biostudies-literature00440Unknown112(9)Chung WJAside from the well-known double helix, DNA can also adopt an alternative four-stranded structure known as G-quadruplex. Implications of such a structure in cellular processes, as well as its therapeutic and diagnostic applications, have been reported. The G-quadruplex structure is highly polymorphic, but so far, only right-handed helical forms have been observed. Here we present the NMR solution and X-ray crystal structures of a left-handed DNA G-quadruplex. The structure displays unprecedented features that can be exploited as unique recognition elements.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America2729-33https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4352798biostudies-literatureStructure of a left-handed DNA G-quadruplex.PMC4352798Mechulam YChung WJSchmitt EHeddi BLim KWPhan AT44falseStructure of a left-handed DNA G-quadruplex.Aside from the well-known double helix, DNA can also adopt an alternative four-stranded structure known as G-quadruplex. Implications of such a structure in cellular processes, as well as its therapeutic and diagnostic applications, have been reported. The G-quadruplex structure is highly polymorphic, but so far, only right-handed helical forms have been observed. Here we present the NMR solution and X-ray crystal structures of a left-handed DNA G-quadruplex. The structure displays unprecedented features that can be exploited as unique recognition elements.2015-01-01T00:00:00Z2015 Mar2024-11-21T00:34:22.197Z2019-03-27T01:47:46ZS-EPMC43527982569596710.1073/pnas.1418718112