Abstract
Small molecules that can induce and stabilize G-quadruplex DNA structures represent a novel approach for anti-cancer and anti-parasitic therapy and extensive efforts have been directed towards discovering lead compounds that are capable of stabilizing quadruplexes. The purpose of this study is to explore conformational modifications in a series of heterocyclic dications to discover structural motifs that can selectively bind and stabilize specific G-quadruplexes, such as those present in the human telomere. The G-quadruplex has various potential recognition sites for small molecules; however, the primary interaction site of most of these ligands is the terminal tetrads. Similar to duplex-DNA groove recognition, quadruplex groove recognition by small molecules offers the potential for enhanced selectivity that can be developed into a viable therapeutic strategy. The compounds investigated were selected based on preliminary studies with DB832, a bifuryl-phenyl diamidine with a unique telomere interaction. This compound provides a paradigm that can help in understanding the optimum compound-DNA interactions that lead to quadruplex groove recognition. DNA recognition by the DB832 derivatives was investigated by biophysical experiments such as thermal melting, circular dichroism, mass spectrometry and NMR. Biological studies were also performed to complement the biophysical data. The results suggest a complex binding mechanism which involves the recognition of grooves for some ligands as well as stacking at the terminal tetrads of the human telomeric G-quadruplex for most of the ligands. These molecules represent an excellent starting point for further SAR analysis for diverse modes of quadruplex recognition and subsequent structure optimization for drug development.
Keywords: Heterocyclic dications, telomere, telomerase, G-quadruplex, circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, groove binding, dimer, bifuryl-phenyl diamidine
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Heterocyclic Dications as a New Class of Telomeric G-Quadruplex Targeting Agents
Volume: 18 Issue: 14
Author(s): Rupesh Nanjunda, Caterina Musetti, Arvind Kumar, Mohamed A. Ismail, Abdelbasset A. Farahat, Siming Wang, Claudia Sissi, Manlio Palumbo, David W. Boykin and W. David Wilson
Affiliation:
Keywords: Heterocyclic dications, telomere, telomerase, G-quadruplex, circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, groove binding, dimer, bifuryl-phenyl diamidine
Abstract: Small molecules that can induce and stabilize G-quadruplex DNA structures represent a novel approach for anti-cancer and anti-parasitic therapy and extensive efforts have been directed towards discovering lead compounds that are capable of stabilizing quadruplexes. The purpose of this study is to explore conformational modifications in a series of heterocyclic dications to discover structural motifs that can selectively bind and stabilize specific G-quadruplexes, such as those present in the human telomere. The G-quadruplex has various potential recognition sites for small molecules; however, the primary interaction site of most of these ligands is the terminal tetrads. Similar to duplex-DNA groove recognition, quadruplex groove recognition by small molecules offers the potential for enhanced selectivity that can be developed into a viable therapeutic strategy. The compounds investigated were selected based on preliminary studies with DB832, a bifuryl-phenyl diamidine with a unique telomere interaction. This compound provides a paradigm that can help in understanding the optimum compound-DNA interactions that lead to quadruplex groove recognition. DNA recognition by the DB832 derivatives was investigated by biophysical experiments such as thermal melting, circular dichroism, mass spectrometry and NMR. Biological studies were also performed to complement the biophysical data. The results suggest a complex binding mechanism which involves the recognition of grooves for some ligands as well as stacking at the terminal tetrads of the human telomeric G-quadruplex for most of the ligands. These molecules represent an excellent starting point for further SAR analysis for diverse modes of quadruplex recognition and subsequent structure optimization for drug development.
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Nanjunda Rupesh, Musetti Caterina, Kumar Arvind, A. Ismail Mohamed, A. Farahat Abdelbasset, Wang Siming, Sissi Claudia, Palumbo Manlio, W. Boykin David and David Wilson W., Heterocyclic Dications as a New Class of Telomeric G-Quadruplex Targeting Agents, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212799958422
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212799958422 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |

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