Identification of new DNA i-motif binding ligands through a fluorescent intercalator displacement assay

Org Biomol Chem. 2017 Jul 21;15(27):5669-5673. doi: 10.1039/c7ob00710h. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Abstract

i-Motifs are quadruplex DNA structures formed from sequences rich in cytosine and held together by intercalated, hemi-protonated cytosine-cytosine base pairs. These sequences are prevalent in gene promoter regions and may play a role in gene transcription. Targeting these structures with ligands could provide a novel way to target genetic disease but there are very few ligands which have been shown to interact with i-motif DNA. Fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assays are a simple way to screen ligands against DNA secondary structures. Here we characterise how thiazole orange interacts with i-motif DNA and assess its ability for use in a FID assay. Additionally, we report FID-based ligand screening using thiazole orange against the i-motif forming sequence from the human telomere to reveal new i-motif binding compounds which have the potential for further development.

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Intercalating Agents / chemistry*
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nucleotide Motifs

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Intercalating Agents
  • Ligands
  • DNA