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Pérez-Soto M, Ramos-Soriano J, Peñalver P, Belmonte-Reche E, O'Hagan MP, Cucchiarini A, Mergny JL, Galán MC, López López MC, Thomas MDC, Morales JC. DNA G-quadruplexes in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi as potential therapeutic targets for Chagas disease: Dithienylethene ligands as effective antiparasitic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116641. [PMID: 38971047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects over 7 million people worldwide. The two actual treatments, Benznidazole (Bzn) and Nifurtimox, cause serious side effects due to their high toxicity leading to treatment abandonment by the patients. In this work, we propose DNA G-quadruplexes (G4) as potential therapeutic targets for this infectious disease. We have found 174 PQS per 100,000 nucleotides in the genome of T. cruzi and confirmed G4 formation of three frequent motifs. We synthesized a family of 14 quadruplex ligands based in the dithienylethene (DTE) scaffold and demonstrated their binding to these identified G4 sequences. Several DTE derivatives exhibited micromolar activity against epimastigotes of four different strains of T. cruzi, in the same concentration range as Bzn. Compounds L3 and L4 presented remarkable activity against trypomastigotes, the active form in blood, of T. cruzi SOL strain (IC50 = 1.5-3.3 μM, SI = 25-40.9), being around 40 times more active than Bzn and displaying much better selectivity indexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Pérez-Soto
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, CSIC, PTS Granada, Avenida Del Conocimiento, 17, Armilla, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Peñalver
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, CSIC, PTS Granada, Avenida Del Conocimiento, 17, Armilla, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Efres Belmonte-Reche
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer/University of Granada / Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, Av. de La Ilustración, 114, 18016 Granada, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Michael P O'Hagan
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Cucchiarini
- Laboratoire d'optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, Inserm U1182, CNRS UMR7645, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Laboratoire d'optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, Inserm U1182, CNRS UMR7645, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - M Carmen Galán
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom.
| | - Manuel Carlos López López
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, CSIC, PTS Granada, Avenida Del Conocimiento, 17, Armilla, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - María Del Carmen Thomas
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, CSIC, PTS Granada, Avenida Del Conocimiento, 17, Armilla, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Juan Carlos Morales
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, CSIC, PTS Granada, Avenida Del Conocimiento, 17, Armilla, 18016 Granada, Spain.
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2
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Liu W, Zhu BC, Liu LY, Xia XY, Jang J, Dickerhoff J, Yang D, Mao ZW. Solution structures and effects of a platinum compound successively bound MYC G-quadruplex. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:9397-9406. [PMID: 39077944 PMCID: PMC11381319 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) structures play integral roles in modulating biological functions and can be regulated by small molecules. The MYC gene is critical during tumor initiation and malignant progression, in which G4 acts as an important modulation motif. Herein, we reported the MYC promoter G4 recognized by a platinum(II) compound Pt-phen. Two Pt-phen-MYC G4 complex structures in 5 mM K+ were determined by NMR. The Pt-phen first strongly binds the 3'-end of MYC G4 to form a 1:1 3'-end binding complex and then binds 5'-end to form a 2:1 complex with more Pt-phen. In the complexes, the Pt-phen molecules are well-defined and stack over four bases at the G-tetrad for a highly extensive π-π interaction, with the Pt atom aligning with the center of the G-tetrad. The flanking residues were observed to rearrange and cover on top of Pt-phen to stabilize the whole complex. We further demonstrated that Pt-phen targets G4 DNA in living cells and represses MYC gene expression in cancer cells. Our work elucidated the structural basis of ligand binding to MYC promoter G4. The platinum compound bound G4 includes multiple complexes formation, providing insights into the design of metal ligands targeting oncogene G4 DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bo-Chen Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liu-Yi Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Xia
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jinho Jang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Department of Chemistry, and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jonathan Dickerhoff
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Department of Chemistry, and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Department of Chemistry, and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zong-Wan Mao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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3
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Pradhan S, Campanile M, Sharma S, Oliva R, Patra S. Mechanistic Insights into the c-MYC G-Quadruplex and Berberine Binding inside an Aqueous Two-Phase System Mimicking Biomolecular Condensates. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:8706-8714. [PMID: 39159468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the binding between the c-MYC G-quadruplex (GQ) and berberine chloride (BCl) in an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) with 12.3 wt % polyethylene glycol and 5.6 wt % dextran, mimicking the highly crowded intracellular biomolecular condensates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation. We found that in the ATPS, complex formation is significantly altered, leading to an increase in affinity and a change in the stoichiometry of the complex with respect to neat buffer conditions. Thermodynamic studies reveal that binding becomes more thermodynamically favorable in the ATPS due to entropic effects, as the strong excluded volume effect inside ATPS droplets reduces the entropic penalty associated with binding. Finally, the binding affinity of BCl for the c-MYC GQ is higher than those for other DNA structures, indicating potential specific interactions. Overall, these findings will be helpful in the design of potential drugs targeting the c-MYC GQ structures in cancer-related biocondensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Pradhan
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Marco Campanile
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Shubhangi Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rosario Oliva
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Satyajit Patra
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India
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Neidle S. A Phenotypic Approach to the Discovery of Potent G-Quadruplex Targeted Drugs. Molecules 2024; 29:3653. [PMID: 39125057 PMCID: PMC11314571 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29153653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) sequences, which can fold into higher-order G4 structures, are abundant in the human genome and are over-represented in the promoter regions of many genes involved in human cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. They are plausible targets for G4-binding small molecules, which would, in the case of promoter G4s, result in the transcriptional downregulation of these genes. However, structural information is currently available on only a very small number of G4s and their ligand complexes. This limitation, coupled with the currently restricted information on the G4-containing genes involved in most complex human cancers, has led to the development of a phenotypic-led approach to G4 ligand drug discovery. This approach was illustrated by the discovery of several generations of tri- and tetra-substituted naphthalene diimide (ND) ligands that were found to show potent growth inhibition in pancreatic cancer cell lines and are active in in vivo models for this hard-to-treat disease. The cycles of discovery have culminated in a highly potent tetra-substituted ND derivative, QN-302, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The major genes whose expression has been down-regulated by QN-302 are presented here: all contain G4 propensity and have been found to be up-regulated in human pancreatic cancer. Some of these genes are also upregulated in other human cancers, supporting the hypothesis that QN-302 is a pan-G4 drug of potential utility beyond pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Neidle
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK
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5
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Hushmandi K, Saadat SH, Raei M, Daneshi S, Aref AR, Nabavi N, Taheriazam A, Hashemi M. Implications of c-Myc in the pathogenesis and treatment efficacy of urological cancers. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 259:155381. [PMID: 38833803 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Urological cancers, including prostate, bladder, and renal cancers, are significant causes of death and negatively impact the quality of life for patients. The development and progression of these cancers are linked to the dysregulation of molecular pathways. c-Myc, recognized as an oncogene, exhibits abnormal levels in various types of tumors, and current evidence supports the therapeutic targeting of c-Myc in cancer treatment. This review aims to elucidate the role of c-Myc in driving the progression of urological cancers. c-Myc functions to enhance tumorigenesis and has been documented to increase growth and metastasis in prostate, bladder, and renal cancers. Furthermore, the dysregulation of c-Myc can result in a diminished response to therapy in these cancers. Non-coding RNAs, β-catenin, and XIAP are among the regulators of c-Myc in urological cancers. Targeting and suppressing c-Myc therapeutically for the treatment of these cancers has been explored. Additionally, the expression level of c-Myc may serve as a prognostic factor in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiavash Hushmandi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Hassan Saadat
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Raei
- Health Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salman Daneshi
- Department of Public Health,School of Health,Jiroft University Of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Brundridge NM, Fritz JM, Dickerhoff J, Yang D, McLuckey SA. Negative Electron Transfer Collision-Induced Dissociation of G-Quadruplexes: Uncovering the Guanine Radical Anion Loss Pathway. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:756-766. [PMID: 38456425 PMCID: PMC11022967 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) DNA can form highly stable secondary structures in the presence of metal cations, and research has shown its potential as a transcriptional regulator for oncogenes in the human genome. In order to explore the interactions of DNA with metal cations using mass spectrometry, employing complementary fragmentation methods can enhance structural information. This study explores the use of ion-ion reactions for sequential negative electron transfer collision-induced dissociation (nET-CID) as a complement to traditional ion-trap CID (IT-CID). The resulting nET-CID data for G4 anions with and without metal cations show an increase in fragment ion type diversity and yield of structurally informative ions relative to IT-CID. The nET-CID yields greater sequence coverage by virtue of fragmentation at the 3'-side of thymine residues, which is lacking with IT-CID. Potassium adductions to backbone fragments in IT-CID and nET-CID spectra were nearly identical. Of note is a prominent fragment resulting from a loss of a 149 Da anion seen in nET-CID of large, G-rich sequences, proposed to be radical anion guanine loss. Neutral loss of neutral guanine (151 Da) and deprotonated nucleobase loss (150 Da) have been previously reported, but this is the first report of radical anion guanine loss (149 Da). Confirmation of the identity of the 149 Da anion results from the examination of the homonucleobase sequence 5'-GGGGGGGG-3'. Loss of a charged adenine radical anion at much lower relative abundance was also noted for the sequence 5'-AAAAAAAA-3'. DFT modeling indicates that the loss of a nucleobase as a radical anion from odd-electron nucleic acid anions is a thermodynamically favorable fragmentation pathway for G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Brundridge
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jordan M Fritz
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jonathan Dickerhoff
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 575 W. Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47904, United States
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 575 W. Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47904, United States
| | - Scott A McLuckey
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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7
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Edman S, Jones RG, Jannig PR, Fernandez-Gonzalo R, Norrbom J, Thomas NT, Khadgi S, Koopmans PJ, Morena F, Peterson CS, Scott LN, Greene NP, Figueiredo VC, Fry CS, Zhengye L, Lanner JT, Wen Y, Alkner B, Murach KA, von Walden F. The 24-Hour Time Course of Integrated Molecular Responses to Resistance Exercise in Human Skeletal Muscle Implicates MYC as a Hypertrophic Regulator That is Sufficient for Growth. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.26.586857. [PMID: 38586026 PMCID: PMC10996609 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.26.586857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Molecular control of recovery after exercise in muscle is temporally dynamic. A time course of biopsies around resistance exercise (RE) combined with -omics is necessary to better comprehend the molecular contributions of skeletal muscle adaptation in humans. Vastus lateralis biopsies before and 30 minutes, 3-, 8-, and 24-hours after acute RE were collected. A time-point matched biopsy-only group was also included. RNA-sequencing defined the transcriptome while DNA methylomics and computational approaches complemented these data. The post-RE time course revealed: 1) DNA methylome responses at 30 minutes corresponded to upregulated genes at 3 hours, 2) a burst of translation- and transcription-initiation factor-coding transcripts occurred between 3 and 8 hours, 3) global gene expression peaked at 8 hours, 4) ribosome-related genes dominated the mRNA landscape between 8 and 24 hours, 5) methylation-regulated MYC was a highly influential transcription factor throughout the 24-hour recovery and played a primary role in ribosome-related mRNA levels between 8 and 24 hours. The influence of MYC in human muscle adaptation was strengthened by transcriptome information from acute MYC overexpression in mouse muscle. To test whether MYC was sufficient for hypertrophy, we generated a muscle fiber-specific doxycycline inducible model of pulsatile MYC induction. Periodic 48-hour pulses of MYC over 4 weeks resulted in higher muscle mass and fiber size in the soleus of adult female mice. Collectively, we present a temporally resolved resource for understanding molecular adaptations to RE in muscle and reveal MYC as a regulator of RE-induced mRNA levels and hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Edman
- Karolinska Institute, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ronald G. Jones
- University of Arkansas, Exercise Science Research Center, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Paulo R. Jannig
- Karolinska Institute, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo
- Karolinska Institute, Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jessica Norrbom
- Karolinska Institute, Molecular Exercise Physiology Group, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicholas T. Thomas
- University of Kentucky, Center for Muscle Biology, Lexington, KY, USA
- University of Kentucky, Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Sabin Khadgi
- University of Arkansas, Exercise Science Research Center, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Pieter Jan Koopmans
- University of Arkansas, Exercise Science Research Center, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- University of Arkansas, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Francielly Morena
- University of Arkansas, Exercise Science Research Center, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Calvin S. Peterson
- University of Arkansas, Exercise Science Research Center, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Logan N. Scott
- University of Kentucky, Center for Muscle Biology, Lexington, KY, USA
- University of Kentucky, Department of Physiology, Lexington, KY, USA
- University of Kentucky, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Biomedical Informatics, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Nicholas P. Greene
- University of Arkansas, Exercise Science Research Center, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Vandre C. Figueiredo
- University of Kentucky, Center for Muscle Biology, Lexington, KY, USA
- Oakland University, Department of Biological Sciences, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
| | - Christopher S. Fry
- University of Kentucky, Center for Muscle Biology, Lexington, KY, USA
- University of Kentucky, Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Liu Zhengye
- Karolinska Institute, Molecular Muscle Physiology & Pathophysiology Group, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna T. Lanner
- Karolinska Institute, Molecular Muscle Physiology & Pathophysiology Group, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yuan Wen
- University of Kentucky, Center for Muscle Biology, Lexington, KY, USA
- University of Kentucky, Department of Physiology, Lexington, KY, USA
- University of Kentucky, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Biomedical Informatics, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Björn Alkner
- Department of Orthopedics, Eksjö, Region Jönköping County and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Kevin A. Murach
- University of Arkansas, Exercise Science Research Center, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- University of Arkansas, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Ferdinand von Walden
- Karolinska Institute, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Stockholm, Sweden
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Ascanelli C, Dahir R, Wilson CH. Manipulating Myc for reparative regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1357589. [PMID: 38577503 PMCID: PMC10991803 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1357589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The Myc family of proto-oncogenes is a key node for the signal transduction of external pro-proliferative signals to the cellular processes required for development, tissue homoeostasis maintenance, and regeneration across evolution. The tight regulation of Myc synthesis and activity is essential for restricting its oncogenic potential. In this review, we highlight the central role that Myc plays in regeneration across the animal kingdom (from Cnidaria to echinoderms to Chordata) and how Myc could be employed to unlock the regenerative potential of non-regenerative tissues in humans for therapeutic purposes. Mastering the fine balance of harnessing the ability of Myc to promote transcription without triggering oncogenesis may open the door to many exciting opportunities for therapeutic development across a wide array of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine H. Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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10
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Malik S, Pradeep SP, Kumar V, Xiao Y, Deng Y, Fan R, Vasquez JC, Singh V, Bahal R. Antitumor efficacy of a sequence-specific DNA-targeted γPNA-based c-Myc inhibitor. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101354. [PMID: 38183981 PMCID: PMC10829792 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101354] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Targeting oncogenes at the genomic DNA level can open new avenues for precision medicine. Significant efforts are ongoing to target oncogenes using RNA-targeted and protein-targeted platforms, but no progress has been made to target genomic DNA for cancer therapy. Here, we introduce a gamma peptide nucleic acid (γPNA)-based genomic DNA-targeted platform to silence oncogenes in vivo. γPNAs efficiently invade the mixed sequences of genomic DNA with high affinity and specificity. As a proof of concept, we establish that γPNA can inhibit c-Myc transcription in multiple cell lines. We evaluate the in vivo efficacy and safety of genomic DNA targeting in three pre-clinical models. We also establish that anti-transcription γPNA in combination with histone deacetylase inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs results in robust antitumor activity in cell-line- and patient-derived xenografts. Overall, this strategy offers a unique therapeutic platform to target genomic DNA to inhibit oncogenes for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Sai Pallavi Pradeep
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Yong Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanxiang Deng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center and Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center and Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Human and Translational Immunology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Juan C Vasquez
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Vijender Singh
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
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11
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Arnhold J. Inflammation-Associated Cytotoxic Agents in Tumorigenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:81. [PMID: 38201509 PMCID: PMC10778456 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010081] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory processes are related to all stages of tumorigenesis. As inflammation is closely associated with the activation and release of different cytotoxic agents, the interplay between cytotoxic agents and antagonizing principles is highlighted in this review to address the question of how tumor cells overcome the enhanced values of cytotoxic agents in tumors. In tumor cells, the enhanced formation of mitochondrial-derived reactive species and elevated values of iron ions and free heme are antagonized by an overexpression of enzymes and proteins, contributing to the antioxidative defense and maintenance of redox homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, tumor cells can even survive additional stress caused by radio- and chemotherapy. Through the secretion of active agents from tumor cells, immune cells are suppressed in the tumor microenvironment and an enhanced formation of extracellular matrix components is induced. Different oxidant- and protease-based cytotoxic agents are involved in tumor-mediated immunosuppression, tumor growth, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. Considering the special metabolic conditions in tumors, the main focus here was directed on the disturbed balance between the cytotoxic agents and protective mechanisms in late-stage tumors. This knowledge is mandatory for the implementation of novel anti-cancerous therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Arnhold
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
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12
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Craven HM, Nettesheim G, Cicuta P, Blagborough AM, Merrick CJ. Effects of the G-quadruplex-binding drugs quarfloxin and CX-5461 on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 23:106-119. [PMID: 38041930 PMCID: PMC10711401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest causative agent of human malaria. This parasite has historically developed resistance to most drugs, including the current frontline treatments, so new therapeutic targets are needed. Our previous work on guanine quadruplexes (G4s) in the parasite's DNA and RNA has highlighted their influence on parasite biology, and revealed G4 stabilising compounds as promising candidates for repositioning. In particular, quarfloxin, a former anticancer agent, kills blood-stage parasites at all developmental stages, with fast rates of kill and nanomolar potency. Here we explored the molecular mechanism of quarfloxin and its related derivative CX-5461. In vitro, both compounds bound to P. falciparum-encoded G4 sequences. In cellulo, quarfloxin was more potent than CX-5461, and could prevent establishment of blood-stage malaria in vivo in a murine model. CX-5461 showed clear DNA damaging activity, as reported in human cells, while quarfloxin caused weaker signatures of DNA damage. Both compounds caused transcriptional dysregulation in the parasite, but the affected genes were largely different, again suggesting different modes of action. Therefore, CX-5461 may act primarily as a DNA damaging agent in both Plasmodium parasites and mammalian cells, whereas the complete antimalarial mode of action of quarfloxin may be parasite-specific and remains somewhat elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M Craven
