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Choudhury SD, Kumar P, Choudhury D. Bioactive nutraceuticals as G4 stabilizers: potential cancer prevention and therapy-a critical review. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:3585-3616. [PMID: 38019298 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02857-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are non-canonical, four-stranded, nucleic acid secondary structures formed in the guanine-rich sequences, where guanine nucleotides associate with each other via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. These structures are widely found near the functional regions of the mammalian genome, such as telomeres, oncogenic promoters, and replication origins, and play crucial regulatory roles in replication and transcription. Destabilization of G4 by various carcinogenic agents allows oncogene overexpression and extension of telomeric ends resulting in dysregulation of cellular growth-promoting oncogenesis. Therefore, targeting and stabilizing these G4 structures with potential ligands could aid cancer prevention and therapy. The field of G-quadruplex targeting is relatively nascent, although many articles have demonstrated the effect of G4 stabilization on oncogenic expressions; however, no previous study has provided a comprehensive analysis about the potency of a wide variety of nutraceuticals and some of their derivatives in targeting G4 and the lattice of oncogenic cell signaling cascade affected by them. In this review, we have discussed bioactive G4-stabilizing nutraceuticals, their sources, mode of action, and their influence on cellular signaling, and we believe our insight would bring new light to the current status of the field and motivate researchers to explore this relatively poorly studied arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satabdi Datta Choudhury
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India
| | - Diptiman Choudhury
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India.
- Centre for Excellence in Emerging Materials, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India.
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2
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Romano F, Di Porzio A, Iaccarino N, Riccardi G, Di Lorenzo R, Laneri S, Pagano B, Amato J, Randazzo A. G-quadruplexes in cancer-related gene promoters: from identification to therapeutic targeting. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:745-773. [PMID: 37855085 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2271168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold into four-stranded noncanonical secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) which are widely distributed in functional regions of the human genome, such as telomeres and gene promoter regions. Compelling evidence suggests their involvement in key genome functions such as gene expression and genome stability. Notably, the abundance of G4-forming sequences near transcription start sites suggests their potential involvement in regulating oncogenes. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of current knowledge on G4s in human oncogene promoters. The most representative G4-binding ligands have also been documented. The objective of this work is to present a comprehensive overview of the most promising targets for the development of novel and highly specific anticancer drugs capable of selectively impacting the expression of individual or a limited number of genes. EXPERT OPINION Modulation of G4 formation by specific ligands has been proposed as a powerful new tool to treat cancer through the control of oncogene expression. Actually, most of G4-binding small molecules seem to simultaneously target a range of gene promoter G4s, potentially influencing several critical driver genes in cancer, thus producing significant therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Sonia Laneri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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3
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Lenis Rojas OA, Cordeiro S, Baptista PV, Fernandes AR. Half-sandwich Ru(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in anticancer drug design. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 245:112255. [PMID: 37196411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112255] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The ruthenium arene fragment is a rich source for the design of anticancer drugs; in this design, the co-ligand is a critical factor for obtaining effective anticancer complexes. In comparison with other types of ligands, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been less explored, despite the versatility in structural modifications and the marked stabilization of metal ions, being these characteristics important for the design of metal drugs. However, notable advances have been made in the development of NHC Ruthenium arene as anticancer agents. These advances include high antitumor activities, proven both in in vitro and in in vivo models and, in some cases, with marked selectivity against tumorigenic cells. The versatility of the structure has played a fundamental role, since they have allowed a selective interaction with their molecular targets through, for example, bio-conjugation with known anticancer molecules. For this reason, the structure-activity relationship of the imidazole, benzimidazole, and abnormal NHC ruthenium (II) η6-arene complexes have been studied. Taking into account this study, several synthetic aspects are provided to contribute to the next generations of this kind of complexes. Moreover, in recent years nanotechnology has provided innovative nanomedicines, where half-sandwich Ruthenium(II) complexes are paving their way. In this review, the recent developments in nanomaterials functionalized with Ruthenium complexes for targeted drug delivery to tumors will also be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar A Lenis Rojas
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, ITQB, Av. da República, EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal.
| | - Sandra Cordeiro
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro V Baptista
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Alexandra R Fernandes
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal.
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4
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Chashchina GV, Tevonyan LL, Beniaminov AD, Kaluzhny DN. Taq-Polymerase Stop Assay to Determine Target Selectivity of G4 Ligands in Native Promoter Sequences of MYC, TERT, and KIT Oncogenes. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040544. [PMID: 37111301 PMCID: PMC10142109 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Computational and high-throughput experimental methods predict thousands of potential quadruplex sequences (PQSs) in the human genome. Often these PQSs contain more than four G-runs, which introduce additional uncertainty into the conformational polymorphism of the G4 DNA. G4-specific ligands, which are currently being actively developed as potential anticancer agents or tools for studying G4 structures in genomes, may preferentially bind to specific G4 structures over the others that can be potentially formed in the extended G-rich genomic region. We propose a simple technique that identifies the sequences that tend to form G4 in the presence of potassium ions or a specific ligand. Thermostable DNA Taq-polymerase stop assay can detect the preferential position of the G4 -ligand binging within a long PQS-rich genomic DNA fragment. This technique was tested for four G4 binders PDS, PhenDC3, Braco-19, and TMPyP4 at three promoter sequences of MYC, KIT, and TERT that contain several PQSs each. We demonstrate that the intensity of polymerase pausing reveals the preferential binding of a ligand to particular G4 structures within the promoter. However, the strength of the polymerase stop at a specific site does not always correlate with the ligand-induced thermodynamic stabilization of the corresponding G4 structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina V Chashchina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Liana L Tevonyan
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Artemy D Beniaminov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry N Kaluzhny
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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5
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Interface of G-quadruplex with both stabilizing and destabilizing ligands for targeting various diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:414-427. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Does Bentonite Cause Cytotoxic and Whole-Transcriptomic Adverse Effects in Enterocytes When Used to Reduce Aflatoxin B1 Exposure? Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070435. [PMID: 35878173 PMCID: PMC9322703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a major food safety concern, threatening the health of humans and animals. Bentonite (BEN) is an aluminosilicate clay used as a feed additive to reduce AFB1 presence in contaminated feedstuff. So far, few studies have characterized BEN toxicity and efficacy in vitro. In this study, cytotoxicity (WST-1 test), the effects on cell permeability (trans-epithelial electrical resistance and lucifer yellow dye incorporation), and transcriptional changes (RNA-seq) caused by BEN, AFB1 and their combination (AFB1 + BEN) were investigated in Caco-2 cells. Up to 0.1 mg/mL, BEN did not affect cell viability and permeability, but it reduced AFB1 cytotoxicity; however, at higher concentrations, BEN was cytotoxic. As to RNA-seq, 0.1 mg/mL BEN did not show effects on cell transcriptome, confirming that the interaction between BEN and AFB1 occurs in the medium. Data from AFB1 and AFB1 + BEN suggested AFB1 provoked most of the transcriptional changes, whereas BEN was preventive. The most interesting AFB1-targeted pathways for which BEN was effective were cell integrity, xenobiotic metabolism and transporters, basal metabolism, inflammation and immune response, p53 biological network, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the in vitro toxicity and whole-transcriptomic effects of BEN, alone or in the presence of AFB1.
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7
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Revikumar A, Kashyap V, Palollathil A, Aravind A, Raguraman R, Kumar KMK, Vijayakumar M, Prasad TSK, Raju R. Multiple G-quadruplex binding ligand induced transcriptomic map of cancer cell lines. J Cell Commun Signal 2021; 16:129-135. [PMID: 34309794 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-021-00637-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The G-quadruplexes (G4s) are a class of DNA secondary structures with guanine rich DNA sequences that can fold into four stranded non-canonical structures. At the genomic level, their pivotal role is well established in DNA replication, telomerase functions, constitution of topologically associating domains, and the regulation of gene expression. Genome instability mediated by altered G4 formation and assembly has been associated with multiple disorders including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Multiple tools have also been developed to predict the potential G4 regions in genomes and the whole genome G4 maps are also being derived through sequencing approaches. Enrichment of G4s in the cis-regulatory elements of genes associated with tumorigenesis has accelerated the quest for identification of G4-DNA binding ligands (G4DBLs) that can selectively bind and regulate the expression of such specific genes. In this context, the analysis of G4DBL responsive transcriptome in diverse cancer cell lines is inevitable for assessment of the specificity of novel G4DBLs. Towards this, we assembled the transcripts differentially regulated by different G4DBLs and have also identified a core set of genes regulated in diverse cancer cell lines in response to 3 or more of these ligands. With the mode of action of G4DBLs towards topology shifts, folding, or disruption of G4 structure being currently visualized, we believe that this dataset will serve as a platform for assembly of G4DBL responsive transcriptome for comparative analysis of G4DBLs in multiple cancer cells based on the expression of specific cis-regulatory G4 associated genes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjesh Revikumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, India.
| | - Vivek Kashyap
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed To Be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Akhina Palollathil
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed To Be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Anjana Aravind
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed To Be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Rajeswari Raguraman
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, India.,Health Science Centre, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, USA
| | | | - Manavalan Vijayakumar
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | | | - Rajesh Raju
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, India. .,Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed To Be University), Mangalore, 575018, India.
