A nucleic acid dependent chemical photocatalysis in live human cells

Arian D, Clo E, Gothelf KV, Mokhir A (2010)


Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2010

Journal

Original Authors: Arian D., Cló E., Gothelf K.V., Mokhir A.

Publisher: Wiley-VCH Verlag

Book Volume: 16

Pages Range: 288-295

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1002/chem.200902377

Abstract

Only two nucleic acid directed chemical reactions that are compatible with live cells have been reported to date. Neither of these processes generate toxic species from nontoxic starting materials. Reactions of the latter type could be applied as gene-specific drugs, for example, in the treatment of cancer. We report here the first example of a chemical reaction that generates a cytotoxic drug from a nontoxic prodrug in the presence of a specific endogeneous ribonucleic acid in live mammalian cells. In this case, the pro-drug is triplet oxygen and the drug is singlet oxygen. The key component of this reaction is an inert molecule (InP-2′-OMe-RNA/Q-2′-OMe-RNA; P: photosensitizer; Q: quencher), which becomes an active photosensitizer (InP-2′-OMe-RNA) in the presence of single-stranded nucleic acid targets. Upon irradiation with red light, the photosensitizer produces over 6000 equivalents of toxic singlet oxygen per nucleic acid target. This reaction is highly sequence specific. To detect the generation of singlet oxygen in live cells, we prepared a membrane-permeable and water-soluble fluorescent scavenger, a derivative of 2,5-diphenylisobenzofurane. The scavenger decomposes upon reaction with singlet oxygen and this is manifested in a decrease in the fluorescence intensity. This effect can be conveniently monitored by flow cytometry. © 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

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How to cite

APA:

Arian, D., Clo, E., Gothelf, K.V., & Mokhir, A. (2010). A nucleic acid dependent chemical photocatalysis in live human cells. Chemistry - A European Journal, 16(1), 288-295. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.200902377

MLA:

Arian, Dumitru, et al. "A nucleic acid dependent chemical photocatalysis in live human cells." Chemistry - A European Journal 16.1 (2010): 288-295.

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