulation of KRAS transcription is observed.
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29
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Kovačič M, Podbevšek P, Tateishi-Karimata H, Takahashi S, Sugimoto N, Plavec J. Thrombin binding aptamer G-quadruplex stabilized by pyrene-modified nucleotides. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:3975-3986. [PMID: 32095808 PMCID: PMC7144916 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich regions of the human genome can adopt non-canonical secondary structures. Their role in regulating gene expression has turned them into promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Ligands based on polyaromatic moieties are especially suitable for targeting G-quadruplexes utilizing their size complementarity to interact with the large exposed surface area of four guanine bases. A predictable way of (de)stabilizing specific G-quadruplex structures through efficient base stacking of polyaromatic functional groups could become a valuable tool in our therapeutic arsenal. We have investigated the effect of pyrene-modified uridine nucleotides incorporated at several positions of the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) as a model system. Characterization using spectroscopic and biophysical methods provided important insights into modes of interaction between pyrene groups and the G-quadruplex core as well as (de)stabilization by enthalpic and entropic contributions. NMR data demonstrated that incorporation of pyrene group into G-rich oligonucleotide such as TBA may result in significant changes in 3D structure such as formation of novel dimeric topology. Site specific structural changes induced by stacking of the pyrene moiety on nearby nucleobases corelate with distinct thrombin binding affinities and increased resistance against nuclease degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matic Kovačič
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Podbevšek
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hisae Tateishi-Karimata
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Takahashi
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Naoki Sugimoto
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.,Graduate School of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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30
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Lopes-Ramos CM, Chen CY, Kuijjer ML, Paulson JN, Sonawane AR, Fagny M, Platig J, Glass K, Quackenbush J, DeMeo DL. Sex Differences in Gene Expression and Regulatory Networks across 29 Human Tissues. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107795. [PMID: 32579922 PMCID: PMC7898458 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences manifest in many diseases and may drive sex-specific therapeutic responses. To understand the molecular basis of sex differences, we evaluated sex-biased gene regulation by constructing sample-specific gene regulatory networks in 29 human healthy tissues using 8,279 whole-genome expression profiles from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. We find sex-biased regulatory network structures in each tissue. Even though most transcription factors (TFs) are not differentially expressed between males and females, many have sex-biased regulatory targeting patterns. In each tissue, genes that are differentially targeted by TFs between the sexes are enriched for tissue-related functions and diseases. In brain tissue, for example, genes associated with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are targeted by different sets of TFs in each sex. Our systems-based analysis identifies a repertoire of TFs that play important roles in sex-specific architecture of gene regulatory networks, and it underlines sex-specific regulatory processes in both health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cho-Yi Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Marieke L Kuijjer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joseph N Paulson
- Department of Biostatistics, Product Development, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Abhijeet R Sonawane
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maud Fagny
- Genetique Quantitative et Evolution-Le Moulon, Universite Paris-Saclay, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - John Platig
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Glass
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Quackenbush
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Dawn L DeMeo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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D'Aria F, D'Amore VM, Di Leva FS, Amato J, Caterino M, Russomanno P, Salerno S, Barresi E, De Leo M, Marini AM, Taliani S, Da Settimo F, Salgado GF, Pompili L, Zizza P, Shirasawa S, Novellino E, Biroccio A, Marinelli L, Giancola C. Targeting the KRAS oncogene: Synthesis, physicochemical and biological evaluation of novel G-Quadruplex DNA binders. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 149:105337. [PMID: 32311457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The oncogene KRAS is involved in the pathogenesis of many tumors such as pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancers, thereby representing a relevant target for the treatment of these diseases. The KRAS P1 promoter contains a nuclease hypersensitive, guanine-rich sequence able to fold into a G-quadruplex motif (G4). The stabilization of this G4 structure by small molecules is emerging as a feasible approach to downregulate KRAS expression. Here, a set of novel stabilizing molecules was identified through a virtual screening campaign on the NMR structure of the 22-mer KRAS G4. The most promising hits were then submitted to structure-activity relationships studies which allowed improving their binding affinity and selectivity over double helix DNA and different G4 topologies. The best derivative (19) underwent fluorescence titration experiments and further computational studies to disclose its binding mechanism to KRAS G4. Finally, biological assays showed that this compound is capable to reduce the viability of colorectal cancer cells in which mutated KRAS acts as a driver oncogene. Thus, 19 might represent the prototype of a new class of drugs for the treatment of tumors that, expressing mutated forms of KRAS, are refractory to current therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica D'Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria D'Amore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Caterino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pasquale Russomanno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Barresi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marinella De Leo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Marini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Taliani
