1
|
Wang X, Liu Y, Gao Z, Fang X, Ma K, Sun M, Li Q, Wang B, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Han W. Design and synthesis of novel styrylquinolinium derivatives for the treatment of breast Cancer: Targeting the c-Myc G-quadruplex. Eur J Med Chem 2025; 291:117663. [PMID: 40262296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.117663] [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: 02/14/2025] [Revised: 04/14/2025] [Accepted: 04/18/2025] [Indexed: 04/24/2025]
Abstract
Inhibiting c-Myc gene expression by targeting the c-Myc G-quadruplex (G4) represents an effective strategy for breast cancer treatment. In order to find ligands that can specifically target the c-Myc G4, we utilized styrylquinolinium as the core element to anchor G4, and proposed three guiding principles for the design and synthesis of G4 ligands. Finally, compound W11 was identified as the compound skeleton which has the potential to target c-Myc G4. On this basis, compound X3 with higher c-Myc G4 selectivity was developed. Both W11 and X3 demonstrate significant inhibitory effects on breast cancer. Subsequently, we used molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to analyze the relationship between the targeting ability and chemical structure of W11 derivatives, and proposed a detailed structure-activity relationship model. Additionally, we found that the free energy landscape (FEL) of ligands with high selectivity and affinity for G4 is "centralized and singular" during this process. Cell experiments and MCF-7 tumor xenograft experiments demonstrated that W11 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells by downregulating the transcription and translation of the c-Myc gene. Moreover W11 significantly inhibited tumor tissue growth in vivo without causing obvious damage to major organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xutong Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zeyu Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiaodong Fang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Kejing Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Meng Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Qiming Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD, State Key Laboratory -Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China; State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China; Research Unit of Noninfectious Chronic Diseases in Frigid Zone (2019RU070), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD, State Key Laboratory -Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Weina Han
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Satange R, Hou MH. The role of water in mediating DNA structures with epigenetic modifications, higher-order conformations and drug-DNA interactions. RSC Chem Biol 2025; 6:699-720. [PMID: 40171245 PMCID: PMC11955920 DOI: 10.1039/d4cb00308j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2025] [Indexed: 04/03/2025] Open
Abstract
Water is arguably one of the most important chemicals essential for the functioning of biological molecules. In the context of DNA, it plays a crucial role in stabilizing and modulating its structure and function. The discovery of water-bound motifs in crystal structures has greatly improved our understanding of the interactions between structured water molecules and DNA. In this manuscript, we review the role of water in mediating biologically relevant DNA structures, in particular those arising from epigenetic modifications and higher-order structures such as G-quadruplexes and i-motifs. We also examine water-mediated interactions between DNA and various small molecules, including groove binders and intercalators, and emphasize their importance for DNA function and therapeutic development. Finally, we discuss recent advances in tools and techniques for predicting water interactions in nucleic acid structures. By offering a fresh perspective on the role of water, this review underscores its importance as a molecular modulator of DNA structure and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Satange
- Graduate Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University Taichung 402 Taiwan +886 4 2285 9329 +886 4 2284 0338 ext. 7011
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Graduate Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University Taichung 402 Taiwan +886 4 2285 9329 +886 4 2284 0338 ext. 7011
- Doctoral Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University Taichung 402 Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University Taichung 402 Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Valipour M, Sheibani M, Dibaei M, Khatir ZZ, Ayati A, Motafeghi F, Irannejad H. Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Coptisine as a Planar Quaternary Benzo[C]Phenanthridine Alkaloid With G-Quadruplex DNA Telomeric Induction Activity. Drug Dev Res 2025; 86:e70071. [PMID: 40317769 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.70071] [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: 11/11/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2025] [Accepted: 02/22/2025] [Indexed: 05/07/2025]
Abstract
Coptisine, an isoquinoline-based phytochemical, exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Its planar chemical structure allows for the induction of anticancer effects by forming telomeric G-quadruplex structures. Despite its promising medicinal benefits, the clinical utilization of this compound is limited by critical shortcomings such as low efficacy and poor pharmacokinetics. While in vitro studies demonstrate high cytotoxicity, in vivo research highlights its favorable toxicity profile, attributed to the conversion of its iminium form to a less toxic alkanolamine form within the physiological setting. Past endeavors have focused on rectifying these limitations through structural modifications to yield more efficacious molecules. In the current review, we provide an overview of the anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of coptisine and its semisynthetic derivatives, in conjunction with its pharmacokinetic profile, synthesis, and safety/toxicity considerations. This review draws upon information sourced from publications indexed in esteemed scientific databases like Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, among others. To prepare each section, we utilized Coptisine and section-specific keywords, emphasizing recent literature findings (2014-2024) while maintaining a broad scope due to the study's nature. In conclusion, this review underscores coptisine's remarkable anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that further exploration of structural modifications may yield semisynthetic derivatives with enhanced safety/toxicity profiles, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Valipour
- Microbial Biotechnology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sheibani
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Dibaei
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zakeri Khatir
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Adileh Ayati
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Motafeghi
- Reproductive Endocrine Research Center, Endocrine Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Irannejad
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou Y, Xu D, Zhang Y, Zhou H. G-Quadruplexes in Tumor Immune Regulation: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Biomedicines 2025; 13:1057. [PMID: 40426885 PMCID: PMC12109316 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13051057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2025] [Revised: 04/18/2025] [Accepted: 04/25/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) is a noncanonical nucleic acid secondary structure self-assembled by guanine-rich sequences. Recent studies have not only revealed the key role of G4 in gene regulation, DNA replication, and telomere maintenance but also showed that it plays a core role in regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. G4 participates in tumor immune escape and the inhibition of immune response by regulating immune checkpoint molecules, cytokine expression, immune cell function, and their interaction network, thus significantly affecting the effect of tumor immunotherapy. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanism of G4 in tumor immune regulation, especially gastrointestinal tumors, and explores the potential and application prospects of G4-targeted drug strategies in improving anti-tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ying Zhang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Huaixiang Zhou
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hile SE, Weissensteiner MH, Pytko KG, Dahl J, Kejnovsky E, Kejnovská I, Hedglin M, Georgakopoulos-Soares I, Makova K, Eckert KA. Replicative DNA polymerase epsilon and delta holoenzymes show wide-ranging inhibition at G-quadruplexes in the human genome. Nucleic Acids Res 2025; 53:gkaf352. [PMID: 40298112 PMCID: PMC12038398 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaf352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2025] [Accepted: 04/16/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are functional elements of the human genome, some of which inhibit DNA replication. We investigated replication of G4s within highly abundant microsatellite (GGGA, GGGT) and transposable element (L1 and SVA) sequences. We found that genome-wide, numerous motifs are located preferentially on the replication leading strand and the transcribed strand templates. We directly tested replicative polymerase ϵ and δ holoenzyme inhibition at these G4s, compared to low abundant motifs. For all G4s, DNA synthesis inhibition was higher on the G-rich than C-rich strand or control sequence. No single G4 was an absolute block for either holoenzyme; however, the inhibitory potential varied over an order of magnitude. Biophysical analyses showed the motifs form varying topologies, but replicative polymerase inhibition did not correlate with a specific G4 structure. Addition of the G4 stabilizer pyridostatin severely inhibited forward polymerase synthesis specifically on the G-rich strand, enhancing G/C strand asynchrony. Our results reveal that replicative polymerase inhibition at every G4 examined is distinct, causing complementary strand synthesis to become asynchronous, which could contribute to slowed fork elongation. Altogether, we provide critical information regarding how replicative eukaryotic holoenzymes navigate synthesis through G4s naturally occurring thousands of times in functional regions of the human genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne E Hile
- Department of Pathology, The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, United States
| | - Matthias H Weissensteiner
- Department of Biology, Penn State University Eberly College of Science, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Kara G Pytko
- Department of Chemistry, Penn State University Eberly College of Science, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Joseph Dahl
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Z01 ES065070, Durham, NC 27709, United States
| | - Eduard Kejnovsky
- Department of Plant Developmental Genetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Kejnovská
- Department of Biophysics of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Mark Hedglin
- Department of Chemistry, Penn State University Eberly College of Science, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
