1
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Serumula W, Fernandez G, Gonzalez VM, Parboosing R. Anti-HIV Aptamers: Challenges and Prospects. Curr HIV Res 2022; 20:7-19. [PMID: 34503417 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x19666210908114825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection continues to be a significant health burden in many countries around the world. Current HIV treatment through a combination of different antiretroviral drugs (cART) effectively suppresses viral replication, but drug resistance and crossresistance are significant challenges. This has prompted the search for novel targets and agents, such as nucleic acid aptamers. Nucleic acid aptamers are oligonucleotides that attach to the target sites with high affinity and specificity. This review provides a target-by-target account of research into anti-HIV aptamers and summarises the challenges and prospects of this therapeutic strategy, specifically in the unique context of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Serumula
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban 4091, South Africa
| | - Geronimo Fernandez
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Aptus Biotech SL, Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria, 298-28035 Madrid. Spain
| | - Victor M Gonzalez
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raveen Parboosing
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban 4091, South Africa
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2
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Virgilio A, Esposito V, Tassinari M, Nadai M, Richter SN, Galeone A. Novel monomolecular derivatives of the anti-HIV-1 G-quadruplex-forming Hotoda's aptamer containing inversion of polarity sites. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 208:112786. [PMID: 32911256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Here we report on the design, preparation and investigation of four analogues of the anti-HIV G-quadruplex-forming Hotoda's aptamer, based on an unprecedented linear topology. In these derivatives, four TGGGAGT tracts have been joined together by exploiting 3'-3' and 5'-5' inversion of polarity sites formed by canonical phosphodiester bonds or a glycerol-based linker. Circular dichroism data suggest that all oligodeoxynucleotides fold in monomolecular G-quadruplex structures characterized by a parallel strand orientation and three side loops connecting 3'- or 5'-ends. The derivative bearing two lipophilic groups, namely HT353LGly, inhibited virus entry into the host cell, with anti-HIV-1 activity in the low nanomolar range; the other derivatives, albeit sharing the same base sequence and similar topology, were inactive. These results highlight that monomolecular Hotoda's aptamers with inversion of polarity sites represent a successful alternative strategy that merges the easiness of synthesis with the maintenance of remarkable activity. They also indicate that two lipophilic groups are necessary and sufficient for biological activity. Our data will inspire the design of further simplified derivatives with improved biophysical and antiviral properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Virgilio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Veronica Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Martina Tassinari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli 63, 35121, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Nadai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli 63, 35121, Padua, Italy
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli 63, 35121, Padua, Italy.
| | - Aldo Galeone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy.
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3
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Hotoda's Sequence and Anti-HIV Activity: Where Are We Now? Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24071417. [PMID: 30974914 PMCID: PMC6479790 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmacological relevance of ODNs forming G-quadruplexes as anti-HIV agents has been extensively reported in the literature over the last few years. Recent detailed studies have elucidated the peculiar arrangement adopted by many G-quadruplex-based aptamers and provided insight into their mechanism of action. In this review, we have reported the history of a strong anti-HIV agent: the 6-mer d(TGGGAG) sequence, commonly called "Hotoda's sequence". In particular, all findings reported on this sequence and its modified sequences have been discussed considering the following research phases: (i) discovery of the first 5'-modified active d(TGGGAG) sequences; (ii) synthesis of a variety of end-modified d(TGGGAG) sequences; (iii) biophysical and NMR investigations of natural and modified Hotoda's sequences; (iv); kinetic studies on the most active 5'-modified d(TGGGAG) sequences; and (v) extensive anti-HIV screening of G-quadruplexes formed by d(TGGGAG) sequences. This review aims to clarify all results obtained over the years on Hotoda's sequence, revealing its potentiality as a strong anti-HIV agent (EC50 = 14 nM).
