Identification of multiple genomic DNA sequences which form i-motif structures at neutral pH.

ABSTRACT: i-Motifs are alternative DNA secondary structures formed in cytosine-rich sequences. Particular examples of these structures, traditionally assumed to be stable only at acidic pH, have been found to form under near-physiological conditions. To determine the potential impact of these structures on physiological processes, investigation of sequences with the capacity to fold under physiological conditions is required. Here we describe a systematic study of cytosine-rich DNA sequences, with varying numbers of consecutive cytosines, to gain insights into i-motif DNA sequence and structure stability. i-Motif formation was assessed using ultraviolet spectroscopy, circular dichroism and native gel electrophoresis. We found that increasing cytosine tract lengths resulted in increased thermal stabi

SUBMITTER: Wright EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5605235 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature