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Johnson RE, Murray MT, Bycraft LJ, Myler P, Wetmore SD, Manderville RA. Harnessing a 4-Formyl-Aniline Handle to Tune the Stability of a DNA Aptamer-Protein Complex via Fluorescent Surrogates. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:2066-2076. [PMID: 37857354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between DNA aptamers and protein targets hold promise for the development of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As such, the utilization of fluorescent nucleobase surrogates in studying aptamer-protein interactions is a powerful tool due to their ability to provide site-specific information through turn-on fluorescence. Unfortunately, previously described turn-on probes serving as nucleobase replacements have only been strongly disruptive to the affinity of aptamer-protein interactions. Herein, we present a modified TBA15 aptamer for thrombin containing a fluorescent surrogate that provides site-specific turn-on emission with low nanomolar affinity. The modification, referred to as AnBtz, was substituted at position T3 and provided strong turn-on emission (Irel ≈ 4) and brightness (ε·Φ > 20 000 cm-1 M-1) with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 15 nM to afford a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 nM for thrombin in 20% human serum. The probe was selected through a modular "on-strand" synthesis process that utilized a 4-formyl-aniline (4FA) handle. Using this platform, we were able to enhance the affinity of the final aptamer conjugate by ∼30-fold in comparison with the initial conjugate design. Molecular dynamics simulations provide insight into the structural basis for this phenomenon and highlight the importance of targeting hydrophobic protein binding sites with fluorescent nucleobase surrogates to create new contacts with protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan E Johnson
- Departments of Chemistry & Toxicology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Makay T Murray
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Lucas J Bycraft
- Departments of Chemistry & Toxicology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Peter Myler
- Departments of Chemistry & Toxicology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stacey D Wetmore
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Richard A Manderville
- Departments of Chemistry & Toxicology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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2
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Sharma T, Kundu N, Kaur S, Tandon V, Shankaraswamy J, Saxena S. Short designed peptide unfolding human telomeric G-quadruplex: mimicking the helicase function. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9977-9986. [PMID: 36437795 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2150316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human telomeric DNA can fold into G-quadruplex structures involving the interaction of four guanine bases in a square planar arrangement. The highly distinctive nature of quadruplex topologies suggests that they can act as novel therapeutic targets. In this study, we provide the evidence of human telomeric G4 destabilization in dilute and cell-mimicking molecular crowing conditions upon peptide binding. We have used three human telomeric sequences of different lengths. CD data showed that these sequences folded into anti-parallel G-quadruplex and CD intensity decreased significantly on increasing the peptide concentration. UV-thermal melting results showed significant decrease in hypochromicity due to formation of G4-peptide complex at 295 nm. Fluorescence data showed the quenching on titrating the peptide with human telomere G4. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed the unfolding of G4 structure. Cell viability was significantly reduced in the presence of QW5 peptide with IC50 values as 8.78 μM and 7.72 μM after 72 and 96 hours of incubation respectively. These results confirmed that QW5 peptide has an ability to bind and unfold to human telomeric G-quadruplex and hence might be the key modulator for targeting diseases having over-representation of G4 motifs and their destabilization will be helpful in increasing the efficiency of DNA replication, transcription or duplex reannealing.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Sharma
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Nikita Kundu
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Sarvpreet Kaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Vibha Tandon
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - J Shankaraswamy
- Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Mojerla, Telangana, India
| | - Sarika Saxena
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
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3
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Roxo C, Zielińska K, Pasternak A. Bispecific G-quadruplexes as inhibitors of cancer cells growth. Biochimie 2023; 214:91-100. [PMID: 37562706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
A therapeutic system with the ability to target more than one protein is an important aim of cancer therapy since tumor growth is accompanied by dysregulation of many biological pathways. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical structures formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA oligonucleotides, with the ability to bind to different targets. In this study, we constructed ten novel bispecific G-quadruplex conjugates based on AT11, TBA, T40214 and T40231 aptamer structures, with the ability to bind two different targets at once in cancer cells. We analyzed the physicochemical aspects and the anticancer properties of novel molecules relating them with the single G-quadruplex unit and attempted to comprehend the correlation between the structures of bispecific G-quadruplexes with their biological activity. Our studies uncovered conjugates with considerable antiproliferative potential in HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, however with relatively low thermal stability or low nuclease resistance. Three conjugates among all studied oligonucleotides possess improved antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 cell line in comparison to their single G-quadruplex units leading to up to 90% inhibition of cancer cells growth, but their inhibitory potential is rather comparable to the effect observed for mix of two separate G-quadruplex units. Importantly, the conjugation enhances oligonucleotides enzymatic stability leading to the improvement of their therapeutic profile. The comprehensive studies presented herein indicate new approach for possibly effective cancer therapy and for the design of G4-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Roxo
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Karolina Zielińska
- Department of Biomolecular NMR, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland.
