No evidence that G-quadruplexes promote proximal CTCF binding in vivo
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ABSTRACT: G-quadruplex structures (G4s) and CTCF binding sites are DNA elements associated with gene regulation that frequently colocalize in mammalian genomes. A recent study in Molecular Cell by Wulfridge et al. reported that CTCF binding is promoted in the presence of proximal G4s. Here, using a more comprehensive reanalysis of these results, we find that the promotion of CTCF binding upon treatment with chemical G4 stabilizing agents occurs genome-wide, irrespective of the presence of nearby G4s or G4-forming motifs. We put forward an alternative model whereby prolonged treatment with G4-stabilizing agents causes collateral DNA damage at CTCF binding sites—also in the absence of nearby G4s—which in turn increases CTCF binding. Moreover, we reveal that the reported loss of CTCF binding in a genome-editing experiment was due to a technical artifact in the readout. Based on this reanalysis, we conclude that the reported in vivo results do not support the conclusion that G4s promote proximal CTCF binding.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE280060 | GEO | 2026/10/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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