1
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Juribašić Kulcsár M, Gabelica V, Plavec J. Solution-State Structure of a Long-Loop G-Quadruplex Formed Within Promoters of Plasmodium falciparum B var Genes. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202401190. [PMID: 38647110 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202401190] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
We report the high-resolution NMR solution-state structure of an intramolecular G-quadruplex with a diagonal loop of ten nucleotides. The G-quadruplex is formed by a 34-nt DNA sequence, d[CAG3T2A2G3TATA2CT3AG4T2AG3T2], named UpsB-Q-1. This sequence is found within promoters of the var genes of Plasmodium falciparum, which play a key role in malaria pathogenesis and evasion of the immune system. The [3+1]-hybrid G-quadruplex formed under physiologically relevant conditions exhibits a unique equilibrium between two structures, both stabilized by base stacking and non-canonical hydrogen bonding. Unique equilibrium of the two closely related 3D structures originates from a North-South repuckering of deoxyribose moiety of residue T27 in the lateral loop. Besides the 12 guanines involved in three G-quartets, most residues in loop regions are involved in interactions at both G-quartet-loop interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Juribašić Kulcsár
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Valérie Gabelica
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1 rue Michel-Servet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg OF 13, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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2
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Ciaco S, Aronne R, Fiabane M, Mori M. The Rise of Bacterial G-Quadruplexes in Current Antimicrobial Discovery. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:24163-24180. [PMID: 38882119 PMCID: PMC11170735 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a silent critical issue that poses several challenges to health systems. While the discovery of novel antibiotics is currently stalled and prevalently focused on chemical variations of the scaffolds of available drugs, novel targets and innovative strategies are urgently needed to face this global threat. In this context, bacterial G-quadruplexes (G4s) are emerging as timely and profitable targets for the design and development of antimicrobial agents. Indeed, they are expressed in regulatory regions of bacterial genomes, and their modulation has been observed to provide antimicrobial effects with translational perspectives in the context of AMR. In this work, we review the current knowledge of bacterial G4s as well as their modulation by small molecules, including tools and techniques suitable for these investigations. Finally, we critically analyze the needs and future directions in the field, with a focus on the development of small molecules as bacterial G4s modulators endowed with remarkable drug-likeness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ciaco
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Rossella Aronne
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Martina Fiabane
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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3
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Singh A, Jain N, Shankar U, Sharma TK, Kumar A. Characterization of G-quadruplex structures in genes involved in survival and pathogenesis of Acinetobacter baumannii as a potential drug target. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:131806. [PMID: 38670179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131806] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a notorious pathogen that commonly thrives in hospital environments and is responsible for numerous nosocomial infections in humans. The burgeoning multi-drug resistance leaves relatively minimal options for treating the bacterial infection, posing a significant problem and prompting the identification of new approaches for tackling the same. This motivated us to focus on non-canonical nucleic acid structures, mainly G-quadruplexes, as drug targets. G-quadruplexes have recently been gaining attention due to their involvement in multiple bacterial and viral pathogenesis. Herein, we sought to explore conserved putative G-quadruplex motifs in A. baumannii. In silico analysis revealed the presence of eight conserved motifs in genes involved in bacterial survival and pathogenesis. The biophysical and biomolecular analysis confirmed stable G-quadruplex formation by the motifs and showed a high binding affinity with the well-reported G-quadruplex binding ligand, BRACO-19. BRACO-19 exposure also decreased the growth of bacteria and downregulated the expression of G-quadruplex-harboring genes. The biofilm-forming ability of the bacteria was also affected by BRACO-19 addition. Taking all these observations into account, we have shown here for the first time the potential of G-quadruplex structures as a promising drug target in Acinetobacter baumannii, for addressing the challenges posed by this infamous pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakriti Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Uma Shankar
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Sharma
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar 382355, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India.
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4
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Kumar A, Kamuju V, Vivekanandan P. RNA G-quadruplexes inhibit translation of the PE/PPE transcripts in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105567. [PMID: 38103641 PMCID: PMC10801317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105567] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) in bacteria remains poorly understood. High G-quadruplex densities have been linked to organismal stress. Here we investigate rG4s in mycobacteria, which survive highly stressful conditions within the host. We show that rG4-enrichment is a unique feature exclusive to slow-growing pathogenic mycobacteria, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transcripts contain an abundance of folded rG4s. Notably, the PE/PPE family of genes, unique to slow-growing pathogenic mycobacteria, contain over 50% of rG4s within Mtb transcripts. We found that RNA oligonucleotides of putative rG4s in PE/PPE genes form G-quadruplex structures in vitro, which are stabilized by the G-quadruplex ligand BRACO19. Furthermore, BRACO19 inhibits the transcription of PE/PPE genes and selectively suppresses the growth of Mtb but not Mycobacterium smegmatis or other rapidly growing bacteria. Importantly, the stabilization of rG4s inhibits the translation of Mtb PE/PPE genes (PPE56, PPE67, PPE68, PE_PGRS39, and PE_PGRS41) ectopically expressed in M. smegmatis or Escherichia coli. In addition, the rG4-mediated reduction in PE/PPE protein levels attenuates proinflammatory response upon infection of THP-1 cells. Our findings shed new light on the regulation of PE/PPE genes and highlight a pivotal role for rG4s in Mtb transcripts as regulators of post-transcriptional translational control. The rG4s in mycobacterial transcripts may represent potential drug targets for newer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinay Kamuju
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Perumal Vivekanandan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.
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5
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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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6
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Pathak R. G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies. Viruses 2023; 15:2216. [PMID: 38005893 PMCID: PMC10674748 DOI: 10.3390/v15112216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are unique non-canonical four-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA sequences. Sequences with the potential to form quadruplex motifs (pG4s) are prevalent throughout the genomes of all organisms, spanning from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and are enriched within regions of biological significance. In the past few years, the identification of pG4s within most of the Baltimore group viruses has attracted increasing attention due to their occurrence in regulatory regions of the genome and the subsequent implications for regulating critical stages of viral life cycles. In this context, the employment of specific G4 ligands has aided in comprehending the intricate G4-mediated regulatory mechanisms in the viral life cycle, showcasing the potential of targeting viral G4s as a novel antiviral strategy. This review offers a thorough update on the literature concerning G4s in viruses, including their identification and functional significance across most of the human-infecting viruses. Furthermore, it delves into potential therapeutic avenues targeting G4s, encompassing various G4-binding ligands, G4-interacting proteins, and oligonucleotide-based strategies. Finally, the article highlights both progress and challenges in the field, providing valuable insights into leveraging this unusual nucleic acid structure for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Pathak
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
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7
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Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the human malaria parasite, infects two hosts and various cell types, inducing distinct morphological and physiological changes in the parasite in response to different environmental conditions. These variations required the parasite to adapt and develop elaborate molecular mechanisms to ensure its spread and transmission. Recent findings have significantly improved our understanding of the regulation of gene expression in P. falciparum. Here, we provide an up-to-date overview of technologies used to highlight the transcriptomic adjustments occurring in the parasite throughout its life cycle. We also emphasize the complementary and complex epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression in malaria parasites. This review concludes with an outlook on the chromatin architecture, the remodeling systems, and how this 3D genome organization is critical in various biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hollin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA;
| | - Zeinab Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA;
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA;
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8
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Thompson TA, Chahine Z, Le Roch KG. The role of long noncoding RNAs in malaria parasites. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:517-531. [PMID: 37121862 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The human malaria parasites, including Plasmodium falciparum, persist as a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. The recent stalling of progress toward malaria elimination substantiates a need for novel interventions. Controlled gene expression is central to the parasite's numerous life cycle transformations and adaptation. With few specific transcription factors (TFs) identified, crucial roles for chromatin states and epigenetics in parasite transcription have become evident. Although many chromatin-modifying enzymes are known, less is known about which factors mediate their impacts on transcriptional variation. Like those of higher eukaryotes, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been shown to have integral roles in parasite gene regulation. This review aims to summarize recent developments and key findings on the role of lncRNAs in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor A Thompson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Zeinab Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA.
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9
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Ebel ER, Kim BY, McDew-White M, Egan ES, Anderson TJC, Petrov DA. Antigenic diversity in malaria parasites is maintained on extrachromosomal DNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.02.526885. [PMID: 36778235 PMCID: PMC9915586 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.02.526885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Sequence variation among antigenic var genes enables Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites to evade host immunity. Using long sequence reads from haploid clones from a mutation accumulation experiment, we detect var diversity inconsistent with simple chromosomal inheritance. We discover putatively circular DNA that is strongly enriched for var genes, which exist in multiple alleles per locus separated by recombination and indel events. Extrachromosomal DNA likely contributes to rapid antigenic diversification in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Ebel
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bernard Y Kim
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marina McDew-White
- Disease Intervention and Prevention Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Present address: Host Pathogen Interaction Program, Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Egan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Timothy J C Anderson
- Disease Intervention and Prevention Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Dmitri A Petrov
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
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10
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Qin G, Zhao C, Yang J, Wang Z, Ren J, Qu X. Unlocking G-Quadruplexes as Targets and Tools against COVID-19. CHINESE J CHEM 2022; 41:CJOC202200486. [PMID: 36711116 PMCID: PMC9874442 DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202200486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The applicability of G-quadruplexes (G4s) as antiviral targets, therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently being evaluated, which has drawn the extensive attention of the scientific community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, research in this field is rapidly accumulating. In this review, we summarize the latest achievements and breakthroughs in the use of G4s as antiviral targets, therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools for COVID-19, particularly using G4 ligands. Finally, strength and weakness regarding G4s in anti-SARS-CoV-2 field are highlighted for prospective future projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Qin
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource UtilizationChangchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of ScienceChangchun, Jilin130022China
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026China
| | - Chuanqi Zhao
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource UtilizationChangchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of ScienceChangchun, Jilin130022China
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026China
| | - Jie Yang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource UtilizationChangchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of ScienceChangchun, Jilin130022China
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026China
| | - Zhao Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource UtilizationChangchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of ScienceChangchun, Jilin130022China
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026China
| | - Jinsong Ren
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource UtilizationChangchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of ScienceChangchun, Jilin130022China
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026China
| | - Xiaogang Qu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource UtilizationChangchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of ScienceChangchun, Jilin130022China
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026China
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11
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Kaußler C, Wragg D, Schmidt C, Moreno-Alcántar G, Jandl C, Stephan J, Fischer RA, Leoni S, Casini A, Bonsignore R. "Dynamical Docking" of Cyclic Dinuclear Au(I) Bis-N-heterocyclic Complexes Facilitates Their Binding to G-Quadruplexes. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:20405-20423. [PMID: 36484812 PMCID: PMC9953335 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With the aim to improve the design of metal complexes as stabilizers of noncanonical DNA secondary structures, namely, G-quadruplexes (G4s), a series of cyclic dinuclear Au(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes based on xanthine and benzimidazole ligands has been synthesized and characterized by various methods, including X-ray diffraction. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and CD DNA melting assays unraveled the compounds' stabilization properties toward G4s of different topologies of physiological relevance. Initial structure-activity relationships have been identified and recognize the family of xanthine derivatives as those more selective toward G4s versus duplex DNA. The binding modes and free-energy landscape of the most active xanthine derivative (featuring a propyl linker) with the promoter sequence cKIT1 have been studied by metadynamics. The atomistic simulations evidenced that the Au(I) compound interacts noncovalently with the top G4 tetrad. The theoretical results on the Au(I) complex/DNA Gibbs free energy of binding were experimentally validated by FRET DNA melting assays. The compounds have also been tested for their antiproliferative properties in human cancer cells in vitro, showing generally moderate activity. This study provides further insights into the biological activity of Au(I) organometallics acting via noncovalent interactions and underlines their promise for tunable targeted applications by appropriate chemical modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Kaußler
- Chair
of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany
| | - Darren Wragg
- Chair
of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany
| | - Claudia Schmidt
- Chair
of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany
| | - Guillermo Moreno-Alcántar
- Chair
of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany
| | - Christian Jandl
- Catalysis
Research Center & Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Ernst-Otto-Fischer Str. 1, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany
| | - Johannes Stephan
- Catalysis
Research Center & Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Ernst-Otto-Fischer Str. 1, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany
| | - Roland A. Fischer
- Catalysis
Research Center & Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Ernst-Otto-Fischer Str. 1, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany,Chair
of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Ernst-Otto-Fischer Str. 1, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany
| | - Stefano Leoni
- School
of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, CardiffCF10 3AT, U.K.
| | - Angela Casini
- Chair
of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, Garching b. MünchenD-85748, Germany,
| | - Riccardo Bonsignore
- Dipartimento
di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 17, Palermo90128, Italy,
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12
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Diffendall GM, Barcons-Simon A, Baumgarten S, Dingli F, Loew D, Scherf A. Discovery of RUF6 ncRNA-interacting proteins involved in P. falciparum immune evasion. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 6:6/1/e202201577. [PMID: 36379669 PMCID: PMC9670795 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging regulators of immune evasion and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum RUF6 is an ncRNA gene family that is transcribed by RNA polymerase III but actively regulates the Pol II-transcribed var virulence gene family. Understanding how RUF6 ncRNA connects to downstream effectors is lacking. We developed an RNA-directed proteomic discovery (ChIRP-MS) protocol to identify in vivo RUF6 ncRNA-protein interactions. The RUF6 ncRNA interactome was purified with biotinylated antisense oligonucleotides. Quantitative label-free mass spectrometry identified several unique proteins linked to gene transcription including RNA Pol II subunits, nucleosome assembly proteins, and a homologue of DEAD box helicase 5 (DDX5). Affinity purification of Pf-DDX5 identified proteins originally found by our RUF6-ChIRP protocol, validating the technique's robustness for identifying ncRNA interactomes in P. falciparum Inducible displacement of nuclear Pf-DDX5 resulted in significant down-regulation of the active var gene. Our work identifies a RUF6 ncRNA-protein complex that interacts with RNA Pol II to sustain the var gene expression, including a helicase that may resolve G-quadruplex secondary structures in var genes to facilitate transcriptional activation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen M Diffendall
- Universite Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur, Biology of Host-Parasite Interactions Unit, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Paris, France,Sorbonne Université Ecole doctorale Complexité du Vivant ED515, Paris, France
| | - Anna Barcons-Simon
- Universite Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur, Biology of Host-Parasite Interactions Unit, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Paris, France,Sorbonne Université Ecole doctorale Complexité du Vivant ED515, Paris, France,Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Florent Dingli
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre de Recherche, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, Paris, France
| | - Damarys Loew
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre de Recherche, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, Paris, France
| | - Artur Scherf
- Universite Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur, Biology of Host-Parasite Interactions Unit, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Paris, France
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13
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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:ph15030300. [PMID: 35337098 PMCID: PMC8953082 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [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.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Structured Waters Mediate Small Molecule Binding to G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acids. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 15:ph15010007. [PMID: 35056064 PMCID: PMC8781208 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of G-quadruplexes in human cancers is increasingly well-defined. Accordingly, G-quadruplexes can be suitable drug targets and many small molecules have been identified to date as G-quadruplex binders, some using computer-based design methods and co-crystal structures. The role of bound water molecules in the crystal structures of G-quadruplex-small molecule complexes has been analyzed in this study, focusing on the water arrangements in several G-quadruplex ligand complexes. One is the complex between the tetrasubstituted naphthalene diimide compound MM41 and a human intramolecular telomeric DNA G-quadruplex, and the others are in substituted acridine bimolecular G-quadruplex complexes. Bridging water molecules form most of the hydrogen-bond contacts between ligands and DNA in the parallel G-quadruplex structures examined here. Clusters of structured water molecules play essential roles in mediating between ligand side chain groups/chromophore core and G-quadruplex. These clusters tend to be conserved between complex and native G-quadruplex structures, suggesting that they more generally serve as platforms for ligand binding, and should be taken into account in docking and in silico studies.
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15
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Dumetz F, Chow EYC, Harris LM, Liew SW, Jensen A, Umar MI, Chung B, Chan TF, Merrick CJ, Kwok CK. G-quadruplex RNA motifs influence gene expression in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:12486-12501. [PMID: 34792144 PMCID: PMC8643661 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are non-helical secondary structures that can fold in vivo in both DNA and RNA. In human cells, they can influence replication, transcription and telomere maintenance in DNA, or translation, transcript processing and stability of RNA. We have previously showed that G-quadruplexes are detectable in the DNA of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, despite a very highly A/T-biased genome with unusually few guanine-rich sequences. Here, we show that RNA G-quadruplexes can also form in P. falciparum RNA, using rG4-seq for transcriptome-wide structure-specific RNA probing. Many of the motifs, detected here via the rG4seeker pipeline, have non-canonical forms and would not be predicted by standard in silico algorithms. However, in vitro biophysical assays verified formation of non-canonical motifs. The G-quadruplexes in the P. falciparum transcriptome are frequently clustered in certain genes and associated with regions encoding low-complexity peptide repeats. They are overrepresented in particular classes of genes, notably those that encode PfEMP1 virulence factors, stress response genes and DNA binding proteins. In vitro translation experiments and in vivo measures of translation efficiency showed that G-quadruplexes can influence the translation of P. falciparum mRNAs. Thus, the G-quadruplex is a novel player in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in this major human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Dumetz
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Eugene Yui-Ching Chow
- School of Life Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Lynne M Harris
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Shiau Wei Liew
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anders Jensen
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Mubarak I Umar
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Betty Chung
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Ting Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Catherine J Merrick
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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16
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Largy E, König A, Ghosh A, Ghosh D, Benabou S, Rosu F, Gabelica V. Mass Spectrometry of Nucleic Acid Noncovalent Complexes. Chem Rev 2021; 122:7720-7839. [PMID: 34587741 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids have been among the first targets for antitumor drugs and antibiotics. With the unveiling of new biological roles in regulation of gene expression, specific DNA and RNA structures have become very attractive targets, especially when the corresponding proteins are undruggable. Biophysical assays to assess target structure as well as ligand binding stoichiometry, affinity, specificity, and binding modes are part of the drug development process. Mass spectrometry offers unique advantages as a biophysical method owing to its ability to distinguish each stoichiometry present in a mixture. In addition, advanced mass spectrometry approaches (reactive probing, fragmentation techniques, ion mobility spectrometry, ion spectroscopy) provide more detailed information on the complexes. Here, we review the fundamentals of mass spectrometry and all its particularities when studying noncovalent nucleic acid structures, and then review what has been learned thanks to mass spectrometry on nucleic acid structures, self-assemblies (e.g., duplexes or G-quadruplexes), and their complexes with ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Largy
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Alexander König
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Anirban Ghosh
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Debasmita Ghosh
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Sanae Benabou
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Frédéric Rosu
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, IECB, UMS 3033, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Valérie Gabelica
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
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17
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Mishra S, Kota S, Chaudhary R, Misra HS. Guanine quadruplexes and their roles in molecular processes. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 56:482-499. [PMID: 34162300 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1926417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The role of guanine quadruplexes (G4) in fundamental biological processes like DNA replication, transcription, translation and telomere maintenance is recognized. G4 structure dynamics is regulated by G4 structure binding proteins and is thought to be crucial for the maintenance of genome integrity in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Growing research over the last decade has expanded the existing knowledge of the functional diversity of G4 (DNA and RNA) structures across the working models. The control of G4 structure dynamics using G4 binding drugs has been suggested as the putative targets in the control of cancer and bacterial pathogenesis. This review has brought forth the collections of recent information that indicate G4 (mostly G4 DNA) roles in microbial pathogenesis, DNA damaging stress response in bacteria and mammalian cells. Studies in mitochondrial gene function regulation by G4s have also been underscored. Finally, the interdependence of G4s and epigenetic modifications and their speculated medical implications through G4 interacting proteins has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Mishra
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Life Sciences, Homi Bhabha National Institute (DAE Deemed to be University), Mumbai, India
| | - Swathi Kota
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Life Sciences, Homi Bhabha National Institute (DAE Deemed to be University), Mumbai, India
| | - Reema Chaudhary
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Life Sciences, Homi Bhabha National Institute (DAE Deemed to be University), Mumbai, India
| | - H S Misra
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Life Sciences, Homi Bhabha National Institute (DAE Deemed to be University), Mumbai, India
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18
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Javadekar SM, Nilavar NM, Paranjape A, Das K, Raghavan SC. Characterization of G-quadruplex antibody reveals differential specificity for G4 DNA forms. DNA Res 2021; 27:5934508. [PMID: 33084858 PMCID: PMC7711166 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that human genome can fold into non-B DNA structures, when appropriate sequence and favourable conditions are present. Among these, G-quadruplexes (G4-DNA) are associated with gene regulation, chromosome fragility and telomere maintenance. Although several techniques are used in detecting such structures in vitro, understanding their intracellular existence has been challenging. Recently, an antibody, BG4, was described to study G4 structures within cells. Here, we characterize BG4 for its affinity towards G4-DNA, using several biochemical and biophysical tools. BG4 bound to G-rich DNA derived from multiple genes that form G-quadruplexes, unlike complementary C-rich or random sequences. BLI studies revealed robust binding affinity (Kd = 17.4 nM). Gel shift assays show BG4 binds to inter- and intramolecular G4-DNA, when it is in parallel orientation. Mere presence of G4-motif in duplex DNA is insufficient for antibody recognition. Importantly, BG4 can bind to G4-DNA within telomere sequence in a supercoiled plasmid. Finally, we show that BG4 binds to form efficient foci in four cell lines, irrespective of their lineage, demonstrating presence of G4-DNA in genome. Importantly, number of BG4 foci within the cells can be modulated, upon knockdown of G4-resolvase, WRN. Thus, we establish specificity of BG4 towards G4-DNA and discuss its potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saniya M Javadekar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Namrata M Nilavar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Amita Paranjape
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kohal Das
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Sathees C Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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19
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Ubiquitin-mediated DNA damage response is synthetic lethal with G-quadruplex stabilizer CX-5461. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9812. [PMID: 33963218 PMCID: PMC8105411 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88988-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CX-5461 is a G-quadruplex (G4) ligand currently in trials with initial indications of clinical activity in cancers with defects in homologous recombination repair. To identify more genetic defects that could sensitize tumors to CX-5461, we tested synthetic lethality for 480 DNA repair and genome maintenance genes to CX-5461, pyridostatin (PDS), a structurally unrelated G4-specific stabilizer, and BMH-21, which binds GC-rich DNA but not G4 structures. We identified multiple members of HRD, Fanconi Anemia pathways, and POLQ, a polymerase with a helicase domain important for G4 structure resolution. Significant synthetic lethality was observed with UBE2N and RNF168, key members of the DNA damage response associated ubiquitin signaling pathway. Loss-of-function of RNF168 and UBE2N resulted in significantly lower cell survival in the presence of CX-5461 and PDS but not BMH-21. RNF168 recruitment and histone ubiquitination increased with CX-5461 treatment, and nuclear ubiquitination response frequently co-localized with G4 structures. Pharmacological inhibition of UBE2N acted synergistically with CX-5461. In conclusion, we have uncovered novel genetic vulnerabilities to CX-5461 with potential significance for patient selection in future clinical trials.
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20
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Zhang Y, Wu Y, Zheng H, Xi H, Ye T, Chan CY, Kwok CK. Proteomic and Transcriptome Profiling of G-Quadruplex Aptamers Developed for Cell Internalization. Anal Chem 2021; 93:5744-5753. [PMID: 33783197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid medicine is expected to be among the most promising next-generation therapies. Applications of nucleic acid in vivo are still challenging as a result of the difficulties in direct cell penetration without external assistance. To facilitate the cellular delivery of therapeutic nucleic acid, we developed cell-penetrating aptamers using cell-internalization Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX). Moreover, C20-4 min, a G-quadruplex-forming DNA aptamer, was discovered, showing a higher cell-penetrating capacity compared with other candidates, including AS1411. To verify the formation and understand the G-quadruplex folding topologies of enriched aptamer motifs, characteristic circular dichroism (CD) spectral features are analyzed. The CD spectra of C20-4 min strongly support the formation of parallel G-quadruplexes. Systematic analyses of the G-quadruplex regulation pathway have been performed by combining aptamer pull-down with mass spectrometry. We profiled G-quadruplex aptamers interacting with cellular proteins during internalization and identified helicases and GTPase proteins as cellular interacting partners. In addition, whole transcriptome analysis was performed to study the effects of G-quadruplex aptamers, revealing differentially expressed genes involved in the regulation of GTPase functions. Integrative analyses of transcriptome and proteomic have aided in understanding the functional hierarchy of molecular players in G-quadruplex nucleic acid mechanisms of internalization, which might facilitate developing a novel delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Laboratory of Cytophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongjin Zheng
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Xi
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Taoyu Ye
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Chun-Yin Chan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, Guangdong, China
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21
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Ji D, Juhas M, Tsang CM, Kwok CK, Li Y, Zhang Y. Discovery of G-quadruplex-forming sequences in SARS-CoV-2. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:1150-1160. [PMID: 32484220 PMCID: PMC7314185 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been declared a global health emergency. G-quadruplex structures in genomes have long been considered essential for regulating a number of biological processes in a plethora of organisms. We have analyzed and identified 25 four contiguous GG runs (G2NxG2NyG2NzG2) in the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome, suggesting putative G-quadruplex-forming sequences (PQSs). Detailed analysis of SARS-CoV-2 PQSs revealed their locations in the open reading frames of ORF1 ab, spike (S), ORF3a, membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) genes. Identical PQSs were also found in the other members of the Coronaviridae family. The top-ranked PQSs at positions 13385 and 24268 were confirmed to form RNA G-quadruplex structures in vitro by multiple spectroscopic assays. Furthermore, their direct interactions with viral helicase (nsp13) were determined by microscale thermophoresis. Molecular docking model suggests that nsp13 distorts the G-quadruplex structure by allowing the guanine bases to be flipped away from the guanine quartet planes. Targeting viral helicase and G-quadruplex structure represents an attractive approach for potentially inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Ji
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Mario Juhas
- universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Zurich. Currently, he works at the University of Fribourg. His work spans microbiology and synthetic biology
| | - Chi Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China, and Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongshu Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong
| | - Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen
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22
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Craven HM, Bonsignore R, Lenis V, Santi N, Berrar D, Swain M, Whiteland H, Casini A, Hoffmann KF. Identifying and validating the presence of Guanine-Quadruplexes (G4) within the blood fluke parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008770. [PMID: 33600427 PMCID: PMC7924807 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that currently affects over 250 million individuals worldwide. In the absence of an immunoprophylactic vaccine and the recognition that mono-chemotherapeutic control of schistosomiasis by praziquantel has limitations, new strategies for managing disease burden are urgently needed. A better understanding of schistosome biology could identify previously undocumented areas suitable for the development of novel interventions. Here, for the first time, we detail the presence of G-quadruplexes (G4) and putative quadruplex forming sequences (PQS) within the Schistosoma mansoni genome. We find that G4 are present in both intragenic and intergenic regions of the seven autosomes as well as the sex-defining allosome pair. Amongst intragenic regions, G4 are particularly enriched in 3´ UTR regions. Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis evidenced significant G4 enrichment in the wnt signalling pathway (p<0.05) and PQS oligonucleotides synthetically derived from wnt-related genes resolve into parallel and anti-parallel G4 motifs as elucidated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Finally, utilising a single chain anti-G4 antibody called BG4, we confirm the in situ presence of G4 within both adult female and male worm nuclei. These results collectively suggest that G4-targeted compounds could be tested as novel anthelmintic agents and highlights the possibility that G4-stabilizing molecules could be progressed as candidates for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M. Craven
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vasilis Lenis
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolo Santi
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Berrar
- Data Science Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Martin Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Whiteland
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Casini
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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23
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Gurung P, Gomes AR, Martins RM, Juranek SA, Alberti P, Mbang-Benet DE, Urbach S, Gazanion E, Guitard V, Paeschke K, Lopez-Rubio JJ. PfGBP2 is a novel G-quadruplex binding protein in Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13303. [PMID: 33340385 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Guanine-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical DNA structures that can regulate key biological processes such as transcription, replication and telomere maintenance in several organisms including eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses. Recent reports have identified the presence of G4s within the AT-rich genome of Plasmodium falciparum, the protozoan parasite causing malaria. In Plasmodium, potential G4-forming sequences (G4FS) are enriched in the telomeric and sub-telomeric regions of the genome where they are associated with telomere maintenance and recombination events within virulence genes. However, there is a little understanding about the biological role of G4s and G4-binding proteins. Here, we provide the first snapshot of G4-interactome in P. falciparum using DNA pull-down assay followed by LC-MS/MS. Interestingly, we identified ~24 potential G4-binding proteins (G4-BP) that bind to a stable G4FS (AP2_G4). Furthermore, we characterised the role of G-strand binding protein 2 (PfGBP2), a putative telomere-binding protein in P. falciparum. We validated the interaction of PfGBP2 with G4 in vitro as well as in vivo. PfGBP2 is expressed throughout the intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle and is essential for the parasites in the presence of G4-stabilising ligand, pyridostatin. Gene knockout studies showed the role of PfGBP2 in the expression of var genes. Taken together, this study suggests that PfGBP2 is a bona fide G4-binding protein, which is likely to be involved in the regulation of G4-related functions in these malarial parasites. In addition, this study sheds light on this understudied G4 biology in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Rafael M Martins
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Stefan A Juranek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Patrizia Alberti
- Laboratory Genome Structure and Instability, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS UMR 7196, INSERM U 1154, Paris, France
| | - Diane-Ethna Mbang-Benet
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Serge Urbach
- BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5203, IGF, Montpellier, France
| | - Elodie Gazanion
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Guitard
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jose-Juan Lopez-Rubio
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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24
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Minori K, Rosa LB, Bonsignore R, Casini A, Miguel DC. Comparing the Antileishmanial Activity of Gold(I) and Gold(III) Compounds in L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis in Vitro. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2146-2150. [PMID: 32830445 PMCID: PMC7756297 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A series of mononuclear coordination or organometallic AuI /AuIII complexes (1-9) have been comparatively studied in vitro for their antileishmanial activity against promastigotes and amastigotes, the clinically relevant parasite form, of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis. One of the cationic AuI bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes (3) has low EC50 values (ca. 4 μM) in promastigotes cells and no toxicity in host macrophages. Together with two other AuIII complexes (6 and 7), the compound is also extremely effective in intracellular amastigotes from L. amazonensis. Initial mechanistic studies include an evaluation of the gold complexes' effect on L. amazonensis' plasma membrane integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Minori
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology InstituteUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)Rua Monteiro Lobato, 25513083-862.CampinasSPBrazil
| | - Letícia B. Rosa
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology InstituteUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)Rua Monteiro Lobato, 25513083-862.CampinasSPBrazil
| | - Riccardo Bonsignore
- Department of ChemistryTechnical University of Munich (TUM)Lichtenbergstraße 485748Garching b. MünchenGermany
| | - Angela Casini
