1
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Schult P, Kümmerer BM, Hafner M, Paeschke K. Viral hijacking of hnRNPH1 unveils a G-quadruplex-driven mechanism of stress control. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:1579-1593.e8. [PMID: 39094585 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.07.006] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Viral genomes are enriched with G-quadruplexes (G4s), non-canonical structures formed in DNA or RNA upon assembly of four guanine stretches into stacked quartets. Because of their critical roles, G4s are potential antiviral targets, yet their function remains largely unknown. Here, we characterize the formation and functions of a conserved G4 within the polymerase coding region of orthoflaviviruses of the Flaviviridae family. Using yellow fever virus, we determine that this G4 promotes viral replication and suppresses host stress responses via interactions with hnRNPH1, a host nuclear protein involved in RNA processing. G4 binding to hnRNPH1 causes its cytoplasmic retention with subsequent impacts on G4-containing tRNA fragments (tiRNAs) involved in stress-mediated reductions in translation. As a result, these host stress responses and associated antiviral effects are impaired. These data reveal that the interplay between hnRNPH1 and both host and viral G4 targets controls the integrated stress response and viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schult
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Beate Mareike Kümmerer
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Hafner
- RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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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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Chaudhuri R, Prasanth T, Biswas D, Mandal S, Dash J. Combating multidrug-resistance in S. pneumoniae: a G-quadruplex binding inhibitor of efflux pump and its bio-orthogonal assembly. NAR MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2024; 1:ugae005. [PMID: 38694210 PMCID: PMC11059089 DOI: 10.1093/narmme/ugae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health threat, necessitating innovative strategies to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae, a pathogen responsible for various infections, harbors highly conserved DNA quadruplexes in genes linked to its pathogenesis. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to counter antibiotic resistance by stabilizing G-quadruplex structures within the open reading frames of key resistance-associated genes (pmrA, recD and hsdS). We synthesized An4, a bis-anthracene derivative, using Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, which exhibited remarkable binding and stabilization of the G-quadruplex in the pmrA gene responsible for drug efflux. An4 effectively permeated multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae strains, leading to a substantial 12.5-fold reduction in ciprofloxacin resistance. Furthermore, An4 downregulated pmrA gene expression, enhancing drug retention within bacterial cells. Remarkably, the pmrA G-quadruplex cloned into the pET28a(+) plasmid transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 cells can template Cu-free bio-orthogonal synthesis of An4 from its corresponding alkyne and azide fragments. This study presents a pioneering strategy to combat antibiotic resistance by genetically reducing drug efflux pump expression through G-quadruplex stabilization, offering promising avenues for addressing antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritapa Chaudhuri
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, West-Bengal 700032, India
| | - Thumpati Prasanth
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, West-Bengal 700032, India
| | - Debasmita Biswas
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, West-Bengal 700032, India
| | - Subhranshu Mandal
- Laboratory Medicine, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal 700156, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Dash
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, West-Bengal 700032, India
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Ambrosio MR, Migliaccio T, Napolitano F, Di Somma S, Maneli G, Amato J, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Portella G, Formisano P, Malfitano AM. Targeting G-quadruplex motifs interferes with differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:98. [PMID: 37076894 PMCID: PMC10116735 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03320-9] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-quadruplex (G4) motifs are nucleic acid secondary structures observed in mammalian genomes and transcriptomes able to regulate various cellular processes. Several small molecules have been developed so far to modulate G4 stability, frequently associated with anticancer activity. However, how G4 structures are regulated over homeostatic conditions is mostly unexplored. Here, we used human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) to address the role of G4 motifs during adipogenic differentiation. METHODS Adipocyte differentiation of ASCs was investigated in the presence or absence of a well-known G4 ligand, Braco-19. Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B assay. Cell dimension and granularity, DNA G4 motifs and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Lipid droplet accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining. Cell senescence was evaluated by β-galactosidase staining. Gene expression was measured by qPCR. Protein release in the extracellular medium was quantified by ELISA. RESULTS Braco-19 used at non-cytotoxic concentrations induced morphological changes in mature adipocytes partially restoring an undifferentiated-like status. Braco-19 reduced lipid vacuolization and PPARG, AP2, LEP and TNFA mRNA levels in terminally differentiated cells. No effect was observed in cell senescence, fibrotic markers, IL-6 and IL-8 production, while the secretion of VEGF was dose-dependently reduced. Interestingly, G4 structures were increased in differentiated adipocytes compared to their precursors. Braco-19 treatment reduced G4 content in mature adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight a new role of G4 motifs as genomic structural elements related to human ASC differentiation into mature adipocytes, with potential implications in physio-pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Ambrosio
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Migliaccio
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Napolitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Sarah Di Somma
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maneli
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Portella
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.
