1
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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] [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 showed 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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2
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Eigenfeld M, Lupp KFM, Schwaminger SP. Role of Natural Binding Proteins in Therapy and Diagnostics. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:630. [PMID: 38792650 PMCID: PMC11122601 DOI: 10.3390/life14050630] [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: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review systematically investigates the critical role of natural binding proteins (NBPs), encompassing DNA-, RNA-, carbohydrate-, fatty acid-, and chitin-binding proteins, in the realms of oncology and diagnostics. In an era where cancer continues to pose significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, the innovative exploration of NBPs offers a promising frontier for advancing both the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy of cancer management strategies. This manuscript provides an in-depth examination of the unique mechanisms by which NBPs interact with specific molecular targets, highlighting their potential to revolutionize cancer diagnostics and therapy. Furthermore, it discusses the burgeoning research on aptamers, demonstrating their utility as 'nucleic acid antibodies' for targeted therapy and precision diagnostics. Despite the promising applications of NBPs and aptamers in enhancing early cancer detection and developing personalized treatment protocols, this review identifies a critical knowledge gap: the need for comprehensive studies to understand the diverse functionalities and therapeutic potentials of NBPs across different cancer types and diagnostic scenarios. By bridging this gap, this manuscript underscores the importance of NBPs and aptamers in paving the way for next-generation diagnostics and targeted cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Eigenfeld
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Kilian F. M. Lupp
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Sebastian P. Schwaminger
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
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3
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Yang HW, Ju SP, Hsieh YT, Yang YC. Design single-stranded DNA aptamer of cluster of differentiation 47 protein by stochastic tunnelling-basin hopping-discrete molecular dynamics method. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:3969-3982. [PMID: 37261868 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2217511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The formation of the Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47, PDB code: 2JJT)/signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) complex is very important as it protects healthy cells from immune clearance while promoting macrophage phagocytosis for tumour elimination. Although several antibodies have been developed for cancer therapy, new function-blocking aptamers are still under development. This study aims to design the aptamer AptCD47, which can block the formation of the CD47/SIRPα complex. This study employs the MARTINI coarse-grained (CG) force field and the stochastic tunnelling-basin hopping-discrete molecular dynamics (STUN-BH-DMD) method to identify the most stable AptCD47/CD47 complexes. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations were used to obtain root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) and root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) analyses. The results demonstrate that the formation of AptCD47/CD47 complexes renders the CD47 structure more stable than the single CD47 molecule in a water environment. The minimum energy pathway (MEP) obtained by the nudged elastic band (NEB) method indicates that the binding processes of 5'-ATTCAATTCC-3' and 5'-AGTGCAATCT-3' to CD47 are barrierless, which is much lower than the binding barrier of SIRPα to CD47 of about 14.23 kcal/mol. Therefore, these two AptCD47/CD47 complexes can create a high spatial binding barrier for SIRPα, preventing the formation of a stable CD47/SIRPα complex. The proposed numerical process with the MARTINI CG force field can be used to design CD47 aptamers that efficiently block SIRPα from binding to CD47.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Wei Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Pon Ju
- Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Te Hsieh
- Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Cheng Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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4
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Farag M, Mouawad L. Comprehensive analysis of intramolecular G-quadruplex structures: furthering the understanding of their formalism. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3522-3546. [PMID: 38512075 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae182] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are helical structures found in guanine-rich DNA or RNA sequences. Generally, their formalism is based on a few dozen structures, which can produce some inconsistencies or incompleteness. Using the website ASC-G4, we analyzed the structures of 333 intramolecular G4s, of all types, which allowed us to clarify some key concepts and present new information. To each of the eight distinguishable topologies corresponds a groove-width signature and a predominant glycosidic configuration (gc) pattern governed by the directions of the strands. The relative orientations of the stacking guanines within the strands, which we quantified and related to their vertical gc successions, determine the twist and tilt of the helices. The latter impact the minimum groove widths, which represent the space available for lateral ligand binding. The G4 four helices have similar twists, even when these twists are irregular, meaning that they have various angles along the strands. Despite its importance, the vertical gc succession has no strict one-to-one relationship with the topology, which explains the discrepancy between some topologies and their corresponding circular dichroism spectra. This study allowed us to introduce the new concept of platypus G4s, which are structures with properties corresponding to several topologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Farag
- Chemistry and Modeling for the Biology of Cancer, CNRS UMR9187, INSERM U1196, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Université Paris-Saclay, CS 90030, 91401 ORSAYCedex, France
| | - Liliane Mouawad
- Chemistry and Modeling for the Biology of Cancer, CNRS UMR9187, INSERM U1196, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Université Paris-Saclay, CS 90030, 91401 ORSAYCedex, France
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5
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Mahmoudian F, Ahmari A, Shabani S, Sadeghi B, Fahimirad S, Fattahi F. Aptamers as an approach to targeted cancer therapy. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:108. [PMID: 38493153 PMCID: PMC10943855 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03295-4] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional cancer treatments can cause serious side effects because they are not specific to cancer cells and can damage healthy cells. Aptamers often are single-stranded oligonucleotides arranged in a unique architecture, allowing them to bind specifically to target sites. This feature makes them an ideal choice for targeted therapeutics. They are typically produced through the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) and undergo extensive pharmacological revision to modify their affinity, specificity, and therapeutic half-life. Aptamers can act as drugs themselves, directly inhibiting tumor cells. Alternatively, they can be used in targeted drug delivery systems to transport drugs directly to tumor cells, minimizing toxicity to healthy cells. In this review, we will discuss the latest and most advanced approaches to using aptamers for cancer treatment, particularly targeted therapy overcoming resistance to conventional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Mahmoudian
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Ayatollah-Khansari Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Azin Ahmari
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Ayatollah-Khansari Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Shiva Shabani
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Ayatollah-Khansari Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Bahman Sadeghi
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Ayatollah-Khansari Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Shohreh Fahimirad
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
| | - Fahimeh Fattahi
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Ayatollah-Khansari Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Liu Z, Wang Q, Chai Z, Wang D. Recognition of Actinides by Siderocalin. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:923-927. [PMID: 38156893 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Plain simulations and enhanced sampling unveil a novel siderocalin (Scn) recognition mode for An-Ent (where An = actinides and Ent = enterobactin) complexes and identify a "seesaw" relationship between actinide affinity to Ent and Scn recognition to an An-Ent complex. Electrostatic interactions predominantly govern competitive binding in both processes. Additionally, hydrolysis-induced negative charge, water expulsion-driven entropy, and Ent's conformational adaptability collectively enhance high-affinity recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Liaoning Key Laboratory for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Resources, School of Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Multidisciplinary Initiative Center and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health & Environment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Liaoning Key Laboratory for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Resources, School of Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhifang Chai
- Multidisciplinary Initiative Center and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health & Environment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection and School of Radiation Medicine and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Dongqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Liaoning Key Laboratory for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Resources, School of Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Multidisciplinary Initiative Center and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health & Environment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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7
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Chen Z, Liu Z, Liu J, Xiao X. Research progress in the detection of common foodborne hazardous substances based on functional nucleic acids biosensors. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:3501-3517. [PMID: 37723667 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
With the further improvement of food safety requirements, the development of fast, highly sensitive, and portable methods for the determination of foodborne hazardous substances has become a new trend in the food industry. In recent years, biosensors and platforms based on functional nucleic acids, along with a range of signal amplification devices and methods, have been established to enable rapid and sensitive determination of specific substances in samples, opening up a new avenue of analysis and detection. In this paper, functional nucleic acid types including aptamers, deoxyribozymes, and G-quadruplexes which are commonly used in the detection of food source pollutants are introduced. Signal amplification elements include quantum dots, noble metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, DNA walkers, and DNA logic gates. Signal amplification technologies including nucleic acid isothermal amplification, hybridization chain reaction, catalytic hairpin assembly, biological barcodes, and microfluidic system are combined with functional nucleic acids sensors and applied to the detection of many foodborne hazardous substances, such as foodborne pathogens, mycotoxins, residual antibiotics, residual pesticides, industrial pollutants, heavy metals, and allergens. Finally, the potential opportunities and broad prospects of functional nucleic acids biosensors in the field of food analysis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Chen
- School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, the People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Liu
- School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, the People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, the People's Republic of China
| | - Xilin Xiao
- School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, the People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, the People's Republic of China
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8
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Paciotti R, Marrone A, Coletti C, Re N. Improving the accuracy of the FMO binding affinity prediction of ligand-receptor complexes containing metals. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2023; 37:707-719. [PMID: 37743428 PMCID: PMC10618332 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-023-00532-2] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Polarization and charge transfer strongly characterize the ligand-receptor interaction when metal atoms are present, as for the Au(I)-biscarbene/DNA G-quadruplex complexes. In a previous work (J Comput Aided Mol Des2022, 36, 851-866) we used the ab initio FMO2 method at the RI-MP2/6-31G* level of theory with the PCM [1] solvation approach to calculate the binding energy (ΔEFMO) of two Au(I)-biscarbene derivatives, [Au(9-methylcaffein-8-ylidene)2]+ and [Au(1,3-dimethylbenzimidazole-2-ylidene)2]+, able to interact with DNA G-quadruplex motif. We found that ΔEFMO and ligand-receptor pair interaction energies (EINT) show very large negative values making the direct comparison with experimental data difficult and related this issue to the overestimation of the embedded charge transfer energy between fragments containing metal atoms. In this work, to improve the accuracy of the FMO method for predicting the binding affinity of metal-based ligands interacting with DNA G-quadruplex (Gq), we assess the effect of the following computational features: (i) the electron correlation, considering the Hartree-Fock (HF) and a post-HF method, namely RI-MP2; (ii) the two (FMO2) and three-body (FMO3) approaches; (iii) the basis set size (polarization functions and double-ζ vs. triple-ζ) and (iv) the embedding electrostatic potential (ESP). Moreover, the partial screening method was systematically adopted to simulate the solvent screening effect for each calculation. We found that the use of the ESP computed using the screened point charges for all atoms (ESP-SPTC) has a critical impact on the accuracy of both ΔEFMO and EINT, eliminating the overestimation of charge transfer energy and leading to energy values with magnitude comparable with typical experimental binding energies. With this computational approach, EINT values describe the binding efficiency of metal-based binders to DNA Gq more accurately than ΔEFMO. Therefore, to study the binding process of metal containing systems with the FMO method, the adoption of partial screening solvent method combined with ESP-SPCT should be considered. This computational protocol is suggested for FMO calculations on biological systems containing metals, especially when the adoption of the default ESP treatment leads to questionable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Paciotti
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G. D'Annunzio" Di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
| | - A Marrone
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G. D'Annunzio" Di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - C Coletti
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G. D'Annunzio" Di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - N Re
- Department of Pharmacy, Università "G. D'Annunzio" Di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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9
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Troisi R, Balasco N, Autiero I, Vitagliano L, Sica F. Structural Insights into Protein-Aptamer Recognitions Emerged from Experimental and Computational Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16318. [PMID: 38003510 PMCID: PMC10671752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216318] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are synthetic nucleic acids that are developed to target with high affinity and specificity chemical entities ranging from single ions to macromolecules and present a wide range of chemical and physical properties. Their ability to selectively bind proteins has made these compounds very attractive and versatile tools, in both basic and applied sciences, to such an extent that they are considered an appealing alternative to antibodies. Here, by exhaustively surveying the content of the Protein Data Bank (PDB), we review the structural aspects of the protein-aptamer recognition process. As a result of three decades of structural studies, we identified 144 PDB entries containing atomic-level information on protein-aptamer complexes. Interestingly, we found a remarkable increase in the number of determined structures in the last two years as a consequence of the effective application of the cryo-electron microscopy technique to these systems. In the present paper, particular attention is devoted to the articulated architectures that protein-aptamer complexes may exhibit. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of the binding process was analyzed by collecting all available information on the structural transitions that aptamers undergo, from their protein-unbound to the protein-bound state. The contribution of computational approaches in this area is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ida Autiero
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
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10
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Wang N, Fan T, Chen Y, Chen H, Qin Y, Jiang Y. Whole-Bacterium SELEX Aptamer Selection of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Application to Colorectal Cancer Noninvasive Screening in Human Feces. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12216-12222. [PMID: 37578005 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00565] [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: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
In terms of cancer diagnoses and cancer-related deaths worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the third most common malignancy. The drawbacks of current screening methods are their exorbitant costs, difficult procedures, and lengthy implementation timelines. The benefits of fecal screening for CRC are ease of operation, noninvasiveness, cost-effectiveness, and superior sensitivity. As a result of its enrichment in the malignant tissues and feces of CRC patients, Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) has emerged as a crucial biomarker for the incipient detection, identification, and prognostic prediction of CRC. Here, for the first time, the whole-bacterium SELEX method was used to screen the highly specific and affinity aptamers against F. nucleatum by 13 cycles of selection. The Apt-S-5 linear correlation equation is y = 0.7363x2.8315 (R2 = 0.9864) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 851 CFU/mL. The results of the experiment using fecal samples revealed a substantial disparity between the microorganisms in the CRC patients' feces and those in the feces of healthy individuals and were consistent with those of qPCR. The aptamers may therefore offer a crucial approach to identifying F. nucleatum and hold tremendous promise for CRC diagnosis and prognostic prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Fan
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, P. R. China
| | - Yan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Ying Qin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuyang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, P. R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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11
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Kong AHY, Wu AJ, Ho OKY, Leung MMK, Huang AS, Yu Y, Zhang G, Lyu A, Li M, Cheung KH. Exploring the Potential of Aptamers in Targeting Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Disorders: Opportunities and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11780. [PMID: 37511539 PMCID: PMC10380291 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is the precursor for several neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Targeting neuroinflammation has emerged as a promising strategy to address a wide range of CNS pathologies. These NDDs still present significant challenges in terms of limited and ineffective diagnosis and treatment options, driving the need to explore innovative and novel therapeutic alternatives. Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that offer the potential for addressing these challenges through diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this review, we summarize diagnostic and therapeutic aptamers for inflammatory biomolecules, as well as the inflammatory cells in NDDs. We also discussed the potential of short nucleotides for Aptamer-Based Targeted Brain Delivery through their unique features and modifications, as well as their ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, the unprecedented opportunities and substantial challenges of using aptamers as therapeutic agents, such as drug efficacy, safety considerations, and pharmacokinetics, are also discussed. Taken together, this review assesses the potential of aptamers as a pioneering approach for target delivery to the CNS and the treatment of neuroinflammation and NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hau-Yee Kong
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Aston Jiaxi Wu
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Olivia Ka-Yi Ho
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Maggie Ming-Ki Leung
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alexis Shiying Huang
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Research Platform for Aptamer-Based Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Research Platform for Aptamer-Based Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Aiping Lyu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Research Platform for Aptamer-Based Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Min Li
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - King-Ho Cheung
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
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12
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Madhurima K, Nandi B, Munshi S, Naganathan AN, Sekhar A. Functional regulation of an intrinsically disordered protein via a conformationally excited state. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh4591. [PMID: 37379390 PMCID: PMC10306299 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh4591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
A longstanding goal in the field of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is to characterize their structural heterogeneity and pinpoint the role of this heterogeneity in IDP function. Here, we use multinuclear chemical exchange saturation (CEST) nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the structure of a thermally accessible globally folded excited state in equilibrium with the intrinsically disordered native ensemble of a bacterial transcriptional regulator CytR. We further provide evidence from double resonance CEST experiments that the excited state, which structurally resembles the DNA-bound form of cytidine repressor (CytR), recognizes DNA by means of a "folding-before-binding" conformational selection pathway. The disorder-to-order regulatory switch in DNA recognition by natively disordered CytR therefore operates through a dynamical variant of the lock-and-key mechanism where the structurally complementary conformation is transiently accessed via thermal fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kulkarni Madhurima
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bengaluru 560 012, India
| | - Bodhisatwa Nandi
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bengaluru 560 012, India
| | - Sneha Munshi
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Athi N. Naganathan
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Ashok Sekhar
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bengaluru 560 012, India
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13
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Zhang HL, Lv C, Li ZH, Jiang S, Cai D, Liu SS, Wang T, Zhang KH. Analysis of aptamer-target binding and molecular mechanisms by thermofluorimetric analysis and molecular dynamics simulation. Front Chem 2023; 11:1144347. [PMID: 37228865 PMCID: PMC10204870 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1144347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Aptamers are valuable for bioassays, but aptamer-target binding is susceptible to reaction conditions. In this study, we combined thermofluorimetric analysis (TFA) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to optimize aptamer-target binding, explore underlying mechanisms and select preferred aptamer. Methods: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) aptamer AP273 (as the model) was incubated with AFP under various experimental conditions, and melting curves were measured in a real-time PCR system to select the optimal binding conditions. The intermolecular interactions of AP273-AFP were analysed by MD simulations with these conditions to reveal the underlying mechanisms. A comparative study between AP273 and control aptamer AP-L3-4 was performed to validate the value of combined TFA and MD simulation in selecting preferred aptamers. Results: The optimal aptamer concentration and buffer system were easily determined from the dF/dT peak characteristics and the melting temperature (Tm) values on the melting curves of related TFA experiments, respectively. A high Tm value was found in TFA experiments performed in buffer systems with low metal ion strength. The molecular docking and MD simulation analyses revealed the underlying mechanisms of the TFA results, i.e., the binding force and stability of AP273 to AFP were affected by the number of binding sites, frequency and distance of hydrogen bonds, and binding free energies; these factors varied in different buffer and metal ion conditions. The comparative study showed that AP273 was superior to the homologous aptamer AP-L3-4. Conclusion: Combining TFA and MD simulation is efficient for optimizing the reaction conditions, exploring underlying mechanisms, and selecting aptamers in aptamer-target bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ting Wang
- *Correspondence: Ting Wang, ; Kun-He Zhang,
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14
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Krepl M, Pokorná P, Mlýnský V, Stadlbauer P, Šponer J. Spontaneous binding of single-stranded RNAs to RRM proteins visualized by unbiased atomistic simulations with a rescaled RNA force field. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:12480-12496. [PMID: 36454011 PMCID: PMC9757038 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Recognition of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) by RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains is an important class of protein-RNA interactions. Many such complexes were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and/or X-ray crystallography techniques, revealing ensemble-averaged pictures of the bound states. However, it is becoming widely accepted that better understanding of protein-RNA interactions would be obtained from ensemble descriptions. Indeed, earlier molecular dynamics simulations of bound states indicated visible dynamics at the RNA-RRM interfaces. Here, we report the first atomistic simulation study of spontaneous binding of short RNA sequences to RRM domains of HuR and SRSF1 proteins. Using a millisecond-scale aggregate ensemble of unbiased simulations, we were able to observe a few dozen binding events. HuR RRM3 utilizes a pre-binding state to navigate the RNA sequence to its partially disordered bound state and then to dynamically scan its different binding registers. SRSF1 RRM2 binding is more straightforward but still multiple-pathway. The present study necessitated development of a goal-specific force field modification, scaling down the intramolecular van der Waals interactions of the RNA which also improves description of the RNA-RRM bound state. Our study opens up a new avenue for large-scale atomistic investigations of binding landscapes of protein-RNA complexes, and future perspectives of such research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pavlína Pokorná
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic,National Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Mlýnský
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Stadlbauer
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Šponer
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
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15
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Onaş AM, Dascălu C, Raicopol MD, Pilan L. Critical Design Factors for Electrochemical Aptasensors Based on Target-Induced Conformational Changes: The Case of Small-Molecule Targets. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:816. [PMID: 36290952 PMCID: PMC9599214 DOI: 10.3390/bios12100816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic-acid aptamers consisting in single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides emerged as very promising biorecognition elements for electrochemical biosensors applied in various fields such as medicine, environmental, and food safety. Despite their outstanding features, such as high-binding affinity for a broad range of targets, high stability, low cost and ease of modification, numerous challenges had to be overcome from the aptamer selection process on the design of functioning biosensing devices. Moreover, in the case of small molecules such as metabolites, toxins, drugs, etc., obtaining efficient binding aptamer sequences proved a challenging task given their small molecular surface and limited interactions between their functional groups and aptamer sequences. Thus, establishing consistent evaluation standards for aptamer affinity is crucial for the success of these aptamers in biosensing applications. In this context, this article will give an overview on the thermodynamic and structural aspects of the aptamer-target interaction, its specificity and selectivity, and will also highlight the current methods employed for determining the aptamer-binding affinity and the structural characterization of the aptamer-target complex. The critical aspects regarding the generation of aptamer-modified electrodes suitable for electrochemical sensing, such as appropriate bioreceptor immobilization strategy and experimental conditions which facilitate a convenient anchoring and stability of the aptamer, are also discussed. The review also summarizes some effective small molecule aptasensing platforms from the recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andra Mihaela Onaş
- Advanced Polymer Materials Group, University ‘Politehnica’ of Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu, District 1, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Constanţa Dascălu
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, University ‘Politehnica’ of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, District 6, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Matei D. Raicopol
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University ‘Politehnica’ of Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu, District 1, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Luisa Pilan
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University ‘Politehnica’ of Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu, District 1, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
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16
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Bansal A, Kaushik S, Kukreti S. Non-canonical DNA structures: Diversity and disease association. Front Genet 2022; 13:959258. [PMID: 36134025 PMCID: PMC9483843 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.959258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A complete understanding of DNA double-helical structure discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, unveil the importance and significance of DNA. For the last seven decades, this has been a leading light in the course of the development of modern biology and biomedical science. Apart from the predominant B-form, experimental shreds of evidence have revealed the existence of a sequence-dependent structural diversity, unusual non-canonical structures like hairpin, cruciform, Z-DNA, multistranded structures such as DNA triplex, G-quadruplex, i-motif forms, etc. The diversity in the DNA structure depends on various factors such as base sequence, ions, superhelical stress, and ligands. In response to these various factors, the polymorphism of DNA regulates various genes via different processes like replication, transcription, translation, and recombination. However, altered levels of gene expression are associated with many human genetic diseases including neurological disorders and cancer. These non-B-DNA structures are expected to play a key role in determining genetic stability, DNA damage and repair etc. The present review is a modest attempt to summarize the available literature, illustrating the occurrence of non-canonical structures at the molecular level in response to the environment and interaction with ligands and proteins. This would provide an insight to understand the biological functions of these unusual DNA structures and their recognition as potential therapeutic targets for diverse genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Bansal
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shikha Kaushik
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shrikant Kukreti
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Shrikant Kukreti,
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17
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Somvanshi SB, Ulloa AM, Zhao M, Liang Q, Barui AK, Lucas A, Jadhav K, Allebach JP, Stanciu LA. Microfluidic paper-based aptasensor devices for multiplexed detection of pathogenic bacteria. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 207:114214. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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18
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Sester C, McCone JA, Sen A, Vorster I, Harvey JE, Hodgkiss JM. Unravelling the binding mode of a methamphetamine aptamer: a spectroscopic and calorimetric investigation. Biophys J 2022; 121:2193-2205. [PMID: 35474264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are bio-molecular recognition agents that bind to their targets with high specificity and affinity, and hold promise in a range of biosensor and therapeutic applications. In the case of small molecule targets, their small size and limited number of functional groups constitute challenges for their detection by aptamer-based biosensors because bio-recognition events may both be weak and produce poorly transduced signals. The binding affinity is principally used to characterize aptamer-ligand interactions; however a structural understanding of bio-recognition is arguably more valuable in order to design a strong response in biosensor applications. Using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and isothermal titration calorimetry, we propose a binding model for a new methamphetamine aptamer and determine the main interactions driving complex formation. These measurements reveal only modest structural changes to the aptamer upon binding and are consistent with a conformational selection binding model. The aptamer-methamphetamine complex formation was observed to be entropically driven, apparently involving hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Taken together, our results exemplify a means of elucidating small molecule-aptamer binding interactions, which may be decisive in the development of aptasensors and therapeutics, and may contribute to a deeper understanding of interactions driving aptamer selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement Sester
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand; School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand
| | - Jordan Aj McCone
- Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Anindita Sen
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand; School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand
| | - Ian Vorster
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand
| | - Joanne E Harvey
- Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Justin M Hodgkiss
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand; School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand.
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19
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Zeke A, Schád É, Horváth T, Abukhairan R, Szabó B, Tantos A. Deep structural insights into RNA-binding disordered protein regions. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2022; 13:e1714. [PMID: 35098694 PMCID: PMC9539567 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent efforts to identify RNA binding proteins in various organisms and cellular contexts have yielded a large collection of proteins that are capable of RNA binding in the absence of conventional RNA recognition domains. Many of the recently identified RNA interaction motifs fall into intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDRs). While the recognition mode and specificity of globular RNA binding elements have been thoroughly investigated and described, much less is known about the way IDRs can recognize their RNA partners. Our aim was to summarize the current state of structural knowledge on the RNA binding modes of disordered protein regions and to propose a classification system based on their sequential and structural properties. Through a detailed structural analysis of the complexes that contain disordered protein regions binding to RNA, we found two major binding modes that represent different recognition strategies and, most likely, functions. We compared these examples with DNA binding disordered proteins and found key differences stemming from the nucleic acids as well as similar binding strategies, implying a broader substrate acceptance by these proteins. Due to the very limited number of known structures, we integrated molecular dynamics simulations in our study, whose results support the proposed structural preferences of specific RNA‐binding IDRs. To broaden the scope of our review, we included a brief analysis of RNA‐binding small molecules and compared their structural characteristics and RNA recognition strategies to the RNA‐binding IDRs. This article is categorized under:RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule–RNA Interactions
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Affiliation(s)
- András Zeke
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Schád
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Horváth
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rawan Abukhairan
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Szabó
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Agnes Tantos
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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20
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Qi S, Duan N, Khan IM, Dong X, Zhang Y, Wu S, Wang Z. Strategies to manipulate the performance of aptamers in SELEX, post-SELEX and microenvironment. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 55:107902. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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21
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Murakami K, Izuo N, Bitan G. Aptamers targeting amyloidogenic proteins and their emerging role in neurodegenerative diseases. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101478. [PMID: 34896392 PMCID: PMC8728582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are oligonucleotides selected from large pools of random sequences based on their affinity for bioactive molecules and are used in similar ways to antibodies. Aptamers provide several advantages over antibodies, including their small size, facile, large-scale chemical synthesis, high stability, and low immunogenicity. Amyloidogenic proteins, whose aggregation is relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion diseases, are among the most challenging targets for aptamer development due to their conformational instability and heterogeneity, the same characteristics that make drug development against amyloidogenic proteins difficult. Recently, chemical tethering of aptagens (equivalent to antigens) and advances in high-throughput sequencing-based analysis have been used to overcome some of these challenges. In addition, internalization technologies using fusion to cellular receptors and extracellular vesicles have facilitated central nervous system (CNS) aptamer delivery. In view of the development of these techniques and resources, here we review antiamyloid aptamers, highlighting preclinical application to CNS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Murakami
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Naotaka Izuo
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Therapy and Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Brain Research Institute, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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22
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Exploring the most stable aptamer/target molecule complex by the stochastic tunnelling-basin hopping-discrete molecular dynamics method. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11406. [PMID: 34075115 PMCID: PMC8169667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90907-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The stochastic tunnelling-basin hopping-discrete molecular dynamics (STUN-BH-DMD) method was applied to the search for the most stable biomolecular complexes in water by using the MARTINI coarse-grained (CG) model. The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, PDB code: 4MZV) was used as an EpCAM adaptor for an EpA (AptEpA) benchmark target molecule. The effects of two adsorption positions on the EpCAM were analysed, and it is found that the AptEpA adsorption configuration located within the EpCAM pocket-like structure is more stable and the energy barrier is lower due to the interaction with water. By the root mean square deviation (RMSD), the configuration of EpCAM in water is more conservative when the AptEpA binds to EpCAM by attaching to the pocket space of the EpCAM dimer. For AptEpA, the root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) analysis result indicates Nucleobase 1 and Nucleobase 2 display higher flexibility during the CGMD simulation. Finally, from the binding energy contour maps and histogram plots of EpCAM and each AptEpA nucleobase, it is clear that the binding energy adsorbed to the pocket-like structure is more continuous than that energy not adsorbed to the pocket-like structure. This study has proposed a new numerical process for applying the STUN-BH-DMD with the CG model, which can reduce computational details and directly find a more stable AptEpA/EpCAM complex in water.
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23
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Recent Progress and Opportunities for Nucleic Acid Aptamers. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030193. [PMID: 33671039 PMCID: PMC7997341 DOI: 10.3390/life11030193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coined three decades ago, the term aptamer and directed evolution have now reached their maturity. The concept that nucleic acid could modulate the activity of target protein as ligand emerged from basic science studies of viruses. Aptamers are short nucleic acid sequences capable of specific, high-affinity molecular binding, which allow for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Compared to traditional antibodies, aptamers have several advantages, including small size, flexible structure, good biocompatibility, and low immunogenicity. In vitro selection method is used to isolate aptamers that are specific for a desired target from a randomized oligonucleotide library. The first aptamer drug, Macugen, was approved by FDA in 2004, which was accompanied by many studies and clinical investigations on various targets and diseases. Despite much promise, most aptamers have failed to meet the requisite safety and efficacy standards in human clinical trials. Amid these setbacks, the emergence of novel technologies and recent advances in aptamer and systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) design are fueling hope in this field. The unique properties of aptamer are gaining renewed interest in an era of COVID-19. The binding performance of an aptamer and reproducibility are still the key issues in tackling current hurdles in clinical translation. A thorough analysis of the aptamer binding under varying conditions and the conformational dynamics is warranted. Here, the challenges and opportunities of aptamers are reviewed with recent progress.
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24
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Navien TN, Thevendran R, Hamdani HY, Tang TH, Citartan M. In silico molecular docking in DNA aptamer development. Biochimie 2020; 180:54-67. [PMID: 33086095 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides generated by SELEX that exhibit binding affinity and specificity against a wide variety of target molecules. Compared to RNA aptamers, DNA aptamers are much more stable and therefore are widely adopted in a number of applications especially in diagnostics. The tediousness and rigor associated with certain steps of the SELEX intensify the efforts to adopt in silico molecular docking approaches together with in vitro SELEX procedures in developing DNA aptamers. Inspired by these endeavors, we carry out an overview of the in silico molecular docking approaches in DNA aptamer generation, by detailing the stepwise procedures as well as shedding some light on the various softwares used. The in silico maturation strategy and the limitations of the in silico approaches are also underscored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tholasi Nadhan Navien
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ramesh Thevendran
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Hazrina Yusof Hamdani
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Thean-Hock Tang
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Marimuthu Citartan
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
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25
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Syamala PPN, Würthner F. Modulation of the Self-Assembly of π-Amphiphiles in Water from Enthalpy- to Entropy-Driven by Enwrapping Substituents. Chemistry 2020; 26:8426-8434. [PMID: 32364616 PMCID: PMC7384034 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202000995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Depending on the connectivity of solubilizing oligoethylene glycol (OEG) side chains to the π-cores of amphiphilic naphthalene and perylene bisimide dyes, self-assembly in water occurs either upon heating or cooling. Herein, we show that this effect originates from differences in the enwrapping capability of the π-cores by the OEG chains. Rylene bisimides bearing phenyl substituents with three OEG chains attached directly to the hydrophobic π-cores are strongly sequestered by the OEG chains. These molecules self-assemble at elevated temperatures in an entropy-driven process according to temperature- and concentration-dependent UV/Vis spectroscopy and calorimetric dilution studies. In contrast, for rylene bisimides in which phenyl substituents with three OEG chains are attached via a methylene spacer, leading to much weaker sequestration, self-assembly originates upon cooling in an enthalpy-driven process. Our explanation for this controversial behavior is that the aggregation in the latter case is dictated by the release of "high energy water" from the hydrophobic π-surfaces as well as dispersion interactions between the π-scaffolds which drive the self-assembly in an enthalpically driven process. In contrast, for the former case we suggest that in addition to the conventional explanation of a dehydration of hydrogen-bonded water molecules from OEG units it is in particular the increase in conformational entropy of back-folded OEG side chains upon aggregation that provides the pronounced gain in entropy that drives the aggregation process. Thus, our studies revealed that a subtle change in the attachment of solubilizing substituents can switch the thermodynamic signature for the self-assembly of amphiphilic dyes in water from enthalpy- to entropy-driven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep P N Syamala
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Nanosystems Chemistry (CNC), & Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), Universität Würzburg, Theodor-Boveri-Weg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Frank Würthner
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Nanosystems Chemistry (CNC), & Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), Universität Würzburg, Theodor-Boveri-Weg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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26
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Development and structural determination of an anti-PrP C aptamer that blocks pathological conformational conversion of prion protein. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4934. [PMID: 32188933 PMCID: PMC7080826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases comprise a fatal neuropathy caused by the conversion of prion protein from a cellular (PrPC) to a pathological (PrPSc) isoform. Previously, we obtained an RNA aptamer, r(GGAGGAGGAGGA) (R12), that folds into a unique G-quadruplex. The R12 homodimer binds to a PrPC molecule, inhibiting PrPC-to-PrPSc conversion. Here, we developed a new RNA aptamer, r(GGAGGAGGAGGAGGAGGAGGAGGA) (R24), where two R12s are tandemly connected. The 50% inhibitory concentration for the formation of PrPSc (IC50) of R24 in scrapie-infected cell lines was ca. 100 nM, i.e., much lower than that of R12 by two orders. Except for some antibodies, R24 exhibited the lowest recorded IC50 and the highest anti-prion activity. We also developed a related aptamer, r(GGAGGAGGAGGA-A-GGAGGAGGAGGA) (R12-A-R12), IC50 being ca. 500 nM. The structure of a single R12-A-R12 molecule determined by NMR resembled that of the R12 homodimer. The quadruplex structure of either R24 or R12-A-R12 is unimolecular, and therefore the structure could be stably formed when they are administered to a prion-infected cell culture. This may be the reason they can exert high anti-prion activity.
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27
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Guan B, Zhang X. Aptamers as Versatile Ligands for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:1059-1071. [PMID: 32110008 PMCID: PMC7035142 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s237544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are a class of targeting ligands that bind exclusively to biomarkers of interest. Aptamers have been identified as candidates for the construction of various smart systems for therapy, diagnosis, bioimaging, and drug delivery due to their high target affinity and specificity. Aptamers are accounted as chemical antibodies that can be readily linked to drugs, sensors, signal enhancers, or nanocarriers for functionalization. Use of aptamer-guided medications, especially nanomedicines, has resulted in encouraging outcomes compared to those use of aptamer-free counterparts. This article reviews recent advances in the use of aptamers as targeting ligands for various biomedical and pharmaceutical purposes. Special interests focus on aptamer-based theranostics, biosensing, bioimaging, drug potentiation, and targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baozhang Guan
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingwang Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
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Bruno JG. Integration of multiple computer modeling software programs for characterization of a brain natriuretic peptide sandwich DNA aptamer complex. J Mol Recognit 2019; 32:e2809. [PMID: 31418487 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Several molecular modeling programs including Pep-Fold 3, Vienna RNA, RNA Composer, Avogadro, PatchDock, RasMol, and VMD were used to define the three-dimensional and basic binding characteristics of an extant sandwich DNA aptamer assay complex for human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). In particular, the theoretical question of demonstrating likely binding of 72 base capture and reporter aptamers to at least two separate "epitopes" or binding sites on the small 32-amino acid BNP target was addressed, and the data support the existence of separate aptamer binding sites on BNP. The binding model was based on first docking BNP to the capture aptamer based on shape complementarity with PatchDock, followed by docking the capture aptamer-BNP complex with the reporter aptamer in PatchDock. Although, shape complementarity clearly dominated this binding model and aptamers are known to be somewhat flexible, the model demonstrates hydrogen bond stabilization within each of the two different aptamers and between the aptamers and the BNP target, thus suggesting a strong binding and high affinity sandwich assay that matches the author's former published assay results (Bruno et al., Microchem. J. 2014;115:32-38) with subpicogram per milliliter sensitivity and good specificity. Other aspects such as capture and reporter aptamer interactions in the absence of BNP are illustrated and suggest means for potentially improving the existing assay by truncating the capture and reporter aptamers where they overlap to further decrease background signal levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Bruno
- Department of Biotechnology, Nanohmics, Inc, Austin, Texas
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29
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Yamada T, Hayashi T, Hikiri S, Kobayashi N, Yanagawa H, Ikeguchi M, Katahira M, Nagata T, Kinoshita M. How Does the Recently Discovered Peptide MIP Exhibit Much Higher Binding Affinity than an Anticancer Protein p53 for an Oncoprotein MDM2? J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:3533-3544. [PMID: 31282659 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An oncoprotein MDM2 binds to the extreme N-terminal peptide region of a tumor suppressor protein p53 (p53NTD) and inhibits its anticancer activity. We recently discovered a peptide named MIP which exhibits much higher binding affinity for MDM2 than p53NTD. Experiments showed that the binding free energy (BFE) of MDM2-MIP is lower than that of MDM2-p53NTD by approximately -4 kcal/mol. Here, we develop a theoretical method which is successful in reproducing this quantitative difference and elucidating its physical origins. It enables us to decompose the BFE into a variety of energetic and entropic components, evaluate their relative magnitudes, and identify the physical factors driving or opposing the binding. It should be applicable also to the assessment of differences among ligands in the binding affinity for a particular receptor, which is a central issue in modern chemistry. In the MDM2 case, the higher affinity of MIP is ascribed to a larger gain of translational, configurational entropy of water upon binding. This result is useful to the design of a peptide possessing even higher affinity for MDM2 as a reliable drug against a cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Yamada
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji , Kyoto 611-0011 , Japan
| | - Tomohiko Hayashi
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji , Kyoto 611-0011 , Japan
| | - Simon Hikiri
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji , Kyoto 611-0011 , Japan.,Graduate School of Science , Chiba University , 1-33 Yayoi-cho , Inage , Chiba 263-8522 , Japan
| | - Naohiro Kobayashi
- Institute for Protein Research , Osaka University , 3-2 Yamadaoka , Suita , Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yanagawa
- Y-Lab. of IDAC Theranostics, Inc. , 1-1-48 Suehiro-cho , Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045 , Japan
| | - Mitsunori Ikeguchi
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science , Yokohama City University , 1-7-29, Suehiro-cho , Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045 , Japan.,RIKEN Medical Sciences Innovation Hub Program , 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho , Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045 , Japan
| | - Masato Katahira
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji , Kyoto 611-0011 , Japan
| | - Takashi Nagata
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji , Kyoto 611-0011 , Japan
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji , Kyoto 611-0011 , Japan
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30
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Hikiri S, Hayashi T, Inoue M, Ekimoto T, Ikeguchi M, Kinoshita M. An accurate and rapid method for calculating hydration free energies of a variety of solutes including proteins. J Chem Phys 2019; 150:175101. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5093110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Hikiri
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Hayashi
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Masao Inoue
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Toru Ekimoto
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Ikeguchi
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- RIKEN Medical Sciences Innovation Hub Program, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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31
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Yasuda S, Hayashi T, Kajiwara Y, Murata T, Kinoshita M. Analyses based on statistical thermodynamics for large difference between thermophilic rhodopsin and xanthorhodopsin in terms of thermostability. J Chem Phys 2019; 150:055101. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5082217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Yasuda
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
- Molecular Chirality Research Center, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Hayashi
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Yuta Kajiwara
- Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Takeshi Murata
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
- Molecular Chirality Research Center, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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32
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Hayashi T, Matsuda T, Nagata T, Katahira M, Kinoshita M. Mechanism of protein-RNA recognition: analysis based on the statistical mechanics of hydration. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 20:9167-9180. [PMID: 29560998 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp00155c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We investigate the RBD1-r(GUAGU) binding as a case study using all-atom models for the biomolecules, molecular models for water, and the currently most reliable statistical-mechanical method. RBD1 is one of the RNA-binding domains of mammalian Musashi1 (Msi1), and r(GUAGU) contains the minimum recognition sequence for Msi1, r(GUAG). We show that the binding is driven by a large gain of configurational entropy of water in the entire system. It is larger than the sum of conformational-entropy losses for RBD1 and r(GUAGU). The decrease in RBD1-r(GUAGU) interaction energy upon binding is largely cancelled out by the increase in the sum of RBD1-water, r(GUAGU)-water, and water-water interaction energies. We refer to this increase as "energetic dehydration". The decrease is larger than the increase for the van der Waals component, whereas the opposite is true for the electrostatic component. We give a novel reason for the empirically known fact that protein residues possessing side chains with positive charges and with flat moieties frequently appear within protein-RNA binding interfaces. A physical picture of the general protein-RNA binding mechanism is then presented. To achieve a sufficiently large water-entropy gain, shape complementarity at the atomic level needs to be constructed by utilizing the stacking and sandwiching of flat moieties (aromatic rings of the protein and nucleobases of RNA) as fundamental motifs. To compensate for electrostatic energetic dehydration, charge complementarity becomes crucial within the binding interface. We argue the reason why the RNA recognition motif (RRM) is the most ubiquitous RNA binding domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiko Hayashi
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
| | - Tomoaki Matsuda
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
| | - Takashi Nagata
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
| | - Masato Katahira
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
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33
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Hikiri S, Hayashi T, Ikeguchi M, Kinoshita M. Statistical thermodynamics for the unexpectedly large difference between disaccharide stereoisomers in terms of solubility in water. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:23684-23693. [PMID: 30191211 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp04377a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We unravel the physical origins of the large difference between cellobiose and maltose, which consist of two β-1,4 and α-1,4 linked d-glucose units, respectively, in terms of the solubility in water. We construct a thermodynamic theory where the chemical-potential difference between disaccharides in water and in vacuum is identified as the key free-energy function. Its energetic and entropic components are calculated for cellobiose and maltose by statistical-mechanical theories for solute hydration. The disaccharide structures are taken into account at the atomic level and a molecular model is adopted for water. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to account for the conformational fluctuation of a disaccharide molecule, which also enables us to estimate the conformational entropy. We show that the cellobiose/maltose solubility ratio calculated is in good agreement with the experimental value. The solubility becomes much lower for cellobiose due to conformational-entropy and water-entropy effects. The former effect is relevant to higher stability of the intramolecular hydrogen bond between oxygen atoms in the six-membered ring and in the neighboring hydroxyl group: the hydration alters the fluctuation of a molecular conformation to a larger or less regular one, but the degree of this alteration is smaller. The latter effect is attributed to more separation of two hydroxymethyl groups in a molecule, causing lower probability of the overlap of excluded volumes generated by the groups for water molecules. We suggest that physicochemical properties of disaccharides in water become variable depending on the stereoisomerism through hydration effects and the origins of the variety are entropic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Hikiri
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
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34
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Imashimizu M, Takahashi M, Amano R, Nakamura Y. Single-round isolation of diverse RNA aptamers from a random sequence pool. Biol Methods Protoc 2018; 3:bpy004. [PMID: 32161798 PMCID: PMC6994090 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpy004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are oligonucleotide ligands with specific binding affinity to target molecules. Generally, RNA aptamers are selected from an RNA pool with random sequences, using the technique termed SELEX, in which the target-binding RNA molecules are repeatedly isolated and exponentially amplified. Despite several advantages, SELEX often produces uncertain results during the iterative amplifications of the rare target-binding RNA molecules. Here, we develop a non-repeated, primer-less and target immobilization-free isolation method for generating RNA aptamers, which is robust to experimental noise. Uniquely, this method focuses on finding and removal of non-aptamer sequences from the RNA pool by RNase digestion leaving target-bound aptamer molecules, and thus is independent of aptamer types. The undigested RNA sequences remaining are so few in number that they must be mixed with a large excess of a known sequence for further manipulations and this sequence is then removed by restriction digestion followed by high-throughput sequencing analysis to identify aptamers. Using this method, we generated multiple RNA aptamers targeting α-thrombin and TGFβ1 proteins, independently. This method potentially generates thousands of sequences as aptamer candidates, which may enable us to predict a common average sequence or structural property of these aptamers that is different from input RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiko Imashimizu
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Masaki Takahashi
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Ryo Amano
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Nakamura
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.,RIBOMIC Inc., Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0071, Japan
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35
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McRae EKS, Booy EP, Padilla-Meier GP, McKenna SA. On Characterizing the Interactions between Proteins and Guanine Quadruplex Structures of Nucleic Acids. J Nucleic Acids 2017; 2017:9675348. [PMID: 29250441 PMCID: PMC5700478 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9675348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanine quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded secondary structures of nucleic acids which are stabilized by noncanonical hydrogen bonding systems between the nitrogenous bases as well as extensive base stacking, or pi-pi, interactions. Formation of these structures in either genomic DNA or cellular RNA has the potential to affect cell biology in many facets including telomere maintenance, transcription, alternate splicing, and translation. Consequently, G4s have become therapeutic targets and several small molecule compounds have been developed which can bind such structures, yet little is known about how G4s interact with their native protein binding partners. This review focuses on the recognition of G4s by proteins and small peptides, comparing the modes of recognition that have thus far been observed. Emphasis will be placed on the information that has been gained through high-resolution crystallographic and NMR structures of G4/peptide complexes as well as biochemical investigations of binding specificity. By understanding the molecular features that lead to specificity of G4 binding by native proteins, we will be better equipped to target protein/G4 interactions for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewan K. S. McRae
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Evan P. Booy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Sean A. McKenna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Manitoba Institute for Materials, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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36
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Sakamoto T, Ennifar E, Nakamura Y. Thermodynamic study of aptamers binding to their target proteins. Biochimie 2017; 145:91-97. [PMID: 29054802 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are nucleic acids that bind to a target molecule with high affinity and specificity, which are selected from systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Aptamers feature high affinity and specificity to their target molecule and a large structural diversity; biophysical tools, together with structural studies, are essential to reveal the mechanism of aptamers recognition. Furthermore, understanding the mechanism of action would also contribute to their development for therapeutic applications. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a fast and robust method to study the physical basis of molecular interactions. In a single experiment, it provides all thermodynamic parameters of a molecular interaction, including dissociation constant, Kd; Gibbs free energy change, ΔG; enthalpy change, ΔH; entropy change, ΔS; and stoichiometry, N. The development of modern microcalorimeters significantly contributed to the expansion of the ITC use in biological systems. Therefore, ITC has been applied to the development of small therapeutic agents that bind to target proteins and is increasingly being used to study aptamer-target protein interactions. This review focuses on thermodynamic approaches for understanding the molecular principles of aptamer-target interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiichi Sakamoto
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology, 2-17-1 Tsudanuma, Narashino-shi, Chiba 275-0016, Japan.