| | - Kateryna D Makova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University Eberly College of Science, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Kristin A Eckert
- Department of Pathology, The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li HX, He YM, Fei J, Guo M, Zeng C, Yan PJ, Xu Y, Qin G, Teng FY. The G-quadruplex ligand CX-5461: an innovative candidate for disease treatment. J Transl Med 2025; 23:457. [PMID: 40251554 PMCID: PMC12007140 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-025-06473-8] [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: 02/04/2025] [Accepted: 04/08/2025] [Indexed: 04/20/2025] Open
Abstract
The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) plays a vital role in regulating protein synthesis by ribosome biogenesis, essential for maintaining cellular growth, metabolism, and more. Cancer cells show a high dependence on ribosome biogenesis and exhibit elevated rDNA transcriptional activity. CX-5461, also known as Pidnarulex, is a First-in-Class anticancer drug that has received 'Fast Track Designation' approval from the FDA. Initially reported to inhibit Pol I-driven rDNA transcription, CX-5461 was recently identified as a G-quadruplex structure (G4) stabilizer and is currently completed or undergoing multiple Phase I clinical trials in patients with breast and ovarian cancers harboring BRCA1/2, PALB2, or other DNA repair deficiencies. Additionally, preclinical studies have confirmed that CX-5461 demonstrates promising therapeutic effects against multifarious non-cancer diseases, including viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes the mechanisms of CX-5461, including its transcriptional inhibition of rDNA, binding to G4, and toxicity towards topoisomerase, along with its research status and therapeutic effects across various diseases. Lastly, this review highlights the targeted therapy strategy of CX-5461 based on nanomedicine delivery, particularly the drug delivery utilizing the nucleic acid aptamer AS1411, which contains a G4 motif to specifically target the highly expressed nucleolin on the surface of tumor cell membranes; It also anticipates the strategy of coupling CX-5461 with peptide nucleic acids and locked nucleic acids to achieve dual targeting, thereby realizing individualized G4-targeting by CX-5461. This review aims to provide a general overview of the progress of CX-5461 in recent years and suggest potential strategies for disease treatment involving ribosomal RNA synthesis, G4, and topoisomerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xia Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Cooperation, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi-Meng He
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Fei
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Man Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Cooperation, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Chen Zeng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Pi-Jun Yan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Cooperation, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Cooperation, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Gang Qin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Fang-Yuan Teng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Cooperation, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Nephropathy, and Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fan S, Chang X, Qiao Y, Zhao X, Zhao J, Zhu H, Han Y, Zhang C. Tandemly Repeated G-Quadruplex Structures in the Pseudorabies Virus Genome: Implications for Epiberberine-Based Antiviral Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:3764. [PMID: 40332400 PMCID: PMC12028228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26083764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2025] [Revised: 04/08/2025] [Accepted: 04/12/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) structures have emerged as critical regulatory elements in viral genomes and represent potential targets for antiviral intervention. In this study, we identified and characterized G4 structures in the unique long (UL) region of the Pseudorabies virus (PRV) genome, highlighting their role as novel antiviral targets. Bioinformatic analysis revealed two guanine-rich regions (R1 and R2) that form stable G4 structures, as confirmed by fluorescence assays, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and immunofluorescence staining. Notably, these G4 structures exhibit a tandem repeat arrangement, a previously unreported feature in the PRV genome. Epiberberine (EPI), a natural G4-stabilizing ligand, bound to and stabilized these structures, leading to the inhibition of Taq polymerase progression. Functional assays demonstrated that EPI effectively suppressed PRV replication in vitro while having no significant impact on viral entry or release. In vivo, EPI treatment significantly improved survival rates and reduced viral loads in multiple organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys of infected mice. These findings provide new insights into the role of G4 structures in PRV replication and demonstrate that EPI exhibits potential antiviral activity by targeting G4 structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (S.F.); (X.C.); (Y.Q.); (X.Z.); (J.Z.); (H.Z.); (Y.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li T, Li R, Li Z, Li Z, Wang M, He X, Zhang G, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Li Y. Unveiling a novel RNA G-triplex structure: its function and potential in CRISPR-based diagnostics. Chem Commun (Camb) 2025; 61:4002-4005. [PMID: 39949273 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc06581f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2025]
Abstract
We report the discovery of a novel higher-order RNA structure, RNA G-triplex (rG3), formed by the TERRA sequence. Through CD spectroscopy, NMR analysis, and molecular modeling, we confirmed its stable, parallel conformation. rG3 exhibits strong binding to thioflavin T (ThT), N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM), and hemin, showcasing its potential as a biosensing element. Additionally, CRISPR-Cas13a trans-cleaves rG3, demonstrating its utility as a sensitive reporter in diagnostic applications. These findings expand the structural diversity of RNA and suggest new avenues for RNA-based biosensors and CRISPR diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Runchen Li
- Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zheyu Li
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Zhihao Li
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Mengjun Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Xiaoling He
- Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Guojun Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yuanqing Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yunhuang Yang
- Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ying Li
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, 16 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China
- Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liew SW, Cao D, Petersen R, Butcher S, Kennedy S, Kwok CK. A novel L-RNA aptamer to regulate the pUG fold RNA-induced gene expression in vivo. Nucleic Acids Res 2025; 53:gkaf137. [PMID: 40057375 PMCID: PMC11890061 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaf137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 12/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2025] [Indexed: 03/27/2025] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) is a guanine-rich secondary structure found in DNA and RNA involved in various biological roles. Recently, a non-canonical RNA G-quadruplex (rG4), known as poly(UG) (pUG) fold, was discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans. This unique structure was found to induce RNA interference (RNAi) upon recruitment of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), resulting in trans-generational gene silencing. Herein, we develop a novel L-RNA aptamer, L-apt3.1, that binds to the pUG fold. We uncover that L-apt3.1 consists of a parallel rG4 structural motif, and mutagenesis analysis illustrates that the rG4 motif in L-apt3.1 is essential for pUG fold recognition. We show that L-apt3.1 interacts strongly with pUG fold, and notably, it is the first reported aptamer that can bind to pUG fold in vitro. We also demonstrate that L-apt3.1 possesses great biostability in cellular environments and negligible toxicity in vivo. Furthermore, we report that L-apt3.1 can interact with pUG fold in vivo, and with a comparable performance to the G4 ligand, N-methyl mesoporphyrin, in inhibiting gene silencing in C. elegans. Overall, we demonstrate the development of pUG fold-targeting L-RNA aptamer for the first time, and show that this new aptamer tool can be applied to control pUG fold-mediated gene expression in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiau Wei Liew
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Dong Cao
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Riley J Petersen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Samuel E Butcher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Scott G Kennedy
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang SL, Fu H, Ma Y, Lin Q, Xu Y, Yang Q, He P, Wei Z. A novel platinum(II) complex with a berberine derivative as a potential antitumor agent targeting G-quadruplex DNA. Org Biomol Chem 2025; 23:1112-1119. [PMID: 39654427 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob01705f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2025]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are considered attractive targets for various human diseases, including cancer therapy, owing to their potential therapeutic applications. Understanding the interaction between ligands and G-quadruplexes is crucial for the development of novel anticancer agents. In this study, we designed a novel platinum(II) complex (Pt1), with a berberine derivative (L) serving as a bioactive ligand. The structures of both ligand L and Pt1 were fully characterized using NMR, ESI-MS, and IR. UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, electrostatic surface potential, frontier molecular orbital and molecular docking experiments were employed to investigate the interaction between Pt1 and G-quadruplexes. The results suggested that Pt1 interacted favorably with G-quadruplex DNA over double-stranded DNA (DS26). Among them, Pt1 interacts with the bcl-2 G-quadruplex with a binding affinity of 17.9 μM and did not induce conformational changes in the topology of the bcl-2 G-quadruplex. Moreover, we evaluated its antiproliferative activities on tumor cells (HeLa, A549 and T24), which demonstrated that Pt1 inhibited tumor cell proliferation and induced HeLa cell apoptosis. Overall, this study offers novel insights for the development of promising platinum(II) antitumor agents based on G-quadruplex structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Lin Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China.
| | - Haimei Fu
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China.
| | - Yingxia Ma
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China.
| | - Qifu Lin
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China.
| | - Yanli Xu
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China.
| | - Qiyuan Yang
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China.
| | - Peng He
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Change and Disaster in Beibu Gulf, College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, China.
| | - Zuzhuang Wei
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Antariksa N, Di Antonio M. The Emerging Roles of Multimolecular G-Quadruplexes in Transcriptional Regulation and Chromatin Organization. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:3397-3406. [PMID: 39555660 PMCID: PMC11618987 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2024] [Revised: 10/24/2024] [Accepted: 11/06/2024] [Indexed: 11/19/2024]
Abstract
The ability of genomic DNA to adopt non-canonical secondary structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4s) under physiological conditions has been recognized for its potential regulatory function of various biological processes. Among those, transcription has recently emerged as a key process that can be heavily affected by G4 formation, particularly when these structures form at gene promoters. While the presence of G4s within gene promoters has been traditionally associated with transcriptional inhibition, in a model whereby G4s act as roadblocks to polymerase elongation, recent genomics experiments have revealed that the regulatory role of G4s in transcription is more complex than initially anticipated. Indeed, earlier studies linking G4-formation and transcription mainly relied on small-molecule ligands to stabilize and promote G4s, which might lead to disruption of protein-DNA interactions and local environments and, therefore, does not necessarily reflect the endogenous function of G4s at gene promoters. There is now strong evidence pointing toward G4s being associated with transcriptional enhancement, rather than repression, through multifaceted mechanisms such as recruitment of key transcriptional proteins, molding of chromatin architecture, and mode of phase separation. In this Account, we explore pivotal findings from our research on a particular subset of G4s, namely, those formed through interactions between distant genomic locations or independent nucleic acid strands, referred to as multimolecular G4s (mG4s), and discuss their active role in transcriptional regulation. We present our recent studies suggesting that the formation of mG4s may positively regulate transcription by inducing phase-separation and selectively recruiting chromatin-remodeling proteins. Our work highlighted how mG4-forming DNA and RNA sequences can lead to liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in the absence of any protein. This discovery provided new insights into a potential mechanism by which mG4 can positively regulate active gene expression, namely, by establishing DNA networks based on distal guanine-guanine base pairing that creates liquid droplets at the interface of DNA loops. This is particularly relevant in light of the increasing evidence suggesting that G4 structures formed at enhancers can drive elevated expression of the associated genes. Given the complex three-dimensional nature of enhancers, our findings underscore how mG4 formation at enhancers would be particularly beneficial for promoting transcription. Moreover, we will elaborate on our recent discovery of a DNA repair and chromatin remodeling protein named Cockayne Syndrome B (CSB) that displays astonishing binding selectivity to mG4s over the more canonical unimolecular counterparts, suggesting another role of mG4s for molding chromatin architecture at DNA loops sites. Altogether, the studies presented in this Account suggest that mG4 formation in a chromatin context could be a crucial yet underexplored structural feature for transcriptional regulation. Whether mG4s actively regulate transcription or are formed as a mere consequence of chromatin plasticity remains to be elucidated. Still, given the novel insights offered by our research and the potential for mG4s to be selectively targeted by chemical and biological probes, we anticipate that further studies into the fundamental biology regulated by these structures can provide unprecedented opportunities for the development of therapeutic agents aimed at targeting nucleic acids from a fresh perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naura
Fakhira Antariksa
- Imperial
College London, Department of Chemistry,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Marco Di Antonio
- Imperial
College London, Department of Chemistry,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences
Research Hub, 82 Wood
Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nocentini A, Di Porzio A, Bonardi A, Bazzicalupi C, Petreni A, Biver T, Bua S, Marzano S, Amato J, Pagano B, Iaccarino N, De Tito S, Amente S, Supuran CT, Randazzo A, Gratteri P. Development of a multi-targeted chemotherapeutic approach based on G-quadruplex stabilisation and carbonic anhydrase inhibition. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2024; 39:2366236. [PMID: 38905127 PMCID: PMC11195807 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2024.2366236] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A novel class of compounds designed to hit two anti-tumour targets, G-quadruplex structures and human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs) IX and XII is proposed. The induction/stabilisation of G-quadruplex structures by small molecules has emerged as an anticancer strategy, disrupting telomere maintenance and reducing oncogene expression. hCAs IX and XII are well-established anti-tumour targets, upregulated in many hypoxic tumours and contributing to metastasis. The ligands reported feature a berberine G-quadruplex stabiliser scaffold connected to a moiety inhibiting hCAs IX and XII. In vitro experiments showed that our compounds selectively stabilise G-quadruplex structures and inhibit hCAs IX and XII. The crystal structure of a telomeric G-quadruplex in complex with one of these ligands was obtained, shedding light on the ligand/target interaction mode. The most promising ligands showed significant cytotoxicity against CA IX-positive HeLa cancer cells in hypoxia, and the ability to stabilise G-quadruplexes within tumour cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Nocentini
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bonardi
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Carla Bazzicalupi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Petreni
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Tarita Biver
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bua
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano De Tito
- Molecular Cell Biology of Autophagy, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Stefano Amente
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Gratteri
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang Y, Bux K, Attana F, Wei D, Haider S, Parkinson GN. Structural descriptions of ligand interactions to RNA quadruplexes folded from the non-coding region of pseudorabies virus. Biochimie 2024; 227:28-36. [PMID: 38876382 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
To rationalise the binding of specific ligands to RNA-quadruplex we investigated several naphthalene diimide ligands that interact with the non-coding region of Pseudorabies virus (PRV). Herein we report on the x-ray structure of the naphthalene diimide ND11 with an RNA G-quadruplex putative forming sequence from rPRV. Consistent with previously observed rPRV sequence it assembles into a bimolecular RNA G-quadruplex consisting of a pair of two tetrads stacked 3' to 5'. We observe that ND11 interacts by binding on both the externally available 5' and 3' quartets. The CUC (loop 1) is structurally altered to enhance the 5' mode of interaction. These loop residues are shifted significantly to generate a new ligand binding pocket whereas the terminal A14 residue is lifted away from the RNA G-quadruplex tetrad plane to be restacked above the bound ND11 ligand NDI core. CD analysis of this family of NDI ligands shows consistency in the spectra between the different ligands in the presence of the rPRV RNA G-quadruplex motif, reflecting a common folded topology and mode of ligand interaction. FRET melt assay confirms the strong stabilising properties of the tetrasubstituted NDI compounds and the contributions length of the substituted groups have on melt temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yashu Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, WC1N 1AX, UK; Key Laboratory of Pesticide Toxicology and Application Technique, College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China; State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Khair Bux
- Faculty of Life Science, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, Karachi, 75600, Pakistan
| | - Fedaa Attana
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Dengguo Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shozeb Haider
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Gary N Parkinson
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, WC1N 1AX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhong F, Sun R, Huang S, Guo P, Li Q, Wang L, Sun H, Yao L. Determination of ligand selectivity to G-tetrad through an AMCA fluorescence quenching approach. Talanta 2024; 280:126732. [PMID: 39216423 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The selective binding of ligand molecules towards the 5' and 3' ends of G-quadruplex (G4) may differentially affect the physiological function of G4s. However, there is still a lack of sensitive and low-cost approaches to accurately measure the binding preference of ligands on G4s, although multiple ways have been developed to evaluate the interaction between ligands and G4s. Here, we propose a new protocol named G4-AFQ to test the selectivity of ligands towards the two terminal G-tetrads of G4s. In this protocol, the fluorophore AMCA is respectively modified at the 5' or 3' end of G4, and which end of AMCA fluorescence is quenched means that the ligand binds to the G-tetrad at that end. Through G4-AFQ, the affinity constant of ligands towards the binding site can also be obtained. Compared with the commonly used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method, G4-AFQ is more convenient, sensitive, cost-effective, and suitable for the measurement of the vast majority of G4 ligands, with a great potential for widespread application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanru Zhong
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Ranran Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Saipeng Huang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, PR China
| | - Pengqi Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, PR China.
| | - Qian Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Lixia Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Hongxia Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
| | - Li Yao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bednarz A, Rosendal RT, Lund LM, Birkedal V. Probing G-quadruplex-ligand binding using DNA intrinsic fluorescence. Biochimie 2024; 227:61-67. [PMID: 38936685 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.06.009] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are helical four-stranded nucleic acid structures that can form in guanine-rich sequences, which are mostly found in functional cellular regions, such as telomeres, promoters, and DNA replication origins. Great efforts are being made to target these structures towards the development of specific small molecule G4 binders for novel anti-cancer, neurological, and viral therapies. Here, we introduce an optical assay based on quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of DNA G-quadruplexes for assessing and comparing the G4 binding affinity of various small molecule ligands in solutions. We show that the approach allows direct quantification of ligand binding to distinctive G4 topologies. We believe that this method will facilitate quick and reliable evaluation of small molecule G4 ligands and support their development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Bednarz
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Rebecca Torp Rosendal
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Line Mørkholt Lund
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Victoria Birkedal
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gao J, Liang C, Yin J, Bai Y, Hu D. Discovery of Palbociclib as a potent c-Myc G4 stabilizer for lung cancer treatment using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and in vitro activity evaluation. Mol Divers 2024; 28:3965-3977. [PMID: 38246949 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10789-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in lung cancer treatment, this disease remains a prevalent and serious global malignancy, leading to high rates of illness and death. Urgent research is needed to discover new or alternative therapies that can improve clinical outcomes for lung cancer patients. In our study, we successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of Palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, in suppressing the growth of lung cancer cells. The IC50 values obtained were 11.00 μM and 11.74 μM for H1299 and A549 cells, respectively. Furthermore, our findings indicate that Palbociclib may possess strong c-Myc G4 stabilizing properties by significantly reducing both protein and mRNA expression levels of c-Myc. Additionally, Palbociclib induces apoptosis and causes cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in two cells. Through circular dichroism (CD), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, we have provided evidence that Palbociclib enhances the structural stability of c-Myc G4 while exhibiting a high binding affinity to its ligand's binding site on c-Myc G4. These results suggest that Palbociclib holds promise as a novel c-Myc G4 stabilizer for treating cancers associated with abnormal c-Myc activity; further optimization and development are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Chao Liang
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Jiacheng Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Bai
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Dong Hu
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.
- Anhui Occupational Health and Safety Engineering Laboratory, Huainan, 232001, China.
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institute, Huainan, 232001, China.
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Prevention and Control & Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, 232001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li P, Zhou D, Xie Y, Yuan Z, Huang M, Xu G, Huang J, Zhuang Z, Luo Y, Yu H, Wang X. Targeting G-quadruplex by TMPyP4 for inhibition of colorectal cancer through cell cycle arrest and boosting anti-tumor immunity. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:816. [PMID: 39528472 PMCID: PMC11554887 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-07215-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2024] [Revised: 10/30/2024] [Accepted: 10/31/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) is a noncanonical DNA secondary structure known to induce DNA damage and regulate the expression of immune-related genes. We aim to exploit the G4 folding as a treatment strategy to trigger anti-tumor immune response. In this study, we observe that the abundant genomic G4 in epithelial cells coexists with increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells in colorectal cancer tissue. Furthermore, our data substantiate the inhibitory effect of the G4 ligand TMPyP4 on cancer progression while concurrently stimulating anti-tumor immunity. Mechanistically, TMPyP4 impedes cancer cell proliferation and induces G2/M cell cycle arrest. Additionally, in vivo experiments demonstrate that TMPyP4 enhances the anti-tumor immune response by triggering DNA damage and activating the cGAS-STING pathway, which fosters CD8+ T cell activation and dendritic cell maturation. Importantly, the combined treatment of TMPyP4 and anti-PD1 exhibits a synergistic therapeutic effect on colorectal cancer. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of the G4 ligand TMPyP4 as a dual strategy to target colorectal cancer: inhibiting cancer progression and augmenting anti-tumor immunity through the activation of cGAS-STING pathway.