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6
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Zheng BX, Yu J, Long W, Chan KH, Leung ASL, Wong WL. Structurally diverse G-quadruplexes as the noncanonical nucleic acid drug target for live cell imaging and antibacterial study. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1415-1433. [PMID: 36636928 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc05945b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The formation of G-quadruplex structures (G4s) in vitro from guanine (G)-rich nucleic acid sequences of DNA and RNA stabilized with monovalent cations, typically K+ and Na+, under physiological conditions, has been verified experimentally and some of them have high-resolution NMR or X-ray crystal structures; however, the biofunction of these special noncanonical secondary structures of nucleic acids has not been fully understood and their existence in vivo is still controversial at present. It is generally believed that the folding and unfolding of G4s in vivo is a transient process. Accumulating evidence has shown that G4s may play a role in the regulation of certain important cellular functions including telomere maintenance, replication, transcription and translation. Therefore, both DNA and RNA G4s of human cancer hallmark genes are recognized as the potential anticancer drug target for the investigation in cancer biology, chemical biology and drug discovery. The relationship between the sequence, structure and stability of G4s, the interaction of G4s with small molecules, and insights into the rational design of G4-selective binding ligands have been intensively studied over the decade. At present, some G4-ligands have achieved a new milestone and successfully entered the human clinical trials for anticancer therapy. Over the past few decades, numerous efforts have been devoted to anticancer therapy; however, G4s for molecular recognition and live cell imaging and for application as antibacterial agents and antibiofilms against antibiotic resistance have been obviously underexplored. The recent advances in G4-ligands in these areas are thus selected and discussed concentratedly in this article in order to shed light on the emerging role of G4s in chemical biology and therapeutic prospects against bacterial infections. In addition, the recently published molecular scaffolds for designing small ligands selectively targeting G4s in live cell imaging, bacterial biofilm imaging, and antibacterial studies are discussed. Furthermore, a number of underexplored G4-targets from the cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA, the conserved promoter region of K. pneumoniae genomes, the RNA G4-sites in the transcriptome of E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and the mRNA G4-sites in the sequence for coding the vital bacterial FtsZ protein are highlighted to further explore in G4-drug development against human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Xin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Wei Long
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
| | - Ka Hin Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Alan Siu-Lun Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Wing-Leung Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
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7
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Cueny RR, McMillan SD, Keck JL. G-quadruplexes in bacteria: insights into the regulatory roles and interacting proteins of non-canonical nucleic acid structures. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 57:539-561. [PMID: 36999585 PMCID: PMC10336854 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2023.2181310] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are highly stable, non-canonical DNA or RNA structures that can form in guanine-rich stretches of nucleic acids. G4-forming sequences have been found in all domains of life, and proteins that bind and/or resolve G4s have been discovered in both bacterial and eukaryotic organisms. G4s regulate a variety of cellular processes through inhibitory or stimulatory roles that depend upon their positions within genomes or transcripts. These include potential roles as impediments to genome replication, transcription, and translation or, in other contexts, as activators of genome stability, transcription, and recombination. This duality suggests that G4 sequences can aid cellular processes but that their presence can also be problematic. Despite their documented importance in bacterial species, G4s remain understudied in bacteria relative to eukaryotes. In this review, we highlight the roles of bacterial G4s by discussing their prevalence in bacterial genomes, the proteins that bind and unwind G4s in bacteria, and the processes regulated by bacterial G4s. We identify limitations in our current understanding of the functions of G4s in bacteria and describe new avenues for studying these remarkable nucleic acid structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R. Cueny
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Sarah D. McMillan
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - James L. Keck
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
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8
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Abstract
The noncanonical structures, G-quadruplexes (GQs), formed in the guanine-rich region of nucleic acids regulate various biological and molecular functions in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Neisseria meningitidis is a commensal residing in a human's upper respiratory tract but occasionally becomes virulent, causing life-threatening septicemia and meningitis. The factors causing these changes in phenotypes are not fully understood. At the molecular level, regulatory components help in a clearer understanding of the pathogen's virulence and pathogenesis. Herein, genome analysis followed by biophysical assays and cell-based experiments revealed the presence of conserved GQ motifs in N. meningitidis. These GQs are linked to the essential genes involved in cell adhesion, pathogenesis, virulence, transport, DNA repair, and recombination. Primer extension stop assay, reporter assays, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) further affirmed the formation of stable GQs in vitro and in vivo. These results support the existence of evolutionarily conserved GQ motifs in N. meningitidis and uphold the usage of GQ-specific ligands as novel antimeningococcal therapeutics.
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9
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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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10
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Pandya N, Jain N, Kumar A. Interaction analysis of anti-cancer drug Methotrexate with bcl-2 promoter stabilization and its transcription regulation. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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11
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Warner EF, Bohálová N, Brázda V, Waller ZAE, Bidula S. Analysis of putative quadruplex-forming sequences in fungal genomes: novel antifungal targets? Microb Genom 2021; 7:000570. [PMID: 33956596 PMCID: PMC8209732 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections cause >1 million deaths annually and the emergence of antifungal resistance has prompted the exploration for novel antifungal targets. Quadruplexes are four-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures, which can regulate processes such as transcription, translation, replication and recombination. They are also found in genes linked to virulence in microbes, and ligands that bind to quadruplexes can eliminate drug-resistant pathogens. Using a computational approach, we quantified putative quadruplex-forming sequences (PQS) in 1359 genomes across the fungal kingdom and explored their presence in genes related to virulence, drug resistance and biological processes associated with pathogenicity in Aspergillus fumigatus. Here we present the largest analysis of PQS in fungi and identify significant heterogeneity of these sequences throughout phyla, genera and species. PQS were genetically conserved in Aspergillus spp. and frequently pathogenic species appeared to contain fewer PQS than their lesser/non-pathogenic counterparts. GO-term analysis identified that PQS-containing genes were involved in processes linked with virulence such as zinc ion binding, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and regulation of transcription in A. fumigatus. Although the genome frequency of PQS was lower in A. fumigatus, PQS could be found enriched in genes involved in virulence, and genes upregulated during germination and hypoxia. Moreover, PQS were found in genes involved in drug resistance. Quadruplexes could have important roles within fungal biology and virulence, but their roles require further elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F. Warner
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present address: Ikarovec Limited, Norwich Research Park Innovation Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Natália Bohálová
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Václav Brázda
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | | | - Stefan Bidula
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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12
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Brázda V, Bartas M, Bowater RP. Evolution of Diverse Strategies for Promoter Regulation. Trends Genet 2021; 37:730-744. [PMID: 33931265 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA is fundamentally important for all cellular organisms due to its role as a store of hereditary genetic information. The precise and accurate regulation of gene transcription depends primarily on promoters, which vary significantly within and between genomes. Some promoters are rich in specific types of bases, while others have more varied, complex sequence characteristics. However, it is not only base sequence but also epigenetic modifications and altered DNA structure that regulate promoter activity. Significantly, many promoters across all organisms contain sequences that can form intrastrand hairpins (cruciforms) or four-stranded structures (G-quadruplex or i-motif). In this review we integrate recent studies on promoter regulation that highlight the importance of DNA structure in the evolutionary adaptation of promoter sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Brázda
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Bartas
- Department of Biology and Ecology/Institute of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Richard P Bowater
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
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13
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Dey U, Sarkar S, Teronpi V, Yella VR, Kumar A. G-quadruplex motifs are functionally conserved in cis-regulatory regions of pathogenic bacteria: An in-silico evaluation. Biochimie 2021; 184:40-51. [PMID: 33548392 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The role of G-quadruplexes in the cellular physiology of human pathogenesis is an intriguing area of research. Nonetheless, their functional roles and evolutionary conservation have not been compared comprehensively in pathogenic forms of various bacterial genera and species. In the current in silico study, we addressed the role of G-quadruplex-forming sequences (G4 motifs) in the context of cis-regulation, expression variation, regulatory networks, gene orthology and ontology. Genome-wide screening across seven pathogenic genomes using the G4Hunter tool revealed the significant prevalence of G4 motifs in cis-regulatory regions compared to the intragenic regions. Significant conservation of G4 motifs was observed in the regulatory region of 300 orthologous genes. Further analysis of published ChIP-Seq data (Minch et al., 2015) of 91 DNA-binding proteins of the M. tuberculosis genome revealed significant links between G4 motifs and target sites of transcriptional regulators. Interestingly, the transcription factors entangled with virulence, in specific, CsoR, Rv0081, DevR/DosR, and TetR family are found to have G4 motifs in their target regulatory regions. Overall the current study applies positional-functional relationship computation to delve into the cis-regulation of G-quadruplex structures in the context of gene orthology in pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upalabdha Dey
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India
| | - Sharmilee Sarkar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India
| | - Valentina Teronpi
- Department of Zoology, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Adarsha Mahavidyalaya, Behali, Biswanath, 784184, Assam, India
| | - Venkata Rajesh Yella
- Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, 522502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Aditya Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India.
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14
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Taneja V, Goel M, Shankar U, Kumar A, Khilnani GC, Prasad HK, Prasad GBKS, Gupta UD, Sharma TK. An Aptamer Linked Immobilized Sorbent Assay (ALISA) to Detect Circulatory IFN-α, an Inflammatory Protein among Tuberculosis Patients. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2020; 22:656-666. [PMID: 33063508 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.0c00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of IFN-α is the basis for pathogenesis of autoimmune as well as infectious diseases. Identifying inflammatory signatures in peripheral blood of patients is an approach for monitoring active infection. Hence, estimation of type I IFNs as an inflammatory biomarker to scrutinize disease status after treatment is useful. Accordingly, an Aptamer Linked Immobilized Sorbent Assay (ALISA) for the detection of IFN-α in serum samples was developed. Sixteen aptamers were screened for their ability to bind IFN-α. Aptamer IFNα-3 exhibited specificity for IFN-α with no cross-reactivity with interferons β and γ and human serum albumin. The disassociation constant (Kd) was determined to be 3.96 ± 0.36 nM, and the limit of detection was ∼2 ng. The characterized IFNα-3 aptamer was used in ALISA to screen tuberculosis (TB) patients' sera. An elevated IFN-α level in sera derived from untreated TB patients (median = 0.31), compared to nontuberculous household contacts (median = 0.13) and healthy volunteers (median = 0.12), and further a decline in IFN-α level among treated patients (median = 0.13) were seen. The ALISA assay facilitates direct estimation of inflammatory protein(s) in circulation unlike mRNA estimation by real time PCR. Designing of aptamers similar to the IFNα-3 aptamer provides a novel approach to assess other inflammatory protein(s) in patients before, during, and after completion of treatment and would denote clinical improvement in successfully treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibha Taneja
- National JALMA Institute of Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Tajganj, Agra, 282001, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474011, India
- Aptamer Technology and Diagnostics Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Clinical and Translational Research Group, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Incubator, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Third Milestone, Faridabad, Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Manish Goel
- Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Uma Shankar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Gopi C. Khilnani
- Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Hanumanthappa K. Prasad
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | | | - Umesh D. Gupta
- National JALMA Institute of Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Tajganj, Agra, 282001, India
| | - Tarun K. Sharma
- Aptamer Technology and Diagnostics Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Clinical and Translational Research Group, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Incubator, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Third Milestone, Faridabad, Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
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15
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Sullivan HJ, Chen B, Wu C. Molecular Dynamics Study on the Binding of an Anticancer DNA G-Quadruplex Stabilizer, CX-5461, to Human Telomeric, c-KIT1, and c-Myc G-Quadruplexes and a DNA Duplex. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:5203-5224. [PMID: 32820923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplex (G4) stabilizer, CX-5461, is in phase I/II clinical trials for advanced cancers with BRCA1/2 deficiencies. A FRET-melting temperature increase assay measured the stabilizing effects of CX-5461 to a DNA duplex (∼10 K), and three G4 forming sequences negatively implicated in the cancers upon its binding: human telomeric (∼30 K), c-KIT1 (∼27 K), and c-Myc (∼25 K). Without experimentally solved structures of these CX-5461-G4 complexes, CX-5461's interactions remain elusive. In this study, we performed a total of 73.5 μs free ligand molecular dynamics binding simulations of CX-5461 to the DNA duplex and three G4s. Three binding modes (top, bottom, and side) were identified for each system and their thermodynamic, kinetic, and structural nature were deciphered. The molecular mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann surface area binding energies of CX-5461 were calculated for the human telomeric (-28.6 kcal/mol), c-KIT1 (-23.9 kcal/mol), c-Myc (-22.0 kcal/mol) G4s, and DNA duplex (-15.0 kcal/mol) systems. These energetic differences coupled with structural differences at the 3' site explained the different melting temperatures between the G4s, while CX-5461's lack of intercalation to the duplex explained the difference between the G4s and duplex. Based on the interaction insight, CX-5461 derivatives were designed and docked, showing higher selectivity to the G4s over the duplex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holli-Joi Sullivan
- College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028 USA
| | - Brian Chen
- College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028 USA
| | - Chun Wu
- College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028 USA
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16
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Shankar U, Jain N, Majee P, Kodgire P, Sharma TK, Kumar A. Exploring Computational and Biophysical Tools to Study the Presence of G-Quadruplex Structures: A Promising Therapeutic Solution for Drug-Resistant Vibrio cholerae. Front Genet 2020; 11:935. [PMID: 33101360 PMCID: PMC7545536 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae, a gram-negative bacterium that causes cholera, has already caused seven major pandemics across the world and infects roughly 1.3–4 million people every year. Cholera treatment primarily involves oral rehydration therapy supplemented with antibiotics. But recently, multidrug-resistant strains of V. cholerae have emerged. High genomic plasticity further enhances the pathogenesis of this human pathogen. Guanines in DNA or RNA assemble to form G-quadruplex (GQ) structures which have begun to be seen as potential drug targeting sites for different pathogenic bacteria and viruses. In this perspective, we carried out a genome-wide hunt in V. cholerae using a bio-informatics approach and observed ∼85 G-quadruplex forming motifs (VC-PGQs) in chromosome I and ∼45 putative G-quadruplexs (PGQs) in chromosome II. Ten putative G-quadruplex forming motifs (VC-PGQs) were selected on the basis of conservation throughout the genus and functional analysis displayed their location in the essential genes encoding bacterial proteins, for example, methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, orotate phosphoribosyl transferase protein, amidase proteins, etc. The predicted VC-PGQs were validated using different bio-physical techniques, including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, Circular Dichroism spectroscopy, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, which demonstrated the formation of highly stable GQ structures in the bacteria. The interaction of these VC-PGQs with the known specific GQ ligand, TMPyP4, was analyzed using ITC and molecular dynamics studies that displayed the stabilization of the VC-PGQs by the GQ ligands and thus represents a potential therapeutic strategy against this enteric pathogen by inhibiting the PGQ harboring gene expression, thereby inhibiting the bacterial growth and virulence. In summary, this study reveals the presence of conserved GQ forming motifs in the V. cholerae genome that has the potential to be used to treat the multi-drug resistance problem of the notorious enteric pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma Shankar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
| | - Prativa Majee
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
| | - Prashant Kodgire
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
| | | | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
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17
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Jain N, Mishra SK, Shankar U, Jaiswal A, Sharma TK, Kodgire P, Kumar A. G-quadruplex stabilization in the ions and maltose transporters gene inhibit Salmonella enterica growth and virulence. Genomics 2020; 112:4863-4874. [PMID: 32898642 PMCID: PMC7474834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The G-quadruplex structure is a highly conserved drug target for preventing infection of several human pathogens. We tried to explore G-quadruplex forming motifs as promising drug targets in the genome of Salmonella enterica that causes enteric fever in humans. Herein, we report three highly conserved G-quadruplex motifs (SE-PGQ-1, 2, and 3) in the genome of Salmonella enterica. Bioinformatics analysis inferred the presence of SE-PGQ-1 in the regulatory region of mgtA, SE-PGQ-2 in ORF of entA, and SE-PGQ-3 in the promoter region of malE and malK genes. The G-quadruplex forming sequences were confirmed by biophysical and biomolecular techniques. Cellular studies affirm the inhibitory effect of G-quadruplex specific ligands on Salmonella enterica growth. Further, PCR inhibition, reporter based assay, and RT-qPCR assays emphasize the biological relevance of G-quadruplexes in these genes. Thus, this study confirmed the presence of G-quadruplex motifs in Salmonella enterica and characterized them as a promising drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Jain
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Subodh Kumar Mishra
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Uma Shankar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Ankit Jaiswal
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Sharma
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India
| | - Prashant Kodgire
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India.
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