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Da Settimo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gilmar F Salgado
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Luca Pompili
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Senji Shirasawa
- Central Research Institute for Advanced Molecular Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
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Wang Y, Sun L, Qiu W, Qi W, Qi Y, Liu Z, Liu S, Lv J. Inhibiting Forkhead box K1 induces autophagy to reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in gastric cancer by regulating Myc-associated zinc finger protein in an acidic microenvironment. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:6129-6150. [PMID: 32268297 PMCID: PMC7185099 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: Forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) is a transcription factor belonging to the Forkhead box (FOX) family and is closely related to the development of various cancers, but the functional mechanism through which FOXK1 regulates autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the acidic microenvironment of gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Results: Our results indicated that the inhibition of FOXK1 induced autophagy and thus exerted antimetastatic effects in an acidic microenvironment. The dual inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and FOXK1 enhanced autophagy and reversed EMT of acidic GC cells. In addition, FOXK1 activated transcription in conjunction with the MAZ promoter. Conclusion: Together, our results suggest that FOXK1 can be used as an independent prognostic indicator for GC patients. We also revealed a new strategy involving the cotargeting of FOXK1 and autophagy to reverse the effects of EMT. MAZ is involved in the development and progression of GC as a downstream target of FOXK1. Methods: Here, the cellular responses to the inhibition of FOXK1 in GC were studied in vivo and in vitro through wound healing assays, transwell assays, Western blotting, laser confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The molecular mechanisms of FOXK1 and Myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) were studied via chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), bioinformatics, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Libin Sun
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Wensheng Qiu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwei Qi
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Yaoyue Qi
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Shihai Liu
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Lv
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
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Ferino A, Nicoletto G, D'Este F, Zorzet S, Lago S, Richter SN, Tikhomirov A, Shchekotikhin A, Xodo LE. Photodynamic Therapy for ras-Driven Cancers: Targeting G-Quadruplex RNA Structures with Bifunctional Alkyl-Modified Porphyrins. J Med Chem 2020; 63:1245-1260. [PMID: 31930916 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Designing small molecules able to break down G4 structures in mRNA (RG4s) offers an interesting approach to cancer therapy. Here, we have studied cationic porphyrins (CPs) bearing an alkyl chain up to 12 carbons, as they bind to RG4s while generating reactive oxygen species upon photoirradiation. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and confocal microscopy showed that the designed alkyl CPs strongly penetrate cell membranes, binding to KRAS and NRAS mRNAs under low-abundance cell conditions. In Panc-1 cells, alkyl CPs at nanomolar concentrations promote a dramatic downregulation of KRAS and NRAS expression, but only if photoactivated. Alkyl CPs also reduce the metabolic activity of pancreatic cancer cells and the growth of a Panc-1 xenograft in SCID mice. Propidium iodide/annexin assays and caspase 3, caspase 7, and PARP-1 analyses show that these compounds activate apoptosis. All these data demonstrate that the designed alkyl CPs are efficient photosensitizers for the photodynamic therapy of ras-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Ferino
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
| | - Giulia Nicoletto
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
| | - Francesca D'Este
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
| | - Sonia Zorzet
- Department of Life Science , University of Trieste , P.le Europa 1 , 34127 Trieste , Italy
| | - Sara Lago
- Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , via A. Gabelli 63 , 35121 Padova , Italy
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , via A. Gabelli 63 , 35121 Padova , Italy
| | - Alexander Tikhomirov
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics , B. Pirogovskaya 11 , 119021 Moscow , Russia
| | - Andrey Shchekotikhin
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics , B. Pirogovskaya 11 , 119021 Moscow , Russia
| | - Luigi E Xodo
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
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Li H, Yang F, Hu A, Wang X, Fang E, Chen Y, Li D, Song H, Wang J, Guo Y, Liu Y, Li H, Huang K, Zheng L, Tong Q. Therapeutic targeting of circ-CUX1/EWSR1/MAZ axis inhibits glycolysis and neuroblastoma progression. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 11:e10835. [PMID: 31709724 PMCID: PMC6895612 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201910835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of metabolic reprogramming in tumor progression. However, the mechanisms regulating glycolytic gene expression remain elusive in neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial malignancy in childhood. Herein, we identify that CUT‐like homeobox 1 (CUX1) and CUX1‐generated circular RNA (circ‐CUX1) contribute to aerobic glycolysis and NB progression. Mechanistically, p110 CUX1, a transcription factor generated by proteolytic processing of p200 CUX1, promotes the expression of enolase 1, glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase, and phosphoglycerate kinase 1, while circ‐CUX1 binds to EWS RNA‐binding protein 1 (EWSR1) to facilitate its interaction with MYC‐associated zinc finger protein (MAZ), resulting in transactivation of MAZ and transcriptional alteration of CUX1 and other genes associated with tumor progression. Administration of an inhibitory peptide blocking circ‐CUX1‐EWSR1 interaction or lentivirus mediating circ‐CUX1 knockdown suppresses aerobic glycolysis, growth, and aggressiveness of NB cells. In clinical NB cases, CUX1 is an independent prognostic factor for unfavorable outcome, and patients with high circ‐CUX1 expression have lower survival probability. These results indicate circ‐CUX1/EWSR1/MAZ axis as a therapeutic target for aerobic glycolysis and NB progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Anpei Hu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Erhu Fang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yajun Chen
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Huajie Song
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jianqun Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yanhua Guo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Liduan Zheng
- Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.,Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qiangsong Tong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.,Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Yang Q, Lang C, Wu Z, Dai Y, He S, Guo W, Huang S, Du H, Ren D, Peng X. MAZ promotes prostate cancer bone metastasis through transcriptionally activating the KRas-dependent RalGEFs pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:391. [PMID: 31488180 PMCID: PMC6729064 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background Clinically, prostate cancer (PCa) exhibits a high avidity to metastasize to bone. Myc-associated zinc-finger protein (MAZ) is a well-documented oncogene involved in the progression and metastasis of multiple cancer types, even in PCa. However, the clinical significance and biological roles of MAZ in bone metastasis of PCa remain unclear. Methods MAZ expression was examined in PCa tissues with bone metastasis, PCa tissues without bone metastasis and metastatic bone tissues by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical correlation between MAZ expression and clinicopathological features and bone metastasis-free survival in PCa patients. Biological roles of MAZ in bone metastasis of PCa were investigated both in vitro by transwell assay, and in vivo by a mouse model of left cardiac ventricle inoculation. The bioinformatics analysis, western blot, pull-down assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays were applied to demonstrate and examine the relationship between MAZ and its potential downstream signalling pathway. TaqMan copy number assay was performed to identify the underlying mechanism responsible for MAZ overexpression in PCa tissues. Results MAZ expression is elevated in PCa tissues with bone metastasis compared with that in PCa tissues without bone metastasis, and is further increased in metastatic bone tissues. High expression of MAZ positively correlates with poor overall and bone metastasis-free survival in PCa patients. Upregulating MAZ elevates, while silencing MAZ represses the invasion and migration abilities of PCa cells in vitro and bone metastasis ability in vivo. Our results further reveal that MAZ promotes bone metastasis of PCa dependent on KRas signalling, although MAZ transcriptionally upregulates KRas and HRas expression, where the Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RalGEF) signaling is responsible for the different roles of KRas and HRas in mediating the pro-bone metastasis of MAZ in PCa. Finally, our results indicate that recurrent gains contribute to MAZ overexpression in a small portion of PCa tissues. Conclusion These results indicate that the MAZ/Kras/ RalGEF signalling axis plays a crucial role in promoting PCa cell bone metastasis, suggesting a potential therapeutic utility of MAZ in bone metastasis of PCa. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1374-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58# Zhongshan 2rd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chuandong Lang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58# Zhongshan 2rd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhengquan Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58# Zhongshan 2rd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuhu Dai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58# Zhongshan 2rd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shaofu He
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58# Zhongshan 2rd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Hong Du
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Guangzhou City, Guangzhou, 510180, Guangdong, China
| | - Dong Ren
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58# Zhongshan 2rd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Xinsheng Peng
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58# Zhongshan 2rd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.
