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Nicoletto G, Terreri M, Maurizio I, Ruggiero E, Cernilogar FM, Vaine CA, Cottini MV, Shcherbakova I, Penney EB, Gallina I, Monchaud D, Bragg DC, Schotta G, Richter SN. G-quadruplexes in an SVA retrotransposon cause aberrant TAF1 gene expression in X-linked dystonia parkinsonism. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae797. [PMID: 39287133 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures that form in guanine (G)-rich genomic regions. X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease in which a SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA) retrotransposon, characterised by amplification of a G-rich repeat, is inserted into the coding sequence of TAF1, a key partner of RNA polymerase II. XDP SVA alters TAF1 expression, but the cause of this outcome in XDP remains unknown. To assess whether G4s form in XDP SVA and affect TAF1 expression, we first characterised bioinformatically predicted XDP SVA G4s in vitro. We next showed that highly stable G4s can form and stop polymerase amplification at the SVA region from patient-derived fibroblasts and neural progenitor cells. Using chromatin immunoprecipitazion (ChIP) with an anti-G4 antibody coupled to sequencing or quantitative PCR, we showed that XDP SVA G4s are folded even when embedded in a chromatin context in patient-derived cells. Using the G4 ligands BRACO-19 and quarfloxin and total RNA-sequencing analysis, we showed that stabilisation of the XDP SVA G4s reduces TAF1 transcripts downstream and around the SVA, and increases upstream transcripts, while destabilisation using the G4 unfolder PhpC increases TAF1 transcripts. Our data indicate that G4 formation in the XDP SVA is a major cause of aberrant TAF1 expression, opening the way for the development of strategies to unfold G4s and potentially target the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Nicoletto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Marianna Terreri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Maurizio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Emanuela Ruggiero
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo M Cernilogar
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Viale Teresa Michel 11, 15121, Alessandria, Italy
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Center, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Großhaderner Strasse 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christine A Vaine
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Building 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Maria Vittoria Cottini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Irina Shcherbakova
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Center, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Großhaderner Strasse 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ellen B Penney
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Building 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Irene Gallina
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - David Monchaud
- Institut de Chimie Moleculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, ICMUB CNRS UMR6302, 9, Rue Alain Savary, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - D Cristopher Bragg
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Building 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Gunnar Schotta
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Center, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Großhaderner Strasse 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padua University Hospital, via Giustiniani 2, 35121 Padua, Italy
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2
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Teng X, Hu D, Dai Y, Jing H, Hu W, Zhang Q, Zhang N, Li J. Discovery of A G-Quadruplex Unwinder That Unleashes the Translation of G-Quadruplex-Containing mRNA without Inducing DNA Damage. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202407353. [PMID: 38953247 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407353] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
To explore the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for G-quadruplex (G4) mediated diseases, it is crucial to manipulate and intervene in intracellular G4 structures using small molecular tools. While hundreds of G4 stabilizers have been developed, there is a significant gap in the availability of G4 unwinding agents. Here, we propose a strategy to disrupt G-quadruplexes by forming G-C hydrogen bonds with chemically modified cytidine trimers. We validated a good G4 unwinder, the 2'-F cytidine trimer (2'-F C3). 2'-F C3 does not inhibit cell growth nor cause severe DNA damage at a concentration below 10 μM. Moreover, 2'-F C3 does not affect gene transcription nor RNA splicing, while it significantly enhances the translation of G4-containing mRNA and upregulates RNA splicing, RNA processing and cell cycle pathways. The discovery of this G4 unwinder provides a functional tool for the chemical modulation of G4s in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xucong Teng
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518054, China
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, 102209, China
- Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Science at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Difei Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yicong Dai
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Haitao Jing
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Wenxuan Hu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Qiushuang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Na Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518054, China
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, 102209, China
- Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Science at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
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Zhang X, Xu H, Sun R, Xiong G, Shi X. An insight into G-quadruplexes: Identification and potential therapeutic targets in livestock viruses. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 279:116848. [PMID: 39255642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acids secondary structures that involve in the regulation of some key biological processes, such as replication, transcription, and translation. G4s have been extensively described in the genomes of human and related diseases. In recent years, G4s were identified in several livestock viruses, including those of the emerging epidemics, like Nipah virus (NiV). Since their discovery, G4s have been developed as the potential antiviral targets, and the employment of G4 ligands or interacting proteins has helped to expound the viral infectivity and pathogenesis through G4-mediated mechanisms, and highlight the potential as therapeutic approaches. However, the comprehensively studies of G4s in livestock viruses have not been summarized. This review delves into the reported literatures of G4s in livestock viruses, particular focus on the presence, biophysical identification, and possible function of G4s in viral genome, summarizing the G4 ligands, interacted proteins and aptamers on antiviral applications. The strengths and the challenges of G4 targeting in this field are also discussed. Therefore, this review will shed new light on the future development of highly potent and targeting antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianpeng Zhang
- Laboratory of Pesticide Toxicology and Pesticide Efficient Utilization, College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330045, PR China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology Ecology & Genetic Breeding, Jiangxi Agriculture University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330045, PR China
| | - Hongyu Xu
- College of Land Resources and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330045, PR China
| | - Ranran Sun
- Laboratory of Pesticide Toxicology and Pesticide Efficient Utilization, College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330045, PR China
| | - Guihong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology Ecology & Genetic Breeding, Jiangxi Agriculture University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330045, PR China
| | - Xugen Shi
- Laboratory of Pesticide Toxicology and Pesticide Efficient Utilization, College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330045, PR China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology Ecology & Genetic Breeding, Jiangxi Agriculture University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330045, PR China; Jiangxi Xiajiang Dry Direct-seeded Rice Science and Technology Backyard, Ji'an, Jiangxi Province, 331400, PR China.
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Troisi R, Sica F. Structural overview of DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes in their interaction with proteins. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 87:102846. [PMID: 38848656 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Since the discovery of G-quadruplex (G4) participation in vital cellular processes, the regulation of the interaction of naturally occurring G4s with the relative target proteins has emerged as a promising approach for therapeutic development. Additionally, a synthetic strategy has produced several oligonucleotide aptamers, embodying a G4 module, which exhibit relevant biological activity by binding selectively to a target protein. In this context, the G4-protein structures available in the Protein Data Bank represent a valuable molecular view of the different G4 topologies involved in protein interaction. Interestingly, recent results have shown the co-existence of G4s with other structural domains such as duplexes. Overall, these findings allow a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate intricate biological functions and suggest new design for innovative medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy. https://twitter.com/TroRom
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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Huang X, Wu F, Ye J, Wang L, Wang X, Li X, He G. Expanding the horizons of targeted protein degradation: A non-small molecule perspective. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2402-2427. [PMID: 38828146 PMCID: PMC11143490 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) represented by proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) marks a significant stride in drug discovery. A plethora of innovative technologies inspired by PROTAC have not only revolutionized the landscape of TPD but have the potential to unlock functionalities beyond degradation. Non-small-molecule-based approaches play an irreplaceable role in this field. A wide variety of agents spanning a broad chemical spectrum, including peptides, nucleic acids, antibodies, and even vaccines, which not only prove instrumental in overcoming the constraints of conventional small molecule entities but also provided rapidly renewing paradigms. Herein we summarize the burgeoning non-small molecule technological platforms inspired by PROTACs, including three major trajectories, to provide insights for the design strategies based on novel paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Huang
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fengbo Wu
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gu He
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Dermatology & Venerology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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6