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8
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Banerjee N, Panda S, Chatterjee S. Frontiers in G-Quadruplex Therapeutics in Cancer: Selection of Small Molecules, Peptides and Aptamers. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 99:1-31. [PMID: 34148284 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplex, a unique secondary structure in nucleic acids found throughout human genome, elicited widespread interest in the field of therapeutic research. Being present in key regulatory regions of oncogenes, RNAs and telomere, G-quadruplex structure regulates transcription, translation, splicing etc. Changes in its structure and stability leads to differential expression of oncogenes causing cancer. Thus, targeting G-Quadruplex structures with small molecules/other biologics has shown elevated research interest. Covering previous reports, in this review we try to enlighten the facts on the structural diversity in G-quadruplex ligands aiming to provide newer insights to design first-in-class drugs for the next generation cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjan Banerjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Road, Scheme VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Suman Panda
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Road, Scheme VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Road, Scheme VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, 700054, India
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9
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Buglione E, Salerno D, Marrano CA, Cassina V, Vesco G, Nardo L, Dacasto M, Rigo R, Sissi C, Mantegazza F. Nanomechanics of G-quadruplexes within the promoter of the KIT oncogene. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4564-4573. [PMID: 33849064 PMCID: PMC8096272 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are tetrahelical DNA structures stabilized by four guanines paired via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds into quartets. While their presence within eukaryotic DNA is known to play a key role in regulatory processes, their functional mechanisms are still under investigation. In the present work, we analysed the nanomechanical properties of three G4s present within the promoter of the KIT proto-oncogene from a single-molecule point of view through the use of magnetic tweezers (MTs). The study of DNA extension fluctuations under negative supercoiling allowed us to identify a characteristic fingerprint of G4 folding. We further analysed the energetic contribution of G4 to the double-strand denaturation process in the presence of negative supercoiling, and we observed a reduction in the energy required for strands separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Buglione
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Domenico Salerno
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Claudia Adriana Marrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Valeria Cassina
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Guglielmo Vesco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Luca Nardo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Mauro Dacasto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Riccardo Rigo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova (PD), Italy
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova (PD), Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center for Innovative Biotechnologies (CRIBI), University of Padova, 35121 Padova (PD), Italy
| | - Francesco Mantegazza
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
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Kosiol N, Juranek S, Brossart P, Heine A, Paeschke K. G-quadruplexes: a promising target for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:40. [PMID: 33632214 PMCID: PMC7905668 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA and RNA can fold into a variety of alternative conformations. In recent years, a particular nucleic acid structure was discussed to play a role in malignant transformation and cancer development. This structure is called a G-quadruplex (G4). G4 structure formation can drive genome instability by creating mutations, deletions and stimulating recombination events. The importance of G4 structures in the characterization of malignant cells was currently demonstrated in breast cancer samples. In this analysis a correlation between G4 structure formation and an increased intratumor heterogeneity was identified. This suggests that G4 structures might allow breast cancer stratification and supports the identification of new personalized treatment options. Because of the stability of G4 structures and their presence within most human oncogenic promoters and at telomeres, G4 structures are currently tested as a therapeutic target to downregulate transcription or to block telomere elongation in cancer cells. To date, different chemical molecules (G4 ligands) have been developed that aim to target G4 structures. In this review we discuss and compare G4 function and relevance for therapeutic approaches and their impact on cancer development for three cancer entities, which differ significantly in their amount and type of mutations: pancreatic cancer, leukemia and malignant melanoma. G4 structures might present a promising new strategy to individually target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Kosiol
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Juranek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annkristin Heine
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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11
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Da Ros S, Nicoletto G, Rigo R, Ceschi S, Zorzan E, Dacasto M, Giantin M, Sissi C. G-Quadruplex Modulation of SP1 Functional Binding Sites at the KIT Proximal Promoter. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:E329. [PMID: 33396937 PMCID: PMC7795597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of conformational arrangements of gene promoters is a physiological mechanism that has been associated with the fine control of gene expression. Indeed, it can drive the time and the location for the selective recruitment of proteins of the transcriptional machinery. Here, we address this issue at the KIT proximal promoter where three G-quadruplex forming sites are present (kit1, kit2 and kit*). On this model, we focused on the interplay between G-quadruplex (G4) formation and SP1 recruitment. By site directed mutagenesis, we prepared a library of plasmids containing mutated sequences of the WT KIT promoter that systematically exploited different G4 formation attitudes and SP1 binding properties. Our transfection data showed that the three different G4 sites of the KIT promoter impact on SP1 binding and protein expression at different levels. Notably, kit2 and kit* structural features represent an on-off system for KIT expression through the recruitment of transcription factors. The use of two G4 binders further helps to address kit2-kit* as a reliable target for pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Da Ros
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (S.D.R.); (G.N.); (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Giulia Nicoletto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (S.D.R.); (G.N.); (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Riccardo Rigo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (S.D.R.); (G.N.); (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Silvia Ceschi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (S.D.R.); (G.N.); (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Eleonora Zorzan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (E.Z.); (M.D.)
