Naphthyridine tetramer with a pre-organized structure for 1:1 binding to a CGG/CGG sequence

Nucleic Acids Res. 2012 Mar;40(6):2771-81. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkr1148. Epub 2011 Nov 29.

Abstract

A naphthyridine carbamate dimer (NCD) is a synthetic ligand for DNA containing a CGG/CGG sequence. Although NCD can bind selectively and tightly to a CGG/CGG sequence, the highly cooperative 2:1 binding mode has hampered precise analysis of the binding. We describe herein the synthesis of a series of naphthyridine tetramers consisting of two NCD molecules connected with various linkers to seek a ligand that binds to a CGG/CGG sequence exclusively with a 1:1 stoichiometry. Among the tested ligands, NCTB and Z-NCTS, which have linker moieties with restricted conformational flexibility [biphenyl and (Z)-stilbene linker, respectively], gave the exclusive formation of a 1:1 ligand-CGG/CGG complex. The (Z)-stilbene linker in Z-NCTS was designed to have pre-organized conformation appropriate for the binding and, in fact, resulted in the highest binding affinity. Thermodynamic parameters obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry indicated that the stronger binding of Z-NCTS was attributed to its lower entropic cost. The present study provides not only a novel 1:1 binding ligand, but also valuable feedback for subsequent molecular design of DNA and RNA binding ligands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Pair Mismatch*
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Ligands
  • Naphthyridines / chemical synthesis
  • Naphthyridines / chemistry*
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Naphthyridines
  • DNA