选择性靶向相互排斥的 DNA G-四链体:HIV-1 LTR 作为典范模型。
Selective targeting of mutually exclusive DNA G-quadruplexes: HIV-1 LTR as paradigmatic model.
机构信息
Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, via A. Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy.
Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, v. le Taramelli 10, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
出版信息
Nucleic Acids Res. 2020 May 21;48(9):4627-4642. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkaa186.
Targeting of G-quadruplexes, non-canonical conformations that form in G-rich regions of nucleic acids, has been proposed as a novel therapeutic strategy toward several diseases, including cancer and infections. The unavailability of highly selective molecules targeting a G-quadruplex of choice has hampered relevant applications. Herein, we describe a novel approach, based on naphthalene diimide (NDI)-peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugates, taking advantage of the cooperative interaction of the NDI with the G-quadruplex structure and hybridization of the PNA with the flanking region upstream or downstream the targeted G-quadruplex. By biophysical and biomolecular assays, we show that the NDI-PNA conjugates are able to specifically recognize the G-quadruplex of choice within the HIV-1 LTR region, consisting of overlapping and therefore mutually exclusive G-quadruplexes. Additionally, the conjugates can induce and stabilize the least populated G-quadruplex at the expenses of the more stable ones. The general and straightforward design and synthesis, which readily apply to any G4 target of choice, together with both the red-fluorescent emission and the possibility to introduce cellular localization signals, make the novel conjugates available to selectively control G-quadruplex folding over a wide range of applications.
靶向 G-四链体,即在富含 G 的核酸区域形成的非经典构象,已被提议作为治疗包括癌症和感染在内的几种疾病的新策略。由于缺乏针对特定 G-四链体的高选择性分子,相关应用受到了阻碍。在此,我们描述了一种基于萘二酰亚胺(NDI)-肽核酸(PNA)缀合物的新方法,利用 NDI 与 G-四链体结构的协同相互作用以及 PNA 与靶向 G-四链体上下游侧翼区域的杂交,从而实现了这一目标。通过生物物理和生物分子测定,我们表明 NDI-PNA 缀合物能够特异性识别 HIV-1 LTR 区域内的所选 G-四链体,该区域由重叠且因此相互排斥的 G-四链体组成。此外,缀合物可以诱导和稳定最不常见的 G-四链体,而牺牲更稳定的 G-四链体。该方法设计简单,通用性强,可应用于任何所需的 G4 靶点,同时具有红色荧光发射和引入细胞定位信号的可能性,使得新型缀合物可用于在广泛的应用中选择性控制 G-四链体折叠。