Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA and down-regulation of oncogene c-myc by quindoline derivatives

J Med Chem. 2007 Apr 5;50(7):1465-74. doi: 10.1021/jm0610088. Epub 2007 Mar 9.

Abstract

Stabilization of G-quadruplex structures in the promoter region of certain oncogenes is an emerging field in anticancer drug design. Human c-myc gene is one of these oncogenes, and G-quadruplexes have been proven to be the transcriptional controller of this gene. In the present study, the interaction of quindoline derivatives with G-quadruplexes in c-myc was investigated. The experimental results indicated that these derivatives have the ability to induce/stabilize the G-quadruplexes in c-myc, which lead to down-regulation of the c-myc in the Hep G2 cell line. It was found that derivatives with terminal amino groups in their side chains would selectively bind to the isomers with the double nucleotide loops in the absence of K+. Molecular modeling studies revealed the binding mode between the derivatives and the G-quadruplexes is end-stacking at the 3'-position, and the positively charged side chain on the quindoline derivatives may contribute to the selectivity to certain loop isomers of topological quadruplexes as well as the improved stabilization action.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Circular Dichroism
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Dialysis
  • Guanine / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Isomerism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / biosynthesis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Quinolines / chemistry*
  • Quinolines / pharmacology
  • Static Electricity
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Indoles
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Quinolines
  • quindoline
  • Guanine
  • DNA