| | - Mauro Dacasto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (E.Z.); (M.D.)
| | - Mery Giantin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (E.Z.); (M.D.)
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (S.D.R.); (G.N.); (R.R.); (S.C.)
- CRIBI Biotechnology Center (Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale per le Biotecnologie Innovative), University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
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12
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G-quadruplex, Friend or Foe: The Role of the G-quartet in Anticancer Strategies. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:848-861. [PMID: 32467069 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The clinical applicability of G-quadruplexes (G4s) as anticancer drugs is currently being evaluated. Several G4 ligands and aptamers are undergoing clinical trials following the notable examples of quarfloxin and AS1411, respectively. In this review, we summarize the latest achievements and breakthroughs in the use of G4 nucleic acids as both therapeutic tools ('friends', as healing anticancer drugs) and targets ('foes', within the harmful cancer cell), particularly using aptamers and quadruplex-targeted ligands, respectively. We explore the recent research on synthetic G4 ligands toward the discovery of anticancer therapeutics and their mechanism of action. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in chemical and structural biology that enable the design of specific G4 aptamers to be used as novel anticancer agents.
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13
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Salsbury AM, Dean TJ, Lemkul JA. Polarizable Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Two c-kit Oncogene Promoter G-Quadruplexes: Effect of Primary and Secondary Structure on Loop and Ion Sampling. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:3430-3444. [PMID: 32307997 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (GQs) are highly ordered nucleic acid structures that play fundamental roles in regulating gene expression and maintaining genomic stability. GQs are topologically diverse and enriched in promoter sequences of growth regulatory genes and proto-oncogenes, suggesting that they may serve as attractive targets for drug design at the level of transcription rather than inhibiting the activity of the protein products of these genes. The c-kit promoter contains three adjacent GQ-forming sequences that have proposed antagonistic effects on gene expression and thus are promising drug targets for diseases such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, mast cell disease, and leukemia. Because GQ stability is influenced by primary structure, secondary structure, and ion interactions, a greater understanding of GQ structure, dynamics, and ion binding properties is needed to develop novel, GQ-targeting therapeutics. Here, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to systematically study the c-kit2 and c-kit* GQs, evaluating nonpolarizable and polarizable force fields (FFs) and examining the effects of base substitutions and cation type (K+, Na+, and Li+) on the dynamics of their isolated and linked structures. We found that the Drude polarizable FF outperformed the additive CHARMM36 FF in two- and three-tetrad GQs and solutions of KCl, NaCl, and LiCl. Drude simulations with different cations agreed with the known GQ stabilization preference (K+ > Na+ > Li+) and illustrated that tetrad core-ion coordination differs as a function of cation type. Finally, we showed that differences in primary and secondary structure influence loop sampling, ion binding, and core-ion energetics of GQs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa M Salsbury
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Tanner J Dean
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Justin A Lemkul
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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14
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Gray LT, Puig Lombardi E, Verga D, Nicolas A, Teulade-Fichou MP, Londoño-Vallejo A, Maizels N. G-quadruplexes Sequester Free Heme in Living Cells. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:1681-1691.e5. [PMID: 31668518 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Heme is an essential cofactor for many enzymes, but free heme is toxic and its levels are tightly regulated. G-quadruplexes bind heme avidly in vitro, raising the possibility that they may sequester heme in vivo. If so, then treatment that displaces heme from quadruplexes is predicted to induce expression of genes involved in iron and heme homeostasis. Here we show that PhenDC3, a G-quadruplex ligand structurally unrelated to heme, displaces quadruplex-bound heme in vitro and alters transcription in cultured human cells, upregulating genes that support heme degradation and iron homeostasis, and most strikingly causing a 30-fold induction of heme oxidase 1, the key enzyme in heme degradation. We propose that G-quadruplexes sequester heme to protect cells from the pathophysiological consequences of free heme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas T Gray
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Emilia Puig Lombardi
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, CNRS-UMR3244, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Daniela Verga
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, CNRS-UMR9187, INSERM-U1196, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Universités, Orsay 91405, France; CNRS UMR9187, INSERM U1196, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91405, France
| | - Alain Nicolas