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4
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Virgilio A, Benigno D, Aliberti C, Vellecco V, Bucci M, Esposito V, Galeone A. Improving the Biological Properties of Thrombin-Binding Aptamer by Incorporation of 8-Bromo-2'-Deoxyguanosine and 2'-Substituted RNA Analogues. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15529. [PMID: 37958511 PMCID: PMC10647374 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115529] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) is one of the best-known G-quadruplex (G4)-forming aptamers. By adopting its peculiar chair-like G4 structure, TBA can efficiently bind to thrombin, thus producing an anticoagulant effect. The major limit to its therapeutic application is represented by its poor thermal and biological resistance. Therefore, numerous research studies have been focused on the design of TBA analogues with chemical modifications to improve its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. To maintain the functional recognition to protein surface on which TBA anticoagulant activity depends, it is essential to preserve the canonical antiparallel topology of the TBA quadruplex core. In this paper, we have designed three TBA variants with modified G-tetrads to evaluate the effects of nucleobase and sugar moiety chemical modifications on biological properties of TBA, preserving its chair-like G-quadruplex structure. All derivatives contain 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine (GBr) in syn positions, while in the anti-positions, locked nucleic acid guanosine (GLNA) in the analogue TBABL, 2'-O-methylguanosine (GOMe) in TBABM, and 2'-F-riboguanosine (GF) in TBABF is present. CD (Circular Dichroism), CD melting, 1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), and non-denaturing PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis), nuclease stability, prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen-clotting assays have been performed to investigate the structural and biological properties of these TBA analogues. The most interesting results have been obtained with TBABF, which revealed extraordinary thermal stability (Tm approximately 40 °C higher than that of TBA), anticoagulant activity almost doubled compared to the original aptamer, and, above all, a never-observed resistance to nucleases, as 50% of its G4 species was still present in 50% FBS at 24 h. These data indicate TBABF as one of the best TBA analogue ever designed and investigated, to the best of our knowledge, overcoming the main limitations to therapeutic applications of this aptamer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Veronica Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (A.V.); (D.B.); (V.V.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
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5
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Garaiová Z, Gašperová M, Šubjaková V, Hianik T. Interaction of G-quadruplex Forming DNA Aptamers with PAMAM Dendrimers Studied by Dynamic Light Scattering and UV-VIS Spectrophotometry. Chemphyschem 2023; 24:e202300264. [PMID: 37318900 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The complexes of G-quadruplex forming DNA thrombin binding aptamers (TBA) and polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM) were studied with the aim to form a model targeted drug delivery system. Hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential and melting temperature (Tm ) were investigated by dynamic light scattering and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. Non-covalent adsorption by means of electrostatic interaction between positively charged amino groups of dendrimers (+) and negatively charged phosphate groups of aptamers (-) has driven the formation of aggregates. The size of complexes was in the range of 0.2-2 μm and depended on the type of dispersant, charge ratio (+/-) and temperature. Raising the temperature increased the polydispersity, new smaller size distributions were observed indicating the G-quadruplex unfolding. The melting transition temperature of TBA aptamer was affected by the presence of amino-terminated PAMAM rather than carboxylated succinic acid PAMAM-SAH dendrimer, thus supporting the electrostatic nature of interaction that disturbed denaturation of target-specific quadruplex aptamer structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Garaiová
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina F1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martina Gašperová
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina F1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Šubjaková
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina F1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tibor Hianik
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina F1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
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6
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Kotkowiak W, Roxo C, Pasternak A. Physicochemical and antiproliferative characteristics of RNA and DNA sequence-related G-quadruplexes. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:35-40. [PMID: 36655120 PMCID: PMC9841586 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00361] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article the physicochemical and biological properties of sequence-related G-quadruplex forming oligonucleotides in RNA and DNA series are analyzed and compared. The intermolecular G-quadruplexes vary in loop length, number of G-tetrads and homogeneity of the core. Our studies show that even slight variations in sequence initiate certain changes of G-quadruplex properties. DNA G-quadruplexes are less thermally stable than their RNA counterparts, more topologically diversified and are better candidates as inhibitors of cancer cells proliferation. The most efficient antiproliferative activity within the studied group of molecules was observed for two DNA G-quadruplexes with unperturbed core and lower content of thymidine residues within the loops leading to reduction of cells viability up to 65% and 33% for HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Kotkowiak
- Department of Nucleic Acids
Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Carolina Roxo
- Department of Nucleic Acids
Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids
Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
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7
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Properties and Potential Antiproliferative Activity of Thrombin-Binding Aptamer (TBA) Derivatives with One or Two Additional G-Tetrads. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314921. [PMID: 36499249 PMCID: PMC9736779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we study the biological properties of two TBA analogs containing one and two extra G-tetrads, namely TBAG3 and TBAG4, respectively, and two further derivatives in which one of the small loops at the bottom (TBAG41S) or the large loop at the top (TBAG4GS) of the TBAG4 structure has been completely modified by replacing all loop residues with abasic site mimics. The therapeutical development of the TBA was hindered by its low thermodynamic and nuclease stability, while its potential as an anticancer/antiproliferative molecule is also affected by the anticoagulant activity, being a side effect in this case. In order to obtain suitable TBA analogs and to explore the involvement of specific aptamer regions in biological activity, the antiproliferative capability against DU 145 and MDAMB 231 cancer cell lines (MTT), the anticoagulant properties (PT), the biological degradability (nuclease stability assay) and nucleolin (NCL) binding ability (SPR) of the above described TBA derivatives have been tested. Interestingly, none of the TBA analogs exhibits an anticoagulant activity, while all of them show antiproliferative properties to the same extent. Furthermore, TBAG4 displays extraordinary nuclease stability and promising antiproliferative properties against breast cancer cells binding NCL efficiently. These results expand the range of G4-structures targeting NCL and the possibility of developing novel anticancer and antiviral drugs.
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8
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Cai R, Chen X, Zhang Y, Wang X, Zhou N. Systematic bio-fabrication of aptamers and their applications in engineering biology. SYSTEMS MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOMANUFACTURING 2022; 3:223-245. [PMID: 38013802 PMCID: PMC9550155 DOI: 10.1007/s43393-022-00140-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that have high affinity and selectivity to bind to specific targets. Compared to antibodies, aptamers are easy to in vitro synthesize with low cost, and exhibit excellent thermal stability and programmability. With these features, aptamers have been widely used in biology and medicine-related fields. In the meantime, a variety of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technologies have been developed to screen aptamers for various targets. According to the characteristics of targets, customizing appropriate SELEX technology and post-SELEX optimization helps to obtain ideal aptamers with high affinity and specificity. In this review, we first summarize the latest research on the systematic bio-fabrication of aptamers, including various SELEX technologies, post-SELEX optimization, and aptamer modification technology. These procedures not only help to gain the aptamer sequences but also provide insights into the relationship between structure and function of the aptamers. The latter provides a new perspective for the systems bio-fabrication of aptamers. Furthermore, on this basis, we review the applications of aptamers, particularly in the fields of engineering biology, including industrial biotechnology, medical and health engineering, and environmental and food safety monitoring. And the encountered challenges and prospects are discussed, providing an outlook for the future development of aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongfeng Cai
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Xin Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Nandi Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
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9
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Roxo C, Pasternak A. Changes in physicochemical and anticancer properties modulated by chemically modified sugar moieties within sequence-related G-quadruplex structures. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273528. [PMID: 35998148 PMCID: PMC9397905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We systematically investigated the influence of locked nucleic acid (LNA), unlock nucleic acid (UNA), and 2’-O-methyl-RNA (2’-O-Me-RNA) residues on the thermal stability, structure folding topology, biological activity and enzymatic resistance of three sequence-related DNA G-quadruplexes. In order to better understand the mechanism of action of the studied modifications, a single-position substitution in the loops or G-tetrads was performed and their influence was analyzed for a total of twenty-seven modified G-quadruplex variants. The studies show that the influence of each modification on the physicochemical properties of G-quadruplexes is position-dependent, due to mutual interactions between G-tetrads, loops, and additional guanosine at 5’ or 3’ end. Nevertheless, the anticancer activity of the modified G-quadruplexes is determined by their structure, thus also by the local changes of chemical character of sugar moieties, what might influence the specific interactions with therapeutic targets. In general, UNA modifications are efficient modulators of the G-quadruplex thermodynamic stability, however they are poor tools to improve the anticancer properties. In contrast, LNA and 2’-O-Me-RNA modified G-quadruplexes demonstrated certain antiproliferative potential and might be used as molecular tools for designing novel G-quadruplex-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Roxo
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- * E-mail:
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10
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Sharma T, Kundu N, Kaur S, Chakraborty A, Mahto AK, Dewangan RP, Shankaraswamy J, Saxena S. Recognition and unfolding of human telomeric G-quadruplex by short peptide binding identified from the HRDC domain of BLM helicase. RSC Adv 2022; 12:21760-21769. [PMID: 36043100 PMCID: PMC9358547 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra03646k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in recent decades has revealed that the guanine (G)-quadruplex secondary structure in DNA modulates a variety of cellular events that are mostly related to serious diseases. Systems capable of regulating DNA G-quadruplex structures would therefore be useful for the modulation of various cellular events to produce biological effects. A high specificity for recognition of telomeric G-quadruplex has been observed for BLM helicase. We identified peptides from the HRDC domain of BLM using a molecular docking approach with various available solutions and crystal structures of human telomeres and recently created a peptide library. Herein, we tested one peptide (BLM HRDC peptide) from the library and examined its interaction with human telomeric variant-1 (HTPu-var-1) to understand the basis of G4-protein interactions. Our circular dichroism (CD) data showed that HTPu-var-1 folded into an anti-parallel G-quadruplex, and the CD intensity significantly decreased upon increasing the peptide concentration. There was a significant decrease in hypochromicity due to the formation of G-quadruplex-peptide complex at 295 nm, which indicated the unfolding of structure due to the decrease in stacking interactions. The fluorescence data showed quenching upon titrating the peptide with HTPu-var-1-G4. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed the unfolding of the G4 structure. Cell viability was significantly reduced in the presence of the BLM peptide, with IC50 values of 10.71 μM and 11.83 μM after 72 and 96 hours, respectively. These results confirmed that the selected peptide has the ability to bind to human telomeric G-quadruplex and unfold it. This is the first report in which a peptide was identified from the HRDC domain of the BLM G4-binding protein for the exploration of the G4-binding motif, which suggests a novel strategy to target G4 using natural key peptide segments. Schematic representation of (HTPu–var-1-G4) located at the 3′ end, formation of G-quadruplex, model of the G-quadruplex structure, base stacking between G-quadruplex planes, G-quadruplex structure-peptide complex and twisting of G-quadruplex planes upon peptide binding.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Sharma
- Structural Biology Lab, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +0120-4735600
| | - Nikita Kundu
- Structural Biology Lab, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +0120-4735600
| | - Sarvpreet Kaur
- Structural Biology Lab, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +0120-4735600
| | - Amlan Chakraborty
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine (DIIRM), School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester Manchester England
| | - Aman Kumar Mahto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard New Delhi India
| | - Rikeshwer Prasad Dewangan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard New Delhi India
| | - Jadala Shankaraswamy
- Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University Mojerla 509382 Telangana India
| | - Sarika Saxena
- Structural Biology Lab, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Sector-125, Expressway Highway Noida 201313 India +0120-4735600
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11
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Busschaert N, Maity D, Samanta PK, English NJ, Hamilton AD. Improving structural stability and anticoagulant activity of a thrombin binding aptamer by aromatic modifications. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100670. [PMID: 34985829 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100670] [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: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) is a 15-mer DNA oligonucleotide (5'-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-3'), that can form a stable intramolecular antiparallel chair-like G-quadruplex structure. This aptamer shows anticoagulant properties by interacting with one of the two anion binding sites of thrombin, namely the fibrinogen-recognition exosite. Here, we demonstrate that terminal modification of TBA with aromatic fragments such as coumarin, pyrene and perylene diimide (PDI), improves the G-quadruplex stability. The large aromatic surface of these dyes can π-π stack to the G-quadruplex or to each other, thereby stabilizing the aptamer. With respect to the original TBA, monoPDI-functionalized TBA exhibited the most remarkable improvement in melting temperature (ΔT m ≈ +18 °C) and displayed enhanced anticoagulant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Busschaert
- Tulane University, Department of Chemistry, 6400 Freret St, 70118, New Orleans, UNITED STATES
| | | | - Pralok K Samanta
- University College Dublin, School of Chemical and Bioprocess engineering, IRELAND
| | - Niall J English
- University College Dublin, School of chemical and Bioprocess engineering, IRELAND
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A Comprehensive Analysis of the Thrombin Binding Aptamer Containing Functionalized Pyrrolo-2'-deoxycytidines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121326. [PMID: 34959726 PMCID: PMC8709445 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers constitute an answer for the growing need for targeted therapy development. One of the most well-known representatives of this group of compounds is thrombin binding aptamers (TBA) targeted towards thrombin. The TBA inhibitory activity is determined by its spatial arrangement, which consists of two G-tetrads linked by two shorter TT loops and one longer TGT loop and folds into a unimolecular, antiparallel G-quadruplex structure. Interesting properties of the aptamer can be further improved via the introduction of a number of chemical modifications. Herein, a comprehensive analysis of the influence of pyrrolo-2’-deoxycytidine (Py-dC) and its derivatives on TBA physicochemical and biological properties has been presented. The studies have shown that the presence of modified residues at the T7 position of the TGT loop has only minor effects on TBA thermodynamic stability without affecting its folding topology. All analyzed oligomers exhibit anticoagulant properties, but only aptamer modified with a decyl derivative of Py-dC was able to inhibit thrombin activity more efficiently than unmodified, parental compounds. Importantly, the same compound also possessed the potential to effectively restrain HeLa cell line growth.
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13
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Beyond G-Quadruplexes-The Effect of Junction with Additional Structural Motifs on Aptamers Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189948. [PMID: 34576112 PMCID: PMC8466185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes constitute an important type of nucleic acid structure, which can be found in living cells and applied by cell machinery as pivotal regulatory elements. Importantly, robust development of SELEX technology and modern, nucleic acid-based therapeutic strategies targeted towards various molecules have also revealed a large group of potent aptamers whose structures are grounded in G-quadruplexes. In this review, we analyze further extension of tetraplexes by additional structural elements and investigate whether G-quadruplex junctions with duplex, hairpin, triplex, or second G-quadruplex motifs are favorable for aptamers stability and biological activity. Furthermore, we indicate the specific and pivotal role of the G-quadruplex domain and the additional structural elements in interactions with target molecules. Finally, we consider the potency of G-quadruplex junctions in future applications and indicate the emerging research area that is still waiting for development to obtain highly specific and effective nucleic acid-based molecular tools.