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Guilherme Nettesheim
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Catherine J Merrick
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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13
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Romano F, Di Porzio A, Iaccarino N, Riccardi G, Di Lorenzo R, Laneri S, Pagano B, Amato J, Randazzo A. G-quadruplexes in cancer-related gene promoters: from identification to therapeutic targeting. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:745-773. [PMID: 37855085 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2271168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold into four-stranded noncanonical secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) which are widely distributed in functional regions of the human genome, such as telomeres and gene promoter regions. Compelling evidence suggests their involvement in key genome functions such as gene expression and genome stability. Notably, the abundance of G4-forming sequences near transcription start sites suggests their potential involvement in regulating oncogenes. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of current knowledge on G4s in human oncogene promoters. The most representative G4-binding ligands have also been documented. The objective of this work is to present a comprehensive overview of the most promising targets for the development of novel and highly specific anticancer drugs capable of selectively impacting the expression of individual or a limited number of genes. EXPERT OPINION Modulation of G4 formation by specific ligands has been proposed as a powerful new tool to treat cancer through the control of oncogene expression. Actually, most of G4-binding small molecules seem to simultaneously target a range of gene promoter G4s, potentially influencing several critical driver genes in cancer, thus producing significant therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Sonia Laneri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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14
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Brundridge NM, Dickerhoff J, Yang D, McLuckey SA. Gas-Phase Fragmentation as a Probe of G-Quadruplex Formation. Anal Chem 2023; 95:15057-15067. [PMID: 37774231 PMCID: PMC11022955 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) DNA is found in oncogene promoters and human telomeres and is an attractive anticancer target. Stable G4 structures form in guanine-rich sequences in the presence of metal cations and can stabilize further with specific ligand adduction. To explore the preservation and stability of this secondary structure with mass spectrometry, gas-phase collision-induced dissociation kinetics of G4-like and non-G4-like ion structures were determined in a linear quadrupole ion trap. This study focused on a sequence from the promoter of the MYC oncogene, MycG4, and a mutant non-G4-forming sequence, MycNonG4. At relatively high ion activation energies, the backbone fragmentation patterns of the MycG4 and MycNonG4 are similar, while potassium ion-stabilized G4-folded [MycG4 + 2K-7H]5- and counterpart [MycG4-5H]5- ions are essentially indistinguishable, indicating that high-energy fragmentation is not sensitive to the G4 structure. At low energies, the backbone fragmentation patterns of MycG4 and MycNonG4 are significantly different. For MycG4, fragmentation over time differed significantly between the potassium-bound and free structures, reflecting the preservation of the G4 structure in the gas phase. Kinetic measurements revealed the [MycG4 + 2K-7H]5- ions to fragment two to three times more slowly than the [MycG4-5H]5-. Results for the control MycNonG4 indicated that the phenomena noted for [MycG4 + 2K-7H]5- ions are specific to G4-folding. Therefore, our data show that gentle activation conditions can lead to fragmentation behavior that is sensitive to G-quadruplex structure, revealing differences in kinetic stabilities of isomeric structures as well as the regions of the sequence that are directly involved in forming these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Brundridge
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jonathan Dickerhoff
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 575 W Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47904, United States
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 575 W Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47904, United States
| | - Scott A McLuckey
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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15
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Princiotto S, Karelou M, Ioannidi R, Beretta GL, Zaffaroni N, Artali R, Kostakis IK, Mazzini S, Dallavalle S. Exploring the Interaction of New Pyridoquinazoline Derivatives with G-Quadruplex in the c-MYC Promoter Region. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14346. [PMID: 37762650 PMCID: PMC10531603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel amino-substituted pyridoquinazolinone derivatives have been designed and synthesized as potential c-MYC G-quadruplex (G4) ligands, employing an efficient methodology. All the new compounds exhibited moderate to good antiproliferative activity against the human osteosarcoma U2OS cell line. NMR and docking experiments revealed that the recently synthesized compounds interact with the Pu22 G-quadruplex in the c-MYC promoter region, establishing a 2:1 complex, with each molecule positioned over the tetrads at the 3'- and 5'-ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Princiotto
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Maria Karelou
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (M.K.); (R.I.)
| | - Rachel Ioannidi
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (M.K.); (R.I.)
| | - Giovanni Luca Beretta
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.L.B.); (N.Z.)
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.L.B.); (N.Z.)
| | | | - Ioannis K. Kostakis
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (M.K.); (R.I.)
| | - Stefania Mazzini
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Sabrina Dallavalle
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.P.); (S.D.)
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16
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Lu Y, Yang Y, Zhu G, Zeng H, Fan Y, Guo F, Xu D, Wang B, Chen D, Ge G. Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies to Overcome Undruggable Proteins in Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:3360-3382. [PMID: 37496997 PMCID: PMC10367563 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.83026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies in cancer treatment can improve in vivo efficacy and reduce adverse effects by altering the tissue exposure of specific biomolecules. However, there are still large number of target proteins in cancer are still undruggable, owing to the following factors including (1) lack of ligand-binding pockets, (2) function based on protein-protein interactions (PPIs), (3) the highly specific conserved active sites among protein family members, and (4) the variability of tertiary docking structures. The current status of undruggable targets proteins such as KRAS, TP53, C-MYC, PTP, are carefully introduced in this review. Some novel techniques and drug designing strategies have been applicated for overcoming these undruggable proteins, and the most classic and well-known technology is proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In this review, the novel drug development strategies including targeting protein degradation, targeting PPI, targeting intrinsically disordered regions, as well as targeting protein-DNA binding are described, and we also discuss the potential of these strategies for overcoming the undruggable targets. Besides, intelligence-assisted technologies like Alpha-Fold help us a lot to predict the protein structure, which is beneficial for drug development. The discovery of new targets and the development of drugs targeting them, especially those undruggable targets, remain a huge challenge. New drug development strategies, better extraction processes that do not disrupt protein-protein interactions, and more precise artificial intelligence technologies may provide significant assistance in overcoming these undruggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Lu
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yuewen Yang
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guanghao Zhu
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
| | - Hairong Zeng
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
| | - Yiming Fan
- Dalian Harmony Medical Testing Laboratory Co., Ltd, 116620 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fujia Guo
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dongshu Xu
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Boya Wang
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dapeng Chen
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guangbo Ge
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
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17
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Roy A, Basu D, Bose D, Dutta A, Dastidar SG, Chatterjee S. Identification and characterization of a flexile G-quadruplex in the distal promoter region of stemness gene REX1. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 231:123263. [PMID: 36649868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123263] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
We have identified a parallel G-quadruplex (R1WT) in the distal promoter region (-821 base-pairs upstream of the TSS) of the pluripotent gene REX1. Through biophysical and biochemical approach, we have characterized the G-quadruplex (GQ) as a potential molecular switch that may control REX1 promoter activity to determine the transcriptional fate. Small- molecule interactive study of the monomeric form of R1WT (characterized as R1mut2) with TMPyP4 and BRACO-19 revealed GQ destabilization upon interaction with TMPyP4 and stabilization upon interaction with BRACO-19. This distinctive drug interactivity suggests the in cellulo R1WT to be a promising drug target. The endogenous existence of R1WT was confirmed by BG4 antibody derived chromatin immunoprecipitation experiment. Here in, we also report the endogenous interaction of GQ specific transcription factors (TFs) with R1WT region in the human chromatin of cancer cell. The wild-type G-quadruplex was found to interact with four important transcription factors, (i) specificity protein (Sp1) (ii) non-metastatic cell 2 (NM23-H2): a diphosphatase (iii) cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) and (iv) heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK) in the REX1 promoter. In contrast, nucleolin protein (NCL) binding was found to be low to the said G-quadruplex. The flexibility of R1WT between folded and unfolded states, obtained from experimental and computational analysis strongly suggests R1WT to be an important gene regulatory element in the genome. It controls promoter DNA relaxation with the coordinated interaction of transcription factors, the deregulation of which seeds stemness characteristic in cancer cells for further metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Roy
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, EN-80 Sector V, Salt Lake, Unified Campus, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Debadrita Basu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, EN-80 Sector V, Salt Lake, Unified Campus, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Debopriya Bose
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, EN-80 Sector V, Salt Lake, Unified Campus, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Anindya Dutta
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, EN-80 Sector V, Salt Lake, Unified Campus, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Shubhra Ghosh Dastidar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, EN-80 Sector V, Salt Lake, Unified Campus, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, EN-80 Sector V, Salt Lake, Unified Campus, Kolkata 700091, India.