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Cogoi S, Ferino A, Miglietta G, Pedersen EB, Xodo LE. The regulatory G4 motif of the Kirsten ras (KRAS) gene is sensitive to guanine oxidation: implications on transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:661-676. [PMID: 29165690 PMCID: PMC5778462 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
KRAS is one of the most mutated genes in human cancer. It is controlled by a G4 motif located upstream of the transcription start site. In this paper, we demonstrate that 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), being more abundant in G4 than in non-G4 regions, is a new player in the regulation of this oncogene. We designed oligonucleotides mimicking the KRAS G4-motif and found that 8-oxoG impacts folding and stability of the G-quadruplex. Dimethylsulphate-footprinting showed that the G-run carrying 8-oxoG is excluded from the G-tetrads and replaced by a redundant G-run in the KRAS G4-motif. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that the base-excision repair protein OGG1 is recruited to the KRAS promoter when the level of 8-oxoG in the G4 region is raised by H2O2. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis evidenced that OGG1 removes 8-oxoG from the G4-motif in duplex, but when folded it binds to the G-quadruplex in a non-productive way. We also found that 8-oxoG enhances the recruitment to the KRAS promoter of MAZ and hnRNP A1, two nuclear factors essential for transcription. All this suggests that 8-oxoG in the promoter G4 region could have an epigenetic potential for the control of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Cogoi
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Annalisa Ferino
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | | | - Erik B Pedersen
- Nucleic Acid Center, Institute of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Luigi E Xodo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Takakura K, Kawamura A, Torisu Y, Koido S, Yahagi N, Saruta M. The Clinical Potential of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics against Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133331. [PMID: 31284594 PMCID: PMC6651255 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for pancreatic cancer have been proposed, an urgent need for improved therapeutic strategies remains. Oligonucleotide therapeutics, such as those based on antisense RNAs, small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), aptamers, and decoys, are promising agents against pancreatic cancer, because they can identify a specific mRNA fragment of a given sequence or protein, and interfere with gene expression as molecular-targeted agents. Within the past 25 years, the diversity and feasibility of these drugs as diagnostic or therapeutic tools have dramatically increased. Several clinical and preclinical studies of oligonucleotides have been conducted for patients with pancreatic cancer. To support the discovery of effective diagnostic or therapeutic options using oligonucleotide-based strategies, in the absence of satisfactory therapies for long-term survival and the increasing trend of diseases, we summarize the current clinical trials of oligonucleotide therapeutics for pancreatic cancer patients, with underlying preclinical and scientific data, and focus on the possibility of oligonucleotides for targeting pancreatic cancer in clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Takakura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Kawamura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Yuichi Torisu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Shigeo Koido
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Naohisa Yahagi
- Division of Research and Development for Minimally Invasive Treatment, Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masayuki Saruta
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
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Filitcheva J, Edwards PJB, Norris GE, Filichev VV. α-2′-Deoxyguanosine can switch DNA G-quadruplex topologies from antiparallel to parallel. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:4031-4042. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00360f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
α-2′-Deoxyguanosine (α-dG) converts antiparallel, dimeric G-quadruplex DNA into a parallel, tetramolecular complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Filitcheva
- School of Fundamental Sciences
- Massey University
- Palmerston North
- New Zealand
| | | | - Gillian E. Norris
- School of Fundamental Sciences
- Massey University
- Palmerston North
- New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery
| | - Vyacheslav V. Filichev
- School of Fundamental Sciences
- Massey University
- Palmerston North
- New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery
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Myc-Associated Zinc Finger Protein Regulates the Proinflammatory Response in Colitis and Colon Cancer via STAT3 Signaling. Mol Cell Biol 2018; 38:MCB.00386-18. [PMID: 30181395 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00386-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myc-associated zinc finger (MAZ) is a transcription factor highly upregulated in chronic inflammatory disease and several human cancers. In the present study, we found that MAZ protein is highly expressed in human ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. However, the precise role for MAZ in the progression of colitis and colon cancer is not well defined. To determine the function of MAZ, a novel mouse model of intestinal epithelial cell-specific MAZ overexpression was generated. Expression of MAZ in intestinal epithelial cells was sufficient to enhance inflammatory injury in two complementary models of colitis. Moreover, MAZ expression increased tumorigenesis in an in vivo model of inflammation-induced colon cancer and was important for growth of human colon cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo Mechanistically, MAZ is critical in the regulation of oncogenic STAT3 signaling. MAZ-expressing mice have enhanced STAT3 activation in the acute response to colitis. Moreover, MAZ was essential for cytokine- and bacterium-induced STAT3 signaling in colon cancer cells. Furthermore, we show that STAT3 is essential for MAZ-induced colon tumorigenesis using a chemical inhibitor. These data indicate an important functional role for MAZ in the inflammatory progression of colon cancer through regulation of STAT3 signaling and suggest that MAZ is a potential therapeutic target to dampen STAT3 signaling in colon cancer.
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Abstract
Oligonucleotides (ONs) can interfere with biomolecules representing the entire extended central dogma. Antisense gapmer, steric block, splice-switching ONs, and short interfering RNA drugs have been successfully developed. Moreover, antagomirs (antimicroRNAs), microRNA mimics, aptamers, DNA decoys, DNAzymes, synthetic guide strands for CRISPR/Cas, and innate immunity-stimulating ONs are all in clinical trials. DNA-targeting, triplex-forming ONs and strand-invading ONs have made their mark on drug development research, but not yet as medicines. Both design and synthetic nucleic acid chemistry are crucial for achieving biologically active ONs. The dominating modifications are phosphorothioate linkages, base methylation, and numerous 2'-substitutions in the furanose ring, such as 2'-fluoro, O-methyl, or methoxyethyl. Locked nucleic acid and constrained ethyl, a related variant, are bridged forms where the 2'-oxygen connects to the 4'-carbon in the sugar. Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers, carrying a modified heterocyclic backbone ring, have also been commercialized. Delivery remains a major obstacle, but systemic administration and intrathecal infusion are used for treatment of the liver and brain, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- C I Edvard Smith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; .,Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Rula Zain
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; .,Department of Clinical Genetics, Centre for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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Mackedenski S, Wang C, Li WM, Lee CH. Characterizing the interaction between insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IMP1) and KRAS expression. Biochem J 2018; 475:2749-2767. [PMID: 30104206 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein-1 (IMP1) has high affinity for KRAS mRNA, and it can regulate KRAS expression in cells. We first characterized the molecular interaction between IMP1 and KRAS mRNA. Using IMP1 variants with a point mutation in the GXXG motif at each KH domain, we showed that all KH domains play a critical role in the binding of KRAS RNA. We mapped the IMP1-binding sites on KRAS mRNA and show that IMP1 has the highest affinity for nts 1-185. Although it has lower affinity, IMP1 does bind to other coding regions and the 3'-UTR of KRAS mRNA. Eight antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) were designed against KRAS RNA in the nts 1-185 region, but only two, SM6 and SM7, show potent inhibition of the IMP1-KRAS RNA interaction in vitro To test the activity of these two AONs in SW480 human colon cancer cells, we used 2'-O-methyl-modified versions of SM6 and SM7 in an attempt to down-regulate KRAS expression. To our surprise, both SM6 and SM7 had no effect on KRAS mRNA and protein expression, but significantly inhibited IMP1 protein expression without altering IMP1 mRNA level. On the other hand, knockdown of IMP1 using siRNA lowered the expression of KRAS. Using Renilla luciferase as a reporter, we found that IMP1 translation is significantly reduced in SM7-treated cells with no change in let-7a levels. The present study shows that the regulation of KRAS expression by IMP1 is complex and may involve both the IMP1 protein and its mRNA transcript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Mackedenski
- Chemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
| | - Chuyi Wang
- Chemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
| | - Wai-Ming Li
- Chemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
| | - Chow H Lee
- Chemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
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Chaudhary S, Kaushik M, Kukreti R, Kukreti S. Structural switch from a multistranded G-quadruplex to single strands as a consequence of point mutation in the promoter of the human GRIN1 gene. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2018; 13:1805-1816. [PMID: 28702665 DOI: 10.1039/c7mb00360a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A huge number of G-rich sequences forming quadruplexes are found in the human genome, especially in telomeric regions, UTRs, and the promoter regions of a number of genes. One such gene is GRIN1 encoding the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA). Several lines of reports have implicated that attenuated function of NMDA results in schizophrenia, a genetic disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. Involvement of the GRIN1 gene in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia has been extensively analysed. Recent reports have demonstrated that polymorphism in the promoter region of GRIN1 at position -855 (G/C) has a possible association with schizophrenia. The binding site for the NF-κB transcription factor gets altered due to this mutation, resulting in reduced gene expression as well as NMDA activity. By combining gel electrophoresis (PAGE), circular dichroism (CD) and CD melting techniques, the G → C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the G-rich sequence (d-CTTAGCCCGAGGAG[combining low line]GGGGGTCCCAAGT; GRIN1) was investigated. We report that the GRIN1 sequence can form an octameric/multistranded quadruplex structure with parallel conformation in the presence of K+ as well as Na+. CD and gel studies are in good correlation in order to detect molecularity and strand conformation. The parallel G-quadruplex species was hypothesized to be octameric in K+/Na+ salts. The mutated sequence (d-CTTAGCCCGAGGAC[combining low line]GGGGGTCCCAAGT; GRIN1M) remained single stranded under physiological conditions. CD melting studies support the formation of an interstranded G-quadruplex structure by the GRIN1 sequence. Two structural models are propounded for a multistranded parallel G-quadruplex conformation which might be responsible for regulating the gene expression normally underlying memory and learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Chaudhary
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
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Maity G, Haque I, Ghosh A, Dhar G, Gupta V, Sarkar S, Azeem I, McGregor D, Choudhary A, Campbell DR, Kambhampati S, Banerjee SK, Banerjee S. The MAZ transcription factor is a downstream target of the oncoprotein Cyr61/CCN1 and promotes pancreatic cancer cell invasion via CRAF-ERK signaling. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:4334-4349. [PMID: 29414775 PMCID: PMC5868262 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myc-associated zinc-finger protein (MAZ) is a transcription factor with dual roles in transcription initiation and termination. Deregulation of MAZ expression is associated with the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the mechanism of action of MAZ in PDAC progression is largely unknown. Here, we present evidence that MAZ mRNA expression and protein levels are increased in human PDAC cell lines, tissue samples, a subcutaneous tumor xenograft in a nude mouse model, and spontaneous cancer in the genetically engineered PDAC mouse model. We also found that MAZ is predominantly expressed in pancreatic cancer stem cells. Functional analysis indicated that MAZ depletion in PDAC cells inhibits invasive phenotypes such as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, and the sphere-forming ability of PDAC cells. Mechanistically, we detected no direct effects of MAZ on the expression of K-Ras mutants, but MAZ increased the activity of CRAF-ERK signaling, a downstream signaling target of K-Ras. The MAZ-induced activation of CRAF-ERK signaling was mediated via p21-activated protein kinase (PAK) and protein kinase B (AKT/PKB) signaling cascades and promoted PDAC cell invasiveness. Moreover, we found that the matricellular oncoprotein cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61/CCN1) regulates MAZ expression via Notch-1-sonic hedgehog signaling in PDAC cells. We propose that Cyr61/CCN1-induced expression of MAZ promotes invasive phenotypes of PDAC cells not through direct K-Ras activation but instead through the activation of CRAF-ERK signaling. Collectively, these results highlight key molecular players in PDAC invasiveness and may help inform therapeutic strategies to improve clinical management and outcomes of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gargi Maity
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and
| | - Inamul Haque
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and
| | - Arnab Ghosh
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Gopal Dhar
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | | | - Sandipto Sarkar
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Imaan Azeem
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Douglas McGregor
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and
- the Pathology Department, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri 64128
| | - Abhishek Choudhary
- the Gastroenterology Department, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri 64128
| | - Donald R Campbell
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- the University of Missouri Kansas City and Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, and
| | - Suman Kambhampati
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City, Missouri 64131
| | - Sushanta K Banerjee
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and
- the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Snigdha Banerjee
- From the Cancer Research Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and
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MYC associated zinc finger protein promotes the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing epithelial mesenchymal transition. Oncotarget 2018; 7:86420-86432. [PMID: 27861158 PMCID: PMC5349923 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) plays a key role in regulation of gene expression and tumor development. Studies have shown that deregulated expression of MAZ is closely related to the progression of tumors such as glioblastoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer and liposarcoma. However, the role of MAZ in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that expression of MAZ was increased in HCC and correlated to the distant metastasis of HCC. Moreover, we found that MAZ had a relationship with zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 and 2 (ZEB1 and ZEB2), two important mesenchymal markers in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that were over-expressed in HCC. After knocking-down MAZ expression in HCC cell lines using RNA interruption, HCC cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, invasion and migration were significantly inhibited. In addition, we found that expression of other EMT markers was also changed besides ZEB1 and ZEB2 by decreasing MAZ expression, both detected in vivo and in vitro assays. Therefore, we conclude that MAZ can promote the invasion and metastasis of HCC by inducing EMT.
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16p11.2 transcription factor MAZ is a dosage-sensitive regulator of genitourinary development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E1849-E1858. [PMID: 29432158 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1716092115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genitourinary (GU) birth defects are among the most common yet least studied congenital malformations. Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUTs) have high morbidity and mortality rates and account for ∼30% of structural birth defects. Copy number variation (CNV) mapping revealed that 16p11.2 is a hotspot for GU development. The only gene covered collectively by all of the mapped GU-patient CNVs was MYC-associated zinc finger transcription factor (MAZ), and MAZ CNV frequency is enriched in nonsyndromic GU-abnormal patients. Knockdown of MAZ in HEK293 cells results in differential expression of several WNT morphogens required for normal GU development, including Wnt11 and Wnt4. MAZ knockdown also prevents efficient transition into S phase, affects transcription of cell-cycle regulators, and abrogates growth of human embryonic kidney cells. Murine Maz is ubiquitously expressed, and a CRISPR-Cas9 mouse model of Maz deletion results in perinatal lethality with survival rates dependent on Maz copy number. Homozygous loss of Maz results in high penetrance of CAKUTs, and Maz is haploinsufficient for normal bladder development. MAZ, once thought to be a simple housekeeping gene, encodes a dosage-sensitive transcription factor that regulates urogenital development and contributes to both nonsyndromic congenital malformations of the GU tract as well as the 16p11.2 phenotype.
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Appukutti N, Serpell CJ. High definition polyphosphoesters: between nucleic acids and plastics. Polym Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8py00251g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids and synthetic polyphosphoester materials have been distinct fields – this review shows how these areas now comprise a continuum.
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48
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Miglietta G, Cogoi S, Marinello J, Capranico G, Tikhomirov AS, Shchekotikhin A, Xodo LE. RNA G-Quadruplexes in Kirsten Ras (KRAS) Oncogene as Targets for Small Molecules Inhibiting Translation. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9448-9461. [PMID: 29140695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human KRAS transcript contains a G-rich 5'-UTR sequence (77% GC) harboring several G4 motifs capable to form stable RNA G-quadruplex (RG4) structures that can serve as targets for small molecules. A biotin-streptavidin pull-down assay showed that 4,11-bis(2-aminoethylamino)anthra[2,3-b]furan-5,10-dione (2a) binds to RG4s in the KRAS transcript under low-abundance cellular conditions. Dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that 2a and its analogue 4,11-bis(2-aminoethylamino)anthra[2,3-b]thiophene-5,10-dione (2b) repress translation in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of the G4-ligands on Panc-1 cancer cells has also been examined. Both 2a and 2b efficiently penetrate the cells, suppressing protein p21KRAS to <10% of the control. The KRAS down-regulation induces apoptosis together with a dramatic reduction of cell growth and colony formation. In summary, we report a strategy to suppress the KRAS oncogene in pancreatic cancer cells by means of small molecules binding to RG4s in the 5'-UTR of mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Miglietta
- Department of Medicine, Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Udine , 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Susanna Cogoi
- Department of Medicine, Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Udine , 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Jessica Marinello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna , 40100 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna , 40100 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Luigi E Xodo
- Department of Medicine, Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Udine , 33100 Udine, Italy
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Krasheninina OA, Novopashina DS, Apartsin EK, Venyaminova AG. Recent Advances in Nucleic Acid Targeting Probes and Supramolecular Constructs Based on Pyrene-Modified Oligonucleotides. Molecules 2017; 22:E2108. [PMID: 29189716 PMCID: PMC6150046 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the use of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides as a platform for functional nucleic acid-based constructs. Pyrene is of special interest for the development of nucleic acid-based tools due to its unique fluorescent properties (sensitivity of fluorescence to the microenvironment, ability to form excimers and exciplexes, long fluorescence lifetime, high quantum yield), ability to intercalate into the nucleic acid duplex, to act as a π-π-stacking (including anchoring) moiety, and others. These properties of pyrene have been used to construct novel sensitive fluorescent probes for the sequence-specific detection of nucleic acids and the discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), aptamer-based biosensors, agents for binding of double-stranded DNAs, and building blocks for supramolecular complexes. Special attention is paid to the influence of the design of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides on their properties, i.e., the structure-function relationships. The perspectives for the applications of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides in biomolecular studies, diagnostics, and nanotechnology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Krasheninina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | - Darya S Novopashina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | - Evgeny K Apartsin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | - Alya G Venyaminova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave. 8, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
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50
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Kaiser CE, Van Ert NA, Agrawal P, Chawla R, Yang D, Hurley LH. Insight into the Complexity of the i-Motif and G-Quadruplex DNA Structures Formed in the KRAS Promoter and Subsequent Drug-Induced Gene Repression. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:8522-8536. [PMID: 28570076 PMCID: PMC5978000 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b02046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Activating KRAS mutations frequently occur in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung adenocarcinomas. While many attempts have been made to target oncogenic KRAS, no clinically useful therapies currently exist. Most efforts to target KRAS have focused on inhibiting the mutant protein; a less explored approach involves targeting KRAS at the transcriptional level. The promoter element of the KRAS gene contains a GC-rich nuclease hypersensitive site with three potential DNA secondary structure-forming regions. These are referred to as the Near-, Mid-, and Far-regions, on the basis of their proximity to the transcription start site. As a result of transcription-induced negative superhelicity, these regions can open up to form unique DNA secondary structures: G-quadruplexes on the G-rich strand and i-motifs on the C-rich strand. While the G-quadruplexes have been well characterized, the i-motifs have not been investigated as thoroughly. Here we show that the i-motif that forms in the C-rich Mid-region is the most stable and exists in a dynamic equilibrium with a hybrid i-motif/hairpin species and an unfolded hairpin species. The transcription factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) was found to bind selectively to the i-motif species and to positively modulate KRAS transcription. Additionally, we identified a benzophenanthridine alkaloid that dissipates the hairpin species and destabilizes the interaction of hnRNP K with the Mid-region i-motif. This same compound stabilizes the three existing KRAS G-quadruplexes. The combined effect of the compound on the Mid-region i-motif and the G-quadruplexes leads to downregulation of KRAS gene expression. This dual i-motif/G-quadruplex-interactive compound presents a new mechanism to modulate gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E. Kaiser
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Natalie A. Van Ert
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Prashansa Agrawal
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Reena Chawla
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Danzhou Yang
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Laurence H. Hurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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