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14
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Structural and Binding Effects of Chemical Modifications on Thrombin Binding Aptamer (TBA). Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26154620. [PMID: 34361773 PMCID: PMC8348300 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) is a promising nucleic acid-based anticoagulant. We studied the effects of chemical modifications, such as dendrimer Trebler and NHS carboxy group, on TBA with respect to its structures and thrombin binding affinity. The two dendrimer modifications were incorporated into the TBA at the 5' end and the NHS carboxy group was added into the thymine residues in the thrombin binding site of the TBA G-quadruplex (at T4, T13 and both T4/T13) using solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy confirmed that all of these modified TBA variants fold into a stable G-quadruplex. The binding affinity of TBA variants with thrombin was measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The binding patterns and equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) of the modified TBAs are very similar to that of the native TBA. Molecular dynamics simulations studies indicate that the additional interactions or stability enhancement introduced by the modifications are minimized either by the disruption of TBA-thrombin interactions or destabilization elsewhere in the aptamer, providing a rational explanation for our experimental data. Overall, this study identifies potential positions on the TBA that can be modified without adversely affecting its structure and thrombin binding preference, which could be useful in the design and development of more functional TBA analogues.
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15
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Lopes-Nunes J, Oliveira PA, Cruz C. G-Quadruplex-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:671. [PMID: 34358097 PMCID: PMC8308530 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are a class of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) with single-stranded G-rich sequences. Owing to the selectivity of some G4s, they are emerging as targeting agents to overtake side effects of several potential anticancer drugs, and delivery systems of small molecules to malignant cells, through their high affinity or complementarity to specific targets. Moreover, different systems are being used to improve their potential, such as gold nano-particles or liposomes. Thus, the present review provides relevant data about the different studies with G4s as drug delivery systems and the challenges that must be overcome in the future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Lopes-Nunes
- CICS-UBI-Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Paula A. Oliveira
- Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI-Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal;
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16
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Virgilio A, Benigno D, Pecoraro A, Russo A, Russo G, Esposito V, Galeone A. Exploring New Potential Anticancer Activities of the G-Quadruplexes Formed by [(GTG 2T(G 3T) 3] and Its Derivatives with an Abasic Site Replacing Single Thymidine. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137040. [PMID: 34208896 PMCID: PMC8268168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we report our investigations on five T30175 analogues, prepared by replacing sequence thymidines with abasic sites (S) one at a time, in comparison to their natural counterpart in order to evaluate their antiproliferative potential and the involvement of the residues not belonging to the central core of stacked guanosines in biological activity. The collected NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), CD (Circular Dichroism), and PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) data strongly suggest that all of them adopt G-quadruplex (G4) structures strictly similar to that of the parent aptamer with the ability to fold into a dimeric structure composed of two identical G-quadruplexes, each characterized by parallel strands, three all-anti-G-tetrads and four one-thymidine loops (one bulge and three propeller loops). Furthermore, their antiproliferative (MTT assay) and anti-motility (wound healing assay) properties against lung and colorectal cancer cells were tested. Although all of the oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) investigated here exhibited anti-proliferative activity, the unmodified T30175 aptamer showed the greatest effect on cell growth, suggesting that both its characteristic folding in dimeric form and its presence in the sequence of all thymidines are crucial elements for antiproliferative activity. This straightforward approach is suitable for understanding the critical requirements of the G-quadruplex structures that affect antiproliferative potential and suggests its application as a starting point to facilitate the reasonable development of G-quadruplexes with improved anticancer properties.
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17
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Roxo C, Kotkowiak W, Pasternak A. G4 Matters-The Influence of G-Quadruplex Structural Elements on the Antiproliferative Properties of G-Rich Oligonucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4941. [PMID: 34066551 PMCID: PMC8125755 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical structures formed by guanine-rich sequences of DNA or RNA that have attracted increased attention as anticancer agents. This systematic study aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of five G4-forming, sequence-related DNA molecules in terms of their thermodynamic and structural properties, biostability and cellular uptake. The antiproliferative studies revealed that less thermodynamically stable G4s with three G-tetrads in the core and longer loops are more predisposed to effectively inhibit cancer cell growth. By contrast, highly structured G4s with an extended core containing four G-tetrads and longer loops are characterized by more efficient cellular uptake and improved biostability. Various analyses have indicated that the G4 structural elements are intrinsic to the biological activity of these molecules. Importantly, the structural requirements are different for efficient cancer cell line inhibition and favorable G4 cellular uptake. Thus, the ultimate antiproliferative potential of G4s is a net result of the specific balance among the structural features that are favorable for efficient uptake and those that increase the inhibitory activity of the studied molecules. Understanding the G4 structural features and their role in the biological activity of G-rich molecules might facilitate the development of novel, more potent G4-based therapeutics with unprecedented anticancer properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weronika Kotkowiak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland;
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18
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Structural and functional analysis of the simultaneous binding of two duplex/quadruplex aptamers to human α-thrombin. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 181:858-867. [PMID: 33864869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.04.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The long-range communication between the two exosites of human α-thrombin (thrombin) tightly modulates the protein-effector interactions. Duplex/quadruplex aptamers represent an emerging class of very effective binders of thrombin. Among them, NU172 and HD22 aptamers are at the forefront of exosite I and II recognition, respectively. The present study investigates the simultaneous binding of these two aptamers by combining a structural and dynamics approach. The crystal structure of the ternary complex formed by the thrombin with NU172 and HD22_27mer provides a detailed view of the simultaneous binding of these aptamers to the protein, inspiring the design of novel bivalent thrombin inhibitors. The crystal structure represents the starting model for molecular dynamics studies, which point out the cooperation between the binding at the two exosites. In particular, the binding of an aptamer to its exosite reduces the intrinsic flexibility of the other exosite, that preferentially assumes conformations similar to those observed in the bound state, suggesting a predisposition to interact with the other aptamer. This behaviour is reflected in a significant increase of the anticoagulant activity of NU172 when the inactive HD22_27mer is bound to exosite II, providing a clear evidence of the synergic action of the two aptamers.
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19
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Covalent Bi-Modular Parallel and Antiparallel G-Quadruplex DNA Nanocostructs Reduce Viability of Patient Glioma Primary Cell Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073372. [PMID: 33806042 PMCID: PMC8036578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex oligonucleotides (GQs) exhibit specific anti-proliferative activity in human cancer cell lines, and they can selectively inhibit the viability/proliferation of cancer cell lines vs. non-cancer ones. This ability could be translated into a cancer treatment, in particular for glioblastoma multiform (GBM), which currently has a poor prognosis and low-efficiency therapeutic treatments. A novel bi-modular GQ, bi-(AID-1-T), a twin of the previously described three-quartet AID-1-T, was designed and studied in terms of both its structure and function. A covalent conjugation of two AID-1-Ts via three thymidine link, TTT, did not interfere with its initial GQ structure. A comparison of bi-(AID-1-T) with its mono-modular AID-1-T, mono-modular two-quartet HD1, and bi-modular bi-HD1, as well as conventional two-quartet AS1411, was made. Among the five GQs studied, bi-(AID-1-T) had the highest anti-proliferative activity for the neural cancer cell line U87, while not affecting the control cell line, human embryonic fibroblasts. GQs, for the first time, were tested on several primary glioma cultures from patient surgical samples. It turned out that the sensitivity of the patient primary glioma cultures toward GQs varied, with an apparent IC50 of less than 1 μM for bi-(AID-1-T) toward the most sensitive G11 cell culture (glioma, Grade III).
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20
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Yum JH, Ishizuka T, Fukumoto K, Hori D, Bao HL, Xu Y, Sugiyama H, Park S. Systematic Approach to DNA Aptamer Design Using Amino Acid-Nucleic Acid Hybrids (ANHs) Targeting Thrombin. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:1338-1343. [PMID: 33756075 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chemical modifications of innate DNA/RNA aptamers facilitate the improvement of their function. Herein, we report our modular strategy to manipulate a thrombin-binding DNA aptamer (TBA) to improve its anticoagulation activity and binding affinity. A set of amino acid conjugates, termed amino acid-nucleic acid hybrids or ANHs, was synthesized and incorporated into a TBA loop sequences. We found that substitutions with hydrophobic amino acids in the loop region possessed significantly enhanced antithrombin activity, up to 3-fold higher than the native TBA. We investigated the correlations between thrombin-binding affinity and the features of our amino-acid conjugates using experimental techniques including circular dichroism spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance assay, and molecular modeling. The present study demonstrates a systematic approach to aptamer design based on amino-acid characteristics, allowing the development of advanced aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hye Yum
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takumi Ishizuka
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Koyuki Fukumoto
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hori
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hong-Liang Bao
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University, Yoshida-ushinomiyacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Soyoung Park
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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21
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Virgilio A, Esposito V, Pecoraro A, Russo A, Vellecco V, Pepe A, Bucci M, Russo G, Galeone A. Structural properties and anticoagulant/cytotoxic activities of heterochiral enantiomeric thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) derivatives. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 48:12556-12565. [PMID: 33270863 PMCID: PMC7736819 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) possesses promising antiproliferative properties. However, its development as an anticancer agent is drastically impaired by its concomitant anticoagulant activity. Therefore, suitable chemical modifications in the TBA sequence would be required in order to preserve its antiproliferative over anticoagulant activity. In this paper, we report structural investigations, based on circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and biological evaluation of four pairs of enantiomeric heterochiral TBA analogues. The four TBA derivatives of the d-series are composed by d-residues except for one l-thymidine in the small TT loops, while their four enantiomers are composed by l-residues except for one d-thymidine in the same TT loop region. Apart from the left-handedness for the l-series TBA derivatives, CD and NMR measurements have shown that all TBA analogues are able to adopt the antiparallel, monomolecular, ‘chair-like’ G-quadruplex structure characteristic of the natural D-TBA. However, although all eight TBA derivatives are endowed with remarkable cytotoxic activities against colon and lung cancer cell lines, only TBA derivatives of the l-series show no anticoagulant activity and are considerably resistant in biological environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Virgilio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pecoraro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annapina Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Vellecco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Pepe
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, I-85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Bucci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Galeone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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22
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Riccardi C, Napolitano E, Platella C, Musumeci D, Montesarchio D. G-quadruplex-based aptamers targeting human thrombin: Discovery, chemical modifications and antithrombotic effects. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 217:107649. [PMID: 32777331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
First studies on thrombin-inhibiting DNA aptamers were reported in 1992, and since then a large number of anticoagulant aptamers has been discovered. TBA - also named HD1, a 15-mer G-quadruplex (G4)-forming oligonucleotide - is the best characterized thrombin binding aptamer, able to specifically recognize the protein exosite I, thus inhibiting the conversion of soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin strands. Unmodified nucleic acid-based aptamers, in general, and TBA in particular, exhibit limited pharmacokinetic properties and are rapidly degraded in vivo by nucleases. In order to improve the biological performance of aptamers, a widely investigated strategy is the introduction of chemical modifications in their backbone at the level of the nucleobases, sugar moieties or phosphodiester linkages. Besides TBA, also other thrombin binding aptamers, able to adopt a well-defined G4 structure, e.g. mixed duplex/quadruplex sequences, as well as homo- and hetero-bivalent constructs, have been identified and optimized. Considering the growing need of new efficient anticoagulant agents associated with the strong therapeutic potential of these thrombin inhibitors, the research on thrombin binding aptamers is still a very hot and intriguing field. Herein, we comprehensively described the state-of-the-art knowledge on the DNA-based aptamers targeting thrombin, especially focusing on the optimized analogues obtained by chemically modifying the oligonucleotide backbone, and their biological performances in therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2(nd) Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
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23
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De Fenza M, Eremeeva E, Troisi R, Yang H, Esposito A, Sica F, Herdewijn P, D'Alonzo D, Guaragna A. Structure-Activity Relationship Study of a Potent α-Thrombin Binding Aptamer Incorporating Hexitol Nucleotides. Chemistry 2020; 26:9589-9597. [PMID: 32363791 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202001504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The replacement of one or more nucleotide residues in the potent α-thrombin-binding aptamer NU172 with hexitol-based nucleotides has been devised to study the effect of these substitutions on the physicochemical and functional properties of the anticoagulant agent. The incorporation of single hexitol nucleotides at the T9 and G18 positions of NU172 substantially retained the physicochemical features of the parent oligonucleotide, as a result of the biomimetic properties of the hexitol backbone. Importantly, the NU172-TH 9 mutant exhibited a higher binding affinity toward human α-thrombin than the native aptamer and an improved stability even after 24 h in 90 % human serum, with a significant increase in the estimated half-life. The anticoagulant activity of the modified oligonucleotide was also found to be slightly preferable to NU172. Overall, these results confirm the potential of hexitol nucleotides as biomimetic agents, while laying the foundations for the development of NU172-inspired α-thrombin-binding aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria De Fenza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Hui Yang
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna Esposito
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniele D'Alonzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guaragna
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
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24
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uL3 Mediated Nucleolar Stress Pathway as a New Mechanism of Action of Antiproliferative G-quadruplex TBA Derivatives in Colon Cancer Cells. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040583. [PMID: 32290083 PMCID: PMC7226491 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiproliferative G-quadruplex aptamers are a promising and challenging subject in the framework of the anticancer therapeutic oligonucleotides research field. Although several antiproliferative G-quadruplex aptamers have been identified and proven to be effective on different cancer cell lines, their mechanism of action is still unexplored. We have recently described the antiproliferative activity of a heterochiral thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) derivative, namely, LQ1. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms of LQ1 activity and the structural and antiproliferative properties of two further TBA derivatives, differing from LQ1 only by the small loop base-compositions. We demonstrate that in p53 deleted colon cancer cells, LQ1 causes nucleolar stress, impairs ribosomal RNA processing, leading to the accumulation of pre-ribosomal RNAs, arrests cells in the G2/M phase and induces early apoptosis. Importantly, the depletion of uL3 abrogates all these effects, indicating that uL3 is a crucial player in the mechanism of action of LQ1. Taken together, our findings identify p53-independent and uL3-dependent nucleolar stress as a novel stress response pathway activated by a specific G-quadruplex TBA derivative. To the best of our knowledge, this investigation reveals, for the first time, the involvement of the nucleolar stress pathway in the mechanism of action of antiproliferative G-quadruplex aptamers.
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25
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Lundin KE, Gissberg O, Smith CIE, Zain R. Chemical Development of Therapeutic Oligonucleotides. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2036:3-16. [PMID: 31410788 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9670-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of several different chemical modifications of nucleic acids, with improved base-pairing affinity and specificity as well as increased resistance against nucleases, has been described. These new chemistries have allowed the synthesis of different types of therapeutic oligonucleotides. Here we discuss selected chemistries used in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) applications (e.g., small interfering RNA (siRNA), RNase H activation, translational block, splice-switching, and also as aptamers). Recently approved oligonucleotide-based drugs are also presented briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin E Lundin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Olof Gissberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C I Edvard Smith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rula Zain
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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McConnell EM, Cozma I, Morrison D, Li Y. Biosensors Made of Synthetic Functional Nucleic Acids Toward Better Human Health. Anal Chem 2019; 92:327-344. [PMID: 31656066 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin M McConnell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
| | - Ioana Cozma
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1.,Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
| | - Devon Morrison
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
| | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
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27
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Riccardi C, Meyer A, Vasseur JJ, Russo Krauss I, Paduano L, Morvan F, Montesarchio D. Fine-tuning the properties of the thrombin binding aptamer through cyclization: Effect of the 5'-3' connecting linker on the aptamer stability and anticoagulant activity. Bioorg Chem 2019; 94:103379. [PMID: 31699393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A small library of cyclic TBA analogues (named cycTBA I-IV), obtained by covalently connecting its 5'- and 3'-ends with flexible linkers, has been synthesized with the aim of improving its chemical and enzymatic stability, as well as its anticoagulant properties. Two chemical procedures have been exploited to achieve the desired cyclization, based on the oxime ligation method (providing cycTBA I and II) or on Cu(I)-assisted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) protocols (for cycTBA III and IV), leading to analogues containing circularizing linkers with different chemical nature and length, overall spanning from 22 to 48 atoms. The resulting cyclic TBAs have been characterized using a variety of biophysical methods (UV, CD, gel electrophoresis, SE-HPLC analyses) and then tested for their serum resistance and anticoagulant activity under in vitro experiments. A fine-tuning of the length and flexibility of the linker allowed identifying a cyclic analogue, cycTBA II, with improved anticoagulant activity, associated with a dramatically stabilized G-quadruplex structure (ΔTm = +17 °C) and a 6.6-fold higher enzymatic resistance in serum compared to unmodified TBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Albert Meyer
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Vasseur
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; CSGI - Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Fi), Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; CSGI - Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Fi), Italy
| | - François Morvan
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy.
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Roxo C, Kotkowiak W, Pasternak A. G-Quadruplex-Forming Aptamers-Characteristics, Applications, and Perspectives. Molecules 2019; 24:E3781. [PMID: 31640176 PMCID: PMC6832456 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24203781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes constitute a unique class of nucleic acid structures formed by G-rich oligonucleotides of DNA- or RNA-type. Depending on their chemical nature, loops length, and localization in the sequence or structure molecularity, G-quadruplexes are highly polymorphic structures showing various folding topologies. They may be formed in the human genome where they are believed to play a pivotal role in the regulation of multiple biological processes such as replication, transcription, and translation. Thus, natural G-quadruplex structures became prospective targets for disease treatment. The fast development of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technologies provided a number of G-rich aptamers revealing the potential of G-quadruplex structures as a promising molecular tool targeted toward various biologically important ligands. Because of their high stability, increased cellular uptake, ease of chemical modification, minor production costs, and convenient storage, G-rich aptamers became interesting therapeutic and diagnostic alternatives to antibodies. In this review, we describe the recent advances in the development of G-quadruplex based aptamers by focusing on the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of this exceptional class of nucleic acid structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Roxo
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Weronika Kotkowiak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland.
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29
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Antipova O, Samoylenkova N, Savchenko E, Zavyalova E, Revishchin A, Pavlova G, Kopylov A. Bimodular Antiparallel G-Quadruplex Nanoconstruct with Antiproliferative Activity. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24193625. [PMID: 31597343 PMCID: PMC6803823 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24193625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotides with an antiproliferative activity for human cancer cells have attracted attention over the past decades; many of them have a G-quadruplex structure (GQ), and a cryptic target. In particular, DNA oligonucleotide HD1, a minimal GQ, could inhibit proliferation of some cancer cell lines. The HD1 is a 15-nucleotide DNA oligonucleotide that folds into a minimal chair-like monomolecular antiparallel GQ structure. In this study, for eight human cancer cell lines, we have analyzed the antiproliferative activities of minimal bimodular DNA oligonucleotide, biHD1, which has two HD1 modules covalently linked via single T-nucleotide residue. Oligonucleotide biHD1 exhibits a dose-dependent antiproliferative activity for lung cancer cell line RL-67 and cell line of central nervous system cancer U87 by MTT-test and Ki-67 immunoassay. The study of derivatives of biHD1 for the RL-67 and U87 cell lines revealed a structure-activity correlation of GQ folding and antiproliferative activity. Therefore, a covalent joining of two putative GQ modules within biHD1 molecule provides the antiproliferative activity of initial HD1, opening a possibility to design further GQ multimodular nanoconstructs with antiproliferative activity—either as themselves or as carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Antipova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1-40, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Nadezhda Samoylenkova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova 34/5, 119334 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Ekaterina Savchenko
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova 34/5, 119334 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Elena Zavyalova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1-40, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Revishchin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova 34/5, 119334 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Galina Pavlova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova 34/5, 119334 Moscow, Russia.
- Federal State Autonomous Institution (N.N. Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya 13/5, 125047Moscow, Russia.