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4
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Romanucci V, Zarrelli A, Liekens S, Noppen S, Pannecouque C, Di Fabio G. New findings on the d(TGGGAG) sequence: Surprising anti-HIV-1 activity. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 145:425-430. [PMID: 29335208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The biological relevance of tetramolecular G-quadruplexes especially as anti-HIV agents has been extensively reported in the literature over the last years. In the light of our recent results regarding the slow G-quadruplex folding kinetics of ODNs based on d(TGGGAG) sequence, here we report a systematic anti-HIV screening to investigate the impact of the G-quadruplex folding on their anti-HIV activity. In particular, varying the single stranded concentrations of ODNs, it has been tested a pool of ODN sample solutions with different G-quadruplex concentrations. The anti-HIV assays have been designed favouring the limited kinetics involved in the tetramolecular G4-association based on the d(TGGGAG) sequence. Aiming to determine the stoichiometry of G-quadruplex structures in the same experimental conditions of the anti-HIV assays, a native gel electrophoresis was performed. The gel confirmed the G-quadruplex formation for almost all sample solutions while showing the formation of high order G4 structures for the more concentrated ODNs solutions. The most significant result is the discovery of a potent anti-HIV activity of the G-quadruplex formed by the natural d(TGGGAG) sequence (IC50 = 14 nM) that, until now, has been reported to be completely inactive against HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Romanucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cintia 4, I-80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Armando Zarrelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cintia 4, I-80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sandra Liekens
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49, Postbus 1043, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Noppen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49, Postbus 1043, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christophe Pannecouque
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49, Postbus 1043, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Giovanni Di Fabio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cintia 4, I-80126, Napoli, Italy.
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5
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González VM, Martín ME, Fernández G, García-Sacristán A. Use of Aptamers as Diagnostics Tools and Antiviral Agents for Human Viruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2016; 9:ph9040078. [PMID: 27999271 PMCID: PMC5198053 DOI: 10.3390/ph9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate diagnosis is the key factor for treatment of viral diseases. Time is the most important factor in rapidly developing and epidemiologically dangerous diseases, such as influenza, Ebola and SARS. Chronic viral diseases such as HIV-1 or HCV are asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic and the therapeutic success mainly depends on early detection of the infective agent. Over the last years, aptamer technology has been used in a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications and, concretely, several strategies are currently being explored using aptamers against virus proteins. From a diagnostics point of view, aptamers are being designed as a bio-recognition element in diagnostic systems to detect viral proteins either in the blood (serum or plasma) or into infected cells. Another potential use of aptamers is for therapeutics of viral infections, interfering in the interaction between the virus and the host using aptamers targeting host-cell matrix receptors, or attacking the virus intracellularly, targeting proteins implicated in the viral replication cycle. In this paper, we review how aptamers working against viral proteins are discovered, with a focus on recent advances that improve the aptamers' properties as a real tool for viral infection detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor M González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
| | - M Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana García-Sacristán
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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6
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Prokofjeva M, Tsvetkov V, Basmanov D, Varizhuk A, Lagarkova M, Smirnov I, Prusakov K, Klinov D, Prassolov V, Pozmogova G, Mikhailov SN. Anti-HIV Activities of Intramolecular G4 and Non-G4 Oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acid Ther 2016; 27:56-66. [PMID: 27763826 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2016.0624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
New natural and chemically modified DNA aptamers that inhibit HIV-1 activity at submicromolar concentrations (presumably via preventing viral entry into target cells) are reported. The new DNA aptamers were developed based on known intramolecular G-quadruplexes (G4s) that were functionally unrelated to HIV inhibition [the thrombin-binding aptamer and the fragment of the human oncogene promoter (Bcl2)]. The majority of previously described DNA inhibitors of HIV infection adopt intermolecular structures, and thus their folding variability represents an obvious disadvantage. Intramolecular architectures refold correctly after denaturation and are generally easier to handle. However, whether the G4 topology or other factors account for the anti-HIV activity of our aptamers is unknown. The impact of chemical modification (thiophosphoryl internucleotide linkages) on aptamer activity is discussed. The exact secondary structures of the active compounds and further elucidation of their mechanisms of action hopefully will be the subjects of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Prokofjeva
- 1 Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS , Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Tsvetkov
- 2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia .,3 Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Basmanov
- 2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Varizhuk
- 1 Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS , Moscow, Russia .,2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Lagarkova
- 2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Smirnov
- 2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia
| | - Kirill Prusakov
- 2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Klinov
- 2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia .,4 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University) , Moscow Region, Russia
| | | | - Galina Pozmogova
- 2 Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency , Moscow, Russia
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7
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Musumeci D, Riccardi C, Montesarchio D. G-Quadruplex Forming Oligonucleotides as Anti-HIV Agents. Molecules 2015; 20:17511-32. [PMID: 26402662 PMCID: PMC6332060 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200917511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Though a variety of different non-canonical nucleic acids conformations have been recognized, G-quadruplex structures are probably the structural motifs most commonly found within known oligonucleotide-based aptamers. This could be ascribed to several factors, as their large conformational diversity, marked responsiveness of their folding/unfolding processes to external stimuli, high structural compactness and chemo-enzymatic and thermodynamic stability. A number of G-quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides having relevant in vitro anti-HIV activity have been discovered in the last two decades through either SELEX or rational design approaches. Improved aptamers have been obtained by chemical modifications of natural oligonucleotides, as terminal conjugations with large hydrophobic groups, replacement of phosphodiester linkages with phosphorothioate bonds or other surrogates, insertion of base-modified monomers, etc. In turn, detailed structural studies have elucidated the peculiar architectures adopted by many G-quadruplex-based aptamers and provided insight into their mechanism of action. An overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge of the relevance of putative G-quadruplex forming sequences within the viral genome and of the most studied G-quadruplex-forming aptamers, selectively targeting HIV proteins, is here presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy.
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy.
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8
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Cheong VV, Heddi B, Lech CJ, Phan AT. Xanthine and 8-oxoguanine in G-quadruplexes: formation of a G·G·X·O tetrad. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:10506-14. [PMID: 26400177 PMCID: PMC4666386 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are four-stranded structures built from stacked G-tetrads (G·G·G·G), which are planar cyclical assemblies of four guanine bases interacting through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds. A G-quadruplex containing a single guanine analog substitution, such as 8-oxoguanine (O) or xanthine (X), would suffer from a loss of a Hoogsteen hydrogen bond within a G-tetrad and/or potential steric hindrance. We show that a proper arrangement of O and X bases can reestablish the hydrogen-bond pattern within a G·G·X·O tetrad. Rational incorporation of G·G·X·O tetrads in a (3+1) G-quadruplex demonstrated a similar folding topology and thermal stability to that of the unmodified G-quadruplex. pH titration conducted on X·O-modified G-quadruplexes indicated a protonation-deprotonation equilibrium of X with a pKa ∼6.7. The solution structure of a G-quadruplex containing a G·G·X·O tetrad was determined, displaying the same folding topology in both the protonated and deprotonated states. A G-quadruplex containing a deprotonated X·O pair was shown to exhibit a more electronegative groove compared to that of the unmodified one. These differences are likely to manifest in the electronic properties of G-quadruplexes and may have important implications for drug targeting and DNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vee Vee Cheong
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371 Singapore
| | - Brahim Heddi
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371 Singapore
| | - Christopher Jacques Lech
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371 Singapore
| | - Anh Tuân Phan
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371 Singapore
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9
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Li Z, Lech CJ, Phan AT. Sugar-modified G-quadruplexes: effects of LNA-, 2'F-RNA- and 2'F-ANA-guanosine chemistries on G-quadruplex structure and stability. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:4068-79. [PMID: 24371274 PMCID: PMC3973314 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides containing modified nucleotide chemistries have demonstrated promising pharmaceutical potential. In this work, we systematically investigate the effects of sugar-modified guanosines on the structure and stability of a (4+0) parallel and a (3+1) hybrid G-quadruplex using over 60 modified sequences containing a single-position substitution of 2′-O-4′-C-methylene-guanosine (LNAG), 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-riboguanosine (FG) or 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-arabinoguanosine (FANAG). Our results are summarized in two parts: (I) Generally, LNAG substitutions into ‘anti’ position guanines within a guanine-tetrad lead to a more stable G-quadruplex, while substitutions into ‘syn’ positions disrupt the native G-quadruplex conformation. However, some interesting exceptions to this trend are observed. We discover that a LNAG modification upstream of a short propeller loop hinders G-quadruplex formation. (II) A single substitution of either FG or FANAG into a ‘syn’ position is powerful enough to perturb the (3+1) G-quadruplex. Substitution of either FG or FANAG into any ‘anti’ position is well tolerated in the two G-quadruplex scaffolds. FANAG substitutions to ‘anti’ positions are better tolerated than their FG counterparts. In both scaffolds, FANAG substitutions to the central tetrad layer are observed to be the most stabilizing. The observations reported herein on the effects of LNAG, FG and FANAG modifications on G-quadruplex structure and stability will enable the future design of pharmaceutically relevant oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Li
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371
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10
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DNA duplexes with hydrophobic modifications inhibit fusion between HIV-1 and cell membranes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:4963-70. [PMID: 23896466 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00758-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovery of new drugs for the treatment of AIDS typically possessing unique structures associated with novel mechanisms of action has been of great importance due to the quick drug-resistant mutations of HIV-1 strains. The work presented in this report describes a novel class of DNA duplex-based HIV-1 fusion inhibitors. Hydrophobic groups were introduced into a DNA duplex skeleton either at one end, at both ends, or in the middle. These modified DNA duplexes inhibited fusion between HIV-1 and human cell membranes at micro- or submicromolar concentrations. Respective inhibitors adopted an aptamer pattern instead of a base-pairing interaction pattern. Structure-activity relationship studies of the respective DNA duplexes showed that the rigid and negatively charged DNA skeletons, in addition to the presence of hydrophobic groups, were crucial to the anti-HIV-1 activity of these compounds. A fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based inhibitory assay showed that these duplex inhibitors interacted with the primary pocket in the gp41 N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) instead of interacting with the lipid bilayers.
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11
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D'Atri V, Oliviero G, Amato J, Borbone N, D'Errico S, Mayol L, Piccialli V, Haider S, Hoorelbeke B, Balzarini J, Piccialli G. New anti-HIV aptamers based on tetra-end-linked DNA G-quadruplexes: effect of the base sequence on anti-HIV activity. Chem Commun (Camb) 2013; 48:9516-8. [PMID: 22898884 DOI: 10.1039/c2cc34399a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
This communication reports on the synthesis and biophysical, biological and SAR studies of a small library of new anti-HIV aptamers based on the tetra-end-linked G-quadruplex structure. The new aptamers showed EC(50) values against HIV-1 in the range of 0.04-0.15 μM as well as affinities for the HIV-1 gp120 envelope in the same order of magnitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina D'Atri
- Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
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12
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Oliviero G, Amato J, Borbone N, D'Errico S, Galeone A, Mayol L, Haider S, Olubiyi O, Hoorelbeke B, Balzarini J, Piccialli G. Tetra-end-linked oligonucleotides forming DNA G-quadruplexes: a new class of aptamers showing anti-HIV activity. Chem Commun (Camb) 2010; 46:8971-3. [PMID: 20972507 DOI: 10.1039/c0cc02866e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The biophysical and biological properties of unprecedented anti-HIV aptamers are presented. The most active aptamer (1L) shows a significant affinity to the HIV protein gp120.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Oliviero
- Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
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13
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D'Onofrio J, Petraccone L, Erra E, Martino L, Fabio GD, Napoli LD, Giancola C, Montesarchio D. 5'-Modified G-quadruplex forming oligonucleotides endowed with anti-HIV activity: synthesis and biophysical properties. Bioconjug Chem 2007; 18:1194-204. [PMID: 17569499 DOI: 10.1021/bc070062f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Oligodeoxyribonucleotides of sequence d(5'TGGGAG3') carrying bulky aromatic groups at the 5' end were found to exhibit potent anti-HIV activity [Hotoda, H., et al. (1998) J. Med. Chem. 41, 3655-3663 and references therein]. Structure-activity relationship investigations indicated that G-quadruplex formation, as well as the presence of large aromatic substituents at the 5'-end, were both essential for their antiviral activity. In this work, we synthesized some representative examples of the anti-HIV active Hotoda's 6-mers and analyzed the resulting G-quadruplexes by CD, DSC, and molecular modeling studies, in comparison with the unmodified oligonucleotide. In the case of the sequence carrying the 3,4-dibenzyloxybenzyl (DBB) group, identified as the best candidate for further drug optimization, we developed an alternative protocol to synthesize the 5'-DBB-thymidine phosphoramidite building block in higher yields. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for the association/dissociation processes of the 5'-conjugated quadruplexes, determined with respect to the unmodified one, were discussed in light of the molecular modeling studies. The aromatic groups at the 5' position of d(5'TGGGAG3') dramatically enhance both the equilibrium and the rate of formation of the quadruplex complexes. The overall stability of the investigated quadruplexes was found to correlate with the reported IC50 values, thus furnishing quantitative evidence for the hypothesis that the G-quadruplex structures are the ultimate active species, effectively responsible for the biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D'Onofrio
- Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, via Cintia, 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
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14
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Nielsen JT, Arar K, Petersen M. NMR solution structures of LNA (locked nucleic acid) modified quadruplexes. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:2006-14. [PMID: 16614450 PMCID: PMC1435981 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have determined the NMR solution structures of the quadruplexes formed by d(TGLGLT) and d(TL4T), where L denotes LNA (locked nucleic acid) modified G-residues. Both structures are tetrameric, parallel and right-handed and the native global fold of the corresponding DNA quadruplex is retained upon introduction of the LNA nucleotides. However, local structural alterations are observed owing to the locked LNA sugars. In particular, a distinct change in the sugar–phosphate backbone is observed at the G2pL3 and L2pL3 base steps and sequence dependent changes in the twist between tetrads are also seen. Both the LNA modified quadruplexes have raised thermostability as compared to the DNA quadruplex. The quadruplex-forming capability of d(TGLGLT) is of particular interest as it expands the design flexibility for stable parallel LNA quadruplexes and shows that LNA nucleotides can be mixed with DNA or other modified nucleic acids. As such, LNA-based quadruplexes can be decorated by a variety of chemical modifications. Such LNA quadruplex scaffolds might find applications in the developing field of nanobiotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khalil Arar
- Proligo LLC1 Rue Delaunay, 75011 Paris, France
| | - Michael Petersen
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +45 65 50 25 30; Fax: +45 66 15 87 80;
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15
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Jaksa S, Kralj B, Pannecouque C, Balzarini J, De Clercq E, Kobe J. How a modification (8-aza-3-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine) influences the quadruplex structure of Hotoda's 6-mer TGGGAG with 5'- and 3'-end modifications. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2004; 23:77-88. [PMID: 15043138 DOI: 10.1081/ncn-120027819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We have synthesized a modified 6-mer using Hotoda's 6-mer TGGGAG with 5'- and 3'-end modifications as a template. We have replaced from one to all four 2'-deoxyguanosines by 8-aza-3-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine (c3z8dG, 1) in order to investigate the anti-HIV structure activity relationship (SAR). ODN 4 (TGGG*AG) is the only one that exhibits a moderate anti-HIV-1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Jaksa
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Abstract
Among the many unusual conformations of DNA and RNA, quadruplex structures, based on the guanine quartet, possess several unique properties. These properties, along with the general features of guanine quadruplexes, are described in the context of possible roles for these structures in biological systems. A variety of experimental observations supporting the notion that quadruplexes are important in vivo is presented, including proteins known to specifically bind to quadruplex structures, guanine-rich DNA, and RNA sequences endowed with the potential for forming quartet-based structures in telomeres and regulatory regions, such as gene promoters, quadruplexes as DNA aptamer folding motifs arising from in vitro selection experiments, and potential chemotherapeutic, quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides. Taken together, all of these observations argue cogently not only for the presence of quadruplexes in biological systems but also for their significance in terms of their roles in various biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Shafer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0446, USA.
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