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, CNRS-UMR3244, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Marie-Paule Teulade-Fichou
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, CNRS-UMR9187, INSERM-U1196, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Universités, Orsay 91405, France; CNRS UMR9187, INSERM U1196, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91405, France
| | - Arturo Londoño-Vallejo
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, CNRS-UMR3244, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Nancy Maizels
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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15
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Kotar A, Rigo R, Sissi C, Plavec J. Two-quartet kit* G-quadruplex is formed via double-stranded pre-folded structure. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2641-2653. [PMID: 30590801 PMCID: PMC6411839 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In the promoter of c-KIT proto-oncogene, whose deregulation has been implicated in many cancers, three G-rich regions (kit1, kit* and kit2) are able to fold into G-quadruplexes. While kit1 and kit2 have been studied in depth, little information is available on kit* folding behavior despite its key role in regulation of c-KIT transcription. Notably, kit* contains consensus sites for SP1 and AP2 transcription factors. Herein, a set of complementary spectroscopic and biophysical methods reveals that kit*, d[GGCGAGGAGGGGCGTGGCCGGC], adopts a chair type antiparallel G-quadruplex with two G-quartets at physiological relevant concentrations of KCl. Heterogeneous ensemble of structures is observed in the presence of Na+ and NH4+ ions, which however stabilize pre-folded structure. In the presence of K+ ions stacking interactions of adenine and thymine residues on the top G-quartet contribute to structural stability together with a G10•C18 base pair and a fold-back motif of the five residues at the 3′-terminal under the bottom G-quartet. The 3′-tail enables formation of a bimolecular pre-folded structure that drives folding of kit* into a single G-quadruplex. Intriguingly, kinetics of kit* G-quadruplex formation matches timescale of transcriptional processes and might demonstrate interplay of kinetic and thermodynamic factors for understanding regulation of c-KIT proto-oncogene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Kotar
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Riccardo Rigo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Center of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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16
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Mazzini S, Gargallo R, Musso L, De Santis F, Aviñó A, Scaglioni L, Eritja R, Di Nicola M, Zunino F, Amatulli A, Dallavalle S. Stabilization of c-KIT G-Quadruplex DNA Structures by the RNA Polymerase I Inhibitors BMH-21 and BA-41. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20194927. [PMID: 31590335 PMCID: PMC6801708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA structures by small molecules with affinity to oncogene promoters has emerged as a promising anticancer strategy, due to a potential role in gene expression regulation. We explored the ability of BMH-21 (1) and its analogue BA-41 (2) to bind the G-quadruplex structure present in the c-KIT promoter by biophysical methods and molecular modeling. We provide evidence that both compounds interact with the c-KIT 21-mer sequence. The stable monomeric intramolecular parallel G-quadruplex obtained by the mutation of positions 12 and 21 allowed the precise determination of the binding mode by NMR and molecular dynamics studies. Both compounds form a complex characterized by one ligand molecule positioned over the tetrad at the 3′-end, stabilized by an extensive network of π–π interactions. The binding constants (Kb) obtained with fluorescence are similar for both complexes (around 106 M−1). Compound BA-41 (2) showed significant antiproliferative activity against a human lymphoma cell line, SU-DHL4, known to express substantial levels of c-KIT. However, the partial inhibition of c-KIT expression by Western blot analysis suggested that the interaction of compound 2 with the c-KIT promoter is not the primary event and that multiple effects provide a contribution as determinants of biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Mazzini
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), Division of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Raimundo Gargallo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí I Franqués 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Loana Musso
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), Division of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca De Santis
- Unit of Immunotherapy and Anticancer innovative Therapeutics, Department of Medical Oncology Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Anna Aviñó
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), CSIC, Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Leonardo Scaglioni
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), Division of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), CSIC, Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Massimo Di Nicola
- Unit of Immunotherapy and Anticancer innovative Therapeutics, Department of Medical Oncology Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Franco Zunino
- Unit of Immunotherapy and Anticancer innovative Therapeutics, Department of Medical Oncology Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Annabella Amatulli
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), Division of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Sabrina Dallavalle
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), Division of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Ducani C, Bernardinelli G, Högberg B, Keppler BK, Terenzi A. Interplay of Three G-Quadruplex Units in the KIT Promoter. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:10205-10213. [PMID: 31244182 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The proto-oncogene KIT encodes for a tyrosine kinase receptor, which is a clinically validated target for treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The KIT promoter contains a G-rich domain within a relatively long sequence potentially able to form three adjacent G-quadruplex (G4) units, namely, K2, SP, and K1. These G4 domains have been studied mainly as single quadruplex units derived from short truncated sequences and are currently considered promising targets for anticancer drugs, alternatively to the encoded protein. Nevertheless, the information reported so far does not contemplate the interplay between those neighboring G4s in the context of the whole promoter, possibly thwarting drug-discovery efforts. Here we report the structural and functional study of the KIT promoter core sequence, in both single- and double-stranded forms, which includes all three predicted G4 units. By preventing the formation of alternatively one or two G4 units and by combining biophysical techniques and biological assays, we show for the first time that these quadruplexes cannot be analyzed independently, but they are correlated to each other. Our data suggest that, while K2 and K1 G-rich sequences retain the ability to fold into parallel G4 motifs within a long sequence, the SP G-rich domain contributes to G4 structure only together with K2. Remarkably, we have found that, in the context of a dynamic equilibrium between the three G4 units, the G4 formed by K1 has the most significant influence on the structure stability and on the biological role of the whole promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Ducani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm 171 65 , Sweden
| | - Giulio Bernardinelli
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm 171 65 , Sweden
| | - Björn Högberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm 171 65 , Sweden
| | - Bernhard K Keppler
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry , University of Vienna , Waehringerstrasse 42 , A-1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Alessio Terenzi
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry , University of Vienna , Waehringerstrasse 42 , A-1090 Vienna , Austria
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18
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Asamitsu S, Obata S, Yu Z, Bando T, Sugiyama H. Recent Progress of Targeted G-Quadruplex-Preferred Ligands Toward Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2019; 24:E429. [PMID: 30682877 PMCID: PMC6384606 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A G-quadruplex (G4) is a well-known nucleic acid secondary structure comprising guanine-rich sequences, and has profound implications for various pharmacological and biological events, including cancers. Therefore, ligands interacting with G4s have attracted great attention as potential anticancer therapies or in molecular probe applications. To date, a large variety of DNA/RNA G4 ligands have been developed by a number of laboratories. As protein-targeting drugs face similar situations, G-quadruplex-interacting drugs displayed low selectivity to the targeted G-quadruplex structure. This low selectivity could cause unexpected effects that are usually reasons to halt the drug development process. In this review, we address the recent research on synthetic G4 DNA-interacting ligands that allow targeting of selected G4s as an approach toward the discovery of highly effective anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefan Asamitsu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Shunsuke Obata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Zutao Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Toshikazu Bando
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (WPI-iCeMS) Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiyacho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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19
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Whole-Transcriptome Profiling of Canine and Human in Vitro Models Exposed to a G-Quadruplex Binding Small Molecule. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17107. [PMID: 30459395 PMCID: PMC6244004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35516-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are secondary nucleic acid structures that have been associated with genomic instability and cancer progression. When present in the promoter of some oncogenes, G4 structures can affect gene regulation and, hence, represent a possible therapeutic target. In this study, RNA-Seq was used to explore the effect of a G4-binding anthraquinone derivative, named AQ1, on the whole-transcriptome profiles of two common cell models for the study of KIT pathways; the human mast cell leukemia (HMC1.2) and the canine mast cell tumor (C2). The highest non-cytotoxic dose of AQ1 (2 µM) resulted in 5441 and 1201 differentially expressed genes in the HMC1.2 and C2 cells, respectively. In both cell lines, major pathways such as cell cycle progression, KIT- and MYC-related pathways were negatively enriched in the AQ1-treated group, while other pathways such as p53, apoptosis and hypoxia-related were positively enriched. These findings suggest that AQ1 treatment induces a similar functional response in the human and canine cell models, and provide news insights into using dogs as a reliable translational model for studying G4-binding compounds.
