Cited by 920DNA and Nucleic Acid ChemistryAdvanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniquesMetal complexes synthesis and properties

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The Structure and Function of DNA G-Quadruplexes

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Spiegel, Jochen, Adhikari, Santosh, Balasubramanian, Shankar·2020·Trends in Chemistry

DOI 10.1016/j.trechm.2019.07.002PMC PMC7472594

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Abstract

Guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold into four-stranded, noncanonical secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s). G4s were initially considered a structural curiosity, but recent evidence suggests their involvement in key genome functions such as transcription, replication, genome stability, and epigenetic regulation, together with numerous connections to cancer biology. Collectively, these advances have stimulated research probing G4 mechanisms and consequent opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Here, we provide a perspective on the structure and function of G4s with an emphasis on key molecules and methodological advances that enable the study of G4 structures in human cells. We also critically examine recent mechanistic insights into G4 biology and protein interaction partners and highlight opportunities for drug discovery.

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“RSV’s polyphenolic structure along with its aromatic surface, appropriate for π–π stacking with G-tetrads [21], suggest that RSV may also display G4 binding properties.”
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Background
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DNA G-Quadruplex-Binding Protein Developed Using the RGG Domain of Translocated in Liposarcoma/Fused in Sarcoma Inhibits Transcription of bcl-2
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Background
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Zα and Zβ domains of ADAR1 and ZBP1 bind G-quadruplexes with nanomolar affinities, establishing Zβ as a G-quadruplex-specific domain
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Authors: Spiegel, J., Adhikari, S., & Balasubramanian, S.
Affiliations: Cancer Research UK (GB)
University of Cambridge (GB)
Corresponding author: Balasubramanian, Shankar
ORCID: Spiegel, Jochen
Adhikari, Santosh
Balasubramanian, Shankar
Venue: Trends in Chemistry
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2020-02
Volume: 2
Issue: 2
Pages: 123-136
ISSN: 2589-5974 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2019.07.002
PMC: PMC7472594
OpenAlex: W2966334511
Cited by: 920
References: 121
Citations by year: 2026: 111 · 2025: 157 · 2024: 158 · 2023: 144 · 2022: 151 · 2021: 122 · 2020: 74
FWCI: 7.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by-nc-nd
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: Trends in Chemistry (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Apollo (University of Cambridge) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Apollo
Funders: Wellcome Trust
Cancer Research UK
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Metal complexes synthesis and properties
Keywords: G-quadruplex, guanine-rich DNA, genome stability, transcription, DNA replication, epigenetic regulation, cancer, G-quadruplex-binding proteins

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The Structure and Function of DNA G-Quadruplexes

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