| | - Eric Ennifar
- Structure and Dynamics of Biomolecular Machines, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 15 Rue René Descartes, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Yoshikazu Nakamura
- RIBOMIC Inc., 3-16-13 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071, Japan; The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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37
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Krepl M, Blatter M, Cléry A, Damberger FF, Allain FH, Sponer J. Structural study of the Fox-1 RRM protein hydration reveals a role for key water molecules in RRM-RNA recognition. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:8046-8063. [PMID: 28505313 PMCID: PMC5737849 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Fox-1 RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain is an important member of the RRM protein family. We report a 1.8 Å X-ray structure of the free Fox-1 containing six distinct monomers. We use this and the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of the Fox-1 protein/RNA complex for molecular dynamics (MD) analyses of the structured hydration. The individual monomers of the X-ray structure show diverse hydration patterns, however, MD excellently reproduces the most occupied hydration sites. Simulations of the protein/RNA complex show hydration consistent with the isolated protein complemented by hydration sites specific to the protein/RNA interface. MD predicts intricate hydration sites with water-binding times extending up to hundreds of nanoseconds. We characterize two of them using NMR spectroscopy, RNA binding with switchSENSE and free-energy calculations of mutant proteins. Both hydration sites are experimentally confirmed and their abolishment reduces the binding free-energy. A quantitative agreement between theory and experiment is achieved for the S155A substitution but not for the S122A mutant. The S155 hydration site is evolutionarily conserved within the RRM domains. In conclusion, MD is an effective tool for predicting and interpreting the hydration patterns of protein/RNA complexes. Hydration is not easily detectable in NMR experiments but can affect stability of protein/RNA complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Krepl
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Kralovopolska 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, 17. listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Markus Blatter
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
- Present address: Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Basel CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Cléry
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fred F. Damberger
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H.T. Allain
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jiri Sponer
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Kralovopolska 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, 17. listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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38
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Oshima H, Hayashi T, Kinoshita M. Statistical Thermodynamics for Actin-Myosin Binding: The Crucial Importance of Hydration Effects. Biophys J 2017; 110:2496-2506. [PMID: 27276267 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Actomyosin is an important molecular motor, and the binding of actin and myosin is an essential research target in biophysics. Nevertheless, the physical factors driving or opposing the binding are still unclear. Here, we investigate the role of water in actin-myosin binding using the most reliable statistical-mechanical method currently available for assessing biomolecules immersed in water. This method is characterized as follows: water is treated not as a dielectric continuum but as an ensemble of molecules; the polyatomic structures of proteins are taken into consideration; and the binding free energy is decomposed into physically insightful entropic and energetic components by accounting for the hydration effect to its full extent. We find that the actin-myosin binding brings large gains of electrostatic and Lennard-Jones attractive interactions. However, these gains are accompanied by even larger losses of actin-water and myosin-water electrostatic and LJ attractive interactions. Although roughly half of the energy increase due to the losses is cancelled out by the energy decrease arising from structural reorganization of the water released upon binding, the remaining energy increase is still larger than the energy decrease brought by the gains mentioned above. Hence, the net change in system energy is positive, which opposes binding. Importantly, the binding is driven by a large gain of configurational entropy of water, which surpasses the positive change in system energy and the conformational entropy loss occurring for actin and myosin. The principal physical origin of the large water-entropy gain is as follows: the actin-myosin interface is closely packed with the achievement of high shape complementarity on the atomic level, leading to a large increase in the total volume available to the translational displacement of water molecules in the system and a resultant reduction of water crowding (i.e., entropic correlations among water molecules).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiraku Oshima
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Hayashi
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
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39
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Unraveling Prion Protein Interactions with Aptamers and Other PrP-Binding Nucleic Acids. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18051023. [PMID: 28513534 PMCID: PMC5454936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18051023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and other mammals. The etiologic agents common to these diseases are misfolded conformations of the prion protein (PrP). The molecular mechanisms that trigger the structural conversion of the normal cellular PrP (PrPC) into the pathogenic conformer (PrPSc) are still poorly understood. It is proposed that a molecular cofactor would act as a catalyst, lowering the activation energy of the conversion process, therefore favoring the transition of PrPC to PrPSc. Several in vitro studies have described physical interactions between PrP and different classes of molecules, which might play a role in either PrP physiology or pathology. Among these molecules, nucleic acids (NAs) are highlighted as potential PrP molecular partners. In this context, the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) methodology has proven extremely valuable to investigate PrP–NA interactions, due to its ability to select small nucleic acids, also termed aptamers, that bind PrP with high affinity and specificity. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that can be folded into a wide range of structures (from harpins to G-quadruplexes). They are selected from a nucleic acid pool containing a large number (1014–1016) of random sequences of the same size (~20–100 bases). Aptamers stand out because of their potential ability to bind with different affinities to distinct conformations of the same protein target. Therefore, the identification of high-affinity and selective PrP ligands may aid the development of new therapies and diagnostic tools for TSEs. This review will focus on the selection of aptamers targeted against either full-length or truncated forms of PrP, discussing the implications that result from interactions of PrP with NAs, and their potential advances in the studies of prions. We will also provide a critical evaluation, assuming the advantages and drawbacks of the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) technique in the general field of amyloidogenic proteins.
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Dolinnaya NG, Ogloblina AM, Yakubovskaya MG. Structure, Properties, and Biological Relevance of the DNA and RNA G-Quadruplexes: Overview 50 Years after Their Discovery. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 81:1602-1649. [PMID: 28260487 PMCID: PMC7087716 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916130034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s), which are known to have important roles in regulation of key biological processes in both normal and pathological cells, are the most actively studied non-canonical structures of nucleic acids. In this review, we summarize the results of studies published in recent years that change significantly scientific views on various aspects of our understanding of quadruplexes. Modern notions on the polymorphism of DNA quadruplexes, on factors affecting thermodynamics and kinetics of G4 folding–unfolding, on structural organization of multiquadruplex systems, and on conformational features of RNA G4s and hybrid DNA–RNA G4s are discussed. Here we report the data on location of G4 sequence motifs in the genomes of eukaryotes, bacteria, and viruses, characterize G4-specific small-molecule ligands and proteins, as well as the mechanisms of their interactions with quadruplexes. New information on the structure and stability of G4s in telomeric DNA and oncogene promoters is discussed as well as proof being provided on the occurrence of G-quadruplexes in cells. Prominence is given to novel experimental techniques (single molecule manipulations, optical and magnetic tweezers, original chemical approaches, G4 detection in situ, in-cell NMR spectroscopy) that facilitate breakthroughs in the investigation of the structure and functions of G-quadruplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Dolinnaya
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Chemistry, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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41
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Kinoshita M, Hayashi T. Unified elucidation of the entropy-driven and -opposed hydrophobic effects. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:25891-25904. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp05160c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The association of nonpolar solutes is generally believed to be entropy driven, which has been shown to be true for the contact of small molecules, ellipsoids, and plates.
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Yadav DK, Lukavsky PJ. NMR solution structure determination of large RNA-protein complexes. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2016; 97:57-81. [PMID: 27888840 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Structure determination of RNA-protein complexes is essential for our understanding of the multiple layers of RNA-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Over the past 20years, NMR spectroscopy became a key tool for structural studies of RNA-protein interactions. Here, we review the progress being made in NMR structure determination of large ribonucleoprotein assemblies. We discuss approaches for the design of RNA-protein complexes for NMR structural studies, established and emerging isotope and segmental labeling schemes suitable for large RNPs and how to gain distance restraints from NOEs, PREs and EPR and orientational information from RDCs and SAXS/SANS in such systems. The new combination of NMR measurements with MD simulations and its potential will also be discussed. Application and combination of these various methods for structure determination of large RNPs will be illustrated with three large RNA-protein complexes (>40kDa) and other interesting complexes determined in the past six and a half years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar Yadav
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter J Lukavsky
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Heiat M, Najafi A, Ranjbar R, Latifi AM, Rasaee MJ. Computational approach to analyze isolated ssDNA aptamers against angiotensin II. J Biotechnol 2016; 230:34-9. [PMID: 27188956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are oligonucleotides with highly structured molecules that can bind to their targets through specific 3-D conformation. Commonly, not all the nucleotides such as primer binding fixed region and some other sequences are vital for aptamers folding and interaction. Elimination of unnecessary regions needs trustworthy prediction tools to reduce experimental efforts and errors. Here we introduced a manipulated in-silico approach to predict the 3-D structure of aptamers and their target interactions. To design an approach for computational analysis of isolated ssDNA aptamers (FLC112, FLC125 and their truncated core region including CRC112 and CRC125), their secondary and tertiary structures were modeled by Mfold and RNA composer respectively. Output PDB files were modified from RNA to DNA in the discovery studio visualizer software. Using ZDOCK server, the aptamer-target interactions were predicted. Finally, the interaction scores were compared with the experimental results. In-silico interaction scores and the experimental outcomes were in the same descending arrangement of FLC112>CRC125>CRC112>FLC125 with similar intensity. The consistent results of innovative in-silico method with experimental outputs, affirmed that the present method may be a reliable approach. Also, it showed that the exact in-silico predictions can be utilized as a credible reference to find aptameric fragments binding potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Heiat
