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Interaction of porphyrins bearing peripheral cationic heterocycles with G-quadruplex DNA.

Telomere-interactive compounds such as TMPyP4 are expected to inhibit telomerase and thus to be potential anti-cancer drugs. We investigated the interaction of porphyrins bearing peripheral cationic heterocycles with G-quadruplex DNA, which contained human telomeric repeats (GGGTTA)4. One of the porphyrins, pPyTTP, was found to bind to the G-quadruplex DNA and to increase the Tm of the G-quadruplex. The positive sign of induced CD for the complex suggested pPyTTP bound to and stabilized the G-quadruplex DNA possibly by groove binding, distinct from that of TMPyP4.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Structural and functional characterization of novel G-quadruplexed DNA-heme coordination complex.

We analyzed the coordination structure of G-quadruplexed DNA-heme complex which exhibits remarkably similar spectroscopic characters to hemoprotein such as myoglobin. We found that some exogenous ligands can be accommodated at the 6th coordination site of heme in the G-quadruplexed DNA-heme complex with a DNA base coordinated to the 5th site. The G-quadruplexed DNA-hemin complex is expected to play a role as a novel DNAzyme. These findings provide novel insights into molecular design for creating artificial heme enzymes using spontaneous assembly between G-quadruplexed DNA and heme.

DNA↗

The recognition of higher-order G-quadruplex by chiral cyclic-helicene molecules.

The G-quadruplex structures represent a new class of molecular targets for DNA-interactive compounds that might be useful for targeting telomeres. Here we describe a study on the structure-based design of cyclic helicenes displaying chiral and steric selection in binding to higher-order G-quadruplexes. We propose a new ligand-binding site for G-quadruplex-binding compounds. These results provide proof of concept for small molecule inhibitors of telomerase associated with higher-order G-quadruplex structures.

Binding Sites↗

Kinetic stability of intermolecular DNA quadruplexes.

Fluorescently labeled oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing a single tract of four successive guanines have been used to study the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of short intermolecular DNA quadruplexes. When these assemble to form intermolecular quadruplexes the fluorophores are in close proximity and the fluorescence is quenched. On raising the temperature these complexes dissociate and there is a large increase in fluorescence. These complexes are exceptionally stable in potassium-containing buffers, and possess Tm values that are too high to measure. Tm values were determined in sodium-containing buffers for which the rate of reannealing is extremely slow; the melting profiles are effectively irreversible, and the apparent melting temperatures are dependent on the rates of heating. The dissociation kinetics of these complexes was estimated by rapidly increasing the temperature and following the time-dependent changes in fluorescence. From these data we have estimated the half-lives of these quadruplexes at 37 degrees C. Addition of a T to the unlabeled end of the oligonucleotide increases quadruplex stability. In contrast, addition of a T between the fluorophore and the oligonucleotide leads to a decrease in stability.

Buffers↗

Resistance to senescence induction and telomere shortening by a G-quadruplex ligand inhibitor of telomerase.

The molecular mechanisms induced by G-quadruplex ligands to trigger senescence in mammalian cells are still unknown, although the critical role of telomerase is highly suspected. JFA2 cells selected for resistance to senescence induced by the G-quadruplex ligand 12459 presented an overexpression of hTERT transcript that correlated to a functional increase in telomerase activity and telomere length. Consistently, treatment with 12459 failed to trigger senescence and telomere shortening in JFA2 cells. Resistant cells also presented cross-resistance for senescence induction to telomestatin, another G-quadruplex ligand from a different series, but not to other anticancer agents, indicating the selectivity of the resistance mechanism. We, thus, provide evidence that telomerase activity and telomere length are key cellular determinants of the resistance to G-quadruplex ligands.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Formation and stability of G-quadruplexes self-assembled from guanine-rich strands.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was utilized to investigate the formation and stability of G-quadruplexes. For the 15 6-nt oligonucleotides tested, ESI-MS indicated that formation of a parallel tetramer quadruplex requires at least four continuous guanines in the 6-nt sequence. In addition, the G-rich strands prefer to employ "self-association" in the formation of the G-quadruplex rather than hybridized integration, and the thermodynamic-stability order of these three G-quadruplexes is Q(2)>Q(1)>Q(3).

Binding Sites↗

Intramolecular quadruplex formation of the G-rich strand of the mouse hypervariable minisatellite Pc-1.

The minisatellite Pc-1, isolated from the mouse genome consisting of a tandem repeat of d(GGCAG), is hypervariable with a mutation rate of 0.15/generation. Here we describe a structural characterization of the G-rich strand of Pc-1 by biochemical and physicochemical methods. It was found to be comparatively resistant to both single-stranded DNA-binding protein binding and digestion by single-stranded DNA-specific nuclease and to cause arrest of DNA synthesis. The guanine imino proton NMR signals observed on the Pc-1 G-rich strand and their slow (1)H/(2)H exchange profiles pointed to a quadruplex structure with guanine quartets. The melting temperature of the quadruplex determined by CD was not dependent on DNA concentration. These results indicate that the G-rich strand of Pc-1 forms an intramolecular folded-back quadruplex structure under physiological conditions. Possible mechanisms of the Pc-1 mutations implicated with the formation of the quadruplex structure are discussed.