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine, B. Pyrogovskaya 2/6, 119992 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexey Kopylov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1-40, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
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30
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Yan J, Xiong H, Cai S, Wen N, He Q, Liu Y, Peng D, Liu Z. Advances in aptamer screening technologies. Talanta 2019; 200:124-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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31
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Pourreza N, Ghomi M. Hydrogel based aptasensor for thrombin sensing by Resonance Rayleigh Scattering. Anal Chim Acta 2019; 1079:180-191. [PMID: 31387709 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.06.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this research, a novel Resonance Rayleigh Scattering (RRS) aptasensor was developed for thrombin monitoring using in-situ synthesized and embedded Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) into poly vinyl alcohol -borax hydrogel (PBH). Thiolated-thrombin binding aptamer (thiolated-TBA) was attached to the surface of AuNPs embedded into PBH to design the PBH-aptasensor for thrombin detection (thiolated-TBA@AuNPs-PBH). To verify the characteristic and morphology of PBH nanocomposite, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, TEM, average particle size analizer and UV-Vis spectra were performed. The difference in RRS intensities in the absence and presence of thrombin was calculated and selected as the monitoring signal. Effect of different parameters on the RRS signal was investigated at excitation wavelength of 500 nm. Under the approved conditions, the linear detection range was validated over the concentration of 0.70 pM- 0.02 μM. The limit of detection based on 3Sb was 0.10 pM. The relative standard deviation for 5.6 pM and 3.6 nM were 4.0 and 2.7% (n = 10), respectively. The proposed aptasensor was successfully applied as an experimental model for thrombin detection in serum samples of healthy volunteers with acceptable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Pourreza
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
| | - Matineh Ghomi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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32
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Ali A, Bullen GA, Cross B, Dafforn TR, Little HA, Manchester J, Peacock AFA, Tucker JHR. Light-controlled thrombin catalysis and clot formation using a photoswitchable G-quadruplex DNA aptamer. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:5627-5630. [PMID: 31025680 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc01540j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The reversible photocontrol of an enzyme governing blood coagulation is demonstrated. The thrombin binding aptamer (TBA), was rendered photochromic by modification with two anthracene groups. Light-triggered anthracene photodimerisation distorts its structure, inhibiting binding of the enzyme thrombin, which in turn triggers catalysis and the resulting clotting process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysha Ali
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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33
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Kotkowiak W, Wengel J, Scotton CJ, Pasternak A. Improved RE31 Analogues Containing Modified Nucleic Acid Monomers: Thermodynamic, Structural, and Biological Effects. J Med Chem 2019; 62:2499-2507. [PMID: 30735377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RE31 is a 31-nt DNA aptamer, consisting of the G-quadruplex and a duplex domain, which is able to effectively prolong thrombin time. This article reports on the influence of certain modified nucleotide residues on thermodynamic and biological properties as well as the folding topology of RE31. Particularly, the effect of the presence of nucleosides in unlocked nucleic acid (UNA), locked nucleic acid (LNA), or β-l-RNA series was evaluated. The studies presented herein show that all modified residues can influence thermal and biological stabilities of G-quadruplex in a position-dependent manner. The aptamers modified simultaneously with UNA at the T15 position and LNAs in the duplex part possess the highest value of melting temperature and a 2-fold higher anticoagulant effect. Importantly, RE31 variants modified with nucleosides in UNA, LNA, or β-l-RNA series exhibit unchanged G-quadruplex folding topology. Crucially, introduction of any of the modified residues into RE31 causes prolongation of aptamer stability in human serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Kotkowiak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry , Polish Academy of Sciences , Noskowskiego 12/14 , 61-704 Poznan , Poland
| | - Jesper Wengel
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center , University of Southern Denmark , Campusvej 55 , Odense M 5230 , Denmark
| | - Chris J Scotton
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, College of Medicine & Health , University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus , Exeter EX1 2LU , U.K
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry , Polish Academy of Sciences , Noskowskiego 12/14 , 61-704 Poznan , Poland
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34
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Xiong Y, Liang M, Cheng Y, Zou J, Li Y. An "off-on" phosphorescent aptasensor for the detection of thrombin based on PRET. Analyst 2019; 144:161-171. [PMID: 30371694 DOI: 10.1039/c8an01571f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin plays an important role in the blood coagulation cascade and it stimulates the process of platelet aggregation. Herein, we developed a highly efficient and sensitive phosphorescent aptasensor system for the quantitative analysis of thrombin. The phosphorescence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid capped Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (MPA-Mn:ZnS QDs) was gradually quenched with the addition of thrombin binding aptamers-BHQ2 (TBA-BHQ2) based on phosphorescence resonance energy transfer (PRET). With the addition of the target analyte thrombin into the system, TBA-BHQ2 could change its spatial structure from a random coil to an antiparallel G-quadruplex which resulted from the combination of thrombin and TBA-BHQ2, leading to the phosphorescence recovery. Finally, the concentration of thrombin could be accurately determined by means of measuring the phosphorescence intensity change value (ΔP). The limit of detection (LOD) was obtained as low as 15.26 pM with wide linear ranges both from 60 to 2000 pM and from 2 to 900 nM. The proposed strategy was also successfully applied for thrombin detection in human serum samples and plasma samples with satisfactory recoveries from 96% to 99% and 95% to 104%, respectively. The long lifetime of phosphorescent QDs possessed a suitable time delay to eliminate autofluorescence and scattered light interference from biological matrices effectively. Thus, the signal to noise ratio of the phosphorescent aptasensor was improved visibly for the analysis of target analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Functional Materials Chemistry (Tianjin Normal University), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecule, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, P.R. China.
| | - Meiyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Functional Materials Chemistry (Tianjin Normal University), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecule, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, P.R. China.
| | - Yue Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Functional Materials Chemistry (Tianjin Normal University), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecule, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, P.R. China.
| | - Jiarui Zou
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Functional Materials Chemistry (Tianjin Normal University), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecule, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, P.R. China.
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Functional Materials Chemistry (Tianjin Normal University), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecule, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, P.R. China.
