G-Wires: Self-Assembly of a Telomeric Oligonucleotide, d(GGGGTTGGGG), into Large Superstructures

Abstract

The telomeric DNA oligonucleotide 5'-G4T2G4-3' (Tet 1.5) spontaneously assembles into large superstructures we have termed G-wires. G-wires can be resolved by gel electrophoresis as a ladder pattern.The self-association of Tet 1.5 is noncovalent and exhibits characteristics of G4-DNA, a parallel fourstranded structure stabilized by guanine tetrads. Formation of G-wires is dependent upon the presence of Na+ and/or K+, and once formed, G-wires are resistant to denaturation. The results described here extend our understanding of the structural potential of G-rich nucleic acids and may provide insight into the * To whom correspondence should be addressed.

An RNA-binding Protein, Lin28, Recognizes and Remodels G-quartets in the MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs It Regulates

“…We were unable to obtain high-resolution two-dimensional NMR spec- Lin28 Recognizes and Remodels G-quartets tra that could provide further structural support. G4-containing RNAs are prone to aggregate (51,(62)(63)(64), which may have foiled our efforts.…”

Acid-facilitated Supramolecular Assembly of G-quadruplexes in d(CGG)β4

“…The prominent presence of a much slower moving smear of molecularities estimated to be higher than 16 is consistent with the aggregate formation of polydispersive nature for d(CGG) 4 in 2 M KCl.The effect of 2 M KCl on d(TGG) 4 and d(CGG) 4 T is the appearance of slow moving smears capped with bands having molecularities near 16 but without the much slower trailing tails (compare lanes 4 versus 5 and 6 versus 7). The presence of K ϩ -induced slow moving smears for these two oligomers most likely is the consequence of vertical stackings of G-quadruplexes (20,21) and/or G-wire type of structural formation (38).…”

DNA duplex–quadruplex exchange as the basis for a nanomolecular machine

“…However, DNA is prone to structural polymorphism (7), potentially expanding the repertoire of nanostructures that may be formed with this nucleic acid. Among these unusual DNA structures, G-quadruplexes are of special interest because they have well defined conformations, are relatively stable under physiological conditions, are highly polymorphic, and are likely to form higher order structures such as G wires (8)(9)(10)(11). They may also be involved in telomere DNA structure (12)(13)(14) and telomerase inhibition (15).…”