- Department of ChemistryTechnical University of Munich (TUM)Lichtenbergstraße 485748Garching b. MünchenGermany
| | - Danilo C. Miguel
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology InstituteUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)Rua Monteiro Lobato, 25513083-862.CampinasSPBrazil
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25
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Bryant JM, Baumgarten S, Dingli F, Loew D, Sinha A, Claës A, Preiser PR, Dedon PC, Scherf A. Exploring the virulence gene interactome with CRISPR/dCas9 in the human malaria parasite. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e9569. [PMID: 32816370 PMCID: PMC7440042 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutually exclusive expression of the var multigene family is key to immune evasion and pathogenesis in Plasmodium falciparum, but few factors have been shown to play a direct role. We adapted a CRISPR-based proteomics approach to identify novel factors associated with var genes in their natural chromatin context. Catalytically inactive Cas9 ("dCas9") was targeted to var gene regulatory elements, immunoprecipitated, and analyzed with mass spectrometry. Known and novel factors were enriched including structural proteins, DNA helicases, and chromatin remodelers. Functional characterization of PfISWI, an evolutionarily divergent putative chromatin remodeler enriched at the var gene promoter, revealed a role in transcriptional activation. Proteomics of PfISWI identified several proteins enriched at the var gene promoter such as acetyl-CoA synthetase, a putative MORC protein, and an ApiAP2 transcription factor. These findings validate the CRISPR/dCas9 proteomics method and define a new var gene-associated chromatin complex. This study establishes a tool for targeted chromatin purification of unaltered genomic loci and identifies novel chromatin-associated factors potentially involved in transcriptional control and/or chromatin organization of virulence genes in the human malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Bryant
- Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- INSERM U1201ParisFrance
- CNRS ERL9195ParisFrance
| | - Sebastian Baumgarten
- Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- INSERM U1201ParisFrance
- CNRS ERL9195ParisFrance
| | - Florent Dingli
- Institut CuriePSL Research UniversityCentre de RechercheMass Spectrometry and Proteomics FacilityParisFrance
| | - Damarys Loew
- Institut CuriePSL Research UniversityCentre de RechercheMass Spectrometry and Proteomics FacilityParisFrance
| | - Ameya Sinha
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research GroupSingapore‐MIT Alliance for Research and TechnologySingaporeSingapore
| | - Aurélie Claës
- Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- INSERM U1201ParisFrance
- CNRS ERL9195ParisFrance
| | - Peter R Preiser
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research GroupSingapore‐MIT Alliance for Research and TechnologySingaporeSingapore
| | - Peter C Dedon
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research GroupSingapore‐MIT Alliance for Research and TechnologySingaporeSingapore
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Artur Scherf
- Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- INSERM U1201ParisFrance
- CNRS ERL9195ParisFrance
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26
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Gazanion E, Lacroix L, Alberti P, Gurung P, Wein S, Cheng M, Mergny JL, Gomes AR, Lopez-Rubio JJ. Genome wide distribution of G-quadruplexes and their impact on gene expression in malaria parasites. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008917. [PMID: 32628663 PMCID: PMC7365481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [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: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms of transcriptional control in malaria parasites are still not fully understood. The positioning patterns of G-quadruplex (G4) DNA motifs in the parasite's AT-rich genome, especially within the var gene family which encodes virulence factors, and in the vicinity of recombination hotspots, points towards a possible regulatory role of G4 in gene expression and genome stability. Here, we carried out the most comprehensive genome-wide survey, to date, of G4s in the Plasmodium falciparum genome using G4Hunter, which identifies G4 forming sequences (G4FS) considering their G-richness and G-skewness. We show an enrichment of G4FS in nucleosome-depleted regions and in the first exon of var genes, a pattern that is conserved within the closely related Laverania Plasmodium parasites. Under G4-stabilizing conditions, i.e., following treatment with pyridostatin (a high affinity G4 ligand), we show that a bona fide G4 found in the non-coding strand of var promoters modulates reporter gene expression. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling of pyridostatin-treated parasites, shows large scale perturbations, with deregulation affecting for instance the ApiAP2 family of transcription factors and genes involved in ribosome biogenesis. Overall, our study highlights G4s as important DNA secondary structures with a role in Plasmodium gene expression regulation, sub-telomeric recombination and var gene biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Gazanion
- MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224, CNRS 5290, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Lacroix
- IBENS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Inserm, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Patrizia Alberti
- "Structure and Instability of Genomes" laboratory, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Inserm U1154, CNRS UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Pratima Gurung
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Sharon Wein
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Mingpan Cheng
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, CNRS UMR5320, INSERM U1212, Bordeaux University, Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, CNRS UMR5320, INSERM U1212, Bordeaux University, Pessac, France
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
- Laboratoire d’Optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, France
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Jose-Juan Lopez-Rubio
- MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224, CNRS 5290, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
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Arévalo-Ruiz M, Amrane S, Rosu F, Belmonte-Reche E, Peñalver P, Mergny JL, Morales JC. Symmetric and dissymmetric carbohydrate-phenyl ditriazole derivatives as DNA G-quadruplex ligands: Synthesis, biophysical studies and antiproliferative activity. Bioorg Chem 2020; 99:103786. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Gage HL, Merrick CJ. Conserved associations between G-quadruplex-forming DNA motifs and virulence gene families in malaria parasites. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:236. [PMID: 32183702 PMCID: PMC7077173 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6625-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Plasmodium genus of malaria parasites encodes several families of antigen-encoding genes. These genes tend to be hyper-variable, highly recombinogenic and variantly expressed. The best-characterized family is the var genes, exclusively found in the Laveranian subgenus of malaria parasites infecting humans and great apes. Var genes encode major virulence factors involved in immune evasion and the maintenance of chronic infections. In the human parasite P. falciparum, var gene recombination and diversification appear to be promoted by G-quadruplex (G4) DNA motifs, which are strongly associated with var genes in P. falciparum. Here, we investigated how this association might have evolved across Plasmodium species – both Laverania and also more distantly related species which lack vars but encode other, more ancient variant gene families. Results The association between var genes and G4-forming motifs was conserved across Laverania, spanning ~ 1 million years of evolutionary time, with suggestive evidence for evolution of the association occurring within this subgenus. In rodent malaria species, G4-forming motifs were somewhat associated with pir genes, but this was not conserved in the Laverania, nor did we find a strong association of these motifs with any gene family in a second outgroup of avian malaria parasites. Secondly, we compared two different G4 prediction algorithms in their performance on extremely A/T-rich Plasmodium genomes, and also compared these predictions with experimental data from G4-seq, a DNA sequencing method for identifying G4-forming motifs. We found a surprising lack of concordance between the two algorithms and also between the algorithms and G4-seq data. Conclusions G4-forming motifs are uniquely strongly associated with Plasmodium var genes, suggesting a particular role for G4s in recombination and diversification of these genes. Secondly, in the A/T-rich genomes of Plasmodium species, the choice of prediction algorithm may be particularly influential when studying G4s in these important protozoan pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter L Gage
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Catherine J Merrick
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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29
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Prister LL, Ozer EA, Cahoon LA, Seifert HS. Transcriptional initiation of a small RNA, not R-loop stability, dictates the frequency of pilin antigenic variation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1219-1234. [PMID: 31338863 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the sole causative agent of gonorrhea, constitutively undergoes diversification of the Type IV pilus. Gene conversion occurs between one of the several donor silent copies located in distinct loci and the recipient pilE gene, encoding the major pilin subunit of the pilus. A guanine quadruplex (G4) DNA structure and a cis-acting sRNA (G4-sRNA) are located upstream of the pilE gene and both are required for pilin antigenic variation (Av). We show that the reduced sRNA transcription lowers pilin Av frequencies. Extended transcriptional elongation is not required for Av, since limiting the transcript to 32 nt allows for normal Av frequencies. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we show that cellular G4s are less abundant when sRNA transcription is lower. In addition, using ChIP, we demonstrate that the G4-sRNA forms a stable RNA:DNA hybrid (R-loop) with its template strand. However, modulating R-loop levels by controlling RNase HI expression does not alter G4 abundance quantified through ChIP. Since pilin Av frequencies were not altered when modulating R-loop levels by controlling RNase HI expression, we conclude that transcription of the sRNA is necessary, but stable R-loops are not required to promote pilin Av.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren L Prister
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Egon A Ozer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Laty A Cahoon
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hank S Seifert
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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30
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Zuffo M, Guédin A, Leriche ED, Doria F, Pirota V, Gabelica V, Mergny JL, Freccero M. More is not always better: finding the right trade-off between affinity and selectivity of a G-quadruplex ligand. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e115. [PMID: 29986058 PMCID: PMC6212845 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences can fold into four-stranded G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Despite growing evidence for their biological significance, considerable work still needs to be done to detail their cellular occurrence and functions. Herein, we describe an optimized core-extended naphthalene diimide (cex-NDI) to be exploited as a G4 light-up sensor. The sensing mechanism relies on the shift of the aggregate-monomer equilibrium towards the bright monomeric state upon G4 binding. In contrast with the majority of other ligands, this novel cex-NDI is able to discriminate among G4s with different topologies, with a remarkable fluorescent response for the parallel ones. We investigate this sensing by means of biophysical methods, comparing the lead compound to a non-selective analogue. We demonstrate that mitigating the affinity of the binding core for G4s results in an increased selectivity and sensitivity of the fluorescent response. This is achieved by replacing positively charged substituents with diethylene glycol (DEG) side chains. Remarkably, the limit of detection values obtained for parallel G4s are more than one order of magnitude lower than those of the parallel-selective ligand N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM). Interestingly, the classical fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assay failed to reveal binding of cex-NDI to G4 because of the presence a ternary complex (G4-TO-cex-NDI) revealed by electrospray-MS. Our study thus provides a rational basis to design or modify existent scaffolds to redirect the binding preference of G4 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Zuffo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Aurore Guédin
- ARNA Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Institut Européen de Chimie Biologie (IECB), Pessac 33607, France
| | - Emma-Dune Leriche
- ARNA Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Institut Européen de Chimie Biologie (IECB), Pessac 33607, France
| | - Filippo Doria
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Valentina Pirota
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Valérie Gabelica
- ARNA Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Institut Européen de Chimie Biologie (IECB), Pessac 33607, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- ARNA Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Institut Européen de Chimie Biologie (IECB), Pessac 33607, France.,Institute of Biophysics, AS CR, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Mauro Freccero
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
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Ruggiero E, Richter SN. G-quadruplexes and G-quadruplex ligands: targets and tools in antiviral therapy. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:3270-3283. [PMID: 29554280 PMCID: PMC5909458 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acids secondary structures that form within guanine-rich strands of regulatory genomic regions. G4s have been extensively described in the human genome, especially in telomeres and oncogene promoters; in recent years the presence of G4s in viruses has attracted increasing interest. Indeed, G4s have been reported in several viruses, including those involved in recent epidemics, such as the Zika and Ebola viruses. Viral G4s are usually located in regulatory regions of the genome and implicated in the control of key viral processes; in some cases, they have been involved also in viral latency. In this context, G4 ligands have been developed and tested both as tools to study the complexity of G4-mediated mechanisms in the viral life cycle, and as therapeutic agents. In general, G4 ligands showed promising antiviral activity, with G4-mediated mechanisms of action both at the genome and transcript level. This review aims to provide an updated close-up of the literature on G4s in viruses. The current state of the art of G4 ligands in antiviral research is also reported, with particular focus on the structural and physicochemical requirements for optimal biological activity. The achievements and the to-dos in the field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Ruggiero
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua 35121, Italy
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua 35121, Italy
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32
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Hotoda's Sequence and Anti-HIV Activity: Where Are We Now? Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24071417. [PMID: 30974914 PMCID: PMC6479790 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmacological relevance of ODNs forming G-quadruplexes as anti-HIV agents has been extensively reported in the literature over the last few years. Recent detailed studies have elucidated the peculiar arrangement adopted by many G-quadruplex-based aptamers and provided insight into their mechanism of action. In this review, we have reported the history of a strong anti-HIV agent: the 6-mer d(TGGGAG) sequence, commonly called "Hotoda's sequence". In particular, all findings reported on this sequence and its modified sequences have been discussed considering the following research phases: (i) discovery of the first 5'-modified active d(TGGGAG) sequences; (ii) synthesis of a variety of end-modified d(TGGGAG) sequences; (iii) biophysical and NMR investigations of natural and modified Hotoda's sequences; (iv); kinetic studies on the most active 5'-modified d(TGGGAG) sequences; and (v) extensive anti-HIV screening of G-quadruplexes formed by d(TGGGAG) sequences. This review aims to clarify all results obtained over the years on Hotoda's sequence, revealing its potentiality as a strong anti-HIV agent (EC50 = 14 nM).
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Parasitic Protozoa: Unusual Roles for G-Quadruplexes in Early-Diverging Eukaryotes. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24071339. [PMID: 30959737 PMCID: PMC6480360 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine-quadruplex (G4) motifs, at both the DNA and RNA levels, have assumed an important place in our understanding of the biology of eukaryotes, bacteria and viruses. However, it is generally little known that their very first description, as well as the foundational work on G4s, was performed on protozoans: unicellular life forms that are often parasitic. In this review, we provide a historical perspective on the discovery of G4s, intertwined with their biological significance across the protozoan kingdom. This is a history in three parts: first, a period of discovery including the first characterisation of a G4 motif at the DNA level in ciliates (environmental protozoa); second, a period less dense in publications concerning protozoa, during which DNA G4s were discovered in both humans and viruses; and third, a period of renewed interest in protozoa, including more mechanistic work in ciliates but also in pathogenic protozoa. This last period has opened an exciting prospect of finding new anti-parasitic drugs to interfere with parasite biology, thus adding new compounds to the therapeutic arsenal.
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Fleming AM, Nguyen NLB, Burrows CJ. Colocalization of m 6A and G-Quadruplex-Forming Sequences in Viral RNA (HIV, Zika, Hepatitis B, and SV40) Suggests Topological Control of Adenosine N 6-Methylation. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2019; 5:218-228. [PMID: 30834310 PMCID: PMC6396389 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.8b00963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This Outlook calls attention to two seemingly disparate and emerging fields regarding viral genomics that may be correlated in a way previously overlooked. First, we describe identification of conserved potential G-quadruplex-forming sequences (PQSs) in viral genomes relevant to human health. Studies have demonstrated that PQSs are highly conserved and can fold to G-quadruplexes (G4s) to regulate viral processes. Key examples include G4s as a countermeasure to the host's immune system or G4-guided regulation of replication or transcription. Second, emerging data are discussed concerning the epitranscriptomic modification N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) in viral RNA installed by host proteins in a consensus sequence favoring 5'-GG(m6A)C-3'. The proposed pathways by which m6A is written, read, and erased in viral RNA genomes and the impact this has on viral replication are described. The structural reason why certain sites are selected for modification while others are not is still mysterious. Finally, we discuss our new observations regarding these previous sequencing data that identify m6A installation within the loops of two-tetrad PQSs in the RNA genomes of the Zika, HIV, hepatitis B, and SV40 viruses. We hypothesize that conserved viral PQSs can provide a framework (sequence and/or structural) for m6A installation. We also discuss literature sources suggesting that PQSs as sites of RNA modification could be a general phenomenon. We anticipate our observations will provide ample opportunities for exciting discoveries regarding the interplay between G4 structures and epitranscriptomic modifications of RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Fleming
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Ngoc L. B. Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Cynthia J. Burrows
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
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35
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Saranathan N, Vivekanandan P. G-Quadruplexes: More Than Just a Kink in Microbial Genomes. Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:148-163. [PMID: 30224157 PMCID: PMC7127049 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical nucleic acid secondary structures formed by guanine-rich DNA and RNA sequences. In this review we aim to provide an overview of the biological roles of G4s in microbial genomes with emphasis on recent discoveries. G4s are enriched and conserved in the regulatory regions of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Importantly, G4s in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomes modulate genes crucial for virus replication. Recent studies on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) shed light on the role of G4s within the microbial transcripts as cis-acting regulatory signals that modulate translation and facilitate immune evasion. Furthermore, G4s in microbial genomes have been linked to radioresistance, antigenic variation, recombination, and latency. G4s in microbial genomes represent novel therapeutic targets for antimicrobial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandhini Saranathan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Perumal Vivekanandan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India.
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36
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Zuffo M, Stucchi A, Campos-Salinas J, Cabello-Donayre M, Martínez-García M, Belmonte-Reche E, Pérez-Victoria J, Mergny J, Freccero M, Morales J, Doria F. Carbohydrate-naphthalene diimide conjugates as potential antiparasitic drugs: Synthesis, evaluation and structure-activity studies. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 163:54-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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37
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Zuffo M, Xie X, Granzhan A. Strength in Numbers: Development of a Fluorescence Sensor Array for Secondary Structures of DNA. Chemistry 2019; 25:1812-1818. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201805422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Zuffo
- CNRS UMR9187; INSERM U1196; Institut Curie; PSL Research University; 91405 Orsay France
- CNRS UMR9187; INSERM U1196; Université Paris Sud; Université Paris Saclay; 91405 Orsay France
| | - Xiao Xie
- CNRS UMR9187; INSERM U1196; Institut Curie; PSL Research University; 91405 Orsay France
- CNRS UMR9187; INSERM U1196; Université Paris Sud; Université Paris Saclay; 91405 Orsay France
| | - Anton Granzhan
- CNRS UMR9187; INSERM U1196; Institut Curie; PSL Research University; 91405 Orsay France
- CNRS UMR9187; INSERM U1196; Université Paris Sud; Université Paris Saclay; 91405 Orsay France
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38
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Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) have become one of the most exciting nucleic acid secondary structures. A noncanonical, four-stranded structure formed in guanine-rich DNA and RNA sequences, G-quadruplexes can readily form under physiologically relevant conditions and are globularly folded structures. DNA is widely recognized as a double-helical structure essential in genetic information storage. However, only ~3% of the human genome is expressed in protein; RNA and DNA may form noncanonical secondary structures that are functionally important. G-quadruplexes are one such example which have gained considerable attention for their formation and regulatory roles in biologically significant regions, such as human telomeres, oncogene-promoter regions, replication initiation sites, and 5'- and 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA. They are shown to be a regulatory motif in a number of critical cellular processes including gene transcription, translation, replication, and genomic stability. G-quadruplexes are also found in nonhuman genomes, particularly those of human pathogens. Therefore, G-quadruplexes have emerged as a new class of molecular targets for drug development. In addition, there is considerable interest in the use of G-quadruplexes for biomaterials, biosensors, and biocatalysts. The First International Meeting on Quadruplex DNA was held in 2007, and the G-quadruplex field has been growing dramatically over the last decade. The methods used to study G-quadruplexes have been essential to the rapid progress in our understanding of this exciting nucleic acid secondary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danzhou Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Clement Lin
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
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Verma SP, Das P. Novel splicing in IGFN1 intron 15 and role of stable G-quadruplex in the regulation of splicing in renal cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205660. [PMID: 30335789 PMCID: PMC6193652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The IGFN1 (Immunoglobulin-Like And Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 1) gene has a role in skeletal muscle function and is also involved in metastatic breast cancer, and the isoforms with three N-terminal globular domains are sufficient for its function in skeletal muscle. Two novel splicing isoforms of IGFN1 have been identified in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), one with 5’exon extension and an isoform with a novel exon. The role of G-quadruplex, a non-B DNA, was explored for the splicing alteration of IGFN1 in RCC. G-quadruplexes are the secondary structures acquired by stacking of G-quartets by Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding in DNA and RNA. IGFN1 has intronic potential G-quadruplex forming sequence (PQS) folding into G-quadruplex and is studied for its involvement in aberrant splicing. A PQS in the intron 15 of IGFN1 gene was observed in our in silico analysis by QGRS mapper and non BdB web servers. We observed PQS folds into stable G-quadruplex structure in gel shift assay and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy in the presence of G-quadruplex stabilizing agents Pyridostatin (PDS) and KCl, respectively. G-quadruplex formation site with single base resolution was mapped by Sanger sequencing of the plasmid constructs harbouring the cloned PQS and its mutant. This stable G-quadruplex inhibits reverse transcriptase and taq polymerase in reverse transcriptase & PCR stop assays. PDS changes the different splicing isoforms of IGFN1 in UOK146 cell line, displaying involvement of intronic G-quadruplex in IGFN1 splicing. These results lead us to propose that a stable G-quadruplex structure is formed in IGFN1 intron and a reason behind IGFN1 aberrant splicing which could be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Prakash Verma
- Centre for Genetic Disorders, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, INDIA
| | - Parimal Das
- Centre for Genetic Disorders, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, INDIA
- * E-mail: ,
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Claessens A, Harris LM, Stanojcic S, Chappell L, Stanton A, Kuk N, Veneziano-Broccia P, Sterkers Y, Rayner JC, Merrick CJ. RecQ helicases in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum affect genome stability, gene expression patterns and DNA replication dynamics. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007490. [PMID: 29965959 PMCID: PMC6044543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has evolved an unusual genome structure. The majority of the genome is relatively stable, with mutation rates similar to most eukaryotic species. However, some regions are very unstable with high recombination rates, driving the generation of new immune evasion-associated var genes. The molecular factors controlling the inconsistent stability of this genome are not known. Here we studied the roles of the two putative RecQ helicases in P. falciparum, PfBLM and PfWRN. When PfWRN was knocked down, recombination rates increased four-fold, generating chromosomal abnormalities, a high rate of chimeric var genes and many microindels, particularly in known ‘fragile sites’. This is the first identification of a gene involved in suppressing recombination and maintaining genome stability in Plasmodium. By contrast, no change in mutation rate appeared when the second RecQ helicase, PfBLM, was mutated. At the transcriptional level, however, both helicases evidently modulate the transcription of large cohorts of genes, with several hundred genes—including a large proportion of vars—showing deregulated expression in each RecQ mutant. Aberrant processing of stalled replication forks is a possible mechanism underlying elevated mutation rates and this was assessed by measuring DNA replication dynamics in the RecQ mutant lines. Replication forks moved slowly and stalled at elevated rates in both mutants, confirming that RecQ helicases are required for efficient DNA replication. Overall, this work identifies the Plasmodium RecQ helicases as major players in DNA replication, antigenic diversification and genome stability in the most lethal human malaria parasite, with important implications for genome evolution in this pathogen. Human malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, with most of the mortality (almost half a million deaths each year) being caused by one species, Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite has an unusual genome: it is exceptionally biased towards A and T nucleotides rather than G and C, and it contains specific areas rich in hypervariable virulence-associated genes which evolve very rapidly to produce new variants. This evolution is probably vital for the parasite to evade the human immune system and maintain chronic infections, but how it is controlled at a molecular level remains unknown. We have identified a helicase in the parasite with a huge influence on genome stability and the rate of genome evolution. It appears to function by unwinding various unusual DNA structures, and if this fails then the genome becomes unstable. In addition, the transcription of many genes whose DNA tends to form secondary structures is affected, and DNA replication is impeded. If this helicase was expressed variably in different parasite strains infecting humans, it could influence the parasites’ ability to grow and replicate efficiently, and also, crucially, its ability to evolve and thus evade the human immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Claessens
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Lynne M. Harris
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Slavica Stanojcic
- University of Montpellier, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Montpellier, France
| | - Lia Chappell
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Stanton
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Nada Kuk
- University of Montpellier, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Montpellier, France
| | - Pamela Veneziano-Broccia
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- University of Montpellier, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Montpellier, France
- CNRS 5290 - IRD 224 - University of Montpellier (UMR “MiVEGEC”), Montpellier, France
- University Hospital Centre (CHU), Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Montpellier, France
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J. Merrick
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Advances in understanding mechanisms of nucleic acids have revolutionized molecular biology and medicine, but understanding of nontraditional nucleic acid conformations is less developed. The guanine quadruplex (G4) alternative DNA structure was first described in the 1960s, but the existence of G4 structures (G4-S) and their participation in myriads of biological functions are still underappreciated. Despite many tools to study G4s and many examples of roles for G4s in eukaryotic molecular processes and issues with uncontrolled G4-S formation, there is relatively little knowledge about the roles of G4-S in viral or prokaryotic systems. This review summarizes the state of the art with regard to G4-S in eukaryotes and their potential roles in human disease before discussing the evidence that G4-S have equivalent importance in affecting viral and bacterial life.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Steven Seifert
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA;
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G-Quadruplex DNA Motifs in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum and Their Potential as Novel Antimalarial Drug Targets. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01828-17. [PMID: 29311059 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01828-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are DNA or RNA secondary structures that can be formed from guanine-rich nucleic acids. These four-stranded structures, composed of stacked quartets of guanine bases, can be highly stable and have been demonstrated to occur in vivo in the DNA of human cells and other systems, where they play important biological roles, influencing processes such as telomere maintenance, DNA replication and transcription, or, in the case of RNA G-quadruplexes, RNA translation and processing. We report for the first time that DNA G-quadruplexes can be detected in the nuclei of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which has one of the most A/T-biased genomes sequenced and therefore possesses few guanine-rich sequences with the potential to form G-quadruplexes. We show that despite this paucity of putative G-quadruplex-forming sequences, P. falciparum parasites are sensitive to several G-quadruplex-stabilizing drugs, including quarfloxin, which previously reached phase 2 clinical trials as an anticancer drug. Quarfloxin has a rapid initial rate of kill and is active against ring stages as well as replicative stages of intraerythrocytic development. We show that several G-quadruplex-stabilizing drugs, including quarfloxin, can suppress the transcription of a G-quadruplex-containing reporter gene in P. falciparum but that quarfloxin does not appear to disrupt the transcription of rRNAs, which was proposed as its mode of action in both human cells and trypanosomes. These data suggest that quarfloxin has potential for repositioning as an antimalarial with a novel mode of action. Furthermore, G-quadruplex biology in P. falciparum may present a target for development of other new antimalarial drugs.
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Belmonte-Reche E, Martínez-García M, Guédin A, Zuffo M, Arévalo-Ruiz M, Doria F, Campos-Salinas J, Maynadier M, López-Rubio JJ, Freccero M, Mergny JL, Pérez-Victoria JM, Morales JC. G-Quadruplex Identification in the Genome of Protozoan Parasites Points to Naphthalene Diimide Ligands as New Antiparasitic Agents. J Med Chem 2018; 61:1231-1240. [PMID: 29323491 PMCID: PMC6148440 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
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G-quadruplexes
(G4) are DNA secondary structures that take part
in the regulation of gene expression. Putative G4 forming sequences
(PQS) have been reported in mammals, yeast, bacteria, and viruses.