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35
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Mo M, Kong D, Ji H, Lin D, Tang X, Yang Z, He Y, Wu L. Reversible Photocontrol of Thrombin Activity by Replacing Loops of Thrombin Binding Aptamer using Azobenzene Derivatives. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:231-241. [PMID: 30582682 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The photoisomerization of azobenzenes provides a general means for the photocontrol of many important biomolecular structures and organismal functions. For temporal and spatial control activity of thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) by light, azobenzene derivatives were carefully selected as light-triggered molecular switches to replace TT loops and the TGT loop of TBA to reversibly control enzyme activity. These molecules interconverted between the trans and cis states under alternate UV and visible light irradiation, which consequently triggered reversible formation of G-quadruplex morphology. In addition, we investigated the impact of three azobenzene derivatives on stability, thrombin binding ability, and anticoagulant properties. The result showed that 4,4'-bis(hydroxymethyl)azobenzene at the TGT loop position significantly photoregulated affinity to thrombin and blood clotting in human plasma, which provided a successful strategy to control blood clotting in human plasma and a further evidence for design of TBA analogues with pivotal positions of modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwu Mo
- School of Chemical Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Dejia Kong
- School of Chemical Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Heming Ji
- School of Chemical Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Dao Lin
- School of Chemical Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Xinjing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Peking University , Beijing 100191 , China
| | - Zhenjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Peking University , Beijing 100191 , China
| | - Yujian He
- School of Chemical Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Li Wu
- School of Chemical Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Peking University , Beijing 100191 , China
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36
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Antipova OM, Zavyalova EG, Golovin AV, Pavlova GV, Kopylov AM, Reshetnikov RV. Advances in the Application of Modified Nucleotides in SELEX Technology. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2018; 83:1161-1172. [PMID: 30472954 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297918100024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are widely used as molecular recognition elements for detecting and blocking functional biological molecules. Since the common "alphabet" of DNA and RNA consists of only four letters, the chemical diversity of aptamers is less than the diversity of protein recognition elements built of 20 amino acids. Chemical modification of nucleotides enlarges the potential of DNA/RNA aptamers. This review describes the latest achievements in a variety of approaches to aptamers selection with an extended genetic alphabet.
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Affiliation(s)
- O M Antipova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Chemistry, Moscow, 119991, Russia. .,Apto-Pharm Ltd., Moscow, 115564, Russia
| | - E G Zavyalova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Chemistry, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Apto-Pharm Ltd., Moscow, 115564, Russia
| | - A V Golovin
- Apto-Pharm Ltd., Moscow, 115564, Russia.,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Moscow, 119234, Russia.,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - G V Pavlova
- Apto-Pharm Ltd., Moscow, 115564, Russia.,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia.,Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 125047, Russia
| | - A M Kopylov
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Chemistry, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Apto-Pharm Ltd., Moscow, 115564, Russia
| | - R V Reshetnikov
- Apto-Pharm Ltd., Moscow, 115564, Russia.,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Moscow, 119234, Russia.,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia
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37
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Pal S, Paul S. Conformational deviation of Thrombin binding G-quadruplex aptamer (TBA) in presence of divalent cation Sr 2+: A classical molecular dynamics simulation study. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 121:350-363. [PMID: 30308284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin binding TBA-G-quadruplex aptamer (TBA) plays a major role in blood coagulation cascade. The 15-mer TBA sequence tends to form four-stranded TBA-G-quadruplex structure. In this research work, a series of explicit solvent classical MD simulations of the TBA is carried out using different salt (SrCl2) concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM). Here we have also testified the effect of salt concentration of divalent cation Sr2+ on the conformational change of quadruplex DNA. The structural deviations, fluctuations, torsional angles and the affinity of the ion are explored at different salt concentrations. It is found that the conformation of TBA-G-quadruplex at 0 mM and 50 mM salt concentrations, is very much different than the other salt concentrations (100 mM and 200 mM). Also observed are as follows: (i) no exchange of Sr2+ ion between inside and outside of the channel, (ii) an enhancement in the Sr2+ ion density around the phosphate region of the loop residues as salt concentration increases and (iii) the stacking of T3 and T4 residues of loop-1 that appears up to 50 mM concentration, vanishes as the salt concentration is increased further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saikat Pal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Sandip Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India.
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38
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Esposito V, Russo A, Vellecco V, Bucci M, Russo G, Mayol L, Virgilio A, Galeone A. Thrombin binding aptamer analogues containing inversion of polarity sites endowed with antiproliferative and anti-motility properties against Calu-6 cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2645-2650. [PMID: 30071274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) is endowed with both anticoagulant and antiproliferative properties, it is possible to reduce the first and enhance the second one by suitable chemical modifications. METHODS Two oligonucleotides (TBA353 and TBA535) based on the TBA sequence (GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG) and containing inversion of polarity sites have been investigated by CD, UV and electrophoretic techniques for their ability to form G-quadruplex structures. Furthermore, their anticoagulant (PT assay), antiproliferative (MTT assay) and anti-motility (wound healing assay) properties against Calu-6 cells have been tested and compared with TBA. RESULTS CD, UV and electrophoresis data indicate that both ODNs are able to form G-quadruplex structures. Particularly, results suggest that TBA535 adopts a G-quadruplex structure characterized by a loop arrangement different from that of TBA. Both TBA analogues drop the anticoagulant activity. However, TBA535 is endowed with a significant antiproliferative activity against lung cancer Calu-6 cells. Importantly, both TBA and TBA535 possess a remarkable anti-motility property against the same cell line. CONCLUSIONS Both TBA analogues TBA353 and TBA535 are able to form G-quadruplex structures with no anticoagulant activity. However only TBA535 is endowed with noteworthy antiproliferative and anti-motility properties against lung cancer Calu-6 cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The switching from the anticoagulant to antiproliferative property can be obtained also in TBA derivatives not adopting the "chair-like" G-quadruplex structure typical of TBA. Furthermore, results have highlighted an unprecedented anti-cell-motility property of TBA and TBA535 reinforcing the potential of these ODNs as anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annapina Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Vellecco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Bucci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luciano Mayol
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Virgilio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Aldo Galeone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy.
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39
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Kotkowiak W, Czapik T, Pasternak A. Novel isoguanine derivative of unlocked nucleic acid-Investigations of thermodynamics and biological potential of modified thrombin binding aptamer. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197835. [PMID: 29795635 PMCID: PMC5967839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Thrombin binding aptamer (TBA), is a short DNA 15-mer that forms G-quadruplex structure and possesses anticoagulant properties. Some chemical modifications, including unlocked nucleic acids (UNA), 2'-deoxy-isoguanosine and 2'-deoxy-4-thiouridine were previously found to enhance the biological activity of TBA. In this paper, we present thermodynamic and biological characteristics of TBA variants that have been modified with novel isoguanine derivative of UNA as well as isoguanosine. Additionally, UNA-4-thiouracil and 4-thiouridine were also introduced simultaneously with isoguanine derivatives. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that the presence of isoguanosine in UNA or RNA series significantly decreases the stability of G-quadruplex structure. The highest destabilization is observed for substitution at one of the G-tetrad position. Addition of 4-thiouridine in UNA or RNA series usually decreases the unfavorable energetic cost of the presence of UNA or RNA isoguanine. Circular dichroism and thermal denaturation spectra in connection with thrombin time assay indicate that the introduction of UNA-isoguanine or isoguanosine into TBA negatively affects G-quadruplex folding and TBA anticoagulant properties. These findings demonstrate that the highly-ordered structure of TBA is essential for inhibition of thrombin activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Kotkowiak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Czapik
- Department of Structural Chemistry and Biology of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego, Poznan, Poland
- * E-mail:
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