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Sahoo BR, Kocman V, Clark N, Myers N, Deng X, Wong EL, Yang HJ, Kotar A, Guzman BB, Dominguez D, Plavec J, Bardwell JCA. Protein G-quadruplex interactions and their effects on phase transitions and protein aggregation. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4702-4722. [PMID: 38572746 PMCID: PMC11077067 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The SERF family of proteins were originally discovered for their ability to accelerate amyloid formation. Znf706 is an uncharacterized protein whose N-terminus is homologous to SERF proteins. We show here that human Znf706 can promote protein aggregation and amyloid formation. Unexpectedly, Znf706 specifically interacts with stable, non-canonical nucleic acid structures known as G-quadruplexes. G-quadruplexes can affect gene regulation and suppress protein aggregation; however, it is unknown if and how these two activities are linked. We find Znf706 binds preferentially to parallel G-quadruplexes with low micromolar affinity, primarily using its N-terminus, and upon interaction, its dynamics are constrained. G-quadruplex binding suppresses Znf706's ability to promote protein aggregation. Znf706 in conjunction with G-quadruplexes therefore may play a role in regulating protein folding. RNAseq analysis shows that Znf706 depletion specifically impacts the mRNA abundance of genes that are predicted to contain high G-quadruplex density. Our studies give insight into how proteins and G-quadruplexes interact, and how these interactions affect both partners and lead to the modulation of protein aggregation and cellular mRNA levels. These observations suggest that the SERF family of proteins, in conjunction with G-quadruplexes, may have a broader role in regulating protein folding and gene expression than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash R Sahoo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vojč Kocman
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nathan Clark
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nikhil Myers
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiexiong Deng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ee L Wong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Harry J Yang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anita Kotar
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Janez Plavec
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - James C A Bardwell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Sergeev AV, Loiko AG, Genatullina AI, Petrov AS, Kubareva EA, Dolinnaya NG, Gromova ES. Crosstalk between G-Quadruplexes and Dnmt3a-Mediated Methylation of the c-MYC Oncogene Promoter. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:45. [PMID: 38203216 PMCID: PMC10779317 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The methylation of cytosines at CpG sites in DNA, carried out de novo by DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a, is a basic epigenetic modification involved in gene regulation and genome stability. Aberrant CpG methylation in gene promoters leads to oncogenesis. In oncogene promoters, CpG sites often colocalize with guanine-rich sequences capable of folding into G-quadruplexes (G4s). Our in vitro study aimed to investigate how parallel G4s formed by a sequence derived from the c-MYC oncogene promoter region affect the activity of the Dnmt3a catalytic domain (Dnmt3a-CD). For this purpose, we designed synthetic oligonucleotide constructs: a c-MYC G4-forming oligonucleotide and linear double-stranded DNA containing an embedded stable extrahelical c-MYC G4. The topology and thermal stability of G4 structures in these DNA models were analyzed using physicochemical techniques. We showed that Dnmt3a-CD specifically binds to an oligonucleotide containing c-MYC G4, resulting in inhibition of its methylation activity. c-MYC G4 formation in a double-stranded context significantly reduces Dnmt3a-CD-induced methylation of a CpG site located in close proximity to the quadruplex structure; this effect depends on the distance between the non-canonical structure and the specific CpG site. One would expect DNA hypomethylation near the G4 structure, while regions distant from this non-canonical form would maintain a regular pattern of high methylation levels. We hypothesize that the G4 structure sequesters the Dnmt3a-CD and impedes its proper binding to B-DNA, resulting in hypomethylation and activation of c-MYC transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Sergeev
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (A.G.L.); (A.I.G.); (A.S.P.); (N.G.D.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Andrei G. Loiko
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (A.G.L.); (A.I.G.); (A.S.P.); (N.G.D.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Adelya I. Genatullina
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (A.G.L.); (A.I.G.); (A.S.P.); (N.G.D.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Alexander S. Petrov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (A.G.L.); (A.I.G.); (A.S.P.); (N.G.D.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Elena A. Kubareva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nina G. Dolinnaya
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (A.G.L.); (A.I.G.); (A.S.P.); (N.G.D.); (E.S.G.)
| | - Elizaveta S. Gromova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (A.G.L.); (A.I.G.); (A.S.P.); (N.G.D.); (E.S.G.)
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Paquette AR, Boddy CN. Double Stranded DNA Binding Stapled Peptides: An Emerging Tool for Transcriptional Regulation. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300594. [PMID: 37750576 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Stapled peptides have rapidly established themselves as a powerful technique to mimic α-helical interactions with a short peptide sequence. There are many examples of stapled peptides that successfully disrupt α-helix-mediated protein-protein interactions, with an example currently in clinical trials. DNA-protein interactions are also often mediated by α-helices and are involved in all transcriptional regulation processes. Unlike DNA-binding small molecules, which typically lack DNA sequence selectivity, DNA-binding proteins bind with high affinity and high selectivity. These are ideal candidates for the design DNA-binding stapled peptides. Despite the parallel to protein-protein interaction disrupting stapled peptides and the need for sequence specific DNA binders, there are very few DNA-binding stapled peptides. In this review we examine all the known DNA-binding stapled peptides. Their design concepts are compared to stapled peptides that disrupt protein-protein interactions and based on the few examples in the literature, DNA-binding stapled peptide trends are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- André R Paquette
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Christopher N Boddy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
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