无标记筛选G-四链体小分子配体的荧光新方法

能够诱导端粒DNA(GDNA)形成G-四链体结构的小分子化合物具有重大的抗肿瘤意义。本文以天然抗肿瘤药物槲皮素为研究对象,基于N-甲基卟啉二丙酸Ⅸ(NMM)与G-四链体的特异性结合,以及配体加入NMM/GDNA体系前后荧光强度的变化,建立了一种简单快速、无需标记筛选G-四链体配体的新方法,并应用该方法考察了黄酮类化合物、生物碱类和有机酸类化合物对NMM/GDNA体系的影响。结果显示黄酮类化合物容易诱导端粒DNA形成G-四链体结构,而生物碱类和有机酸等比较困难。     

靶向G-四链体的小分子配体在癌症治疗中应用的研究进展

G-四链体是一类由Hoogsteen氢键维持稳定的,富含鸟嘌呤的DNA或RNA二级结构。人类基因组中存在大量潜在的形成G-四链体的序列,所形成的G-四链体结构能够调控基因组的稳定性、DNA复制和基因表达,其中包括很多与癌症相关基因。因此寻找能够诱导DNA的G富集区域形成G-四链体结构的配体,进而筛选潜在抗癌药物的先导化合物,已成为癌症治疗研究的热点之一。本文对近年来发现和设计的以G-四链体为靶点的小分子配体,按照靶向的G-四链体结构类型和配体的分子结构进行分类,综述了这类化合物在癌症治疗方面的研究进展,分析了相关靶向治疗存在的问题,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

原癌基因c-myc启动区G-四链体结构及靶向小分子配体*

随着DNA G-四链体结构的发现和现代分子生物学技术对其与癌症关系的揭示,DNA G-四链体逐渐成为抗肿瘤药物研究的新靶点。c-myc启动区 G-四链体由于在细胞生长、增殖、凋亡、衰老及肿瘤形成等过程中的重要作用,成为DNA G-四链体中最受关注的序列之一。本文旨在对c-myc启动区 G-四链体的结构及靶向c-myc G-四链体的小分子配体的研究进展进行综述。首先,介绍c-myc G-四链体的生物学意义;其次,对几种常用的c-myc G-四链体的结构进行解析;最后,对以c-myc为靶点的小分子配体的研究进展及其与G-四链体的作用模式进行综述,并对目前以c-myc G-四链体为靶点、已经走向临床实验的CX-3543的开发与作用机制进行介绍。     

色胺修饰竹红菌素及其稀土离子配位聚合物与DNA相互作用研究

利用紫外-可见吸收光谱、荧光光谱、圆二色谱(CD)等方法研究了色胺修饰竹红菌素(DTrpHA)及其稀土离子配位聚合物(Y³⁺-DTrpHA, La³⁺-DTrpHA)与小牛胸腺DNA (CT DNA)和G-四链体22AG的相互作用.结果表明, DTrpHA及其配位聚合物中的色胺基团和竹红菌素基团均参与和双链CT DNA的作用,作用方式主要为沟槽作用.与G-四链体DNA作用后, DTrpHA及其配位聚合物中的色胺基团均具有较大的减色效应(> 45%)和峰位红移(≥ 4 nm),说明色胺基团与G-四链体采用外部堆积作用方式结合;而竹红菌素基团的减色效应相对较小且无明显峰位变化,表明竹红菌素基团采用非特异性作用方式与G-四链体的环区碱基或糖-磷酸骨架结合. G-四链体22AG的构象主要为分子内反平行结构,加入DTrpHA及其配位聚合物对G-四链体22AG的构象影响较小. Y³⁺-DTrpHA比DTrpHA和La³⁺-DTrpHA与G-四链体具有更强的相互作用. Y³⁺-DTrpHA使得CT DNA的熔解温度(T_m)上升了仅1.9 ℃,而使G-四链体的熔解温度上升了13.1 ℃.荧光嵌插剂置换实验 (FID)结果表明, Y³⁺-DTrpHA对G-四链体具有良好亲和性,具有较小的^G4DC₅₀值(使噻唑橙/G-四链体体系荧光下降50%所需配体或配合物的浓度)和较高的G-四链体选择性.     

类黄酮化合物对G-四链体及双链DNA选择性的电喷雾质谱研究

利用电喷雾质谱(ESI-MS)研究了4种常见的类黄酮化合物芦丁、 槲皮素、 葛根素和柚皮苷与2种不同形态结构的G-四链体DNA和3种双链DNA的非共价相互作用, 比较了这些小分子化合物与不同形态结构DNA结合的强弱及形成复合物的化学计量. 结果表明, 芦丁和槲皮素对G-四链体DNA具有一定的选择性, 同时它们对双链DNA的选择性也较高; 而葛根素和柚皮苷对G-四链体DNA仅显示了较低的选择性.     

用于监测G-四联体结构变化及K^＋定量检测的荧光探针研究

有望形成G-四联体的基因序列广泛分布于真核细胞基因组中的许多重要区域。考虑到某些基因的生理功能可能与其采取的G-四联体结构密切相关,因此发展一种G-四联体结构探针用以区分不同结构的G-四联体就显得尤为必要。结晶紫是一种三苯甲烷类染料,其自身的荧光强度很弱,但当其与G-四联体结合后荧光强度大幅提升。究其原因,除了G-四联体与结晶紫的结合作用限制了染料分子的自由运动,使分子的平面性增强以外,G-四联体的环部结构对结合在G-四联体末端的染料分子的保护作用也是一个重要因素。     

基于芬顿反应和硫磺素T构建免标记荧光传感器用于葡萄糖的检测

基于芬顿反应和硫磺素T(ThT)构建新奇的免标记荧光传感器用于葡萄糖的检测。当无葡萄糖存在时,ThT诱导富G-DNA探针形成G-四链体/ThT复合物,ThT的荧光强度显著增强;当葡萄糖存在时,葡萄糖氧化酶催化葡萄糖产生H2 O2,在Fe^2+催化的芬顿反应作用下,H2 O2转化为羟基自由基(·OH),·OH引发DNA的氧化损伤导致富G-DNA探针裂解为短寡核苷酸片段而丧失形成G-四链体/ThT的能力,ThT的荧光强度显著降低,从而实现对葡萄糖的检测。在优化的检测条件下,G-四链体/ThT荧光强度变化和葡萄糖浓度在0.5~45μmol/L的范围内呈现较好的线性关系(R^2=0.99268),检出限为0.1μmol/L。利用本法对葡萄糖加标的血液样品进行分析,葡萄糖的回收率为90.7%~118.3%,相对标准偏差为1.7%~5.8%,方法可用于血糖检测。     

高选择性端粒G-四链体稳定性配体:9-O-多胺取代小檗碱衍生物的合成及活性评价

设计合成了3个多胺取代的小檗碱衍生物5a~5c, 并利用圆二色(CD)光谱、 荧光共振能量转移(FRET)熔点实验、 荧光光谱和聚合酶链反应(PCR)终止实验等手段研究了小檗碱衍生物5a~5c与端粒DNA的相互作用. 结果表明, 小檗碱衍生物5a~5c可以诱导端粒DNA序列形成反平行结构G-四链体, 显著地提高了端粒G-四链体的稳定性, 有效地抑制了端粒的扩增; 而与双链DNA的相互作用则很小, 是高选择性的端粒G-四链体配体.     

DNA G-四链体识别探针研究进展

G-四链体是一种由富含鸟嘌呤核酸序列形成的独特的二级结构,广泛分布于真核生物基因组,如端粒DNA、r DNA和一系列基因中的启动子区域。G-四链体结构对很多重要的生理过程如基因的转录、复制、重组以及保持染色体的稳定性方面具有重要作用。G-四链体的特异、高灵敏检测将为进一步了解G-四链体结构在人类细胞基因组中的分布、功能和机制奠定基础,也可能为靶向G-四链体的肿瘤治疗方法提供新的思路。因而过去几十年人们一直致力于开发设计具有高选择性和高灵敏度的G-四链体识别探针,这些探针已经广泛应用于溶液中G-四链体的识别,而且具有良好的选择性。目前也有少数探针能够直接用于检测活体G-四链体结构。本文综述了一些常见的靶向G-四链体的小分子配体,以及它们在染色体和活体细胞G-四链体检测中的应用。笔者希冀本文能为设计识别G-四链体的高性能探针,进一步实现活细胞内G-四链体的检测提供借鉴。     

Loop长度对G-四链体DNA识别和结合肿瘤细胞的能力的影响

G-四链体是由富含鸟嘌呤(G)的核酸通过π-π堆积形成的核酸二级结构。前期研究发现,G-四链体DNA对肿瘤细胞具有普遍识别和结合能力,且具有如抗肿瘤增殖等生物学活性,但G-四链体DNA的结构对其识别和结合肿瘤细胞的能力的影响还未见报道。本文采用圆二色光谱和凝胶电泳对不同连接环(loop)长度G-四链体DNA的结构和稳定性进行了研究,利用流式细胞术和激光共聚焦显微成像技术,研究了G-四链体DNA的连接环(loop)长度在其与肿瘤细胞结合中的作用。结果表明,loop长度越短的G-四链体DNA越易形成平行结构,识别和结合肿瘤细胞的能力越强,也更容易被细胞摄取;loop长度长的G-四链体DNA倾向于形成混合平行结构,这类G-四链体DNA识别和结合肿瘤细胞的能力较弱。     

Identifying G-quadruplex-binding ligands using DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles

The G-rich overhang of human telomere tends to form a G-quadruplex structure, and G-quadruplex formation can effectively inhibit telomerase activity in most cancer cells. Therefore, it is important to identify the formation and properties of the G-quadruplex, with the particular aim of selecting G-quadruplex-binding ligands that could potentially lead to the development of anticancer therapeutic agents. With this goal in mind, we report a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay system for the identification of G-quadruplex ligands using DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (DNA-GNPs) as the fluorescence quencher and a carboxyfluorescein (FAM)-tagged human telomeric sequence (F-GDNA) as the recognition probe. A thiolated complementary strand of human telomeric DNA (cDNA), which first adheres to the surface of the GNPs and then hybridizes with F-GDNA, results in the fluorescence quenching of F-GDNA by the GNPs. However, fluorescence is restored when single-stranded F-GDNA folds into a G-quadruplex structure upon the binding of quadruplex ligands, leading to the release of F-GDNA from the surface of the GNPs. Combined data from fluorescence measurements and CD spectroscopy indicated that ligands selected by this FRET method could induce GDNA to form a G-quadruplex. Therefore, this FRET G-quadruplex assay is a simple and effective approach to identify quadruplex-binding ligands, and, as such, it promises to provide a solid foundation for the development of novel anticancer therapeutic agents.     

Label Free Determination of Potassium Ions Using Crystal Violet and Thrombin-Binding Aptamer

A label-free method for sensitive determination of potassium ions was developed. The most commonly studied thrombin-binding aptamer was used as the molecular probe and crystal violet was chosen as a fluorescence signal reporter. The fluorescence of crystal violet was significantly enhanced when the crystal violet solution was mixed with the single-stranded thrombin-binding aptamer. However, in the presence of potassium ions, due to the formation of potassium induced G-quadruplex structures, the fluorescence decreased. Potassium ions were determined using the change in fluorescence. The conformational transformation was investigated by circular dichroism, and interferences caused by sodium ions were studied. This label-free method offers a simple procedure that induces minimum effects on the G-quadruplex formation. Under the optimized conditions, the method exhibited a linear range from 30–420 µM for potassium ions with a detection limit of 6 µM.     

Telomestatin and diseleno sapphyrin bind selectively to two different forms of the human telomeric G-quadruplex structure

The human telomeric sequence d[T(2)AG(3)](4) has been demonstrated to form different types of G-quadruplex structures, depending upon the incubation conditions. For example, in sodium (Na(+)), a basket-type G-quadruplex structure is formed. In this investigation, using circular dichroism (CD), biosensor-surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and a polymerase stop assay, we have examined how the addition of different G-quadruplex-binding ligands affects the conformation of the telomeric G-quadruplex found in solution. The results show that while telomestatin binds preferentially to the basket-type G-quadruplex structure with a 2:1 stoichiometry, 5,10,15,20-[tetra-(N-methyl-3-pyridyl)]-26-28-diselena sapphyrin chloride (Se2SAP) binds to a different form with a 1:1 stoichiometry in potassium (K(+)). CD studies suggest that Se2SAP binds to a hybrid G-quadruplex that has strong parallel and antiparallel characteristics, suggestive of a structure containing both propeller and lateral, or edgewise, loops. Telomestatin is unique in that it can induce the formation of the basket-type G-quadruplex from a random coil human telomeric oligonucleotide, even in the absence of added monovalent cations such as K(+) or Na(+). In contrast, in the presence of K(+), Se2SAP was found to convert the preformed basket G-quadruplex to the hybrid structure. The significance of these results is that the presence of different ligands can determine the type of telomeric G-quadruplex structures formed in solution. Thus, the biochemical and biological consequences of binding of ligands to G-quadruplex structures found in telomeres and promoter regions of certain important oncogenes go beyond mere stabilization of these structures.     

Crystal violet as a G-quadruplex-selective probe for sensitive amperometric sensing of lead

A sensitive and selective amperometric sensing platform for lead (Pb(2+)) was developed based on a Pb(2+)-induced G-rich DNA conformational switch from a random-coil to G-quadruplex (G4) with crystal violet as the G4-binding indicator.     

A magnetic Gram stain for bacterial detection

Magnetizing: Bacteria are often classified into gram-positive and gram-negative strains by staining with crystal violet (CV). The described bioorthogonal modification of CV with trans-cyclooctene (TCO) can be used to render gram-positive bacteria magnetic with tetrazine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP-Tz). This method allows class-specific automated magnetic detection and magnetic separation.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from crystal violet adsorbed on a silver electrode

SERS from crystal violet (CV) on a Ag electrode was investigated under preresonance and resonance conditions. The excitation profile of the chemisorbed species is like that of dissolved molecules but intensities are ≈ 1000 times larger. The Raman enhancement is ≈ 10⁸ and exhibits a specific potential dependence even in the absence of adsorption-desorption process. At potentials where reduction of CV occurs leuco crystal violet was detected.     

Contribution of telomere G-quadruplex stabilization to the inhibition of telomerase-mediated telomere extension by chemical ligands

Inhibition of telomerase activity through stabilizing telomere G-quadruplex with small chemical ligands is emerging as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. For the large number of ligands that have been reported to inhibit telomerase activity, it is difficult to validate the contribution of G-quadruplex stabilization to the overall inhibition. Using a modified telomere repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) method to differentiate the telomere G-quadruplex independent effect from dependent ones, we analyzed several ligands that have high affinity and/or selectivity to telomere G-quadruplex. Our results show that these ligands effectively inhibited telomerase activity in the absence of telomere G-quadruplex. The expected G-quadruplex-dependent inhibition was only obvious for the cationic ligands at low K(+) concentration, but it dramatically decreased at physiological concentration of K(+). These observations demonstrate that the ligands are much more than G-quadruplex stabilizers with a strong G-quadruplex-irrelevant off-target effect. They inhibit telomerase via multiple pathways in which stabilization of telomere G-quadruplex may only make a minor or neglectable contribution under physiologically relevant conditions depending on the stability of telomere G-quadruplex under ligand-free conditions.     

Confirmatory analysis of malachite green, leucomalachite green, crystal violet and leucocrystal violet in salmon by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed to analyse for malachite green (MG), leucomalachite green (LMG), crystal violet (CV) and leucocrystal violet (LCV) residues in salmon. Salmon samples were extracted with acetonitrile:McIIIvain pH 3 buffer (90:10 v/v), sample extracts were purified on a Bakerbond strong cation exchange solid phase extraction cartridge. Aliquots of the extracts were analysed by LC-MS/MS. The method was validated in salmon, according to the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limit (CCalpha) was 0.17, 0.15, 0.35 and 0.17 microg kg(-1), respectively, for MG, LMG, CV and LCV and for the detection capability (CCbeta) values of 0.30, 0.35, 0.80 and 0.32 microg kg(-1), respectively, were obtained. Fortifying salmon samples (n=6) in three separate assays, show the accuracy to be between 77 and 113% for MG, LMG, LCV and CV. The precision of the method, expressed as RSD values for the within-laboratory reproducibility, for MG, LMG and LCV at the three levels of fortification (1, 1.5 and 2.0 microg kg(-1)), was less than 13%. For CV a more variable precision was obtained, with RSD values ranging between 20 and 25%.     

〔I2Br〕- 与某些碱性三芳基甲烷染料的水相显色反应及其应用于碘的分光光度测定

研究〔I2Br〕-络阴离子与乙基紫、结晶紫、维多利亚蓝4R等碱性三芳基甲烷染料在聚乙烯醇存在下的离子缔合反应的条件、分光光度特征和分析化学性质。结果表明,在稀磷酸介质中,当形成上述离子缔合络合物时,溶液均发生明显的颜色变化。不同染料体系的摩尔吸光系数在2.6×104～6.2×104L*mol-1*cm-1之间,以乙基紫体系灵敏度最高。碘离子浓度在0～1.6mg/L（乙基紫体系）、0～1.4 mg/L（结晶紫体系）和0～0.8 mg/L(维多利亚蓝体系)符合比耳定律,可用于水相直接显色测定碘离子。方法也有良好的选择性,较大量的其他卤离子、一些无机酸根以及一定量的常见金属离子不干扰。用于海带、紫菜和黄豆中碘离子的测定,结果较为满意。     

New insights from molecular dynamic simulation studies of the multiple binding modes of a ligand with G-quadruplex DNA

G-quadruplexes are higher-order DNA and RNA structures formed from guanine-rich sequences. These structures have recently emerged as a new class of potential molecular targets for anticancer drugs. An understanding of the three-dimensional interactions between small molecular ligands and their G-quadruplex targets in solution is crucial for rational drug design and the effective optimization of G-quadruplex ligands. Thus far, rational ligand design has been focused mainly on the G-quartet platform. It should be noted that small molecules can also bind to loop nucleotides, as observed in crystallography studies. Hence, it would be interesting to elucidate the mechanism underlying how ligands in distinct binding modes influence the flexibility of G-quadruplex. In the present study, based on a crystal structure analysis, the models of a tetra-substituted naphthalene diimide ligand bound to a telomeric G-quadruplex with different modes were built and simulated with a molecular dynamics simulation method. Based on a series of computational analyses, the structures, dynamics, and interactions of ligand-quadruplex complexes were studied. Our results suggest that the binding of the ligand to the loop is viable in aqueous solutions but dependent on the particular arrangement of the loop. The binding of the ligand to the loop enhances the flexibility of the G-quadruplex, while the binding of the ligand simultaneously to both the quartet and the loop diminishes its flexibility. These results add to our understanding of the effect of a ligand with different binding modes on G-quadruplex flexibility. Such an understanding will aid in the rational design of more selective and effective G-quadruplex binding ligands.