» Articles » PMID: 39316718

Benzimidazole-based Small Molecules As Anticancer Agents Targeting Telomeric G-quadruplex and Inhibiting Telomerase Enzyme

Overview
Journal Future Med Chem
Specialties Chemistry
Pharmacy
Date 2024 Sep 24
PMID 39316718
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Telomeres, crucial for chromosomal integrity, have been related to aging and cancer formation, mainly through regulating G-quadruplex structures. G-quadruplexes are structural motifs that can arise as secondary structures of nucleic acids, especially in guanine-rich DNA and RNA regions. Targeting these structures by small compounds shows promise in the selective suppression of cell growth, opening up novel possibilities for anticancer treatment. A comprehensive investigation of the many structural forms of G-quadruplex ligands is required to create ground-breaking anticancer drugs. Recent research into using specific benzimidazole molecules in stabilizing telomeric DNA into G-quadruplex structures has highlighted their ability to influence oncogene expression and demonstrate antiproliferative characteristics against cancer cells. This review describes the benzimidazole derivative, designed to enhance the stability of the G-quadruplex structure DNA to suppress the activity of telomerase enzyme, exhibiting promising potential for anticancer therapy.

References
1.
Fan H, Chang F, Tsai J, Lin K, Chen C, Lin S . Telomeres and Cancer. Life (Basel). 2021; 11(12). PMC: 8704776. DOI: 10.3390/life11121405. View

2.
Pardue M, DeBaryshe P . Telomeres and telomerase: more than the end of the line. Chromosoma. 1999; 108(2):73-82. DOI: 10.1007/s004120050354. View

3.
Nakajima A, Tauchi T, Sashida G, Sumi M, Abe K, Yamamoto K . Telomerase inhibition enhances apoptosis in human acute leukemia cells: possibility of antitelomerase therapy. Leukemia. 2003; 17(3):560-7. DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2402825. View

4.
Luo Y, Yao J, Yang L, Feng C, Tang W, Wang G . Synthesis and anti-hepatitis B virus activity of a novel class of thiazolylbenzimidazole derivatives. Arch Pharm (Weinheim). 2011; 344(2):78-83. DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201000167. View

5.
Robin J, Ludlow A, Batten K, Magdinier F, Stadler G, Wagner K . Telomere position effect: regulation of gene expression with progressive telomere shortening over long distances. Genes Dev. 2014; 28(22):2464-76. PMC: 4233240. DOI: 10.1101/gad.251041.114. View