Faculty and Student Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2021
Abstract
Modulating the expression or function of the enigmatic MYC protein has demonstrated efficacy in an array of cancer types and a marked potential therapeutic index and safety profile. Despite its high therapeutic value, specific and selective inhibitors or downregulating therapeutics have proven difficult to develop. In the current study, we expanded our work on a MYC promoter G-quadruplex (G4) stabilizing DNA clamp to develop an oligonucleotide interfering DNA (DNAi) therapeutic. We explored six DNAi for G4-stabilization through EMSA, DMS footprinting, and thermal stability studies, focusing on the DNAi 5T as the lead therapeutic. 5T, but not its scramble control 5Tscr, was then shown to enter the nucleus, modulate cell viability, and decrease MYC expression through G4-stabilization. DNAi 5T is thus described to be our lead DNAi, targeting MYC regulation through stabilization of the higher-order DNA G4 structure in the proximal promoter, and it is poised for further preclinical development as an anticancer therapeutic.
Relational Format
journal article
Recommended Citation
Psaras, A.M.; Chang, K.T.; Hao, T.; Brooks, T.A. Targeted Downregulation of MYC through G-quadruplex Stabilization by DNAi. Molecules 2021, 26, 5542. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26185542
DOI
10.3390/molecules26185542
Accessibility Status
Searchable text