G-quartets
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G-quadruplexes (GQs) are four-stranded noncanonical DNA and RNA architectures that can be formed by guanine-rich sequences. The stability of GQs increases with the number of G-quartets, and three G-quartets generally form stable GQs. However, the stability of two-quartet GQs is an open issue. To understand the intrinsic stability of two-quartet GQ stems, we have carried out a series of unbiased molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (505 μs in total) of two- and four-quartet DNA and RNA GQs, with attention paid mainly to parallel-stranded arrangements. We used AMBER DNA parmOL15 and RNA parmOL3 force fields and tested different ion and water models. Two-quartet parallel-stranded DNA GQs unfolded in all the simulations, while the equivalent RNA GQ was stable in most of the simulations. GQs composed of two stacked units of two-quartet GQs were stable for both DNA and RNA. The simulations suggest that a minimum of three quartets are needed to form an intrinsically stable all-anti parallel-stranded DNA GQ. Parallel two-quartet DNA GQ may exist if substantially stabilized by another molecule or structural element, including multimerization. On the other hand, we predict that isolated RNA two-quartet parallel GQs may form, albeit being weakly stable. We also show that ionic parameters and water models should be chosen with caution because some parameter combinations can cause spurious instability of GQ stems. Some in-so-far unnoticed limitations of force-field description of multiple ions inside the GQs are discussed, which compromise the capability of simulations to fully capture the effect of increase in the number of quartets on the GQ stability.
Several sequences forming G-quadruplex are highly conserved in regulatory regions of genomes of different organisms and affect various biological processes like gene expression. Diverse G-quadruplex properties can be modulated via their interaction with small polyaromatic molecules such as pyrene. To investigate how pyrene interacts with G-rich DNAs, we incorporated deoxyuridine nucleotide(s) with a covalently attached pyrene moiety (Upy) into a model system that forms parallel G-quadruplex structures. We individually substituted terminal positions and positions in the pentaloop of the c-kit2 sequence originating from the KIT proto-oncogene with Upy and performed a detailed NMR structural study accompanied with molecular dynamic simulations. Our results showed that incorporation into the pentaloop leads to structural polymorphism and in some cases also thermal destabilization. In contrast, terminal positions were found to cause a substantial thermodynamic stabilization while preserving topology of the parent c-kit2 G-quadruplex. Thermodynamic stabilization results from π-π stacking between the polyaromatic core of the pyrene moiety and guanine nucleotides of outer G-quartets. Thanks to the prevalent overall conformation, our structures mimic the G-quadruplex found in human KIT proto-oncogene and could potentially have antiproliferative effects on cancer cells.
- MeSH
- deoxyuridin chemie MeSH
- G-kvadruplexy * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- molekulární modely MeSH
- nukleární magnetická rezonance biomolekulární MeSH
- promotorové oblasti (genetika) MeSH
- protoonkogenní proteiny c-kit genetika MeSH
- pyreny chemie MeSH
- termodynamika MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Guanine-rich DNA has the potential to fold into non-canonical G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Analysis of the genome of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum indicates a low number of sequences with G4-forming potential (249-1055). Therefore, D. discoideum is a perfect model organism to investigate the relationship between the presence of G4s and their biological functions. As a first step in this investigation, we crystallized the dGGGGGAGGGGTACAGGGGTACAGGGG sequence from the putative promoter region of two divergent genes in D. discoideum. According to the crystal structure, this sequence folds into a four-quartet intramolecular antiparallel G4 with two lateral and one diagonal loops. The G-quadruplex core is further stabilized by a G-C Watson-Crick base pair and a A-T-A triad and displays high thermal stability (Tm > 90°C at 100 mM KCl). Biophysical characterization of the native sequence and loop mutants suggests that the DNA adopts the same structure in solution and in crystalline form, and that loop interactions are important for the G4 stability but not for its folding. Four-tetrad G4 structures are sparse. Thus, our work advances understanding of the structural diversity of G-quadruplexes and yields coordinates for in silico drug screening programs and G4 predictive tools.
- MeSH
- cirkulární dichroismus MeSH
- Dictyostelium genetika MeSH
- G-kvadruplexy * MeSH
- genom MeSH
- konformace nukleové kyseliny * MeSH
- krystalografie rentgenová MeSH
- molekulární modely MeSH
- mutace MeSH
- nukleární magnetická rezonance biomolekulární MeSH
- promotorové oblasti (genetika) MeSH
- spektrofotometrie ultrafialová MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
The clinical applicability of G-quadruplexes (G4s) as anticancer drugs is currently being evaluated. Several G4 ligands and aptamers are undergoing clinical trials following the notable examples of quarfloxin and AS1411, respectively. In this review, we summarize the latest achievements and breakthroughs in the use of G4 nucleic acids as both therapeutic tools ('friends', as healing anticancer drugs) and targets ('foes', within the harmful cancer cell), particularly using aptamers and quadruplex-targeted ligands, respectively. We explore the recent research on synthetic G4 ligands toward the discovery of anticancer therapeutics and their mechanism of action. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in chemical and structural biology that enable the design of specific G4 aptamers to be used as novel anticancer agents.
- MeSH
- aptamery nukleotidové farmakologie terapeutické užití MeSH
- G-kvadruplexy účinky léků MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ligandy MeSH
- nádory farmakoterapie MeSH
- nukleové kyseliny farmakologie MeSH
- oligodeoxyribonukleotidy farmakologie terapeutické užití MeSH
- protinádorové látky farmakologie terapeutické užití MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Guanine quadruplex (GQ) is a noncanonical nucleic acid structure formed by guanine-rich DNA and RNA sequences. Folding of GQs is a complex process, where several aspects remain elusive, despite being important for understanding structure formation and biological functions of GQs. Pulling experiments are a common tool for acquiring insights into the folding landscape of GQs. Herein, we applied a computational pulling strategy─steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations─in combination with standard molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore the unfolding landscapes of tetrameric parallel GQs. We identified anisotropic properties of elastic conformational changes, unfolding transitions, and GQ mechanical stabilities. Using a special set of structural parameters, we found that the vertical component of pulling force (perpendicular to the average G-quartet plane) plays a significant role in disrupting GQ structures and weakening their mechanical stabilities. We demonstrated that the magnitude of the vertical force component depends on the pulling anchor positions and the number of G-quartets. Typical unfolding transitions for tetrameric parallel GQs involve base unzipping, opening of the G-stem, strand slippage, and rotation to cross-like structures. The unzipping was detected as the first and dominant unfolding event, and it usually started at the 3'-end. Furthermore, results from both SMD and standard MD simulations indicate that partial spiral conformations serve as a transient ensemble during the (un)folding of GQs.
DNA and RNA guanine-rich oligonucleotides can form non-canonical structures called G-quadruplexes or "G4" that are based on the stacking of G-quartets. The role of DNA and RNA G4 is documented in eukaryotic cells and in pathogens such as viruses. Yet, G4 have been identified only in a few RNA viruses, including the Flaviviridae family. In this study, we analysed the last 157 nucleotides at the 3'end of the HCV (-) strand. This sequence is known to be the minimal sequence required for an efficient RNA replication. Using bioinformatics and biophysics, we identified a highly conserved G4-prone sequence located in the stem-loop IIy' of the negative strand. We also showed that the formation of this G-quadruplex inhibits the in vitro RNA synthesis by the RdRp. Furthermore, Phen-DC3, a specific G-quadruplex binder, is able to inhibit HCV viral replication in cells in conditions where no cytotoxicity was measured. Considering that this domain of the negative RNA strand is well conserved among HCV genotypes, G4 ligands could be of interest for new antiviral therapies.
- MeSH
- buněčné linie MeSH
- G-kvadruplexy * MeSH
- Hepacivirus genetika fyziologie MeSH
- konzervovaná sekvence MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- replikace viru MeSH
- RNA virová biosyntéza chemie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- RNA-dependentní RNA-polymerasa metabolismus MeSH
- sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The secondary structure of nucleic acids containing quartets of guanines, termed G-quadruplexes, is known to regulate the transcription of many genes. Several G-quadruplexes can be formed in the HIV-1 long terminal repeat promoter region and their stabilization results in the inhibition of HIV-1 replication. Here, we identified helquat-based compounds as a new class of anti-HIV-1 inhibitors that inhibit HIV-1 replication at the stage of reverse transcription and provirus expression. Using Taq polymerase stop and FRET melting assays, we have demonstrated their ability to stabilize G-quadruplexes in the HIV-1 long-terminal repeat sequence. Moreover, these compounds were not binding to the general G-rich region, but rather to G-quadruplex-forming regions. Finally, docking and molecular dynamics calculations indicate that the structure of the helquat core greatly affects the binding mode to the individual G-quadruplexes. Our findings can provide useful information for the further rational design of inhibitors targeting G-quadruplexes in HIV-1.
We have carried out extended set of μs-scale explicit solvent MD simulations of all possible G-triplexes which can participate in folding pathways of the human telomeric quadruplex. Our study accumulates almost 60 μs of simulation data, which is by about three orders of magnitude larger sampling compared to the earlier simulations of human telomeric G-DNA triplexes. Starting structures were obtained from experimental quadruplex structures by deleting either the first or the last strand. The life-times of antiparallel triplexes with lateral and diagonal loops are at least on μs-scale, which should be sufficient to contribute to the folding pathways. However, the triplex states may involve structures with various local deviations from the ideal triplexes, such as strand tilting and various alternative and incomplete triads. The simulations reveal easy rearrangements between lateral and diagonal loop triplex topologies. Propeller loops of antiparallel triplexes may to certain extent interfere with the G-triplexes but these structures are still viable candidates to participate in the folding. In contrast, all-parallel all-anti triplexes are very unstable and are unlikely to contribute to the folding. Although our simulations demonstrate that antiparallel G-triplexes, if folded, would have life-times sufficient to participate in the quadruplex folding, the results do not rule out the possibility that the G-triplexes are out-competed by other structures not included in our study. Among them, numerous possible misfolded structures containing guanine quartets can act as off-path intermediates with longer life-times than the triplexes. Besides analyzing the structural dynamics of a diverse set of G-DNA triplexes, we also provide a brief discussion of the limitations of the simulation methodology, which is necessary for proper understanding of the simulation data.
- MeSH
- DNA chemie MeSH
- G-kvadruplexy * MeSH
- konformace nukleové kyseliny * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nukleové kyseliny chemie genetika MeSH
- sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
- simulace molekulární dynamiky MeSH
- telomery chemie genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Guanine-rich sequences of DNA are able to create tetrastranded structures known as G-quadruplexes; they are formed by the stacking of planar G-quartets composed of four guanines paired by Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. G-quadruplexes act as ligands for metal ions and aptamers for various molecules. Interestingly, the G-quadruplexes form a complex with anionic porphyrin hemin and exhibit peroxidase-like activity. This review focuses on overview of sensing techniques based on G-quadruplex complexes with anionic porphyrins for detection of various analytes, including metal ions such as K+, Ca2+, Ag+, Hg2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Sr2+, organic molecules, nucleic acids, and proteins. Principles of G-quadruplex-based detection methods involve DNA conformational change caused by the presence of analyte which leads to a decrease or an increase in peroxidase activity, fluorescence, or electrochemical signal of the used probe. The advantages of various detection techniques are also discussed.
- MeSH
- biosenzitivní techniky * MeSH
- delece genu MeSH
- DNA katalytická chemie MeSH
- DNA chemie MeSH
- G-kvadruplexy * MeSH
- ionty analýza chemie MeSH
- kovy analýza chemie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádorový supresorový protein p53 chemie genetika MeSH
- nanočástice chemie MeSH
- nukleové kyseliny analýza chemie MeSH
- organické látky analýza chemie MeSH
- proteiny analýza chemie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
The G-quadruplex (G4)-forming sequence within the AS1411 derivatives with alternative nucleobases and backbones can improve the chemical and biological properties of AS1411. Zn(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives have potential as high-affinity G4 ligands because they have similar size and shape to the G-quartets. The interactions of four Zn(II) phthalocyanines with the G4 AS1411 aptamer and its derivatives were determined by biophysical techniques, molecular docking and gel electrophoresis. Cell viability assay was carried out to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of Zn(II) phthalocyanines and complexes. CD experiments showed structural changes after addition of ZnPc 4, consistent with multiple binding modes and conformations shown by NMR and gel electrophoresis. CD melting confirmed that ZnPc 2 and ZnPc 4, both containing eight positive charges, are able to stabilize the AT11 G4 structure (ΔTm > 30 °C and 18.5 °C, respectively). Molecular docking studies of ZnPc 3 and ZnPc 4 suggested a preferential binding to the 3'- and 5'-end, respectively, of the AT11 G4. ZnPc 3 and its AT11 and AT11-L0 complexes revealed pronounced cytotoxic effect against cervical cancer cells and no cytotoxicity to normal human cells. Zn(II) phthalocyanines provide the basis for the development of effective therapeutic agents as G4 ligands.
- MeSH
- aptamery nukleotidové chemie farmakologie MeSH
- buněčné linie MeSH
- G-kvadruplexy MeSH
- HeLa buňky MeSH
- indoly chemie farmakologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory farmakoterapie MeSH
- oligodeoxyribonukleotidy chemie farmakologie MeSH
- organokovové sloučeniny chemie farmakologie MeSH
- protinádorové látky chemie farmakologie MeSH
- simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
- viabilita buněk účinky léků MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