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Najafi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Ranjbar
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammad Latifi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Rasaee
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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44
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Oshima H, Kinoshita M. A highly efficient hybrid method for calculating the hydration free energy of a protein. J Comput Chem 2015; 37:712-23. [DOI: 10.1002/jcc.24253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiraku Oshima
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University; Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University; Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
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Hayashi T, Oshima H, Yasuda S, Kinoshita M. Mechanism of One-to-Many Molecular Recognition Accompanying Target-Dependent Structure Formation: For the Tumor Suppressor p53 Protein as an Example. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:14120-9. [PMID: 26421917 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b08513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The new type of molecular recognition, in which an intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of a protein binds to many different target proteins with target-dependent structure formation, is indispensable to the expression of life phenomena and also implicated in a number of diseases. According to the prevailing view, the physicochemical factors responsible for the binding are also target dependent. Here we consider an IDR of the tumor suppressor p53 protein, p53CTD, as an important example related to carcinogenesis and analyze its binding to four targets accompanying the formation of target-dependent structures (i.e., helix, sheet, and two different coils) using our statistical-mechanical method combined with molecular models for water. We find that all of the seemingly different binding processes are driven by a large gain of the translational, configurational entropy of water in the system. The gain originates from sufficiently high shape complementarity on the atomic level within the p53CTD-target interface. It is also required that the electrostatic complementarity be ensured as much as possible to compensate for the dehydration. Such complementarities are achieved in harmony with the portion of the target to which p53CTD binds, leading to a large diversity of structures of p53CTD formed upon binding: If they are not achievable, the binding does not occur. This finding is made possible only by calculating the changes in thermodynamic quantities upon binding and decomposing them into physically insightful components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiko Hayashi
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Hiraku Oshima
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University , Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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Murakami S, Oshima H, Hayashi T, Kinoshita M. On the physics of thermal-stability changes upon mutations of a protein. J Chem Phys 2015; 143:125102. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4931814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shota Murakami
- Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Hiraku Oshima
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Hayashi
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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Oda K, Kinoshita M. Physicochemical origin of high correlation between thermal stability of a protein and its packing efficiency: a theoretical study for staphylococcal nuclease mutants. Biophys Physicobiol 2015; 12:1-12. [PMID: 27493849 PMCID: PMC4736840 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.12.0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an empirical rule that the thermal stability of a protein is related to the packing efficiency or core volume of the folded state and the protein tends to exhibit higher stability as the backbone and side chains are more closely packed. Previously, the wild type and its nine mutants of staphylococcal nuclease were compared by examining their folded structures. The results obtained were as follows: The stability was not correlated with the number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, intramolecular electrostatic interaction energy, or degree of burial of the hydrophobic surface; though the empirical rule mentioned above held, it was not the proximate cause of higher stability; and the number of van der Waals contacts N vdW, or equivalently, the intramolecular van der Waals interaction energy was an important factor governing the stability. Here we revisit the wild type and its nine mutants of staphylococcal nuclease using our statistical-mechanical theory for hydration of a protein. A molecular model is employed for water. We show that the pivotal factor is the magnitude of the water-entropy gain upon folding. The gain originates from an increase in the total volume available to the translational displacement of water molecules coexisting with the protein in the system. The magnitude is highly correlated with the denaturation temperature T m. Moreover, the apparent correlation between N vdW and T m as well as the empirical rule is interpretable (i.e., their physicochemical meanings can be clarified) on the basis of the water-entropy effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Oda
- Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Yoshino-cho 1-403, Kita-ku, Saitama 331-9530, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kinoshita
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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Insights into G-quadruplex specific recognition by the DEAH-box helicase RHAU: Solution structure of a peptide-quadruplex complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015. [PMID: 26195789 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1422605112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Four-stranded nucleic acid structures called G-quadruplexes have been associated with important cellular processes, which should require G-quadruplex-protein interaction. However, the structural basis for specific G-quadruplex recognition by proteins has not been understood. The DEAH (Asp-Glu-Ala-His) box RNA helicase associated with AU-rich element (RHAU) (also named DHX36 or G4R1) specifically binds to and resolves parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes. Here we identified an 18-amino acid G-quadruplex-binding domain of RHAU and determined the structure of this peptide bound to a parallel DNA G-quadruplex. Our structure explains how RHAU specifically recognizes parallel G-quadruplexes. The peptide covers a terminal guanine base tetrad (G-tetrad), and clamps the G-quadruplex using three-anchor-point electrostatic interactions between three positively charged amino acids and negatively charged phosphate groups. This binding mode is strikingly similar to that of most ligands selected for specific G-quadruplex targeting. Binding to an exposed G-tetrad represents a simple and efficient way to specifically target G-quadruplex structures.
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Rhinehardt KL, Srinivas G, Mohan RV. Molecular Dynamics Simulation Analysis of Anti-MUC1 Aptamer and Mucin 1 Peptide Binding. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:6571-83. [PMID: 25963836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b02483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Aptasensors utilize aptamers as bioreceptors. Aptamers are highly efficient, have a high specificity and are reusable. Within the biosensor the aptamers are immobilized to maximize their access to target molecules. Knowledge of the orientation and location of the aptamer and peptide during binding could be gained through computational modeling. Experimentally, the aptamer (anti-MUC1 S2.2) has been identified as a bioreceptor for breast cancer biomarker mucin 1 (MUC1) protein. However, within this protein lie several peptide variants with the common sequence APDTRPAP that are targeted by the aptamer. Understanding orientation and location of the binding region for a peptide-aptamer complex is critical in their biosensor applicability. In this study, we investigate through computational modeling how this peptide sequence and its minor variants affect the peptide-aptamer complex binding. We use molecular dynamics simulations to study multiple peptide-aptamer systems consisting of MUC1 (APDTRPAP) and MUC1-G (APDTRPAPG) peptides with the anti-MUC1 aptamer under similar physiological conditions reported experimentally. Multiple simulations of the MUC1 peptide and aptamer reveal that the peptide interacts between 3' and 5' ends of the aptamer but does not fully bind. Multiple simulations of the MUC1-G peptide indicate consistent binding with the thymine loop of the aptamer, initiated by the arginine residue of the peptide. We find that the binding event induces structural changes in the aptamer by altering the number of hydrogen bonds within the aptamer and establishes a stable peptide-aptamer complex. In all MUC1-G cases the occurrence of binding was confirmed by systematically studying the distance distributions between peptide and aptamers. These results are found to corroborate well with experimental study reported in the literature that indicated a strong binding in the case of MUC1-G peptide and anti-MUC1 aptamer. Present MD simulations highlight the role of the arginine residue of MUC1-G peptide in initiating the binding. The addition of the glycine residue to the peptide, as in the case of MUC1-G, is shown to yield a stable binding. Our study clearly demonstrates the ability of MD simulations to obtain molecular insights for peptide-aptamer binding, and to provide details on the orientation and location of binding between the peptide-aptamer that can be instrumental in biosensor development.
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Amaya-González S, López-López L, Miranda-Castro R, de-los-Santos-Álvarez N, Miranda-Ordieres AJ, Lobo-Castañón MJ. Affinity of aptamers binding 33-mer gliadin peptide and gluten proteins: Influence of immobilization and labeling tags. Anal Chim Acta 2015; 873:63-70. [PMID: 25911431 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2015.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are starting to increase the reagents tool box to develop more sensitive and reliable methods for food allergens. In most of these assays, aptamers have to be modified for detection and/or immobilization purposes. To take full advantage of their affinity, which decisively influence the detectability, these modifications must be faced rationally. In this work, a recently developed aptamer for an immunotoxic peptide of gliadin associated to celiac disease is used in different configurations and modified with various markers and anchored groups to evaluate the influence of such modifications on the real affinity. The interaction in solution with the peptide is strong for a relatively small molecule (Kd = 45 ± 10 nM, 17 °C) and slightly stronger than that for the immobilized intact protein due to a cooperative binding effect. Comparatively, while only minor differences were found when the peptide or the aptamer were immobilized, labeling with a biotin resulted preferable over fluorescein (Kd = 102 ± 11 vs 208 ± 54 nM, 25 °C). These findings are of prime importance for the design of an aptamer-based analytical method for gluten quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Amaya-González
- Dpto. Química Física y Analítica, Universidad de Oviedo, Av. Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Laura López-López
- Dpto. Química Física y Analítica, Universidad de Oviedo, Av. Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Rebeca Miranda-Castro
- Dpto. Química Física y Analítica, Universidad de Oviedo, Av. Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
| | | | | | - María Jesús Lobo-Castañón
- Dpto. Química Física y Analítica, Universidad de Oviedo, Av. Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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