Evidences for Piperine inhibiting cancer by targeting human G-quadruplex DNA sequences

July 28, 2017

Title

Evidences for Piperine inhibiting cancer by targeting human G-quadruplex DNA sequences

Author

Arpita Tawani, Ayeman Amanullah, Amit Mishra, Amit Kumar

Year

2016

Journal

Scientific Reports

Abstract

Piperine, a naturally occurring alkaloid, is well known as anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-tumor and anti-proliferative agent. Piperine exerts such pharmacological activities by binding or interacting with various cellular targets. Recently, the first report for Piperine interaction with duplex DNA has been published last year but its interaction with G-quadruplex structures has not been studied yet. Herein, we report for the first time the interaction of Piperine with various DNA G-quadruplex structures. Comprehensive biophysical techniques were employed to determine the basis of interaction for the complex formed between Piperine and G-quadruplex DNA sequences. Piperine showed specificity for G-quadruplex DNA over double stranded DNA, with highest affinity for G-quadruplex structure formed at c-myc promoter region. Further, in-vitro studies show that Piperine causes apoptosis-mediated cell death that further emphasizes the potential of this natural product, Piperine, as a promising candidate for targeting G-quadruplex structure and thus, acts as a potent anti-cancer agent.

Instrument

J-815

Keywords

Circular dichroism, DNA structure, Ligand binding, Biochemistry