“…Mounting evidence supports formation of G4s, 33,34 iMs, 35,36 cruciform DNA, 37 triplexes, 38 and Z-DNA 38,39 in human genomic DNA, and examples exist supporting the idea that these non-canonical structures can regulate transcription in human cells, 34,38,40,41 and prokaryotic cells. 42,43 An open question remaining is whether non-canonical structures beyond G4s, 12,13 iMs, 27 and hairpins, 20 once oxidatively modified at G, can regulate mRNA expression during oxidative stress conditions. Regions with the potential to adopt Z-DNA are G rich, and should be susceptible to oxidation.…”