Stabilizing parallel G-quadruplex DNA by a new class of ligands: two non-planar alkaloids through interaction in lateral grooves

Biochimie. 2009 Jul;91(7):811-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2009.03.007. Epub 2009 Mar 24.

Abstract

Human DNA sequences consisting of tandem guanine (G) nucleotides can fold into a four-stranded structure named G-quadruplex via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. As the sequences forming G-quadruplex exist in essential regions of eukaryotic chromosomes and are involved in many important biological processes, the study of their biological functions has currently become a hotspot. Compounds selectively binding and stabilizing G-quadruplex structures have the potential to inhibit telomerase activity or alter oncogene expression levels and thus may act as antitumor agents. Most of reported G-quadruplex ligands generally have planar structures which stabilize G-quadruplex by pi-pi stacking. However, based on a pharmacophore-based virtual screening two non-planar G-quadruplex ligands were found. These two ligands exhibit good capability for G-quadruplex stabilization and prefer binding to paralleled G-quadruplex rather than to duplex DNA. The binding of these ligands to G-quadruplex may result from groove binding at a 2:1 stoichiometry. These results have shown that planar structures are not essential for G-quadruplex stabilizers, which may represent a new class of G-quadruplex-targeted agents as potential antitumor drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / metabolism*
  • Cevanes / chemistry
  • Cevanes / metabolism*
  • G-Quadruplexes*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Cevanes
  • Ligands
  • verticine
  • peiminine