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Films of four different DNA quadruplex-forming (G4) sequences (c-KIT, c-MYC, HTelo, and BCL2) on gold surfaces were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to evaluate whether they evoke unique electrochemical responses that can be used for their identification. This could render EIS an alternative means for the determination of G4 sequences of unknown structure. Towards, this end, cation-dependent topology changes in the presence of either K+, K+ in combination with Li+, or Pb2+ in the presence of Li+ were first evaluated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and electrochemical studies were performed subsequently. As a result, G4-sequence specific charge transfer resistance (RCT) patterns were in fact observed for each G4 sequence, allowing their discrimination by EIS. Graphic abstract

G-quadruplex DNA interacts with the N-terminal intrinsically disordered domain of the DEAD-box helicase Ded1p, diminishing RNA unwinding activity but enhancing liquid–liquid phase separation of Ded1p in vitro and in cells. The data highlight multifaceted effects of quadruplex DNA on an enzyme with intrinsically disordered domains., G-quadruplex (G4) DNA inhibits RNA unwinding activity but promotes liquid–liquid phase separation of the DEAD-box helicase Ded1p in vitro and in cells. This highlights multifaceted effects of G4DNA on an enzyme with intrinsically disordered domains.

A phosphate-substituted, zwitterionic berberine derivative was synthesized and its binding properties with duplex DNA and G4-DNA were studied using photometric, fluorimetric and polarimetric titrations and thermal DNA denaturation experiments. The ligand binds with high affinity toward both DNA forms (Kb = 2–7 × 105 M−1) and induces a slight stabilization of G4-DNA toward thermally induced unfolding, mostly pronounced for the telomeric quadruplex 22AG. The ligand likely binds by aggregation and intercalation with ct DNA and by terminal stacking with G4-DNA. Thus, this compound represents one of the rare examples of phosphate-substituted DNA binders. In an aqueous solution, the title compound has a very weak fluorescence intensity (Φfl &lt, 0.01) that increases significantly upon binding to G4-DNA (Φfl = 0.01). In contrast, the association with duplex DNA was not accompanied by such a strong fluorescence light-up effect (Φfl &lt, 0.01). These different fluorimetric responses upon binding to particular DNA forms are proposed to be caused by the different binding modes and may be used for the selective fluorimetric detection of G4-DNA.

Eleven novel 10-O-aryl-substituted berberrubine and berberine derivatives were synthesized by the Cu2+-catalyzed Chan–Evans–Lam coupling of berberrubine with arylboronic acids and subsequent 9-O-methylation. The reaction is likely introduced by the Cu2+-induced demethylation of berberrubine and subsequent arylation of the resulting 10-oxyanion functionality. Thus, this synthetic route represents the first successful Cu-mediated coupling reaction of berberine substrates. The DNA-binding properties of the 10-O-arylberberine derivatives with duplex and quadruplex DNA were studied by thermal DNA denaturation experiments, spectrometric titrations as well as CD and LD spectroscopy. Fluorimetric DNA melting analysis with different types of quadruplex DNA revealed a moderate stabilization of the telomeric quadruplex-forming oligonucleotide sequence G3(TTAG3)3. The derivatives showed a moderate affinity towards quadruplex DNA (Kb = 5–9 × 105 M−1) and ct DNA (Kb = 3–5 × 104 M−1) and exhibited a fluorescence light-up effect upon complexation to both DNA forms, with slightly higher intensity in the presence of the quadruplex DNA. Furthermore, the CD- and LD-spectroscopic studies revealed that the title compounds intercalate into ct DNA and bind to G4-DNA by terminal stacking.

International audience; Dynamic combinatorial libraries of acylhydrazones were prepared from diacylhydrazides and several cationic or neutral aldehydes in the presence of 5-methoxyanthranilic acid catalyst. Pull-down experiments with magnetic beads functionalized with a G-quadruplex (G4)-forming oligonucleotide led to the identification of putative ligands, which were resynthesized or emulated by close structural analogues. G4-binding properties of novel derivatives were assessed by fluorimetric titrations, mass spectrometry and thermal denaturation experiments, giving evidence of strong binding (Kd < 10 nM) for two compounds.

This article has been withdrawn jointly at the request of the Editors-in-Chief and the Publisher. The Publisher regrets that an error occurred which led to the accidental publication of this article which is also published in volume 4, issue 1 of the journal ( http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2017.11.009 ). This duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn. This error bears no reflection on the article or its authors. The publisher apologizes to the authors and to the readers for this unfortunate error. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal

(E)-2-[1′-((Diphenylamino)styryl)quinolizinium (3a) and 2,2′-{(phenylimino)-bis[(E)-1′′,1′′′-styryl]}-bis[quinolizinium] (3b) were synthesized, and their interactions with duplex DNA and quadruplex DNA were investigated with a particular focus on their ability to operate as DNA-sensitive fluorescent probes. Due to the significantly different size and steric demand of these quinolizinium derivatives they exhibit different binding modes. Thus, 3a intercalates into duplex DNA and binds through π stacking to quadruplex DNA, whereas 3b favours groove binding to both DNA forms. The emission intensity of these compounds is very low in aqueous solution, but it increases drastically upon association with duplex DNA by a factor of 11 (3a) and >100 (3b) and with quadruplex DNA by a factor of >100 (3a) and 10 (3b), with emission bands between 600 and 750 nm.

Biosensor-surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology is now well established as a quantitative approach for the study of nucleic acid interactions in real time, without the need for labeling any components of the interaction. The method provides real-time equilibrium and kinetic characterization for quadruplex DNA interactions and requires small amounts of materials and no external probe. A detailed protocol for quadruplex-DNA interaction analyses with a variety of binding molecules using biosensor-SPR methods is presented. Explanations of the SPR method with basic fundamentals for use and analysis of results are described with recommendations on the preparation of the SPR instrument, sensor chips, and samples. Details of experimental design, quantitative and qualitative data analyses, and presentation are described. Some specific examples of small molecule-DNA quadruplex interactions are presented with results evaluated by both kinetic and steady-state SPR methods.

Nucleic acid aptamers are short sequences of nucleic acid ligands that bind to a specific target molecule. Aptamers are experimentally nominated using the well-designed SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) method. Here, we designed a new method for diagnosis and blocking SARS-CoV-2 based on G-quadruplex aptamer. This aptamer was developed against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) region of the spike protein. In the current study, ten quadruplex DNA aptamers entitled AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, AP5, AP6, AP7, AP8, AP9, and AP10 were designed in silico and had high HADDOCK scores. One quadruplex aptamer sequence (AP1) was selected based on the interaction with RBD of SARS-CoV-2. Results showed that AP1 aptamer could be used as an agent in the diagnosis and therapy of SARS-CoV-2, although more works are still needed.

Aim. To study a series of new acridine derivatives containing two basic fragments able to bind to quadruplex DNA at C-4 and C-9 positions as potential telomerase inhibitors. Methods. TRAP assay was used to determine the activity of compounds in vitro. Results. A number of acridines inhibiting the enzyme at micromolar concentrations were found, with IC₅₀ = 2.6 µM for the most active compound. Conclusions. The introduction of a highly basic N,N-dimethylaminoalkyl group at the C-9 position of the acridine core results in a strong increase of biological activity of compounds, and a 5-methyl substituent further enhances it. Мета. Дослідити серію нових похідних акридину, що містять у положеннях С-4 і С-9 два основні фрагменти, здатні зв’я-зу-ва-ти-ся з квадруплексною ДНК, як потенційних інгібіторів теломерази. Методи. Для визначення активності сполук in vitro вико-ристано метод TRAP. Результати. Виявлено ряд акридинів, що інгібують фермент у низьких мікромолярних концентраціях, для найактивнішого з яких ІС₅₀ = 2.6 мкМ. Висновки. При введенні високоосновної N,N-диметиламіноалкільної групи в положення С-9 акридинового ядра біологічна активність сполук різко зростає, а 5-метильний замісник додатково збільшує її. Цель. Изучить серию новых производных акридина, содержащих в положениях С-4 и С-9 два основных фрагмента, способных связываться с квадруплексной ДНК, как потенциальных ингибиторов теломеразы. Методы. Для определения активности веществ in vitro использован метод TRAP. Результаты. Обнаружен ряд акридинов, ингибирующих фермент в низких микромоляных концентрациях, для самого активного из которых ІС₅₀ = 2.6 мкM. Выводы. При введении высокоосновной N,N-диметиламиноадкильной группы в положении С-9 акридинового ядра биологическая активность соединений резко возрастает, а 5-метильный заместитель дополнительно увеличивает ее.

With the aim of developing a sensitizer for photodynamic therapy, a previously reported luminescent dinuclear complex that functions as a DNA probe in live cells was modified to produce a new iso-structural derivative containing Ru

Background Many studies have shown that guanine-rich DNA sequences form quadruplex structures (G4) in vitro but there is scarce evidence of guanine quadruplexes in vivo. The majority of potential quadruplex-forming sequences (PQS) are located in transposable elements (TEs), especially close to promoters within long terminal repeats of plant LTR retrotransposons. Results In order to test the potential effect of G4s on retrotransposon expression, we cloned the long terminal repeats of selected maize LTR retrotransposons upstream of the lacZ reporter gene and measured its transcription and translation in yeast. We found that G4s had an inhibitory effect on translation in vivo since “mutants” (where guanines were replaced by adenines in PQS) showed higher expression levels than wild-types. In parallel, we confirmed by circular dichroism measurements that the selected sequences can indeed adopt G4 conformation in vitro. Analysis of RNA-Seq of polyA RNA in maize seedlings grown in the presence of a G4-stabilizing ligand (NMM) showed both inhibitory as well as stimulatory effects on the transcription of LTR retrotransposons. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that quadruplex DNA located within long terminal repeats of LTR retrotransposons can be formed in vivo and that it plays a regulatory role in the LTR retrotransposon life-cycle, thus also affecting genome dynamics. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4563-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Guanine is the most readily oxidized of the four DNA bases, and guanine oxidation products cause G:C-T:A and G:C-C:G transversions through DNA replication. 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) causes G:C-T:A transversions but not G:C-C:G transversions, and is more readily oxidized than guanine. This review covers four major findings. (i) 2,2,4-Triamino-5(2H)-oxazolone (Oz) is produced from guanine and 8-oxoG under various oxidative conditions. Guanine is incorporated opposite Oz by DNA polymerases, except REV1. (ii) Several enzymes exhibit incision activity towards Oz. (iii) Since the redox potential of GG is lower than that of G, contiguous GG sequences are more readily oxidized by a one-electron oxidant than a single guanine, and OzOz is produced from GG in double-stranded DNA. Unlike most DNA polymerases, DNA polymerase ζ efficiently extends the primer up to full-length across OzOz. (iv) In quadruplex DNA, 3′-guanine is mainly damaged by one-electron oxidation in quadruplex DNA, and this damage depends on the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). The oxidation products in quadruplex DNA are different from those in single-stranded or double-stranded DNA.

Circular dichroism (CD) is a phenomenon that arises from the differential absorption of left- and right-handed circularly polarized light, and may be seen with optically active molecules. CD spectroscopy provides useful spectral signatures for biological macromolecules in solution, and provides low-resolution structural information about macromolecular conformation. CD spectroscopy is particularly useful for monitoring conformational changes in macromolecules upon environmental perturbations. G-quadruplex structures show unique CD spectral signatures, and CD is an important tool for characterizing their formation and global structure. This protocol offers step-by-step methods for determining reliable and reproducible CD spectra of quadruplex structures and normalizing the spectra for presentation. CD spectra properly normalized with respect to quadruplex concentration and path length are required to facilitate accurate comparison of results among laboratories. The standard operating procedures proposed are recommended to make such comparison accurate and informative. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Defining the molecular basis of the DNA sequence selectivity of polyamine binding is central to understanding polyamine-dependent gene expression. We have studied, by selective NMR experiments, the variation of spermine mobility and conformation in the presence of G-quadruplexes formed by sequences of the purine-rich strand of the c-Myc promoter, nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 (NHE III1). All the NHE quadruplexes restrict spermine mobility and induce a spermine conformational change but the most effective immobilisation occurs when all five G-tracts of the NHE III1 are present. This suggests structure within the nucleotides flanking the G-quadruplex has a role in immobilising spermine.

International audience; Quadruplex (G4) nucleic acids, a family of secondary structures formed by guanine-rich sequences, exhibit an important structural polymorphism. We demonstrate here that G-rich DNA sequences may function as a double switch based on different triggers provided that their quadruplex structures and stability display a high dependence on cation nature and concentration. A first switch is based on a remarkable antiparallel to parallel conversion, taking place in a few seconds at room temperature by addition of low KCl amounts to a sodium-rich sample. The second switch involves the conversion of alternative antiparallel quadruplex structures binding only one cation, formed in the presence of submillimolar potassium or strontium concentrations, to parallel structures by increasing the cation concentration. Incidentally, extremely low K+ or Sr2+ concentrations (≤ 5 equivalents) are sufficient to induce G4 formation in a buffer devoid of other G4-promoting cations, and we suggest that the alternative structures observed contain only two tetrads. Such DNA systems are biological relevant targets, can be used in nanotechnology applications, and are valuable methodological tool for the understanding of DNA quadruplex folding, notably at low cation concentrations. We demonstrate that this behavior is not restricted to a narrow set of sequences but can also be found for other G-quadruplex forming motifs, arguing for widespread applications.

International audience; The quest for ligands that bind specifically to particular G-quadruplex nucleic acid structures is particularly important to conceive molecules with specific effects on gene expression or telomere maintenance, or conceive structure-specific molecular probes. Here, using electrospray mass spectrometry in native conditions, we reveal a highly cooperative and selective 2:1 binding of Cu(II)-tolylterpyridine complexes to human telomeric G-quadruplexes. Circular dichroism and comparisons of affinities for different sequences reveal a marked preference for antiparallel structures with diagonal loops and/or wide-medium-narrow-medium groove width order. The cooperativity is attributed to conformational changes in the polymorphic telomeric G-quadruplex sequences, which convert preferably to an antiparallel, 3-quartet topology upon binding two ligands.

Leaves develop as flat lateral organs from the indeterminate shoot apical meristem. The establishment of polarity along three-dimensional axes, proximal–distal, medial–lateral, and adaxial–abaxial axes, is crucial for the growth of normal leaves. The mutations of ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) and AS2 of Arabidopsis thaliana cause defects in repression of the indeterminate state and the establishment of axis formation in leaves. Although many mutations have been identified that enhance the adaxial–abaxial polarity defects of as1 and as2 mutants, the roles of the causative genes in leaf development are still unknown. In this study, we found that wild-type plants treated with berberine produced pointed leaves, which are often observed in the single mutants that enhance phenotypes of as1 and as2 mutants. The berberine-treated as1 and as2 mutants formed abaxialized filamentous leaves. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid compound naturally produced in various plant sources, has a growth inhibitory effect on plants that do not produce berberine. We further showed that transcript levels of meristem-specific class 1 KNOX homeobox genes and abaxial determinant genes were increased in berberine-treated as1 and as2. Berberine treated plants carrying double mutations of AS2 and the large subunit ribosomal protein gene RPL5B showed more severe defects in polarity than did the as2 single mutant plants. We suggest that berberine inhibits (a) factor(s) that might be required for leaf adaxial cell differentiation through a pathway independent of AS1 and AS2. Multiple pathways might play important roles in the formation of flat symmetric leaves. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11103-012-9929-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gold nanoparticles have been used as a probe to detect low (

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies complement high-resolution structures of G-quadruplexes. Such studies are essential for a thorough understanding of the mechanisms that govern quadruplex folding and conformational changes in quadruplexes. This perspective article reviews representative thermodynamic and kinetic studies of the folding of human telomeric quadruplex structures. Published thermodynamic data vary widely and are inconsistent; possible reasons for these inconsistencies are discussed. The key issue of whether such folding reactions are a simple two-state process is examined. A tentative energy balance for the folding of telomeric quadruplexes in Na(+) and K(+) solution, and for the conformational transition between these forms is presented.

The First International Meeting on Quadruplex DNA took place between 21 and 24 April 2007, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The meeting followed two regional workshops (pan‐Pacific and European) in Hawai (2005) and Slovenia (2006), and was organized by J. Chaires and L. Hurley. ![][1] The conference literally started with a bang! The meeting brought together around 110 scientists from all over the world to present their most recent data on quadruplex DNA, and the opening reception coincided with Thunder Over Louisville , a massive fireworks display marking the start of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The focus of the conference was the family of nucleic acid secondary structures known as guanine (G)‐quadruplexes. These can be formed by certain guanine‐rich sequences in the presence of monovalent cations and are stabilized by G‐quartets (Fig 1). Interest in this area has intensified in recent years because G‐quadruplex structures have roles in crucial biological processes and can be targeted for therapeutic intervention (Maizels, 2006; Neidle & Balasubramanian, 2006; Riou, 2004). G‐quadruplexes might also have applications in areas ranging from supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology to medicinal chemistry (Alberti et al , 2006; Davis, 2004; Petraccone et al , 2005). The aim of this meeting was to assess the current status of this unusual DNA structure, which was discovered more than 40 years ago by our plenary lecturer, D. Davies (Bethesda, MD, USA), and his colleagues (Gellert et al , 1962). The meeting also coincided with the tenth anniversary of a seminal paper that catalysed much interest in the field and laid the foundations for therapeutic possibilities (Sun et al , 1997). Here, we summarize a few of the highlights from the broad range of topics discussed. Figure 1. The quadruplex. (A) A tetrameric, dimeric and monomeric G‐quadruplex composed of three G‐quartets (top). (B) A schematic model of DNA secondary … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif

We have examined the properties of intramolecular G-quadruplexes in which the G3 tracts are separated by single base loops. The most stable complex contained 1',2'-dideoxyribose in all three loops, while loops containing T and C were slightly less stable (by about 2 degrees C). Quadruplexes containing loops with single A residues were less stable by 8 degrees C for each T to A substitution. These folded sequences display similar CD spectra, which are consistent with the formation of parallel stranded complexes with double-chain reversal loops. These results demonstrate that loop sequence, and not just length, affects quadruplex stability.

We present a brief overview of explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of nucleic acids. We explain physical chemistry limitations of the simulations, namely, the molecular mechanics (MM) force field (FF) approximation and limited time scale. Further, we discuss relations and differences between simulations and experiments, compare standard and enhanced sampling simulations, discuss the role of starting structures, comment on different versions of nucleic acid FFs, and relate MM computations with contemporary quantum chemistry. Despite its limitations, we show that MD is a powerful technique for studying the structural dynamics of nucleic acids with a fast growing potential that substantially complements experimental results and aids their interpretation.

Single-Stranded nucleic acids containing guanine repeats can form non-Canonical secondary structures called G-Quadruplexes. These structures are composed of several guanine quartets, maintained by hydrogen bonds and metal cations (K+ or Na+) coordinated between G-Quartets. In spite of being well-Studied in vitro, the evidence for the presence of quadruplex DNA structures in vivo remains mainly indirect. The objective of this work was research of fluorescent probes that can signal the presence of quadruplex DNA and detect its structure (topology).Two series of fluorescent probes were considered and prepared: styryls dyes (mostly distyryls) and PDC-Coumarin derivatives. The design of these two series is based on the molecular scaffold of bisquinolinium pyridodicarboxamide (PDC-360A), a selective ligand with good affinity for quadruplex DNA structures but which is not fluorescent. Inspired by this molecule and the styryl motif, which is known for its spectroscopic properties, we considered a library of distyryles dyes. A second series, the PDC-Coumarin derivatives, was developed to introduce the fluorescence property of coumarin in the PDC by a covalent link. The properties of dyes of these two libraries (65 compounds) were studied in the presence of a number of DNA structures (quadruplex and duplex) by a fluorescent screening using microplate and titration methods. Our results show that some of synthesized dyes display high fluorescence response (i.e. fluorescence increase factor from 200 to 600) for different quadruplex DNA and RNA structures, while having a very low fluorimetric response for duplex DNA. This allows a selective visualization of quadruplex DNA in solution or in electrophoresis gel. These results represent the first steps towards the use of these probes in a biological context, for example in fluorescence imaging, Les acides nucléiques simple-Brins contenant des répétitions de guanines peuvent former des structures secondaires non canoniques dites G-Quadruplexes, composées de plusieurs couches de quartets de guanine. Malgré de nombreuses études in vivo, les preuves de présence de structures quadruplexes in vivo restent indirectes. L’objectif de ce travail était la recherche de sondes fluorescentes capables de signaler la présence d'ADN quadruplex et détecter sa structure (topologie).Deux séries de sondes fluorescentes ont été envisagées et préparées : les colorants styryles (majoritairement distyryles) et les dérivés PDC-Coumarines. La conception de ces deux séries est basée sur l’échafaudage bisquinolinium pyrido¬dicarboxamide (PDC-360A), un ligand sélectif ayant une bonne affinité vis-À-Vis des structures d’ADN quadruplexes, mais qui est non-Fluorescent. En s’inspirant de cette molécule et du motif styryle, connu pour ses propriétés spectroscopiques, nous avons préparé une librairie de colorants distyryles. Une deuxième série, les dérivés PDC-Coumarine, est synthétisée afin d’introduire la propriété fluorescente de la coumarine dans le PDC par une liaison covalente.Les propriétés de colorant de ces deux librairies (65 composés) ont été étudiées en présence de nombreuses structures d’ADN (quadruplex et duplex) en utilisant un criblage par fluorescence sur microplaques et des méthodes de titration. Nos résultats montrent que certains colorants synthétisés possèdent une haute réponse fluorimétrique (facteur d’augmentation de fluorescence de 200 à 600) vis-À-Vis de différentes structures d’ADN et d’ARN quadruplex, ayant une très faible réponse fluorimétrique vis-À-Vis de l’ADN duplex. Cela permet de marquer sélectivement l’ADN quadruplex dans la solution ou sur les gels d’électrophorèse. Ces résultats représentent une première étape vers l’utilisation de ces sondes dans un contexte biologique, par exemple dans l’imagerie de fluorescence.

International audience; Three heterobimetallic gold(I)-ruthenium(II) complexes containing heteroditopic bipyridine-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized and fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and in one case by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic, antileishmanial, and antimalarial activities of these new heterobimetallic complexes were assessed. Moreover, the photophysical properties of two compounds have been used to localize them in tumor cells by confocal microscopy.