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Dubovichenko MV, Batsa M, Bobkov GA, Vlasov GS, El-Deeb AA, Kolpashchikov DM. Multivalent DNAzyme agents for cleaving folded RNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae295. [PMID: 38661191 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Multivalent recognition and binding of biological molecules is a natural phenomenon that increases the binding stability (avidity) without decreasing the recognition specificity. In this study, we took advantage of this phenomenon to increase the efficiency and maintain high specificity of RNA cleavage by DNAzymes (Dz). We designed a series of DNA constructs containing two Dz agents, named here bivalent Dz devices (BDD). One BDD increased the cleavage efficiency of a folded RNA fragment up to 17-fold in comparison with the Dz of a conventional design. Such an increase was achieved due to both the improved RNA binding and the increased probability of RNA cleavage by the two catalytic cores. By moderating the degree of Dz agent association in BDD, we achieved excellent selectivity in differentiating single-base mismatched RNA, while maintaining relatively high cleavage rates. Furthermore, a trivalent Dz demonstrated an even greater efficiency than the BDD in cleaving folded RNA. The data suggests that the cooperative action of several RNA-cleaving units can significantly improve the efficiency and maintain high specificity of RNA cleavage, which is important for the development of Dz-based gene knockdown agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V Dubovichenko
- Laboratory of Frontier Nucleic Acid Technologies in Gene Therapy of Cancer, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 191002, Russia
| | - Michael Batsa
- Laboratory of Frontier Nucleic Acid Technologies in Gene Therapy of Cancer, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 191002, Russia
| | - Gleb A Bobkov
- Laboratory of Frontier Nucleic Acid Technologies in Gene Therapy of Cancer, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 191002, Russia
| | - Gleb S Vlasov
- Laboratory of Frontier Nucleic Acid Technologies in Gene Therapy of Cancer, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 191002, Russia
| | - Ahmed A El-Deeb
- Laboratory of Frontier Nucleic Acid Technologies in Gene Therapy of Cancer, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 191002, Russia
| | - Dmitry M Kolpashchikov
- Laboratory of Frontier Nucleic Acid Technologies in Gene Therapy of Cancer, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 191002, Russia
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
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2
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Saini S, Goel K, Ghosh S, Das A, Saraogi I. Effects of PNA Sequence and Target Site Selection on Function of a 4.5S Non-Coding RNA. Chembiochem 2024:e202400029. [PMID: 38595046 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400029] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) based antisense strategy is a promising therapeutic approach to specifically inhibit target gene expression. However, unlike protein coding genes, identification of an ideal PNA binding site for non-coding RNA is not straightforward. Here, we compare the inhibitory activities of PNA molecules that bind a non-coding 4.5S RNA called SRP RNA, a key component of the bacterial signal recognition particle (SRP). A 9-mer PNA (PNA9) complementary to the tetraloop region of the RNA was more potent in inhibiting its interaction with the SRP protein, compared to an 8-mer PNA (PNA8) targeting a stem-loop. PNA9, which contained a homo-pyrimidine sequence could form a triplex with the complementary stretch of RNA in vitro as confirmed using a fluorescent derivative of PNA9 (F-PNA13). The RNA-PNA complex formation resulted in inhibition of SRP function with PNA9 and F-PNA13, but not PNA8 highlighting the importance of target site selection. Surprisingly, F-PNA13 which was more potent in inhibiting SRP function in vitro, showed weaker antibacterial activity compared to PNA9 likely due to poor cell penetration of the longer PNA. Our results underscore the importance of suitable target site selection and optimum PNA length to develop better antisense molecules against non-coding RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehlata Saini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal Bhauri, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhopal, 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Khushboo Goel
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal Bhauri, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhopal, 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sudipta Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal Bhauri, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhopal, 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Anirban Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal Bhauri, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhopal, 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Ishu Saraogi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal Bhauri, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhopal, 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal Bhauri, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhopal, 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
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3
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Muslihati A, Septiani NLW, Gumilar G, Nugraha N, Wasisto HS, Yuliarto B. Peptide-Based Flavivirus Biosensors: From Cell Structure to Virological and Serological Detection Methods. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:2041-2061. [PMID: 38526408 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01965] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
In tropical and developing countries, mosquito-borne diseases by flaviviruses pose a serious threat to public health. Early detection is critical for preventing their spread, but conventional methods are time-consuming and require skilled technicians. Biosensors have been developed to address this issue, but cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses remains a challenge. Peptides are essentially biomaterials used in diagnostics that allow virological and serological techniques to identify flavivirus selectively. This biomaterial originated as a small protein consisting of two to 50 amino acid chains. They offer flexibility in chemical modification and can be easily synthesized and applied to living cells in the engineering process. Peptides could potentially be developed as robust, low-cost, sensitive, and selective receptors for detecting flaviviruses. However, modification and selection of the receptor agents are crucial to determine the effectiveness of binding between the targets and the receptors. This paper addresses two potential peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and affinity peptides that can detect flavivirus from another target-based biosensor as well as the potential peptide behaviors of flaviviruses. The PNAs detect flaviviruses based on the nucleotide base sequence of the target's virological profile via Watson-Crick base pairing, while the affinity peptides sense the epitope or immunological profile of the targets. Recent developments in the functionalization of peptides for flavivirus biosensors are explored in this Review by division into electrochemical, optical, and other detection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atqiya Muslihati
- Doctoral Program of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
- Advanced Functional Material Laboratory, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 41032, Indonesia
- PT Biostark Analitika Inovasi, Bandung 40375, Indonesia
| | - Ni Luh Wulan Septiani
- Advanced Functional Material Laboratory, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 41032, Indonesia
- Research Center for Nanotechnology Systems, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Kawasan Puspiptek, South Tangerang 15134, Indonesia
| | - Gilang Gumilar
- Research Center for Electronics, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung 40135, Indonesia
| | - Nugraha Nugraha
- Advanced Functional Material Laboratory, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 41032, Indonesia
- Research Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology (RCNN), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 41032, Indonesia
| | | | - Brian Yuliarto
- Advanced Functional Material Laboratory, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 41032, Indonesia
- Research Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology (RCNN), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 41032, Indonesia
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4
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Corvaglia V, Wu J, Deepak D, Loos M, Huc I. Enhancing the Features of DNA Mimic Foldamers for Structural Investigations. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303650. [PMID: 38193643 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303650] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
DNA mimic foldamers based on aromatic oligoamide helices bearing anionic phosphonate side chains have been shown to bind to DNA-binding proteins sometimes orders of magnitude better than DNA itself. Here, we introduce new features in the DNA mimic foldamers to facilitate structural investigations of their interactions with proteins. Thirteen new foldamer sequences have been synthesized and characterized using NMR, circular dichroism, molecular modeling, and X-ray crystallography. The results show that foldamer helix handedness can be quantitatively biased by means of a single stereogenic center, that the foldamer structure can be made C2-symmetrical as in palindromic B-DNA sequences, and that associations between foldamer helices can be promoted utilizing dedicated C-terminal residues that act as sticky ends in B-DNA structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Corvaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Current address: Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (Italy) & Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162, Milan, Italy
| | - Jiaojiao Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Deepak Deepak
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Manuel Loos
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Ivan Huc
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
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5
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Palma E, Santos JF, Fernandes C, Paulo A. DNA-Targeted Complexes of Tc and Re for Biomedical Applications. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303591. [PMID: 38038361 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303591] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Due to their favorable chemical features, Re and Tc complexes have been widely used for the development of new therapeutic agents and imaging probes to solve problems of biomedical relevance. This review provides an update of the most relevant research efforts towards the development of novel cancer theranostic agents using Re and Tc-based compounds interacting with specific DNA structures. This includes a variety of homometallic complexes, namely those containing M(CO)3 (M=Re, Tc) moieties, that exhibit different modes of interaction with DNA, such as covalent binding, intercalation, groove binding or G-quadruplex DNA binding. Additionally, heterometallic complexes, designed to potentiate synergistic effects of different metal centers to improve DNA-targeting, cytotoxicity and fluorescence properties, are also reviewed. Particular attention is also given to 99m Tc- and 188 Re-labeled oligonucleotides that have been widely explored to develop imaging and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals through the in vivo hybridization with a specific complementary DNA or RNA target sequence to provide useful molecular tools in precision medicine for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Finally, the need for further improvement of DNA-targeted Re and Tc-based compounds as potential therapeutic and diagnostic agents is highlighted, and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Palma
- C2TN - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias, Nucleares Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana F Santos
- C2TN - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias, Nucleares Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Célia Fernandes
- C2TN - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias, Nucleares Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
- DECN - Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António Paulo
- C2TN - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias, Nucleares Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
- DECN - Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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6
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Chen S, Heendeniya SN, Le BT, Rahimizadeh K, Rabiee N, Zahra QUA, Veedu RN. Splice-Modulating Antisense Oligonucleotides as Therapeutics for Inherited Metabolic Diseases. BioDrugs 2024; 38:177-203. [PMID: 38252341 PMCID: PMC10912209 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-024-00644-7] [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] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The last decade (2013-2023) has seen unprecedented successes in the clinical translation of therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Eight such molecules have been granted marketing approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) during the decade, after the first ASO drug, fomivirsen, was approved much earlier, in 1998. Splice-modulating ASOs have also been developed for the therapy of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), due to their ability to redirect aberrant splicing caused by mutations, thus recovering the expression of normal transcripts, and correcting the deficiency of functional proteins. The feasibility of treating IEM patients with splice-switching ASOs has been supported by FDA permission (2018) of the first "N-of-1" study of milasen, an investigational ASO drug for Batten disease. Although for IEM, owing to the rarity of individual disease and/or pathogenic mutation, only a low number of patients may be treated by ASOs that specifically suppress the aberrant splicing pattern of mutant precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA), splice-switching ASOs represent superior individualized molecular therapeutics for IEM. In this work, we first summarize the ASO technology with respect to its mechanisms of action, chemical modifications of nucleotides, and rational design of modified oligonucleotides; following that, we precisely provide a review of the current understanding of developing splice-modulating ASO-based therapeutics for IEM. In the concluding section, we suggest potential ways to improve and/or optimize the development of ASOs targeting IEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suxiang Chen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Saumya Nishanga Heendeniya
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Bao T Le
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
- ProGenis Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Kamal Rahimizadeh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Navid Rabiee
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Qurat Ul Ain Zahra
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Rakesh N Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
- ProGenis Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
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7
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Polak A, Machnik G, Bułdak Ł, Ruczyński J, Prochera K, Bujak O, Mucha P, Rekowski P, Okopień B. The Application of Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA) in the Inhibition of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 ( PCSK9) Gene Expression in a Cell-Free Transcription/Translation System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1463. [PMID: 38338741 PMCID: PMC10855603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031463] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a protein that plays a key role in the metabolism of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The gain-of-function mutations of the PCSK9 gene lead to a reduced number of surface LDL receptors by binding to them, eventually leading to endosomal degradation. This, in turn, is the culprit of hypercholesterolemia, resulting in accelerated atherogenesis. The modern treatment for hypercholesterolemia encompasses the use of biological drugs against PCSK9, like monoclonal antibodies and gene expression modulators such as inclisiran-a short, interfering RNA (siRNA). Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a synthetic analog of nucleic acid that possesses a synthetic peptide skeleton instead of a phosphate-sugar one. This different structure determines the unique properties of PNA (e.g., neutral charge, enzymatic resistance, and an enormously high affinity with complementary DNA and RNA). Therefore, it might be possible to use PNA against PCSK9 in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. We sought to explore the impact of three selected PNA oligomers on PCSK9 gene expression. Using a cell-free transcription/translation system, we showed that one of the tested PNA strands was able to reduce the PCSK9 gene expression down to 74%, 64%, and 68%, as measured by RT-real-time PCR, Western blot, and HPLC, respectively. This preliminary study shows the high applicability of a cell-free enzymatic environment as an efficient tool in the initial evaluation of biologically active PNA molecules in the field of hypercholesterolemia research. This cell-free approach allows for the omission of the hurdles associated with transmembrane PNA transportation at the early stage of PNA selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Polak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Machnik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Łukasz Bułdak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ruczyński
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Katarzyna Prochera
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Oliwia Bujak
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Piotr Mucha
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Piotr Rekowski
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Bogusław Okopień
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
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8
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Chubarov AS, Baranovskaya EE, Oscorbin IP, Yushin II, Filipenko ML, Pyshnyi DV, Vasilyeva SV, Lomzov AA. Phosphoramidate Azole Oligonucleotides for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection by PCR. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:617. [PMID: 38203788 PMCID: PMC10778797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010617] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Detection of the Kirsten rat sarcoma gene (KRAS) mutational status is an important factor for the treatment of various malignancies. The most common KRAS-activating mutations are caused by single-nucleotide mutations, which are usually determined by using PCR, using allele-specific DNA primers. Oligonucleotide primers with uncharged or partially charged internucleotide phosphate modification have proved their ability to increase the sensitivity and specificity of various single nucleotide mutation detection. To enhance the specificity of single nucleotide mutation detection, the novel oligonucleotides with four types of uncharged and partially charged internucleotide phosphates modification, phosphoramide benzoazole (PABA) oligonucleotides (PABAO), was used to prove the concept on the KRAS mutation model. The molecular effects of different types of site-specific PABA modification in a primer or a template on a synthesis of full-length elongation product and PCR efficiency were evaluated. The allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) on plasmid templates showed a significant increase in analysis specificity without changes in Cq values compared with unmodified primer. PABA modification is a universal mismatch-like disturbance, which can be used for single nucleotide polymorphism discrimination for various applications. The molecular insights of the PABA site-specific modification in a primer and a template affect PCR, structural features of four types of PABAO in connection with AS-PCR results, and improvements of AS-PCR specificity support the further design of novel PCR platforms for various biological targets testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey S. Chubarov
- Correspondence: or (A.S.C.); (A.A.L.); Tel.: +7-913-763-1420 (A.S.C.); +7-(383)363-51-51 (A.A.L.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander A. Lomzov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, 8 Lavrentiev Avenue, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (E.E.B.); (I.P.O.); (I.I.Y.); (M.L.F.); (D.V.P.); (S.V.V.)
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9
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Moccia M, Pascucci B, Saviano M, Cerasa MT, Terzidis MA, Chatgilialoglu C, Masi A. Advances in Nucleic Acid Research: Exploring the Potential of Oligonucleotides for Therapeutic Applications and Biological Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:146. [PMID: 38203317 PMCID: PMC10778772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010146] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, nucleic acids have emerged as powerful biomaterials, revolutionizing the field of biomedicine. This review explores the multifaceted applications of nucleic acids, focusing on their pivotal role in various biomedical applications. Nucleic acids, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), possess unique properties such as molecular recognition ability, programmability, and ease of synthesis, making them versatile tools in biosensing and for gene regulation, drug delivery, and targeted therapy. Their compatibility with chemical modifications enhances their binding affinity and resistance to degradation, elevating their effectiveness in targeted applications. Additionally, nucleic acids have found utility as self-assembling building blocks, leading to the creation of nanostructures whose high order underpins their enhanced biological stability and affects the cellular uptake efficiency. Furthermore, this review delves into the significant role of oligonucleotides (ODNs) as indispensable tools for biological studies and biomarker discovery. ODNs, short sequences of nucleic acids, have been instrumental in unraveling complex biological mechanisms. They serve as probes for studying gene expression, protein interactions, and cellular pathways, providing invaluable insights into fundamental biological processes. By examining the synergistic interplay between nucleic acids as powerful biomaterials and ODNs as indispensable tools for biological studies and biomarkers, this review highlights the transformative impact of these molecules on biomedical research. Their versatile applications not only deepen our understanding of biological systems but also are the driving force for innovation in diagnostics and therapeutics, ultimately advancing the field of biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Moccia
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Strada Provinciale 35d, n. 9, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy; (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Barbara Pascucci
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Strada Provinciale 35d, n. 9, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy; (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Michele Saviano
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, URT Caserta, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Maria Teresa Cerasa
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Giovanni Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Michael A. Terzidis
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Sindos Campus, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Chryssostomos Chatgilialoglu
- Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
- Center of Advanced Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
| | - Annalisa Masi
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Strada Provinciale 35d, n. 9, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy; (M.M.); (B.P.)
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10
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Shehzadi K, Yu M, Liang J. De Novo Potent Peptide Nucleic Acid Antisense Oligomer Inhibitors Targeting SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase via Structure-Guided Drug Design. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17473. [PMID: 38139312 PMCID: PMC10744289 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417473] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Global reports of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and recurrence cases continue despite substantial vaccination campaigns, raising severe concerns about COVID-19. While repurposed drugs offer some treatment options for COVID-19, notably, nucleoside inhibitors like Remdesivir stand out as curative therapies for COVID-19 that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The emergence of highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variants underscores the imperative for antiviral drugs adaptable to evolving viral mutations. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) plays a key role in viral genome replication. Currently, inhibiting viral RdRp function remains a pivotal strategy to tackle the notorious virus. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) therapy shows promise by effectively targeting specific genome regions, reducing viral replication, and inhibiting infection. In our study, we designed PNA antisense oligomers conjugated with cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) aiming to evaluate their antiviral effects against RdRp target using structure-guided drug design, which involves molecular docking simulations, drug likeliness and pharmacokinetic evaluations, molecular dynamics simulations, and computing binding free energy. The in silico analysis predicts that chemically modified PNAs might act as antisense molecules in order to disrupt ribosome assembly at RdRp's translation start site, and their chemically stable and neutral backbone might enhance sequence-specific RNA binding interaction. Notably, our findings demonstrate that PNA-peptide conjugates might be the most promising inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, with superior binding free energy compared to Remdesivir in the current COVID-19 medication. Specifically, PNA-CPP-1 could bind simultaneously to the active site residues of RdRp protein and sequence-specific RdRp-RNA target in order to control viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mingjia Yu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100811, China;
| | - Jianhua Liang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100811, China;
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11
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Singh G, Monga V. Peptide Nucleic Acids: Recent Developments in the Synthesis and Backbone Modifications. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106860. [PMID: 37748328 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid represents the ideal drug candidate for protein targets that are hard to target or against which drug development is not easy. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthesized by attaching modified peptide backbones generally derived from repetitive N-2-aminoethyl glycine units in place of the regular phosphodiester backbone and represent synthetic impersonator of nucleic acids that offers an exciting research field due to their fascinating spectrum of biotechnological, diagnostic and potential therapeutic applications. The semi-rigid peptide nucleic acid backbone serves as a nearly-perfect template for attaching complimentary base pairs on DNA or RNA in a sequence-dependent manner as described by Watson-Crick models. PNAs and their analogues are endowed with exceptionally high affinity and specificity for receptor sites, essentially due to their polyamide backbone's uncharged and flexible nature. The present review compiled various strategies to modify the polypeptide backbone for improving the target selectivity and stability of the PNAs in the body. The investigated biological activities carried out on PNAs have also been summarized in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurpreet Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Vikramdeep Monga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, VPO-Ghudda, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India.
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12
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Mathur D, Díaz SA, Hildebrandt N, Pensack RD, Yurke B, Biaggne A, Li L, Melinger JS, Ancona MG, Knowlton WB, Medintz IL. Pursuing excitonic energy transfer with programmable DNA-based optical breadboards. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:7848-7948. [PMID: 37872857 PMCID: PMC10642627 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00936a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology has now enabled the self-assembly of almost any prescribed 3-dimensional nanoscale structure in large numbers and with high fidelity. These structures are also amenable to site-specific modification with a variety of small molecules ranging from drugs to reporter dyes. Beyond obvious application in biotechnology, such DNA structures are being pursued as programmable nanoscale optical breadboards where multiple different/identical fluorophores can be positioned with sub-nanometer resolution in a manner designed to allow them to engage in multistep excitonic energy-transfer (ET) via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or other related processes. Not only is the ability to create such complex optical structures unique, more importantly, the ability to rapidly redesign and prototype almost all structural and optical analogues in a massively parallel format allows for deep insight into the underlying photophysical processes. Dynamic DNA structures further provide the unparalleled capability to reconfigure a DNA scaffold on the fly in situ and thus switch between ET pathways within a given assembly, actively change its properties, and even repeatedly toggle between two states such as on/off. Here, we review progress in developing these composite materials for potential applications that include artificial light harvesting, smart sensors, nanoactuators, optical barcoding, bioprobes, cryptography, computing, charge conversion, and theranostics to even new forms of optical data storage. Along with an introduction into the DNA scaffolding itself, the diverse fluorophores utilized in these structures, their incorporation chemistry, and the photophysical processes they are designed to exploit, we highlight the evolution of DNA architectures implemented in the pursuit of increased transfer efficiency and the key lessons about ET learned from each iteration. We also focus on recent and growing efforts to exploit DNA as a scaffold for assembling molecular dye aggregates that host delocalized excitons as a test bed for creating excitonic circuits and accessing other quantum-like optical phenomena. We conclude with an outlook on what is still required to transition these materials from a research pursuit to application specific prototypes and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divita Mathur
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 44106, USA
| | - Sebastián A Díaz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, USA.
| | - Niko Hildebrandt
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Ryan D Pensack
- Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
| | - Bernard Yurke
- Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
| | - Austin Biaggne
- Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
| | - Lan Li
- Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
- Center for Advanced Energy Studies, Idaho Falls, ID 83401, USA
| | - Joseph S Melinger
- Electronics Science and Technology Division, Code 6800, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
| | - Mario G Ancona
- Electronics Science and Technology Division, Code 6800, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - William B Knowlton
- Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
| | - Igor L Medintz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, USA.
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13
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Podlaski F, Cornwell S, Wong K, McKittrick B, Kim JH, Jung D, Jeon Y, Jung KB, Tolias P, Windsor WT. Peptide Nucleic Acids Containing Cationic/Amino-Alkyl Modified Bases Promote Enhanced Hybridization Kinetics and Thermodynamics with Single-Strand DNA. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:33426-33436. [PMID: 37744819 PMCID: PMC10515352 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are antisense molecules with excellent polynucleotide hybridization properties; they are resistant to nuclease degradation but often have poor cell permeability leading to moderate cellular activity and limited clinical results. The addition of cationic substitutions (positive charges) to PNA molecules greatly increases cell permeability. In this report, we describe the synthesis and polynucleotide hybridization properties of a novel cationic/amino-alkyl nucleotide base-modified PNA (OPNA). This study was designed to quantitate the effect the cationic/amino-alkyl nucleotide base modification had on the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of OPNA-DNA hybridization using surface plasmon resonance and UV thermal melt studies. Kinetic studies reveal a favorable 10-30 fold increase in affinity for a single cationic modification on the base of an adenine, cytosine, or guanidine OPNA sequence compared to the nonmodified PNA strand. The increase in affinity is correlated directly with a favorable decrease in the dissociation rate constant and increase in the association rate constant. Introducing additional amino-alkyl base modifications further favors a decrease in the dissociation rate (3-10-fold per amino-alkyl). The thermodynamics driving the OPNA hybridization is promoted by an additional favorable -80 kJ/mol enthalpy of binding for a single amino-alkyl modification compared to the PNA strand. This increase in enthalpy is consistent with an ion-ion interaction with the DNA strand. These kinetic and thermodynamic hybridization studies reveal for the first time that this type of cationic/amino-alkyl base-modified PNA has favorable hybridization properties suitable for development as an antisense oligomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Podlaski
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens
Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Stephen Cornwell
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens
Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Kenny Wong
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens
Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Brian McKittrick
- Department
of Global Sciences & Strategy, OliPass
Corporation, Yongin, Gyeonggi 17015, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hun Kim
- Department
of Monomer Research, OliPass Corporation, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16229, Republic
of Korea
| | - Daram Jung
- Department
of Oligo Sciences, OliPass Corporation, Yongin, Gyeonggi 17015, Republic
of Korea
| | - Yeasel Jeon
- Department
of Oligo Sciences, OliPass Corporation, Yongin, Gyeonggi 17015, Republic
of Korea
| | - Kwang-Bok Jung
- Department
of Monomer Manufacture, OliPass Corporation, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16229, Republic
of Korea
| | - Peter Tolias
- Department
of Biology, School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences, Brooklyn College, CUNY, Brooklyn, New York 11210, United States
| | - William T. Windsor
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens
Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
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14
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Pham TM, Miffin T, Sun H, Sharp KK, Wang X, Zhu M, Hoshika S, Peterson RJ, Benner SA, Kahn JD, Mathews DH. DNA Structure Design Is Improved Using an Artificially Expanded Alphabet of Base Pairs Including Loop and Mismatch Thermodynamic Parameters. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2750-2763. [PMID: 37671922 PMCID: PMC10510751 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00358] [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: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
We show that in silico design of DNA secondary structures is improved by extending the base pairing alphabet beyond A-T and G-C to include the pair between 2-amino-8-(1'-β-d-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo-[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-(8H)-4-one and 6-amino-3-(1'-β-d-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-5-nitro-(1H)-pyridin-2-one, abbreviated as P and Z. To obtain the thermodynamic parameters needed to include P-Z pairs in the designs, we performed 47 optical melting experiments and combined the results with previous work to fit free energy and enthalpy nearest neighbor folding parameters for P-Z pairs and G-Z wobble pairs. We find G-Z pairs have stability comparable to that of A-T pairs and should therefore be included as base pairs in structure prediction and design algorithms. Additionally, we extrapolated the set of loop, terminal mismatch, and dangling end parameters to include the P and Z nucleotides. These parameters were incorporated into the RNAstructure software package for secondary structure prediction and analysis. Using the RNAstructure Design program, we solved 99 of the 100 design problems posed by Eterna using the ACGT alphabet or supplementing it with P-Z pairs. Extending the alphabet reduced the propensity of sequences to fold into off-target structures, as evaluated by the normalized ensemble defect (NED). The NED values were improved relative to those from the Eterna example solutions in 91 of 99 cases in which Eterna-player solutions were provided. P-Z-containing designs had average NED values of 0.040, significantly below the 0.074 of standard-DNA-only designs, and inclusion of the P-Z pairs decreased the time needed to converge on a design. This work provides a sample pipeline for inclusion of any expanded alphabet nucleotides into prediction and design workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan M. Pham
- Department
of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
| | - Terrel Miffin
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Maryland, College
Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Hongying Sun
- Department
of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical
Center, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
| | - Kenneth K. Sharp
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Maryland, College
Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Maryland, College
Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Mingyi Zhu
- Department
of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
| | - Shuichi Hoshika
- Foundation
for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | | | - Steven A. Benner
- Foundation
for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Jason D. Kahn
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Maryland, College
Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - David H. Mathews
- Department
of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
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15
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Gasparello J, Papi C, Zurlo M, Volpi S, Gambari R, Corradini R, Casnati A, Sansone F, Finotti A. Cationic Calix[4]arene Vectors to Efficiently Deliver AntimiRNA Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) and miRNA Mimics. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2121. [PMID: 37631335 PMCID: PMC10460053 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082121] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most appealing approaches for regulating gene expression, named the "microRNA therapeutic" method, is based on the regulation of the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs), the intracellular levels of which are dysregulated in many diseases, including cancer. This can be achieved by miRNA inhibition with antimiRNA molecules in the case of overexpressed microRNAs, or by using miRNA-mimics to restore downregulated microRNAs that are associated with the target disease. The development of new efficient, low-toxic, and targeted vectors of such molecules represents a key topic in the field of the pharmacological modulation of microRNAs. We compared the delivery efficiency of a small library of cationic calix[4]arene vectors complexed with fluorescent antimiRNA molecules (Peptide Nucleic Acids, PNAs), pre-miRNA (microRNA precursors), and mature microRNAs, in glioma- and colon-cancer cellular models. The transfection was assayed by cytofluorimetry, cell imaging assays, and RT-qPCR. The calix[4]arene-based vectors were shown to be powerful tools to facilitate the uptake of both neutral (PNAs) and negatively charged (pre-miRNAs and mature microRNAs) molecules showing low toxicity in transfected cells and ability to compete with commercially available vectors in terms of delivery efficiency. These results could be of great interest to validate microRNA therapeutics approaches for future application in personalized treatment and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gasparello
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Chiara Papi
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Stefano Volpi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Roberto Corradini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandro Casnati
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Francesco Sansone
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
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16
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Tamez A, Nilsson L, Mihailescu MR, Evanseck JD. Parameterization of the miniPEG-Modified γPNA Backbone: Toward Induced γPNA Duplex Dissociation. J Chem Theory Comput 2023. [PMID: 37195939 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
γ-Modified peptide nucleic acids (γPNAs) serve as potential therapeutic agents against genetic diseases. Miniature poly(ethylene glycol) (miniPEG) has been reported to increase solubility and binding affinity toward genetic targets, yet details of γPNA structure and dynamics are not understood. Within our work, we parameterized missing torsional and electrostatic terms for the miniPEG substituent on the γ-carbon atom of the γPNA backbone in the CHARMM force field. Microsecond timescale molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on six miniPEG-modified γPNA duplexes from NMR structures (PDB ID: 2KVJ). Three NMR models for the γPNA duplex (PDB ID: 2KVJ) were simulated as a reference for structural and dynamic changes captured for the miniPEG-modified γPNA duplex. Principal component analysis performed on the γPNA backbone atoms identified a single isotropic conformational substate (CS) for the NMR simulations, whereas four anisotropic CSs were identified for the ensemble of miniPEG-modified γPNA simulations. The NMR structures were found to have a 23° helical bend toward the major groove, consistent with our simulated CS structure of 19.0°. However, a significant difference between simulated methyl- and miniPEG-modified γPNAs involved the opportunistic invasion of miniPEG through the minor and major groves. Specifically, hydrogen bond fractional analysis showed that the invasion was particularly prone to affect the second G-C base pair, reducing the Watson-Crick base pair hydrogen bond by 60% over the six simulations, whereas the A-T base pairs decreased by only 20%. Ultimately, the invasion led to base stack reshuffling, where the well-ordered base stacking was reduced to segmented nucleobase stacking interactions. Our 6 μs timescale simulations indicate that duplex dissociation suggests the onset toward γPNA single strands, consistent with the experimental observation of decreased aggregation. To complement the insight of miniPEG-modified γPNA structure and dynamics, the new miniPEG force field parameters allow for further exploration of such modified γPNA single strands as potential therapeutic agents against genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Tamez
- Center for Computational Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Lennart Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen 1, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
| | - Mihaela-Rita Mihailescu
- Center for Computational Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jeffrey D Evanseck
- Center for Computational Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
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17
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Del Bene A, D'Aniello A, Tomassi S, Merlino F, Mazzarella V, Russo R, Chambery A, Cosconati S, Di Maro S, Messere A. Ultrasound-assisted Peptide Nucleic Acids synthesis (US-PNAS). ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2023; 95:106360. [PMID: 36913782 PMCID: PMC10024050 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we developed an innovative and easily accessible solid-phase synthetic protocol for Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) oligomers by systematically investigating the ultrasonication effects in all steps of the PNA synthesis (US-PNAS). When compared with standard protocols, the application of the so-obtained US-PNAS approach succeeded in improving the crude product purities and the isolated yields of different PNA, including small or medium-sized oligomers (5-mer and 9-mer), complex purine-rich sequences (like a 5-mer Guanine homoligomer and the telomeric sequence TEL-13) and longer oligomers (such as the 18-mer anti-IVS2-654 PNA and the 23-mer anti-mRNA 155 PNA). Noteworthy, our ultrasound-assisted strategy is compatible with the commercially available PNA monomers and well-established coupling reagents and only requires the use of an ultrasonic bath, which is a simple equipment generally available in most synthetic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Del Bene
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonia D'Aniello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Stefano Tomassi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mazzarella
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.
| | - Anna Messere
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.
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18
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Hutanu A, Signori C, Moritz B, Gregoritza M, Rohde A, Schwarz MA. Using Peptide Nucleic Acid Hybridization Probes for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics by Capillary Electrophoresis. Anal Chem 2023; 95:4914-4922. [PMID: 36888566 PMCID: PMC10034743 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The space of advanced therapeutic modalities is currently evolving in rapid pace necessitating continuous improvement of analytical quality control methods. In order to evaluate the identity of nucleic acid species in gene therapy products, we propose a capillary electrophoresis-based gel free hybridization assay in which fluorescently labeled peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are applied as affinity probes. PNAs are engineered organic polymers that share the base pairing properties with DNA and RNA but have an uncharged peptide backbone. In the present study, we conduct various proof-of-concept studies to identify the potential of PNA probes for advanced analytical characterization of novel therapeutic modalities like oligonucleotides, plasmids, mRNA, and DNA released by recombinant adeno-associated virus. For single-stranded nucleic acids up to 1000 nucleotides, the method is an excellent choice that proved to be highly specific by detecting DNA traces in complex samples, while having a limit of quantification in the picomolar range when multiple probes are used. For double-stranded samples, only fragments that are similar in size to the probe could be quantified. This limitation can be circumvented when target DNA is digested and multiple probes are used opening an alternative to quantitative PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Hutanu
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, Pharma Technical Development Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel 4070, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Signori
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, Pharma Technical Development Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel 4070, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Moritz
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, Pharma Technical Development Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel 4070, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Gregoritza
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, Pharma Technical Development Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel 4070, Switzerland
| | - Adelheid Rohde
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, Pharma Technical Development Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel 4070, Switzerland
| | - Maria A Schwarz
- University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
- Solvias AG, Kaiseraugst 4303, Switzerland
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19
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Ateiah M, Gandalipov ER, Rubel AA, Rubel MS, Kolpashchikov DM. DNA Nanomachine (DNM) Biplex Assay for Differentiating Bacillus cereus Species. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054473. [PMID: 36901903 PMCID: PMC10003685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional methods for the detection and differentiation of Bacillus cereus group species have drawbacks mostly due to the complexity of genetic discrimination between the Bacillus cereus species. Here, we describe a simple and straightforward assay based on the detected unamplified bacterial 16S rRNA by DNA nanomachine (DNM). The assay uses a universal fluorescent reporter and four all-DNA binding fragments, three of which are responsible for "opening up" the folded rRNA while the fourth stand is responsible for detecting single nucleotide variation (SNV) with high selectivity. Binding of the DNM to 16S rRNA results in the formation of the 10-23 deoxyribozyme catalytic core that cleaves the fluorescent reporter and produces a signal, which is amplified over time due to catalytic turnover. This developed biplex assay enables the detection of B. thuringiensis 16S rRNA at fluorescein and B. mycoides at Cy5 channels with a limit of detection of 30 × 103 and 35 × 103 CFU/mL, respectively, after 1.5 h with a hands-on time of ~10 min. The new assay may simplify the analysis of biological RNA samples and might be useful for environmental monitoring as a simple and inexpensive alternative to amplification-based nucleic acid analysis. The DNM proposed here may become an advantageous tool for detecting SNV in clinically significant DNA or RNA samples and can easily differentiate SNV under broadly variable experimental conditions and without prior amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhannad Ateiah
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, Lomonosova St. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russia; (M.A.); (E.R.G.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Erik R. Gandalipov
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, Lomonosova St. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russia; (M.A.); (E.R.G.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Aleksandr A. Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya enb. 7-9, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia;
| | - Maria S. Rubel
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, Lomonosova St. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russia; (M.A.); (E.R.G.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Dmitry M. Kolpashchikov
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, Lomonosova St. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russia; (M.A.); (E.R.G.); (M.S.R.)
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32816-2366, USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Correspondence:
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20
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Negm WA, Ezzat SM, Zayed A. Marine organisms as potential sources of natural products for the prevention and treatment of malaria. RSC Adv 2023; 13:4436-4475. [PMID: 36760290 PMCID: PMC9892989 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07977a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are a worldwide critical concern accounting for 17% of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases in 2020. Despite the various medicines available for the management, the deadliest VBD malaria, caused by Plasmodium sp., has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths in sub-Saharan Africa only. This finding may be explained by the progressive loss of antimalarial medication efficacy, inherent toxicity, the rise of drug resistance, or a lack of treatment adherence. As a result, new drug discoveries from uncommon sources are desperately needed, especially against multi-drug resistant strains. Marine organisms have been investigated, including sponges, soft corals, algae, and cyanobacteria. They have been shown to produce many bioactive compounds that potentially affect the causative organism at different stages of its life cycle, including the chloroquine (CQ)-resistant strains of P. falciparum. These compounds also showed diverse chemical structures belonging to various phytochemical classes, including alkaloids, terpenoids, polyketides, macrolides, and others. The current article presents a comprehensive review of marine-derived natural products with antimalarial activity as potential candidates for targeting different stages and species of Plasmodium in both in vitro and in vivo and in comparison with the commercially available and terrestrial plant-derived products, i.e., quinine and artemisinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walaa A. Negm
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Tanta University, College of PharmacyEl-Guish StreetTanta 31527Egypt
| | - Shahira M. Ezzat
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo UniversityKasr El-Aini StreetCairo 11562Egypt,Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA)Giza 12451Egypt
| | - Ahmed Zayed
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Tanta University, College of Pharmacy El-Guish Street Tanta 31527 Egypt
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21
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Chubarov AS, Oscorbin IP, Novikova LM, Filipenko ML, Lomzov AA, Pyshnyi DV. Allele-Specific PCR for PIK3CA Mutation Detection Using Phosphoryl Guanidine Modified Primers. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020250. [PMID: 36673060 PMCID: PMC9858071 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphoryl guanidine (PG) is the novel uncharged modification of internucleotide phosphates of oligonucleotides. Incorporating PG modification into PCR primers leads to increased discrimination between wild-type and mutated DNA, providing extraordinary detection limits in an allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). Herein, we used PG-modification to improve the specificity of AS primers with unfavorable Pyr/Pur primer's 3'-end mismatch in the template/primer complex. Two mutations of the PIK3CA gene (E542K, E545K) were chosen to validate the advantages of the PG modification. Several primers with PG modifications were synthesized for each mutation and assessed using AS-PCR with the plasmid controls and DNA obtained from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. The assay allows the detection of 0.5% of mutated DNA on the wild-type DNA plasmid template's background with good specificity. Compared with ddPCR, the primers with PG-modification demonstrated 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity on the DNA from FFPE with mutation presence higher than 0.5%. Our results indicate the high potential of PG-modified primers for point mutation detection. The main principle of the developed methodology can be used to improve the specificity of primers regardless of sequences.
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22
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Robles-Remacho A, Luque-Gonzalez MA, López-Delgado FJ, Guardia-Monteagudo JJ, Fara MA, Pernagallo S, Sanchez-Martin RM, Diaz-Mochon JJ. Direct detection of alpha satellite DNA with single-base resolution by using abasic Peptide Nucleic Acids and Fluorescent in situ Hybridization. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 219:114770. [PMID: 36270082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The detection of repetitive sequences with single-base resolution is becoming increasingly important aiming to understand the biological implications of genomic variation in these sequences. However, there is a lack of techniques to experimentally validate sequencing data from repetitive sequences obtained by Next-Generation Sequencing methods, especially in the case of Single-Nucleotide Variations (SNVs). That is one of the reasons why repetitive sequences have been poorly studied and excluded from most genomic studies. Therefore, in addition to sequencing data, there is an urgent need for efficient validation methods of genomic variation in these sequences. Herein we report the development of chemFISH, an alternative method for the detection of SNVs in repetitive sequences. ChemFISH is an innovative method based on dynamic chemistry labelling and abasic Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probes to detect in situ the α-satellite DNA, organized in tandem repeats, with single-base resolution in a direct and rapid reaction. With this approach, we detected by microscopy the α-satellite DNA in a variety of human cell lines, we quantified the detection showing a low coefficient of variation among samples (13.16%-25.33%) and we detected single-base specificity with high sensitivity (82.41%-88.82%). These results indicate that chemFISH can serve as a rapid method to validate previously detected SNVs in sequencing data, as well as to find novel SNVs in repetitive sequences. Furthermore, the versatile chemistry behind chemFISH can lead to develop novel molecular assays for the in situ detection of nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Robles-Remacho
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Ilustración, 114, 18016, Granada, Spain; Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain; Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospital of Granada/University of Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - M Angelica Luque-Gonzalez
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Ilustración, 114, 18016, Granada, Spain; Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain; Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospital of Granada/University of Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - F Javier López-Delgado
- DESTINA Genomica S.L, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Innovación 1, Edificio BIC, Armilla, 18100, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan J Guardia-Monteagudo
- DESTINA Genomica S.L, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Innovación 1, Edificio BIC, Armilla, 18100, Granada, Spain
| | - Mario Antonio Fara
- DESTINA Genomica S.L, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Innovación 1, Edificio BIC, Armilla, 18100, Granada, Spain
| | - Salvatore Pernagallo
- DESTINA Genomica S.L, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Innovación 1, Edificio BIC, Armilla, 18100, Granada, Spain
| | - Rosario M Sanchez-Martin
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Ilustración, 114, 18016, Granada, Spain; Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain; Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospital of Granada/University of Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Juan Jose Diaz-Mochon
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, Avenida de la Ilustración, 114, 18016, Granada, Spain; Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain; Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospital of Granada/University of Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016, Granada, Spain.
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23
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Lee SH, Ng CX, Wong SR, Chong PP. MiRNAs Overexpression and Their Role in Breast Cancer: Implications for Cancer Therapeutics. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:484-508. [PMID: 36999414 DOI: 10.2174/1389450124666230329123409] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs have a plethora of roles in various biological processes in the cells and most human cancers have been shown to be associated with dysregulation of the expression of miRNA genes. MiRNA biogenesis involves two alternative pathways, the canonical pathway which requires the successful cooperation of various proteins forming the miRNA-inducing silencing complex (miRISC), and the non-canonical pathway, such as the mirtrons, simtrons, or agotrons pathway, which bypasses and deviates from specific steps in the canonical pathway. Mature miRNAs are secreted from cells and circulated in the body bound to argonaute 2 (AGO2) and miRISC or transported in vesicles. These miRNAs may regulate their downstream target genes via positive or negative regulation through different molecular mechanisms. This review focuses on the role and mechanisms of miRNAs in different stages of breast cancer progression, including breast cancer stem cell formation, breast cancer initiation, invasion, and metastasis as well as angiogenesis. The design, chemical modifications, and therapeutic applications of synthetic anti-sense miRNA oligonucleotides and RNA mimics are also discussed in detail. The strategies for systemic delivery and local targeted delivery of the antisense miRNAs encompass the use of polymeric and liposomal nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, as well as viral vectors and viruslike particles (VLPs). Although several miRNAs have been identified as good candidates for the design of antisense and other synthetic modified oligonucleotides in targeting breast cancer, further efforts are still needed to study the most optimal delivery method in order to drive the research beyond preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sau Har Lee
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chu Xin Ng
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sharon Rachel Wong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pei Pei Chong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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24
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Yokoi Y, Kawabuchi Y, Zulmajdi AA, Tanaka R, Shibata T, Muraoka T, Mori T. Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Peptide Nucleic Acid Conjugates as a Tool for Protein Functional Elucidation in the Native Bacterium. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248944. [PMID: 36558072 PMCID: PMC9788395 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 30% or more of the total proteins annotated from sequenced bacteria genomes are annotated as hypothetical or uncharacterized proteins. However, elucidation on the function of these proteins is hindered by the lack of simple and rapid screening methods, particularly with novel or hard-to-transform bacteria. In this report, we employed cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) -peptide nucleotide acid (PNA) conjugates to elucidate the function of such uncharacterized proteins in vivo within the native bacterium. Paenibacillus, a hard-to-transform bacterial genus, was used as a model. Two hypothetical genes showing amino acid sequence similarity to ι-carrageenases, termed cgiA and cgiB, were identified from the draft genome of Paenibacillus sp. strain YYML68, and CPP-PNA probes targeting the mRNA of the acyl carrier protein gene, acpP, and the two ι-carrageenase candidate genes were synthesized. Upon direct incubation of CPP-PNA targeting the mRNA of the acpP gene, we successfully observed growth inhibition of strain YYML68 in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, both the function of the candidate ι-carrageenases were also inhibited using our CPP-PNA probes allowing for the confirmation and characterization of these hypothetical proteins. In summary, we believe that CPP-PNA conjugates can serve as a simple and efficient alternative approach to characterize proteins in the native bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhito Yokoi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yugo Kawabuchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Abdullah Adham Zulmajdi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Reiji Tanaka
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, 1577 Kurima-machiya-cho, Tsu-shi 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Shibata
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, 1577 Kurima-machiya-cho, Tsu-shi 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Takahiro Muraoka
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Mori
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
- Correspondence:
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25
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He P, Zhang X, Xia K, Green DE, Baytas S, Xu Y, Pham T, Liu J, Zhang F, Almond A, Linhardt RJ, DeAngelis PL. Chemoenzymatic synthesis of sulfur-linked sugar polymers as heparanase inhibitors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7438. [PMID: 36460670 PMCID: PMC9718760 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34788-3] [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: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex carbohydrates (glycans) are major players in all organisms due to their structural, energy, and communication roles. This last essential role involves interacting and/or signaling through a plethora of glycan-binding proteins. The design and synthesis of glycans as potential drug candidates that selectively alter or perturb metabolic processes is challenging. Here we describe the first reported sulfur-linked polysaccharides with potentially altered conformational state(s) that are recalcitrant to digestion by heparanase, an enzyme important in human health and disease. An artificial sugar donor with a sulfhydryl functionality is synthesized and enzymatically incorporated into polysaccharide chains utilizing heparosan synthase. Used alone, this donor adds a single thio-sugar onto the termini of nascent chains. Surprisingly, in chain co-polymerization reactions with a second donor, this thiol-terminated heparosan also serves as an acceptor to form an unnatural thio-glycosidic bond ('S-link') between sugar residues in place of a natural 'O-linked' bond. S-linked heparan sulfate analogs are not cleaved by human heparanase. Furthermore, the analogs act as competitive inhibitors with > ~200-fold higher potency than expected; as a rationale, molecular dynamic simulations suggest that the S-link polymer conformations mimic aspects of the transition state. Our analogs form the basis for future cancer therapeutics and modulators of protein/sugar interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng He
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Wenyuan Road 1, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ke Xia
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Dixy E Green
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Oklahoma, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Sultan Baytas
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yongmei Xu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Truong Pham
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Andrew Almond
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1, 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
| | - Paul L DeAngelis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Oklahoma, OK, 73104, USA.
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26
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Goodman J, Attwood D, Kiely J, Coladas Mato P, Luxton R. Modeling Peptide Nucleic Acid Binding Enthalpies Using MM-GBSA. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:9528-9538. [PMID: 36375178 PMCID: PMC9706560 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The binding enthalpies of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) homoduplexes were predicted using a molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area approach. Using the nucleic acid nearest-neighbor model, these were decomposed into sequence parameters which could replicate the enthalpies from thermal melting experiments with a mean error of 8.7%. These results present the first systematic computational investigation into the relationship between sequence and binding energy for PNA homoduplexes and identified a stabilizing helix initiation enthalpy not observed for nucleic acids with phosphoribose backbones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Goodman
- University
of the West of England, BristolBS16 1QY, U.K.,
| | - David Attwood
- University
of the West of England, BristolBS16 1QY, U.K.
| | - Janice Kiely
- University
of the West of England, BristolBS16 1QY, U.K.
| | | | - Richard Luxton
- University
of the West of England, BristolBS16 1QY, U.K.
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27
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Liu Q, Xia J, Yu Q, Gu P, Yuan Y, Liu K, Huang C, Chen C, Guo X, Qian H. Engineering the Surface Properties of DNA Nanostructures by Tuning the Valency of Assembling Species for Biomedical Applications. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200248. [PMID: 35983867 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembled DNA nanostructures hold great potentials in biomedical applications. Nevertheless, the negatively charged DNA backbone and susceptivity to enzyme degradation pose challenges to this regard. Engineering the surface properties of DNA nanostructures by assembling DNA with guest molecules in magnesium-free system is promising to solve these issues. In this study, the polyamines-mediated DNA self-assembly with an emphasis on the valency of polyamines is investigated. Both spermine, spermidine, and putrescine can assemble DNA tetrahedron under appropriate concentrations. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiencies vary with the polyamine valency. Compared with magnesium-assembled DNA tetrahedron, polyamine-assembled DNA tetrahedron exhibits higher cellular uptake efficiency and serum stability. Circular dichroism spectrum results indicate that polyamines induce DNA conformation slightly shifting from B form to A form. The improved performances of polyamine-assembled DNA tetrahedrons under physiological settings are attributed to the surface properties that altered by guest molecules polyamine. The current study suggests that engineering the surface properties of DNA nanostructures by assembling them with guest cationic species is promising to further their biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Laboratory of Pharmacy and Chemistry, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jingruo Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637000, China
| | - Qingtao Yu
- Laboratory of Pharmacy and Chemistry, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Pengcheng Gu
- Laboratory of Pharmacy and Chemistry, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yue Yuan
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Laboratory of Pharmacy and Chemistry, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chaowang Huang
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Chunfa Chen
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xiaolan Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637000, China
| | - Hang Qian
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Chongqing, 400037, China
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28
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Clausse V, Zheng H, Amarasekara H, Kruhlak M, Appella DH. Thyclotides, tetrahydrofuran-modified peptide nucleic acids that efficiently penetrate cells and inhibit microRNA-21. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:10839-10856. [PMID: 36215040 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are promising therapeutic molecules for gene modulation; however, they suffer from poor cell uptake. Delivery of PNAs into cells requires conjugation of the PNA to another large molecule, typically a cell-penetrating peptide or nanoparticle. In this study, we describe a new PNA-based molecule with cyclic tetrahydrofuran (THF) backbone modifications that in some cases considerably improve cell uptake. We refer to these THF-PNA oligomers as thyclotides. With THF groups at every position of the oligomer, the cell uptake of thyclotides targeted to miR-21 is enhanced compared with the corresponding unmodified PNA based on an aminoethylglycine backbone. An optimized thyclotide can efficiently enter cells without the use of cell-penetrating peptides, bind miR-21, its designated microRNA target, decrease expression of miR-21 and increase expression of three downstream targets (PTEN, Cdc25a and KRIT1). Using a plasmid with the PTEN-3'UTR coupled with luciferase, we further confirmed that a miR-21-targeted thyclotide prevents miR-21 from binding to its target RNA. Additionally, the thyclotide shows no cytotoxicity when administered at 200 times its active concentration. We propose that thyclotides be further explored as therapeutic candidates to modulate miRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Clausse
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hongchao Zheng
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Harsha Amarasekara
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael Kruhlak
- Microscopy Core Facility, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel H Appella
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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29
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Dalla Pozza M, Abdullrahman A, Cardin CJ, Gasser G, Hall JP. Three's a crowd - stabilisation, structure, and applications of DNA triplexes. Chem Sci 2022; 13:10193-10215. [PMID: 36277639 PMCID: PMC9473520 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01793h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA is a strikingly flexible molecule and can form a variety of secondary structures, including the triple helix, which is the subject of this review. The DNA triplex may be formed naturally, during homologous recombination, or can be formed by the introduction of a synthetic triplex forming oligonucleotide (TFO) to a DNA duplex. As the TFO will bind to the duplex with sequence specificity, there is significant interest in developing TFOs with potential therapeutic applications, including using TFOs as a delivery mechanism for compounds able to modify or damage DNA. However, to combine triplexes with functionalised compounds, a full understanding of triplex structure and chemical modification strategies, which may increase triplex stability or in vivo degradation, is essential - these areas will be discussed in this review. Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, which are able to photooxidise DNA and act as luminescent DNA probes, may serve as a suitable photophysical payload for a TFO system and the developments in this area in the context of DNA triplexes will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dalla Pozza
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology F-75005 Paris France www.gassergroup.com
| | - Ahmad Abdullrahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmacy Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus Reading Berkshire RG6 6AD UK
| | - Christine J Cardin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading Whiteknights Reading RG6 6AD UK
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology F-75005 Paris France www.gassergroup.com
| | - James P Hall
- Department of Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmacy Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus Reading Berkshire RG6 6AD UK
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30
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Massaro M, Licandro E, Cauteruccio S, Lazzara G, Liotta LF, Notarbartolo M, Raymo FM, Sánchez-Espejo R, Viseras-Iborra C, Riela S. Nanocarrier based on halloysite and fluorescent probe for intracellular delivery of peptide nucleic acids. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 620:221-233. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.03.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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31
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Economos NG, Quijano E, Carufe KEW, Perera J, Glazer P. Antispacer peptide nucleic acids for sequence-specific CRISPR-Cas9 modulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e59. [PMID: 35235944 PMCID: PMC9177974 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the rapid and broad implementation of CRISPR-Cas9-based technologies, convenient tools to modulate dose, timing, and precision remain limited. Building on methods using synthetic peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) to bind RNA with unusually high affinity, we describe guide RNA (gRNA) spacer-targeted, or 'antispacer', PNAs as a tool to modulate Cas9 binding and activity in cells in a sequence-specific manner. We demonstrate that PNAs rapidly and efficiently target complexed gRNA spacer sequences at low doses and without design restriction for sequence-selective Cas9 inhibition. We further show that short PAM-proximal antispacer PNAs achieve potent cleavage inhibition (over 2000-fold reduction) and that PAM-distal PNAs modify gRNA affinity to promote on-target specificity. Finally, we apply antispacer PNAs for temporal regulation of two dCas9-fusion systems. These results present a novel rational approach to nucleoprotein engineering and describe a rapidly implementable antisense platform for CRISPR-Cas9 modulation to improve spatiotemporal versatility and safety across applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G Economos
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Kelly E W Carufe
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - J Dinithi R Perera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
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32
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Bizzarri BM, Fanelli A, Cesarini S, Saladino R. A Three‐Way Regioselective Synthesis of Amino‐Acid Decorated Imidazole, Purine and Pyrimidine Derivatives by Multicomponent Chemistry Starting from Prebiotic Diaminomaleonitrile. European J Org Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202200598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mattia Bizzarri
- Universita degli Studi della Tuscia Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche Via Camillo de Lellis snc 01100 VITERBO ITALY
| | - Angelica Fanelli
- Università degli Studi della Tuscia: Universita degli Studi della Tuscia Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche ITALY
| | - Silvia Cesarini
- Università degli Studi della Tuscia: Universita degli Studi della Tuscia Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche ITALY
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Università degli Studi della Tuscia: Universita degli Studi della Tuscia Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche ITALY
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33
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Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections: An Evolution of Technologies towards Accurate and Rapid Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11040511. [PMID: 35453262 PMCID: PMC9029869 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11040511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a leading cause of death worldwide. The lack of timely and reliable diagnostic practices is an ongoing issue for managing BSI. The current gold standard blood culture practice for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing is time-consuming. Delayed diagnosis warrants the use of empirical antibiotics, which could lead to poor patient outcomes, and risks the development of antibiotic resistance. Hence, novel techniques that could offer accurate and timely diagnosis and susceptibility testing are urgently needed. This review focuses on BSI and highlights both the progress and shortcomings of its current diagnosis. We surveyed clinical workflows that employ recently approved technologies and showed that, while offering improved sensitivity and selectivity, these techniques are still unable to deliver a timely result. We then discuss a number of emerging technologies that have the potential to shorten the overall turnaround time of BSI diagnosis through direct testing from whole blood—while maintaining, if not improving—the current assay’s sensitivity and pathogen coverage. We concluded by providing our assessment of potential future directions for accelerating BSI pathogen identification and the antibiotic susceptibility test. While engineering solutions have enabled faster assay turnaround, further progress is still needed to supplant blood culture practice and guide appropriate antibiotic administration for BSI patients.
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34
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Patil NA, Thombare VJ, Li R, He X, Lu J, Yu HH, Wickremasinghe H, Pamulapati K, Azad MAK, Velkov T, Roberts KD, Li J. An Efficient Approach for the Design and Synthesis of Antimicrobial Peptide-Peptide Nucleic Acid Conjugates. Front Chem 2022; 10:843163. [PMID: 35372270 PMCID: PMC8964499 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.843163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) conjugates targeting essential bacterial genes have shown significant potential in developing novel antisense antimicrobials. The majority of efforts in this area are focused on identifying different PNA targets and the selection of peptides to deliver the peptide-PNA conjugates to Gram-negative bacteria. Notably, the selection of a linkage strategy to form peptide-PNA conjugate plays an important role in the effective delivery of PNAs. Recently, a unique Cysteine- 2-Cyanoisonicotinamide (Cys-CINA) click chemistry has been employed for the synthesis of cyclic peptides. Considering the high selectivity of this chemistry, we investigated the efficiency of Cys-CINA conjugation to synthesize novel antimicrobial peptide-PNA conjugates. The PNA targeting acyl carrier protein gene (acpP), when conjugated to the membrane-active antimicrobial peptides (polymyxin), showed improvement in antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii. Thus, indicating that the Cys-CINA conjugation is an effective strategy to link the antisense oligonucleotides with antimicrobial peptides. Therefore, the Cys-CINA conjugation opens an exciting prospect for antimicrobial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin A. Patil
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Nitin A. Patil,
| | - Varsha J. Thombare
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rong Li
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Xiaoji He
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jing Lu
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Heidi H. Yu
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hasini Wickremasinghe
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kavya Pamulapati
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammad A. K. Azad
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tony Velkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kade D. Roberts
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jian Li
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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35