Animals↗

Solution structure of a parallel-stranded G-quadruplex DNA.

This paper reports on the solution structure of a parallel-stranded G-quadruplex formed by the Tetrahymena telomeric sequence d(T-T-G-G-G-G-T) whose NMR parameters in potassium cation containing solution were previously published from our laboratory. The structure was determined by combining a quantitative analysis of the NMR data with molecular dynamics calculations including relaxation matrix refinement. The combined NMR-computational approach yielded a set of seven distance-refined structures with pairwise RMSDs ranging from 0.66 to 1.30 A for the central G-G-G-G tetranucleotide segment. Four of the seven structures were refined further using complete relaxation-matrix calculations to yield solution structures with pairwise RMSDs ranging from 0.64 to 1.04 A for the same tetranucleotide segment. The R-factors also decreased on proceeding from the distance-refined to relaxation matrix-refined structures. The four strands of the G-quadruplex are aligned in parallel and are related by a 4-fold symmetry axis coincident with the helix axis. Individual guanines from each strand form planar G.G.G.G tetrad arrangements with each tetrad stabilized by eight hydrogen bonds involving the Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen edges of the guanine bases. All guanines adopt anti glycosidic torsion angles and S type sugar puckers in this right-handed parallel-stranded G-quadruplex structure. The four G.G.G.G tetrad planes stack on each other with minimal overlap of adjacent guanine base planes within individual strands. The thymine residues are under-defined in the solution structure of the d(T-T-G-G-G-G-T) G-quadruplex and sample amongst multiple conformations in solution.

DNA↗

Extraction of information on the buildup and consumption of reactive intermediates from quadruplex DNA assembly time courses.

A method was developed to detect the time course of the overall presence of intermediate species during K+-induced DNA quadruplex assembly from single-stranded d(TG4) oligonucleotides in experiments in which only the combined circular dichroisms (CD) of all species present could be measured directly. The presence of intermediate species is determined unambiguously but quantitative estimates can be made only to the extent that the CD characteristics of all intermediates are known. The method consists of (i) obtaining CD spectra of known concentrations of initial and final species to determine their molar ellipticity coefficients, (ii) carrying out CD measurements of the kinetics of quadruplex assembly reactions at two different wavelengths, chosen to give optimal differentiation between the initial and final species, and (iii) using the results of (ii) to detect discrepancies between the rates of consumption of single strands and the generation of quadruplex to infer the presence of intermediate species. The analysis was facilitated by the validation and use of biphasic exponential expressions obtained from the SAS nonlinear curve fitting procedure NLIN in place of the raw CD data. The general method is described, then applied to data from [d(TG4)4.(K+)3] quadruplex assembly experiments.

Circular Dichroism↗

The influence of pH on the G-quadruplex binding selectivity of perylene derivatives.

Three new perylene derivatives with branched ionizable side chains were synthesized, and their G-quadruplex binding specificities were compared by spectroscopic and electrophoretic analysis with two well-studied G-quadruplex ligands: PIPER and TmPyP4. The value of pH and consequent charge formation and self-aggregation of these perylene derivatives influences not only the type of G-quadruplex formation, but also the G-quadruplex binding selectivity.

Base Sequence↗

Interactions of daidzin with intramolecular G-quadruplex.

The potential interaction of daidzin, an ingredient of soy isoflavones, with human telomeric antiparallel G-quadruplex dAG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3) was studied using ESI-MS, PAGE, CD and molecular simulation. Experimental studies indicated that daidzin molecules interacted with dAG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3) and formed DNA-daidzin complex with the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 and 1:2. The transition temperature of the G-quadruplex increased at higher ratio of daidzin to DNA. Under molecular crowding conditions the interactions between daidzin and the G-quadruplex become much stronger. Combining computational simulation and experimental results, it is demonstrated that the dAG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3)/daidzin complex with a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 is stabilized through the pi-pi conjugacy interactions and hydrogen bondings between daidzin and the bases of G-quadruplex. This work provides guidance not only on exploring the molecular anti-cancer mechanism of dietary isoflavones, but also searching small natural products as promising anticancer candidates that can inhibit telomerase activity.

Circular Dichroism↗

Crystal structure of an RNA quadruplex containing inosine tetrad: implications for the roles of NH2 group in purine tetrads.

Polyinosinic acid has been known to adopt the four-stranded helical structure but its basic unit, inosine tetrad (I tetrad), has not been determined at the atomic level. Here we report the crystal structure of an RNA quadruplex containing an I tetrad at 1.4 A resolution. The I tetrad has one cyclic hydrogen bond N1...O6 with the bond length of 2.7 A. A water bridge is observed in the minor groove side of the base tetrad. Even though it is sandwiched by guanine tetrads (G tetrads), the I tetrad is buckled towards the 3' side of the tetrad plane, which results from the different interaction strength with K ions on two sides of the tetrad plane. Comparison with both G tetrad and adenine tetrad indicates that lack of NH2 in the C2 position makes the I tetrad prone to buckle for interactions with ligands. Two U*(G-G-G-G) base pentads are observed at the junction of the 5' termini of two quadruplexes. The uridine residue in the base pentad is engaged in two hydrogen bonding interactions (N2(G)-H...O2(U) and O2'(G)-H...O4(U)) and a water-mediated interaction (N3(G) and N3(U)) with the G tetrad. We also discuss the roles of amino group in purine tetrads and the inter-quadruplex interactions in RNA molecules. These quadruplexes may interact with each other by stacking, groove binding and intercalation.

Base Sequence↗

Fluorescence anisotropy and FRET studies of G-quadruplex formation in presence of different cations.

Results of the steady-state fluorescence, anisotropy and FRET measurements of G-quadruplex formation in the presence of selected cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), NEt(4)(+) and Mg(2+)) are reported. Three different fluorescent oligonucleotides with human telomeric sequence labeled with fluorescein (FAM) and tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) were investigated: a dual-labeled 21-mer denoted as PSO (Potassium Sensing Oligonucleotide) and two 5'- and 3'- single-labeled probes, FAM-21 and 21-TAMRA, respectively. The fluorescence signal of FAM-21 increased significantly for all systems and the fluorescence enhancement was comparable in magnitude for monovalent cations but it was more pronounced for Mg(2+) cation. This phenomenon was attributed to the protolytic equilibria of FAM affected by the variation in ionic strength. On the other hand, fluorescence of TAMRA was enhanced selectively by Na(I) cation that was explained by the dequenching of TAMRA emission originated from the peculiarity of the basket-type structure of Na(I)-quadruplex. Anisotropy of FAM-21 (but not 21-TAMRA) appeared to be sensitive to the G-quadruplex formation, showing significant increase with an increase in cation concentration and indicating some restrictions in rotational depolarization of FAM. FRET experiments revealed that all tested cations caused quenching of FAM fluorescence in PSO, but only Na(+) and K(+) ions produced sensitized emission of TAMRA acceptor. Higher FRET efficiency observed in the presence of sodium ion was attributed to the specific spectral factor and steric interactions in the basket-type Na(I)-quadruplex.

Anisotropy↗

Perylene diimide G-quadruplex DNA binding selectivity is mediated by ligand aggregation.

Two N,N'-disubstituted perylene diimide G-quadruplex DNA ligands, PIPER [N,N'-bis-(2-(1-piperidino)ethyl)-3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid diimide] and Tel01 [N,N'-bis-(3-(4-morpholino)-propyl)-3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid diimide] were studied. Visible absorbance, resonance light scattering, and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to characterize the pH-dependent aggregation of these ligands. The G-quadruplex DNA binding selectivity of these ligands as monitored by absorption spectroscopy is also pH-dependent. The ligands bind to both duplex and G-quadruplex DNA under low pH conditions, where the ligands are not aggregated. At higher pH, where the ligands are extensively aggregated, the apparent G-quadruplex DNA binding selectivity is high.

Anthracenes↗

Refined solution structure of the dimeric quadruplex formed from the Oxytricha telomeric oligonucleotide d(GGGGTTTTGGGG).

BACKGROUND: Telomeres, the structures at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, are essential for chromosome replication and stability. The telomeres of the unicellular ciliate Oxytricha contain a 3' single strand overhang composed of two repeats of the telomere repeat sequence d(TTTTGGGG). It has been proposed that oligonucleotides containing this repeat can form DNA quadruplexes via hydrogen bonding of the guanines into quartets. Such structures may be relevant to the biological function of the telomere, and in G-rich sequences elsewhere in the genome. RESULTS: We have previously determined from solution NMR data that the Oxy-1.5 Oxytricha repeat oligonucleotide d(GGGGTTTTGGGG) dimerizes to form an intermolecular quadruplex composed of four guanine quartets and with the thymines in loops across the diagonal at opposite ends of the quadruplex. We report here the refined solution structure of Oxy-1.5. This structure is compared with the previously published crystal structure of the same oligonucleotide. CONCLUSIONS: Oxy-1.5 forms a well-defined, symmetrical structure with ordered thymine loops. Both the solution and crystal structures of Oxy-1.5 are quadruplexes with alternating syn and anti glycosyl conformation of guanines along each strand of the helix and have thymine loops at opposite ends. However, the topology of the two structures is fundamentally different, leading to significant structural differences. A topological pathway for the formation and interconversion of the two structures is proposed.

Animals↗

Structural and functional characterization of potent antithrombotic oligonucleotides possessing both quadruplex and duplex motifs.

We report the results of a selection for single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide ligands to the serine protease thrombin using recently developed methods. This selection yielded a family of DNA sequences that conform to a consensus structure comprised of a unimolecular quadruplex motif and complementary flanking sequences capable of forming an additional Watson-Crick duplex motif. This novel quadruplex/duplex structure was not reported in a previous selection for DNA molecules which bind to thrombin [Bock et al. (1992) Nature 355, 564-566]. All quadruplex/duplex molecules tested bound to thrombin with higher affinity than quadruplex structures lacking the duplex structure. However, binding affinities did not always correlate with inhibitory potency since some molecules with high affinity were not potent inhibitors in vitro. 1H NMR spectroscopy studies demonstrated that the complementarity of bases in the duplex portion of a selected sequence allows it to form multimolecular structures. Constraining these molecules to the unimolecular quadruplex/duplex structure by bridging the 5' and 3' ends of the duplex motif with either triethylene glycol or disulfide bonds improved their thrombin inhibitory activity. All bridged quadruplex/duplex molecules were more potent inhibitors than molecules with only a quadruplex motif. Bridging the ends of these structures not only increased thrombin inhibition but also improved resistance to nucleases in serum more than 40-fold over the unbridged quadruplex. In addition, we have found that both the length and sequence of the duplex motif are important for inhibition.

Anions↗

Sr2+ facilitates intermolecular G-quadruplex formation of telomeric sequences.

Electrophoretic and spectroscopic studies were made with the telomere-related sequences d(G4T2G4T2G4T2G4) (T2) and d(G4T4G4T4G4T4G4) (T4) in the presence of Na+, K+, and Sr2+. Electrophoretic evidence indicates that these two oligomers exist in multiconformational states in solutions. A band identified as that of intermolecular (tetramolecular) G-quadruplex is apparent in both T2 and T4, whereas a band identified as intramolecular (monomeric) G-quartet is only evident in T4. The remaining electrophoretic bands that exhibit mobilities intermediate of these two extremes are identified as those of hairpin-related duplexes and tetraplexes. In the presence of millimolar concentrations of Sr2+ and subsequent thermal treatment, the intensity corresponding to the band attributable to the intermolecular G-quadruplex is dramatically enhanced in T2 while those of the hairpin-related bands of intermediate mobility are greatly reduced. Similar but less dramatic enhancement of the intermolecular quadruplex band is also observed in T4. Although these effects can also be induced by K+, orders of magnitude higher concentrations are needed. The intensity of the intramolecular G-quartet band, apparent in T4 but not in T2, appears to be relatively insensitive to the type of cation present in the solution. These results demonstrate that both Sr2+ and K+ facilitate the intermolecular G-tetraplex formation, with the divalent cation being much more effective. Comparison with the corresponding CD spectral characteristics suggests that the electrophoretic intensity enhancement of the intermolecular G-quadruplex band is correlated to the intensity enhancement of of the positive CD maximum at 265 nm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

Structural polymorphism of telomere DNA: interquadruplex and duplex-quadruplex conversions probed by Raman spectroscopy.

The solution secondary structures and nucleotide conformations in the telomeric DNA of Oxytricha nova have been determined by Raman spectroscopy. Structural polymorphism is demonstrated for both single-stranded [d(T4G4)4] and double-stranded [d(G4T4G4).d(C4A4C4)] telomere models. In the case of d(T4G4)4, which is a prototype for the single-stranded telomeric tail, an interquadruplex equilibrium involving parallel and antiparallel strand configurations is shown to be governed by the solution concentrations of both Na+ and K+. In both the parallel and antiparallel quadruplexes of d(T4G4)4, the local geometry of the phosphodiester backbone is similar to that of canonical B DNA, and associations between bases of the guanine quartet involve Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. However, the deoxyguanosine (dG) sugar conformations are significantly different in the two quadruplexes. In the extended parallel form, dG residues assume only the C2'-endo/anti conformation with respect to deoxyribose pucker and glycosyl orientation. In the foldback antiparallel form, dG residues are distributed equally between C2'-endo/anti and C2'-endo/syn conformations. In the case of d(G4T4G4).d(C4A4C4), which serves as a model for the double-stranded B DNA regions of Oxytricha telomeres, we show that disproportionation of the B form duplex to yield stable parallel quadruplexes of the guanine-rich strand occurs reversibly at high solution concentrations of either Na+ or K+. The present study reveals that both interquadruplex and duplex-quadruplex conversions of Oxytricha telomeric DNA are under the control of an alkali cation switch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