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20
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Tikhomirov AS, Tsvetkov VB, Kaluzhny DN, Volodina YL, Zatonsky GV, Schols D, Shchekotikhin AE. Tri-armed ligands of G-quadruplex on heteroarene-fused anthraquinone scaffolds: Design, synthesis and pre-screening of biological properties. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 159:59-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.09.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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21
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Zorzan E, Da Ros S, Giantin M, Shahidian LZ, Guerra G, Palumbo M, Sissi C, Dacasto M. Targeting Canine KIT Promoter by Candidate DNA G-Quadruplex Ligands. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 367:461-472. [PMID: 30275152 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.248997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are nucleic acid secondary structures frequently assumed by G-rich sequences located mostly at telomeres and proto-oncogenes promoters. Recently, we identified, in canine KIT (v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) promoter, two G-rich sequences able to fold into G4: d_kit1 and d_kit2_A16. In this study, an anthraquinone (AQ1) and an anthracene derivative (AN6), known to stabilize the G4 structures of the corresponding human h_kit1 and h_kit2, were tested on the canine G4 and in two canine mast cell tumor (MCT) cell lines (C2 and NI-1) to verify their capability to down-regulate KIT expression. The cytotoxicity of AQ1 and AN6 was determined using the Alamar Blue test; also the constitutive expression of KIT and other proto-oncogenes containing G4 structures in their promoter (BCL2, VEGFα, VEGFR2, KRAS, and TERT) was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then the time- and dose-dependent effects of both ligands on target gene expression were assessed by qRT-PCR. All target genes were constitutively expressed up to 96 hours of culture. Both ligands decreased KIT mRNA levels and c-kit protein amount, and AN6 was comparatively fairly more effective. DNA interaction studies and a dual-luciferase gene reporter assay performed on a noncancerous canine cell line (Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells) proved that this down-regulation was the result of the interaction of AN6 with KIT proximal promoter. Interestingly, our results only partially overlap with those previously obtained in human cell lines, where AQ1 was found as the most effective compound. These preliminary data might suggest AN6 as a promising candidate for the selective targeting of canine KIT-dependent tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Zorzan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
| | - Silvia Da Ros
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
| | - Mery Giantin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
| | - Lara Zorro Shahidian
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
| | - Giorgia Guerra
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
| | - Manlio Palumbo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
| | - Mauro Dacasto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Agripolis Legnaro, Padua, Italy (E.Z., M.G., L.Z.S., G.G., M.D.), and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy (S.D.R., M.P., C.S.)
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Głuszyńska A, Juskowiak B, Kuta-Siejkowska M, Hoffmann M, Haider S. Carbazole Derivatives' Binding to c-KIT G-Quadruplex DNA. Molecules 2018; 23:E1134. [PMID: 29747481 PMCID: PMC6099540 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23051134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The binding affinities of three carbazole derivatives to the intramolecular G-quadruplex (GQ) DNA formed by the sequence 5′-AGGGAGGGCGCTGGGAGGAGGG-3′, derived from the c-KIT 1 oncogene region, were investigated. All carbazole cationic ligands that differed in the substituents on the nitrogen atom were able to stabilize G-quadruplex, as demonstrated using UV-Vis, fluorescence and CD spectroscopic techniques as well as molecular modeling. The spectrophotometric titration results showed spectral features characteristic of these ligands-bathochromic shifts and initial hypochromicity followed by hyperchromicity at higher GQ concentrations. All free carbazole ligands exhibited modest fluorescent properties, but after binding to the DNA the fluorescence intensity increased significantly. The binding affinities of carbazole ligands to the c-KIT 1 DNA were comparable showing values in the order of 10⁵ M−1. Molecular modeling highlights the differences in interactions between each particular ligand and studied G-quadruplex, which potentially influenced binding strength. Obtained results relevant that all three investigated ligands have stabilization properties on studied G-quadruplex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Głuszyńska
- Laboratory of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska Street 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Bernard Juskowiak
- Laboratory of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska Street 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Martyna Kuta-Siejkowska
- Laboratory of Quantum Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska Street 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Marcin Hoffmann
- Laboratory of Quantum Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska Street 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Shozeb Haider
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
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23
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O'Hagan MP, Mergny JL, Waller ZAE. G-quadruplexes in Prague: A Bohemian Rhapsody. Biochimie 2018; 147:170-180. [PMID: 29452278 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The Sixth International Meeting on Quadruplex Nucleic Acids was held at the Hotel Internationale in Prague, Czech Republic from 31 May - 3 June 2017. A vibrant interdisciplinary community of over 300 scientists gathered to share their newest results in this exciting field and exchange ideas for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Paul O'Hagan
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS1 1TS, UK.
