Guanine quadruplexes mediate mitochondrial RNA polymerase pausing.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The information content within nucleic acids extends beyond the primary sequence to include secondary structures with functional roles in transcription regulation. Guanine-rich sequences form structures called guanine quadruplexes that result from non-canonical base pairing between guanine residues. These stable guanine quadruplex structures are prevalent in gene promoters in nuclear DNA and are known to be associated with promoter proximal pausing of some genes. However, the transcriptional impact of guanine quadruplexes that form in nascent RNA is poorly understood.

Results

We examined mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) pausing patterns in primary human skin fibroblast cells using the precision nuclear run-on assay and uncovered over 400 pause sites on the mi

SUBMITTER: Snyder RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12076976 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature