Sayeed Ur Rehman

Studying non-covalent drug–DNA interactions

Drug-DNA interactions have been extensively studied in the recent past. Various techniques have been employed to decipher these interactions. DNA is a major target for a wide range of drugs that may specifically or non-specifically interact with DNA and affect its functions. Interaction between small molecules and DNA are of two types, covalent interactions and non-covalent interactions. Three major modes of non-covalent interactions are electrostatic interactions, groove binding and intercalative binding. This review primarily focuses on discussing various techniques used to study non-covalent interactions that occur between drugs and DNA. Additionally, we report several techniques that may be employed to analyse the binding mode of a drug with DNA. These techniques provide data that are reliable and simple to interpret.

Interaction of 6 Mercaptopurine with Calf Thymus DNA – Deciphering the Binding Mode and Photoinduced DNA Damage

DNA is one of the major intracellular targets for a wide range of anticancer and antibiotic drugs. Elucidating the binding between small molecules and DNA provides great help in understanding drug-DNA interactions and in designing of new and promising drugs for clinical use. The ability of small molecules to bind and interfere with DNA replication and transcription provides further insight into how the drugs control the expression of genes. Interaction of an antimetabolite anticancer drug 6mercaptopurine (6MP) with calf thymus DNA was studied using various approaches like UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, CD, viscosity and molecular docking. UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed 6MP-DNA interaction. Steady state fluorescence experiments revealed a moderate binding constant of 7.48×103 M−1 which was consistent with an external binding mode. Competitive displacement assays further confirmed a non-intercalative binding mode of 6MP which was further confirmed by CD and viscosity experiments. Molecular docking further revealed the minimum energy conformation (−119.67 kJ/mole) of the complex formed between DNA and 6MP. Hence, the biophysical techniques and in-silico molecular docking approaches confirmed the groove binding/electrostatic mode of interaction between 6MP and DNA. Further, photo induced generation of ROS by 6MP was studied spectrophotometrically and DNA damage was assessed by plasmid nicking and comet assay. There was a significant increase in ROS generation and consequent DNA damage in the presence of light.

Interaction of coumarin with calf thymus DNA: deciphering the mode of binding by in vitro studies.

DNA is the major target for a wide range of therapeutic substances. Thus, there has been considerable interest in the binding studies of small molecules with DNA. Interaction between small molecules and DNA provides a structural guideline in rational drug designing and in the synthesis of new and improved drugs with enhanced selective activity and greater clinical efficacy. Plant derived polyphenolic compounds have a large number of biological and pharmacological properties. Coumarin is a polyphenolic compound which has been extensively studied for its diverse pharmacological properties. However, its mode of interaction with DNA has not been elucidated. In the present study, we have attempted to ascertain the mode of binding of coumarin with calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) through various biophysical techniques. Analysis of UV-visible absorbance spectra and fluorescence spectra indicates the formation of complex between coumarin and Ct-DNA. Several other experiments such as effect of ionic strength, iodide induced quenching, competitive binding assay with ethidium bromide, acridine orange and Hoechst 33258 reflected that coumarin possibly binds to the minor groove of the Ct-DNA. These observations were further supported by CD spectral analysis, viscosity measurements, DNA melting studies and in silico molecular docking.

Naproxen intercalates with DNA and causes photocleavage through ROS generation

Naproxen is an important non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug with many pharmacological and biological properties. In this study, we have attempted to ascertain the mode of action and the mechanism of binding of naproxen to DNA. We have also demonstrated that, upon irradiation with white light, naproxen generates reactive oxygen species, causing DNA cleavage. Generation of reactive oxygen species from photo‐irradiated naproxen as determined spectrophotometrically was found to lead to nicking of plasmid DNA as analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Without photo‐irradiation, naproxen binds to DNA and forms drug–DNA complexes as revealed by spectroscopic techniques. Several experiments such as determination of the effect of urea, iodide‐induced quenching and a competitive binding assay with ethidium bromide showed that naproxen binds to DNA primarily in an intercalative manner. These observations were further supported by CD analysis, viscosity measurements and molecular docking. Using DNA as a template, fluorescence resonance energy transfer between naproxen and ethidium bromide was also observed, further strengthening the evidence for intercalative binding of naproxen with DNA.

Deciphering the interactions between chlorambucil and calf thymus DNA: a multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking study.

Non-covalent interactions of chlorambucil with calf thymus DNA was investigated using multi-spectroscopic techniques and molecular docking study. Binding constant calculated was found to be 1.54×10(4)M(-1) at 290K, significantly lower than various known intercalators. Quenching process was found to be static as evident by biomolecular quenching constant. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the involvement of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds in the binding. Chlorambucil was found to interact via external binding mode and follow groove binding as it replaces Hoechst (a typical groove binder) from the groove of DNA but does not replace intercalating dyes including ethidium bromide and acridine orange from the DNA helix. These results were further supported by KI quenching experiments, DNA melting studies, CD spectroscopy and molecular docking.

Studies on the protective effect of dietary fish oil on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin (CP) is a major antineoplastic drug for the treatment of solid tumors, however, dose dependent nephrotoxicity remains the major concern for its long term use. Several agents/strategies were attempted to prevent CP nephrotoxicity but were not found suitable for clinical practice. Dietary fish oil (FO) enriched in ω-3 fatty acids has been shown to prevent/reduce the progression of certain types of cancers, cardiovascular and renal disorders. The present study was undertaken to see whether FO can prevent CP-induced nephrotoxic and other deleterious effects. Rats were prefed experimental diets for 10days and then received a single dose of CP (6mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally while still on diet. Serum/urine parameters, enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane (BBM) and oxidative stress in rat kidney were analyzed. CP nephrotoxicity was recorded by increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. CP decreased the activities of metabolic enzymes, antioxidant defense system and BBM enzymes. In contrast, FO alone increased enzyme activities of carbohydrate metabolism and brush border membrane (BBM). FO feeding to CP treated rats markedly enhanced resistance to CP-elicited deleterious effects. Dietary FO supplementation ameliorated CP induced specific metabolic alterations and oxidative damage due to its intrinsic biochemical antioxidant properties.

Spectroscopic and molecular docking evidence of aspirin and diflunisal binding to DNA: a comparative study

Aspirin and diflunisal belong to the salicylate class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with diverse pharmacological and biological activities. Deciphering the interaction of drugs with DNA not only offers insights for the rational design of novel and more efficient drugs targeted to DNA, but also gives an opportunity for developing effective therapeutic agents for the control of gene expression. A series of spectroscopic studies were performed to ascertain the binding mode of aspirin and diflunisal with calf thymus DNA. UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed aspirin and diflunisal interaction with DNA. Steady state fluorescence experiments revealed a binding constant of 2.3 × 104 L mol−1 for aspirin and 7.9 × 103 L mol−1 for diflunisal. In addition, their binding modes with calf thymus DNA were established by a series of experiments including competitive displacement assays, urea denaturation, iodide quenching, viscosity measurements, DNA melting studies and CD analysis. They corroborated the intercalative binding of aspirin and groove binding of diflunisal with calf thymus DNA. The effect of ionic strength established the role of electrostatic interaction in aspirin–DNA binding processes. Molecular docking studies further complemented the experimental results.

Caffeic acid binds to the minor groove of calf thymus DNA: A multi-spectroscopic, thermodynamics and molecular modelling study

Caffeic acid (CA) is a plant polyphenol which acts as an antioxidant and has various pharmacological effects. DNA is one of the major cellular targets of therapeutic molecules. Thus, studying the interaction of small molecules with DNA is of great importance. In the current article, we have studied the mode of binding of CA with calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) using a series of biophysical techniques. Formation of complex between CA and Ct-DNA is ascertained by analyzing the UV-vis absorbance and fluorescence emission spectra of CA upon successive addition of Ct-DNA. Binding constants of CA with Ct-DNA obtained using multiple experiments was in the order of 103 M-1 which is consistent with known groove binders. Analysis of thermodynamic parameters suggest that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces played major role in the binding process. Competitive displacement studies confirmed that CA binds to the minor groove of Ct-DNA. These observations were further validated by KI quenching experiment, DNA melting studies, CD and viscosity measurements. In silico molecular docking further provided insight into the mode of binding of CA with Ct-DNA. Through in vitro experiments and in silico molecular docking studies, it was concluded that CA binds to the minor groove of Ct-DNA.

Redox cycling of Cu(II) by 6-mercaptopurine leads to ROS generation and DNA breakage: possible mechanism of anticancer activity

Abstract6-Mercaptopurine (6MP) is a well-known purine antimetabolite used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other diseases. Cancer cells as compared to normal cells are under increased oxidative stress and show high copper level. These differences between cancer cells and normal cells can be targeted to develop effective cancer therapy. Pro-oxidant property of 6MP in the presence of metal ions is not well documented. Redox cycling of Cu(II) to Cu(I) was found to be efficiently mediated by 6MP. We have performed a series of in vitro experiments to demonstrate the pro-oxidant property of 6MP in the presence of Cu(II). Studies on human lymphocytes confirmed the DNA damaging ability of 6MP in the presence of Cu(II). Since 6MP possesses DNA damaging ability by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of Cu(II), it may also possess apoptosis-inducing activity by involving endogenous copper ions. Essentially, this would be an alternative and copper-dependent pathway for anticancer activity of 6MP.

Redox cycling of endogenous copper by ferulic acid leads to cellular DNA breakage and consequent cell death: A putative cancer chemotherapy mechanism.

Ferulic acid (FA) is a plant polyphenol showing diverse therapeutic effects against cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. FA is a known antioxidant at lower concentrations, however at higher concentrations or in the presence of metal ions such as copper, it may act as a pro-oxidant. It has been reported that copper levels are significantly raised in different malignancies. Cancer cells are under increased oxidative stress as compared to normal cells. Certain therapeutic substances like polyphenols can further increase this oxidative stress and kill cancer cells without affecting the proliferation of normal cells. Through various in vitro experiments we have shown that the pro-oxidant properties of FA are enhanced in the presence of copper. Comet assay demonstrated the ability of FA to cause oxidative DNA breakage in human peripheral lymphocytes which was ameliorated by specific copper-chelating agent such as neocuproine and scavengers of ROS. This suggested the mobilization of endogenous copper in ROS generation and consequent DNA damage. These results were further validated through cytotoxicity experiments involving different cell lines. Thus, we conclude that such a pro-oxidant mechanism involving endogenous copper better explains the anticancer activities of FA. This would be an alternate non-enzymatic, and copper-mediated pathway for the cytotoxic activities of FA where it can selectively target cancer cells with elevated levels of copper and ROS.