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Univ. Bordeaux, ARNA Laboratory, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, F-33600, France; Institute of Biophysics, AS CR, v.v.i., Kralovopolska 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zoë Ann Ella Waller
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK; Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
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24
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Rigo R, Dean WL, Gray RD, Chaires JB, Sissi C. Conformational profiling of a G-rich sequence within the c-KIT promoter. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 45:13056-13067. [PMID: 29069417 PMCID: PMC5727440 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) within oncogene promoters are considered to be promising anticancer targets. However, often they undergo complex structural rearrangements that preclude a precise description of the optimal target. Moreover, even when solved structures are available, they refer to the thermodynamically stable forms but little or no information is supplied about their complex multistep folding pathway. To shed light on this issue, we systematically followed the kinetic behavior of a G-rich sequence located within the c-KIT proximal promoter (kit2) in the presence of monovalent cations K+ and Na+. A very short-lived intermediate was observed to start the G4 folding process in both salt conditions. Subsequently, the two pathways diverge to produce distinct thermodynamically stable species (parallel and antiparallel G-quadruplex in K+ and Na+, respectively). Remarkably, in K+-containing solution a branched pathway is required to drive the wild type sequence to distribute between a monomeric and dimeric G-quadruplex. Our approach has allowed us to identify transient forms whose relative abundance is regulated by the environment; some of them were characterized by a half-life within the timescale of physiological DNA processing events and thus may represent possible unexpected targets for ligands recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Rigo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - William L Dean
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Robert D Gray
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Jonathan B Chaires
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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25
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Rigo R, Sissi C. Characterization of G4-G4 Crosstalk in the c-KIT Promoter Region. Biochemistry 2017; 56:4309-4312. [PMID: 28763217 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The proximal promoter of c-KIT contains a peculiar domain that consists of three short G-rich sequences that are close together and can fold into noncanonical DNA secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (G4). Here, we focused on a sequence containing two consecutive G4 (kit2 and kit*). By electrophoretic, surface plasmon resonance, and spectroscopic techniques, we demonstrated that they retain the ability to fold into G4 upon being inserted into the extended sequence. Here, we highlighted the occurrence of crosstalk between the two forming units. This previously unexplored G4-G4 interaction modulates both the conformation and the stability of the overall arrangement of the c-KIT promoter. It is not supported by stacking of single nucleotides but refers to a G4-G4 interaction surface surrounded by a two-nucleotides loop that might represent a reliable unprecedented target for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Rigo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova , Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova , Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
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26
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Qin QP, Qin JL, Chen M, Li YL, Meng T, Zhou J, Liang H, Chen ZF. Chiral platinum (II)-4-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)- formamide oxo-aporphine (FOA) complexes promote tumor cells apoptosis by directly targeting G-quadruplex DNA in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2017; 8:61982-61997. [PMID: 28977920 PMCID: PMC5617480 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Three platinum(II) complexes, 4 (LC-004), 5 (LC-005), and 6 (LC-006), with the chiral FOA ligands R/S-(±)-FOA (1), R-(+)-FOA (2) and S-(–)-FOA (3), respectively, were synthesized and characterized. As potential anti-tumor agents, these complexes show higher cytotoxicity to BEL-7404 cells than the HL-7702 normal cells. They are potential telomerase inhibitors that target c-myc and human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA. Compared to complexes 4 and 5, 6 exhibited higher binding affinities towards telomeric, c-myc G-quadruplex DNA and caspase-3/9, thereby inducing senescence and apoptosis to a greater extent in tumor cells. Moreover, our in vivo studies showed that complex 6 can effectively inhibit tumor growth in the BEL-7404 and BEL-7402 xenograft mouse models and is less toxic than 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. The effective inhibition of tumor growth is attributed to its interactions with 53BP1, TRF1, c-myc, TRF2, and hTERT. Thus, complex 6 can serve as a novel lead compound and a potential drug candidate for anticancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Pin Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Jiao-Lan Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Ming Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Ting Meng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Zhen-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
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27
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Zoidis G, Sosic A, Da Ros S, Gatto B, Sissi C, Palluotto F, Carotti A, Catto M. Indenocinnoline derivatives as G-quadruplex binders, topoisomerase IIα inhibitors and antiproliferative agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:2625-2634. [PMID: 28342691 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
DNA intercalating agents are a consolidated therapeutic option in the treatment of tumor diseases. Starting from previous findings in the antiproliferative efficacy of a series of indeno[1,2-c]cinnoline-11-one derivatives, we performed a suitable decoration of this scaffold by means of a simple and straightforward chemistry, aiming to a) enlarge the planar core to a pentacyclic benzo[h]indeno[1,2-c]cinnoline-13-one and b) introduce a basic head tethered through a simple polymethylene chain. In fluorescence melting and fluorescence intercalator displacement assays, these new compounds displayed fair to very good intercalating properties on different nucleic acid strands, with preference for G-quadruplex sequences. Inhibition of human topoisomerase IIα and antiproliferative assays on HeLa and MCF7 tumor cell lines outlined a multitarget antiproliferative profile for tetracyclic 6 and pentacyclic derivative 20, both bearing a N,N-dimethylamine as the protonatable moiety. Particularly, compound 6 displayed a very potent inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, while 20 returned the highest thermal stabilization in melting experiments. In summary, these results outlined a potential of such highly planar scaffolds for nucleic acid binding and antiproliferative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigoris Zoidis
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Alice Sosic
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Da Ros
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Gatto
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Sissi
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Fausta Palluotto
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Carotti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Catto
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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