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Pierce JB, Zhou H, Simion V, Feinberg MW. Long Noncoding RNAs as Therapeutic Targets. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1363:161-175. [PMID: 35220570 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-92034-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of cellular functions including maintenance of cellular homeostasis as well as the onset and progression of disease. LncRNAs often exhibit cell-, tissue-, and disease-specific expression patterns, making them desirable therapeutic targets. LncRNAs are commonly targeted using oligonucleotide therapeutics, and advances in oligonucleotide chemistry including C2 ribose sugar modifications such as 2'-fluoro, 2'-O-methyl, and 2-O-methoxyethyl modifications; 2'4'-constrained nucleotides such as locked nucleic acids and constrained 2'-O-ethyl (cEt) nucleotides; and phosphorothioate bonds have dramatically improved efficacy of oligonucleotide therapies. Novel delivery platforms such as viral vectors and nanoparticles have also improved pharmacokinetic properties of oligonucleotides targeting lncRNAs. Accumulating pre-clinical studies have utilized these strategies to therapeutically target lncRNAs and alter progression of many different disease states including Snhg12 and Chast in cardiovascular disease, Mirt2 and HOTTIP in sepsis and autoimmune disease, and Malat1 and HOXB-AS3 in cancer. Emerging oligonucleotide conjugation methods including the use of peptide nucleic acids hold promise to facilitate targeting to specific tissue types. Here, we review recent advances in lncRNA therapeutics and provide examples of how lncRNAs have been successfully targeted in pre-clinical models of disease. Finally, we detail remaining challenges facing the lncRNA field and how advances in delivery platforms and oligonucleotide chemistry might help overcome these barriers to catalyze the translation of pre-clinical studies to successful pharmaceutical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob B Pierce
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Haoyang Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Cardiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Viorel Simion
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark W Feinberg
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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36
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Li C, Callahan AJ, Phadke KS, Bellaire B, Farquhar CE, Zhang G, Schissel CK, Mijalis AJ, Hartrampf N, Loas A, Verhoeven DE, Pentelute BL. Automated Flow Synthesis of Peptide-PNA Conjugates. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:205-213. [PMID: 35233452 PMCID: PMC8874765 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have yet to translate to the clinic because of poor cellular uptake, limited solubility, and rapid elimination. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) covalently attached to PNAs may facilitate clinical development by improving uptake into cells. We report an efficient technology that utilizes a fully automated fast-flow instrument to manufacture CPP-conjugated PNAs (PPNAs) in a single shot. The machine is rapid, with each amide bond being formed in 10 s. Anti-IVS2-654 PPNA synthesized with this instrument presented threefold activity compared to transfected PNA in a splice-correction assay. We demonstrated the utility of this approach by chemically synthesizing eight anti-SARS-CoV-2 PPNAs in 1 day. A PPNA targeting the 5' untranslated region of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA reduced the viral titer by over 95% in a live virus infection assay (IC50 = 0.8 μM). Our technology can deliver PPNA candidates to further investigate their potential as antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxi Li
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alex J. Callahan
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Kruttika S. Phadke
- Department
of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 United States
| | - Bryan Bellaire
- Department
of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 United States
| | - Charlotte E. Farquhar
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Genwei Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Carly K. Schissel
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alexander J. Mijalis
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Nina Hartrampf
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Andrei Loas
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - David E. Verhoeven
- Department
of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 United States
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Center
for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad Institute
of MIT and Harvard, 415
Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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37
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Gaddam RR, Dhuri K, Kim YR, Jacobs JS, Kumar V, Li Q, Irani K, Bahal R, Vikram A. γ Peptide Nucleic Acid-Based miR-122 Inhibition Rescues Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3332-3342. [PMID: 35133835 PMCID: PMC8883473 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The blood levels
of microRNA-122 (miR-122) is associated with the
severity of cardiovascular disorders, and targeting it with efficient
and safer miR inhibitors could be a promising approach. Here, we report
the generation of a γ-peptide nucleic acid (γPNA)-based
miR-122 inhibitor (γP-122-I) that rescues vascular endothelial
dysfunction in mice fed a high-fat diet. We synthesized diethylene
glycol-containing γP-122-I and found that its systemic administration
counteracted high-fat diet (HFD)-feeding-associated increase in blood
and aortic miR-122 levels, impaired endothelial function, and reduced
glycemic control. A comprehensive safety analysis established that
γP-122-I affects neither the complete blood count nor biochemical
tests of liver and kidney functions during acute exposure. In addition,
long-term exposure to γP-122-I did not change the overall adiposity,
or histology of the kidney, liver, and heart. Thus, γP-122-I
rescues endothelial dysfunction without any evidence of toxicity in vivo and demonstrates the suitability of γPNA technology
in generating efficient and safer miR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Reddy Gaddam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Karishma Dhuri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Young-Rae Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Julia S Jacobs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Qiuxia Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Kaikobad Irani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Ajit Vikram
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
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38
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Wang F, Li P, Chu HC, Lo PK. Nucleic Acids and Their Analogues for Biomedical Applications. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12020093. [PMID: 35200353 PMCID: PMC8869748 DOI: 10.3390/bios12020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are emerging as powerful and functional biomaterials due to their molecular recognition ability, programmability, and ease of synthesis and chemical modification. Various types of nucleic acids have been used as gene regulation tools or therapeutic agents for the treatment of human diseases with genetic disorders. Nucleic acids can also be used to develop sensing platforms for detecting ions, small molecules, proteins, and cells. Their performance can be improved through integration with other organic or inorganic nanomaterials. To further enhance their biological properties, various chemically modified nucleic acid analogues can be generated by modifying their phosphodiester backbone, sugar moiety, nucleobase, or combined sites. Alternatively, using nucleic acids as building blocks for self-assembly of highly ordered nanostructures would enhance their biological stability and cellular uptake efficiency. In this review, we will focus on the development and biomedical applications of structural and functional natural nucleic acids, as well as the chemically modified nucleic acid analogues over the past ten years. The recent progress in the development of functional nanomaterials based on self-assembled DNA-based platforms for gene regulation, biosensing, drug delivery, and therapy will also be presented. We will then summarize with a discussion on the advanced development of nucleic acid research, highlight some of the challenges faced and propose suggestions for further improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
| | - Pan Li
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
| | - Hoi Ching Chu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
| | - Pik Kwan Lo
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Care, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Correspondence:
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39
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Lou H, Li X, Sheng X, Fang S, Wan S, Sun A, Chen H. Development of a Trivalent Construct Omp18/AhpC/FlgH Multi Epitope Peptide Vaccine Against Campylobacter jejuni. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:773697. [PMID: 35095793 PMCID: PMC8793626 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.773697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is one of the major pathogens contributing to the enteritis in humans. Infection can lead to numerous complications, including but not limited to Guillain-Barre syndrome, reactive arthritis, and Reiter’s syndrome. Over the past two decades, joint efforts have been made toward developing a proper strategy of limiting the transmission of C. jejuni to humans. Nevertheless, except for biosecurity measures, no available vaccine has been developed so far. Judging from the research findings, Omp18, AhpC outer membrane protein, and FlgH flagellin subunits of C. jejuni could be adopted as surface protein antigens of C. jejuni for screening dominant epitope thanks to their strong antigenicity, expression of varying strains, and conservative sequence. In this study, bioinformatics technology was adopted to analyze the T-B antigenic epitopes of Omp18, AhpC, and FlgH in C. jejuni strain NCTC11168. Both ELISA and Western Blot methods were adopted to screen the dominant T-B combined epitope. GGS (GGCGGTAGC) sequence was adopted to connect the dominant T-B combined epitope peptides and to construct the prokaryotic expression system of tandem repeats of antigenic epitope peptides. The mouse infection model was adopted to assess the immunoprotective effect imposed by the trivalent T-B combined with antigen epitope peptide based on Omp18/AhpC/FlgH. In this study, a tandem epitope AhpC-2/Omp18-1/FlgH-1 was developed, which was composed of three epitopes and could effectively enhance the stability and antigenicity of the epitope while preserving its structure. The immunization of BALB/c mice with a tandem epitope could induce protective immunity accompanied by the generation of IgG2a antibody response through the in vitro synthesis of IFN-γ cytokines. Judging from the results of immune protection experiments, the colonization of C. jejuni declined to a significant extent, and it was expected that AhpC-2/Omp18-1/FlgH-1 could be adopted as a candidate antigen for genetic engineering vaccine of C. jejuni MAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqiang Lou
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
| | - Xusheng Li
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
| | - Xiusheng Sheng
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
| | - Shuiqin Fang
- Shanghai Prajna Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoye Wan
- Shanghai Prajna Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Aihua Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haohao Chen
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
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40
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Wdowikowska A, Janicka M. Antisense oligonucleotide technology as a research tool in plant biology. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2021; 49:1-12. [PMID: 34794541 DOI: 10.1071/fp21194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) is a short single-stranded deoxyribonucleotide complementary to the sense strand of a selected nucleic acid. As a result, an ASO can modulate gene expression through several mechanisms. The technology based on ASO has already been applied in studies on gene function in mammalian cells and selective therapeutic strategies for many diseases. The conceptual simplicity and low cost of this method, and the developments in the field of plant genome sequencing observed in the last decades, have paved the way for the ASO method also in plant biology. It is applied in gene function analysis as well as the development of non-invasive plant production technology involving gene modifications without transgenesis. Therefore, the first part of this review provides a comprehensive overview of the structure, mechanism of action and delivery methods of ASOs in plants and shows the most important features essential for the proper design of individual experiments. We also discuss potential issues and difficulties that may arise during practical ASO implementation. The second part of this article contains an analysis of ASO applications in various studies in the field of plant biology. We presented for the first time that ASOs were also successfully applied in cucumber.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wdowikowska
- Department of Plant Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wroclaw, Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Janicka
- Department of Plant Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wroclaw, Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wroclaw, Poland
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41
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Usha SP, Manoharan H, Deshmukh R, Álvarez-Diduk R, Calucho E, Sai VVR, Merkoçi A. Attomolar analyte sensing techniques (AttoSens): a review on a decade of progress on chemical and biosensing nanoplatforms. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:13012-13089. [PMID: 34673860 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00137j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Detecting the ultra-low abundance of analytes in real-life samples, such as biological fluids, water, soil, and food, requires the design and development of high-performance biosensing modalities. The breakthrough efforts from the scientific community have led to the realization of sensing technologies that measure the analyte's ultra-trace level, with relevant sensitivity, selectivity, response time, and sampling efficiency, referred to as Attomolar Analyte Sensing Techniques (AttoSens) in this review. In an AttoSens platform, 1 aM detection corresponds to the quantification of 60 target analyte molecules in 100 μL of sample volume. Herein, we review the approaches listed for various sensor probe design, and their sensing strategies that paved the way for the detection of attomolar (aM: 10-18 M) concentration of analytes. A summary of the technological advances made by the diverse AttoSens trends from the past decade is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sruthi Prasood Usha
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), India.
| | - Hariharan Manoharan
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), India.
| | - Rehan Deshmukh
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), India.
| | - Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Enric Calucho
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - V V R Sai
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), India.
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain. .,ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recercai Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
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De Fazio AF, Misatziou D, Baker YR, Muskens OL, Brown T, Kanaras AG. Chemically modified nucleic acids and DNA intercalators as tools for nanoparticle assembly. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:13410-13440. [PMID: 34792047 PMCID: PMC8628606 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00632k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles to larger structures is of great research interest as it allows the fabrication of novel materials with collective properties correlated to the nanoparticles' individual characteristics. Recently developed methods for controlling nanoparticle organisation have enabled the fabrication of a range of new materials. Amongst these, the assembly of nanoparticles using DNA has attracted significant attention due to the highly selective recognition between complementary DNA strands, DNA nanostructure versatility, and ease of DNA chemical modification. In this review we discuss the application of various chemical DNA modifications and molecular intercalators as tools for the manipulation of DNA-nanoparticle structures. In detail, we discuss how DNA modifications and small molecule intercalators have been employed in the chemical and photochemical DNA ligation in nanostructures; DNA rotaxanes and catenanes associated with reconfigurable nanoparticle assemblies; and DNA backbone modifications including locked nucleic acids, peptide nucleic acids and borane nucleic acids, which affect the stability of nanostructures in complex environments. We conclude by highlighting the importance of maximising the synergy between the communities of DNA chemistry and nanoparticle self-assembly with the aim to enrich the library of tools available for the manipulation of nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela F De Fazio
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Doxi Misatziou
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Ysobel R Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Otto L Muskens
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Tom Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Antonios G Kanaras
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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43
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Thakare P, Vasile F, Vallaro M, Visentin S, Caron G, Licandro E, Cauteruccio S. Acid-base and lipophilic properties of peptide nucleic acid derivatives. J Pharm Anal 2021; 11:638-645. [PMID: 34765277 PMCID: PMC8572665 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The first combined experimental and theoretical study on the ionization and lipophilic properties of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) derivatives, including eleven PNA monomers and two PNA decamers, is described. The acidity constants (pKa) of individual acidic and basic centers of PNA monomers were measured by automated potentiometric pH titrations in water/methanol solution, and these values were found to be in agreement with those obtained by MoKa software. These results indicate that single nucleobases do not change their pKa values when included in PNA monomers and oligomers. In addition, immobilized artificial membrane chromatography was employed to evaluate the lipophilic properties of PNA monomers and oligomers, which showed the PNA derivatives had poor affinity towards membrane phospholipids, and confirmed their scarce cell penetrating ability. Overall, our study not only is of potential relevance to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of PNA, but also constitutes a reliable basis to properly modify PNA to obtain mimics with enhanced cell penetration properties. The first study on acid-base and lipophilic properties of peptide nucleic acids (PNA). pKa of acid-base centers of PNA evaluated by potentiometric method and MoKa prediction. NMR experiments provide additional information on the protonation of PNA monomers. Lipophilicity of PNA monomers and oligomers is investigated by IAM chromatography. This study can lay the basis of evaluating the pharmacokinetic properties of PNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramod Thakare
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Vasile
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology & Health Sciences Department, University of Turin, 10135, Turin, Italy
| | - Sonja Visentin
- Molecular Biotechnology & Health Sciences Department, University of Turin, 10135, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology & Health Sciences Department, University of Turin, 10135, Turin, Italy
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44
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Exner RM, Paisey SJ, Redman JE, Pascu SI. Explorations into Peptide Nucleic Acid Contrast Agents as Emerging Scaffolds for Breakthrough Solutions in Medical Imaging and Diagnosis. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:28455-28462. [PMID: 34746541 PMCID: PMC8569549 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs, nucleic acid analogues with a peptide backbone rather than a phosphoribosyl backbone) have emerged as promising chemical agents in antigene or antisense therapeutics, as splicing modulators or in gene editing. Their main benefits, compared to DNA or RNA agents, are their biochemical stability and the lack of negative charges throughout the backbone, leading to negligible electrostatic interaction with the strand with which they are hybridizing. As a result, hybridization of PNA strands with DNA or RNA strands leads to higher binding energies and melting temperatures. A lack of natural transporters, however, necessitates the formation of PNA-containing chimeras or the formulation of nanoparticular cell delivery methods. Here, we set out to explore the progress made in using imaging agents based on PNAs in diagnostic applications and highlight selected developments and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger M. Exner
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J. Paisey
- Wales
Research & Diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Centre
(PETIC), School of Medicine, Cardiff University,
University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - James E. Redman
- School
of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia I. Pascu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
- Centre
for Sustainable and Circular Technologies, 1 South, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2
7AY, United Kingdom
- Centre
for Therapeutic Innovation, 3 West 2.03, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2
7AY, United Kingdom
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45
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Malarney KP, Kc S, Schmidt VA. Recent strategies used in the synthesis of saturated four-membered heterocycles. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:8425-8441. [PMID: 34546272 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob00988e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The importance and prevalance of O-, N-, and S-atom containing saturated four-membered ring motifs in biologically active molecules and potential therapeutics continues to drive efforts in their efficient synthetic preparation. In this review, general and recent strategies for the synthesis of these heterocycles are presented. Due to the limited potential bond disconnections, retrosynthetic strategies are broadly limited to cyclizations and cycloadditions. Nonetheless, diverse approaches for accessing cyclization precursors have been developed, ranging from nucleophilic substitution to C-H functionalization. Innovative methods for substrate activation have been developed for cycloadditions under photochemical and thermal conditions. Advances in accessing oxetanes, azetidines, and thietanes remain active areas of research with continued breakthroughs anticipated to enable future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kien P Malarney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92071, USA.
| | - Shekhar Kc
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92071, USA.
| | - Valerie A Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92071, USA.
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46
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Largy E, König A, Ghosh A, Ghosh D, Benabou S, Rosu F, Gabelica V. Mass Spectrometry of Nucleic Acid Noncovalent Complexes. Chem Rev 2021; 122:7720-7839. [PMID: 34587741 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids have been among the first targets for antitumor drugs and antibiotics. With the unveiling of new biological roles in regulation of gene expression, specific DNA and RNA structures have become very attractive targets, especially when the corresponding proteins are undruggable. Biophysical assays to assess target structure as well as ligand binding stoichiometry, affinity, specificity, and binding modes are part of the drug development process. Mass spectrometry offers unique advantages as a biophysical method owing to its ability to distinguish each stoichiometry present in a mixture. In addition, advanced mass spectrometry approaches (reactive probing, fragmentation techniques, ion mobility spectrometry, ion spectroscopy) provide more detailed information on the complexes. Here, we review the fundamentals of mass spectrometry and all its particularities when studying noncovalent nucleic acid structures, and then review what has been learned thanks to mass spectrometry on nucleic acid structures, self-assemblies (e.g., duplexes or G-quadruplexes), and their complexes with ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Largy
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Alexander König
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Anirban Ghosh
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Debasmita Ghosh
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Sanae Benabou
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Frédéric Rosu
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, IECB, UMS 3033, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Valérie Gabelica
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France
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47
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Addonizio CJ, Gates BD, Webber MJ. Supramolecular "Click Chemistry" for Targeting in the Body. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:1935-1946. [PMID: 34415139 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The fields of precision imaging and drug delivery have revealed a number of tools to improve target specificity and increase efficacy in diagnosing and treating disease. Biological molecules, such as antibodies, continue to be the primary means of assuring active targeting of various payloads. However, molecular-scale recognition motifs have emerged in recent decades to achieve specificity through the design of interacting chemical motifs. In this regard, an assortment of bioorthogonal covalent conjugations offer possibilities for in situ complexation under physiological conditions. Herein, a related concept is discussed that leverages interactions from noncovalent or supramolecular motifs to facilitate in situ recognition and complex formation in the body. Classic supramolecular motifs based on host-guest complexation offer one such means of facilitating recognition. In addition, synthetic bioinspired motifs based on oligonucleotide hybridization and coiled-coil peptide bundles afford other routes to form complexes in situ. The architectures to include recognition of these various motifs for targeting enable both monovalent and multivalent presentation, seeking high affinity or engineered avidity to facilitate conjugation even under dilute conditions of the body. Accordingly, supramolecular "click chemistry" offers a complementary tool in the growing arsenal targeting improved healthcare efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Addonizio
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 United States
| | - Brant D Gates
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 United States
| | - Matthew J Webber
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 United States
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48
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Advances in Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Using Sensors and Biosensors: A Review. CHEMOSENSORS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors9080232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The indiscriminate use and mismanagement of antibiotics over the last eight decades have led to one of the main challenges humanity will have to face in the next twenty years in terms of public health and economy, i.e., antimicrobial resistance. One of the key approaches to tackling antimicrobial resistance is clinical, livestock, and environmental surveillance applying methods capable of effectively identifying antimicrobial non-susceptibility as well as genes that promote resistance. Current clinical laboratory practices involve conventional culture-based antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) methods, taking over 24 h to find out which medication should be prescribed to treat the infection. Although there are techniques that provide rapid resistance detection, it is necessary to have new tools that are easy to operate, are robust, sensitive, specific, and inexpensive. Chemical sensors and biosensors are devices that could have the necessary characteristics for the rapid diagnosis of resistant microorganisms and could provide crucial information on the choice of antibiotic (or other antimicrobial medicines) to be administered. This review provides an overview on novel biosensing strategies for the phenotypic and genotypic determination of antimicrobial resistance and a perspective on the use of these tools in modern health-care and environmental surveillance.
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49
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Swenson CS, Lackey HH, Reece EJ, Harris JM, Heemstra JM, Peterson EM. Evaluating the effect of ionic strength on PNA:DNA duplex formation kinetics. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1249-1256. [PMID: 34458838 PMCID: PMC8341200 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00025j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a unique synthetic nucleic acid analog that has been adopted for use in many biological applications. These applications rely upon the robust Franklin-Watson-Crick base pairing provided by PNA, particularly at lower ionic strengths. However, our understanding of the relationship between the kinetics of PNA:DNA hybridization and ionic strength is incomplete. Here we measured the kinetics of association and dissociation of PNA with DNA across a range of ionic strengths and temperatures at single-molecule resolution using total internal reflection fluorescence imaging. Unlike DNA:DNA duplexes, PNA:DNA duplexes are more stable at lower ionic strength, and we demonstrate that this is due to a higher association rate. While the dissociation rate of PNA:DNA duplexes is largely insensitive to ionic strength, it is significantly lower than that of DNA:DNA duplexes having the same number and sequence of base pairing interactions. The temperature dependence of PNA:DNA kinetic rate constants indicate a significant enthalpy barrier to duplex dissociation, and to a lesser extent, duplex formation. This investigation into the kinetics of PNA:DNA hybridization provides a framework towards better understanding and design of PNA sequences for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin S Swenson
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University Atlanta GA 30322 USA
| | - Hershel H Lackey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah Salt Lake City UT 84112 USA
| | - Eric J Reece
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah Salt Lake City UT 84112 USA
| | - Joel M Harris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah Salt Lake City UT 84112 USA
| | | | - Eric M Peterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah Salt Lake City UT 84112 USA
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50
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Brodyagin N, Katkevics M, Kotikam V, Ryan CA, Rozners E. Chemical approaches to discover the full potential of peptide nucleic acids in biomedical applications. Beilstein J Org Chem 2021; 17:1641-1688. [PMID: 34367346 PMCID: PMC8313981 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.17.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is arguably one of the most successful DNA mimics, despite a most dramatic departure from the native structure of DNA. The present review summarizes 30 years of research on PNA's chemistry, optimization of structure and function, applications as probes and diagnostics, and attempts to develop new PNA therapeutics. The discussion starts with a brief review of PNA's binding modes and structural features, followed by the most impactful chemical modifications, PNA enabled assays and diagnostics, and discussion of the current state of development of PNA therapeutics. While many modifications have improved on PNA's binding affinity and specificity, solubility and other biophysical properties, the original PNA is still most frequently used in diagnostic and other in vitro applications. Development of therapeutics and other in vivo applications of PNA has notably lagged behind and is still limited by insufficient bioavailability and difficulties with tissue specific delivery. Relatively high doses are required to overcome poor cellular uptake and endosomal entrapment, which increases the risk of toxicity. These limitations remain unsolved problems waiting for innovative chemistry and biology to unlock the full potential of PNA in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Brodyagin
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Martins Katkevics
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Venubabu Kotikam
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Christopher A Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Eriks Rozners
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
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