Collapse
Grants
- the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF (No. GZC20242094, PL)
- the Project 5010 of Clinical Medical Research of Sun Yat-sen University-5010 Cultivation Foundation (No. 2018026, YL), the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Clinical Research-'1010' Program (YL), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81972245, YL; No. 82173067, YL), the Scientific Research Project of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital Of Sun Yat-Sen University (2022JBGS07), the Talent Project of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (No. P20150227202010251, YL), the Excellent Talent Training Project of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (No. R2021217202512965, YL), the Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (YL)
- the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82272965, HY), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 2022A1515012656), the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou (202201011004, HY), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Sun Yat-sen University (No. 23ykbj007, HY)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peisi Li
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dawang Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yumo Xie
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ze Yuan
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingzhe Huang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Gaopo Xu
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junfeng Huang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhuokai Zhuang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanxin Luo
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Huichuan Yu
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Mohanty SK, Chiaromonte F, Makova KD. Evolutionary Dynamics of G-Quadruplexes in Human and Other Great Ape Telomere-to-Telomere Genomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.11.05.621973. [PMID: 39574740 PMCID: PMC11580976 DOI: 10.1101/2024.11.05.621973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical DNA structures that can form at approximately 1% of the human genome. G4s contribute to point mutations and structural variation and thus facilitate genomic instability. They play important roles in regulating replication, transcription, and telomere maintenance, and some of them evolve under purifying selection. Nevertheless, the evolutionary dynamics of G4s has remained underexplored. Here we conducted a comprehensive analysis of predicted G4s (pG4s) in the recently released, telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genomes of human and other great apes-bonobo, chimpanzee, gorilla, Bornean orangutan, and Sumatran orangutan. We annotated tens of thousands of new pG4s in T2T compared to previous ape genome assemblies, including 41,236 in the human genome. Analyzing species alignments, we found approximately one-third of pG4s shared by all apes studied and identified thousands of species- and genus-specific pG4s. pG4s accumulated and diverged at rates consistent with divergence times between the studied species. We observed a significant enrichment and hypomethylation of pG4 shared across species at regulatory regions, including promoters, 5' and 3'UTRs, and origins of replication, strongly suggesting their formation and functional role in these regions. pG4s shared among great apes displayed lower methylation levels compared to species-specific pG4s, suggesting evolutionary conservation of functional roles of the former. Many species-specific pG4s were located in the repetitive and satellite regions deciphered in the T2T genomes. Our findings illuminate the evolutionary dynamics of G4s, their role in gene regulation, and their potential contribution to species-specific adaptations in great apes, emphasizing the utility of high-resolution T2T genomes in uncovering previously elusive genomic features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saswat K. Mohanty
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Francesca Chiaromonte
- Department of Statistics, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, PA, USA
- EMbeDS, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Kateryna D. Makova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Medical Genomics, Penn State University, University Park and Hershey, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Choudhary NK, Gupta S, Das G, Sahoo A, Harikrishna S, Sinha S, Gore KR. Selective Recognition of the Dimeric NG16 Parallel G-Quadruplex Structure Using Synthetic Turn-On Red Fluorescent Protein Chromophore. Biochemistry 2024; 63:2842-2854. [PMID: 39405565 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2024]
Abstract
Red fluorescent protein (RFP)-based fluorescent probes that can selectively interact with specific nucleic acids are of great importance for therapeutic and bioimaging applications. Herein, we have reported the synthesis of RFP chromophores for selective recognition of G-quadruplex nucleic acids in vitro and ex vivo. We identified DFHBI-DM as a fluorescent turn-on probe that binds to the dimeric NG16 parallel quadruplex with superior selectivity and sensitivity over various parallel, antiparallel, and hybrid topologies. The binding of DFHBI-DM to NG16 exhibited excellent photophysical properties, including high binding affinity, large Stokes shift, high photostability, and quantum yield. The MD simulation study supports the 1:1 binding stoichiometry. It confirms the planar conformation of DFHBI-DM, which makes strong binding interactions with a flat quartet of NG16 compared to other antiparallel and hybrid topologies. The cell imaging and MTT assays revealed that DFHBI-DM is a biocompatible and efficient fluorescent probe for intracellular imaging of NG16. Overall, these results demonstrated that DFHBI-DM could be an effective fluorescent G4-stabilizing agent for the dimeric NG16 parallel quadruplex, and it could be a promising candidate for further exploration of bioimaging and therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Kumar Choudhary
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Shalini Gupta
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Gourav Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Avijit Sahoo
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - S Harikrishna
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Surajit Sinha
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Kiran R Gore
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sanchez-Martin V. Opportunities and challenges with G-quadruplexes as promising targets for drug design. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:1339-1353. [PMID: 39291583 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2404230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION G-quadruplexes (G4s) are secondary structures formed in guanine-rich regions of nucleic acids (both DNA and RNA). G4s are significantly enriched at regulatory genomic regions and are associated with important biological processes ranging from telomere homeostasis and genome instability to transcription and translation. Importantly, G4s are related to health and diseases such as cancer, neurological diseases, as well as infections with viruses and microbial pathogens. Increasing evidence suggests the potential of G4s for designing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies although in vivo studies are still at early stages. AREAS COVERED This review provides an updated summary of the literature describing the impact of G4s in human diseases and different approaches based on G4 targeting in therapy. EXPERT OPINION Within the G4 field, most of the studies have been performed in vitro and in a descriptive manner. Therefore, detailed mechanistic understanding of G4s in the biological context remains to be deciphered. In clinics, the use of G4s as therapeutic targets has been hindered due to the low selectivity profile and poor drug-like properties of G4 ligands. Future research on G4s may overcome current methodological and interventional limitations and shed light on these unique structural elements in the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Sanchez-Martin
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Departament of Genetics, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Liew D, Lim ZW, Yong EH. Machine learning-based prediction of DNA G-quadruplex folding topology with G4ShapePredictor. Sci Rep 2024; 14:24238. [PMID: 39414858 PMCID: PMC11484705 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74826-2] [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: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is able to form non-canonical four-stranded helical structures with diverse folding patterns known as G-quadruplexes (G4s). G4 topologies are classified based on their relative strand orientation following the 5' to 3' phosphate backbone polarity. Broadly, G4 topologies are either parallel (4+0), antiparallel (2+2), or hybrid (3+1). G4s play crucial roles in biological processes such as DNA repair, DNA replication, transcription and have thus emerged as biological targets in drug design. While computational models have been developed to predict G4 formation, there is currently no existing model capable of predicting G4 folding topology based on its nucleic acid sequence. Therefore, we introduce G4ShapePredictor (G4SP), an application featuring a collection of multi-classification machine learning models that are trained on a custom G4 dataset combining entries from existing literature and in-house circular dichroism experiments. G4ShapePredictor is designed to accurately predict G4 folding topologies in potassium ( K + ) buffer based on its primary sequence and is able to incorporate a threshold optimization strategy allowing users to maximise precision. Furthermore, we have identified three topological sequence motifs that suggest specific G4 folding topologies of (4+0), (2+2) or (3+1) when utilising the decision-making mechanisms of G4ShapePredictor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donn Liew
- Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zi Way Lim
- Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Hou Yong
- Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Diaz Escarcega R, Marshall P, Tsvetkov AS. G-quadruplex DNA and RNA in cellular senescence. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2024; 5:1491389. [PMID: 39444378 PMCID: PMC11496277 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2024.1491389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024]
Abstract
Normal cells divide, are damaged, and are repaired across their lifetime. As cells age, they enter cellular senescence, characterized by a permanent state of cell-cycle arrest triggered by various stressors. The molecular mechanisms that regulate senescent phenotypes have been actively investigated over the last several decades; however, one area that has been neglected is how G-quadruplex (G4) DNA and RNA (G4-DNA and G4-RNA) mediate senescence. These non-canonical four-stranded DNA and RNA structures regulate most normative DNA and RNA-dependent processes, such as transcription, replication, and translation, as well as pathogenic mechanisms, including genomic instability and abnormal stress granule function. This review also highlights the contribution of G4s to sex differences in age-associated diseases and emphasizes potential translational approaches to target senescence and anti-aging mechanisms through G4 manipulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Diaz Escarcega
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Paul Marshall
- College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Andrey S. Tsvetkov
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
- UTHealth Consortium on Aging, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Huang HY, Chen CH, Cheng FJ, Wang BW, Tu CY, Chen YJ, He YH, Yao CH, Huang WC. Incense-burning smoke ingredient Auramine enhances lincRNA-p21 expression for chemosensitization in p53-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135105. [PMID: 39047551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135105] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Incense-burning smoke is a deleterious air pollutant that initiates cytotoxic effects by inducing apoptosis in lung epithelial cells and also acts as a risk factor for lung cancers. Auramine, an ingredient of incense smoke, has been implicated in tumor progression and cellular sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) towards anti-cancer agents through unclear mechanisms. Tumor protein p53 (TP53)-activated long intergenic non-coding RNA-p21 (lincRNA-p21) undertakes a pivotal role in regulating cell apoptosis and chemosensitivity. TP53 mutations prevalent in 50% of NSCLC, contribute to diminished therapeutic efficacy. However, the influence of auramine on chemotherapy-induced lincRNA-p21 expression and apoptosis in NSCLC with different TP53 genetic statuses remains unexplored. This study disclosed that both wild-type p53 (wtp53) and mutant p53 (mutp53) mediate lincRNA-p21 expression, albeit through distinct promoter enhancers, p53-response element (p53RE) and non-B DNA structure G-quadruplex (GQ), respectively. Intriguingly, auramine functions as an effective stabilizer of the GQ structure, augmenting mutp53-mediated lincRNA-p21 expression and enhancing apoptosis and cellular sensitivity to chemotherapy in mutp53-expressing NSCLC cells. These findings suggest a mechanism by which mutp53, in the presence of auramine, is endowed with tumor-suppressing function akin to wtp53, thereby aiding in combating chemoresistance in NSCLC cells harboring TP53 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Yu Huang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Chen
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Respiratory Therapy, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ju Cheng
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Wei Wang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yen Tu
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Respiratory Therapy, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hao He
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
| | - Chun-Hsu Yao
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Biomaterials Translational Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Chien Huang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, Hsinchu 302, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Assadawi N, Ferderer M, Kusi-Appauh N, Yu H, Dillon CT, Sluyter R, Richardson C, Ralph SF. Effect of substituents on the ability of nickel Schiff base complexes with four pendant groups to bind to G-quadruplexes. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:12720-12739. [PMID: 39017709 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00448e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The synthesis of eleven new nickel Schiff base complexes each bearing four pendant groups is reported. The structures of the complexes differ in the identity of the pendant groups and/or diamine moiety. All complexes were characterised by microanalysis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS), while the solid-state structures of two of the molecules were also determined using X-ray crystallographic methods. The DNA binding properties of the nickel complexes with double stranded DNA and a range of G-quadruplex DNA structures was explored using different spectroscopic methods as well as computational techniques. Results from ESI-MS experiments and Fluorescent Indicator Displacement (FID) assays were consistent with each other and indicated that varying the diamine moiety had less influence on DNA affinity than changing the pendant groups. These conclusions were also generally supported by results obtained from UV melting experiments and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assays. The cytotoxicity of selected examples of the new complexes, and close analogues reported recently, towards V79 Chinese hamster lung cancer cells and THP-1 human leukemia cells was measured. All were found to display modest cytotoxicity, with flow cytometry experiments suggesting an apoptotic pathway was the most likely mechanism of cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nawal Assadawi
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| | - Myles Ferderer
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| | - Nicholas Kusi-Appauh
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| | - Haibo Yu
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| | - Carolyn T Dillon
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| | - Ronald Sluyter
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| | - Christopher Richardson
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| | - Stephen F Ralph
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhou W, Wan W, Miao W, Bao Y, Liu Y, Jia G, Li C. K +-Specification with Flavone P0 Probe in a G-Quadruplex DNA. Anal Chem 2024; 96:10835-10840. [PMID: 38889097 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c02368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) DNA is considered as a prospective therapeutic target due to its potential biological significance. To understand G4 biological roles and function, a G4-specific fluorescent probe is necessary. However, it is difficult for versatile G4 to precisely recognize without perturbing their folding dynamics. Herein, we reported that flavone P0 can be a fluorescent probe for G4 DNA-specific recognition and have developed a highly selective detection of K+ ion by dimeric G4/P0 system. When comparing various nucleic acid structures, including G4, i-motif, ss/ds-DNA, and triplex, an apparent fluorescence enhancement is observed in the presence of G4 DNA for 85-fold, but only 8-fold for non-G4 DNA. Furthermore, based on fluorescent probe of flavone P0 for G4 DNA screening, the noncovalent dimeric G4/P0 system is exploited as a K+ sensor, that selectively responds to K+ with a 513-fold fluorescence enhancement and a detection range for K+ ion concentration from 0 to 500 mM. This K+ sensor also has a remarkably anti-interference ability for other metal cations, especially for a high concentration of Na+. These results have demonstrated that flavone P0 is an efficient tool for monitoring G-quadruplex DNA and endows flavone P0 with bioanalytical and medicinal applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Wang Wan
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Wenhui Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Yu Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Guoqing Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Can Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian 116023, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Liu W, He X, Zhu Y, Li Y, Wang Z, Li P, Pan J, Wang J, Chu B, Yang G, Zhang M, He Q, Li Y, Li W, Zhang C. Identification of a conserved G-quadruplex within the E165R of African swine fever virus (ASFV) as a potential antiviral target. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107453. [PMID: 38852886 PMCID: PMC11261444 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107453] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Identification of a conserved G-quadruplex in E165R of ASFVAfrican swine fever virus (ASFV) is a double-stranded DNA arbovirus with high transmissibility and mortality rates. It has caused immense economic losses to the global pig industry. Currently, no effective vaccines or medications are to combat ASFV infection. G-quadruplex (G4) structures have attracted increasing interest because of their regulatory role in vital biological processes. In this study, we identified a conserved G-rich sequence within the E165R gene of ASFV. Subsequently, using various methods, we verified that this sequence could fold into a parallel G4. In addition, the G4-stabilizers pyridostatin and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphin (TMPyP4) can bind and stabilize this G4 structure, thereby inhibiting E165R gene expression, and the inhibitory effect is associated with G4 formation. Moreover, the G4 ligand pyridostatin substantially impeded ASFV proliferation in Vero cells by reducing gene copy number and viral protein expression. These compelling findings suggest that G4 structures may represent a promising and novel antiviral target against ASFV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinglin He
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Yance Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiajia Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Beibei Chu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guoyu Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengjia Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Qigai He
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongtao Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Wentao Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China.
| | - Chao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biochemistry and Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Growth and Development of Henan Province, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gu L, Liu M, Zhang Y, Zhou H, Wang Y, Xu ZX. Telomere-related DNA damage response pathways in cancer therapy: prospective targets. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1379166. [PMID: 38910895 PMCID: PMC11190371 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1379166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the structural integrity of genomic chromosomal DNA is an essential role of cellular life and requires two important biological mechanisms: the DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism and telomere protection mechanism at chromosome ends. Because abnormalities in telomeres and cellular DDR regulation are strongly associated with human aging and cancer, there is a reciprocal regulation of telomeres and cellular DDR. Moreover, several drug treatments for DDR are currently available. This paper reviews the progress in research on the interaction between telomeres and cellular DNA damage repair pathways. The research on the crosstalk between telomere damage and DDR is important for improving the efficacy of tumor treatment. However, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liting Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingdi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Huang X, Wu F, Ye J, Wang L, Wang X, Li X, He G. Expanding the horizons of targeted protein degradation: A non-small molecule perspective. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2402-2427. [PMID: 38828146 PMCID: PMC11143490 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) represented by proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) marks a significant stride in drug discovery. A plethora of innovative technologies inspired by PROTAC have not only revolutionized the landscape of TPD but have the potential to unlock functionalities beyond degradation. Non-small-molecule-based approaches play an irreplaceable role in this field. A wide variety of agents spanning a broad chemical spectrum, including peptides, nucleic acids, antibodies, and even vaccines, which not only prove instrumental in overcoming the constraints of conventional small molecule entities but also provided rapidly renewing paradigms. Herein we summarize the burgeoning non-small molecule technological platforms inspired by PROTACs, including three major trajectories, to provide insights for the design strategies based on novel paradigms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Huang
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fengbo Wu
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gu He
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Majocha MR, Jackson DE, Ha NH, Amin R, Pangrácová M, Ross CR, Yang HH, Lee MP, Hunter KW. Resf1 is a compound G4 quadruplex-associated tumor suppressor for triple negative breast cancer. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011236. [PMID: 38722825 PMCID: PMC11081379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with ER-negative breast cancer have the worst prognosis of all breast cancer subtypes, often experiencing rapid recurrence or progression to metastatic disease shortly after diagnosis. Given that metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in most solid tumors, understanding metastatic biology is crucial for effective intervention. Using a mouse systems genetics approach, we previously identified 12 genes associated with metastatic susceptibility. Here, we extend those studies to identify Resf1, a poorly characterized gene, as a novel metastasis susceptibility gene in ER- breast cancer. Resf1 is a large, unstructured protein with an evolutionarily conserved intron-exon structure, but with poor amino acid conservation. CRISPR or gene trap mouse models crossed to the Polyoma Middle-T antigen genetically engineered mouse model (MMTV-PyMT) demonstrated that reduction of Resf1 resulted in a significant increase in tumor growth, a shortened overall survival time, and increased incidence and number of lung metastases, consistent with patient data. Furthermore, an analysis of matched tail and primary tissues revealed loss of the wildtype copy in tumor tissue, consistent with Resf1 being a tumor suppressor. Mechanistic analysis revealed a potential role of Resf1 in transcriptional control through association with compound G4 quadruplexes in expressed sequences, particularly those associated with ribosomal biogenesis. These results suggest that loss of Resf1 enhances tumor progression in ER- breast cancer through multiple alterations in both transcriptional and translational control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan R. Majocha
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Devin E. Jackson
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Ngoc-Han Ha
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ruhul Amin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Marie Pangrácová
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christina R. Ross
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Howard H. Yang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maxwell P. Lee
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kent W. Hunter
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fu L, Wu Q, Fu J. Exploring the biological roles of DHX36, a DNA/RNA G-quadruplex helicase, highlights functions in male infertility: A comprehensive review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131811. [PMID: 38677694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131811] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
It is estimated that 15 % of couples at reproductive age worldwide suffer from infertility, approximately 50 % of cases are caused by male factors. Significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility through assisted reproductive technology and molecular genetics methods. However, there is still inadequate research on the underlying mechanisms of gene regulation in the process of spermatogenesis. Guanine-quadruplexes (G4s) are a class of non-canonical secondary structures of nucleic acid commonly found in genomes and RNAs that play important roles in various biological processes. Interestingly, the DEAH-box helicase 36 (DHX36) displays high specificity for the G4s which can unwind both DNA G4s and RNA G4s enzymatically and is highly expressed in testis, thereby regulating multiple cellular functions including transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, translation, telomere maintenance, genomic stability, and RNA metabolism in development and male infertility. This review provides an overview of the roles of G4s and DHX36 in reproduction and development. We mainly focus on the potential role of DHX36 in male infertility. We also discuss possible future research directions regarding the mechanism of spermatogenesis mediated by DHX36 through G4s in spermatogenesis-related genes and provide new targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.
