Small Molecule Fluorescent Probes for G- Quadruplex Visualization as Potential Cancer Theranostic Agents
G-quadruplexes have gained prominence over the past two decades for their role in gene regulation, control of anti-tumour activity and ageing. The physiological relevance and significance of these non-canonical structures in the context of cancer has been reviewed several times. Putative roles of G-...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2019-02-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/4/752 |
| Summary: | G-quadruplexes have gained prominence over the past two decades for their role in gene regulation, control of anti-tumour activity and ageing. The physiological relevance and significance of these non-canonical structures in the context of cancer has been reviewed several times. Putative roles of G-quadruplexes in cancer prognosis and pathogenesis have spurred the search for small molecule ligands that are capable of binding and modulating the effect of such structures. On a related theme, small molecule fluorescent probes have emerged that are capable of selective recognition of G-quadruplex structures. These have opened up the possibility of direct visualization and tracking of such structures. In this review we outline recent developments on G-quadruplex specific small molecule fluorescent probes for visualizing G-quadruplexes. The molecules represent a variety of structural scaffolds, mechanism of quadruplex-recognition and fluorescence signal transduction. Quadruplex selectivity and in vivo imaging potential of these molecules places them uniquely as quadruplex-theranostic agents in the predominantly cancer therapeutic context of quadruplex-selective ligands. |
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| ISSN: | 1420-3049 |