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18
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Neupane A, Chariker JH, Rouchka EC. Structural and Functional Classification of G-Quadruplex Families within the Human Genome. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030645. [PMID: 36980918 PMCID: PMC10048163 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are short secondary DNA structures located throughout genomic DNA and transcribed RNA. Although G4 structures have been shown to form in vivo, no current search tools that examine these structures based on previously identified G-quadruplexes and filter them based on similar sequence, structure, and thermodynamic properties are known to exist. We present a framework for clustering G-quadruplex sequences into families using the CD-HIT, MeShClust, and DNACLUST methods along with a combination of Starcode and BLAST. Utilizing this framework to filter and annotate clusters, 95 families of G-quadruplex sequences were identified within the human genome. Profiles for each family were created using hidden Markov models to allow for the identification of additional family members and generate homology probability scores. The thermodynamic folding energy properties, functional annotation of genes associated with the sequences, scores from different prediction algorithms, and transcription factor binding motifs within a family were used to annotate and compare the diversity within and across clusters. The resulting set of G-quadruplex families can be used to further understand how different regions of the genome are regulated by factors targeting specific structures common to members of a specific cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryan Neupane
- School of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Julia H. Chariker
- Department of Neuroscience Training, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Kentucky IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY INBRE) Bioinformatics Core, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Eric C. Rouchka
- Kentucky IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY INBRE) Bioinformatics Core, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(502)-852-3060
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19
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The effect of side chain variations on quinazoline-pyrimidine G-quadruplex DNA ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 248:115103. [PMID: 36645982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures are involved in central biological processes such as DNA replication and transcription. These DNA structures are enriched in promotor regions of oncogenes and are thus promising as novel gene silencing therapeutic targets that can be used to regulate expression of oncoproteins and in particular those that has proven hard to drug with conventional strategies. G4 DNA structures in general have a well-defined and hydrophobic binding area that also is very flat and featureless and there are ample examples of G4 ligands but their further progression towards drug development is limited. In this study, we use synthetic organic chemistry to equip a drug-like and low molecular weight central fragment with different side chains and evaluate how this affect the compound's selectivity and ability to bind and stabilize G4 DNA. Furthermore, we study the binding interactions of the compounds and connect the experimental observations with the compound's structural conformations and electrostatic potentials to understand the basis for the observed improvements. Finally, we evaluate the top candidates' ability to selectively reduce cancer cell growth in a 3D co-culture model of pancreatic cancer which show that this is a powerful approach to generate highly active and selective low molecular weight G4 ligands with a promising therapeutic window.
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20
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Gao FY, Li XT, Xu K, Wang RT, Guan XX. c-MYC mediates the crosstalk between breast cancer cells and tumor microenvironment. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:28. [PMID: 36721232 PMCID: PMC9887805 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The MYC oncogenic family is dysregulated in diverse tumors which is generally linked to the poor prognosis of tumors. The members in MYC family are transcription factors which are responsible for the regulation of various genes expression. Among them, c-MYC is closely related to the progression of tumors. Furthermore, c-MYC aberrations is tightly associated with the prevalence of breast cancer. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of many different types of cellular and non-cellular factors, mainly including cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and immune cells, all of which can affect the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic efficacy of breast cancer. Importantly, the biological processes occurred in TME, such as angiogenesis, immune evasion, invasion, migration, and the recruition of stromal and tumor-infiltrating cells are under the modulation of c-MYC. These findings indicated that c-MYC serves as a critical regulator of TME. Here, we aimed to summarize and review the relevant research, thus to clarify c-MYC is a key mediator between breast cancer cells and TME. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-yan Gao
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Xin-tong Li
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Kun Xu
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Run-tian Wang
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Xiao-xiang Guan
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
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21
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Xiong Y, Wang L, Xu S, Fu B, Che Y, Zaky MY, Tian R, Yao R, Guo D, Sha Z, Lin F, Lin X, Wu H. Small molecule Z363 co-regulates TAF10 and MYC via the E3 ligase TRIP12 to suppress tumour growth. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1153. [PMID: 36639831 PMCID: PMC9839843 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The MYC oncoprotein, also known as the master regulator of genes, is a transcription factor that regulates numerous physiological processes, including cell cycle control, apoptosis, protein synthesis and cell adhesion, among others. MYC is overexpressed in approximately 70% of human cancers. Given its pervasive role in cancer biology, MYC down-regulation has become an attractive cancer treatment strategy. METHODS The CRISPR/Cas9 method was used to produce KO cell models. Western blot was used to analyzed the expressions of MYC and TATA-binding proteinassociated factors 10 (TAF10) in cancer cells (MCF7, A549, HepG2 cells) Cell culture studies were performed to determine the mechanisms by which small molecules (Z363119456, Z363) affects MYC and TAF10 expressions and functions. Mouse studies were carried out to investigate the impact of Z363 regulation on tumor growth. RESULTS Z363 activate Thyroid hormone Receptor-interacting Protein 12 (TRIP12), which phosphorylates MYC at Thr58, resulting in MYC ubiquitination and degradation and thereby regulating MYC target genes. Importantly, TRIP12 also induces TAF10 degradation, which reduces MYC protein levels. TRIP12, an E3 ligase, controls MYC levels both directly and indirectly by inhibiting MYC or TAF10 activity. CONCLUSIONS In summary,these results demonstrate the anti-cancer properties of Z363, a small molecule that is co-regulated by TAF10 and MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xiong
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Shiyao Xu
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Beibei Fu
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yuchen Che
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Mohamed Y. Zaky
- Molecular Physiology DivisionZoology DepartmentFaculty of ScienceBeni‐Suef UniversityBeni‐SuefEgypt,Department of OncologyFaculty of MedicineLinköping UniversitySweden,Department of Biomedical and Clinical SciencesFaculty of MedicineLinköping UniversitySweden
| | - Rong Tian
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical SciencesFaculty of MedicineLinköping UniversitySweden
| | - Rui Yao
- Department of PathologyChongqing Hygeia HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Dong Guo
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Zhou Sha
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xiaoyuan Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Haibo Wu
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
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22
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Weber LI, Hartl M. Strategies to target the cancer driver MYC in tumor cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1142111. [PMID: 36969025 PMCID: PMC10032378 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1142111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The MYC oncoprotein functions as a master regulator of cellular transcription and executes non-transcriptional tasks relevant to DNA replication and cell cycle regulation, thereby interacting with multiple proteins. MYC is required for fundamental cellular processes triggering proliferation, growth, differentiation, or apoptosis and also represents a major cancer driver being aberrantly activated in most human tumors. Due to its non-enzymatic biochemical functions and largely unstructured surface, MYC has remained difficult for specific inhibitor compounds to directly address, and consequently, alternative approaches leading to indirect MYC inhibition have evolved. Nowadays, multiple organic compounds, nucleic acids, or peptides specifically interfering with MYC activities are in preclinical or early-stage clinical studies, but none of them have been approved so far for the pharmacological treatment of cancer patients. In addition, specific and efficient delivery technologies to deliver MYC-inhibiting agents into MYC-dependent tumor cells are just beginning to emerge. In this review, an overview of direct and indirect MYC-inhibiting agents and their modes of MYC inhibition is given. Furthermore, we summarize current possibilities to deliver appropriate drugs into cancer cells containing derailed MYC using viral vectors or appropriate nanoparticles. Finding the right formulation to target MYC-dependent cancers and to achieve a high intracellular concentration of compounds blocking or attenuating oncogenic MYC activities could be as important as the development of novel MYC-inhibiting principles.
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23
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Brush GS. Anomalies in dye-terminator DNA sequencing caused by a natural G-quadruplex. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279423. [PMID: 36574393 PMCID: PMC9794070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A G-rich DNA sequence from yeast that can form a non-canonical G-quadruplex structure was cloned into a plasmid vector and subjected to Sanger sequencing using dye-labeled dideoxynucleotides. Two different effects were observed. In one, presence of the G4 sequence on the template strand led to incorrect incorporation of an A residue at an internal position in the G4 sequence. In the other, the nascent strand caused attenuation of the readout coincident with synthesis of the G-rich DNA. The two effects are novel examples of disruption in DNA synthesis caused by a G4 sequence. These results provide a new example of a DNA structure that could influence genomic stability in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- George S. Brush
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine,Detroit, MI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Valiuska S, Psaras AM, Noé V, Brooks TA, Ciudad CJ. Targeting MYC Regulation with Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen Oligonucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010378. [PMID: 36613820 PMCID: PMC9820101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogene MYC has key roles in transcription, proliferation, deregulating cellular energetics, and more. Modulating the expression or function of the MYC protein is a viable therapeutic goal in an array of cancer types, and potential inhibitors of MYC with high specificity and selectivity are of great interest. In cancer cells addicted to their aberrant MYC function, suppression can lead to apoptosis, with minimal effects on non-addicted, non-oncogenic cells, providing a wide therapeutic window for specific and efficacious anti-tumor treatment. Within the promoter of MYC lies a GC-rich, G-quadruplex (G4)-forming region, wherein G4 formation is capable of mediating transcriptional downregulation of MYC. Such GC-rich regions of DNA are prime targets for regulation with Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRHs). The current study designed and examined PPRHs targeting the G4-forming and four other GC-rich regions of DNA within the promoter or intronic regions. Six total PPRHs were designed, examined in cell-free conditions for target engagement and in cells for transcriptional modulation, and correlating cytotoxic activity in pancreatic, prostate, neuroblastoma, colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancer cells. Two lead PPRHs, one targeting the promoter G4 and one targeting Intron 1, were identified with high potential for further development as an innovative approach to both G4 stabilization and MYC modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonas Valiuska
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandra Maria Psaras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Véronique Noé
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tracy A. Brooks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
- Correspondence: (C.J.C.); (T.A.B.); Tel.: +34-93-403-4455 (C.J.C.)
| | - Carlos J. Ciudad
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.J.C.); (T.A.B.); Tel.: +34-93-403-4455 (C.J.C.)
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25
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Roy A, Chatterjee O, Banerjee N, Roychowdhury T, Dhar G, Mukherjee G, Chatterjee S. Curcumin arrests G-quadruplex in the nuclear hyper-sensitive III 1 element of c-MYC oncogene leading to apoptosis in metastatic breast cancer cells. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10203-10219. [PMID: 34192476 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1940284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
c-MYC is deregulated in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) pointing to be a promising biomarker for breast cancer treatment. Precise level of MYC expression is important in the control of cellular growth and proliferation. Designing of c-MYC-targeted antidotes to restore its basal level of cellular expression holds an optimistic approach towards anti-cancer treatment. MYC transcription is dominantly controlled by Nuclear Hypersensitive Element III-1 (NHEIII1) upstream of the promoter region possessing G-Quadruplex silencer element (Pu-27). We have investigated the selective binding-interaction profile of a natural phytophenolic compound Curcumin with native MYC G-quadruplex by conducting an array of biophysical experiments and in silico based Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamic (MDs) simulation studies. Curcumin possesses immense anti-cancerous properties. We have observed significantly increased stability of MYC-G Quadruplex and thermodynamic spontaneity of Curcumin-MYC GQ binding with negative ΔG value. Transcription of MYC is tightly regulated by a complex mechanism involving promoters, enhancers and multiple transcription factors. We have used Curcumin as a model drug to understand the innate mechanism of controlling deregulated MYC back to its basal expression level. We have checked MYC-expression at transcriptional and translational level and proceeded for Chromatin Immuno-Precipitation assay (ChIP) to study the occupancy level of SP1, Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK), Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase 2 (NM23-H2) and Nucleolin at NHEIII1 upon Curcumin treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells. We have concluded that Curcumin binding tends to drive the equilibrium towards stable G-quadruplex formation repressing MYC back to its threshold-level. On retrospection of the synergistic effect of upregulated c-MYC and BCL-2 in cancer, we have also reported a new pathway [MYC-E2F-1-BCL-2-axis] through which Curcumin trigger apoptosis in cancer cells.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Roy
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | | | | | - Tanaya Roychowdhury
- Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder, IICB, Kolkata, India
| | - Gopa Dhar
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
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26
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A first-in-class clinical G-quadruplex-targeting drug. The bench-to-bedside translation of the fluoroquinolone QQ58 to CX-5461 (Pidnarulex). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 77:129016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.129016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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27
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Frasson I, Soldà P, Nadai M, Tassinari M, Scalabrin M, Gokhale V, Hurley LH, Richter SN. Quindoline-derivatives display potent G-quadruplex-mediated antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus 1. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105432. [PMID: 36228762 PMCID: PMC9720158 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures that regulate key biological processes, from transcription to genome replication both in humans and viruses. The herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) genome is prone to form G4s that, along with proteins, regulate its viral cycle. General G4 ligands have been shown to hamper the viral cycle, pointing to viral G4s as original antiviral targets. Because cellular G4s are also normally present in infected cells, the quest for improved anti-HSV-1 G4 ligands is still open. Here, we evaluated a series of new quindoline-derivatives which showed high binding to and stabilization of the viral G4s. They displayed nanomolar-range anti-HSV-1 activity paralleled by negligible cytotoxicity in human cells, thus proving remarkable selectivity. The best-in-class compound inhibited the viral life cycle at the early times post infection up to the step of viral genome replication. In infected human cells, it reduced expression of ICP4, the main viral transcription factor, by stabilizing the G4s embedded in ICP4 promoter. Quindoline-derivatives thus emerge as a new class of G4 ligands with potent dual anti HSV-1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Frasson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Soldà
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Nadai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Scalabrin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Vijay Gokhale
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Laurence H Hurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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28
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Roy S, Muniyappa K, Bhattacharya S. Deciphering the Binding Insights of Novel Disubstituted Anthraquinone Derivatives with G-Quadruplex DNA to Exhibit Selective Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200436. [PMID: 36161519 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthraquinone-based compounds are well-known as duplex DNA as well as G-quadruplex DNA binders. Implications of various anthraquinone derivatives for specific recognition of G-quadruplex DNA over duplex DNA is a 'challenging' research work that requires adequate experience with molecular design. To address this important issue, we designed and synthesized ten new 2,6-disubstituted anthraquinone-based derivatives with different functionalized piperazinyl side-chains. Among these, particular compounds with certain distant groups have shown selective and significant binding affinities toward the c-MYC and c-KIT G-quadruplex DNA over the duplex DNA, as noticed from various biophysical experiments. The structural difference of quadruplex and duplex DNA was utilized to probe these derivatives for the end-stacking mode of binding with G-quadruplex DNA. The ability of the ligands to halt DNA synthesis by stabilizing G-quadruplex structures is one of the crucial points to further apply them for quadruplex-mediated anti-cancer therapeutics. Interestingly, these ligands trigger apoptosis to exhibit selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells over normal cells. This was further evidenced by ligand-induced cell cycle arrest as well as cellular apoptotic morphological changes. These blood-compatible ligands provided detailed structure-activity relationship approaches for the molecular design of anthraquinone-based G-quadruplex binders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soma Roy
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India.,School of Applied & Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Kalappa Muniyappa
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Santanu Bhattacharya
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India.,School of Applied & Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, 700032, India
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29
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Falanga AP, Terracciano M, Oliviero G, Roviello GN, Borbone N. Exploring the Relationship between G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acids and Plants: From Plant G-Quadruplex Function to Phytochemical G4 Ligands with Pharmaceutic Potential. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2377. [PMID: 36365194 PMCID: PMC9698481 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) oligonucleotides are higher-order DNA and RNA secondary structures of enormous relevance due to their implication in several biological processes and pathological states in different organisms. Strategies aiming at modulating human G4 structures and their interrelated functions are first-line approaches in modern research aiming at finding new potential anticancer treatments or G4-based aptamers for various biomedical and biotechnological applications. Plants offer a cornucopia of phytocompounds that, in many cases, are effective in binding and modulating the thermal stability of G4s and, on the other hand, contain almost unexplored G4 motifs in their genome that could inspire new biotechnological strategies. Herein, we describe some G4 structures found in plants, summarizing the existing knowledge of their functions and biological role. Moreover, we review some of the most promising G4 ligands isolated from vegetal sources and report on the known relationships between such phytochemicals and G4-mediated biological processes that make them potential leads in the pharmaceutical sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P. Falanga
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Terracciano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Italian National Council of Research (ISASI-CNR), Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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30
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To probe the binding of TMPyP4 to c-MYC G-quadruplex with in water and in imidazolium-based ionic liquids using spectroscopy coupled with molecular dynamics simulations. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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31
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Yu W, Xie X, Ma Y, Fang S, Dong Y, Liu G. Identification of 1,4-Benzodiazepine-2,5-dione Derivatives as Potential Protein Synthesis Inhibitors with Highly Potent Anticancer Activity. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14891-14915. [PMID: 36260776 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a random multiple human tumor cell line screening of an in-stock small-molecule chemical library was performed, and a hit compound, 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione (BZD, 11a; average 50% growth inhibitory concentration (GI50 = 0.24 μM)) to 60 tumor cell lines of nine types of human cancers, was identified. Subsequent structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigation disclosed a highly potent antitumor compound, 52b, that was shown to exert promising effects against lung cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Further polysome profile analysis revealed that 52b inhibited protein synthesis in cancer cells. Moreover, 52b significantly prevented tumor growth in a human non-small-cell lung cancer (NCI-H522) xenograft mouse model with no observable toxic effects. These findings are the first report of the synthetic compound 52b with a 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione skeleton that acts as a potential protein synthesis inhibitor to effectively inhibit tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xilei Xie
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 2A Nanwei Rd, Xicheng Dist, Beijing 100050, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
| | - Yao Ma
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 2A Nanwei Rd, Xicheng Dist, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Shiping Fang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yi Dong
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 2A Nanwei Rd, Xicheng Dist, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.,Key laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education; Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, P. R. China
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32
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Bansal A, Kaushik S, Kukreti S. Non-canonical DNA structures: Diversity and disease association. Front Genet 2022; 13:959258. [PMID: 36134025 PMCID: PMC9483843 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.959258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A complete understanding of DNA double-helical structure discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, unveil the importance and significance of DNA. For the last seven decades, this has been a leading light in the course of the development of modern biology and biomedical science. Apart from the predominant B-form, experimental shreds of evidence have revealed the existence of a sequence-dependent structural diversity, unusual non-canonical structures like hairpin, cruciform, Z-DNA, multistranded structures such as DNA triplex, G-quadruplex, i-motif forms, etc. The diversity in the DNA structure depends on various factors such as base sequence, ions, superhelical stress, and ligands. In response to these various factors, the polymorphism of DNA regulates various genes via different processes like replication, transcription, translation, and recombination. However, altered levels of gene expression are associated with many human genetic diseases including neurological disorders and cancer. These non-B-DNA structures are expected to play a key role in determining genetic stability, DNA damage and repair etc. The present review is a modest attempt to summarize the available literature, illustrating the occurrence of non-canonical structures at the molecular level in response to the environment and interaction with ligands and proteins. This would provide an insight to understand the biological functions of these unusual DNA structures and their recognition as potential therapeutic targets for diverse genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Bansal
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shikha Kaushik
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shrikant Kukreti
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Shrikant Kukreti,
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33
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Liu L, Zhu L, Tong H, Su C, Wells JW, Chalikian TV. Distribution of Conformational States Adopted by DNA from the Promoter Regions of the VEGF and Bcl-2 Oncogenes. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:6654-6670. [PMID: 36001297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c04304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We employed a previously described procedure, based on circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, to quantify the distribution of conformational states adopted by equimolar mixtures of complementary G-rich and C-rich DNA strands from the promoter regions of the VEGF and Bcl-2 oncogenes. Spectra were recorded at different pHs, concentrations of KCl, and temperatures. The temperature dependences of the fractional populations of the duplex, G-quadruplex, i-motif, and coiled conformations of each promoter were then analyzed within the framework of a thermodynamic model to obtain the enthalpy and melting temperature of each folded-to-unfolded transition involved in the equilibrium. A comparison of the conformational data on the VEGF and Bcl-2 DNA with similar results on the c-MYC DNA, which we reported previously, reveals that the distribution of conformational states depends on the specific DNA sequence and is modulated by environmental factors. Under the physiological conditions of room temperature, neutral pH, and elevated concentrations of potassium ions, the duplex conformation coexists with the G-quadruplex conformation in proportions that depend on the sequence. This observed conformational diversity has biological implications, and it further supports our previously proposed thermodynamic hypothesis of gene regulation. In that hypothesis, a specific distribution of duplex and tetraplex conformations in a promoter region is fine-tuned to maintain the healthy level of gene expression. Any deviation from a healthy distribution of conformational states may result in pathology stemming from up- or downregulation of the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Legeng Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Haoyuan Tong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Chongyu Su
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - James W Wells
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Tigran V Chalikian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
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34
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Liu W, Zhu BC, Liu LY, Xia XY, Mao ZW. G-quadruplex structural transition driven by a platinum compound. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:7816-7828. [PMID: 35766415 PMCID: PMC9371902 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) transitions play integral roles in regulating biological functions and can be modified by ligands. However, little is known about G4 transitions. Herein, we reveal distinct pathways of a platinum(II) compound Pt-phen converting parallel-stranded MYC G4 to a hybrid-type structure. Three NMR structures, 1:1 5'-end binding, 1:1 3'-end binding and 2:1 Pt-phen-MYC G4 complexes, were determined by NMR. We find that Pt-phen drives G4 transition at a low ratio. Under physiological 100 mM K+ conditions, a significant stable hydrogen-bonded T:T:A triad is formed at 3'-end of hybrid-type Myc1234, and consequently, Pt-phen first binds the 5'-end to form a 1:1 5'-end binding complex and then disrupts the 3' T:T:A triad and binds 3'-end to form a 2:1 complex with more Pt-phen. Remarkably, the G4 transition pathway is different in 5 mM K+ with Pt-phen first binding the 3'-end and then the 5'-end. 'Edgewise-loop and flanking/ligand/G-tetrad' sandwich structure formation and terminal T:T:A triad stabilization play decisive roles in advancing and altering transition pathways. Our work is the first to elucidate the molecular structures of G4 transitions driven by a small molecule. The ligand-driven G4 transition is a dynamic process that includes a quick G4 transition and multiple complexes formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Bo-Chen Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Liu-Yi Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Xia
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zong-Wan Mao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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35
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Liu G, Li D, Zhang L, Xu Q, Zhuang D, Liu P, Hu L, Deng H, Sun J, Wang S, Zheng B, Guo J, Wu X. Phenformin Down-Regulates c-Myc Expression to Suppress the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Keratinocytes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152429. [PMID: 35954273 PMCID: PMC9368166 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152429] [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: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of many skin inflammation diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, is still a challenge and inflammation plays important roles in multiple stages of skin tumor development, including initiation, promotion and metastasis. Phenformin, a biguanide drug, has been shown to play a more efficient anti-tumor function than another well-known biguanide drug, metformin, which has been reported to control the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, little is known about the effects of phenformin on skin inflammation. This study used a mouse acute inflammation model, ex vivo skin organ cultures and in vitro human primary keratinocyte cultures to demonstrate that phenformin can suppress acute skin inflammatory responses induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in vivo and significantly suppresses the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in human primary keratinocytes in vitro. The suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by phenformin was not directly through regulation of the MAPK or NF-κB pathways, but by controlling the expression of c-Myc in human keratinocytes. We demonstrated that the overexpression of c-Myc can induce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and counteract the suppressive effect of phenformin on cytokine expression in keratinocytes. In contrast, the down-regulation of c-Myc produces effects similar to phenformin, both in cytokine expression by keratinocytes in vitro and in skin inflammation in vivo. Finally, we showed that phenformin, as an AMPK activator, down-regulates the expression of c-Myc through regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathways. In summary, phenformin inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in keratinocytes through the down-regulation of c-Myc expression to play an anti-inflammation function in the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyi Liu
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dingyang Li
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, Savaid Stomatology School, Hangzhou Medical College, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, Savaid Stomatology School, Hangzhou Medical College, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Qiuping Xu
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dexuan Zhuang
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Panpan Liu
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pediatrics Dentistry, Department of Preventive Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ling Hu
- Engineering Laboratory for Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, Savaid Stomatology School, Hangzhou Medical College, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Huiting Deng
- Engineering Laboratory for Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, Savaid Stomatology School, Hangzhou Medical College, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Jianfeng Sun
- Engineering Laboratory for Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, Savaid Stomatology School, Hangzhou Medical College, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Shuangshuang Wang
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, Savaid Stomatology School, Hangzhou Medical College, Ningbo 315000, China
- Correspondence: (J.G.); (X.W.)
| | - Xunwei Wu
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No. 44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan 250012, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, Savaid Stomatology School, Hangzhou Medical College, Ningbo 315000, China
- Correspondence: (J.G.); (X.W.)
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Interface of G-quadruplex with both stabilizing and destabilizing ligands for targeting various diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:414-427. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Feng Y, Luo Z, Huang R, Yang X, Cheng X, Zhang W. Epigenomic Features and Potential Functions of K+ and Na+ Favorable DNA G-Quadruplexes in Rice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158404. [PMID: 35955535 PMCID: PMC9368837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical four-stranded DNA structures involved in various biological processes in eukaryotes. Molecularly crowded solutions and monovalent cations have been reported to stabilize in vitro and in vivo G4 formation. However, how K+ and Na+ affect G4 formation genome-wide is still unclear in plants. Here, we conducted BG4-DNA-IP-seq, DNA immunoprecipitation with anti-BG4 antibody coupled with sequencing, under K+ and Na+ + PEG conditions in vitro. We found that K+-specific IP-G4s had a longer peak size, more GC and PQS content, and distinct AT and GC skews compared to Na+-specific IP-G4s. Moreover, K+- and Na+-specific IP-G4s exhibited differential subgenomic enrichment and distinct putative functional motifs for the binding of certain trans-factors. More importantly, we found that K+-specific IP-G4s were more associated with active marks, such as active histone marks, and low DNA methylation levels, as compared to Na+-specific IP-G4s; thus, K+-specific IP-G4s in combination with active chromatin features facilitate the expression of overlapping genes. In addition, K+- and Na+-specific IP-G4 overlapping genes exhibited differential GO (gene ontology) terms, suggesting they may have distinct biological relevance in rice. Thus, our study, for the first time, explores the effects of K+ and Na+ on global G4 formation in vitro, thereby providing valuable resources for functional G4 studies in rice. It will provide certain G4 loci for the biotechnological engineering of rice in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Co-Sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.); (R.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Zhenyu Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Co-Sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.); (R.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Ranran Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Co-Sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.); (R.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Xueming Yang
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China;
| | - Xuejiao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Co-Sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.); (R.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Co-Sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.); (R.H.); (X.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-25-84396610; Fax: +86-25-84396302
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Monsen RC, Maguire JM, DeLeeuw LW, Chaires JB, Trent JO. Drug discovery of small molecules targeting the higher-order hTERT promoter G-quadruplex. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270165. [PMID: 35709230 PMCID: PMC9202945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are now widely accepted as viable targets in the pursuit of anticancer therapeutics. To date, few small molecules have been identified that exhibit selectivity for G4s over alternative forms of DNA, such as the ubiquitous duplex. We posit that the lack of current ligand specificity arises for multiple reasons: G4 atomic models are often small, monomeric, single quadruplex structures with few or no druggable pockets; targeting G-tetrad faces frequently results in the enrichment of extended electron-deficient polyaromatic end-pasting scaffolds; and virtual drug discovery efforts often under-sample chemical search space. We show that by addressing these issues we can enrich for non-standard molecular templates that exhibit high selectivity towards G4s over other forms of DNA. We performed an extensive virtual screen against the higher-order hTERT core promoter G4 that we have previously characterized, targeting 12 of its unique loop and groove pockets using libraries containing 40 million drug-like compounds for each screen. Using our drug discovery funnel approach, which utilizes high-throughput fluorescence thermal shift assay (FTSA) screens, microscale thermophoresis (MST), and orthogonal biophysical methods, we have identified multiple unique G4 binding scaffolds. We subsequently used two rounds of catalogue-based SAR to increase the affinity of a disubstituted 2-aminoethyl-quinazoline that stabilizes the higher-order hTERT G-quadruplex by binding across its G4 junctional sites. We show selectivity of its binding affinity towards hTERT is virtually unaffected in the presence of near-physiological levels of duplex DNA, and that this molecule downregulates hTERT transcription in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Monsen
- UofL Health Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jon M. Maguire
- UofL Health Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Lynn W. DeLeeuw
- UofL Health Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jonathan B. Chaires
- UofL Health Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBC); (JOT)
| | - John O. Trent
- UofL Health Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBC); (JOT)
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Exploring the Parallel G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acid World: A Spectroscopic and Computational Investigation on the Binding of the c-myc Oncogene NHE III1 Region by the Phytochemical Polydatin. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27092997. [PMID: 35566347 PMCID: PMC9099682 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trans-polydatin (tPD), the 3-β-D-glucoside of the well-known nutraceutical trans-resveratrol, is a natural polyphenol with documented anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and immunoregulatory effects. Considering the anticancer activity of tPD, in this work, we aimed to explore the binding properties of this natural compound with the G-quadruplex (G4) structure formed by the Pu22 [d(TGAGGGTGGGTAGGGTGGGTAA)] DNA sequence by exploiting CD spectroscopy and molecular docking simulations. Pu22 is a mutated and shorter analog of the G4-forming sequence known as Pu27 located in the promoter of the c-myc oncogene, whose overexpression triggers the metabolic changes responsible for cancer cells transformation. The binding of tPD with the parallel Pu22 G4 was confirmed by CD spectroscopy, which showed significant changes in the CD spectrum of the DNA and a slight thermal stabilization of the G4 structure. To gain a deeper insight into the structural features of the tPD-Pu22 complex, we performed an in silico molecular docking study, which indicated that the interaction of tPD with Pu22 G4 may involve partial end-stacking to the terminal G-quartet and H-bonding interactions between the sugar moiety of the ligand and deoxynucleotides not included in the G-tetrads. Finally, we compared the experimental CD profiles of Pu22 G4 with the corresponding theoretical output obtained using DichroCalc, a web-based server normally used for the prediction of proteins’ CD spectra starting from their “.pdb” file. The results indicated a good agreement between the predicted and the experimental CD spectra in terms of the spectral bands’ profile even if with a slight bathochromic shift in the positive band, suggesting the utility of this predictive tool for G4 DNA CD investigations.
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Georgakopoulos-Soares I, Victorino J, Parada GE, Agarwal V, Zhao J, Wong HY, Umar MI, Elor O, Muhwezi A, An JY, Sanders SJ, Kwok CK, Inoue F, Hemberg M, Ahituv N. High-throughput characterization of the role of non-B DNA motifs on promoter function. CELL GENOMICS 2022; 2:100111. [PMID: 35573091 PMCID: PMC9105345 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
lternative DNA conformations, termed non-B DNA structures, can affect transcription, but the underlying mechanisms and their functional impact have not been systematically characterized. Here, we used computational genomic analyses coupled with massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) to show that certain non-B DNA structures have a substantial effect on gene expression. Genomic analyses found that non-B DNA structures at promoters harbor an excess of germline variants. Analysis of multiple MPRAs, including a promoter library specifically designed to perturb non-B DNA structures, functionally validated that Z-DNA can significantly affect promoter activity. We also observed that biophysical properties of non-B DNA motifs, such as the length of Z-DNA motifs and the orientation of G-quadruplex structures relative to transcriptional direction, have a significant effect on promoter activity. Combined, their higher mutation rate and functional effect on transcription implicate a subset of non-B DNA motifs as major drivers of human gene-expression-associated phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jesus Victorino
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo E. Parada
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
- Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | | | - Jingjing Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hei Yuen Wong
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mubarak Ishaq Umar
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Orry Elor
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Allan Muhwezi
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Joon-Yong An
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Stephan J. Sanders
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fumitaka Inoue
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Martin Hemberg
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
- Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Nadav Ahituv
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Yuan JH, Tu JL, Liu GC, Chen XC, Huang ZS, Chen SB, Tan JH. Visualization of ligand-induced c-MYC duplex-quadruplex transition and direct exploration of the altered c-MYC DNA-protein interactions in cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4246-4257. [PMID: 35412611 PMCID: PMC9071431 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ligand-Induced duplex-quadruplex transition within the c-MYC promoter region is one of the most studied and advanced ideas for c-MYC regulation. Despite its importance, there is a lack of methods for monitoring such process in cells, hindering a better understanding of the essence of c-MYC G-quadruplex as a drug target. Here we developed a new fluorescent probe ISCH-MYC for specific c-MYC G-quadruplex recognition based on GTFH (G-quadruplex-Triggered Fluorogenic Hybridization) strategy. We validated that ISCH-MYC displayed distinct fluorescence enhancement upon binding to c-MYC G-quadruplex, which allowed the duplex-quadruplex transition detection of c-MYC G-rich DNA in cells. Using ISCH-MYC, we successfully characterized the induction of duplex to G-quadruplex transition in the presence of G-quadruplex stabilizing ligand PDS and further monitored and evaluated the altered interactions of relevant transcription factors Sp1 and CNBP with c-MYC G-rich DNA. Thus, our study provides a visualization strategy to explore the mechanism of G-quadruplex stabilizing ligand action on c-MYC G-rich DNA and relevant proteins, thereby empowering future drug discovery efforts targeting G-quadruplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hao Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jia-Li Tu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guo-Cai Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiu-Cai Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shuo-Bin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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Kumar S, Ramamurthy C, Choudhary D, Sekar A, Patra A, Bhavesh NS, Vivekanandan P. Contrasting roles for G-quadruplexes in regulating human Bcl-2 and virus homologues KSHV KS-Bcl-2 and EBV BHRF1. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5019. [PMID: 35322051 PMCID: PMC8943185 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08161-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses are known to acquire several genes from their hosts during evolution. We found that a significant proportion of virus homologues encoded by HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV and KSHV and their human counterparts contain G-quadruplex motifs in their promoters. We sought to understand the role of G-quadruplexes in the regulatory regions of viral Bcl-2 homologues encoded by KSHV (KS-Bcl-2) and EBV (BHRF1). We demonstrate that the KSHV KS-Bcl-2 and the EBV BHRF1 promoter G-quadruplex motifs (KSHV-GQ and EBV-GQ) form stable intramolecular G-quadruplexes. Ligand-mediated stabilization of KS-Bcl-2 and BHRF1 promoter G-quadruplexes significantly increased the promoter activity resulting in enhanced transcription of these viral Bcl-2 homologues. Mutations disrupting KSHV-GQ and EBV-GQ inhibit promoter activity and render the KS-Bcl-2 and the BHRF1 promoters non-responsive to G-quadruplex ligand. In contrast, promoter G-quadruplexes of human bcl-2 gene inhibit promoter activity. Further, KS-Bcl-2 and BHRF1 promoter G-quadruplexes augment RTA (a virus-encoded transcription factor)-mediated increase in viral bcl-2 promoter activity. In sum, this work highlights how human herpesviruses have evolved to exploit promoter G-quadruplexes to regulate virus homologues to counter their cellular counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Kumar
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Chitteti Ramamurthy
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Divya Choudhary
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Aashika Sekar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Anupam Patra
- Transcription Regulation Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Neel Sarovar Bhavesh
- Transcription Regulation Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Perumal Vivekanandan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India.