Here, we present PQS searches on the genomes of T. brucei,
L. major, and P. falciparum. We found telomeric
sequences and new PQS motifs. Biophysical experiments showed that
EBR1, a 29 nucleotide long highly repeated PQS in T. brucei, forms a stable G4 structure. G4 ligands based on carbohydrate conjugated
naphthalene diimides (carb-NDIs) that bind G4’s including hTel
could bind EBR1 with selectivity versus dsDNA. These ligands showed
important antiparasitic activity. IC50 values were in the
nanomolar range against T. brucei with high selectivity
against MRC-5 human cells. Confocal microscopy confirmed these ligands
localize in the nucleus and kinetoplast of T. brucei suggesting they can reach their potential G4 targets. Cytotoxicity
and zebrafish toxicity studies revealed sugar conjugation reduces
intrinsic toxicity of NDIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efres Belmonte-Reche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina, CSIC , PTS Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Marta Martínez-García
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina, CSIC , PTS Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Aurore Guédin
- ARNA Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Institut Européen de Chimie Biologie (IECB), 2 Rue Robert Escarpit, 33607 Pessac, France
| | - Michela Zuffo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia , Via Taramelli 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Matilde Arévalo-Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina, CSIC , PTS Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Filippo Doria
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia , Via Taramelli 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Jenny Campos-Salinas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina, CSIC , PTS Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Marjorie Maynadier
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, CNRS UMR 5235, Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - José Juan López-Rubio
- CNRS, 5290, IRD 224, University of Montpellier (UMR "MiVEGEC"), INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Mauro Freccero
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia , Via Taramelli 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- ARNA Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Institut Européen de Chimie Biologie (IECB), 2 Rue Robert Escarpit, 33607 Pessac, France.,Institute of Biophysics , AS CR, v.v.i. Kralovopolska 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - José María Pérez-Victoria
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina, CSIC , PTS Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Morales
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina, CSIC , PTS Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
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Anas M, Sharma R, Dhamodharan V, Pradeepkumar PI, Manhas A, Srivastava K, Ahmed S, Kumar N. Investigating Pharmacological Targeting of G-Quadruplexes in the Human Malaria Parasite. Biochemistry 2017; 56:6691-6699. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Anas
- Parasitology
Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Richa Sharma
- Parasitology
Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - V. Dhamodharan
- Department
of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India
| | - P. I. Pradeepkumar
- Department
of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ashan Manhas
- Parasitology
Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kumkum Srivastava
- Parasitology
Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Delhi, India
| | - Shakil Ahmed
- Molecular
and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Delhi, India
| | - Niti Kumar
- Parasitology
Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Delhi, India
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45
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G-quadruplex structure at intron 2 of TFE3 and its role in Xp11.2 translocation and splicing. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1862:630-636. [PMID: 29138008 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transcription Factor E3 (TFE3) translocation is found in a group of different type of cancers and most of the translocations are located in the 5' region of TFE3 which may be considered as Breakpoint Region (BR). In our In silico study by QGRS mapper and non BdB web servers we found a Potential G-quadruplex forming Sequence (PQS) in the intron 2 of TFE3 gene. In vitro G-quadruplex formation was shown by native PAGE in presence of Pyridostatin(PDS), which with inter molecular secondary structure caused reduced mobility to migrate slower. G-quadruplex formation was mapped at single base resolution by Sanger sequencing and Circular Dichroism showed the formation of parallel G-quadruplex. FRET analysis revealed increased and decreased formation of G-quadruplex in presence of PDS and antisense oligonucleotide respectively. PCR stop assay, transcriptional and translational inhibition by PQS showed stable G-quadruplex formation affecting the biological processes. TFE3 minigene splicing study showed the involvement of this G-quadruplex in TFE3 splicing too. Therefore, G-quadruplex is evident to be the reason behind TFE3 induced oncogenesis executed by translocation and also involved in the mRNA splicing.
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46
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Single-molecule analysis reveals that DNA replication dynamics vary across the course of schizogony in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28638076 PMCID: PMC5479783 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04407-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanics of DNA replication and cell cycling are well-characterized in model organisms, but less is known about these basic aspects of cell biology in early-diverging Apicomplexan parasites, which do not divide by canonical binary fission but undergo unconventional cycles. Schizogony in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, generates ~16–24 new nuclei via independent, asynchronous rounds of genome replication prior to cytokinesis and little is known about the control of DNA replication that facilitates this. We have characterised replication dynamics in P. falciparum throughout schizogony, using DNA fibre labelling and combing to visualise replication forks at a single-molecule level. We show that origins are very closely spaced in Plasmodium compared to most model systems, and that replication dynamics vary across the course of schizogony, from faster synthesis rates and more widely-spaced origins through to slower synthesis rates and closer-spaced origins. This is the opposite of the pattern usually seen across S-phase in human cells, when a single genome is replicated. Replication forks also appear to stall at an unusually high rate throughout schizogony. Our work explores Plasmodium DNA replication in unprecedented detail and opens up tremendous scope for analysing cell cycle dynamics and developing interventions targetting this unique aspect of malaria biology.
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47
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Tuteja R. Unraveling the importance of the malaria parasite helicases. FEBS J 2017; 284:2592-2603. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renu Tuteja
- Parasite Biology Group; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; New Delhi India
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48
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Stanton A, Harris LM, Graham G, Merrick CJ. Recombination events among virulence genes in malaria parasites are associated with G-quadruplex-forming DNA motifs. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:859. [PMID: 27809775 PMCID: PMC5093961 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3183-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium possess large hyper-variable families of antigen-encoding genes. These are often variantly-expressed and are major virulence factors for immune evasion and the maintenance of chronic infections. Recombination and diversification of these gene families occurs readily, and may be promoted by G-quadruplex (G4) DNA motifs within and close to the variant genes. G4s have been shown to cause replication fork stalling, DNA breakage and recombination in model systems, but these motifs remain largely unstudied in Plasmodium. Results We examined the nature and distribution of putative G4-forming sequences in multiple Plasmodium genomes, finding that their co-distribution with variant gene families is conserved across different Plasmodium species that have different types of variant gene families. In P. falciparum, where a large set of recombination events that occurred over time in cultured parasites has been mapped, we found a strong spatial association between these recombination events and putative G4-forming sequences. Finally, we searched Plasmodium genomes for the three classes of helicase that can unwind G4s: Plasmodium spp. have no identifiable homologue of the highly efficient G4 helicase PIF1, but they do encode two putative RecQ helicases and one homologue of the RAD3-family helicase FANCJ. Conclusions Our analyses, conducted at the whole-genome level in multiple species of Plasmodium, support the concept that G4s are likely to be involved in recombination and diversification of antigen-encoding gene families in this important protozoan pathogen. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3183-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Stanton
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST55BG, UK
| | - Lynne M Harris
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST55BG, UK
| | - Gemma Graham
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST55BG, UK
| | - Catherine J Merrick
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST55BG, UK.
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Bhartiya D, Chawla V, Ghosh S, Shankar R, Kumar N. Genome-wide regulatory dynamics of G-quadruplexes in human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Genomics 2016; 108:224-231. [PMID: 27789319 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The AT-rich genome of P. falciparum has uniquely localized G-rich stretches that have propensity to form G-quadruplexes. However, their global occurrence and potential biological roles in the parasite are poorly explored. Our genome-wide analysis revealed unique enrichment of quadruplexes in P. falciparum genome which was remarkably different from other Plasmodium species. A distinct predominance of quadruplexes was observed in nuclear and organellar genes that participate in antigenic variation, pathogenesis, DNA/RNA regulation, metabolic and protein quality control processes. Data also suggested association of quadruplexes with SNPs and DNA methylation. Furthermore, analysis of steady state mRNA (RNA-seq) and polysome-associated mRNA (Ribosome profiling) data revealed stage-specific differences in translational efficiency of quadruplex harboring genes. Taken together, our findings hint towards existence of regulatory dynamics associated with quadruplexes that may modulate translational efficiency of quadruplex harboring genes to provide survival advantage to the parasite against host immune response and antimalarial drug pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeksha Bhartiya
- ICMR-Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vandna Chawla
- CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road Campus, Delhi 110020, India
| | - Ravi Shankar
- CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Delhi, India
| | - Niti Kumar
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Delhi, India.
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50
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G-Quadruplex ligands: Potent inhibitors of telomerase activity and cell proliferation in Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 207:33-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2016.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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