On the use of Europium (Eu) for designing new metal-based anticancer drugs

Europium oxide (Eu2O3) was used to evaluate the affinity of this rare earth element for interacting with double-stranded (ds) DNA molecules. To perform the study, we used single molecule force spectroscopy with optical tweezers and gel electrophoresis assays. Force spectroscopy experiments show that...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2020-10, Vol.531 (3), p.372-376
Main Authors: Batista, J.A.D., Oliveira, L., Moura, T.A., dos Anjos, V.C., Bell, M.J.V., Rocha, M.S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology
Cooperative binding
DNA
DNA - chemistry
Drug Design
Europium
Europium - pharmacology
Models, Molecular
Optical tweezers
Single molecule force spectroscopy
Single Molecule Imaging
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Europium oxide (Eu2O3) was used to evaluate the affinity of this rare earth element for interacting with double-stranded (ds) DNA molecules. To perform the study, we used single molecule force spectroscopy with optical tweezers and gel electrophoresis assays. Force spectroscopy experiments show that Eu2O3 presents a strong interaction with dsDNA, and the binding is independent on the ionic strength used in the surrounding environment. Among the main characteristics of the interaction, Eu2O3 tends to bind in a cooperative way, forming bound clusters of ∼ 3 molecules, and presents a high equilibrium association binding constant on the order of 105 M−1. In addition, gel electrophoresis confirm the weak electrostatic character of the interaction and explicit show that Eu2O3 does not interfere on drug intercalation into the double-helix. Such results demonstrate the potential of europium for interacting with nucleic acids and strongly suggest that this rare earth element may be considered for the design of new metal-based anticancer drugs in the future. [Display omitted] •Europium oxide binds strongly and cooperatively to double-stranded DNA.•The binding mode and the physical chemistry of the interaction were depicted using single molecule force spectroscopy.•The study suggest that rare earth elements are promising to the rational design of new metal-based anticancer drugs.
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.07.080