Design and synthesis of an expanded porphyrin that has selectivity for the c-MYC G-quadruplex structure

J Am Chem Soc. 2005 Mar 9;127(9):2944-59. doi: 10.1021/ja0444482.

Abstract

Cationic porphyrins are known to bind to and stabilize different types of G-quadruplexes. Recent studies have shown the biological relevance of the intramolecular parallel G-quadruplex as a transcriptional silencer in the c-MYC promoter. TMPyP4 also binds to this G-quadruplex and most likely converts it to a mixed parallel/antiparallel G-quadruplex with two external lateral loops and one internal propeller loop, suppressing c-MYC transcriptional activation. To achieve therapeutic selectivity by targeting G-quadruplexes, it is necessary to synthesize drugs that can differentiate among the different types of G-quadruplexes. We have designed and synthesized a core-modified expanded porphyrin analogue, 5,10,15,20-[tetra(N-methyl-3-pyridyl)]-26,28-diselenasapphyrin chloride (Se2SAP). Se2SAP converts the parallel c-MYC G-quadruplex into a mixed parallel/antiparallel G-quadruplex with one external lateral loop and two internal propeller loops, resulting in strong and selective binding to this G-quadruplex. A Taq polymerase stop assay was used to evaluate the binding of TMPyP4 and Se2SAP to G-quadruplex DNA. Compared to TMPyP4, Se2SAP shows a greater selectivity for and a 40-fold increase in stabilization of the single lateral-loop hybrid. Surface plasmon resonance and competition experiments with duplex DNA and other G-quadruplexes further confirmed the selectivity of Se2SAP for the c-MYC G-quadruplex. Significantly, Se2SAP was found to be less photoactive and noncytotoxic in comparison to TMPyP4. From this study, we have identified an expanded porphyrin that selectively binds with the c-MYC G-quadruplex in the presence of duplex DNA and other G-quadruplexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Binding, Competitive
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
  • G-Quadruplexes
  • Genes, myc*
  • Guanine / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation / drug effects
  • Oxazoles / chemistry
  • Oxazoles / metabolism
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology
  • Porphyrins / chemical synthesis*
  • Porphyrins / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / metabolism
  • Porphyrins / pharmacology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Selenium Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Selenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Selenium Compounds / metabolism
  • Selenium Compounds / pharmacology
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Telomere / chemistry
  • Telomere / metabolism

Substances

  • 5,10,15,20-(tetra(N-methyl-3-pyridyl))-26,28-diselenasapphyrin chloride
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Oxazoles
  • Porphyrins
  • Selenium Compounds
  • telomestatin
  • tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine
  • Guanine
  • DNA