Specific binding of human telomeric G-quadruplex by homobarringtonie: An alkaloid from traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract

In our study, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) was used to investigate the formation and recognition of human telomere G-quadruplex. Among the six small molecules studied, homobarringtonie (shortened as P1), one of the antineoplastic alkaloids separated from Chinese cephalotaxus fortunei, was examined having the highest binding ability with the human telomere G-quadruplex. And the most superiority of P1 was the good binding preference for the G-quadruplex than the duplex DNA. CD melting experiment results implied that P1 could enhance the thermo stability of the G-quadruplex. Moreover, Autodock analysis gave the result that P1 has the biggest docked energy to the telomere G-quadruplex, which was consistent with the result of ESI–MS. The high specificity and binding affinity of P1 to the telomere G-quadruplex make it potential for drug design and cancer relief.