Conformations of Human Telomeric G-Quadruplex Studied Using a Nucleotide-Independent Nitroxide Label.

ABSTRACT: Guanine-rich oligonucleotides can form a unique G-quadruplex (GQ) structure with stacking units of four guanine bases organized in a plane through Hoogsteen bonding. GQ structures have been detected in vivo and shown to exert their roles in maintaining genome integrity and regulating gene expression. Understanding GQ conformation is important for understanding its inherent biological role and for devising strategies to control and manipulate functions based on targeting GQ. Although a number of biophysical methods have been used to investigate structure and dynamics of GQs, our understanding is far from complete. As such, this work explores the use of the site-directed spin labeling technique, complemented by molecular dynamics simulations, for investigating GQ conformations. A nucleotide-

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4718834 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature