Coding polypurine hairpins cause target-induced cell death in breast cancer cells

Hum Gene Ther. 2011 Apr;22(4):451-63. doi: 10.1089/hum.2010.102. Epub 2011 Feb 16.

Abstract

Polypurine reverse-Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRHs) are double-stranded DNA molecules formed by two polypurine stretches linked by a pentathymidine loop, with intramolecular reverse-Hoogsteen bonds that allow a hairpin structure. PPRHs bind to polypyrimidine targets by Watson-Crick bonds maintaining simultaneously a hairpin structure due to intramolecular Hoogsteen bonds. Previously, we described the ability of Template-PPRHs to decrease mRNA levels because these PPRHs target the template DNA strand interfering with the transcription process. Now, we designed Coding-PPRHs, a new type of PPRHs that directly target the pre-mRNA. The dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) gene was selected as a target in breast cancer therapy. These PPRHs caused a high degree of cytotoxicity and a decrease in DHFR mRNA and protein levels, but by a different mechanism of action than Template-PPRHs. Coding-PPRHs interfere with the splicing process by competing with U2 auxiliary factor 65 for binding to the polypyrimidine target sequence, leading to a lower amount of mature mRNA. These new PPRHs showed high specificity as no off-target effects were found. The application of these molecules as therapeutic tools was tested in breast cancer cells resistant to methotrexate, obtaining a noticeable cytotoxicity even though the dhfr locus was amplified. Coding-PPRHs can be considered as new molecules to decrease gene expression at the mRNA level and an alternative to other antisense molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Death / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA / pharmacology
  • DNA / toxicity
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inverted Repeat Sequences / genetics*
  • Methotrexate / pharmacology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
  • Splicing Factor U2AF
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • Splicing Factor U2AF
  • U2AF2 protein, human
  • DNA
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase
  • Methotrexate