| | - Junjiang Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tanabe K, Miyazaki K, Umeno H, Takemoto M, Nakano S. Basic protein- and peptide-induced stabilization of long-loop DNA G-guadruplexes. Biochimie 2024; 219:110-117. [PMID: 37972915 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The human genome contains many G-quadruplex-forming sequences, including sequences containing long single-stranded loops that are believed to be unfavorable for G-quadruplex formation. The intracellular environment of biological cells is crowded with proteins with charged surfaces. Understanding the effects of protein-rich environments is important for understanding the formation of G-quadruplexes in an intracellular environment. In this study, we investigated the structural stability of DNA G-quadruplexes in the presence of several types of globular proteins (lysozyme, cytochrome c, bovine serum albumin, myoglobin, histone proteins, and serum proteins), unstructured polypeptides (protamine and poly-l-lysine), and oligopeptides (RGG/RG-domain peptides and short repeated peptides). Thermal melting studies of G-quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides derived from the human telomeric repeat sequence revealed that environments containing high concentrations of proteins and peptides differently affected the G-quadruplex stability according to their loop lengths. We found that weak electrostatic interactions of G-quadruplex loops with basic proteins and peptides improved the stability of long-loop G-quadruplexes and the interactions were strengthened under crowded conditions simulated by dextran. The comparison of the effects of different types of proteins and peptides indicated that excluded volume interactions and structural flexibility of both DNA and polypeptide chains influenced the efficiency of their interactions. This study provides insights into long-loop G-quadruplex stability in a crowded intracellular environment and the recognition of G-quadruplexes by arginine-rich domains of G-quadruplex-binding proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Tanabe
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kouichi Miyazaki
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hikari Umeno
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Marina Takemoto
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - S Nakano
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Liu J, Xiao Y, Cao L, Lu S, Zhang S, Yang R, Wang Y, Zhang N, Yu Y, Wang X, Guo W, Wang Z, Xu H, Xing C, Song X, Cao L. Insights on E1-like enzyme ATG7: functional regulation and relationships with aging-related diseases. Commun Biol 2024; 7:382. [PMID: 38553562 PMCID: PMC10980737 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a dynamic self-renovation biological process that maintains cell homeostasis and is responsible for the quality control of proteins, organelles, and energy metabolism. The E1-like ubiquitin-activating enzyme autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) is a critical factor that initiates classic autophagy reactions by promoting the formation and extension of autophagosome membranes. Recent studies have identified the key functions of ATG7 in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, and metabolism associated with the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. This review summarizes how ATG7 is precisely programmed by genetic, transcriptional, and epigenetic modifications in cells and the relationship between ATG7 and aging-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Liu
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yutong Xiao
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Liangzi Cao
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Songming Lu
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Siyi Zhang
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ruohan Yang
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yubang Wang
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Naijin Zhang
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Cardiology, First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yang Yu
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiwen Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wendong Guo
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hongde Xu
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Chengzhong Xing
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Liu Cao
- The College of Basic Medical Science, Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Giraud G, Rodà M, Huchon P, Michelet M, Maadadi S, Jutzi D, Montserret R, Ruepp MD, Parent R, Combet C, Zoulim F, Testoni B. G-quadruplexes control hepatitis B virus replication by promoting cccDNA transcription and phase separation in hepatocytes. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2290-2305. [PMID: 38113270 PMCID: PMC10954475 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase separation regulates fundamental processes in gene expression and is mediated by the local concentration of proteins and nucleic acids, as well as nucleic acid secondary structures such as G-quadruplexes (G4s). These structures play fundamental roles in both host gene expression and in viral replication due to their peculiar localisation in regulatory sequences. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is an episomal minichromosome whose persistence is at the basis of chronic infection. Identifying the mechanisms controlling its transcriptional activity is indispensable to develop new therapeutic strategies against chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to determine whether G4s are formed in cccDNA and regulate viral replication. Combining biochemistry and functional studies, we demonstrate that cccDNA indeed contains ten G4s structures. Furthermore, mutations disrupting two G4s located in the enhancer I HBV regulatory region altered cccDNA transcription and viral replication. Finally, we showed for the first time that cccDNA undergoes phase separation in a G4-dependent manner to promote its transcription in infected hepatocytes. Altogether, our data give new insight in the transcriptional regulation of the HBV minichromosome that might pave the way for the identification of novel targets to destabilize or silence cccDNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Giraud
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
| | - Mélanie Rodà
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
| | - Pélagie Huchon
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
- Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
| | - Maud Michelet
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Maadadi
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 lyon, france; université claude-bernard lyon i, 69003 Lyon, France
| | - Daniel Jutzi
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, WC2R 2LS London, UK
| | - Roland Montserret
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB) UMR 5086 CNRS/Université de Lyon, Labex Ecofect, 7 Passage du Vercors 69367Lyon, France
| | - Marc-David Ruepp
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, WC2R 2LS London, UK
| | - Romain Parent
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
| | - Christophe Combet
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
- Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Service, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR)-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Feng Y, Xuan X, Hu Y, Lu J, Dong Z, Sun Z, Yao H, Hu L, Yin Q, Liu Y, Wang H. Targeting G-rich sequence to regulate the transcription of murine double minute (MDM) genes in triple-negative breast cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116156. [PMID: 38295687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116156] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and homologous protein murine double minute X (MDMX) are p53 negative regulators that perform significant driving effects in tumorigenesis, and targeting these oncoproteins has became an efficient strategy in treating cancers. However, the definite antitumor activity and significance ordering of each protein in MDM family is still unclear due to the similar structure and complicated regulation. Herein, we identified two G-rich sequences (G1 and G5) located in the promoter that could assemble the G-quadruplex to respectively inhibit and promote the transcription of the MDM2 and MDMX. Based on this target, we designed and synthesized a novel G-quadruplex ligand A3f and achieved the differentiated regulation of MDM protein. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, A3f could induce MDM2-dependent proliferation arrest and exhibit additive therapeutic effect with MDMX inhibitors. Overall, this study provided a novel strategy to regulate the transcription of MDM genes by targeting certain G-rich sequences, and discovered an active antitumor molecule for use in TNBC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Xuan Xuan
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Yuemiao Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Jiaguo Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Ziqiang Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Hongying Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Lei Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Qikun Yin
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China.
| | - Yi Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Das A, Giri AK, Bhattacharjee P. Targeting 'histone mark': Advanced approaches in epigenetic regulation of telomere dynamics in cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195007. [PMID: 38237857 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195007] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Telomere integrity is required for the maintenance of genome stability and prevention of oncogenic transformation of cells. Recent evidence suggests the presence of epigenetic modifications as an important regulator of mammalian telomeres. Telomeric and subtelomeric regions are rich in epigenetic marks that regulate telomere length majorly through DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications. Specific histone modifying enzymes play an integral role in establishing telomeric histone codes necessary for the maintenance of structural integrity. Alterations of crucial histone moieties and histone modifiers cause deregulations in the telomeric chromatin leading to carcinogenic manifestations. This review delves into the significance of histone modifications and their influence on telomere dynamics concerning cancer. Additionally, it highlights the existing research gaps that hold the potential to drive the development of therapeutic interventions targeting the telomere epigenome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Das
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India; Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Ashok K Giri
- Molecular Genetics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Pritha Bhattacharjee
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cervenak M, Molnár OR, Horváth P, Smeller L. Stabilization of G-Quadruplex Structures of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome by TMPyP4, BRACO19, and PhenDC3. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2482. [PMID: 38473730 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052482] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The G-quadruplex is one of the non-canonical structures formed by nucleic acids, which can be formed by guanine-rich sequences. They became the focus of much research when they were found in several oncogene promoter regions and also in the telomeres. Later on, they were discovered in viruses as well. Various ligands have been developed in order to stabilize DNA G-quadruplexes, which were believed to have an anti-cancer or antiviral effect. We investigated three of these ligands, and whether they can also affect the stability of the G-quadruplex-forming sequences of the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2. All three investigated oligonucleotides showed the G-quadruplex form. We characterized their stability and measured their thermodynamic parameters using the Förster resonance energy transfer method. The addition of the ligands caused an increase in the unfolding temperature, but this effect was smaller compared to that found earlier in the case of G-quadruplexes of the hepatitis B virus, which has a DNA genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Cervenak
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Réka Molnár
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Horváth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, 1092 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Smeller
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chen L, Yu Z, Wu Z, Zhou M, Wang Y, Yu X, Li W, Liu G, Tang Y. AptaDB: a comprehensive database integrating aptamer-target interactions. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:189-199. [PMID: 38164624 PMCID: PMC10870366 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079784.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Aptamers have emerged as research hotspots of the next generation due to excellent performance benefits and application potentials in pharmacology, medicine, and analytical chemistry. Despite the numerous aptamer investigations, the lack of comprehensive data integration has hindered the development of computational methods for aptamers and the reuse of aptamers. A public access database named AptaDB, derived from experimentally validated data manually collected from the literature, was hence developed, integrating comprehensive aptamer-related data, which include six key components: (i) experimentally validated aptamer-target interaction information, (ii) aptamer property information, (iii) structure information of aptamer, (iv) target information, (v) experimental activity information, and (vi) algorithmically calculated similar aptamers. AptaDB currently contains 1350 experimentally validated aptamer-target interactions, 1230 binding affinity constants, 1293 aptamer sequences, and more. Compared to other aptamer databases, it contains twice the number of entries found in available databases. The collection and integration of the above information categories is unique among available aptamer databases and provides a user-friendly interface. AptaDB will also be continuously updated as aptamer research evolves. We expect that AptaDB will become a powerful source for aptamer rational design and a valuable tool for aptamer screening in the future. For access to AptaDB, please visit http://lmmd.ecust.edu.cn/aptadb/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhuohang Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zengrui Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Moran Zhou
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yimeng Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Guixia Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ye H, Zhang H, Xiang J, Shen G, Yang F, Wang F, Wang J, Tang Y. Advances and prospects of natural dietary polyphenols as G-quadruplex stabilizers in biomedical applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127825. [PMID: 37926317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) have arrested continuous interest in cancer research, and targeting G4s with small molecules has become an ideal approach for drug development. Plant-based dietary polyphenols have attracted much attention for their remarkable anti-cancer effects. Studies have suggested that polyphenols exhibit interesting scaffolds to bind G4s, which can effectively downregulate the proto-oncogenes by stabilizing those G4 structures. Therefore, this review not only summarizes studies on natural dietary polyphenols (including analogs) as G4 stabilizers, but also reveals their anti-cancer activities. Furthermore, the structural and antioxidant insights of polyphenols with G4s are discussed, and future development is proposed. These insights may pave the way for the development of the next generation of anti-cancer drugs targeting nucleic acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanfeng Ye
- National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), PR China.
| | - Junfeng Xiang
- National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Gang Shen
- National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), PR China
| | - Fengmin Yang
- National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), PR China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, PR China.
| | - Yalin Tang
- National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lopina OD, Sidorenko SV, Fedorov DA, Klimanova EA. G-Quadruplexes as Sensors of Intracellular Na+/K + Ratio: Potential Role in Regulation of Transcription and Translation. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:S262-S277. [PMID: 38621755 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924140153] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Data on the structure of G-quadruplexes, noncanonical nucleic acid forms, supporting an idea of their potential participation in regulation of gene expression in response to the change in intracellular Na+i/K+i ratio are considered in the review. Structural variety of G-quadruplexes, role of monovalent cations in formation of this structure, and thermodynamic stability of G-quadruplexes are described. Data on the methods of their identification in the cells and biological functions of these structures are presented. Analysis of information about specific interactions of G-quadruplexes with some proteins was conducted, and their potential participation in the development of some pathological conditions, in particular, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, is considered. Special attention is given to the plausible role of G-quadruplexes as sensors of intracellular Na+i/K+i ratio, because alteration of this parameter affects folding of G-quadruplexes changing their stability and, thereby, organization of the regulatory elements of nucleic acids. The data presented in the conclusion section demonstrate significant change in the expression of some early response genes under certain physiological conditions of cells and tissues depending on the intracellular Na+i/K+i ratio.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga D Lopina
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
| | | | - Dmitry A Fedorov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Xu Y, Komiyama M. G-Quadruplexes in Human Telomere: Structures, Properties, and Applications. Molecules 2023; 29:174. [PMID: 38202757 PMCID: PMC10780218 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes, intricate four-stranded structures composed of G-tetrads formed by four guanine bases, are prevalent in both DNA and RNA. Notably, these structures play pivotal roles in human telomeres, contributing to essential cellular functions. Additionally, the existence of DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplexes adds a layer of complexity to their structural diversity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in unraveling the intricacies of DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes within human telomeres. Detailed insights into their structural features are presented, encompassing the latest developments in chemical approaches designed to probe these G-quadruplex structures. Furthermore, this review explores the applications of G-quadruplex structures in targeting human telomeres. Finally, the manuscript outlines the imminent challenges in this evolving field, setting the stage for future investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Makoto Komiyama
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kratochvilová L, Vojsovič M, Valková N, Šislerová L, El Rashed Z, Inga A, Monti P, Brázda V. The presence of a G-quadruplex prone sequence upstream of a minimal promoter increases transcriptional activity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20231348. [PMID: 38112096 PMCID: PMC10730334 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231348] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-canonical secondary structures in DNA are increasingly being revealed as critical players in DNA metabolism, including modulating the accessibility and activity of promoters. These structures comprise the so-called G-quadruplexes (G4s) that are formed from sequences rich in guanine bases. Using a well-defined transcriptional reporter system, we sought to systematically investigate the impact of the presence of G4 structures on transcription in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To this aim, different G4 prone sequences were modeled to vary the chance of intramolecular G4 formation, analyzed in vitro by Thioflavin T binding test and circular dichroism and then placed at the yeast ADE2 locus on chromosome XV, downstream and adjacent to a P53 response element (RE) and upstream from a minimal CYC1 promoter and Luciferase 1 (LUC1) reporter gene in isogenic strains. While the minimal CYC1 promoter provides basal reporter activity, the P53 RE enables LUC1 transactivation under the control of P53 family proteins expressed under the inducible GAL1 promoter. Thus, the impact of the different G4 prone sequences on both basal and P53 family protein-dependent expression was measured after shifting cells onto galactose containing medium. The results showed that the presence of G4 prone sequences upstream of a yeast minimal promoter increased its basal activity proportionally to their potential to form intramolecular G4 structures; consequently, this feature, when present near the target binding site of P53 family transcription factors, can be exploited to regulate the transcriptional activity of P53, P63 and P73 proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Libuše Kratochvilová
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Food Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Matúš Vojsovič
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Food Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Natália Valková
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Šislerová
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Food Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zeinab El Rashed
- Gene Expression Regulation SSD, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Inga
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Networks, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Paola Monti
- Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention UO, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Václav Brázda
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Food Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Yan S, Lin S, Qiu H, Wang X, He Y, Wang C, Huang Y. Regulation of telomerase towards tumor therapy. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:228. [PMID: 38111043 PMCID: PMC10726632 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01181-6] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is an aging-related disease, while aging plays an important role in the development process of tumor, thus the two are inextricably associated. Telomere attrition is one of the recognized hallmark events of senescence. Hence, targeting telomerase which could extends telomere sequences to treat tumors is widely favored. Cancer cells rely on high activity of telomerase to maintain a strong proliferative potential. By inhibiting the expression or protein function of telomerase, the growth of cancer cells can be significantly suppressed. In addition, the human immune system itself has a defense system against malignant tumors. However, excessive cell division results in dramatic shortening on telomeres and decline in the function of immune organs that facilitates cancer cell evasion. It has been shown that increasing telomerase activity or telomere length of these immune cells can attenuate senescence, improve cellular viability, and enhance the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumor. In this paper, we review the telomerase-targeting progress using different anti-tumor strategies from the perspectives of cancer cells and immune cells, respectively, as well as tracking the preclinical and clinical studies of some representative drugs for the prevention or treatment of tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Lumiere Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Song Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Hongxin Qiu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xining Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yijun He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Chuanle Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yan Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lorenzatti A, Piga EJ, Gismondi M, Binolfi A, Margarit E, Calcaterra N, Armas P. Genetic variations in G-quadruplex forming sequences affect the transcription of human disease-related genes. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:12124-12139. [PMID: 37930868 PMCID: PMC10711447 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich DNA strands can fold into non-canonical four-stranded secondary structures named G-quadruplexes (G4s). G4s folded in proximal promoter regions (PPR) are associated either with positive or negative transcriptional regulation. Given that single nucleotide variants (SNVs) affecting G4 folding (G4-Vars) may alter gene transcription, and that SNVs are associated with the human diseases' onset, we undertook a novel comprehensive study of the G4-Vars genome-wide (G4-variome) to find disease-associated G4-Vars located into PPRs. We developed a bioinformatics strategy to find disease-related SNVs located into PPRs simultaneously overlapping with putative G4-forming sequences (PQSs). We studied five G4-Vars disturbing in vitro the folding and stability of the G4s located into PPRs, which had been formerly associated with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (GRIN2B), a severe familiar coagulopathy (F7), atopic dermatitis (CSF2), myocardial infarction (SIRT1) and deafness (LHFPL5). Results obtained in cultured cells for these five G4-Vars suggest that the changes in the G4s affect the transcription, potentially contributing to the development of the mentioned diseases. Collectively, data reinforce the general idea that G4-Vars may impact on the different susceptibilities to human genetic diseases' onset, and could be novel targets for diagnosis and drug design in precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Lorenzatti
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, Rosario S2000EZP, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ernesto J Piga
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, Rosario S2000EZP, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Mauro Gismondi
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Suipacha 531, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Andrés Binolfi
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, Rosario S2000EZP, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Plataforma Argentina de Biología Estructural y Metabolómica (PLABEM), Ocampo y Esmeralda, Rosario S200EZP, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Margarit
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Suipacha 531, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Nora B Calcaterra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, Rosario S2000EZP, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pablo Armas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, Rosario S2000EZP, Santa Fe, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Figueiredo J, Djavaheri-Mergny M, Ferret L, Mergny JL, Cruz C. Harnessing G-quadruplex ligands for lung cancer treatment: A comprehensive overview. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103808. [PMID: 38414431 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. One such approach revolves around the utilization of four-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures, known as G-quadruplexes (G4), which are formed by G-rich sequences. Ligands that bind selectively to G4 structures present a promising strategy for regulating crucial cellular processes involved in the progression of LC, rendering them potent agents for lung cancer treatment. In this review, we offer a summary of recent advancements in the development of G4 ligands capable of targeting specific genes associated with the development and progression of lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Figueiredo
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Mojgan Djavaheri-Mergny
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM UMRS 1138, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire de France, 75006 Paris, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Lucille Ferret
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM UMRS 1138, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire de France, 75006 Paris, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, 91120 Palaiseau, France.
