Discovery and Structural Characterization of G-quadruplex DNA in Human Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Gene Promoters: Its Role in Transcriptional Regulation and as a Therapeutic Target for Human Disease

J Med Chem. 2016 May 26;59(10):5035-50. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00453. Epub 2016 Apr 20.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that G-quadruplexes play vital roles in gene expression, DNA replication, and recombination. Three distinct promoters (PI, PII, and PIII) regulate human acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) gene expression. In this study, we asked whether the G-rich sequences within the human ACC1 (PI and PII) promoters can form G-quadruplex structures and regulate normal DNA transactions. Using multiple complementary methods, we show that G-rich sequences of PI and PII promoters form intramolecular G-quadruplex structures and then establish unambiguously the topologies of these structures. Importantly, G-quadruplex formation in ACC1 gene promoter region blocks DNA replication and suppresses transcription, and this effect was further augmented by G-quadruplex stabilizing ligands. Altogether, these results are consistent with the notion that G-quadruplex structures exist within the human ACC1 gene promoter region, whose activity can be suppressed by G-quadruplex stabilizing ligands, thereby revealing a novel regulatory mechanism of ACC1 gene expression and as a possible therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery*
  • G-Quadruplexes / drug effects*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation* / drug effects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase