Selective recognition of G-quadruplex in the vascular endothelial growth factor gene with small-molecule natural products by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry and circular dichroism (CD) spectrometry

Abstract

In this study, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were used to investigate selective recognition of G-quadruplex in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene with 12 small-molecule natural products. We found that kaempferol, a natural flavonol, shows the highest binding affinity among the 12 natural molecules. The results from ESI-MS and CD spectra indicated that kaempferol could enhance the thermal stability of the VEGF–G-quadruplex and showed selective recognition for the G-quadruplex in a solution consisting of the G-quadruplex and the corresponding duplex DNA.