Mitoxantrone and Analogues Bind and Stabilize i-Motif Forming DNA Sequences

Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 22:6:39456. doi: 10.1038/srep39456.

Abstract

There are hundreds of ligands which can interact with G-quadruplex DNA, yet very few which target i-motif. To appreciate an understanding between the dynamics between these structures and how they can be affected by intervention with small molecule ligands, more i-motif binding compounds are required. Herein we describe how the drug mitoxantrone can bind, induce folding of and stabilise i-motif forming DNA sequences, even at physiological pH. Additionally, mitoxantrone was found to bind i-motif forming sequences preferentially over double helical DNA. We also describe the stabilisation properties of analogues of mitoxantrone. This offers a new family of ligands with potential for use in experiments into the structure and function of i-motif forming DNA sequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Circular Dichroism
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • G-Quadruplexes*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Ligands
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mitoxantrone / chemistry*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Nucleotide Motifs*
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Telomere / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Oligonucleotides
  • DNA
  • Mitoxantrone