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Design of a Composite Ethidium–Netropsin–Anilinoacridine Molecule for DNA Recognition
Author(s) -
Carrasco Carolina,
Helissey Philippe,
Haroun Michelyne,
Baldeyrou Brigitte,
Lansiaux Amélie,
Colson Pierre,
Houssier Claude,
GiorgiRenault Sylviane,
Bailly Christian
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.200390014
Subject(s) - netropsin , dna , rational design , circular dichroism , biophysics , molecular recognition , chemistry , stereochemistry , molecule , surface plasmon resonance , small molecule , combinatorial chemistry , ligand (biochemistry) , biochemistry , biology , nanotechnology , materials science , minor groove , organic chemistry , receptor , nanoparticle
Control of gene expression is a cherished goal of cancer chemotherapy. Small ligand molecules able to bind tightly to DNA in a well‐defined configuration are being actively searched for. With this goal in mind, we have designed and synthesized the trifunctional molecule R‐132 , which combines a bispyrrole skeleton for minor groove DNA recognition and two different chromophores, anilinoacridine and ethidium. The affinity and mode of binding of R‐132 to DNA were studied by a combination of complementary biochemical and biophysical techniques, which included absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and circular and linear dichroism. A surface plasmon resonance biosensor analysis was also performed to quantify the kinetic parameters of the drug–DNA interaction process. Altogether, the results demonstrate that the three moieties of the hybrid molecule are engaged in the interaction process, thus validating the rational design strategy. At the biological level, R‐132 stabilizes topoisomerase‐II–DNA covalent complexes and displays potent cytotoxic activities, which are attributable to its DNA‐binding properties. R‐132 easily enters and accumulates in cell nuclei, as evidenced by confocal microscopy. R‐132 therefore provides a novel lead compound for the design of gene‐targeted anticancer agents.