@article{532606089b214d6fa7cf448c0d8db319,
title = "Interactions of cryptolepine and neocryptolepine with unsual DNA structures",
abstract = "Cryptolepine, the main alkaloid present in the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, presents a large spectrum of biological properties. It has been reported to behave like a DNA intercalator with a preference for GC-rich sequences. In this study, dialysis competition assay and mass spectrometry experiments were used to determine the affinity of cryptolepine and neocryptolepine for DNA structures among duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes and single strands. Our data confirm that cryptolepine and neocryptolepine prefer GC over AT-rich duplex sequences, but also recognize triplex and quadruplex structures. These compounds are weak telomerase inhibitors and exhibit a significant preference for triplexes over quadruplexes or duplexes.",
keywords = "Cryptolepine, Quadruplex, Telomerase, Telomere, Triplex",
author = "Lionel Guittat and Patrizia Alberti and Fr{\'e}d{\'e}ric Rosu and \{Van Miert\}, Sabine and Emilie Thetiot and Luc Pieters and Val{\'e}rie Gabelica and \{De Pauw\}, Edwin and Alexandre Ottaviani and Riou, \{Jean Fran{\c c}ois\} and Mergny, \{Jean Louis\}",
note = "Funding Information: This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Claude Helene (1938–2003). We thank L. Lacroix, T. Garestier and C. H{\'e}l{\`e}ne (MNHN, Paris, France) for helpful discussions. This work was supported by an ARC grant (no. 4321) and an Aventis research grant (to J.-L.M.). V.G. is grateful to the F.N.R.S. (Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique) for a research fellowship. The Mass Spectrometry Laboratory acknowledges the F.N.R.S. and the “Fonds Sp{\'e}ciaux de L{\textquoteright}Universit{\'e} de Li{\`e}ge” for financing the Q-TOF instrument.",
year = "2003",
month = may,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/S0300-9084(03)00035-X",
language = "English",
volume = "85",
pages = "535--547",
journal = "Biochimie",
issn = "0300-9084",
number = "5",
}