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Feng Y, Tao S, Zhang P, Sperti FR, Liu G, Cheng X, Zhang T, Yu H, Wang XE, Chen C, Monchaud D, Zhang W. Epigenomic features of DNA G-quadruplexes and their roles in regulating rice gene transcription. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1632-1648. [PMID: 34893906 PMCID: PMC8896617 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A DNA G-quadruplex (G4) is a non-canonical four-stranded nucleic acid structure involved in many biological processes in mammals. The current knowledge on plant DNA G4s, however, is limited; whether and how DNA G4s impact gene expression in plants is still largely unknown. Here, we applied a protocol referred to as BG4-DNA-IP-seq followed by a comprehensive characterization of DNA G4s in rice (Oryza sativa L.); we next integrated dG4s (experimentally detectable G4s) with existing omics data and found that dG4s exhibited differential DNA methylation between transposable element (TE) and non-TE genes. dG4 regions displayed genic-dependent enrichment of epigenomic signatures; finally, we showed that these sites displayed a positive association with expression of DNA G4-containing genes when located at promoters, and a negative association when located in the gene body, suggesting localization-dependent promotional/repressive roles of DNA G4s in regulating gene transcription. This study reveals interrelations between DNA G4s and epigenomic signatures, as well as implicates DNA G4s in modulating gene transcription in rice. Our study provides valuable resources for the functional characterization or bioengineering of some of key DNA G4s in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, JCIC-MCP, CIC-MCP, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Shentong Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, JCIC-MCP, CIC-MCP, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Pengyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, JCIC-MCP, CIC-MCP, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Francesco Rota Sperti
- Institut de Chimie Moleculaire, ICMUB, CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - Guanqing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Xuejiao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, JCIC-MCP, CIC-MCP, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Hengxiu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xiu-e Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, JCIC-MCP, CIC-MCP, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Caiyan Chen
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan 410125, China
| | - David Monchaud
- Institut de Chimie Moleculaire, ICMUB, CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, JCIC-MCP, CIC-MCP, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
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Mendes E, Aljnadi IM, Bahls B, Victor BL, Paulo A. Major Achievements in the Design of Quadruplex-Interactive Small Molecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:300. [PMID: 35337098 PMCID: PMC8953082 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic small molecules that can recognize and bind to G-quadruplex and i-Motif nucleic acids have great potential as selective drugs or as tools in drug target discovery programs, or even in the development of nanodevices for medical diagnosis. Hundreds of quadruplex-interactive small molecules have been reported, and the challenges in their design vary with the intended application. Herein, we survey the major achievements on the therapeutic potential of such quadruplex ligands, their mode of binding, effects upon interaction with quadruplexes, and consider the opportunities and challenges for their exploitation in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
| | - Israa M. Aljnadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Bárbara Bahls
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Bruno L. Victor
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Alexandra Paulo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.Ulisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.); (I.M.A.); (B.B.)
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Debbarma S, Acharya PC. Targeting G-Quadruplex Dna For Cancer Chemotherapy. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2022; 19:e140222201110. [PMID: 35156574 DOI: 10.2174/1570163819666220214115408] [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: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The self-association of DNA formed by Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding comprises several layers of four guanine or G-tetrads or G4s. The distinct feature of G4s, such as the G-tetrads and loops, qualify structure-selective recognition by small molecules and various ligands and can act as potential anticancer therapeutic molecules. The G4 selective-ligands, can influence gene expression by targeting a nucleic acid structure rather than sequence. Telomere G4 can be targeted for cancer treatment by small molecules inhibiting the telomerase activity whereas c-MYC is capable of controlling transcription, can be targeted to influence transcription. The k-RAS is one of the most frequently encountered oncogenic driver mutations in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers. The k-RAS oncogene plays important role in acquiring and increasing the drug resistance and can also be directly targeted by small molecules to combat k-RAS mutant tumors. Modular G4 ligands with different functional groups, side chains and rotatable bonds as well as conformation affect the binding affinity/selectivity in cancer chemotherapeutic interventions. These modular G4 ligands act by targeting the diversity of G4 loops and groves and assists to develop more drug-like compounds with selectivity. In this review, we present the recent research on synthetic G4 DNA-interacting ligands as an approach toward the discovery of target specific anticancer chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumanta Debbarma
- Department of Pharmacy, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799022, India
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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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Genetic and Histopathological Heterogeneity of Neuroblastoma and Precision Therapeutic Approaches for Extremely Unfavorable Histology Subgroups. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12010079. [PMID: 35053227 PMCID: PMC8773700 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral neuroblastic tumors (neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma) are heterogeneous and their diverse and wide range of clinical behaviors (spontaneous regression, tumor maturation and aggressive progression) are closely associated with genetic/molecular properties of the individual tumors. The International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification, a biologically relevant and prognostically significant morphology classification distinguishing the favorable histology (FH) and unfavorable histology (UH) groups in this disease, predicts survival probabilities of the patients with the highest hazard ratio. The recent advance of neuroblastoma research with precision medicine approaches demonstrates that tumors in the UH group are also heterogeneous and four distinct subgroups—MYC, TERT, ALT and null—are identified. Among them, the first three subgroups are collectively named extremely unfavorable histology (EUH) tumors because of their highly aggressive clinical behavior. As indicated by their names, these EUH tumors are individually defined by their potential targets detected molecularly and immunohistochemically, such as MYC-family protein overexpression, TERT overexpression and ATRX (or DAXX) loss. In the latter half on this paper, the current status of therapeutic targeting of these EUH tumors is discussed for the future development of effective treatments of the patients.
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Dickerhoff J, Brundridge N, McLuckey SA, Yang D. Berberine Molecular Recognition of the Parallel MYC G-Quadruplex in Solution. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16205-16212. [PMID: 34677968 PMCID: PMC8614230 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The medicinal natural product berberine is one of the most actively studied and pursued G-quadruplex (G4)-ligands. The major G-quadruplex formed in the promoter region of the MYC oncogene (MycG4) is an attractive drug target and a prominent example and model structure for parallel G-quadruplexes. G4-targeted berberine derivatives have been actively developed; however, the analogue design was based on a previous crystal structure in which berberine binds as a dimer to a parallel G-quadruplex. Herein, we show that in solution, the binding mode and stoichiometry of berberine are substantially different from the crystal structure: berberine binds as a monomer to MycG4 using a base-recruitment mechanism with a reversed orientation in that the positively charged convex side is actually positioned above the tetrad center. Our structure provides a physiologically relevant basis for the future structure-based rational design of G4-targeted berberine derivatives, and this study demonstrates that it is crucial to validate the ligand-DNA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Dickerhoff
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 W Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47904, United States
| | - Nicole Brundridge
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Scott A McLuckey
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 W Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47904, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Pal S, Fatma K, Ravichandiran V, Dash J. Triazolyl Dibenzo[ a,c]phenazines Stabilize Telomeric G-quadruplex and Inhibit Telomerase. ASIAN J ORG CHEM 2021; 10:2921-2926. [PMID: 37823002 PMCID: PMC7614908 DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.202100468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We herein report the synthesis and biophysical evaluation of triazolyl dibenzo[a,c]phenazine derivatives as a novel class of G-quadruplex ligands. The aromatic core facilitates π-π interaction and the flexible, protonatable side chains interact with the phosphate backbone of DNA via electrostatic interactions. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting assay and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies suggest that these ligands show binding preference for the hTELO G-quadruplex over G-quadruplexes found in the promoter region of various oncogenes and duplex DNA. The in vitro telomeric repeat amplification protocol (Q-TRAP) assay reveals that these ligands reduce telomerase activity in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarmistha Pal
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, NIPER-KOLKATA, Chunilal Bhawan (Adjacent to BCPL), 168, Maniktala Main Road P.O. Bengal Chemicals, P.S. Phoolbagan, Kolkata – 700054, West Bengal
| | - Khushnood Fatma
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, NIPER-KOLKATA, Chunilal Bhawan (Adjacent to BCPL), 168, Maniktala Main Road P.O. Bengal Chemicals, P.S. Phoolbagan, Kolkata – 700054, West Bengal
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
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Wang KB, Dickerhoff J, Yang D. Solution Structure of Ternary Complex of Berberine Bound to a dGMP-Fill-In Vacancy G-Quadruplex Formed in the PDGFR-β Promoter. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:16549-16555. [PMID: 34586799 PMCID: PMC8626096 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The G-quadruplexes (G4s) formed in the PDGFR-β gene promoter are transcriptional modulators and amenable to small-molecule targeting. Berberine (BER), a clinically important natural isoquinoline alkaloid, has gained increasing attention due to its potential as anticancer drug. We previously showed that the PDGFR-β gene promoter forms a unique vacancy G4 (vG4) that can be filled in and stabilized by guanine metabolites, such as dGMP. Herein, we report the high-resolution NMR structure of a ternary complex of berberine bound to the dGMP-fill-in PDGFR-β vG4 in potassium solution. This is the first small-molecule complex structure of a fill-in vG4. This ternary complex has a 2:1:1 binding stoichiometry with a berberine molecule bound at each the 5'- and 3'-end of the 5'-dGMP-fill-in PDGFR-β vG4. Each berberine recruits the adjacent adenine residue from the 5'- or 3'-flanking sequence to form a "quasi-triad plane" that covers the external G-tetrad of the fill-in vG4, respectively. Significantly, berberine covers and stabilizes the fill-in dGMP. The binding of berberine involves both π-stacking and electrostatic interactions, and the fill-in dGMP is covered and well-protected by berberine. The NMR structure can guide rational design of berberine analogues that target the PDGFR-β vG4 or dGMP-fill-in vG4. Moreover, our structure provides a molecular basis for designing small-molecule guanine conjugates to target vG4s.
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