Synthesis of Janus compounds for the recognition of G-U mismatched nucleobase pairs

J Org Chem. 2013 Nov 1;78(21):10666-77. doi: 10.1021/jo401684j. Epub 2013 Oct 16.

Abstract

The design and synthesis of two Janus-type heterocycles with the capacity to simultaneously recognize guanine and uracyl in G-U mismatched pairs through complementary hydrogen bond pairing is described. Both compounds were conveniently functionalized with a carboxylic function and efficiently attached to a tripeptide sequence by using solid-phase methodologies. Ligands based on the derivatization of such Janus compounds with a small aminoglycoside, neamine, and its guanidinylated analogue have been synthesized, and their interaction with Tau RNA has been investigated by using several biophysical techniques, including UV-monitored melting curves, fluorescence titration experiments, and (1)H NMR. The overall results indicated that Janus-neamine/guanidinoneamine showed some preference for the +3 mutated RNA sequence associated with the development of some tauopathies, although preliminary NMR studies have not confirmed binding to G-U pairs. Moreover, a good correlation has been found between the RNA binding affinity of such Janus-containing ligands and their ability to stabilize this secondary structure upon complexation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Pair Mismatch
  • Base Pairing
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Guanine / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Ligands
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA / chemistry*
  • Thermodynamics
  • Uracil / chemistry*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Uracil
  • Guanine
  • RNA