{"entity": "researcher", "timestamp": "2026-07-22T17:05:33.352Z", "family": "Dudek", "given": "Marta", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0001-6749-0903", "affiliations": ["Institute of Advanced Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroc\u0142aw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspia\u0144skiego 27, 50-370 Wroc\u0142aw, Poland."], "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/cfd0b47759f64c6284a7cc1b6cea407d.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/cfd0b47759f64c6284a7cc1b6cea407d"}}, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "2b73ca54c3084fd0a10807dd653a2ee9", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/2b73ca54c3084fd0a10807dd653a2ee9.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/2b73ca54c3084fd0a10807dd653a2ee9"}}, "title": "A Rationally Designed Azobenzene Photoswitch for DNA G-Quadruplex Regulation in Live Cells.", "authors": [{"family": "Dudek", "given": "Marta", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0001-6749-0903", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/cfd0b47759f64c6284a7cc1b6cea407d.json"}}, {"family": "L\u00f3pez-Pacios", "given": "Luc\u00eda", "initials": "L", "orcid": "0009-0007-6892-3652", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/85d7130d8c2449eba6a0bb4cc393db9e.json"}}, {"family": "Sabouri", "given": "Nasim", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0002-4541-7702", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/4bdc688dc85a4932acfdfffad8bfc443.json"}}, {"family": "Nogueira", "given": "Juan J", "initials": "JJ", "orcid": "0000-0001-7419-5670", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/7d6768a2a4754dd8bc73ca8da7fbcc26.json"}}, {"family": "Martinez-Fernandez", "given": "Lara", "initials": "L", "orcid": "0000-0001-5361-9390", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/7f2a252e469b4a2487e10962010d6ee0.json"}}, {"family": "Deiana", "given": "Marco", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0002-7815-4494", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/f9efbe74ca3940029d782d3ba645fa34.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-01-02", "journal": {"title": "Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.", "issn": "1521-3773", "volume": "64", "issue": "1", "pages": "e202413000", "issn-l": "1433-7851"}, "abstract": "G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures are increasingly acknowledged as promising targets in cancer research, and the development of G4-specific stabilizing compounds may lay a fundamental foundation in precision medicine for cancer treatment. Here, we propose a light-responsive G4-binder for precise modulation of drug activation, providing dynamic and spatiotemporal control over G4-associated biological processes contributing to cancer cell death. We developed a specialized fluorinated azobenzene (AB) switch equipped with a quinoline unit and a positively charged carboxamide side chain, Q-Azo4F-C, designed for targeted binding to G4 structures within cells. Biophysical studies, combined with molecular dynamics simulations, provide insights into the unique coordination modes of the photoswitchable ligand in its trans and cis configurations when interacting with G4s. The observed variations in complexation processes between the two isomeric states in different cancer cell lines manifest in more than 25-fold reversible cytotoxic activity. Immunostaining conducted with the structure-specific G4 antibody (BG4), establishes a direct correlation between cytotoxicity and the varying extent of G4 induction regulated by the two isoforms. Finally, we demonstrate the photo-driven reversible regulation of G4 structures in lung cancer cells by Q-Azo4F-C. Our findings highlight the potential of light-responsive G4-binders in advancing precision cancer therapy through dynamic control of G4-mediated pathways.", "doi": "10.1002/anie.202413000", "pmid": "39268751", "labels": {"Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden": "Service"}, "xrefs": [], "notes": [], "created": "2025-04-23T10:01:09.406Z", "modified": "2025-10-17T13:04:26.954Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "17565deefda0402a9a7310055984f3b0", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/17565deefda0402a9a7310055984f3b0.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/17565deefda0402a9a7310055984f3b0"}}, "title": "Harnessing Light for G-Quadruplex Modulation: Dual Isomeric Effects of an Ortho-Fluoroazobenzene Derivative.", "authors": [{"family": "Dudek", "given": "Marta", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0001-6749-0903", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/cfd0b47759f64c6284a7cc1b6cea407d.json"}}, {"family": "L\u00f3pez-Pacios", "given": "Luc\u00eda", "initials": "L", "orcid": "0009-0007-6892-3652", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/85d7130d8c2449eba6a0bb4cc393db9e.json"}}, {"family": "Sabouri", "given": "Nasim", "initials": "N", "orcid": "0000-0002-4541-7702", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/4bdc688dc85a4932acfdfffad8bfc443.json"}}, {"family": "Nogueira", "given": "Juan J", "initials": "JJ", "orcid": "0000-0001-7419-5670", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/7d6768a2a4754dd8bc73ca8da7fbcc26.json"}}, {"family": "Martinez-Fernandez", "given": "Lara", "initials": "L", "orcid": "0000-0001-5361-9390", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/7f2a252e469b4a2487e10962010d6ee0.json"}}, {"family": "Deiana", "given": "Marco", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0002-7815-4494", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/researcher/f9efbe74ca3940029d782d3ba645fa34.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2024-09-26", "journal": {"title": "J Phys Chem Lett", "issn": "1948-7185", "volume": "15", "issue": "38", "pages": "9757-9765", "issn-l": "1948-7185"}, "abstract": "G-quadruplexes (G4s) are important therapeutic and photopharmacological targets in cancer research. Small-molecule ligands targeting G4s offer a promising strategy to block DNA transactions and induce genetic instability in cancer cells. While numerous G4-ligands have been reported, relatively few examples exist of compounds whose G4-interactive binding properties can be modulated using light. Herein, we report the photophysical characterization of a novel ortho-fluoroazobenzene derivative, Py-Azo4F-3N, that undergoes reversible two-way isomerization upon visible light exposure. Using a combination of biophysical techniques, including affinity and selectivity assays, structural and computational analysis, and cytotoxicity experiments in cancer cell lines, we carefully characterized the G4-interactive binding properties of both isomers. We identify the trans isomer as the most promising form of interacting and stabilizing G4s, enhancing their ablation capability in cancer cells. Our research highlights the importance of light-responsive molecules in achieving precise control over G4 structures, demonstrating their potential in innovative anticancer strategies.", "doi": "10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c02285", "pmid": "39288355", "labels": {"Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden": "Service"}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC11440583"}], "notes": [], "created": "2024-12-02T15:33:18.110Z", "modified": "2025-10-17T13:04:27.238Z"}]}