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade da Beira Interior, Rua Marquês de Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Lu Y, Wang S, Jiao Y. The Effects of Deregulated Ribosomal Biogenesis in Cancer. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1593. [PMID: 38002277 PMCID: PMC10669593 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribosomes are macromolecular ribonucleoprotein complexes assembled from RNA and proteins. Functional ribosomes arise from the nucleolus, require ribosomal RNA processing and the coordinated assembly of ribosomal proteins (RPs), and are frequently hyperactivated to support the requirement for protein synthesis during the self-biosynthetic and metabolic activities of cancer cells. Studies have provided relevant information on targeted anticancer molecules involved in ribosome biogenesis (RiBi), as increased RiBi is characteristic of many types of cancer. The association between unlimited cell proliferation and alterations in specific steps of RiBi has been highlighted as a possible critical driver of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Thus, alterations in numerous regulators and actors involved in RiBi, particularly in cancer, significantly affect the rate and quality of protein synthesis and, ultimately, the transcriptome to generate the associated proteome. Alterations in RiBi in cancer cells activate nucleolar stress response-related pathways that play important roles in cancer-targeted interventions and immunotherapies. In this review, we focus on the association between alterations in RiBi and cancer. Emphasis is placed on RiBi deregulation and its secondary consequences, including changes in protein synthesis, loss of RPs, adaptive transcription and translation, nucleolar stress regulation, metabolic changes, and the impaired ribosome biogenesis checkpoint.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shizhuo Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110055, China;
| | - Yisheng Jiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110055, China;
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wang Y, Li C, Guo K, Hao X, Hou J, Zhang F, Jin R, Kang C, Gao L. Oxidation-responsive G-quadruplex ligand for selective inhibition of the proliferation of tumour cells. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106746. [PMID: 37506624 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106746] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Tumour cells show a higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than normal cells. On the basis of this difference, we designed an oxidation-responsive G-quadruplex proligand PDS-B by installing borolanylbenzyls on a well-known pyridostatin (PDS) ligand PDS-S to response high level ROS in tumour cells. The rapid oxidative degradation of the proligand to its active form PDS-S in the presence of H2O2 confirms the oxidation-responsive design. According to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and confocal fluorescence imaging, PDS-B stabilizes telomeric G4 structures after oxidation with H2O2 or intracellular ROS. Apoptosis assays and cell cycle assays showed significant selectivity of PDS-B in inhibiting the proliferation of tumour cells over normal cells through responses to a high level of ROS in the formers. Further assays confirmed higher level of relative Caspase-3 activity in tumour cells than normal cells, consequently the enhanced apoptosis of the tumour cells induced by PDS-B. In summary, the results demonstrate a modification approach to solve the poor selectivity of the G4 ligand in tumour cells and cytotoxicity in normal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Kai Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Xueyu Hao
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Jingwei Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Rizhe Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Chuanqing Kang
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Lianxun Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and Its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhang Y, Huang J, Yu K, Cui X. G-Quadruplexes Formation by the C9orf72 Nucleotide Repeat Expansion d(GGGGCC) n and Conformation Regulation by Fangchinoline. Molecules 2023; 28:4671. [PMID: 37375224 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124671] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The G-quadruplex (GQ)-forming hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the C9orf72 (C9) gene has been found to be the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (collectively, C9ALS/FTD), implying the great significance of modulating C9-HRE GQ structures in C9ALS/FTD therapeutic treatment strategies. In this study, we investigated the GQ structures formed by varied lengths of C9-HRE DNA sequences d(GGGGCC)4 (C9-24mer) and d(GGGGCC)8 (C9-48mer), and found that the C9-24mer forms anti-parallel GQ (AP-GQ) in the presence of potassium ions, while the long C9-48mer bearing eight guanine tracts forms unstacked tandem GQ consisting of two C9-24mer unimolecular AP-GQs. Moreover, the natural small molecule Fangchinoline was screened out in order to be able to stabilize and alter the C9-HRE DNA to parallel GQ topology. Further study of the interaction of Fangchinoline with the C9-HRE RNA GQ unit r(GGGGCC)4 (C9-RNA) revealed that it can also recognize and improve the thermal stability of C9-HRE RNA GQ. Finally, use of AutoDock simulation results indicated that Fangchinoline binds to the groove regions of the parallel C9-HRE GQs. These findings pave the way for further studies of GQ structures formed by pathologically related long C9-HRE sequences, and also provide a natural small-molecule ligand that modulates the structure and stability of C9-HRE GQ, both in DNA and RNA levels. Altogether, this work may contribute to therapeutic approaches of C9ALS/FTD which take the upstream C9-HRE DNA region, as well as the toxic C9-HRE RNA, as targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Junliu Huang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kainan Yu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaojie Cui
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing 100081, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Yin G, Huang J, Petela J, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Gong S, Wu J, Liu B, Shi J, Gao Y. Targeting small GTPases: emerging grasps on previously untamable targets, pioneered by KRAS. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:212. [PMID: 37221195 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases including Ras, Rho, Rab, Arf, and Ran are omnipresent molecular switches in regulating key cellular functions. Their dysregulation is a therapeutic target for tumors, neurodegeneration, cardiomyopathies, and infection. However, small GTPases have been historically recognized as "undruggable". Targeting KRAS, one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes, has only come into reality in the last decade due to the development of breakthrough strategies such as fragment-based screening, covalent ligands, macromolecule inhibitors, and PROTACs. Two KRASG12C covalent inhibitors have obtained accelerated approval for treating KRASG12C mutant lung cancer, and allele-specific hotspot mutations on G12D/S/R have been demonstrated as viable targets. New methods of targeting KRAS are quickly evolving, including transcription, immunogenic neoepitopes, and combinatory targeting with immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the vast majority of small GTPases and hotspot mutations remain elusive, and clinical resistance to G12C inhibitors poses new challenges. In this article, we summarize diversified biological functions, shared structural properties, and complex regulatory mechanisms of small GTPases and their relationships with human diseases. Furthermore, we review the status of drug discovery for targeting small GTPases and the most recent strategic progress focused on targeting KRAS. The discovery of new regulatory mechanisms and development of targeting approaches will together promote drug discovery for small GTPases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Yin
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Johnny Petela
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yuetong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Siqi Gong
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiaxin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Bei Liu
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, School of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Yijun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Gao C, Mohamed HI, Deng J, Umer M, Anwar N, Chen J, Wu Q, Wang Z, He Y. Effects of Molecular Crowding on the Structure, Stability, and Interaction with Ligands of G-quadruplexes. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:14342-14348. [PMID: 37125118 PMCID: PMC10134454 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are widely found in cells and have significant biological functions, which makes them a target for screening antitumor and antiviral drugs. Most of the previous research on G4s has been conducted mainly in diluted solutions. However, cells are filled with organelles and many biomolecules, resulting in a constant state of a crowded molecular environment. The conformation and stability of some G4s were found to change significantly in the molecularly crowded environment, and interactions with ligands were disturbed to some extent. The structure of the G4s and their biological functions are correlated, and the effect of the molecularly crowded environment on G4 conformational transitions and interactions with ligands should be considered in drug design targeting G4s. This review discusses the changes in the conformation and stability of G4s in a physiological environment. Moreover, the mechanism of action of the molecularly crowded environment affecting the G4 has been further reviewed based on previous studies. Furthermore, current challenges and future research directions are put forward. This review has implications for the design of drugs targeting G4s.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Gao
- National
R&D Center for Se-rich Agricultural Products Processing, Hubei
Engineering Research Center for Deep Processing of Green Se-rich Agricultural
Products, School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Hany I. Mohamed
- Chemistry
Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha 13518, Egypt
| | - Jieya Deng
- National
R&D Center for Se-rich Agricultural Products Processing, Hubei
Engineering Research Center for Deep Processing of Green Se-rich Agricultural
Products, School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Muhammad Umer
- Institute
for Forest Resources and Environment of Guizhou and Forestry College,
Research Center of Forest Ecology, Guizhou
University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Naureen Anwar
- Department
of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal, Punjab 51600, Pakistan
| | - Jixin Chen
- National
R&D Center for Se-rich Agricultural Products Processing, Hubei
Engineering Research Center for Deep Processing of Green Se-rich Agricultural
Products, School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Qiao Wu
- Wuhan
Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhangqian Wang
- National
R&D Center for Se-rich Agricultural Products Processing, Hubei
Engineering Research Center for Deep Processing of Green Se-rich Agricultural
Products, School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Yi He
- National
R&D Center for Se-rich Agricultural Products Processing, Hubei
Engineering Research Center for Deep Processing of Green Se-rich Agricultural
Products, School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| |
Collapse
|